Our second mountain!!!

We decided summiting one mountain this summer wasn't enough.  So we headed just a short distance way to Crowder's Mountain.  An easier climb than our previous mountain but we learned you don't speak those words until you finish.  Just as Declan would say, "This is easy," a steep section would appear!

 Terefech wanted to backpack her doll, Olivia,  up the mountain.  She did it, don't think she will do it again!  Makes your back really hot!

 The hazy view of Charlotte

 Could have been a perfect Christmas card shot...except some faces are missing!

Fun in the sun with the cousins

Second day of driving

After another fun night at the Henn house we hit the road headed for Carolina.  

 Brandon enjoyed the pipe cleaners thoroughly!  

 We decided since we drive this route all the time and never stop at anything, this time we should.  After much debate, we went to the Luray Caverns and were not disappointed.  We took an hour tour through the caverns.  Incredible!!!  Most of the formations only grow an inch or so every 100 years.  Phenomenal to see living proof of how long our planet has been here.

 This is one of the lakes in the caverns.  At it's deepest, it is 18 inches.  When you looked at it, it looked like you could jump in and do a cannonball.  So cool!

 Yep, that's an organ.  Some guy spent years figuring out what notes different formations made and came up with enough to play some great songs on the organ.

 The caverns donate all of the money that everyone throws into the wishing well.  Amazing to see how much money they raise.

 The fried eggs.

On the way home...

We had out last meal in Boston at Suza and Brandon's favorite place.  We had awesome food, sat on the patio and listened to some great music.

 On our way home, we stopped in Connecticut again and met up with our old friend, Veach!  So good to have lunch at one of our favorite delis in our old town.  We had some time to walk around, always fun to go back where you used to live.

 If you hang out somewhere long enough, someone that we went to high school will show up.  We hung out at the deli awhile so we could meet up with the Ginns who were on their way to Newport!  

 Suza already diving into the road snacks!!!

All kinds of fun...

We spent our last day in Boston having lunch at the Market.

 Walking a little bit of the Freedom Trail...yep, you past right by a running monument.

 We got on the USS Constitution.

 Asking how the sailors went to the bathroom on the ship...all new meaning to "going to the head."

 The best part of the day (might I say the trip) was hanging out with Brandon at the gym he works at.  The kids probably could have gone there everyday with him and said it was the best vacation ever!

Old Sturbridge

It was a kind of murky, misty Saturday and we couldn't decide if we should go to Old Sturbridge or not.  Everyone waffled and we finally decided to give it a go.  So glad we did.  The kids had an incredible time in this old colonial village and to tell you the truth, the adults did too!

 We have to admit we all had a little too much fun with these pictures!

 Throughout the grounds were different colonial era games everyone could play!

 The kids were a bit mystified by the multi seater outhouse.  Brandon apparently knew exactly what to do.

 Declan got really good at the hoops.  Terefech gave up and used it as a hula hoop!

 The working shops were sooo interesting.  And showed the kids how things are actually or were actually made.  

 The working saw mill by far was my favorite!

 The kids were fascinated with how the water powered the saw mill and the cotton mill.

We finished our day with a visit to the Publick House in Sturbridge where Brandon and Suzanna were married.  We missed the event...Declan was born just a few days later.  Fun to see where it all started!!!