Silver Creek Falls and Happy Birthday to Poppa!

On Monday we took advantage of the holiday and decided to head up to the Falls. We decided to leave and time it so that we would get up there to picnic for lunch. So after eating our yummy lunch of sandwiches and chips, we packed up the leftovers and un-needed items in the car and headed off to explore and meet up with Poppa Mike, Uncle Eric, and Aunt Cagney. We finally all got connected and headed over to trek down to the South Falls. The kids were really excited about seeing "The Waterfall." We got to the top and looked at the waterfall from a couple different locations. Then it was time to trek down. We headed on down and made it down to behind the falls at a leisurely pace. The kids were pretty excited about it, and we got a couple pictures of them, one with Poppa and another with Daddy and Uncle Eric. After hanging for a brief few moments we continued on our trek down to the bottom. After arriving at the bottom we stopped on the bridge to check out the falls from yet another angle and to decide if we wanted to try and trek down to one more waterfall. After asking a very helpful couple to check their map we decided to go onto the next falls then turn around and come back. So we took our time and explored little paths off to the side of the main path, stopping to have a snack at one pointand watch the crazy Uncle Eric climb across the stream and up on logs and all over the place, this was very entertaining to Dylan especially when I called Uncle Eric a monkey! So after a couple more brief treks down side paths we make it to the Lower South Falls. So you can see the Lower South Falls from the top but then you can also trek down a bunch of stairs and walk behind this one as well. So we made our way down, Poppa and Uncle waited for us up top and Aunt Cagney made it halfway down with us before heading back up. Ally was starting to get a little worn out but still wanted to go see the waterfall. Daddy and Dylan went ahead of us, Dylan was a little trailblazer had seemingly endless energy! Ally and I finally made it down to behind the falls and I was able to get this cool picture of Daddy and Dylan through the waterfall. Also a couple other pictures of the falls from interesting angles. It came time for us to make our way back up the stairs and back down the path to get to the top of the BIG HILL. So we made our way up the stairs, Ally made it about two thirds of the way up then she needed me to carry her up the rest of the way piggyback. WOW....how exhausting.....34 pounds of little girl can give you a workout and a half! After making it back up puffing and panting, I guzzled some water and we made our way back down towards the BIG GIANT HILL. So we took our time on the way back, stopping a few times to let the kids rest. Ally had it pretty dang easy most of the way back she got a shoulder ride from Daddy....ahh to be 2 and small enough for that again! Finally we get back to where we have to climb up the HUGE GIANT HILL and Daddy flies up stopping only once with Ally on his shoulders. Followed by Dylan and I, we stopped two times and the second time we were sitting there and Dylan reaches over and lays his hand on my knee and tells me, "You let me know when you are ready." So sincere and honest it just cracked me up! What a sweet soul. So we got up to the top and had a little snack and drink and looked at the waterfall a little more. We made our way back over towards the car where there was a little playground and let the kids play for awhile. So after playing for a bit more, we decided to start on our way back to townand onto dinner for Poppa Mike's birthday! So we get into town and head over to where Poppa told us the restaurant is.....only to find that it IS NOT THERE! So after scrambling for a bit, Darrin discovers that it has moved down about a block and a half. Crisis averted. So we all get there and enjoy a very delicious meal. Dylan even tried something new! He had some of my Fettuccine Alfredo, and he loved it! So we get all of our leftovers packed up and head on over to Poppa Mike and Grandma Jo's place for some cake and ice cream! We sang to Poppa, he blew out his candle and then ate his very yummy cake! After a bit he opened his presents and then we hung out for a bit relaxing, letting the kids play around. It was a day filled with fun, happiness, family, good food, and lots of family love!