North Carolina (Finally a real Vacation)

We finally were able to take a real, full 9 day vacation. We started out in Baltimore for Nathan's graduation, (Lori already did a great post on that) and then we got in Nathan/Lori's car and drove six hours to Katies house in North Carolina to see Rylee get baptized. After the baptism we saw little Ben play baseball, we went to a museum called, I think, Marbles... it was amazing and then we took everyone to a special ice cream place and it was great. As you can see the car was packed with all the grandchildren, Katie, Grandma and Grandpa Miller. It was a great adventure and I have lots more pictures that I did not post. Sorry the post is so long but I hope you enjoy it. This was what it was like when we had all 5 grandchildren in Katies car going to get Ice Cream.

The Raleigh North Carolina Temple.

The visitors center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Ashville, NC. We went north on this road on Wed. and then we went south on the same parkway on Thursday. The following pictures are of the northern parkway.


Everything along the parkway was kept groomed and green, green... we saw this Turkey and several others as we got started.

Water was seeping out of the rocks all along the parkway and there was water everywhere.

This is the highest point east of the Mississippi... After not seeing any hills or mountains when we got up to this high point we thought we were so high, only to find that we were only at about 6900 feet or so. The area was still breath taking.

These tunnels were througout the parkway, there had to have been at least 30 or more.

This river, the French Broad , was the first stop on our southern route.


As you can see there was green everywhere and as the day started we were in the sun with clear blue skies... but as you will see as the day progressed we wound up in a rain storm and fog and got soaked to the bone going up to another high spot. Sorry I can not remember the name:(

This rocker was on the porch of the visitor center of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park...It was huge and it overlooked a small river and and old homesteade.

Water running along the side of the road... this was through the whole parkway.



The temperature dropped about 30 degrees and we got a soaking.

We both can now say that we hiked the Appalachian trail... so it was only a few feet:)



This tower use to be outlook for fires and they have redone it into all cement...they said that you could see all of the smoky mountains from the top, but we were covered in cloulds and a rain storm so we will have to see next time we are in the Great smoky mountains.

As you can see we felt like we were on the top of the world... and this was the only place that we had cell phone reception. Yes Caitlin we were talking to you when this picture was taken.

Smoke in the Great Smoky Mountains...really just clouds.
We came to North Carolina to see and be apart of Rylee's Baptism. She was absolutely beautiful. We are so proud of her and the example she has set for her sister and brother's. We are so happy for the Mayberry family.

We Love you Rylee and are so very proud of you. Love Grandma and Grandpa Miller.

Isaac Baptism!!!

Last weekend we went up to Cortez for Isaac's Baptism. We arrived Sat. morning and spent some time with him and the family. Then it was time to get ready for the Baptism. We got him a white shirt, new CTR tie and a CTR soccer tie tack. So off we went to the church and it was a great Baptism. Grandpa Griffin gave the talk on Baptism and then Jake baptized him and then Nathan gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Jake, Grandpa Griffin, Grandpa Miller, Nathan and the Bishop confirmed Isaac and gave him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Jake gave Isaac a beautiful blessing. We went home and Mary came over and we spent the evening together. Isaac your Grandma and Grandpa Miller love you so very much and are so very proud of you and your decision to be Baptized. Stay close to Heavenly Father, follow the commandments and HE will always be with you and bless you.

What a beautiful family:)

Isaac's Birthday!!

Jake and Isaac came down the week before his birthday to go to a Suns game. David got tickets five rows up from the court and we sat right behind the Magic's team. Before we went in the arena, Isaac was able to shoot some hoops and was really good at putting the ball in the hoop. He received a string backpack.

Isaac taking in the opening announcements of the team

in his new Suns hat...

Dwight Howard just before he took off his sleeves

and shoes and threw them into the crowd..Jake was

about 3 feet from getting one of the shoes and sleeves.

What a great picture and a fun time, even

though the Suns lost:(

When we got home Jake and Isaac had some one on

one time on the ATV.... They love making dust!

Grandpa dicided to join them and they went on

a ride down to the Verde River under the underpass

on the freeway. I was a great end to a fun weekend.