Crazy Hair Day at school

It was crazy hair and hat day at school today so...as you can see, the kids wanted me to spray their hair! I sure hope it washes out. Evan wanted all green and Anna wanted pink with green polka dots! They reminded me of characters from a Sr. Seuss book!

Apple Picking at Carter Mountain

After lunch together, we all headed over to Carter Mountain for apple cider donuts and some time in the orchards! It was very crowded but we still managed to have a good time and luckily, they had not sold out of donuts!

Evan's Family Party

The family celebrated Evan's 10th by meeting at Topeka's Steakhouse in Charlottesville for lunch and presents. We all had a nice time together and Evan loved all of his wonderful gifts!

Evan's 10th Birthday Party

Evan celebrated his 10th birthday at our house with 9 of his buddies. They all enjoyed playing some sports before having hotdogs, opening gifts, having cookie cake and watching Scooby Doo #4 "Curse of the Lake Monster" on a giant blow up movie screen on the back deck! Rob even made a fire in our fire ring!

Birthday pancakes

It has become an annual tradition for the kids to have a pancake breakfast on their birthday...made by their Dad! They look very forward to this and love blowing out the candle if it will stand up long enough!

Evan's birthday at school

Here is Evan with his teacher, Mrs. Turner on the day before his birthday. We celebrated with donuts!

Horseback Riding at Montebello

Here are some pics taken from the actual trail. Our guide took these for me...the trail took about 45 minutes and then he spent 15 minutes with the girls in the paddock giving them somewhat of a lesson. They had so much fun and will always remember their first trail ride was with each other.

Anna and Claire enjoyed their first ever Horseback Trail Ride while camping at Montebello...they both did such a great job and I even enjoyed myself! Anna's horse was named "Clue" and was almost solid black. Claire rode "Domino" who was black and white. I rode "Big Red."

Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort

These pics were all taken at the campground...it is a beautiful little spot tucked back in the mountains not far from Steele's Tavern. The weather was sunny, crisp and very windy. Kids all had fun exploring, fishing, playing by the water, looking for things in the creek, telling stories around the campfire, finding souvenirs in the Country Store and making S'mores!

Just before our Crabtree Falls hike...

Before the ascent...all smiles!

Crabtree Falls Hike

Our hike at Crabtree Falls...what a beautiful sight...

A short video of Crabtree Falls from the top... they are the tallest series of cascading falls east of the Mississippi River.

Here we are at the top of the Crabtree Falls hike...by this time we are all tired! It was around 2 miles to the top.