Trip to Grayson Highlands with the Turner Fam

Our first trip to Grayson Highlands was with the Turner clan. It was a picture perfect fall day with unbelievable fall colors. This was a tree that grew over a rock. Nature and the will to live never cease to amaze me.

Lucas deciding he wants to check out the ponies.

This little guy loved Hunter. It followed him all over the place. I really thought he was going to follow us back to the car (which would have been okay with Hunter!).

Hunter enjoying the beautiful fall colors. He loved the bright yellow leaves.

Here is the gang before we started the hiking. I have to mention that on the way up both Lucas and Larkin got carsick! We had to make 2 stops to complete a head to toe wardrobe change. The roads were very curvy and windy and the little folks just couldn't take it. I was a little worried when I had to use up my only extra outfit before our outdoor adventure even started! No worries, the rest of the trip was great and the kids were fabulous!

Sweet hugs. We need to make sure we hang onto this picture for another 15 years or so...just in case...

Here is Hunter's little friend again. It took Hunter a little while to build up the courage to pet this pony. The good mother that I am spent a good bit of time in the car on the drive up talking about the ponies and how they were wild and we couldn't pet them because they are wild and blah, blah, blah. Well, when we finally found the ponies they were surrounded by a group of folks feeding them, petting them and walking around with them. So there goes my speech when they walked right up to us and just begged to be petted. Cautious and respectful of course, but alas we petted, walked around with...BUT did not FEED the wild ponies!

Our Trip to Grayson Highlands State Park

Grayson Highlands is a beautiful state park about an hour away from Abingdon and Sparta, NC where my parents have their mountain house. David and I found it hard to believe that we had never been here or heard of it all the years my parents had their house in Sparta. We spent many days exploring Stone Mountain, which can be seen from Grayson Highlands. Anyway, it is beautiful with lots of hiking trails, waterfalls and wild ponies. The boys love to hike, but they really love the ponies. These are pictures from our second visit to the park. The first trip we took with the Turner family while David was working. It was so beautiful and we loved it so much we went back again as a family the first chance we could when David was off.

Here are the ponies. They were all resting under the shade tree. They seem pretty tame. Most of the visitors feed them, but you aren't supposed too.

After a long hike on the waterfall trail the boys were ready for a picnic lunch.

One of the many waterfalls on our hike. Lucas rode most of the way. Thank goodness for the Ergo.

Hunter is an amazing hiker, very agile and sure footed. He had a great time!

Enjoying the view.

Halloween and Trunk or Treat

Here goes the gang. We have a wonderful group of friends here in Abingdon and for them I don't think we could ever move! All of our kids are (give or take 9-12months) are the same ages, go to the same preschool and most of our spouses work together. It is a wonderful blend of adults and kids and we have a fantastic time together. The Dawson's live in Glenrochie Country Club and opened up their home for all of us start the Halloween festivities.

Gross. That is exactly what Hunter said when he got back down the stairs from this house. Funny thing is an ER physician that works with David created this piece of art. Couldn't he just leave it in the ED?

Captain America pulling down the mask and ready to score some candy!

Here is the crew! Trying to get a picture was next to impossible considering the excitement in the air and 4 one year olds!

Captain America led the way from house to house. You know when I remiss on past Halloweens Hunter has been so shy and we usually had Chloe help him to the door and stutter 'trick or treat.' This year he was a professional trick or treater. There was no bashfulness and our normally pokey little puppy literally ran for about one hour scampering from house to house. There was one elderly couple who had set up a game for the kids to play. Normally Hunter wouldn't be interested in a game that he didn't know, much less speak during the game and speak to folks he didn't know...but when he saw the prize was an extra large piece of candy he stepped right up to the plate, got the correct answer and scored a movie size box of Raisenets. Funny how his personality changed once candy and a superhero costumed were involved!

Where Lucas spent the evening trick or treating. We eventually had to hide all sweets from view and have him abandon ship back at the Dawson house.

Emerson and Larkin at the trunk or treat.

My car this year had a super hero theme. I thought it was my best idea yet, but I didn't even place...bummer.

Hunter and his buddies, Buzz and Optimus Prime.

Going through their candy bags. It was supposed to be a pot luck lunch after the trunk or treating but how many of the kids do you think actually ate a bowl of chicken soup after 45 minutes of candy collecting. Yup, not many. Most dined on smarties, lollipops and juice boxes.

Captain America about to enter the search and recover hay maze.

He was so grumpy this day, but he did realize that he needed that little purple bucket to put all his candy in.

Granddaddy. We love you!

Our family had a very difficult year in 2011. We had many losses and many challenges. Each day is a precious, precious gift and I have learned to love every minute of my life, good or bad. On September 13, 2011 Norman David Simmons passed away at the Hospice Home in Dobson. My children had a very special relationship with their Granddaddy and Hunter talks about missing him so much on a weekly basis. He was a generous man that was loved by many and blessed us with 2 very special children. I know he and Linda are together again. May they both rest in peace.

Zoo Atlanta

Before bed cuddles. Lucas could care less about the show Eli is into and would much rather be playing. I know this isn't a zoo picture, but it was our bedtime pic after our exciting day with the animals.

Wonder what they are telling the goat?

All my monkeys. Lucas loved the zoo!!

All lined up, but I am not sure what they are looking at. If I wasn't posting this 6 months later I might would remember!

Eli's 5th Party and other Fall Fun

This year my nephew, Eli, turned 5. Unbelievable, to say the least, that 5 years have past since this vivacious little man entered our world. He wanted to have a dragon party and this was the fabulous dragon cake made by his super creative mom.

Some of the kids at the party pausing from the festivities to admire another one of Aunt Noelle's crafty projects...a backyard pond. Nope, there aren't any dragons in there, but there are some pretty fascinating gold fish, a teapot fountain and all the pecan shells a kid could want to launch into the water.

This dragon had special powers and laid eggs. The kids had fun with a dragon egg hunt.

Lucas eats the marshmallows because, well, Lucas will just about eat anything.

Hunter roasts the marshmallows. He doesn't like to eat them.

Sitting together one fallish afternoon by the fire. As the weather started to get cooler we built more and more fires in the evening while we grilled or cooked dinner. As portrayed in the pics above the boys enjoy the marshmallow roasting and we enjoy watching and helping.

Simmons Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas Cowboy. For those of you who don't know, he was one of Abby's puppies. He was right in the middle of all the action, exactly as Abby would have been. In some strange way he presence was comforting...even with all of his grumpy growling.
The aftermath.
Mom and Dad getting ready to open their new TV!
Hugs from Aunt Jenny. This year I took Hunter Christmas shopping to pick out presents from he and Lucas. I must say he did a fantastic job!
Some inside joke dad and David have, I think.
Lucas playing with his new barn from Santa.
Yay! A kitchen to help me cook.
Perfect gift for Chloe, aka Taylor Swift.
New bike and helmet!
Let the present opening begin.

Making Christmas cookies. We have done this every year on Christmas eve. This year was the best ever. Hunter was really having a great time despite the sour puss look on his face!