This throw-back Thursday is dedicated to the ghetto pool and the years where we were basically drowning in littles. Good thing we have some pictures because it’s pretty much a blur.
Category Archives: GSMNP
farewell 2012
I decided I would do something with the kids today that Chris would’ve wanted to do if he was here. So after a productive morning of school work, lunch and rest time, we headed to the GSMNP!
Our goal was to see snow (even from a distance) and wildlife. Well, that was mine, Foster, Katie and Theodore’s goal. Parker’s goal was to shoot and kill a snow monster and a sea monster.
We did see snow! Way up yonder! And we counted 66 deer. The best being the big buck that Foster took pictures of. He said it was an 8 pointer. I let him get out of the van and walk in close, he was so excited.
Foster chattered the whole time about his daddy. All the kids did, mentioning all the trips before when we had seen another big buck or the bear we had seen or all the turkey. It was a wonderful way to have them have a little daddy time today, without really being with daddy.
We picked up pizza on the way home and I had asked everyone to say “farewell 2012” before getting in bed. Mostly they just ignored me or didn’t cooperate. I know the day is soon coming when I hear “Mom you’re such a dork!” on a daily basis. For now though, I just threaten them to get them to let me take their picture. Especially that big one, he really doesn’t like his picture taken anymore.
Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful 2013!!!
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
30 days of thanks: day 20
I’m thankful for…
my husband, my parents and every veteran,
free meals,
beautiful, sunny weather,
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
seeing 29 deer, 1 black bear, several turkeys, crows and squirrels,
that my kids were so excited to ride without their seat belts around the Cades Cove loop,
home,
watching Everybody Loves Raymond with my sweetie.
soggy mountain breakfast
A Grubb family tradition for Labor Day is to get up super early and head to the GSMNP. We all pitch in and have a huge country breakfast.
Biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, fried pork tenderloin, hash brown casserole, cinnamon rolls, homemade jam…and more.
The food is usually the same, hot and delicious. The family members have changed. Those who are present have lessened over the years due to death or distance. But the spirit of family, the familiarity of our mountains and tradition are comforting.
My children will hopefully have these times etched into their memories. Deep enough that when they have their own children they will have the desire to carry on these same traditions and feel drawn to create more comforting, peaceful mornings for their families.
It was soggy from rain. We made it through breakfast before the rain really started coming down again. The kids didn’t care. Any chance to be in the river is relished!
a lovely Father’s Day…
After church and lunch we headed to one of the most beautiful places, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
On the way home we stopped for ice cream. Chris said, “this is the best Father’s Day I’ve had in a long time.”
All the Little Grubbs 