Greenway walk

How amazing is this - after dropping Timo at school, we met Sadie (and Guthrie) and Lindsay (and Sunny) for a 2 mile walk on the Greenway! I could get used to this schedule! The mornings are cool in the mountains, so it was perfect for a walk. (And I brought my porridge and banana to eat in the parking lot since I hadn't eaten my breakfast yet...)

the boys

But beware! A copperhead!

Thankfully there were a lot of others on the trail this morning, and we were forewarned about this copperhead right next to the pavement. Mattias had been "off roading" with his bike so he quickly got back onto the sidewalk. Yikes!! We stopped for a few seconds and then wisely continued on. Apparently it's been such a rainy summer and the river level is high, so many of the snakes have had to venture up higher to find new burrows - and there are been a lot of snake sightings. I think I need to go read up on snake bike first-aid.

Surprise snow day

Last Friday we woke up to a surprise snowfall! It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful! The boys woke me (Jul) up in the morning, running into the bedroom to say, "It snowed!" Ah, magical childhood moments. The forecast the day before had been for '50% chance of flurries' so we were excited to get 6 inches on Friday, and another 3-4 on Saturday.

Of course, Timo led the way immediately after breakfast and got out all the gear to go outside and play right away! Jim had to go into work but was able to leave early and got home after lunch. The roads were rough that day so no classes or public school.

view from our front door

After a morning playtime, Timo requested hot chocolate in front of the fire. Shortly after this picture, Mattias requested some, too, as well as bananas and a couple of reheated biscuits. Unfortunately our central heat died at the same time - !! - so we had the gas fireplace running almost all weekend, and borrowed some space heaters from the Woodys. The repair wasn't completed until six days later. Meanwhile on Saturday we lost power for about 16 hours, but just when we were packing up to go spend the night at the Woodys, it came back on. Boy are we grateful for the utility company and all the knowledgeable people who keep our electricity and machines running.

baby Hawk was all snuggled up and didn't complain at all

Monday morning lake walk

I love getting outside to exercise with the boys, and especially when we can be near water. We hadn't been to Lake Junaluska in a while (which is really a reservoir; no swimming but there is a trail all the way around); even though it is 25 minutes away, that's far enough that we hadn't ventured there yet with baby Hawk - until this week! It was a bit cloudy, breezy, and mid-70s - the perfect temperature for late summer. The boys were great on their bikes with no complaints; I had to jog quite a bit to keep up with them (with breaks to look at ducks or dogs or kayaks)!

Here we go, around the lake - 

Blueberries, again and again

We LOVE blueberry picking! And yes, that's two Saturdays in a row that we have gone! The second week we went with the cousins, followed by lunch at the creek & picnic area on campus. The kids did great with picking, and it was so fun to just let them wander and explore and pick and yell at each other in excitement. Berries are certainly their most delicious when they are fresh off the bush! They're also very delicious in blueberry buckle.

Phillip, Timo and Adella

The kids had a great time exploring the little creek and shooting each other with water guns. It was a beautiful day, not too hot (a welcome reprieve after several weeks of hot days). I guess this is one of our go-to spots because we had a picnic lunch together here last summer, too!

Timo, Daniel & Samuel

The blueberry buckle, Timo's request

Lake Glenville for our anniversary

16 Years!! This one snuck up on us - in the midst of busy, tiring days in parenting our three boys - but we did try and do something fun for our anniversary. On Friday night (the actual day) we got take-out from one of our favorite restaurants downtown, Guadalupe Cafe; they have the best fried tofu! And all the entrees are $2 off if you substitute tofu; how great is that! [Big salads for both Jim and I, because the first time I had it it was delicious and now I can't get anything else; and 'pick 3' for the boys]. We also splurged on their chocolate cake, and discovered it wasn't worth it - so Jim has vowed to make another chocolate cake sometime to make up for it.

Saturday morning we packed lunch and drove to Lake Glenville, which is up into the mountains, about 35 minutes from Sylva and a few minutes from Highlands/Cashiers. We were the first ones at the lake but it got very busy by midday. Lovely little, clean, sandy beach and views around the lake and hills. There are a few homes on the lake but mostly it is quite peaceful. In fact the morning was overcast and a bit chilly, and I was wishing that I had packed a thermos of tea for lunch! Next time! I realized this was the first time I had driven up and into the mountains and along winding roads (oh... carsick...) to get to a lake! Admittedly, a reservoir, but still beautiful. While there we said, "why don't we do this again next weekend?!" And "When do you want to go camping?!" (the campground is around the corner) And "Do you think Mom and Dad G will want to go with us to HoneyRock next summer?"

Timo had a great time running down the sand and flinging himself into the water. He did not want to leave after lunch!

It was fun to look out at the lake and see boats going by, and even one jet ski pulling a water skiier. The clouds make this photo look bland but actually the water was clear and clean. You could see little fish in the water, and some other kids caught a salamander in their bucket!

What did this little one's morning consist of? Well, first he drank some milk (in his usual slow and thoughtful manner), and then he looked around and watched his brothers, and then he snoozed. How nice. Trust me, he likes having his head thrown back a bit like that (reminds me of Adah Joy as a baby).

Creek walk with cousins

Summertime means family time! We LOVED having the Weltys here for two days - if only it could have been longer. They are on a break from Texas for the summer and spent a couple of weeks in nearby Montreat, so twice they were able to come over for the day to hang out. The boys really hit it off with legos and good guy/bad guy games, and once again Lillian was adored by her younger cousins (Mattias followed her around and she was very patient and helpful with him).

Meanwhile Rachel was also here with us (on her own! party!) for 5 days. The boys were so, so excited to have her - and Timo barely stopped talking her ear off or asking, "Auntie, do you want to play with me?"

It doesn't take long to get to it with legos!

On Saturday we all trooped along Fisher's Creek (trail just on the edge of town). It was a bit cool and cloudy but still great to be on the trail and near (or in!) the water. I think this counts as Hawk's first hike.

this is Timo's new "explaining" posture

 

Cold!

Back home for the afternoon. The sisters got to go out together for coffee during naptime, while the Welty kids checked out the public library. And then it was time for smiles from Hawk and supper outside.

Time for a little Far Side before bedtime and good-byes

Outing to Darnell Farms

On a Saturday morning in late May, Jim took the older boys to a nearby farm for their Strawberry Festival. There was a plowing competition (non-mechanized); antique tractors; bouncy houses; kettle corn; dancing; pony rides; and a hay ride. And of course, local farm produce and strawberries!

Late fall life and friends in Sylva

Phew, time for a catch-up!!

First, here we go, off on the Polar Express! In nearby Bryson City is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train, and in the winter they offer a special Christmastime ride themed after the book, The Polar Express. One weeknight they offered free tickets to locals for their "dress rehearsal" so I took the boys with a big group of friends/connections for the 90 minute ride. There was music, dancing by the crew, chocolate chip cookies, a reading of the book, and a stop from Santa to hand out a bell to each child along the way of the 6 mile journey. The boys enjoyed it and had fun wearing their pajamas (but we were all hungry for supper by the end!). I didn't get any photos of the train because the light was too sharp in the afternoon, and pitch black by the end of the ride.

With Isaac and Luke, about ready to disembark

Just a morning drumming session

More of Timo's creations/villages... I'm always amazed at how he continues to enjoy the same cars and Legos, day after day, coming up with new scenarios and - even more so now - stories and dialogue.

"Mattias, here, I can read you this book", said Timo

Beautiful fall colors here this season! Even just walking down the driveway! At least, when we could enjoy them through the smoke of all the nearby forest fires. It was SO dry for 6+ months and we were in drought conditions, until finally rain returned at the end of November. Some days we didn't go outside because the smoke was so heavy. We feel very fortunate not to have been closer to the fires and needing to evacuate, though we could see the billowing smoke.

Timo and his buddy, Amos, on a Saturday walk through the woods

Look, downtown Sylva goes crazy with Christmas decorations!! Something new we have learned and now love about this little down. The hill in front of the courthouse/library (seen below) and the four blocks of Main St are all decorated with lights and greenery and ribbon.

It's chilly, but we bundle up anyway! Timo, I think you're getting a bit tall for the stroller...

Look at this great kitchen helper, who volunteered to clear the table and rinse all the dishes after dinner one night. I think he gets it from his Dad!!