Lake Fontana

So....If you read my post about our last camping trip you will know that 5 of us and a dog in a tent was not ideal.  On the way back from that trip we looked on Facebook and saw that Josh's Aunt Sandra was selling a travel trailer.  It was a sign.  A few weeks later we found ourselves loaded up in the truck heading to Kentucky to pick up Sandra's trailer. 

Our inaugural camping trip to Lake Fontana was a success.  We had a great time, everyone slept well and we were very comfortable.  When we woke up Myles said, "I really like the trailer but it's not really camping".  Right you are, my boy.  I told him he could pitch a tent in the front of the trailer anytime. 

So, long gone are the days of our light-weight backpacking tents.  Goodbye, 8 man tent.  Hello, travel trailer and all the comforts of home.  I never thought I would be "camping" this way.  I'm getting old.

 

 

There she blows.  The 1985 Sea Hawk.  Josh and I are still working on getting the awning up.  As you can see we didn't have it quite right but rather than get a divorce over putting the darn thing up, we left it askew.

 

Another view of the beast. 

 

Bedroom

 

Living area

 

Enjoying the shade

 

E just loves her brothers

 

Best friends

 

Sleepy E, eating cheese

 

Lighting sticks on fire....of course

 

Playing around a historic home site

 

Our campsite.  We were right below the dam (largest dam east of the Mississippi).

 

Fontana Village

 

I love my nature boy.  He always stops to enjoy the natural wonders around him.  Here he is at the Lazy River studying a butterfly.

4th of July

Once again I was asked to be the bear in the Montreat 4th of July Parade.  The boys got such a kick out of it last year that I willingly obliged.  E woke up with a fever, poor thing.  Being the third child, we dosed her up with Tylenol and off we went.  She was a trooper and enjoyed all the attention.

We even let the boys stay up late for the Black Mountain fireworks.  Our little town sure knows how to celebrate Independence Day.

 

The bear and her cubs

 

E was not so sure at first

 

She happily rode behind Mrs. Dottie, who had to lead the bear.  (you can't see anything out of those suits)

 

The boys got to ride in a float.

 

They were excited to ride up front and hand out candy.

 

I mentioned candy.....see the large blue bag?  Well, during the parade the candy dwindled, not by parade goers but from my boys eating it all themselves.

 

I just love this photo of E watching the floats

 

 

Mr. Andy, a greeter at the boys preschool and 90 year old veteran.  I love this man!

 

She is too cute for words

 

Josh came home a little early. 

 

My model baby

First Swim Meet

Grady joined the Black Mountain Stingrays this year.  We didn't know what we were getting ourselves into joining the swim team but it's been fun so far.  Turns out, Grady is a darn good swimmer.  We need to harness that energy somehow.  He raced in four races and won two of them.  He got first place in 8 and under backstroke and butterfly.  I didn't even know he could do butterfly.....I can't. 

Never having gone to a swim meet before, I didn't know what we were doing.  We managed to get him signed in, inked up (they write all over their arms so the kids know what races they are doing) and in the water at the right times.  We were at the pool from 4:30 until 9.  Grady was a ball of energy, hopping all over the place, wanting his races to be right NOW.  He had no idea that he would have to wait around.  I have never seen that kid nervous before but he was that day.

Now that we know, we will be better prepared. 

 

 

25 freestyle

 

He won the backstroke

 

Get ready....

 

Get set.....

 

GO.....

 

He's off and swimming

 

Myles had fun too.  He found friends and hung out around the pool.  Didn't complain once.  He is rather social when he wants to be.  Little E isn't pictured because if I put her down she would attempt to drown herself by launching into the pool.  Totally fearless and all over the place.