A Fun Filled Weekend

I have decided that Cal and I are pretty boring during the week. Most all of my posts revolve around our weekend activities as a family, and not many have anything to do with us during the week! We are pretty set in our routine...get up in the morning and eat, either get ready for the day or go for a walk, eat again at 11:00am, nap around noon, eat again at 2:00pm, go for a walk if we didn't go in the morning, and wait for daddy to get home between 5:30 and 6:00. Somehow, the day scoots away from us and before I know it, it is 5:00!
So, here is another post about our weekend activities! Doug and I tried to go hiking a few weeks ago, but weren't able to because of timing conflicts and the arrival of the Clemson Tigers to Death Valley after their Orange Bowl Victory. Because it was going to be nice on Saturday, we decided to try again to get out to a new hiking spot I found on AllTrails.com. We really like this site; plus I get weekly emails on trails near us. We get into a rut of going to the same areas to hike, so it is nice to find a new spot and adventure. We decided to go to Yellow Branch Falls outside of Walhalla, SC, because there was a 50 ft waterfall at the end of the hike, and the hike was only 3mi total. We are trying to stick to shorter distances right now in case Cal has a major melt down and we need to escape quickly!! We are so glad we went on this hike. It was super easy to get to, fairly easy trail, and a great waterfall at the end in which to sit and enjoy a quick lunch. 

As in previous hikes, Cal did great. We layered him up for the outing, knowing it was going to be chilly. The boy had on 3 shirt layers, 3 layers of socks, and was put in the carrier on my chest for extra warmth. He stayed awake to enjoy the first part of the hike, and only fell asleep a few minutes before reaching the waterfall. At the waterfall, he woke, and stared at it the entire time. He loved it! We climbed around on the rocks for a bit before finding a place to eat lunch. After about 15 minutes of sitting still, it started to get pretty chilly. Soon after that, Cal started crying from a combination of cold and being tired. We packed up and got out of there as quickly as possible. Once we were back in the sun and moving, Callen was asleep within 5 minutes. Poor thing had C-O-L-D hands, so I put his little mittens on them after he fell asleep (he doesn't care for them when he is awake because he can't use his hands). It didn't matter what I had layered on his hands and feet; they were both ice cubes when we got back to the car. Have no fear...he quickly warmed back up and never complained after his meltdown at the waterfall!! We loved this hike, and have already made plans to return in the late spring/early summer when the rhododendron and Mountain Laurel bloom and to take a swim in the water. 

Nerdy family photo of us all wearing long sleeve shirts under our short sleeves! (Before the hike and being bundled!)

Crossing the stream by walking from walking over rocks

Walking on the tree trunk to cross the water this time!

Just chillin'!!

At the falls

Chubs! He looks so fat in this pic

Enjoying our lunch

Passed out in this pic...he literally slept with his face to the sky and me holding his head the entire time!

After our hike, we headed to Clemson for the basketball game. Cal has been to several football games, but not a basketball game. He did really well, and loved all the new sites and sounds. He stared at the big screen for most of the first half. He stayed busy and awake until about half way through the second half before he snoozed. Doug was holding him, and he just fell asleep sitting up; loud noises, people cheering/screaming did not bother him one bit. 

Cal and the Tiger Cub

Staring at the lights on the big screen!!!

Sound asleep!!

Cal has a new trick...he started rolling from back to belly last night. He only did it 2x and we wanted to enjoy it, so we did not try and film it. I will post a video as soon as we catch him doing it! Full mobility is coming sooner than we want. Time to baby proof!!