What a whirlwind week it was for me and the kids! We traveled much of the southeast in just 9 days! The kids had half days before break started so I picked them up from school on Friday and we headed straight to North Carolina to visit my parents. Ra wanted to go to the Toby Mac concert in Asheville on Sunday so we made a long weekend of it and stayed with my parents since they only live an hour away from Asheville.
I think this was the first in a very long time that I have gotten to spend my birthday with my parents! It was so nice to be spoiled by them. Mom made birthday cake for me and had a gift waiting when we arrived. She also spoiled Ra with some GF apple crisp and GF brownies. She's getting good at making special treats for him and he
totally appreciates it.
It rained the first day we were there so the kids enjoyed playing games and with all the toys at Nan & Pap's house. Sunday it was nicer so we took them to the park to play and burn off their energy before we headed to Asheville. We had dinner at Tupelo Honey, which came recommended by a few of my friends then walked down to the Civic Center/US Cellular Center for the concert. Ra got a Capital Kings shirt and a flag and Sis got a Toby Mac poster.
Here we are waiting for the show to start. We were on the floor in the 11th row! Yes, they are spoiled, but it's Christian music that they LOVE, so I say spoil them as much as possible to keep the positive influences in their lives!
I love watching my kids singing, worshiping and praising God. We had so much fun seeing Capital Kings, Mandisa and Toby Mac. Great show!
Capital Kings is one of Ra's FAVORITE groups. He was really bummed they didn't play longer.
See why he loves them!
Next up was Mandisa:
Toby Mac!
Sis took a short snooze - until TMac started singing Eye On It really loud and she was quickly up and dancing with me and Ra.
Some old skool - J Train!
His new hit single - Beyond Me
The day after the concert we headed up to West Jefferson to hang out at my parents new cabin. The kids had the BEST time. I wasn't surprised though. My kids are camping junkies. They have both been camping since they were very little - I think Ra was 2 his first time and Sis was 18 months old. They love playing in the woods and using their imaginations. They had so much fun. They only came inside for food or the bathroom!
Here they are shooting bad guys. They were playing army and were using sticks for guns and grenades!
This is mom and dad's new cabin. The cabin was known as Big Rock - the huge rock to the right is also what their cabin is built on top of - there is evidence of the rock in the basement! They didn't blast the rock, just built on top of it. I guess they are like the wise man who built his house upon the rock!
Sis got a little cold so Pappy offered her his sweatshirt. I loved that he still has a WCU sweatshirt! Brought back memories!
Finding trails in the woods. I didn't realize how much they missed hiking. Here at sea level is not as much fun as it is in the mountains.
Practicing his sniper skills.
I loved this cute bird house! The cabins have quilt squares on their exteriors. It reminded me of their version of hex signs! Can't wait to see which one mom chooses for their cabin.
Love spending quality time with my mom! I miss her so much.
I really didn't want to leave - neither did the kids. The fireplace was so nice and cozy.
On the way home the skies were beautiful. They looked like they were on fire - this picture doesn't do it justice because I wasn't able to capture the vivid colors enough. There were oranges and reds as well as yellows.
The next day we packed up and headed for home. We were home for less than 15 hours before loading back up and heading out on the road again.
When we got home it was almost 90 degrees so I had them take a dip in the pool to burn off their energy while I got unpacked and some laundry done.
This time we headed to Disney World with Sissy's best friend's family! We rented a house for all of us to stay in during our trip. It was awesome to have so much space for 2 adults and 4 kids. Thankfully G's brother is the same age as Ra. They are in the same grade at school but haven't ever been in the same class. They got along really well on the trip so it was a win-win!
When I turned around and saw these two holding hands on their way into Magic Kingdom on our first day, my heart melted. They love (and fight) just like sisters and have a very special friendship.
Hope this isn't a glimpse of their future!
Help me Mom!
The second day we spent at Epcot. We were there all day long and the kids had so much fun! They did the Agent P scavenger hunt through the United Kingdom, caught a 360 glimpse of Canada, said hello to Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins, ate dinner in Germany, tasted Coke from around the world, etc.
Here they are in Innovations earning money to go to college. Future roommates?
Saving more money for college while Ra supervises.
Epcot was a huge hit with all 4 kids!
It was also the Flower & Garden show at Epcot. The flowers were gorgeous but my allergies didn't enjoy it!
K found her favorites!
She loves Lady & the Tramp as much as her momma does!
All made with flowers...Seriously? How do they do it?
Ra and G designed their car together for Test Track. They did a great job!
Here is Sis showing off her car design.
They loved playing inside of the aquarium and being eaten by Bruce!
A trip to Epcot isn't complete without a stop for food and drink in Germany!
Trying to keep up with the drummers!
On Friday we headed to Hollywood Studios. Here are Ra and A getting ready to get on the Toy Story Mania ride.
These two were busy building twin Lego mini-figures at the Lego store in Downtown Disney after a long day in Hollywood Studios.
The kids had a blast together. They all pin traded, hunted Hidden Mickey's, rode rides together, learned new things about countries and science, saw shows and made great memories.
The next morning, Lynn and her kids headed home early while me and my crew headed back to Hollywood Studios to ride our favorite coaster - The Rockin Roller Coaster. We rode it twice because we got there early and it was only a 15 minute stand by wait time. We also had an early fast pass so we rode it twice in a row! We are adrenaline junkies and can't get enough of roller coasters. Lynn and her kids aren't crazy about them - at least she and A aren't. G loved Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom and probably would have ridden the Rockin' Roller Coaster with us if the line wasn't so long.
Here is my baby girl devouring a HUGE donut while we waited for Ra to ride the Tower of Terror. She's so darn cute! Love this girl. She's my buddy.
I think I need a vacation from my vacation. It was a lot to do to make it work - lots of driving, packing clothes and food, long days, little sleep, etc. but I'm so glad my kids got to experience it. I'm also glad we have 2 months until our next adventure and that Andy will be along for that one! I'm grateful that our kids are use to being on the go and are up for anything. They adjust well to any environment pretty well. I love taking them on adventures and seeing them experience new things. These two are seasoned travelers at a young age. I hope they never stop seeking adventure!
