Our friends invited us to their mountain house last weekend. It was just the break from doing nothing that we needed.
Unfortunately the weather was…well…under the weather.
So we stayed inside for most of the time.
Will had a good time…except for the ear infection that we didn’t know he had.
The back of the house had a two level balcony that overlooked the side of a mountain…very scary for a person who is afraid of stepstools.
This little guy had a grand time…
He had quality time with Daddy…
And a three-day long playdate with this little girl… Miss Maggie…
And his best bud Ethan…
I love how all three of them have these crazy hairdo’s. Will’s got no sideburns…Mags has this ridiculous faux hawk…and Ethan’s got a rat-tail like it’s 1981.
On the very last day, the sun popped through the clouds and I jumped at the chance to get outside.
We bundled up and took a walk through the Sky Valley resort. Will obviously was enjoying the scene…
And we girls decided that since we never make it into photos, that it was time to make our own kinda magic. It’s sad that the reality is that moms don’t end up in photos because they are the ones behind the camera…but I’ve decided that this year I am going to try to get more ‘big picture’ photos. Sure they may not be glamourous or have perfectly crafted composition but I am probably never going to look this good again. Tomorrow I could wake up looking like Betty White.
(oh and if you are wondering, I used a wireless remote control
The rest of the day got even more beautiful. What is it about being stuck inside that makes you appreciate the outdoors so much? Is the filtered air? Or the fact that you are stuck?
We even headed down to do a short hike (and when I say short, I mean…I was only slightly winded afterwards instead of prostrate on the concrete weezing into a paper bag).
And we saw the waterfall…which was completely raging from the three days of rain.
One thing I love about my darling boyfriend is that he goes straight to the best viewing spot. He’s a viewer. He’s a spotter. He’s an overlooker. (Frankly he overlooked a lot when he married me!) And that day was no different. He was toting Lil’ Breezy and headed to the biggest rock at the base of the splashing water. It’s one of those small things about him that I know and love. It’s a quirk. I love quirks.
Just to prove my point, I dug up this old honeymoon photo…there he is…overlooking.
Okay and I just had to include this one of Will. It’s one of those photos that takes my breath away. To be frank, it kinda scares me. He is growing up so fast…and already he is developing this sweet and funny personality and I can actually see him learning things…new things…good things…hard things….each moment. And in my head I still view myself as this girl that is barely old enough to make her own doctor’s appointments or rent a car, not be responsible for raising a human! Then I remember that I can either fear it or face it…but dang if fearing isn’t easier.
This was our weekend group…
Oh it was fun. And now I feel like I need another break from taking breaks. Literally sometimes I see myself getting lazier and lazier…like if someone told me that I could walk a mile and get a thousand dollars, I would probably ask them how much they would give me if Jeremy walked the mile…
and then I would go take a nap. Of course, I would still be dreaming of what I could do with a grand in hand. That’s obvious.
(p.s. wanna see an old post about the last friend’s vacay we took? Click here to see our fun pre-baby days.)
Love the pics- I recognize some of those overlooks- my family lives in Dillard, not far from Sky Valley. Beautiful up there, isn’t it?! 🙂
The pic of the sun shining thru the trees looks like its straight out of Twilight. I am an adult and embarrassed for noticing that. Oh well. Nice pics, glad you had a nice trip.
haha – I know exactly what you mean about not being in any photos. Good for you for making a point to correct that before he gets older. My kids will probably look back and think that I abandoned them or something because we don’t have but maybe 2 pics of me with them 🙂
that looks like so much fun, and how wonderful that you have a group of friends that are all so supportive and close with eachother!
I love how witty you are.
And your comment about thinking you are the girl who is barely able to make her own doctor’s appointments really made me smile…because that’s totally me…I’m sticking with fearing the raising the human thing for a bit more though. 😛
super cute pictures! you were VERY close to my hometown as well. good times in the mountains 🙂 did I spy Brook & Kent?? how fun that you all are still close!
Katie, what a fun trip! You look beautiful, btw! The photo of you and Will is lovely!
Looks like the Blue Ridge Parkway! Hubby and I took a drive up the entire parkway last summer– great to do if you have road trippers in your family. 🙂
Great pics. I hear you on the still feeling like you arent old enough thing….its like I blinked, and now Im a grown up. I actualyl still find myself using that term too much; ‘being a grown up’…its how 6 year old describe adult hood 🙂
And AS for feeling like youre getting lzier..AMEN SISTER! I just had a c section a month ago and was dreading the catheter. HELLO!! To my shock… I absolutely loved it. I didnt have to get up to go to the bathroom! my husband was horrified that Id reached a point that I was too lazy to go to the bathroom on my own 🙂 Hee HEe
Keep up the great writing Katie. You never fail to make me laugh.
Looks like you had a wonderful time. And for having an ear infection, Will seemed to be in good spirits.
Raising kids IS a daunting task. It takes God’s grace every.single.day.
Have a great weekend!
XO,
Sarah
Great pics! I always enjoy reading your blog. I am pregnant and am contemplating strollers. Is that a Phil and Teds stroller???? If so, do you love it???
Good morning Katie, It’s Sunday morning here in Australia, and the first thing I did today after making my morning coffee is read your blog. You never fail to make me smile and have a little laugh. I remember those days of feeling tired with a young one even though they are as good as little Will ( I also have a Will although my baby is now 13). You are right- the time really goes quickly with your children, but baby enjoy every minute of it even the days with the ear infection and the general grumbles, because in the blink of an eye they are all grown up. I agree with you about being barely old enough to make your own Dr’s app. I can’t believe at 46 I am mother to an 18 year old, 16 and 13. I feel like at any time I will be told not to dawdle or I’ll be late for school. Your weekend away looked a lot of fun! It’s Autumn here in the land down under and your photos remind me of just what we are in for! Thanks Katie for your lovely blog and letting us into your lives. Tracey
Katie,
I discovered your blog about a month ago and I’m in love with your family and your gutsy and honest words. I really needed to read “fear it or face it”.
Thanks for being real but also being confident enough to share it!!
~Kelly
What a fun trip! That waterfall looks amazing!
hey katie,
great vaca…love all the cute babies! I’m wondering about the stroller that has Maggie and Ethan in it. Do you know the name/brand/ etc?? I’m looking for a 2 baby jogger and I love that this isn’t the double wide (although maybe a plus in modular home purchasing, not so much in sidewalk sharing!) version!
Will is too cute in this picture, maybe sleeping, or maybe just basking in the fresh air 🙂
thanks!!
Hi Elissa,
Actually they are both the same stroller. We got the Phil & Ted’s Sport last year and then the one Ethan is in is the current version of the same stroller but with the doubles kit attached. And it technically isn’t a jogger…it’s an all-terrain stoller…hence the fatty tires.
xo – kb
Ha – I had the same question about the stroller — glad I read through the comments 🙂
Looks like a great time! so happy you have a great relaxing weekend :0)
Will is so stinking cute! Looks like you guys had a great weekend. I love the picture of daddy and Will in front of the waterfall.
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Despite lurking for, oh, about a YEAR, I’ve never commented on any of your posts. And I chose this one to comment on …. why? Not sure, except to say that I think your weekend looked like great fun, and your friends look like people I would want to be friends with! And I totally agree about taking pictures of yourself. It’s hard, because I feel like such a mummy frump most days, and I hate saying to my husband, “Can you take a picture of me with baby?” but I treasure that ones that I do have!
Lovely pix…what a beautiful part of the country. And what a beautiful little Bower!
What a fun weekend! I love that shot of the sunshine in the trees.
I hope you made it clear to Maggie that Will is OFF THE MARKET. I’d hate for her to get her little heart broken. (Just lookin’ out for Clara.)
I’m a Richmonder who “met” you through Sherry (“Bowers in the House” maybe?) a while back, and I’m totally enamored. Love your blog – love your wit, your house, your observations, your style, your personality, and (last but not least) your men. 🙂
That cottage is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Why are all the cute houses always in the mountains? I want one of those in my suburb. Looks like a great time.
How pretty! I love the pic of Will and Jeremy overlooking the waterfall – it looks incredible!
What a fantastic day! I love reading your blog so much!