Happy Saturday

Yesterday we spent the WHOLE day (skipped naps!) at Vogel State Park in Blairsville.  It was a gorgeous day and the temperatures were ideal for a family hike.  We started the day at the lake:

.  The kids insisted on immediately pulling out the fishing poles and dropping in a line.

Ben and I decided to walk around the lake instead and hunt for treasures.  And photo ops:

We reconvened a little bit later and decided to go for a hike up Blood Mountain.  We got all ambitious and decided that the 5 miler was not going to be a problem at all.  WE CAN DO IT!  It will be EASY!!

Or so we thought.

The first mile or so went great.  We found some cool places to take pictures and all the kids enjoyed the GIANT lollipops I got for them for the hike. (I figured full mouths would be less likely to complain.  Mother of the year I am).

 However, by about mile 1.1, Ben decided that 'yes this was all scenic and stuff but could someone please carry me because this walking thing is for the birds.  Also I can't see a thing down here.'  So up on Matt's shoulders he went.  And stayed there for everything but the flat parts. (he didn't even want to do the downhills).

We walked on.  And on.  And ON.  AND ON.  Two hours later we got to...the halfway point.  Which admittedly made the entire trip worth it because firstly it was the lookout point.  The top of the mountain, overlooking the gorgeous 22 acre crystal clear lake. Photo op?  Yes please:

You better believe that was one happy peanut butter puppy.

And secondly...we got our Christmas card picture! ( I can't show you here because that would make sending Christmas cards out seem unnecessary and honestly after an hour and a half of trying desperately to decide between 2 different card designs on Shutterfly and eventually going with an entirely different card altogether,  I just can't make the Christmas card unnecessary).  However!  I can give you a hint.  Here's a picture of Matt and the kids previewing the picture we took on the McGuyvered tripod Matt managed to make using a tree, two sticks and two hair rubber bands.  I swear there's an engineer somewhere in there:

After the photo session (during which the dog was the most uncooperative member of the party. She would look straight at the camera until RIGHT before it was taken, and then decide that now was a good time to lick her bottom.  Which is just what we all want to see on a Christmas card, yes?) we started the loooooooooooooooong climb down.  And here the pictures stop because scenery be damned, all we wanted to do was to be back to our car.  Seriously we must have said, "This has to be the end.  I think i can see the parking lot" at least 45 times on our way back.  Ben was heavy, Pea was whiny and the snacks were getting dangerously low.

Eventually we made it back however and were never so thankful for an hour and a half in the car where we had nothing to do but sit still.  It was glorious!

All joking aside though, it was a wonderful wonderful trip.  We got to bond as a family away from the pressures of work and school and just be our crazy silly family selves.  I can't wait to do it again soon.  Maybe this time though, we'll stick to the half mile trail....