Monday, September 17, 2012

Birthday Mountain Fun

Friday we headed up to the mountains for some fun and to celebrate Josh's birthday.  We arrived and headed to Big Mike's right after unloading the car, a tradition the boys will never let us skip!!

Saturday we went to the market, bakery and Franklin Park.  Then it was off to Asheville for some shopping and a yummy Thai lunch.  We ate at Basil Pot which is in the Grove Arcade area.  I can't believe we never went to this part of town before, but we will definitely head there again soon.  They had lots of yummy looking restaurants and cute shops.

After getting home from Asheville the troops still had lots of energy so we changed and headed out for a hike.  We found a new trail, Andy's Cove.  Somehow we have not hiked that one before, but it is perfect for the kids.  It is only .7 miles and easy.  Basically up and down in a long oval.  They have nature signs and things for the kids to learn.  We also went across a suspension bridge which made Jack slightly nervous, though not until after he finished!  Since that hike was pretty easy we headed out on the exercise trail too.  In total it was probably 1.5+ miles we hiked on both trails...and Sean hiked it all by himself except for the last 100 yards!  We have another hiker among us!!

Sean hiking all by himself and loving it
 

The creek we crossed twice
 

Chasing squirrels
 

Jack climbing up the dirt


Saturday we cooked out some pork chops and veggies we got at the market.  It was a quiet evening at home.  The boys went to bed easily since they were worn  out from their hike. 

Sunday we cleaned up a little and then headed out for a hike before we had to leave town.  As we drove it began to rain.  By the time we got to the trail head it was just misty and stopped precipitating quickly.  We hike Hooker Falls trail, another new one for us.  Somehow we never hiked this trail before either.  It is great for the kids, easy, mostly flat and the falls are perfect for playing in the water.  This will be the perfect place in the hot summer months to cool off!!!

The gang ready to go!
 

Goofball Jack right before he put his feet in the water
 

Jack and Ewan wanted to walk into the water so shorts came off
 

Admiring the waterfall
 

Sean finally decided he had to follow his brothers and get his feet wet too!
 

Ewan LOVES getting wet!
 

Sean venturing out on his own
 

Jack wanted to walk up to the actual waterfall
 

BRRRR!!  That is some cold water!
 

The big boys climbing the rock wall
 

Jack had to dunk his head, not quit ready to put his whole body in!
 

Copycat Ewan
 

 
Fun swinging with Daddy

Ewan swinging upside down and splashing
 

Sean's turn
 

And of course admiring the nature!!




We headed to the house, had lunch, cleaned, packed up and headed back to Columbia for a birthday party and then home.  A busy and fun weekend!

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