Too Long!!

Elaina was gone for 9 days....FAR TOO LONG!!!  She went camping with my mom for 4 days...she was home for a half day (basically just to sleep) then, she left again to my sister's house in Nashville for 5 days to visit with her cousins - we called it Camp Doug (more on Camp Doug in the next post).

Poor planning on my part.  I thought it might be cool to be kid-less for a while - get a bunch of stuff done - but it was no good.  We missed her badly.  And, turns out, we didn't get as much done as we had hoped.  So, we are glad she is home.  We had a great weekend just hanging out with her. 

Times like this are what we missed...

Erik is a cross-word junkie.  Elaina loves word searches so I got her a book too.  She likes to sit and do them with Erik.  I (the mom) think it is incredibly heart-warming to see. 

I love these moments/days.....quite time......together

Cumberland Falls Trip

Ever since Erik and I went to the mountains back in February AND March, Elaina has been asking when can she go to the mountains.  We went twice in 2 months to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge without her.  She wanted to stay in a hotel room (mainly).  So, 2 weekends ago, we planned a quick trip to the mountains of Kentucky for the weekend.  Erik has been wanting to go the Big South Fork Scenic Railway for a while.  So, we took the opportunity and shot up there on a Saturday and took a ride to the Blue Heron Mine community.....It was very interesting and cool to see the way people lived in those mining communities all those years ago....

On the train getting ready to go

We rode through one little mining community on the way there - here is the main building with doctors office

An old church/school house

We packed a picnic lunch and ate up there....it was a beautiful day

This particular mining facility was very modern and advanced for its time

After our tour was over, we drove over to Cumberland Falls State park and stayed at their lodge.  There was a pool so we of course took advantage of it.  What 5 (almost 6) year old doesn't love to swim?

Our view from the lodge deck...

Her favorite thing to do (bunny ears)

The lodge

 
 
 
 



There was a hammock out front - we relaxed in it a bit

We took a hike Sunday morning over to the Falls.  Elaina was ready - I think this shot is funny.  It was pretty impressive except I was disappointed at how commercialized it was - big parking lot, gift shop, etc.  I thought it would be more of a quaint little path that opened up into the falls...Oh well, still worth seeing.  I want to go when the moonbow is shining

Mountain Laurels - pretty

The falls

A family shot

I feel like I close every blog this way but I'll say it again.....It was a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend as a family.  Good memories made.

VBS 2013

Elaina went to VBS again this year.....about 2 weeks ago.  I am way behind.  She went again with her friend Olivia and had a super duper time.  She could go just about anywhere with Olivia and have fun.  Such a great friend to have.  I am glad they went and hopefully it's a tradition we can keep up over the years.  It was a different church this year.  The last night they had a family night with a carnival filled with fun games and slides - what's not to love about that?  Before the carnival the kids sang all the songs they learned during the week and we got to learn what they learned. 

All decked out in her tie-dye shirt she made at VBS a few nights before.

Isaac, Olivia, and Elaina.....the gang.  Love all these kiddos.

Doing the moves - looks like they are doing the moves to the Thriller dance :)

One of many carnival games...fishing for a prize - multitasking with her sucker in the mouth

Olivia - fishing ....notice the sucker :)

still sucking on the lollipop

Elaina knows you've got hold your tongue just right.....