[love] two at a time

I've posted before about the wonder I have at my girls sometimes, what it must be like to be a twin.  Every now and again I capture a small inkling of what it must be like for them.

The idea that someone will always be at your side who is so much like you. The idea that your sister is there to tell you that you will be fine, she's there to help.  I hope my girls are always at least as close as they are right now.  

[love] fun in the sun

I want to have this much fun.

My triple stack of joy!

[love] april at the lake

Our family fun this past month ... oh what a wonderful thing it would be to catch up on all my photos!

[love] the lake

Sorry for the lack of posts, but we are in love with the lake.  More info to follow but here's a pretty picture.

[love] my favorite pillow

Before I had twins I always thought that it would be so cool to have twins.  Then when I had twins I realized that hard over took cool by quite a bit.  Women constantly tell me that they wished they would have or did have twins and I always answer the same, they are wonderful but it's a lot to handle at once.  Sometimes though, just sometimes, I'm jarred back to that wish that I had a twin sister and I'm so thankful that I was blessed with these two beautiful little girls and they with each other.

[love] fourwheelin'

It's alive!  The four-wheeler is all fixed up and ready to ride and so is the boy.  I insist on the safety measures, he's only 5 after all.  He did REALLY good!

[love] snow ... snow .... snowwwww ...

Back to the reality of winter.  At least we can enjoy it, right?

[love] christmas morning

A four-wheeler, two beautiful princesses, and a box of sandwiches ...

[love] bakers mountain

Bakers Mountain Park is located in southwest Catawba County.  It's an awesome 189 acre mature chestnut oak forest with about 6 miles of hiking trails.  This was our first visit but definitely not our last.  We didn't make it to the top which is the highest elevation in Catawba County at 1780 feet, but we had a wonderful time.  The kids loved it until of course it was "hold-me" time for the twins. 

[love] kindergarten here we come

Jack loves it.  LOVES it. 

[love] beautiful

[love] camping

It's Blowing Rock and the chance of it raining is always possible.  So we packed up and headed out to the Julian Price Park's Campground with the family.  That sounds so easy, "we packed up and headed out".  It wasn't that easy, in fact it was hard.  But we made it and after a lunch and catching up at The Woodlands, we found the sweetest little spot ever! 

It was a perfect fit for the tent and "kitchen" easy up.  It was fairly level and no neighbors!  It also had these cool little trails back behind it through the rhododendrons that the kids loved.  It wasn't even that far from the bathhouse. 

We got camp set up, a fire started and hot dogs were perfect for supper.  No rain.  We were good to go and even the girls cooperated and went to bed wonderfully in the tent.  The next morning wasn't as promising.  Breakfast was crazy good, but isn't it always when you are outside?  The fire got warmed back up and we decided to wait for the sun to come out.  The sun didn't come out.  The boys went fishing, the girls and I played at the campsite, but the sun never came out.  Then the rain started.  The kids were great, but we knew that it wouldn't be long before the limited amount of dry area wouldn't entertain them any longer.  So we called it.  We packed it all up, in the rain and headed back home. 

In the end, the right decision was made, but it was sad nonetheless.  Price Campground is just one of those places that you always want to stay one more night.  Maybe we can squeeze another trip in before it just gets too cold.

[love] a crafty turned healthy adventure

Big Crafty....  ohhh myyyyyy ....  and in Asheville?  I couldn't resist.  The crafts were almost as amazing as the people who made them and I LOVED meeting the artisans that I've watched (okay, maybe stalked is a better word) on Etsy for so long.  I even recognized some the artists from the Charlotte Etsy Fair I visited last summer.  It was so awesome that it needs it's very own post so onto the kiddos.

The ONE problem with the Big Crafty, 1000 degrees at noon with three VERY sweaty kids right around nap time.  The answer, The Health Adventure, a very cool (both figuratively and literally) "family health and science attraction" located on Pack's Square in Asheville.  The same location as Big Crafty!  Being an avid visitor to the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, how could we just walk past without at least checking it out. 

It's awesome and the staff is so super nice. Even on a day when you couldn't walk outside their doors thanks to all the craftmania.  We let the girls out of the stroller and just let Jack loose.  Kate and Maddie loved the play area.

They had an amazing time in just the first room and after a few minutes of ultra cool ac, I was back off to browse the crafts while Dad watched the kids.

We met back upstairs in the "Wizard of Oz" exhibit.  Jack worked on Tornado Alley while the girls visited some munchkins for tea.

So, if you are ever in Asheville and need a wonderful and educational break, this is the place.  I was just a bit jealous at not getting to explore The Health Adventure the whole time, but I know we will be going back!

[love] the lake

Papaw got an RV.  Mamaw doesn't care to ride in it.  Mamaw likes to park it and leave it.  Papaw doesn't like not having a car.  The answer, Lake Lookout and a little campground with no more than 15 other campers, mostly fifth wheels and our new summer vacation spot via the grandparents.  I think they had the idea they were going to "escape" us kids for a bit and yet I think the opposite has happened and they would have it no other way. 

images: playpending

[love] monster jam

it rocks!

[love] snow ...

It's so beautiful.

but more than a little inconvenient.