September Snapshots: Sweetness

I will never tire of finding these sweet notes on my bedside table & under my pillow....

Summer Snapshots, Day 48: Tennessee Edition

We just returned from a week in the Smoky Mountains with Chad's side of the family.  It was 18 of us in this little bitty place:

 It was like our own Southern plantation on a cool 100+ acres.

 This was the view from our front porch.  

I could sit out here all day.

The grounds included 2 ponds, a couple barns, a little Mule (golf cart thing) to drive around, even a little cemetery!  The kids had so much fun just exploring.

 We pretty much did a lot of sitting out there hanging out.

Uncle Bob came and brought his 2 dogs, which was a BIG hit with the kids.

 Audrey caught a fish!  But she wouldn't touch it so Uncle Matt had to help her out. :)

 We did some mini-golfing.

This picture really should be of Carter since we all know he is the mini-golf lover around here. :)

 A picnic lunch near a waterfall.

 Chloe & Brooke on the swings in Gatlinburg.

 Chair lift ride to the Alpine Slide, and then to the top of the mountain.

 You better believe I had a death grip on this kid the whole way up and back.

The only thing between us and the long drop down was a little metal bar!

 All the cousins (minus Nate) at the top.

 Chad & I

 Headed back down....see? it's steep!

 Grandma & Nate on the carousel

 Happy girl

 These 3 cuties had a blast together all week

 Another relaxing morning.....

 Carter taking Buster for a walk.  :)

 We took a hike up to Laurel Falls.

The map said it was an "easy" hike but not so much....well, at least not when it is 90+ & humid!

 Chad is responsible for this picture of what else? ROCKS!

 Annnnnd, this one.

 Yup, this one too.

 We drove up to the highest point of the Smokies - Klingman's Dome.

 You can see why they are called the "Smoky" mountains....

 Climbing rocks.

 We attempted some family photos and lo and behold....we got a few where everyone is looking and (mostly) smiling!

 These 2 had so much fun together. 

 The real us.

 

 All the grandkids from oldest to youngest.

 

As we were driving away, Chloe said "I'm going to miss all those people."

Us too, Chloe. :)

Summer Snapshots, Day 35

Today was a celebration of all the family July birthdays.

That includes Chad, Chloe & my Dad, whose birthday is today!

First off, my niece entertained us all with her cuteness.

 We ate some dinner, and then the birthday peeps opened their cards & gifts.

 Of course there was cake. :)

Then this moved in:

 Thankfully it waited til after the party was over.

It is at this moment giving us a lightning show like I haven't seen in a long time!

Summer Snapshots, Day 8

Happy Father's Day to 2 of the best dads I know!

Friday Faves: Thanksgiving Edition

Just some things I'm thankful for in particular this week:

Chad's trusty Honda Accord reached 100,000 miles.  This car has been around longer than our marriage!  May it run for another 100K!  (or at least until the van is paid off....)

Our yearly Thanksgiving tree. So much to be thankful for, including Dollar Tree that was selling these precut leaves - 32 leaves for $1. I used to cut them out by hand!  I love that the kids are all now writing by themselves (or trying to write) the things they are thankful for.  They sure are growing up.

I am thankful for this wreath made by Carter, who is my least crafty kid but succeeded in putting together this gem.  I am thankful for Kids Club at our neighbors' church, where he made this wreath, and where he & his sisters learn more about God and the stories of the Bible.

I am thankful for Legos, which provide my kids hour upon hour of enjoyment.  And I am thankful that my mother-in-law had the wisdom to save all of Chad's old legos that my kids now play with.  I am thankful that the kids throw them all in a bin together and I don't care that they are "messed up"....because normally that would bother me. :)

I am thankful for my traditional Thanksgiving pie recipes.  Pumpkin, Chocolate Pecan, and Caramel Apple Pie....here we come!

I am thankful that this (and the next photo) are the only injuries I sustained in my "extreme baseball" accident yesterday! :)

I am thankful that I have the health and strength to run around and play....and that I am able to stay home with my kids and enjoy afternoons outside playing with them.

And last of all, I am thankful for Christmas music, which I have been secretly listening to for the past few days.  I discovered this Josh Groban CD at the library and I love that he sings all the old Christmas hymns!! 

What are you thankful for this week?

Today I am linking up with: 

 A great blog if you have the chance to swing over!