Grandma & Grandpa Anderson come to visit!

  It was so good to have them come to Virginia!

We had quite the adventure on our way up to Cascade Falls.

Hyrum & Dad drove in Hyrum’s car with Logan and Spencer. The rest of us were in the van. I had it in the GPS, so they followed us. It led us up this windy, windy out in the middle of nowhere mountain road and it said, “you have reached your destination.” Oh no, dudes. We turned around and started heading back down the mountain and we passed a truck with 2 old guys in it. We asked them directions and then I asked, “what are you doing up here?” They said, “we’re going to get us some of that good mountain water up there.” :) I wish I had taken their picture.

It still took us forever to find the turnoff. We went too far, then I needed gas in the van, then we let the boys lead and they got us there. When we finally got there, I realized I had left the baby backpack in the garage. So we started hiking and took turns holding Landon. There were 2 trails to take, and we decided to take the one on the right. Turns out, that was the hardest one. Over rocks, up down, narrow, etc. We got about 45 minutes into it and realized we weren’t going to make it to the waterfall before dark at the pace we were going. So, Dad, Hyrum, Lauren, Hailey, and Logan decided to hurry on ahead to see the Cascades.

At the half-way point:

Mom, me, Spencer and Landon, headed back. We decided to stay on the same trail we came on because we didn’t want to get lost. I had to carry Landon, which was an adventure because he just wanted to run free. Spencer was a little trooper and just kept going and going. Mom and I made plans in case we met a mountain lion or crazy person. I would blind it with my camera flash :)

It was actually kind of scary without the guys because we saw NO ONE up there. We were grateful to make it back to the parking area safely.

When the guys & kids came back, they told us that they took the other trail back and it was flat, wide, and way easier than the way we took.

Go figure. We headed back to Blacksburg and Grandpa treated everyone to Wendy’s and rootbeer floats.

We HAVE to go back next spring because now we know where to turn, what trail to take, and to not forget the baby backpack! :)

 

  

Waiting for everyone else back at the parking area:

The rest of the weekend was filled with Logan’s soccer game:

Dad and Hyrum installing the trim in the playroom:

Dad made some awesome pies:  

Lauren threw up Friday night. Mom and Dad were sleeping in the living room and got to hear and witness everything.

Mom and I sneaked out to some yard sales and the farmers market around 8 and Lauren was doing much better.

Mom gave pedicures:

The basement wasn’t finished so we set up the tv redneck style and watched Sherlock Holmes.

 

Sunday after church, we drove up to Rod & Danielle’s for dinner, the boys stayed with Grandma Smith, Hyrum had to get back for work, and Lauren, Hailey and I drove up to DC with Mom and Dad. Dad had his conference up there, so we got to spend the night with them in their hotel.

We ate at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. The girls (and me!) were in heaven. Probably one of my favorite meals of all-time. Such a nice evening.

 

The hotel was fabulous too. We died over the made to order breakfast and kept going back and back.."did you try this? Oooooh…go get me some of those!”

We loved the piano in the middle of the water too.

Dad went to his meetings and the girls headed out to see some of the sites!

Tell us how you really feel, Shuz! :)

The girls were most fascinated with these ducks. They weren’t as interested in the monuments.

In front of the White House:

The Hope Diamond:

Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers:

T-Rex!

We had some lunch in the American History Museum, picked out some souvenirs, then we walked back to the hotel to meet Grandpa. He got the girls bags of loot from all the different vendors, we met Charles, and then we had to head home. It was so sad saying good-bye, but we love all the memories that were made…thanks, Mom and Dad!