Nantahala

We decided we needed to get away, somewhere, for spring break this year. Philip wasn't able to get a full week off which limited our options, but we found an amazing cabin in NC thanks to Kim and Philip's hard work:)  

The drive there wasn't bad until we hit the "tail of the dragon" where Parker and I both got quite motion sick. But we made it, finally, and the kids immediately wanted to get in the hot tub. 

We were there less than 3 hours when Parker jumped in the hot tub, hitting his chin on one of the steps and busting it open. We always travel with a suture kit so we were ready, but he was not having it. After 1.5 hours of Kim and I holding him down, stitches getting put in and pulled out, Philip threw in the towel (literally) and we glued it. It was traumatizing for all of us. But luckily that was the only mishap of the trip! 

The cabin was beautiful and in the most gorgeous setting. There was a fire on the deck and a fire pit by the dock.  There was a stream on the side of the house that the kids loved exploring.We went fishing and kayaking off the dock. The water was freezing so no one got in, but the kids liked going out in the canoe and Parker enjoyed "casting and reeling", not actual fishing lol. 

The weather was so nice (except the last day) so we spent most of our time outside. Even the last day when it was cold and rainy we still enjoyed just bing at the cabin and we introduced the kids to the movie E.T. Parker told us he needed an E.T with his magic finger to fix all his boo-boos. 

We visited the Nanthala Outdoor Center which was so cool. Lots to explore and see. The kids climbed in the water and we watched white water rafters come in and out. The loved throwing things in the river and watching them float down. 

We had a fire pit at the cabin and Kim got all the kids these cute "fishing rod" marshmallow roasters. 

We did "gem mining" and the kids (and adults) loved sifting through the sand and dirt to find gems and rocks to bring home. The nice man who owned it went through every gem at the end, telling us what they were and which ones were special. 

We ate lunch, in a real restaurant! , on the Nantahala and got to watch more rafters coming through. 

We pulled over at a random creek and the kids played in it for hours. 

It was a beautiful day and they had so much fun. 

Parker went exploring in the stream by our house and managed to get a bit muddy. 

We hiked up the hill from our house and merged onto a portion of the Appalachian Trail. 

We stopped at the Tapoco Lodge on the way home and had a delicious lunch. Which might not have been too wise considering it was pre- dragon tail. But it was yummy and I drove it very slow. 

We had a great trip and it was so nice to just get away and relax. Our cell service was spotty, which was also lovely, especially concerning Philips work. After being cooped up with Covid for a year, it felt so nice to be somewhat normal and do normal things. 

Ainsley is EIGHT

It's crazy how much has changed since Ainsley turned 7. Last year she got to have a big birthday party, take doughnuts to school to share with her class, see all of her family and celebrate BIG, like we always do! This year, she only had 4 friends (that she sees regularly) over for a pajama / squishy party. We did separate celebrations with family and even did FaceTime with some. Her class sang Happy Birthday to her on her zoom. So while things were not what they usually are, we hope she felt loved and special nonetheless. 





Ainsley is growing into a sweet hearted, joyful, thoughtful, creative, caring girl. She is our little gymnast who is learning new ways to flip and roll every day. She speaks Spanish better than anyone in our family. She is starting to enjoy reading more, and has finished her first chapter book. She is so creative and loves thinking up ideas and making them happen. She loves her stuffed animals fiercely and loves playing AG dolls and Barbies. Her favorite color is light blue. She likes to dance. She loves all kinds of pretend play. She is our true first born, following all of the rules and letting us know when Parker doesn't. She excels at delayed gratification, saving things for later and letting the excitement of something fill her up without giving in to it. 


While we have spent more time together this year than most years past, it has been so sweet watching her personality develop and see her start to have passion for creating. She is learning to overcome her shyness and "be brave Ainsley" as she tells herself. She doesn’t mind playing alone and will let us know when she just wants to play by herself (which Parker does NOT understand). 

We are so lucky to have her as our daughter and can't wait to see what the Lord does with her eighth year! 

January Happenings

The week after Christmas, our friends asked us to go to a cabin with them in NC. We jumped on the chance to get out of the house, and we have been seeing the Burton’s every so often as they are being careful like we are. So we loaded up the car and took off to our cabin in the woods! 

The first day there we tried to go snow tubing but they were sold out for the next several days. We ended up taking the kids snow skiing for the first time! They both did so well, didn’t get upset when they fell and popped back up until they figured it out! They started off with poles but quickly decided it was easier without. 

Philip was on kid- duty since we only bought one lift ticket therefore he was the only one with snow boots. Megan and I were the paparazzi. 

Back at the cabin we hung out in front of the fire, played games, went on walks/hikes, built a fire in the fire pit, played cards and hung out. 

We rang in 2021 with sparkling juice for the kids and popping confetti. The adults hung out until about 9:30, sang happy new year and went to bed ourselves:) 

The last day we went “gem mining” and the kids came home with a haul of all kinds of gems. They said this was their favorite part of the trip- go figure! 

Back home in KY, Uncle Bubby and Aunt Rachel set up a zip line at their house and we ALL enjoyed swinging down it. 

We can do scheduled visits with GG and the kids were so wild that they might not be allowed back.

We spent lots of time in Georgetown, and when it snowed we raced down there to play in it! The 4 wheeler is a nice addition to that gigantic hill. 

Parker started preschool this week! 

We weighed the risks and benefits of him attending school right now, and ultimately decided it would be best for him to be in school. He has been home with me for 10 months, and while he has learned his letters and lots of other things (thanks Gramma and Nanny!), he needs to be around other kids and socialize before he starts kindergarten. 

They had to pry him off my lap the first day but his sweet teacher sent me a pic soon after drop off of him playing and smiling. He told me he had a “great day!”. 

Philip got his second vaccine yesterday so in approximately 10 days he should have 90% immunity against COVID. I know that will make him feel so much better. We will all be so glad when we can see a small glimpse of “normal” again.