Adventures with four girls: Our 6th year at High Hampton!

We were able to continue another wonderful family tradition by heading back to High Hampton in the North Carolina mountains. This was our 6th year to go (although the first year Jake took the 3 big girls without me as I was on bedrest pregnant with Anna).

After we flew back to North Carolina from San Francisco, we stopped in Asheville for a couple of days and stayed with Uncle Dan and Aunt Susan and got lots of play time in with the boys while Dan and Susan were at work. They have a wonderful lake in their neighborhood and we were able to walk down there and spend some time swimming and playing on the beach. The four biggest ones even swam out to the new platform they put outside the swimming area. We also took a fun trip to the nature center.

After loading up on yummy groceries from Earthfare (wow! I love that store and definitely don't take things like that for granted anymore as nothing like that exists in AD), the six kids, Jake and I headed over to High Hampton. This was another one of our "too quick" trips where we were only there for 5 days (too short!) but we still fit in a lot of fun. Grandpa Carl met us there the first day and arranged for two golf carts. We *love* getting around High Hampton by golf cart!

Day One we had a nice lazy morning exploring our new vacation house and the woods around the house. We tried to do a hike in the afternoon but an afternoon rain shower got in our way after we played some board games in the lobby and some shuffleboard. I took advantage of the lull and dashed off to the spa for a belated birthday facial. I also ran into a friend from Charlotte at the High Hampton lobby - small world!

Other days included swimming at the lake, visiting Ed and Fred (the mules!), throwing pebbles in the lake, playing lawn games, riding the golf carts around. We did karaoke one night (Grandpa Carl did a great Hank Williams rendition!). Gammy and Poppy came late Thursday night and brought Jake's grandmother "Mom."

A highlight of Friday was when the grandfathers took Alex, Regan and Jane on a "Hike a Rama with a Llama." We had met the llamas the day before and the kids were completely captivated by them. Jake (and Poppy) couldn't figure out why we would want to *pay* for a hike (isn't that a huge benefit that something so fun is free?) but Grandpa Carl and I loved the little light we saw in their eyes and signed them right up. The kids each got their own llama they were in charge of (Jane had Peggy, Regan Starburst and Alex had King) - they led the llamas up the mountain and back down. The llamas carried picnic lunches for everyone up to the top of the mountain and they hikers were rewarded with a mountain top picnic. They could even see our vacation house from way up high. I think a wonderful time was had by the hikers.

Dan and Susan came in on Friday night and the boys were excited to see them. Uncle John came in late as well! Poppy cooked his famous beef tenderloin for dinner on Friday night (yum). Jane and Poppy took a fly fishing lesson on Saturday morning which was a highlight for that fishing-lovin' kid. Most of the rest of us hit the golf course instead. I loved getting to play after a few month break and see how my spring lessons improved my game. Regan and Zach played a full 18 holes and did great jobs. It is a beautiful course and we loved all the greenery and the mountain views. But we did miss Gammy, Poppy and Grandma Mom as they headed back.

Dan and Susan brought in some yummy barbecue for Saturday night and we loved having extended family from Dalton join us. We hadn't seen Lester and Nancy or Larry and Catherine in several years so it was wonderful to see them. Carl took them on a golf cart tour around High Hampton as well.

On Sunday, we were able to visit the church we always go to while we are there - Community Bible Church of Highlands. I'm always amazed at how wonderful and vibrant this church is in such a small vacation oriented location. They have a very impressive kids' program and always make our kids feel so welcome and they have so much fun.

Uncle John stayed with Anna while that poor child finally got a real nap and the rest of us took a lovely hike to a waterfall. I got quite spooked when Meredith almost walked on a snake but we had a great time other than that! Wrapping up Sunday (and eating more leftovers), it was sad to say good-bye to Dan, Susan, Zach and Alex. John stuck around long enough for us to watch the beautiful sunset from the High Hampton back terrace while we were able to visit with my friend Susan from Charlotte. Her kids jumped right into playing with our girls

Monday we packed up (sorry, Carl, we know it took a *long* time). Grandpa Carl took the girls to feed the horses the last of our carrots and off we went to Smyrna (near Nashville) to see Jake's grandmother one last time before catching a flight from Nashville the following day. We were sad that Jake's Aunt Marcia was out of town for work so we missed the extended family on that visit. Hopefully we'll see them all next year.