Grandma's House

Since Gabi was on Fall break Friday we took her out of school on Thursday and we made a trip to North Carolina.  We always try to visit at least once every year and half or so...we love to have time with family there, as well as have some peace in the beautiful surroundings it provides.  We must have missed peak autumn colors by about a week or so, but I was still in awe of the colors and landscape. 
First things first, when we arrived, Gabi and I did some walking around Grandma's property.  We loved taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of the country setting.  Such serenity in it's entirety. 

Friday was gorgeous.  70 degree weather and sunshine.  We had some things on our personal agenda's and one of Gabi's top priorties was to see her favorite horse...Cocoa.  It was like they had never been apart.  It was so cute to see their meeting...his head sticking from the barn.  Gabi called to him and he came right up to her.  She loves that horse. 

We were able to visit with family also on Friday.  Aunt Boots even took Gabi over to her house to help cousin Kelsey with her pumpkin carving.  It was so nice of Aunt Boots to include her.  They had such a good time.

Later in the afternoon, we headed over to Buckner Branch to collect some big rocks to place at home in our landscape and see the little cabin in the woods.  Ben and I would seriously love to take a night to stay there...just to feel how it was for our ancestors.  He would also love to bring the boys maybe for a weekend and stay there just to do some hunting and bonding.  A perfect place to do that.  On our way out, we stopped at a small cemetery we noticed.  Our family from many generations back...in fact, we noticed most were small children.  Very sad, but very neat to see and respect.  Ben has always said he would love to see a bear in the wild there, and we got our opportunity.  Unfortunately, or fortunately (I would prefer the fortunately), we saw one dead.  We figured it must have been poachers that dumped the bear on the land there.  Grandpa said it has happened before. 

Saturday, we met up with more family.  Gorgeous weather again...in the 60's and partly cloudy.  We were able to see Aunt Alma (grandma's sister), her son, Randall, Aunt Boots, Uncle Bob, Kelsey, Grandpa, Sharon, Aunt Betty and her daughter, Loretta and kids and of course, Grandma.  Cousin Kary and Chris came over to watch some of the Notre Dame game with us that evening. 
Beforehand, though, we crossed off an agenda item...to walk clean up behind grandma's house to the highest point and back down.  And a walk it was!!!  Took us about an hour and half but Ben and I still got it!  It was beautiful.  And Gabi was a trooper!  She loved it. 

Sunday came too fast...as leaving day usually does.  Goodbye is never fun.  Grandma enjoyed us just as much as we enjoyed her and we are certainly looking forward to going back.  Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip:
Our favorite view...from grandma's porch swing.

 My beautiful daughter.

 Our Country.

 View from Barn.

 Pathway we walked.

 From Buckner Branch.

 Our walk.

 Grandm's Barn.

 Cabin at Buckner Branch.

 Grandpa's baby, Curly.  He is the sweetest dog.

 Gabi's love.  Cocoa.

 Grandpa's house.  Love the sign.

 View from atop the mountain behind grandma's house.  Gorgeous.

Couldn't come up southern Indiana without stopping in to see Tyler.  Grandma even sent him some home cooking, which he soooo appreciated.  Took Abby, Matt (his roommate) and Tyler to lunch at Noodles and Company, grabbed Tyler some groceries from the store and headed back up Indiana. 

Home by 6 pm...
Good trip.  Peaceful.  Reset our minds to what is important.  We needed that.