Family Vacay

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Let me warn you...if that's true you are about to have 20,000 words flying out you. We left last Friday and came back Monday from one of the best vacations I have ever been on. I can't remember enjoying myself more. It was so nice to get away from responsibility, leave behind work worries, connect as a family, enjoy each other as husband and wife, have fun with a friend, and take in God's beautiful creation.

Here are the girls as we started our road trip to Possum Kingdom Lake. A precious family from church let us use their gorgeous (an understatement) lake house. Thank you Haywoods!

We road on their mule a ton while we were out there!

We fed the horses carrots every single day...

We swam and played at the pool. I love this next pic of Laney...it captures

her perfectly!

Daddy and Ashlyn jumping of the "cliff" into the pool. Yes, I did it too, but I'll spare the pic of me in my bathing suit. Ashlyn is our little adventure queen!

One of my very best friends in the whole world, Jen, joined in on the fun!

We love her dearly!

Yes, Miss Laney is actually swimming short distances on her own now.

Yahoo...I love it! So proud of her!

Ashlyn loooved the Hummer golf cart. Daddy even let her "drive."

We rented a pontoon boat one day. Jase and I dream of one day owning a

lake house with a pontoon boat...it was amazing to live the dream for a few hours. Reesie loved it so much it tuckered her out for over an hour.

We had to make Ashlyn get off the tube. She loved it!

Laney's favorite thing was just floating in the water...

however, after much coaxing, she enjoyed the tube ride too!

A family pic in their backyard. Amazing view, right?!

My beloved...

Goodbye Haywood lake house! We hope to be back soon. Seriously, it took

everything in me, not to cry coming home. I loved it that much!

July Fourth Weekend

We had a full, but relaxing fourth of July weekend. Every year our entire neighborhood puts out little American flags in front of each house. I anticipate it for days. We started Friday night by having our friends, the Moore's, over for dinner. Daniel, Carrie, and Alli go to church with us. In fact, Daniel and I work together. The girls couldn't get enough of precious Alli and passed her around several times so they could all hold her, including Reese. Here are the girls before they headed out for their Fourth of July Parade. They met up with the Lee family. Jase took them so that I could have a few childless hours to rest my ears :0) and clean the house.
We spent the rest of the evening at the Lee's neighborhood pool and then barbecued at their house with more of our friends from LifeGroup. And even though I didn't get pics of the fireworks we even got to see those too. We are so thankful God has blessed us to live in the USA!

Laney, Reese, Ashlyn and Jackson

Lauren and Rowdy (and baby!)

Drew and Emily (my amazing hairdresser!)

Chad and Amanda (thanks for hosting us)

He's gotten even better-looking with age! Jase throwing washers.

The girls before church on Sunday.

We were able to cap off the weekend by having Pastor Genesis in our home. He has some neat ministries in Cameroon. If you're one of my facebook friends check out his stuff.