New Studies

From the moment we moved into our house, my one goal was to not make it into a "student house". I didn't want people to come over and think "Oh yea, students live here". Well, since I have been doing all my studying at our kitchen table, this made it kind of tricky. 

Earlier this year I decided that we should probably get rid of our piano and make the extra room into my study, After months and months, it finally happened! Kevin let us borrow his desk, Steve gave me his old desk, and I FINALLY have my own place to study. It is sad, but this is really a dream come true.

Here are some updated pictures of the rooms in our house:

My new study/gym

 Here are some pictures of Steve's study! It is a rare occasion that his study is clean. (This is the one room in the house that is Steve's responsibility. He gets too mad when I put things in the wrong place!) I finally took some pictures when it was actually clean.

I am so happy to have my own study space and a clean kitchen table.

A Day in Knoxville

The other day Holly invited us to hang out. We decided to go to Knoxville for the day. We started the day with having Ethiopian food for lunch. I thought it was pretty good, but Rick and Steve spent the rest of the day making fun of it.

After lunch we went to the Nature Center in Knoxville. We went way back in March, but there were no leafs on the trees and Rick was working so we wasn't able to come. I have to admit, it was much more enjoyable with all the leafs!

Steve in a tree

 It is so beautiful there

 Steve took Katie and Brady down to the river to throw rocks.

 While we were walking around, I looked down and I realize I almost stepped on a random turtle! It was just hanging out on the side walk. The kids loved seeing it so up close.

One of the trails takes you along the TN river. So beautiful.

 TN River.

After we had fun exploring the Nature Center, it was time for us to take advantage of being in the big City. We took a trip to Sams Club and then decided to go out for dinner. We went to this awesome place called Cheddar's and had a wonderful dinner.

The best part of dinner was when Brady started drinking Ranch Dressing through a straw. Never a dull moment when Brady is around!

We had such a fun day!

Katie's birthday and Trevor's blessing

On September 23rd, Katie had her fourth birthday and Trevor was blessed. We went to Morristown to celebrate both occasions. 

The birthday girl wanted to drive to church with us. She is so hilarious. She had us laughing the whole way to church. We just love our Katie girl!

 Holly had an amazing birthday celebration waiting for everyone when we got back to their house.

 Sweet baby, Trevor. He is such a sweetheart!

Rocking Chair

Ever since I was a baby, I have been obsessed with rocking. When we first move to Tennessee, I immediately noticed and fell in love with all of the beautiful, white rocking chairs everyone had on their front porches. Well, about a month ago, Steve and I went to Knoxville. When we got home, we found a beautiful rocking chair on our front porch. Turns out Kevin had found us one. I could not be more happy! I honestly use it every day. Thanks again, Kevin!

Mount Le Conte

After returning from Utah, Steve and I were both hit with the realization that we only have a few months left in Harrogate. Maybe only a few months left in East TN (depending on where rotations take us). We decided we really need to get out more and enjoy the time we have left. 

Over Labor Day weekend, we decided to go to the Smoky Mountains and hike Mount Le Conte. From base to the peak, Mount Le Conte is the tallest mountain in Tennessee! Steve told me we were in for a six hour hike. I immediately had flash backs of Mount Timpanogos, but Steve assured me it wouldn't be that bad.

Luckily, it wasn't anything like Timp! It was a very enjoyable and a beautiful hike.

Steve on the very interesting trail

 The scenery was absolutely incredible

 First signs of fall!

 The trail was so beautiful. These pictures really do not do it justice.

 As we got higher up, it turned into more of a forest. Very cool.

 The top of the peak has a lodge area. You can stay here for the night. They are usually booked a year in advance. After hiking it, I don't know why you would need to stop for the night. It really wasn't that hard of a hike.

 Always comforting

 We were trying to find the overlook and we got a little lost. But we saw some beautiful scenery on our way.

This is why it is named Smoky Mountains!

 We found this random pile of rocks while we were looking for the overlook. After we came home and researched it, we realized that it was a marking of the highest peak in TN.

 So beautiful

 We found a bunch of trees that had tipped over and you could still see the roots. Super cool.

 We finally found the lookout. It was so amazing.

 Handsome husband

 Please excuse my hair. I'm not very photogenic after three hours of hiking.

 The view was amazing, and so worth it.

 The entire trail was covered in tree roots.

 The trail had a bunch of bridges to cross.

 One of the bridges.

 So beautiful

 Steve chilling on one of the bridges

 We had such an amazing time. Since we went on this hike, we haven't been out to do much. School just takes too much time! But we had such a great time and I look forward to our next adventure.