Just a JREAT Weekend!

Our dear friends Stuart and Tonya invited us to come to their home for the weekend. We had a break from school, so we left Thursday evening (Valentine's Day) and came back Sunday. This was right after we had heard the sad news about our little girl in Uganda so it was a much needed get-away. We had a fabulous time. We were outside hiking most of the time and even had a cultural experience. Keep reading for the details!

Kate broke out with a little electric guitar. Drew has taught her the air guitar but she is ready for the real thing!We went to Bay's Mountain and they had a place for injured animals that could not return to the wild. One large area is devoted to wolves. Now these wolves are behind two electrical fences, but at one point this particular wolf made eye contact with our children, set his eyes, began to crouch and licked his lips- it freaked this mommy out a little to be honest.

We went to the Natural Tunnel- it is still used with active trains today. We left pennies on the track and it was pretty cool how flattened those pennies ended up! Here is Karlee, Abby, Kate, Caleb, Kalie and Josh.
One happy couple- Stuart and Tonya- no comments from yall!

Stuart and his boys. This creek was gorgeous- we wanted to just sit here all day.

Our families- we have been friends since before the days of children!
I don't know if we ever got a picture of them with everyone looking and smiling.

The girls played Laura Ingalls at this little cabin forever. They were Mary, Laura, Kari and Grace and they cooked, built a fire, and collected eggs. It was so neat watching them play so creatively. I loved this picture of Tonya and Abby.Kate peeking through the window.

One of the waterfalls we got to see.
Kalie is growing up more and more each day. She is beautiful inside and out.
I loved this picture of Karlee. She was so sick with a cold this weekend but she was such a trooper. She had a great time and did so well.
Kate started out on a pallet. This is how we found her the next morning.
Drew and his girls. Mommy and her girls. We are so thankful for our children.And for the sweet bond these three have together. Family pictureOkay, on the last night we drove into Virginia at the Carter Family Fold (family of June Carter, etc.) Every Saturday night they play country, southern gospel and bluegrass music. You can watch or join the crowd on the dance floor where they are clogging their shoes off! I heard one lady say that clogging was the only kind of dancing allowed. Well, we had no clogging shoes, but of course we joined them and had a blast! Drew and I are dancing together here.
more clogging
we all danced together.
Kate befriended an elderly woman and danced with her alot!
The sweet lady is teaching Kalie more steps. This was easy for Kalie because of all the years of tap she has had!
Karlee and I dancing together.

We had such a wonderful time. We laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Our children did exceptional- everyone of them. Thank you Tonya and Stuart for a wonderful weekend with wonderful friends! It was just JREAT! ha!