Some stayed with the Grandparents in Atlanta 5/8-16

They celebrated a birthday (my youngest is now in double digits!) and Mother's Day without me. ):  We had celebrated a few days earlier, but it's my first time missing a milestone. It was also my first time to be away from most of the kids for more than a night at a women's retreat!

Grandma made decorations like mommy usually does. 

Yum! Buffets are a family favorite. 

Fun!

Tick = not fun!

Geocaching!

Lego store 

More geocaching

Serving with grandma at her church 

This was a lunch for extended family raising children for whom they are guardians. 

Jo, Ky, & Sy were professionals in their pressed aprons. 

Honoring and caring for those who give so much. 

And more geocaching 

All the birthday boy really wanted to do. 

Driving all over searching for caches

Time with daddy

Laundry time

Great Smoky Mountains

Everyone said, "You have to see the Smokies!" So we did. 

We explored both the North Carolina and Tennessee sides. 

And we found another Yogi Bear Jellystone campground to stay at!

After parking the camper, we made the trek over the pass. 

We saw their museum and walked the nature trail. 

There was a downed tree over the trail, but that just added to the adventure. 

We found fascinating bugs and awesome views!

And we found the Appalachian Trail! I really wanted to hike on just a portion if we could sometime on this trip. Yay!

We could have continued 1972 miles to Maine, but we didn't come prepared. Maybe next time. 

We let the kids hang out in different states. (:

Then we hiked to the highest point in the park, Clingmans Dome. 

Amazing views!

And fun talking with people hiking the trail. The couple I chatted with were from the Bay Area. He did the PCT a few years back and they are 19 days and 200 miles into the AT. They are planning to hike all the way through and should finish in late September! I've thought it would be fun, but the older I get, I'm thinking it's not a good idea. BUT they said there are so many hikers who are out doing the whole trail who have just retired! So maybe...?

Alongside the trail we saw this mama bear with 2 cubs!

Then we headed back to Yogi's place and everyone enjoyed this cool tetherball game. 

Our camp is right on this river - so beautiful and wonderful to hear the rushing water all day and night. 

After dinner even dad got in on the game!

To Atlanta... Wrong way! 5/5-8

We headed South again! Wrong way to get our last 4 capitols in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. But the right way to visit the grandparents!

We stopped in the Cherokee touristy area. 

We saw a mill

and bought some freshly ground corn. 

Then we drove almost 5 hours to grandma & grandpa's home! Yay!

Beautiful weather to eat out back. 

Ky worked so hard to make our 4 tires look new. She and Sy also washed all the cars!

Birthday pancakes a couple days early so mama could share in the celebration. 

Sunday service was cancelled because of their church family camp so we visited Andy Stanley's local satellite campus. "They still haven't found what they're looking for" (so they sang).
Grandma picked up a kayak at a garage sale yesterday, so we took it out. 

There were quite a few people fishing. 

This was a hard photo to get, but eventually there was a smile on her face. 

Stevie B's was so kind to have their big slice come out and wish Sy a happy birthday. 

It's been a fun few days. Tomorrow, Kik and I will head to CA and leave everyone else here in GA.