This week I got to take all 10 kids on a trip to the mountains. The point of this trip was to repeat a trip we took in 2013. That year we went on several hikes, went to Sliding Rock and Clingman’s Dome, and stayed in Maggie Valley, NC. The older kids wanted to see those places again and the younger ones wanted to see them for the first time. I’m so grateful for my You Tube viewers who venomed me enough money that I could pay my mortgage, bills, and have enough left over to take this little trip. It was so special. It’s been 2 years since they’ve all been home together and you never know when one is going to get married. So I treasure any time I have with my older kids.
Monday: Going to Maggie Valley
We packed and left for our little trip on Monday morning. First stop was to eat our picnic lunch and hike Moore Cove Falls. It’s a short, easy little hike to some fun waterfalls you can walk behind. It wasn’t as big as we remember it, but it was more fun without babies and toddlers. The kids ran around and had a great time.
Moore Cove Falls
Sliding Rock
Kaitlyn- Madalyn & Andy
- Makenna, Kylie, Kaitlyn
- Sliding Rock
- Thomas
Madalyn & Kaitlyn- Spencer
Airbnb
After Sliding Rock we went to our very first Airbnb. It was so nice! It had 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. It was half price and came up in my search for places under $150 a night. Otherwise I was going to get a small house with only a few beds and we’d sleep on the floor. But when this one came up I new it was a miracle and I grabbed it. It was the perfect location. And it was great to all get a bed! It was totally worth it as the children loved the house. It was bright and spacious and had a pool table. And this vacation was for them. I wanted to splurge this one time and have us all be comfortable and happy. And we were! It was a fantastic trip.
Tuesday: Clingman’s Dome
Hanging Out At the Rental
Wednesday: Lake Junaluska
We wanted to tube or raft a river but they were too low to be any fun. So we spent a couple of hours renting a canoe and paddle boards and taking turns with them on the lake. We also played on the playground and hung out in the picnic shelter laughing and talking. Then we went to the Cradle of Forestry Museum and hiked the trails there. Along the trail there is a cool train kids can ring the bell of. We left around 6 and headed for home. The views along the Blue Ridge Parkway were gorgeous! We got home about 11pm. What a wonderful trip!
Friday: Andy’s Birthday
We celebrated Andy’s birthday before Kylie and Alexis had to go back to BYU. He got some Matchbox cars and a race car suit. He made an angel food cake from scratch which turned out great. The next day the kids played airplane while the girls were on their airplane. They watched a show and ate snacks on trays. Sad the girls had to leave but so happy they came in the first place! We had a terrific week with them. Can’t wait till they come home for Christmas!
