Enjoying Family Time

This morning I woke up with the start of a headache.  I have had several the last few days and my sinuses are acting up again.  It is probably due to pollen and things growing. It was so tempting to tell my family that I didn't feel well and to go on with the day trip without me, but I know that these years are going by so quickly.  I don't want my children to look back on these pictures and think, "It is a shame Mom had to miss out on the fun."  So after taking some ibuprofen, claritinD and saying a prayer, I decided to give it a try.  I am so thankful I was able to spend this special time with the ones I love most!

Before heading out of town, Rose had made some yummy potato salad to go with the Wades fried chicken we picked up on the way to Floyd.  Here we are visiting the store.  It was nice to go in and look around.  Usually we are there on the nights we sing and it is so crowded and I am too nervous to look at their merchandise. 

Next we headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for our picnic.  Unfortunately due to the sequester many of the stops are closed.  We were able to park and carry our things to a picnic table.  We hoped we wouldn't get in trouble.  We did decide not to light any fire so no baked beans to go with the chicken.  We also couldn't use the restrooms, so our children had their first lessons in using the great out doors! LOL

We were happy to have our Papa Jim and his new bride, Charmaine visiting this week.  We knew they would enjoy the views and the time out in God's beautiful earth.  They also enjoyed seeing the stores around Floyd.

Our girls are growing up so quickly.  It is hard to believe that it is going on five years since we moved back to Virginia.  Here Lydia is enjoying having Daddy to herself.  Daddy and Mommy have been busy working all week so we were enjoying lots of hand holding and talking with all of our little women. :)

Last year when we visit the Rocky Knobb picnic area, the girls found this "teepee" that someone constructed out of tree limbs.  The girls were so glad it was still there to enjoy. 

 

Papa Jim had bought a watermelon earlier in the week which we saved for our weekend trip.  It was so good!

This was our campsite on the side of a hill. :)  I am so thankful that Rose had these table cloths.  They just make it feel so homey and I don't have to feel so OCD about food getting on the dirty table. Ha!

After our picnic and nature walks, we decided to head home, but we had to stop at the overlook just up the road.  It is one of the prettiest views.  If you walk down to the tree line in this photo it is like looking out of an air plane window.  At least that is what Rose said.  I will take her word for it.  I don't enjoy those kinds of views so I stayed up the hill! ;)  

I do love this view though.  Seeing my wonderful husband enjoying time with his girls is the best sight for my eyes.  

Yes, I could have stayed home and rested, or graded papers, or cleaned house, but then I would have missed all of this.  I am so thankful for answered prayers and family time!

With All My Heart~