Behind the falls, back to school, and other photo documentation.

So, I wasn't really sad about the entire back to school thing until today. It's been exciting getting Sam and Lucy ready for Kindergarten. They are ready, I knew it was a good thing. I wasn't really sad. Then, when they all filed out the door this morning, and I sat down in my very quiet living room, it suddenly hit me. My babies are gone. How is it possible that the peace of one instead of four children at home can be so invigorating and yet, so devastating all at the same time?

They were adorable, that's for sure. Back packs on, big smiles. Sigh. It's only 9:30 and I already miss them.

 



I bought Jordan new shoes last week in preparation for school starting. I can't stop talking about his size 5 1/2 shoe. You know what size that would be in a woman's shoe? A 7 1/2. Which means I can wear them. Can I just say it is all kinds of weird to have a kid that big?

Now to recap some of our summer adventures... (since I got my new cable and can finally upload pictures again)

Here we are, at the top of a big mountain... it's a 5 mile hike, round trip. I was proud of the little ones for making it. It is well worth the effort because at the top, you get 360 degrees of mountain view. It's one of my favorite spots ever. We made the hike with good friends of ours... that baby I'm holding? It isn't mine, but oh, how I steal him every chance I get. ;)



One of my baby, just because I can't resist.



Okay. One more. I have it SO bad for this kid.



If you ever come to visit me, I'll take you to see this waterfall. It's awesome, and not too far from home.



We can hang out behind the falls, where you need to wear a coat, even in the middle of August.



You see us? It's the best we could do with our camera perched precariously on a wet, slippery fence post, right beside a gushing waterfall... in retrospect, I'm thinking maybe it wasn't such a great idea to get a group shot.



I love this picture. LOVE those eyes.



Last week we drove through the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest and saw these guys, hanging out in a big field right next to the visitor's center.

 



It was impressive. Notice all the idiot people that obviously aren't frightened by the giantly huge wild animal with massive antlers. Um, hello people? Just because he looks docile, and he's wearing a radio collar that the ranger people use to track the Elk, he is not actually your pet, and you shouldn't get that close! When I was a kid, my family visited Yellow Stone and went to see Old Faithful. While there, a buffalo showed up on one of the walkways circling the geyser. Rangers quickly herded us all back to our cars, because you know, Buffalo can be dangerous. One guy decided to ignore the rangers and walk right up to the beast, trying to get a close up picture. And that is why people make fun of tourists.

After seeing all these pictures again, I'm suddenly sad that summer is over.