One step at a time . . .

Thursday and Friday in North Carolina

Thursday was a big day for us. Aric and i enjoyed a wonderful 3 hour bike ride from our little town of Lake Lure to Ruthefordton - the next town over. I have to mention that our ride took us right into town and dead-ended at the hospital there. That is a significant - as you'll see. After our wonderful ride, we gathered the children and headed to Asheville - about 1 hrs away and filled with lots of art, restaurants, and just a great place to hang out for an afternoon. While there, we visited the comedy store where the kids tried on some lovely hats

We also enjoyed looking at local artist's handiwork and picking out a few treasures to take home. Then, we set out to find dinner. We chose a great little vegan/vegetarian restaurant called "The Laughing Seed." We decided to take a step out of our comfort zone and eat at a restaurant that serves peanuts in some of the foods. We brought food for Anton to eat and before we sat down, I wiped down the table, under the table, and items on the table. We ordered non-peanut foods and enjoyed a nice dinner. Anton had Mac and Cheese that I brought from our cottage. After dinner, we headed home. About 1/2 way home, Anton informed us that he felt like he had to throw up. We pulled over and got him out of the car. I spotted two hives on his face and realized that we were dealing with an allergic reaction. I immediately gave him benedryl - after which he complained of a funny feeling in his throat. He also said he was feeling tired - and his voice was weak. We hopped in the car and started toward the hospital we had found earlier in the day. I called the allergist who, after explaining his symptoms, said that we should go ahead and give him the epi pen. So, I pulled over again and Aric gave Anton the epi pen. Anton was brave - didn't even cry (even though both Christian and Hannah were crying - and even Aric shed a tear). We then drove (fast) to the hospital. By the time we arrived, the hives and stomach ache were gone and Anton was just about back to normal, aside from being nervous over the whole situation. He handled it amazingly well. We were checked in and he was given an extra dose of benedryl and some steroid to stop any further reacions from developing. We arrived back at the cottage, safe and sound (though shaken-up) at about 11pm. We are SOOO thankful to God for protecting Anton- so thankful for the epi pen's effectiveness, and so thankful that we learned an important lesson about Anton's allergy before something far worse happened.

Friday morning, we awoke to a new day - our last day there. Earlier in the week, we promised Christian that he could go for a pony ride, since he was too young for horseback riding. So,while I took the older kids to putt putt and the pool,  Aric took Christian for a pony ride - and they had a grand time. While waiting, Aric had a little photo shoot of Christian by an old, rusty Ford truck - very fun. Here are a few pictures:

That afternoon, we headed down to the rumbling mountain stream to climb on rocks. It was fun - though a bit challenging with Christian. All in all, a good last day in North Carolina.

Now, just a few fun shots:

First, two fantastic shots of Aric's

Christian's car nap

Hannah pausing to sketch a waterfall

Christian "mom, I can't get my shirt on"

And, my little tree-hugger

Tuesday and Wednesday - Lake Lure, NC

So, Tuesday and Wednesday were great days also. On Tuesday, Aric and I enjoyed a nice bike ride through the beautiful foothills.  The roads were so smooth and the hills were so fun. It was one of the most enjoyable biking areas I have ever been to.

Before this lovely afternoon bike ride, though, we spent some time playing putt putt and tennis with the kids. Of all the activities we did, both Anton and Christian thought the putt putt was the best. hmmm.

 

We then just relaxed and enjoyed a nice dinner and quiet evening (after the kids were in bed, that is).

On Wednesday, Aric enjoyed his own day or mountain biking in the morning and then golfing with my dad all afternoon. He left the house at around 9 a.m. and returned, happy and tired at around 7pm.

Meanwhile, My dad, step-mom (Jeanne) and I took the kids to Chimney Rock for hiking. It was fantastic. The trails were beautiful, we got to see at 400 ft. waterfall (the one in the film "the Last of the Mohicans." And, we climbed to the top of Chimney rock for a beautiful view of Lake Lure.  The first picture is taken at the parking lot. The second is on top of Chimney Rock.

 

After all of this, we laid Christian down for a late nap and I took the older kids (while Jeanne stayed with Christian) for a horseback ride. It was so fun. The guide was amazed at Anton, who had never ridden before, because she said he had such good control of the animal and was so relaxed that he rides as if he's taken lessons. Anton was so pleased. It was so lovely strolling along on horseback. The kids had a wonderful time.

Our trip to Lake Lure, NC

Our family spent a lovely week in Lake Lure, NC. We stayed in a beautiful cabin with my Dad and step-mom, Jeanne. The cabin was in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on a little 12 acre lake. It was a lovely spot to take a break from routine and enjoy family time, nature, and lots of bike riding.

Our first full day was rainy. But, Aric and I enjoyed our first bike ride through the beautiful countryside. It was so fun. The hills were huge - some over a mile of climbing - but then you reach the top and the views were so beautiful. Then, you get to fly at 40mph down. SOOOOO fun. Since it was raining, we just hung out at the cabin for most of the day.

On Monday, we went over to DuPont State Forest - about an hour drive away and SOOOO completely worth it. It just became a state forest in 2003 and in a 4 mile hike, we saw 3 of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen. The first one was a short .75 mile hike from the parking lot.

 Here we are along the way - the kids just loved hanging out on rocks along the river.

After hiking back to the parking lot, we headed to see 2 other waterfalls. The hiking was so beautiful and the trails were lightly travelled, which was very nice.

The "Tripple Falls" was the first waterfall we came to on this trail. I was amazed. It was stunning.

What made these falls even more fun was that there were trails to climb down to the falls and walk on the rocks . So, we hiked on down.

 After spending time by the water, he headed further up the trail toward our final waterfall of the day. Again, it was just so beautiful, and we could climb down and feel the rush of the water on the rocks below. Very cool.

We have so many more pictures - but these are some favorites. We all enjoyed this amazing. day. 

Stay tuned for the next posting... it was a fantastic week with a ton of fun pictures to share.

Who says T.V. isn't interactive?

We recently returned from a wonderful trip to North Carolina (more to come on that - when Aric processes the pics). On the way down, the kids watched LOTS of DVD's. If you know Christian, you may guess that Cars is one of his favorite movies. I think it is almost as much fun to watch him watch as it is to watch it myself. :) So, I caught some of the action... Christian's running commentary on the movie... (sorry about the angle on the first one - it gets better)

Download P5160560 or CJ commentary on "Cars" (youtube link)

Download P5160561 or more commentary (youtube link)

My guy's heart

Anton is a very tender-hearted kid. I am often amazed by the things he thinks about - and then says.

On the way to his soccer game yesterday, he said, "Dad, when I grow up, i want to open a restaurant that doesn't make anyone pay for their meal." Aric said, "Why would you like to do that?" Anton's response, "So that everyone who doesn't have money can come and have something to eat."

May God bless his precious heart.

Play Ball!

This week, both Anton and Hannah started Baseball/Softball. Anton was so excited... Hannah was a little iffy. But, when her cousin, Elise, agreed to join in the fun, she got excited, too.

After their first games, it appears that this mom wil be playing a whole lot of catch this spring (which is fine by me). They both had a great time - especially at their games. Aric captured some great moments on film...

  

This next picture is Anton making a head-first slde into home plate - and being tagged out by the pitcher.  He plays all-out every time. :)

 

There is little that is more entertaining than watching 6-7 year olds play their first game of the season.

I'm looking forward to warm nights watching my kids play a game I LOVED to play as a kid.

Yesterday

Aric did his second mountain bike race ever. He did so great. He got 2nd overall and 1st in his age group for his division.  More importantly, he had a great time and (most importantly, for me) he didn't get hurt. :) I'm so proud of my guy.

 

"Because everyone is home and no one is sick"

  This was the response I got from Hannah when I came down the stairs this morning to find a festive breakfast picnic in the living room. She was so thrilled to invite us all to her special breakfast picnic. I love when my kids do things that let you see the gifts God has given them. She has the gift of hospitality. She gave us that gift this morning. It was just so sweet.

Here is the scene before everyone came down:

This is Hannah leading Christian to our morning celebration:

 

This is the lovely breakfast plate Hannah put together for us (she even washed the berries!):

 

The perfect start to our "no one is sick and everyone is home" day:

'Nuff said...

Aric gone on a business trip today through Friday evening.

3 kids sick - fevers, coughing, the works.

'Nuff said.

Sunday activities

Sunday, Anton learned to ride a bike. He LOVES it. It took a little encouragement to get him started, but once he started, he learned in Anton's style... practice and practice and practice until he's got it.

Christian joined in the fun having sidewalk races:

 

Aric captured on film Christian's absolute determination to go as fast as his two-wheeling brother...

   

This spring weather brings out both bikes and smiles: