Hooray, Hooray...

"...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.

Then off to play tennis.

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! :)

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...

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:)

What in the Wirt?????

How did my baby boy turn ONE so fast??? Life gets faster with every kid, for sure! The lil' guy buried his head in his blanket and cried when we all entered his room this morning singing "Happy Birthday". Our sweet little homie.

So sensitive. Enjoying his birthday cupcake!

Ok, the love I have for my kids is equal, of course, but he is the light of my life...well, all of them are the light of my life, but he's something special...ok, you know, they're all special...well, crap. Forget it.

I can say that when I look at him, I remember that God is a good God and that He loves me so much. That's a pretty cool connection...my baby boy and the Creator of everything...they are in cahoots;) I should look for a "Jesus is my homeboy" shirt for him. I digress. Too much sugar in those strawberry cupcakes tonight.

Here are a few more pics from his birthday dinner tonight.

We were so happy my older sister and her family stopped by tonight from out of town...Gina was in town too!!! We don't get to see them very often so that was a super special treat tonight.

Great timing girls!!

Spaghetti time...

The Cousins...

eeeee, yikes! What's wrong with her??

Sweet Alex...our OK family came in for dinner!

Rhett, you are so loved buddy! People are driving in from everywhere;)

Thank you OK family!

Playing in the bubble machine with Angel and Natalie

Uh-oh...where'd it go???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHETTSTERS!!!
We love you.

Just Can't Get Enough

A few things we just can't get enough of these days...

BLOWING BUBBLES!

She chews gum constantly and blows bubbles everywhere!

A Pink Lady in training, for sure.




RHETT
Nat can't get enough of her little brother...none of us can!

And he loves every minute of it!




SLEEP (is for the weak)
Lainey can't get enough sleep.

She's sleeping standing up.

The girl has so much energy, she has always had trouble going to sleep. Staying asleep. Sleeping in. Anything with "sleep" in it, she has trouble with it.

But not this little guy...

I can't get enough of him!

Our little Linus.

I have a serious crush.

This smile makes my heart skip a beat.


And this one...

ok, one more...I thought he was sleeping on this particular day last month.

Instead I walked in to this smile!

He had pulled up for the first time and was so proud.

OK, I can't get enough of any of these SMILES!

Lainey is obsessed with Cheley, my mom's dog (top right). Obsessed (maybe I should say "passionate") about any and all animals.

Nat can never have too many accessories right now.

This is her being subtle.

TEA PARTIES!

Have to have one a day right now.

Thanks Sharly! This tea set made Natalie's day "favulous!"

On some days, we have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
I don't know what she did here...and I don't want to know.

DARE DEVIL STUNTS

It was a beautiful landing. Thankfully. And without any practice.

Thank you Metroplex.

Crazy feeling this landing wouldn't have been as smooth for Lainey...

Which leads me to...

BLOOD, BRUISES AND BLACK EYES...

(at least one of these happens DAILY with our little princesses) And the bubble holds steady.

SUSHI

As in SUSHI. This girl ain't playin.

This is just a Kroger roll. Spicy Salmon.

When we go to our favorite place by Kev's office, she eats everything Kevin eats.

The last roll she devoured had calamari, eel, spicy tuna, and crab.

He is leaving hungry lately.


I GOT WORMS

These two (and Lainey included) can't get enough of BUGS!

Worms are their favorite.

I think our girls are well-rounded.

PERFORMING

This little girl can't get enough of the spotlight.

Anything for a laugh.

Off to get sleep while we can!

We need our energy for our BIG MOVE!

More to come...