Back to School

The kids started school today in Shreveport, LA.  Although it was not our plan we are thankful for God's provision of a house and schools for the kids to attend.  We are trusting Him to continue to provide our every need.

Isaac turns 10

Our baby is now double digits. We had a fun day with family. He requested cinnamon buns for breakfast and shrimp and ribs for dinner with an ice cream cake to finish it off.

Friends in town

We had such a great time catching up with some friends from CA.  God is so good to orchestrate just what we need in each moment.

Summer bowling fun

The cousins went bowling and it was quite the adventure.


If you got a strike you got a pic.

Husky Branch Falls

Today was an unexpected vacation day.  We were supposed to be headed home today but they offered us another night at a discount and we were not ready to go.  Our last hike was an easy one.  We hiked almost 5 miles but it was flat.  The fall was not magnificent but nice.  We hiked on a little further and were able to hang out in the river and play. 

We finished out the day by driving through Cades Cove.  The views were spectacular and we saw a mama bear and her 3 cubs.

Anakeesta

Today we stayed in Gatlinburg and enjoyed time with friends.  We took a visit to Anakeesta and enjoyed the views and the mountain coaster.

The kids watched this guy make candy through the window from start to finish.  Someone even ran them out a handful of candy for their perseverance. 

Baskins Creek Falls

Today, we knew exactly where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do and guess what, there was no parking anywhere close to where we wanted to be.  We were on Roaring Fork Road, though, so we just decided to drive until we could find somewhere to park and just hike that.  We found a spot at Grapeyard Ridge Trail.  It's a 14 mile trail so we agreed to hike out for one hour and then turn back.

It started with this, Bales cemetery.  There were graves from the early 1900s.  The trail was not consistently steep although there were spots.  Before we reached the hour mark we came to the sign you see below.  Remember, I don't like to hike just to hike, I want to see a fall or a view so I was very disappointed until we reached this point.  BASKINS FALLS?!?! Does it really say FALLS?  God really spoils us.  Not only did we get to enjoy these falls, we hiked alone the whole way there and back.  We were the only people at the falls for a bit then 3 other people came.  But compared to the day before when we shared the falls with about 100 other people it was such a treat.  A gentle reminder that God's plans are so much better than ours.  Such a timely lesson for all of us.

Lillian built this really cool tower of rocks and then we learned that it is prohibited since it messes with the salamanders and their eggs.  We did not do it again!!!