Full Circle

A few times in the last couple of weeks I have had "full circle" moments. Last week when our family was visiting we went to the lake for a ward activity. The ward had rented a boat for the day for people to take rides around the lake. As I was sitting there enjoying the beauty of the lake I couldn't help but remember when I was a kid and we would spend time at the river on a boat. I thought to myself it seemed like such a short time ago I was a little girl doing the same thing I am now doing with my own family. Tonight we went school clothes shopping for Jacob. I looked at Kevin and I said that I remembered how fun going clothes shopping before school was and now I am at the mall with my own family doing the same thing for my son. It just seems like life is just passing by too quickly some times. I remember 5th grade so well. I remember my teacher, Ms. Pearce, I did not like her too much. We moved to Fairfax, Va. from San Antonio, Tx. at the beginning of my 5th grade year. I remember my friends, the boys I liked, the drama that comes with being a girl in 5th grade, I even remember what was cool then. In less then a week my cute little boy will start 5th grade. His last year of elementary school. He is growing up too fast for me. I only wish the best for him. I hope he has a good year and he remembers 5th grade as a great time in his life.

More Summer Fun!

Two weeks ago we headed to Abingdon, VA to a strawberry festival. Needless to say the strawberries that Kevin and Jacob picked were delicious! We had some super yummy strawberry shortcake and strawberry waffles. We will definitley be going back next year for some more picking.

This past week we had family come and visit. Kevin's brother Ken and his wife Carrie and their girls were here Wednesday to Sunday. We had so much fun!!! Jacob loves playing with his cousins. There was never a dull moment. We are so thankful that they are only a 5 hour drive away.

All the kiddos getting their feet wet at Warrior Path Park.

On Saturday our Ward had and activity at Watauga Lake. It was so much fun. We ate yummy food, took a boat ride around the lake, and played in the water.

The kids having fun in the sand and water.


This is how I found Kevin and Riley. They were both snoozing under the umbrella. Earlier in the day Riley had the cutest pink swimsuit on and I didn't get a picture. I will have to put her back in her swimsuit just to get a picture.

We are truly enjoying our summer but it is almost over! Jacob starts school next Thursday. I can't believe it is already time for school to start. We have a lot of shopping to do. I think it is time for Jacob to have a normal bed time again, he has been staying up late all summer. This is Jacob's last year in elementary school, how did I get so old? I remember fifth grade like it was yesterday. Here is to one more fun week of summer!

Laurel Falls

We have been spending a lot of time outside since moving to Tennessee. Even in the summer it is not too hot. There is so much beauty around here!

A couple of weeks ago we hiked to Laurel Falls. It was listed as a moderate hike so we felt we were up for the challenge. It was a 1.7 mile hike to the water fall. The first 1.2 miles was not too hard. The last .5 mile was so hard and even harder on the way back! It was straight down the side of the mountain on big boulders and rocks. After a little complaining we made it and it was well worth the hike. We didn't realize that you could swim so the next time we hike there we will for sure wear our swim suits.

We saw this lovely guy on the drive up. I am glad that we saw him while still in the car and not on the trail!

Beautiful scenery!

We finally made it!





We look forward to spending a lot more time hiking in the beautiful mountains.

Picture Overload

Here I am again. So now that I stay home I should have all kinds of time to blog...right??? Well that is the plan at least. Hey did you know that time goes by way too fast! My sweet Riley is almost 3 months old! My big boy Jacob is about to start 5th grade! I have found a few gray hairs (at least they are near my neck and nobody can see them). Time just keeps on going at a really fast rate! Well life here in TN is great. OK I said it, it really is great! I love it here. One word to describe it...BEAUTIFUL!!! We have been blessed to have family already come and visit and we look forward to more coming in a couple of weeks. So here are some catch up pictures, instead of doing super picture overload I am just going to do a few (like 30, he he he), some of them are not the best quality because they are from my iPhone.

Love this picture because it shows what poor Riley went through. She was not gaining weight the first two weeks of life. My mom and I were weighing her all the time to see if she was gaining anything. She didn't always cry this much but it definitely was not her favorite thing.

We were able to do Riley's blessing before we left TX. It was such a wonderful day. We have waited so long for Riley and we thank our Heavenly Father every day for the blessing of having her in our life!
Jacob at his field day. He was able to go to his new school for the last 2 weeks. He was able to make some friends and he loves his new school.
My two sweet babies!
Visiting cousins in Nashville. Jacob is so excited that he lives a lot closer to Kendyl, Kelcie, Kaitlyn, and Kensey. We can't wait for them to come and visit in two weeks!


In June my dad, Cheryl, and Derrick came to visit. We had a lot of fun. We went to the Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol Caverns, Ripley's World Aquarium, and the Dixie Stampede dinner show. We are so grateful that they could come and visit us in our new home.
Bristol Motor Speedway (my dad is a huge NASCAR fan)
Bristol Caverns:
Ripley's Aquarium:Dixie Stampede Dinner Show:
My brother Derrick and Riley. We had to get them both with their mohawks!Working with daddy!
Just some cute pics of my favorite girl.
Love this cute face!Father's Day:
Riley in her new toy, she is still too little for it but how cute is she?Probably one of the cutest pictures ever!!!
So there you go. A little catch up. That might have to be the new name of my blog...A Little Catch Up because that is what I seem to do.