One of our favorite things about living where we do is most definitely that the Smoky Mountains are so close. We love just getting away for a day (or a weekend!) to the cool mountain air, kids splashing and playing and enjoying being outside. It is one of (if not THE) my favorite ways to spend a day: relaxing, playing, no cell phones or iPads or computers, just kids giggling and calls of "Look at this!" It is SO nice!
We headed up for a fun family day on Saturday, and Mimi was able to join us now that she is getting around and feeling like new!
There are lots of rocks and boulders, and one of the things we really love is this enables little pools to form. The kids are able to play in a little pool area and we don't have to worry about them getting washed away downstream! Some of that water moves fast. John and Christian started to work on a dam to divert the water to our pool to keep it moving.
These two just love to look for bugs, catch various things that move, jump on the rocks and really just have a great time wearing themselves out!
She is not fearful. She loves trying to keep up with her siblings, and wants to climb and jump just like them. Have I mentioned I love her curls? I also can't resist little toddler shoulders. And that back! Oh, my. I will miss that little toddler back.
She doesn't mind a little help, though. And she really loves holding your hand.
You may think that Avery is more photogenic, and that's why this post will have way more pictures of her, but that isn't necessarily true. Ansley and Christian are just most often running off, playing away, and Avery is nearby, so she's who I get the pictures of.
Avery obviously loves the mountains too! So she can remain a Greiner.
Ansley is busy the whole time. She is running and catching and chasing and calling. This is her element. She was busy for quite some time, and we finally realized what she was up to.
She was trying to catch a little fish, and she finally got one!
She's just so cute.
Mimi couldn't come down to the water, so while we were all down there, she would relax in a campchair. John and I would go back up (with Avery) and relax in the chairs and we'd chat. This time, though, when we were all down there playing, Christian thought Mimi needed some company. He has such a kind and sensitive heart. It will be neat to see where God leads him with it!
The Bay eating her cookie and watching some people go by. She started shouting HI! HI! and waving shortly after this was taken.
It's always a fun day in the mountains! And I think everyone sleeps better, too.
This makes me smile because I know how you love your family time together in the mountains and now Avery is climbing around with y'all! :)
Posted by: Renee M | September 06, 2012 at 10:02 PM