Summer Wrap Up- Family Trip to Dollywood

We tried all summer to either find time or time we were willing to give up pool days to go to Dollywood as a family.   We decided to go over Labor Day weekend.   It was great!  We stayed at the resort and enjoyed not having to drive and park.

Checked in and enjoying an evening by the fire. 

Maggie loved the country fair rides.  

This girl loved the swings!   She rode them half a dozen times at least.   And sometimes insisted we do not ride with her.  

The bigger and more adventure the rides called for Gracie was all in.    

Mommy rode this one with Maggie.  Jimmy and Gracie were out! 

sometimes Jimmy and Gracie rode the big rides and I got time with Maggie. 

back at the resort for some swimming and downtime 

my love!  Mexican for dinner.   

Breakfast before we headed to the water park.  It was delicious.   

and just like that we were headed back home.  

August Recap: Daddy Daughter Camping, Jimmy's Birthday and Pool time

As quickly as the school year started August was over.    We had so many fun memories!

Jimmy takes the girls camping once a year with Mark and Sarah.  They plan it all year and all look forward to it.  I do miss them, but am glad they get this time together.    It is wonderful to have friends that pour into your kids.   They are like family to us!

Ms. Sarah and the girls 

We celebrated Donnie's 40th Birthday!  Jill threw him a casino night party and we snagged a date night!  We have loved watching them grow together and pray many more years together (and a wedding soon!).

We celebrated Jimmy's 43rd birthday!

no birthday in our house is complete without the Bread Basket cake!  

We pray you know how loved you are! 

Wrapping up the last few days of summer and sun! 

yes this creature did enjoy a swim in our pool briefly!  

Uncle Gabe and Maggie 

Maggie and Addison had a play date at the pool 

Other fun moments this month.

Starbucks before church since we had to try the one at our exit.  

if there was ever a time I thought having a puppy was a bad idea.... moments like this always change my mind. 

she looks so grown up! 

while this picture is blurry, it captures our life.   Any time we see Grammy and Papa, we can't leave (or they can't leave) until the girls and Jimmy get back scratches, ticklers, rubs.   They will always remember this! 

We hosted a homemade ice cream party with all the toppings for Jimmy's office.  We made peach, vanilla, and cookies and cream. 

I love serving on Sunday's with this girl! 

one night when I was traveling Maggie ended up in our bed.   Before she crawled in she did move the iPad and Jimmy's glasses that he had set on the bed before he fell asleep.   

4th grade is hard some weeks! 

Making egg salad like Grammy for her lunch 

we have really been working on everyone getting ready in their own rooms.   However, one morning we were all lined up in our room to use the mirror.   

First Sunday of RockBridge in Cleveland!   We love our home church.   God is so good in how he orchestrates life!