Hanging Rock State Park

October 23-24 some friends planned a camping trip. I quickly dismissed it from my mind because I knew John would be out of town and there's no way I could do it by myself. But then my friend Melissa said her husband was also going to be out of town so we decided do make a day trip out of it! We could totally do it together! We drove 2 hours to a beautiful campsite and state park, Hanging Rock. Melissa and I LOVE the fall so the drive was spectacular. We were in no hurry so we made a few stops along the way...

We saw this little play ground outside of some random church and cemetary and decided it was the perfect place to eat lunch. We had yummy sandwiches, crisp apples, and chocolate chip cookies.

and Jonah tried out a swing for the first time ever... do you think he liked it? Melissa's little girl, Hannah

Beautiful Melissa and sweet little Hannah

We finally made it and the kids did GREAT!! Showing his big muscles because he made it to the bottom of our .3 mile nature walk!

"Rain drops keep falling on my head..."
It sprinkled a tiny bit and the drops were so pretty in the reflection of the water... but you can't really tell in this picture.

Cascading Falls "hike" was the perfect little way to warm up our legs after sitting for 2 hours

Then we just hungout, took pictures, and gathered fire wood while our other friends (mills and dimonds) set up their tents. Then we got ready for our next hike. Some of us really wanted to do that actual "hanging rock" hike, but the info lady said it was one mile straight up... and with 3 toddlers and 4 baby bjourns we decided against it. Maybe next time...

the view at the top of our hike... pictures don't do it justice

Babies, babies and more babies!!

Brian and Blake (8 months)... Kyle and Rachel (10 months)... Melissa and Hannah (10 months)... Mel and Jonah (6 months)
This was at the bottom of our hike!! so pretty...

These toddlers were champs going up and down that mountain! Jack loved the leaves... and the leaves loved him! Thanks Lindy for your help getting up the mountian. I couldn't have done it without you.
We saw this snake at the end of our hike... it was huge

Jack's dirty face (remnants of hotdogs, ketsup, and smores) and Jonah's admiration for his big brother (and water bottles)!

Snuggling my boys around the camp fire... getting sleeping after a long, beautiful, busy day!

2 hours and 64 oz later... we made it home! The kids fell asleep before we even turned the car on. They were exhausted and slept the whole way home which gave Melissa and I great talking time (just how we like it!)

I am so thankful to live in such a beautiful world.