Camp Kirkpatrick!

As I've gotten older, my favorite season has changed from Summer to Fall.  Summer has is obvious advantages, especially for a teacher.  But Fall has football, fantastic weather, and camp fires!

Even though we can't go as often as we did during the summer, John Thomas and I still find time throughout the week to frequent one of our favorite parks!  As evidenced by the picture, he loves it!

 Last weekend, we tailgated before the UT versus Florida game.  Even though UT forgot to come back on the field after halftime, we had a great day soaking up the weather, laughter and the school spirit!

The highlight of the last two weeks was, hands down, our camping trip to Cades Cove.  Everyone around here was so excited!  Chester had his ears flapping in the wind all the way up the mountain.  He used to be such a great camping dog.  But between me, John Thomas and our sleeping quarters--Chester got evicted (to the car) at three in the morning because he wouldn't stop wagging his tail into the tent.  But the night sky at three in the morning was brilliant.  The stars were the brightest I've ever seen and I think, at that instant, I had them all to myself.  I'm pretty sure I only got about four hours of rest, but watching the shear joy on John Thomas face was worth every sleepless second!

 Some of his highlights would have to be playing in the fire (under a watchful eye).

 Exploring the rocks, dirt, flora and fauna native to the Appalachians.  Okay that's a bit of a stretch, but he dragged sticks and rocks all over the campsite.  He's such a "rock star"!  Ha!

Taking perilous hikes around camp to help gather wood for the fire.  This kid is ready for the high wire!

 Speaking of circus, the best part of the whole outing was that we got to share it with Brody and Dare!  These three boys never sit still for more than a second.  I took seven pictures of them sitting in their camping chairs and not one of them had all three boys looking at the camera.  Not one.  This is how it was the whole time!

 As part of our camp duties, we had to walk the dogs.  Because there are so many bears, the dogs have to be on a leash at all times.  This picture cracks me up, because John Thomas smiled this big almost the whole time!  Thanks Smith family for letting us join you on the maiden camping voyage :).

And of course, what camping expedition would be complete without an archaeological excavation?

 I knew that John Thomas was going to love camping!  We even took a drive through the park at dusk and saw tons of deer, even baby deer.  We even saw a fox frolicking in the field.  It filled my heart with joy to see my boy so thrilled by all the beauty and fun that the simplest night in nature can provide.

I'll leave you with one last pic that makes me smile.  Yes, he's cute.  But I love that you can still see just a little bit of that baby fat on his arms and I'm sure its days are numbered.  This week, John Thomas asked me a question and when I didn't give him the answer he wanted, he said, "guess again, hahaha."