Back Home Again

Aaaahhhh, what a relaxing week it has been!

We picked Kayla up from the church this past Friday night and she talked for probably an hour without breathing, telling us about camp! She had a great time although she did say that the letters I had wrote and stuck in her bag kind of made her sad. Other than that, she had a great time. They swam, hiked a mountain, learned new songs, learned about missions, and the list goes on! She has already asked if she can go again next year!

We spent Saturday packing and getting ready to go to the mountains. Left for the mountains on Sunday morning to meet Craig's mom and dad, his aunt and uncle, and his sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews. We had not seen his sister's family in probably six years, which is just terrible. But, they live in California and it is a looonggg trip! We got to Helen Sunday afternoon after stopping to shop for a little bit in the outlet malls on the way up. His aunt and uncle (Dave and Linda) got there about the same time as we did so we traveled up the mountain to check out our cabin. It was wonderful! Very accomodating for the twelve people that we had living there for four days. The rest of the family got there a little bit later and we had a great time of just visiting with everyone. That night we got to see some of the wild turkeys that live around there with their little babies; they were coming down the mountain. Monday morning everyone except for me and the kids took off for white water rafting. Dave and Linda followed everybody down the river and took pictures from the bank! The kids had to be 12 to go, so we sat that one out. They had a great time and aside from the fact that Ron, my father-in-law, fell out of the raft and got drug under the raft, it was a great time! He came home with a great story to tell. While they did that, the kids and I ventured off to a Wildlife Preservation place and checked out some very cool animals, then we went back to the cabin and had a great time just hanging out and also getting some much needed rest! We also got to admire the deer hanging out by our cabin from our kitchen window. That was pretty cool! Let's see, Tuesday, we hiked up to see Anna Ruby Falls, and then went to Brasstown Bald. We came home for supper and while fixing our plates, I looked out the kitchen window and there was a black bear right across the driveway enjoying his dinner. It was incredible! Dinner got put on hold while we watched the bear. That night we went into town and played mini golf and had ice cream - that was a lot of fun, and it didn't hurt that I one the back nine of mini golf! :) Wednesday, I stayed at the cabin all day - it was sheer bliss! I napped, I read, it was awesome! Everybody else went tubing, and I didn't miss that a bit! Again, Ron-bo got beat up on the river and he and I made a pact that if we ever go up there again, he and I will go out to lunch and go shopping while everyone else tubes! That is just not my thing and not his either. Anyway, it was a great week of getting re-acquainted with family that we don't get to see that often. We'll miss them! We did have one minor mishap during the week. Craig, who is never sick, had to go to the doctor the Friday before we left town for pink eye. That was pretty much cleared up by Monday when they went rafting. Tuesday morning, he woke up with an ear ache. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but Craig gets these obscene ear infections that put him out of commission. It usually requires prescription pain meds, ear drops, and a couple days off of work. They are brutal. The last one that he had, his eardrum actually burst - it was not pretty! So, we got up and around pretty quick and found a prompt care place a few miles away and got him an antibiotic and some ear drops. It bothered him off and on, but, thankfully, this one did not seem to be as bad as the last few have been.

I'm going to check out my pics from the week, so maybe I can get some of those posted soon!