Wednesday, September 25, 2013

North Carolina Mountains


Entering the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina.


Why does only one Roberts child have an ice cream?
Larson goes up to the counter and I can hear him tell the lady, "In Austin, we have a policy that you can turn your toy in and get a free ice cream."  This confused the worker and she had to get the manager.  Larson then repeated himself with the most polite manners.  The manager was also confused but said, "so you want to turn in your toy and get a free ice cream?"  Larson said, "Yes, thats exactly what I would like."  AND he walked back to the table with a very accomplished look and a free ice cream.  I was dying.  Larson had not discussed this with me before doing it.  The look on the other kids faces was priceless.  
The rest of the night followed suit.  We could not stop laughing.  It was one of those nights that I will never forget with my kids.  

The next morning we were off to the not so big town of Burnsville to a street craft fair.




Jordan was really embarrassed when I reminded her of my clogging days in NC.


Fried Oreos and Rootbeer Floats

Their one movie theatre.

Larson had to buy a bow and arrows.



On the Blueridge Parkway.

Whitewater Falls of Pisgah National Forest
This waterfall has a spectacular plunge of 411 feet makes this one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. 






An amazing walk to the falls.


Sliding Rock
This was what we were trying to get to all day long.
I had never ever made it to Sliding Rock even being a student at WCU my freshman year.
Jackson saw this and he took off!
You fly down this rock.

Can you tell this water is a chilly 55 degrees?  Thats COLD!!!!








It didnt keep Jackson from doing it again and again and again.


This shocked us!!!!  He got in line but we never thought that he would go.
Such a brave kid




And yes, he did it a couple more times but then he was just freezing!!!


Now Im sure that Jordan really did not want to get in that water but she would never miss a photo op like this one!
Actually she really liked it.







The frozen brave ones!

BUT WAIT....

yes, I have never ever gotten more mommy bonus points than at this moment.
This was the same 55 degree water and I had to let Logan slide on the rocks.
TOM!!!!!!!!!! I NEEDED YOU!!!!!!!

Luckily it was all over with in a couple of minutes.  Logan was no dummy.  He wanted out of the ice water.
So glad that we finally found the famous sliding rock.
Soooo much fun!!!

Looking Glass Falls
In the Pisgah National Forest, you can just drive down a street and constantly stop to see one amazing waterfall after another.





N.C. is seriously one of the most beautiful states.
Our last day was spent at Mount Mitchell
Quite a walk to get to the highest peak
(luckily the have a road that takes you most of the way)




Amazing views from the top.
Also, pretty chilly here.

Into the forest to explore.


Just amazing beauty everywhere you look.





Getting her summer runs in!




In honor of The Hunger Games being filmed here, the kids were having a blast playing around and making vines about the Hunger Games.


An amazing day at Mount Mitchell!

Yes, every vacation has to come to an end.  
And that usually involves a very very long car ride.

And one huge unpacking job.
Did we travel in a bus???
Happy to be back safe and sound in Austin.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Enjoying Our Last Days on HHI



They have a lot of fun with Putt Putt.
Building our sand courses was on the agenda for today.


 The waves were so perfect for our last beach day!




 Golden Boys creation.
 Could she get anymore comfortable?
 Jackson showing the effects of summer.
 Tom, you seem a little more harrier these days!
(I love how Petra eventually just takes over your sleeping space)

Another wonderful summer vacation on HHI!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Going to Grandma Pat Pat's House




This was one crowded car going to NC to see Pat Pat.


Emerson Kathleen DeBruin making her debut!

Everyone gets in on the action.








My stomach is very happy.
We had a couple of trips here.

We were helping Mom clean some stuff out of the house but we took food breaks to hit all of our favorites.

 Jackson and Sage being themselves.

 Aunt Char treated to some rounds of putt putt golf.





 We went to go visit Ashley and family in Raleigh.
We went swimming at her pool.
 Emmerson was just staring at Larson.
He loved holding her!
Even Mommy gets some love.
Ashley took us to dinner after swimming.
OK Jackson if your going to put these on my phone, I'm going to use them!

Getting a little help driving back to Hilton Head.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Jacksonville Beach





Larry the hermit crab


This is very typical of Hilton Head Island.  We have to take cover quite often.
Very different than the dry Austin, TX


A fun dinner at a Japanese steak house.


Ice Cream for dessert

We dropped off Jackson with Aunt Jackie and Aunt Kathe so he could spend some time with Sage and Haylie in Jacksonville.
It was nice for the 4 of us to see each other even though it was for a few minutes.


Night time swimming looks like aliens invaded.

Day trip to Jacksonville to be with family and friends.
One of my favorite beaches.


Haylie enjoying the surf.
Jordan loves being around Julia.
Good friends.

Sisters
Yes, we had to run off of this beach too.  A bad storm rolled in.
Good news, Als pizza was just a block away.
It was fun catching up with everyone.  We ended the day by taking Dad to the airport.
He had to get back to Austin.
We also kidnapped Sage so that will be really fun having him with us.