Like many of you out there, I was constantly checking in on my phone and anxiously awaiting the results from the presidential election during my time away from the blog. When we watched Joe Biden and Kamala Harris address our nation after they were announced as the winners of the election, I felt hope for our nation. I understand that possibly half of you reading this post today may have hoped for a different outcome but I loved what President-Elect Biden said when he said he would “work as hard for those who voted against him as he would for those who voted for him.” His message of unity feels much-needed during a time when our nation feels so divided and tumultuous. Also, regardless of your political affiliation, the election of our first woman vice president is nothing short of historic and I felt my heart swell when Vice President-Elect Harris said, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last.”
While the election results were on the forefront of my mind throughout the week, enjoying our family’s annual mountain vacation was the reason I stepped away from the blog for a bit. I planned to unplug during our trip and took all pressure off myself to share anything on the blog and social media. A little break was all I needed to crave chatting with you guys in this space again.
5th Annual Family Mountain Vacation (Banner Elk, NC)
We arrived home from our fifth annual family mountain vacation yesterday afternoon. The laundry is piled up, our house is a mess and our fridge is bare but our hearts are full. The week we spend in the mountains with my parents and my sister and her family is, without a doubt, one of my very favorite weeks of the year.
Ryan found our gang of 10 a house in Banner Elk, a beautiful mountain town located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Though we headed out on various outdoor adventures daily, we made good use of the house and spent a lot of time cooking, playing games, building forts both inside and out, kicking the soccer ball around and hanging out by the fire pit.
We lucked out with beautiful sunny weather every single day of our visit and made the most of it by opting for a lot of outdoor activities.
We returned to Grandfather Mountain, did a little trout fishing at Grandfather Trout Farm and visited some of our favorite hiking trails.
Our day trip to Grandfather Mountain was our best one yet because it was the first year where the wind was practically non-existent which made crossing the mile-high suspension bridge a lot more pleasant.
I’ve blogged about hiking the balds on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line before but I think this was our first experience on the trails with the kiddos in tow.
(The hiking backpack/child carrier Ryan is wearing is the Osprey Poco Child Carrier. He did a ton of research before buying it soon after Chase turned one and we’ve loved it for years!)
Earlier in the week, Ryan and I took the boys out for a hike as a family of five and then returned again several days later with the whole family!
The hike is a great one for kids because it’s only 3/4 of a mile to the top of the first bald where you can see stunning 360-degree views of the Appalachian Mountains. There is not much the boys love more than being outside and searching for little critters and we majorly lucked out when we realized woolly worms could be seen all over the trails! Let’s just say Creature Man Chase was in heaven!
There were actually eleven of us on the hike on Saturday… Notice anything special about the way my sister is standing and holding her belly in the above picture? The news is officially out! Leslie and Ross are expecting another little one this February! They are having a baby girl and to say our family is thrilled is a serious understatement. We all got the biggest kick out of seeing how big sister-to-be Callie responded to baby Rhett and she was just the sweetest and incredibly interested in her baby cousin. It was so adorable and I have a feeling Callie is going to be the most amazing big sister in a few short months!
As for new family adventures, Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster and Sugar Mountain Gem Mining were both big-time winners for our crew.
They’re located within a mile of each other and we paired them together one morning for some new-to-us fun.
Though the past week passed by a lot faster than I would’ve liked and I’m currently fighting some post-vacation blues and missing my family already, I’m also feeling incredibly grateful we were able to spend a full week as a family in the mountains again. It was such a great trip and my heart is so full!
Jen says
Julie, thank you so much for speaking up regarding the election. I’m very sorry about all the hostile responses you’re receiving. You have every right to express your opinion. The folks criticizing you are unfortunately choosing to lash out at you as an outlet for their grief instead of behaving like kind, civil adults (and accepting defeat with humility and grace). Unity, as you said, is exactly what we need in this country (and what I *always* strive for regardless of who is President). I too felt hope, and immense relief, on Saturday. No one man can fix all the problems facing our nation but this is certainly a positive step in the right direction.
Congratulations to your sister! I’m due with baby girl #2 in February as well! Remind me, how old is Callie? My oldest daughter is 19 months and I’m hoping the transition to becoming a big sister is smooth for her! You have a beautiful family. Sending you all lots of love ❤️
Susan says
Um, did you liberals accept defeat with “humility and grace” in 2016?! Nope, you’ve spent the past four years claiming that Trump wasn’t “your” President. What hypocrites you are!
Beth says
Yes, many of “us liberals” felt strongly that President Trump did not represent us and spoke out about that. But you know what we didn’t do? We didn’t baselessly challenge election results. So let’s all keep things in perspective, shall we?
Jen says
Susan, I was very upset when Trump was elected in 2016, but I never called into question the legitimacy of the election results because there was no evidence of fraud. (Much like there is no evidence of voter fraud in this election.) I *did* accept the results with humility and grace and vowed to give Trump a chance. Notice in my comment how I didn’t lump all Trump supporters together…I specifically referred to those leaving Julie hateful comments. It’s childish and unproductive to lump entire groups of people together and make assumptions about them based on one identifying factor. You sound very hurt and angry and I hope you find peace and the ability to become a more tolerant person. It’s ok to disagree with other people’s views/opinions, but let’s have respectful dialogue instead of hurling around blanket insults.
Megan says
Totally agree Susan! Biggest Hypocrites
Elizabeth says
Hi Julie! I’ve been a regular reader for years but don’t comment all too often, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you acknowledging the election and saying what you did about it. It’s so important that we speak up even when it’s hard or feels uncomfortable or if your case – with the knowledge that you’re going to get so many varying comments. I’ve used your blog as a resource for so many things over the years and this has really reaffirmed how fantastic I think you are!
Anne says
I thought you had such a lovely one sentence comment on the election.
What a lovely mountain week! I lived in Boone for five years in college, so I always love seeing what you all do during your trip there.
Logan at ohheymom.com says
I just wanted to say I LOVE the banner elk area. It’s a special place for our family too and it fills my soul every time I go. We’ve done the Roan Mtn hike and it’s wonderful.
I am so glad you spoke up about the election and feel the same way.
Danielle says
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now (even though I’m not a mom, is that strange?) and I’m so happy that you support Biden/Harris! Don’t let the rude comments get to you, it’s your blog! People don’t like it, they can stop reading anytime. Glad you guys had so much fun!
Annmarie says
Hi Julie,
As many others have stated, I am elated that you mentioned the election in this post. I’m sure it would have been much easier to ignore it as many bloggers have, but choosing to address it has made me respect you even more. As you had mentioned, I too am feeling hopeful for the future, especially for women in high positions.
Signed,
A hopeful longtime female reader
Amy Bonham says
What a fun week! My husband and I love that area. We spent part of our honeymoon at Mt. Pisgah.
Also wanted to say, I’m not a Biden fan, but I still love your blog and have so much respect for you even if we didn’t vote for the same person! My best friends don’t have the same political stance as I do, but we are still best friends. I just wanted to give some positive feedback from someone on the opposite spectrum.
Jackie says
Julie, thank you for your comment about the election. I was thinking about you last week—it must have been so stressful waiting for the election results in your state. I’m in Washington and it’s nice to know we always vote blue. I’m looking forward to the new year and finally feeling a sense of hope.
Glad you had a nice trip.
Amy says
Thanks for your words about the election, and congratulations on your new niece! So exciting.
I want to say, I am disheartened by the people who are personally attacking you and assuming voting for a certain candidate says something about your views on abortion, or anything, really. Or, to assume that you haven’t done your research before voting, and voted for the candidate who aligns with your values. The comments are hurtful and quite inaccurate, and show how much misinformation has spread about abortion, which is a personal and often devastating choice. I personally would love to see this kind of passion about the millions of children who live in poverty, the millions of children in foster care, the 500+ children potentially permanently separated from their parents at the border.
As a public health advocate I could go on and on about women’s healthcare (which, yes, abortion is a part of) but I’ll spare you the lecture ;). Thanks again for respectfully sharing your views, and for your respect of others who may not agree with you.
Alyssa says
This!!! All of this!!! I was going to comment but you said it perfectly.
Frances says
Voter fraud is very rampant right now. I think announcing the new president without recounting votes and looking into voter fraud was absolutely wrong. Republican poll watchers were unable to watch democrats while ballot counting. There are several other eye openers that need to be addressed. I have lost all respect for the voting and election process and media coverage in this country. I pray the true winner will be revealed, even if that’s Biden. If it’s Trump, he should be elected four more years. Doubt we will hear anything about unity and peace then from the other side. You should want more voter transparency as well Julie.
Beth says
I would encourage you to continue to read information about the election process. So far, I have not come across any substantiated claims of election fraud. What I have seen is conservative groups offering substantial monetary payouts for evidence of fraud, which is obviously problematic for a whole host of reasons.
To be honest, I agree with your point about unity. The two “sides” of this country disagree on too many fundamental issues to find any kind of real unity and to pretend otherwise seems truly disingenuous.
Leah says
Department of Homeland Security confirmed that this election was entirely secure. Trump’s lawsuits are being repeatedly thrown out as baseless. How can you blame this on the media?? Biden is your president, accept it and move on.
Lucy says
I enjoy reading your blog. I am not a Biden fan. I cannot understand how he is Catholic, but supports abortion. Reading blogs such as yours is a great diversion from all the media, I actually stopped reading some blogs because they became too political. I do hope you will continue to keep politics off your blog.
Beth says
One thing I think is important to remember is that there is a difference between “supporting abortion” and believing a woman has a right to choose. I think you’d actually be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks abortion is a great idea, but there are lots and lots of people who think that access to that kind of medical care is necessary in a lot of situations. I had to terminate a very wanted pregnancy, for example, because it was not viable and a danger to me. It scares me that many of the texts of laws that seek to limit access to abortion would have limited my access to needed medical care. I find that actually “pro-life” and “pro-choice” friends of mine have more in common than it seems at first.
Leah says
Love this comment, Beth. This is such an important distinction. I don’t know anyone who wants to have an abortion; I know a lot of women who want the right to decide what to do with their bodies.
Kirsten Engstrom says
Thank you so much for mentioning the election and remaining positive. Reading your comments-It’s scary to me how much misinformation there is. I hope we can find a way to come together as a nation
Nikki says
Thanks for sharing glimpses of your life! I am a long time reader and a boy mom x3 also and I love reading your blog every week. You are strong and brave and such a light. <3
Tia Taylor says
I always look forward to your blog and social media posts. While I believe everyone should be informed and invested in our government, I hope political opinions don’t make their way into your posts anymore. I say this kindly but honestly; I have found your blog a great escape from the craziness and I don’t want that to change. Take care,
Eileen says
Julie, I’m a longtime reader and I want to thank you for this blog! I think you should absolutely be able to speak your mind on politics. You did it in a respectful way and only talked about what you think and didn’t say negative things about anyone. Good for you!
Emily says
Love your election comments! You should feel free to share YOUR thoughts in YOUR space!
Congratulations to Leslie and Ross and soon-to-be big sister Callie! I was actually thinking about them and wondering if they would be adding to their family in the next few years when you mentioned you were all traveling together. I love that all of the kids will be close in age to play together!
Emily HL says
Congrats Leslie and Ross! I am adding this area to my list of must-visit places once traveling is a little easier. Also, love seeing election comments from influencers. So excited for the future (finally!)
Trisha says
Hi Julie! I think that sharing how you felt during this past week (the anxiety, the waiting, etc.) on the blog is genuine and lends to solidarity with your many readers who felt similarly. I voted like you, but had you voted otherwise, would continue to read. We all have friends, co-workers, family members who have voted differently and to say that a blog poster saying who they voted for is so upsetting seems preposterous. Look around your own neighborhood to see the different signs and dissenting opinions. This is normal. This is okay. I have been reading for 5+ years very regularly. I have 3 boys that are 5 and under and really relate to much of your posts. Thank you for (as always) sharing how you feel. That is what makes a blog interesting.
Oli says
Hi Julie! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the election, and please don’t let the personal attacks get to you. Sharing your thoughts/values is important! We have to continue to have tough conversations if we as a country and going to come together.
Madeline says
Hi Julie! I’m a longtime reader and just want to say a big thank you for addressing the election. It’s been really bugging me that a lot of bloggers have ignored it this year – it feels extremely tone-deaf and dishonest to me. You worded your thoughts beautifully, and reading them only made me respect you more.
And on a lighter note, thank you for sharing your family’s mountain adventures! It looked like a wonderful trip!
H says
Just another comment chiming in to say thank you for being vocal about the election! I feel like maybe in the past I wouldn’t have cared much if influencers made political statements, but the hatred and bigotry that has come out of the woodworks in the last few years has made me realized how important it is! I feel like more than ever, silence is taken as an agreement and I am am so proud of you and everyone who is willing to be vocal about a vision of America where more people feel safe and heard.
Nicole says
It’s unfortunate that you chose to permeate your lovely lifestyle blog with your own political views. You just alienated half of your viewers…and I hope you realize that Biden is not yet the president-elect. Yes, you have the right to intermix politics with your blog, but you will lose readers. You just lost me as a reader.
Maria says
Sad to say, I agree with Nicole. Being a long time reader since before Chase was born, Im very surprised about your post. Yes, it is your blog and you have every right to post what you feel in your heart, vote for who you want and express opinions. Unfortunately, with you saying how you teach your children right from wrong etc is pretty contradictive. You are praising a candidate { he is not the president at this time} who stole money and denied it, covered up for his son’s actions with China, has cheated to try to win an election which is out there for all to see, comitted adultry ( you probably do not know about that) and supports 3rd trimester abortion. I don’t think you have any idea what that entails and with you posting about the miscarriages that you have endured, I would have thought that would have laid heavy on your mind. A man who has been so called elected, who does not have the right mind sense to run a country and has picked a radical running mate is a disaster. I’d be curious to know how you feel when your children are not saying the pledge of allegience in school, singing the star spangled banner and being taught that America is a horrible country. I think there will be a lot more to talk to your children about than Black Lives Matter. What ever the outcome of this election is, and it is not over yet, alot of people are going to be disappointed to see that the unity they were promised, is going to be a
socialist way of life. Time to take off your rose colored glassses.
Audrey says
Do you have sources for any of these claims? Reading through your list of accusations against Biden I thought I must be reading about Trump, who cheated on his pregnant wife with a porn star, has been funneling taxpayer money to his family (both by nepotism and his extensive use of his properties during his presidency), has falsely claimed that there was election fraud (none has been found, see today’s NYT headline). As for third trimester abortion, you do understand that doctors don’t perform these for fun right? No woman goes through 6 months of pregnancy and then decides they don’t want to keep the baby. These are excruciating decisions that women face in cases where the fetus isn’t viable or poses a threat to the mother. For a party that claims to be for “family values” it might help to show some compassion to people who are dealing with different circumstances and may not have the resources to care for a highly disabled child if they are forced to give birth.
Ann says
Ditto. I’d rather have not known your political views.
Megan says
She lost me too Nicole! Ugh Supporting a woman (Harris) that believes in abortion up to 25
Weeks is just disgusting.
Stephanie Duda says
I love the pic of Ryder with his hands up in the air! What memories y’all made! We went hiking in Tennessee with our two-year-old and he loved it. Nature is so good for them! I had a visit family weekend and boy it was hard to get motivated on Monday! To post vacation blues can happen but we just keep swimming!
Meg Joyce says
Your discussion of the election was tasteful and appropriate. Regardless of how I or you voted, I appreciate you acknowledging the elephant in the room. You continue to be a wonderful role model in how you handle challenging topics with grace and authenticity. Thank you for being you, and for acknowledging something even though doing so somehow made you a target.
(Also, I teach middle school social studies, and covering this election every day, four periods a day, has nearly killed me. So ready to move on!)
Rachel says
Julie thanks for addressing the election! I also feel hope again for our country although reading through some of these comments really highlights how misinformed and intolerant a lot of this country is. As a RN, I am so happy that Biden has already assembled a covid taskforce because hospitals are in trouble. Also I hope these baby killer comments don’t get to you. The election was far more than a single issue election and pro choice is a highly misunderstood topic.
Congratulations to your sister as well! I hope her pregnancy is going well.
Nicole says
The fact that you think we are intolerant exposes your own intolerance. Why is it all right to support a socialist who clearly struggles with dementia but not support the opposing candidate, who by all objective measures created the best American economy in history and supports late term abortion? Who is misinformed?…I used to love this blog until she interjected politics into what used to be a wonderful lifestyle blog.
Texangal says
Just wanted to say I’ve been a reader for years, but the politics turned me off. I’ll never visit your blog again. I think the problem many conservatives like myself have is feeling like we’re constantly being lectured and under attack. I’m glad you feel hopeful for the future because I’m terrified. Hope you’re still happy four years out when all you Biden voters turned the country socialist. Y’all just sold your souls, and ours too.
Heidi says
I don’t think Julie’s post was lecturing or attacking. Did it not seem tasteful to you?
Jess says
First and foremost congrats to Leslie & Ross! That’s so exciting. And secondly, I’m probably being mean but I am laughing at the people who are saying you should keep politics off of your lifestyle blog… considering the blog is… about YOUR life. Cmon people! Even for those who disagree with you, it feels very silly for any of them to comment that. You post whatever you feel and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
Abby says
Hi Julie – just sending a message of gratitude and light to offset some of the vitriol here in your comments. I was so shocked to read some of the nasty messages that I went back to Nov 2016 to see how you addressed the results of the election on your blog then. Unsurprisingly, it was also a message of unity and hope. I really hope our country can come together under that same message from Joe and Kamala. The divisiveness and misinformation in this country are at an all time high, as seen from (what I can only assume are mostly) educated, kind and good people who are flooding your comments with lies and anger. I hope they find peace and truth.
mk says
Hey Julie!
I cannot overstate how thrilled I was to read your take on the election. To everyone frantically howling about not wanting politics to play a part in a lifestyle blog, my only comment to you is how lucky you must be to be able to choose ignorance. To go about your day without worrying about your basic human rights being violated, without worrying about horrific racism, without worrying about families being torn apart.
I’m sure you’ll lose readers (oh well!), but I can promise you that you’ll gain a lot too. And I will proudly put my money where my mouth is and support your work.
All my best,
MK
Gillian says
I applaud you mentioning the election in such a classy way!
Your vacation looked beautiful. I am planning a family trip over Christmas and I hope to recreate some of your hikes!
Danielle says
Whoa, yikes to some of these comments. Julie, I just want to drop you some love and let you know I really, really appreciate you handling a quick mention of the election in a simple, classy way and hope you (and we all) can continue to discuss in respectful ways without making assumptions about each other.
Anne says
Julie, thank you for addressing the election and making YOUR views clear. They are your views, and anyone coming here has a choice not to come back. I think – I hope – you’ve realized that you do have readers who appreciate your candor, honesty and willingness to share your life, regardless of your – or their – politics. Why these other individuals feel the need to post their vitriol (thanks to whomever used that word above, it’s perfect) I will never understand.
MV says
Let the haters hate, Julie! Your blog is awesome, and you’re a good person. Don’t let a few right wing nuts convince you otherwise 😉
Nicole says
There are many whistleblowers coming forward that they were told to back date mail in ballots. It is also known in Pennsylvania that while democrat poll watchers could see and view mail in ballots they would not allow republicans to do so. The media should not have announced a winner yet as yet again they are the reason there is so much hate and tension in America. And those of you asking why the media isn’t covering the fraud taking place it’s because they don’t want to. Hence why they cut off the White House Secretary of State. The media is very biased and so is Facebook and Instagram. They censor anything in regards to republicans. Notice how they made a huge deal about trump rallies but not a mention when there was riots in the street and victory crowds over the election about covid.
abby says
LONG time reader but have never commented. Thank you so much for your comments about the election. I hope the nasty comments don’t get to you- they really shouldn’t- you have an amazing family!
Courtney says
Yay for Leslie! Funny to see all boys on your side so far, and all girls on hers 🙂
Chloe says
I have never commented on your blog before but just had to say that everyone complaining about your brief mention of the election needs to grow up and get a life. Let’s be honest, the election has been on just about everyone’s minds lately so if you had never mentioned it at all people would have complained about that too. I found your language to be very tasteful and respectful. I have personally experienced an event in my life that led to many hurtful comments made about me on-line and I just don’t understand why so many people feel the need to bring others down and rush to judgement so quickly. I’m sorry you have been dealing with these hurtful comments.
Chelsea Meredith Venditto says
Please do not let any of this get you down (easier said than done). I think your willingness to say a few words about the election when it is being ignored by every other blogger but obviously on the forefronts of everyones’ minds was admirable. Your words were completely reasonable and appropriate regardless of the political views of the readership.