Spring

cream of asparagus soup... so yummy... my girls slurp it up

Fried morel mushrooms

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 Cam has been working more which means I have been working less. It's about this time of year when I start getting the itch to stay home more, so it works out well.  I have been reveling in all the springy things happening around here. Baby bunnies, piglets, fresh veggies and even strawberries! Beautiful mornings, weather nice enough to hang laundry on the line, and sunshine on my shoulders. Love it.

First Strawberries of the season

asparagus from our perrenial patch

new piglets "brown nose" and "brown nose"

Smoky Mountain Trip

The Howards at Laurel Falls 

We took an awesome trip to the Great Smoky Mountains last weekend. We all had a great time. We went hiking, creek jumping, picnicking, shopping in Gatlinburg, out for ice cream (twice...don't judge me, we were on vacation!), and all in all had a blast.

Mommy and her favorite Maggie

Maggie right before she fell in

Laurel Falls is a fun place to play

Maggie has the best seat in the house to Laurel Falls

Cam and I took turns toting the girls on the trails. (Okay, Cam did most of the toting, but I did help!) Handily, the frame pack he bought for an elk hunt can double as a child carrier. The girls enjoyed hopping off and down. We hike Laurel Falls and Chimney Tops. Chimney Tops is some business, let me tell you.  I did not tote much on that hike. It was some serious stuff. I was really impressed by how much the girls hiked on their own two feet. Kids have so much energy!

Enjoying rock jumping and picnicking

Three bear cubs in Cades Cove

Morels from home frying with venison brats

We were planning to stay at Elkmont campground, but alas, when we arrived they were full.  So, we moved on down the road a piece to Cades Cove.  While driving the 11 mile look around Cades Cove the next day, we got to see three bear cubs and their mama. So. Cool. The wildlife are practically tame. We got very close to deer, turkey, bears, skinks, snakes, and birds. Fun stuff. If I had to guess, I'd say the girls' favorite part was becoming "Tennessee Rock Jumping Experts". There were so many creek and river beds to be found. They got really good at jumping from stone to stone up, down, around, and every which way between.

View from inside the tent

Maggie munches lunch at our picnic spot

Silly family in the Smokies

Mommy dictating Lila's journal entry

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Lila's journal entry 4-13-12 (shared with permission)
     "Next, we got to the campsite, and we couldn't find room! So, Daddy searched and searched and
     finally we found one. And, we goed scooting. It was glorious. I thought the Smoky Mountains
     wouldn't look like it was. The moral of this writing is have an open mind when you don't expect all of
     the adventure to the Smoky Mountains or any other mountains." Amen, Lila, Amen.

Easter!

We had a great Easter with lots of family, fellowship, play, food, and friends. We dyed eggs Saturday night and even had glitter to add to them. Luckily, the dye washes off little fingers for church.

 Cousins are always happy for an excuse to get together. They hid eggs, colored on the sidewalk, pretended to be dolphins, mermaids, and little girls... it was fun.

  

For some reason, my niece is always a lot more cooperative for pictures than my girls.  Here she is with her Opa.

 She's convinced we looks "Just Alike!" (Even though she really looks just like her Aunt Renata)

 Family tradition of Easter family pictures.  Maggie is traditionally not very cooperative! Today being no exception.

 A room full of friends, family, and food= good times.

Nana and Lila on a beautiful Easter day.

A Family trip to the Forestry

Harrison County has a beautiful forestry to which we have a park pass. Cam has been utilizing it recently for hilly runs gearing up for the Derby City Mini. But, last week we took a family trip to hunt for mushrooms and enjoy being outside on a glorious day. My work cancelled last minute, leaving me with the morning free, so we jumped in the truck and took off.

 We took time to play in the creeks and looks for critters of all shapes and sizes.

The forestry also has a pioneer village with log cabins and out buildings. Maggie and I played Ma and Laura in these cabins while waiting for Daddy and Lila to collect some salamander eggs for the visitor's center. What a great way to spend a morning.