4th of July weekend

We had a very busy 4th weekend. My brother, Andrew, came up on Thursday to spend it with us. On Friday we spent the afternoon on Main St. where they were having music, bands, and free watermelon, which Ellie enjoyed. The humane society also had animals out on the courthouse lawn for adoption. Ellie ran up to every cage with a dog in it and would get so excited and pant! It was so cute. That evening we headed to our church 4th of July celebration. It started with a 800m fun run straight up a hill. I think Andrew about died! He did win the male division due to the fact that Grant was pushing Ellie in the jogging stroller up the hill. However, he pushed Ellie to a 17 and under victory! It was lots of fun. Ellie played with her friends and really liked the bean bag toss. The night ended with fireworks over Lake Junaluska and Ellie enjoyed every minute of it.
On Saturday we headed off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It started at Sliding Rock where it is basically a natural water slide. Andrew and Grant had fun doing this. Ellie and I sat this one out! We then went to another hike by Looking Glass Rock to a waterfall and then to Black Balsam trail. Ellie fell asleep on this hike. It ended with a hike to the top of Devil's Courthouse. Indian legend says this is the place the Devil holds Court. Even if he does it is beautiful at the top! We were exhausted by the end of the day!