spontaneous trip and family bonding

We are not a spontaneous family...

we are planners by nature and usually know the schedule of events and activities
for our weekends long in advance.

But we had no Memorial Day weekend plans and it just so happened we had no sports,
dance recitals, birthday parties or commitments.

It was David's idea and all his planning
and I am so glad he pushed for us to be spontaneous and head on a family adventure.

Saturday we headed early to the mountains of North Carolina.
First up was Grandfather Mountain.

We saw Mildred the bear, did LOTS and LOTS of hiking,

yep, those are camouflage hats with a touch of pink.
We walked across the mile high bridge (freaked me out but glad I did it!)
No one was scared but me.

they made me so nervous....I could hardy look
and they made fun of me for being such a worried mama.

It always amazes me how beautiful the simplest things are there...the root systems of the trees,

the plants in bloom,

sweet hands discovering it all and sharing it with us.

His creation is simply amazing to me...we really don't have to look far to notice it.

and oh,
Charlotte and I decided to search for heart shaped rocks along the way.
We've decided to add to our collection this summer as we find more.
Do this with your kids...it's so much fun!
Aren't they wonderful?

We went to the cutest BBQ place for lunch...
Old Hampton Store and Grist Mill

It was a classic place...filled with old fashioned candy of every sort,

silly gifts, soda bottles in every flavor, and funny signs on the walls.

The food was deeeeeelicious

and the handmade birdhouses that graced the front porch were charming.
Wish I had purchased one of these.

We ended up in Hendersonville, NC at a campsite
after realizing the one we had made a reservation for was not the best place to stay (yikes!)
but we ended up at a great spot for more family bonding.
Yep, all six of us in one huge tent Saturday night,

and badminton, soccer, football, an awesome campfire
and of course, S'MORES.

and lots of late night giggles

We also visited Linville Falls---GORGEOUS!

and Sliding Rock

 We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped at other sites and falls along the way too.

They were all so beautiful! 

 Then we were ready for comfort and a little pampering 

so Sunday we headed to Greenville, SC 

to a beautiful hotel and hot shower!

ahhhhhhhhhh!

It had the neatest courtyard attached to the hotel and the kids had a blast 

playing soccer, frisbee, 

gymnastics...

and splashing in the stone waterfall.

 Then Sunday night we walked from the hotel to the baseball game.

We saw the Greenville Drive beat Asheville and then enjoyed the nice fireworks show afterwards. 

more bonding...

The stadium is great and is a smaller version of Fenway Park which we loved.

Hot night but great baseball.

They even had an ice cream shop named Sweet Caroline's...

 It was a great weekend 

with lots of laughs, great exercise, beautiful views, good food, funny stories and more. 

The kids had their moments, but it was special just being together...the six of us.

It was nice to just be.

Our cell phones did not have good service which was a blessing, 

there was no crisis at the office or in the studio, 

and there was nothing important we needed to attend. 

These years are flying by and we are realizing more and more that our time with them is so important.

I hope we'll remember to be spontaneous more often.

 Living is more important than planning sometimes, don't you think?

Hope you had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend whatever you did.

Blessings as you begin the week.

xoxo,

Caroline