Lake Junaluska- Part 1

My dad and step-mom have chosen a fantastic retirement home in the Smokey Mountains with the most beautiful view.

Right now, they only live in North Carolina part-time when the heat becomes unbearable in the summer.  But even though it's only for a few months of the year, we were beyond excited to finally be within driving distance of family! It's been a long, long time since that has been true for us! No expensive airline tickets (x 5), no parking our car and taking the shuttle, no more security lines, taking off our shoes, watch, etc... It was an absolute dream for us. :-) 

Upon our arrival, we enjoyed cooking out hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner. Then we went on a boat ride tour of Lake Junaluska.

Afterwards, we walked around a little bit and did a little exploring.

Anna enjoyed a piggy back ride with Aunt Leigha. Then, before we knew it, it was time to say nighty-night to Lake Junaluska.

Then, the next morning, the girls had their first fishing adventure! 

The girls getting settled on the dock with Grammie, Grandad, and Aunt Leigha.

Super cute Faith, already the fishing expert! 

Grammie and Anna made a great pair fishing.  Grammie was so cute, she didn't want Anna to be too disappointed when she didn't catch a fish, so Grammie pretended the bait was the fish! Grammie exclaimed, "Oh, look at what we got, Anna!!!" :-) The first few times, Anna was super excited too but when the same tiny white fish came up over and over again,  she became a little confused!

Grandad and Aunt Leigha swapped helping Jillian and Faith.  I am no help at all in the fishing department.  But the girls were so quiet trying to not scare off the fish, that I really enjoyed the serenity.


I enjoyed watching the momma duck with her five ducklings....


along with the mommy and daddy swan with their five babies.

And then the most surprising thing happened....Faith actually caught a real fish (with a little help from Grandad).

Everyone was overjoyed for Faith! It was definitely an occasion worth celebrating! 

It was a too tiny for us to take home and eat, but the girls enjoyed watching it swim in the bucket, before my dad released it a little later. 

Anna and Grandad relaxing and fishing on the dock together.

After our fishing, Grammie and Grandad took the girls to the park.

The girls especially enjoyed the fort/tree house.

Lots of fun on the slide- don't you just love static hair on a three year old!?!

Then we took a walk to enjoy the roses. This one was my favorite.

Each of the girls chose one rose as their favorite on the rose garden walk.

Afterward, we went back home, ate lunch, and picked some strawberries in Grammie and Grandad's back yard.

Grammie suggested the girls open a "store" to sell their picked strawberries and some cold drinks.  The girls loved the idea and quickly started saving their money to go to the candy store in town.  :-)

It was the perfect beginning to our family's vacation....