THE beach!

Ahhhh the beach! I love going to the beach...especially with 15 teenagers tagging along (for a basketball camp) with their families, 100 degree temps and LOTS of people. Ok, so it was a week long fully expense paid trip and we really did have a blast. So many wonderful memories, however I would like some cooler temps. Is 80 to much to ask for?

Here is a view from one of our balconies.
A view from our other balcony. This resort had tons of pools, access to the beach and a water park to go with it.

Some of the girls on the team.

Some family shots. It was so bright and HOT...we should of taken these in the evening. O well, still cute!


On the beach where we spent most of our time.
Here are some shots of Brenna during the week.

Loving the waves...

Sweet sisters
Our little model.
2 holes in 1 back to back on our night out to go putt-putt.
Next up is Aidan...
He is part fish...
Oh how I love this boy!

The castle that didn't quite make it because of the tide coming in.

2 holes in 1 for Aidan too. Maybe we should invest in golf lessons? Maybe we should ask their Uncle Drew first!

Mommy made a shot.

Last but not least, Carsyn Joy

I love this pictureand this one...

Cheese!

The summer is flying by. Enjoy every minute you have!

Bye bye

To the beach we go...be back in 10 days!

Cherry picking

I found this great orchard in Blue Ridge that has U-Pick just about anything during the appropriate season. Mercier Orchards is AWESOME! We just had to go cherry picking last weekend. They are delicious. We are heading back to pick blueberries in a couple weeks and then apple picking in September. It is great because you don't have to pay to be there, just pay for your fruit (and some of their yummy homemade icecream and apple bread)!

Cousins visit

Our nieces were able to come for a visit for a week. We were so excited to be able to see them after almost 2 years. The kids were counting down the days until they could see there cousins.

Kaia is 5 going on 15. She reminded me almost everyday that she in now in 1st grade (she will be in August). Her and Aidan are 10 months apart and both enjoy being the "mommy and daddy" of the group. Kaia loves to talk and I mean TALK! If you ever want to know what is going on with her, her family, friends, the guy at the store last week, etc. she will let you know. She loves everything girly, but loves to run around with the boys. Brad and I along with the kids pray for Kaia everyday and that with all this transition happening in her life that God will protect her, keep her safe and that Kaia would always know that He loves her and cares for her.

Zoe just turned 3 yesterday. Her and Carsyn are 10 months apart as well. This girl loves to be loved! I would be fixing dinner or folding laundry and she would run up, wrap her arms around my legs and give you the biggest, tightest hug. She was always up to something (what 2/3 year old isn't). She loves adventures and reading books. She fit right in since our family is constantly going and we love to read. She is a smart girl and I can tell the ache of the transitions in her life. We pray that God will comfort and protect her and that she will always know that He loves her.

We were blessed to be able to have them stay for over a week at our house. I would have to say that our life stayed pretty much as on time and busy as it always is even having a 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 year old. Meal time and bathtime/bedtime took the longest. It wasn't long before everyone was knocked out and sleeping because of our long adventurous days. Even though I loved every minute of having kiddos running around all day, I sure did love around 8 pm, when all were asleep and I could lay down on the couch and rest.

Day 1

Since Aidan was still in school this week, we tryed to do something every morning and than have something to do with Aidan when we picked him up from school. Today was Amicolola Falls. I explained my expectations of all of them in the car and we did not have 1 problem with behavior or disobeying. Here are Brenna, Kaia, Carsyn and Zoe....

Zoe hiking...

They all climbed the first 175 by themselves. Old Aunt Angie wasn't about to climb the next 400. I don't think so!

All the girls....

Day 2

Strawberry picking...need I say more.....

We made some delicious frozen jam later that day and now I have about 20 jars of jam to last me the rest of the year. YummO
After picking Aidan up we were and explored by one of my favorite river spots in North Georgia. The kids enjoyed watching people play in the river and fish.

Day 3 was after school and with Uncle Brad. It was the 1 1/2 mile hike to the top of Sawnee Mountain in Cumming to the Indian seats. The kids did awesome and we did get a bit of rain on the way down. It was a nice way to cool off.
I finally got in one shot with everyone here at the top looking north.

Aidan and Kaia on top of the mountain.

Day 4

We went to Chestatee Nature Preserve outside Dahlonega. It is a an animal and nature preserve that has many awesome animals that the kids can see up close and personal. Totally beats driving to downtown Atl to the zoo.

This Emu was so friendly.

A beautiful Peacock coming to say hello.

Their favorite was the grizzle bear.

We had to stop at our family favorite fudge shop in downtown Dahlonega. Chocolate covered pretzels for all!Day 5 and 6

We went to Poole's Mill Park in Forsyth County. A beautiful 100 plus year old bridge is a great place to take pictures. We had so much fun we had to go back the next day.

Here are Kaia and Zoe...

My 3 babies....

All 5 of them...

My brother in law, Devin got here Friday afternoon just in time to go back to Poole's Mill on Saturday and do this.....
and this....
and look at this.....

and play this.........
and just hang out with his brother and all the kids.

We had an absolute blast!

We were so sad to see them go on Monday! We wish they lived closer so we could do this all the time, but for now we only hope that it is not as long to see them as last time!