Buffalo City

Dave and I decided for our birthdays this year, we did not want parties, presents or just another dinner out, but time away as a family. Dave found us a beautiful, remote, destination on Monday to go for our birthday weekend! Buffalo City, Arkansas, population about ten :) How did people ever find places like this before the internet? If you travel to Marshall and turn on a highway toward Mountain Home you will dead end in this beautiful White Bufflao City Resort! It was just what we were hoping for. We used to love camping and would go quite a bit back in college and wanted the kids to experience the outdoors and all the fun of camping as well. We rented a "camper cabin", this was a cabin with beds, AC, and a small refrigrator for food, so just like a camper but a cabin. Kennedy loved it and I liked that it still gave the camping experience but w/ AC! It was a weekend of first, Kennedy had been camping before, but before she was old enough to remember, so we will call it her 1st camping trip, of course Caleb's 1st camping trip, Kennedy's 1st time fishing , 1st smores, 1st campfire, etc. It was so much fun to watch the kids enjoy nature. I love, love the outdoors and want my kids to experience the beauty and simpleness that comes with trips like this!!! I am so thankful and blessed that we are able to be making these great memories with our kids, God is so good!!!

Buffalo City

The White River

Caleb loved throwing rocks!!

Kennedy's style of floating the Buffalo :)

Wading in the White River

Playing at playground in Cotter.

Fishin w/ Daddy

Caleb's way of playing horseshoes :)

Kennedy fell out of the tire swing.

On the porch

Sisterly love

Ride em cowboy

Happy Independence Day

Pool Fun

It has been a hot start to summer. Kennedy and Caleb have been keeping cool any way they can. From their kiddie pools in the backyard to our neighborhood pool, we have been staying in the water. Kennedy is loving swimming in the big pools with her ring and floaties. She starts swim lessons next week and I'm excited to see how she does, I think she's ready to learn. Caleb started the summer not liking the big pools so much but loved the kiddie pool in our backyard. I realized he did not like the water temp. of the big pools, but they have warmed up and so has he. He now loves all pools and has no fear. He crawls full speed ahead into our neighborhood pool not realizing it goes over his head nor does he seem to care when he goes under. I think he is scaring all who watch him in action!! The kids especially love when their friends join them at the pool. I've attached some pics of them in the backyard, at the PB pool and with Gunnar and Graceanna at the OC pool.

Kennedy & Caleb in the backyard.

Kennedy showing the pool to the camera.

Kennedy loves baby Graceanna!

Kennedy and cosin Skye.

Kennedy and Gunnar w/ his cool shades!

Caleb looking serious.

Caleb & Daddy @ PBCC for cousin, Andrew's, 11th B-day.

My babies

Caleb's 1st Birthday

Our baby boy is one!! It is so hard for me to believe. I'm a little sad as I look at these pictures and think where has the past year gone? Caleb has been such a joy to watch grow. He is a great baby ;technically I guess he is now a toddler, who is super laid-back! He gets that naturally from his Daddy! He is very active and a very proficient crawler who has no interest walking just yet! He loves trucks and balls and it amazes me how he automatically knew what to do with them. He is so different than Kennedy and it is so neat to see how God creates men and women so different, even little babies. He has two words, Daddy and Bye-Bye, I'm patiently waiting on Momma! He plays rough, laughs when I tell him no, terrorizes our dog; Katie Belle, and is already All Boy!! We love you, Baby Dinosaur, Baby Snarecrow, Brother Bear (Kennedy's nicknames for him). We love you Caleb David!!! Happy Birthday Big guy!

Family Vacation

We took a family vacation down to Seacrest Beach, Florida last week and had such a great time!! I was a little nervous about such a long trip in the car with such small kiddos, but they did wonderful. It was well worth the long hours in the car. We made some great memories with our kiddos. We stopped off in Prattville, Alabama the first day and spent the night with our friends, The Wittendorfers, and celebrated Josef's 2nd Birthday! Camille was Kennedy's first best girlfriend and they are always excited to see each other. We headed out that Monday for the beach and could not wait to get there! We spent the next five days playing in the sand, relaxing, and exploring the area. Kennedy loved playing in the sand!! Caleb was a little overwhelmed the first few days, but really warmed up to the sand and was crawling all over the place by the third day! It was so nice to have no plans and just spend time together. I'm a huge planner, but it was great to have none!!! That Friday, The Wittnedorfers joined us for the last weekend of our trip and helped us celebrate Caleb's 1st Birthday! I can't believe my baby boy is 1!! We had so much fun and can't wait to go back.

Dancing with the Stars

Easter

Community Group Retreat

We took a community group trip to Petit Jean last weekend and had a lot of fun visiting with good friends, watching the kids play, and hiking. The weather was cold & rainy on Saturday, so we spent the day indoors playing games and visiting. Sunday turned out to be a perfect day for hiking and the waterfall was gorgeous from all the rain we had the night before. Kennedy was a trooper and hiked the rocky two miles to the falls and back only having to be carried a little of the way. We were very impressed. Caleb had it made riding on Daddy's back!