Smokies #2

Cool evenings and mornings meant lots of fires. We introduced the kids to charades and it was a pretty big hit. We hiked a nice loop along Cucumber Ridge and the Little River.

Most importantly: TRAIL RIDE. Jules and the kids did a one hour ride. Their steeds were named: Red Bull, King and Blossom.

Smokies #1

The drive down without Jules was uneventful. We spent the night in Lexington and had fun shopping at the UK bookstore for Elliot's hat and Nata's stuffed dolphin.

We spent the first two nights at the Cosby Campground. The first night was great. We discovered the genius that is a roasted Peep.Warning: when they first come out of the fire, roasted Peeps are as hot as lava.

The second day it rained, sleeted and snowed. We hiked towards Hen Wallow Falls but really it was just a good day to read and play in the tent. Dad failed to pull together a strong rainy day adventure and could have used some Schuerr family experience to enhance the plan for the day. But we survived.

The next morning, we moved down to Elkmont Campground and Dad lay in the sun like a lizard for a while regrouping from the cold and wet prior day.

We got Jules in Knoxville and drove back via Cades Cove which was quite lovely for driving and hiking.

 

Easter Day double bike ride.

Looped out through Humboldt Park in the am. Hit Alliance and the Kinzie Industrial Corridor in the pm. Nata is obsessed.

Getting Jules at the Knoxville airport.

Lunch in Cumberland Gap TN

Awful house. First trip.

Spring break. Lexington ky.

The Local Taco. Lex.

First BBQ of the season

Scrimmage after practice

Thanks Grandpa Owie and Grandma Sue

For the presents from Hawaii!!!

Lunch at Suzie's after a kick around.

Old school grease pile.

Spring day. Dominating two wheels.

First BBQ of the year. Finally.

 

Nata is riding on two wheels now as well. She's a big fan of leaving skidmarks (on the ground).

Getting ready to play

Spirit day. Not sure about grumpy faces.

Elliot's hair stayed up all day

Crazy hair day at school.

Food coloring and Elmer's glue for EBD. A myriad of barrettes and rubber bands for Nata.

Crazy hair day

Nata helping mom with showings

Quail egg treat.

Presence Ball - grown ups

Presence Ball

Dumped the kids at Owie and Sue's house. The kids got to go swimming, skiing and walking on a frozen Fox River. We got to dress up and go play with our buddies. Good fun.

American Hustle

Our neighbors threw an Oscar party last Saturday. Nobody is lazier about costumes than Julie and I are. Between the tights under her dress and Cathy's stole, Jules was able to keep her goosebumps down.

Chillin at the game

Birthday cake!

Mom is happy. :)

Not so much walking dead

Winter bugs are killing the small humans.

Kids inspired by The Lego Movie

First Bulls game

Wearing an old school Harold Carmichael jersey. Are we doing this right?

Giant icicle graveyard.

Mystic Celt for lunch.

Grandma Sue Sleepover

Sue stayed over last Saturday night. In the morning, there was snow angel making and treats at Janik's. Mom and Dad escaped to a hotel downtown overnight.We had dinner at the Purple Pig and breakfast at Wishbone. Pretty sweet.