"...we're on our way! Summer vacation starts today!"
***
That was our little family "diddy" we always said as kids as we headed out for our summer vacation destination. It was exciting and cheesy...and we still say it to this day.
***
We took a little mini-vacation to Hot Springs Village, a place I've been going with my family since I was a pre-teen. We've stayed in the same house for the last 20 something years and it holds a lot of wonderful memories for us all. They finally changed the carpet...that made this germ-freak very happy, although the bedspreads still remain. That's just gross. But they looked clean.
It's always risky taking Lainey out, especially to a place she's never been before. We never know how her lungs will react to certain local allergens in the air. Her lung doctor advised us to start her on a few different medications before we left, just to safeguard her, and she did great. Rhett, on the other hand, started running a fever the night we got home so I'm thankful we got home when we did.
The road trip begins...
we grabbed some mustaches at a little store on the way to entertain us...
We started our first morning off with a little coffee and "varmit watching".
Liz and I took a very similar picture when we were little girls.
Lainey and her ant smasher
My dad and I played on this very court growing up
Very special times, all the way around.
The fun playground right outside of the house.
Natalie had her first ice cream cone at this little shop.
Now it's Rhett's turn!
Natalie wanted the exact same flavor she had for the first time as a baby...
Mint Chocolate Chip.
Rhett loves Blue Bell!
...mean Daddy! :)
Nat's getting so big! She got to drive all by herself!
I'll just kick back here, feel free to push me around and feed me cheerios.
WHOA! These dudes are big!
Pretty sure the Crocodile Hunter would roll over.
Rhett's cheerios were a hit!
...mean Daddy! :)
Our plan was to wear the kids out every day
in hopes we'd get some sleep while away on vacation.
Starting the day off with a hike around the lake...
Then on to swim and play on the lake...
On to go-carts and bumper boats...
Nat's getting so big! She got to drive all by herself!
Don't ask how we all slept.
ugh.
Visiting the alligator farm/petting zoo before we head home.
Lainey's really gonna love this!
I'll just kick back here, feel free to push me around and feed me cheerios.
WHOA! These dudes are big!
Pretty sure the Crocodile Hunter would roll over.The gator's mouth is rubberbanded shut.
Rhett's cheerios were a hit!Our animal whisperer was in HEAVEN!
...not at all shy with the greedy goats...
Not a lot of pics of Nat in the petting zoo. 
We are so thankful for SUMMER TIME and are trying to make the most of it before winter sets in and we have to take Lainey back into "the bubble".
...not at all shy with the greedy goats...
She kept saying, "Mom, I love this! This is so nice!"
Not a lot of pics of Nat in the petting zoo. She did join us eventually, and had fun...kinda;)
After trying to wear the kids out in the morning, we headed for home.
We totally pigged out on lots of sugar, junk food, and Cokes! Vacation is FUN!
The impending sugar crash is even better as we head out of town.
Kev and I started our vacation a day early! The night before we left, instead of packing, we had a little sushi and Coldplay, live. That was a SUPER fun night...I'm in love with my husband.
We are so thankful for SUMMER TIME and are trying to make the most of it before winter sets in and we have to take Lainey back into "the bubble".
Another round of testing in early September and we'll see where she stands as we head into Fall/Winter. We are hopeful!
Now back to real life:)
