End of Summer

July 14th we headed to Pigeon Forge, TN to meet Chris and is family for the week.  We spent several days just hiking to water falls and enjoying the beauty of the area.  Jake and the boys set a goal to complete high points in as many states as possible.  This trip enabled them to complete Tennessee (Clingmans Dome (7/19), North Carolina (Mount Mitchell 7/22), South Carolina (Sassafras Mountain 7/22), and Georgia (Brasstown Bald 7/22).  I want to say the South Carolina trails had been closed to go to the top because it is under construction (observation tower maybe) but Jake decided to go anyways and the poor boys and he had to struggle through sticker bushes.  The boys were not very happy about that. The kids very much enjoy their cousins and just hanging out.  The waterfalls were beautiful.  This was the first time we pulled the camper, it was a little nerve racking adjusting to pulling it. Many times we turned, I was paranoid we were going to hit something and when the weight was distributed- those noises would spike my anxiety as well. On the way home, we decided it may be beneficial for me to attempt to drive in the event that I ever need to for some reason, like Jake getting a headache, and I was so nervous to even try but was successful in not hitting anything. This little crew of mine makes me smile, well most days!

 

More Tybee, Youth Conference, and Ginny's 1st fender bender

Vacation came and went all too quickly.  We took the kids to Ft. Pulaski, haunted tours, candy stores, dolphin tour, the beach, deep sea fishing, and a lot of swimming.  On Sunday, Jake and Will went to deep sea fishing and I got up and took the other three to church. Ginny was not thrilled with the idea but came.  We had a very enjoyable time with Grammy, Papa, Megan and her two kids, and Sarah and David's family.  The trip home went by rather quickly as well.  We arrived home Monday evening and Tuesday morning, youth conference shopping began.  Youth conference was Thursday-Saturday but I did not attend all of Saturdays (we charted a bus to Cabot, Arkansas for a five stake activity) because Riley was getting baptized that afternoon.,  Charlie was blessed the following day.
Ginny had her first fender bender this afternoon and was in my car.  We have been watching Charity's kids this week while she works and ventured to Chic Fil A for lunch because it was cow appreciation day.  I drove the van with all the kids and Ginny my car with Aubree.  As she was backing out to leave, another car was as well, and they backed into one another.  The lady was driving off and I went and knocked on her window telling her she just hit my daughter. Fortunately, it was minor and no one was injured but I am frustrated it was my car.