Hiking Trip to Pisgah

Well, on Sunday, August 22, 2010 we went hiking in Pisgah National Forest with the family.  It was fun and entertaining.  First of all, we went to Chimney Rock and sifted for gem stones and got lots of pretty stones for Jackson's little collection.  He of course is more interested in eating them than anything but oh well he had a blast splashing in the water.  Next, we made our way down the road to Pisgah.  In the forest we first visited Looking Glass Falls which was beautiful as always.  Jackson splashed in the water a little there, we admired God's beautiful work of art (the waterfall itself), and took family photos while climbing on trees and huge rocks.  Then we made our way to Sliding Rock.  While Jackson and I sat at the bottom in the FREEZING cold water and waited on everyone to slide down we video taped the mass confusion.  So we have proof of craziness on video tape at our house, haha!  Jackson then started to get really really fussy due to hunger and exhaustion (you know babies can't go very far on their little spurts of energy).  And the huge team of Coastal Carolina girl's soccer team was crowding the place, so we left.  We headed to the fish hatchery for a little picnic under the gigantic tree.  We were going to see the fish but apparently the hatchery is closed on Sundays so that didn't work out so well.  We then headed off to the hike that ended the day.  We hiked a little ways.  I had Jackson in the backpack carrier, Matt carried the backpack and most of the time Arianna, and everyone else had things (or almost everyone).  We walked uphill, downhill, and up again.  During the course of the walk....Jackson fell asleep in very awkward positions, Arianna became best friends with Matt and then took it back over and over again, just about everyone took a tumble at some point, I stepped on a snake and didn't know it (a blessing in disguise, because next to sharks, snakes are my biggest fear), and we finally reached the waterfall.  It was beautiful and very slippery.  We took pictures and basked in its greatness, while little man slept.  I guess if you have to nap, the noise of a waterfall in the background is pretty soothing!  Then we headed back to the cars.  We finally got out of the woods and into a field near the river only to find a massive group of college-age hippies almost naked and smelling like the worst body odor EVER!  We walked down the gravel road toward the mini-sliding rock as we call it, and 2 of the smelliest creatures approached us and asked if we were going to go swimming and we said "no we are on our way out" she said "OK good we were just going to warn you guys that....(hesitation)...we were going to be...." and Matt said "naked?" And to our dismay, she said "YES!" So, wow was all I could think a bunch of smelly hippies all naked together sliding down a rock into a pool of water, is there anything more disgusting?  Yuck, yuck, yuck! So, needless to say it was an interesting day of hiking and outdoor activities.  We  had fun and will go back soon I hope! 

1st Birthday Party!!

So, we survived Jackson's first birthday party on Saturday, July 31st.  It was a blast, even through the trying times of crying and exhaustion.  He stuck it out to the end...even though he was on a sugar high midway through.  He had everyone that loves him around and that was A LOT of people.  He got tons of gifts and the kid even racked up on money.  You can truly tell he is the first grandchild on both sides, can we say ROTTEN???  Well, enough said pictures say more than words.  The monkey themed party was amazing. And I did the cake and decorations all by myself!  Happy 1st Birthday Baby Boy!!  We love you!