The Johnson Family: Our Smoky Mountain Adventure

We just got back from North Carolina and the beautiful Smoky Mountains! We had a great time visiting with Kendahl's family at this little mini-family reunion. His sister and her husband came out from Arizona with their two cute kids. And then his sister who lives in North Carolina drove and met us at the cabin with two of her kids. We wish everyone could have come! We had a great time playing games, going to the Okonaluftee River, and hiking up in the Smoky Mountains to Clingman's Dome. The kids had a great time with their cousins and we are so glad that we were able to go! Here are some pictures of our Smoky Mountain Adventure...

Here we are gathered outside the cabin for a family photo!

The kids had a great time getting reacquainted with their cousins!

Uncle John holding the three youngest grandchildren: Jayly - 2 years, Kenna - 1 year, and Jace - 6 months

Kaylee playing cards with her cousins, Levi and Phillip.

We went to the Okonaluftee River and let the kids play.

Here is Levi showing off the crawdad that Uncle John caught for the kids.

Kenna and Jace: the binki babies!

Grandma Johnson enjoying her time with Baby Jace.

Look closely - you can see Konnor (sitting) and his cousin Levi.

Kenna loved the water (even though it was cold!) She loved picking up the rocks and throwing them. She also (mysteriously) got a few in her mouth!

Kaylee and Konnor with their cousin, Levi, on top of a fallen tree by the river.

Jayly with the "furry caterpillar."

We went to eat at a yummy pizza place called Anthony's in Bryson City. It was some of the best pizza I've had in a long time!

Right across the street from the pizza place was the "Great Smoky Mountains Railroad." Although we couldn't take a ride on it, the kids still thought it would be fun to go on it and take a look!

We got up early Saturday morning and went to a place in the Smoky Mountains called Clingman's Dome. Here are Kaylee and Konnor at the beginning of the hike (with the Smoky Mountains behind them).

The kids holding hands with their cousin, Jayly, while walking up the trail to Clingman's Dome.

This was the view along the trail. It was so beautiful. You can see why it is called the Smoky Mountains (or the "Fire" Mountains as Konnor called it)!

Part of the Appalachian Trail was along our hike up - so we had to get a picture! I had always wondered what the Appalachian Trail looked like. And now I know! It looks... like... a... trail !

Here are John and Karleen and the kids on the Appalachian Trail!

Here we are at the top of Clingman's Dome. It was a big overlook. Don't look too closely at this picture. We were all hot and sweaty. Even though it was early morning, it was still very muggy and we hiked UP the mountain - the incline was steeper than I had imagined it would be. The view was worth it though!

John and Karleen and kids at the top of Clingman's Dome!

You can't really tell but a cloud went right through where we were standing. Kaylee thought it was so cool that she was "inside" of a cloud so she asked me to take this picture.