do's & don'ts

A few lessons learned on our vacation.

DON'T leave the tripod at home or schedule THE family picture for one hour before you are checking out. Still; here we are on the last day of our fun family reunion in the mountains. We are lacking Elias, Becky's husband. While on the tour bus in Asheville, the tour guide couldn't get over how many kids we had and called us the most fertile family. In what world?? At this point we're balancing on "perfect American family" with 1 or 2 kids per family. Not saying it's going to stay there. . but really. Maybe it's amazing that my parents had 4 kids, that we all married amazing spouses, that we all love each other (still), and that we like to be together (at least once a year). Maybe. What's absolutely true was that it was truly a blessing to be with everyone. And, who can say what the Most Fertile Family will look like in another two years when we try for this again.

DO post on the internet slightly awkward, completely hilarious picture that you discovered after you sent your husband on a walk with the rest of the family. Really, I'm just trying to show you Ben & Jen's new van. :-)

DON'T wish you could take your little niece & nephew home with you; it's not gonna happen!

DO bring your best friend on vacation with you.

DO pick a place with an amazing view!! It made any tiny inconvenience in the house inconsequential. When the power went out for a few hours one night, I sat on the porch, rocked & read. Most relaxing hours of the vacation.

DO keep a weather eye for stranger people wearing way too many clothes on a hot day & playing the flute when you're in downtown Asheville. Apparently, this is what makes Asheville great.

DON'T forget what it's like to go on your first bus ride EVER! In case you've forgotten, it's pretty fun! Especially if it doesn't take you to a first anxiety filled day of school but rather a fun, family-filled day of walking, shopping, eating, and freak-sightings.

DO take your kids to a creek & let them play!!! (Thanks to Ben's friend for a great tip!) This park was located in Montreat, NC (5 minutes from Black Mt). It was shady & a creek ran through with many good spots of wading, splashing, excavating & lots of clambering. There were also play-sets, but who cares about swings when you can splash in the water!

DON'T trust the random guy at the bottom of the "mountain" who says the paved pathway doesn't go all the way to the top. Ask someone in a uniform. :-) But conversely, DO be thankful for grandpa's & brother-in-laws who can do the baby-lugging for you when your real baby carrier is fishing. (Thanks Dad & Patrick!)

DON'T listen to handsome, extremely photographic brother when he says, "Let's take this photo 19th century style." Especially when he nor youngest sister follow orders. At least Susie got it spot on!

DO bring a baby carrier along on hikes in the mountains! I'm sure glad I did. :-)

DON'T have high expectations about kids taking a beautiful, planned portrait! :-) Don't even expect everyone to smile OR look at the camera. Or, in this case, ANYone look at the camera.

but of course, DO plan on laughing a lot, kissing a few boo-boos, playing a few games, reading a book, watching Psych & Brian Regan (did I mention we laughed a lot), and wreaking havoc everywhere we went -- out for pizza, to the an Appalachian music concert, on a tour bus, to a park, a pool, on a hike, or just for a walk!

* This is my second post today, so don't miss the one about Rachel.