Sorry it's been quite awhile since I've blogged......we've had a busy early fall and recently went on a mountain vacation, wait correction....family trip
My husband and I have learned to not think of our "family trips" as vacations because then our expectations for rest and relaxation are way too high. I mean, how could moving 12 plus people from point A to point B (even if it is just 3 hours away to the Blue Ridge mountains) with everything you need to live on in a mountain cabin (well yes, it was completely furnished) ever be relaxing and refreshing?! I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "I need a vacation from my vacation!" Well, that's pretty much what my husband and I said when we got home. Now, don't get me wrong. It's not that we didn't have a wonderfully fun time and make memories that will last a life time. (In fact, this trip we made quite a few memories that we will be laughing about one day but that's another post.) It's just that it's work and really it's a gift to our children and precious time making memories and strengthening bonds. But we've realized that a true vacation is when Ron and I get to go away by ourselves. And yes, we came home planning just that : ) So all you moms and dads out there with little ones or lots of big ones or even just a few kids, I would suggest lowering your "family trip" expectations. Don't think of it as a vacation but as a time to strengthen family bonds and make memories that will last a lifetime. I think it was James Dodson who said that years from now you will only remember the good memories that came from the trip and that fact that you took the time to take all your kids on the trip in the first place. Your children will remember it for a lifetime and tell their own children about the funny, scary, silly, crazy memories.
Well, here is some from our fall mountain family vacay...
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| We ended up arriving in 3 cars and then having to rent the below 4x4 to get up the gravel mountain road to our cabin. That was quite an adventure : ) |
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| Here is the said 4x4, which we all had fun driving and now my kids want one.....great. |
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| Anna and I right outside our cabin door. The view was breathtaking. Can you tell my face is puffy cause I wasn't sleeping very well....haha. |
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| Ben with his roommate from college, Nathan. who joined us on the trip. He's one of 10 also, so we didn't freak him out too much : ) |
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| Hiking up Mt. Jefferson with 13 people. It was beautiful even though foggy and no one fell off the mountain......whew! |
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| Anna and her little buddy, Patrick, on the top of Mt. Jefferson |
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| My honey and our little guys. This would of been a beautiful picture if it weren't for the fog. |
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| Picnicking on the trail. Silly me forgot all the drinks except for one water bottle and a sippy cup. We managed to survive. |
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| And yes, I did get a bit of rest and relaxation. Here is my afternoon coffee view....it was nice. |
So happy to have found your blog once again.
ReplyDeleteMy computer crashed and I couldn't remember the name of your blog to re-enter it into my favorites.
I stumbled upon it on someone else's blog and am glad I did!!
You have a lovely family. We have 7 children, plus take in foster children, so almost as many as you:)
Connie
We had 12 of us on our last vacation - we are an even dozen now! And we only started with 4 kids. Get ready to plan even bigger when they start getting married and grandkids come along :) And Rebecca, you only look about 10 years older than Anna! Miss you all!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan for your sweet comment. We miss y'all too and think about you all often. Ron and I would probably never be where we are today without you and Jeff's love, support and example that you gave us years ago when we first moved to NC. Love you!
DeleteWe have had family trips like that when our eleven kids were home. Whew! I agree--real vacations are just the two of us! Now we only have our three youngest at home and they are 20, 18, and 16, so when we go on vacation together my husband and I are able to have some alone time. That's nice.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! The place is looking amazing. I like the photographs a lot. I love going on family trips as this give very special moments to cherish. Family is a very important part of everyone's life and to spend time with them is very special. I like these trips a lot. You must have also enjoyed a lot. There are many things which are to be kept in mind before planning any trip as these things are very useful in making your holiday good and fun
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