Mountain Retreat

We're back from a refreshing few days away at the same cabin we visited last November. This time, we were blessed with gorgeous weather (except for the last day, when we witnessed an impressive mountain storm).

We spent almost the entire trip out on the deck in front of the incredible view. We only left for two outings: once for the girls and I to go horseback riding (the boys opted out), and once to hike at a beautiful local waterfall.

I rode Reba, while CC and Sweet Pea rode Duke and Ringo, who are best friends. We didn't go back to the same stable as last time, because I was concerned that they had put Sweet Pea on such a skittish horse. We chose a different stable, and while the views were just as magnificent, we all agreed afterwards that the ride was somewhat ... boring. I guess when you have extremely well-behaved horses, the ride isn't nearly as exciting! 

On our way back to the cabin, we stopped at every scenic overlook, Chinese fire drill-style. The girls and I giggled like crazy as we pulled into each one, ran out of the car, took a quick picture, and peeled out onto the main road again.

The next morning, the five of us enjoyed getting out for a family hike. Little Man has been especially interested in seeing waterfalls lately, and I was happy to oblige him. It was gorgeous! There were several vantage points to see the falls, and Amber trotted along happily with us, being especially well-behaved around other dogs on the trail.

We rosted s'mores, played endless games of poker, listened to music, had dance parties, and just relaxed. The kids never once complained about being bored, and came home filthy after romping in the woods every day. 

All three kids worked on their photography skills. MJ and I even got a rare picture together, courtesy of Sweet Pea.

We worked on a very difficult puzzle, and it's a miracle that we finished it while we were there. So many goggles, so many tongues, so much yellow! In true Morrison fashion, I did 95% of it myself. Little Man and Sweet Pea swooped in to "help" with the last few pieces, and insisted they'd earned a place in the final picture.

Every afternoon, MJ and the kids would light a fire out on the deck and keep it going all evening. Once it turned cooler, the kids would bring out blankets and ask me to wrap them up "like burritos" to stay warm as we watched the sun set.

The day it rained, they found some "100 questions" cards in one of the drawers, and MJ and I got a good laugh listening:

CC: If you could change part of your personality, what would it be?
Little Man: Superpowers!.
CC: No, your personality.
Little Man: Oh. Then my face.

Sweet Pea: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Little Man: A lawn mower.

Little Man was full of gems on this trip. One evening, as the sun was setting, beams of sunlight flooded the valley below us. He looked out, gasped, and said, "It's like the Holy Spirit is shining down!" My heart melted. And then he added, "Or like Baby Simba in The Lion King."