We had a good Summer. It was very busy, and very exhausting, but it was good! We didn't make it to the beach this year like we had hoped. There was just too much going on with our jobs, plus just trying to work schedules and manage taking two babies to the beach...anyway...it just didn't happen. I wished it would have but next Summer for sure! Come hell or high water I am getting to the beach. :) We did get to spend some much needed time in Tennessee back at the end of June. We got to go to one of my dearest friends weddings.
Matthew and I have been friends since the first grade. He has been like a brother to me over the years and even though we don't get to talk as much now that we live in separate states I have so many fun memories of him and our close group of friends. We had a lot of fun growing up and had a lot of fum times together. He managed to find himself a beautiful bride and I finally got to meet her at the wedding. She seems perfect for him and I am so happy for both of them and thankful we got to be a part of their special day! Also got to see several old friends which made me happy, happy, happy!
We spent some time with my Grandparents on the Barber side. My Grandfather Barber still has a lot of energy for his age. He plays golf several times a week and he always seems to find energy to chase the great grandkids around. This man taught me how to shoot a basketball and he held the record for the most points scored in a game (47 points) up until about three years ago his record finally broken. I have the news article about it somewhere. Pretty cool. I still to this day have never beat him in a foot race. Even in high school when I ran track and was in pretty decent shape I still would lose. Barely...but I would lose...and I wasn't a slow runner...just not fast enough to beat my then 60 year old Grandfather apparently. He was fast though. Very fast. My Granny Barber fixed us a yummy dinner as she always does...and we had a very special time hanging out with them. And as always...my pants fit a little tighter when we left their house.
We spent the afternoon one day at my Willis Grandparents house. Scout loves to go there because they have horses and she loves to feed them and pet them. She thinks she can talk to animals...funny thing is my Grandmother thinks she can talk to animals as well! :) Apparently it's in the genes.
One morning Kamden and I sung "Hey Ho" by the Lumineers on the radio which I don't seem to have any pictures of that. (shocking since I am the one who always takes the pictures) but I do have a video that Kris took that I will try to upload later. Kamden played his guitar and sang on this radio show a couple years ago and they made room for him to play again. He also sang "Folsom Prison" by Johnny Cash after we did our song together. It's a cool show that they do there in Centerville every Saturday morning. It was started several years ago by the late Charlie Garner, a member of the Grand Ole Opry and resident of Hickman County. They have a lot of up and comers in Nashville and all over that are trying to make it in the music business as special quest every Saturday. It's a neat little venue.
Also while we were in Tennessee we got to send the kids to VBS. Centerville always makes VBS very special and lots of fun for the kids and I think they really enjoyed it. I know Scout did. She is still singing some of the songs she learned 4 months later. It was fun for me to get to see her playing with kids of my friends that I don't get to see near enough!! She was in Bible School class with my dear friend Heidi's little girl Eryn. Man...do her Mom and I have some stories!!! It's special to see them together...so close in age. Full circle! She got to also meet several new friends. If anyone knows my daughter you know that she is a social butterfly. She typically will talk to anyone and she loves meeting new kids. So she was definitely in her element. Kamden got to participate in the Bible skits which he enjoyed.
One afternoon Kris, Kamden, and I rode our bikes on the Natchez Trace. It was beautiful! I so miss my Tennessee scenery. Tall trees, big rivers, hills, green....so pretty! It gives me such a peace to see things other than tall buildings and concrete, which is my typical day to day visual. Sure....there are pretty places to go in Dallas... White Rock is very pretty. Joe Pool lake is nice. Cedar Hill is pretty...but this....this is what I miss....
We rode for several miles...up hill for a lot of it. Kamden was convinced he never wanted to ride a bike again. He can be a little too dramatic but in his defense there were a few really tough hills. I definitely threw up in my mouth once. And it was pretty stinking hot too! But we made it and it was great! I needed it and enjoyed every minute of it....regurgitated lunch and all!
One day Kris and I got to go on a hike in East TN. It was about a two hour drive but oh so worth it!! We hiked to Cummins Falls which is the 8th largest waterfall in Tennessee. The hike was challenging in spots but once we got to the waterfall it was so beautiful! Kris kept saying he felt like he was in Alaska because the water was so clear. We only stayed at the waterfall for about an hour and then started our hike back to the car where we decided to take a short cut which cut off about 30 minutes of our hike but required us to basically climb up the side of a muddy mountain. We made it though. When we got back to my parents house my mom had delicious dinner waiting on us. It was a great day. We needed to do something together and I love the outdoors...the woods...nature...it's good for the soul. It was a perfect day!
We also got to spend a little time one afternoon with my good friend Laura! Laura and I have been friends since we were in diapers and we have gotten in to all sorts of trouble together over the years, but she is my oldest friend and I lover her dearly! She recently moved back to Tennessee from Phoenix which only makes me want to be there more...but at least now I will get to see her more when I get home to visit hopefully. Love you Belle!
On the last day of your trip we celebrated my Willis Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! I am so thankful that I still have both sets of Grandparents and even more thankful that my kids get to see them when we visit Tennessee and have pictures to look back on. It's very special and very much a blessing to still have your Grandparents around and I cherish the time I get to spend with them.
Other pictures from our week in Tennessee...
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| Happy Dog :) |
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| VBS |
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| Andrew and Aunt Tracy |
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| Granny Barber and Scout |
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| Twins first time in the pool |
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| Swimming at Aunt Tracy's house |
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| My good friend Nashika's twins holding my twins |
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| Aunt Sherry :) |
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| Molly came to visit :) |
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| Sweet Callihan |
I really wasn't sure how the babies would do on such a long road trip but they did amazingly well. We stopped on the way there and on the way back at Jonne's (G) to eat, stretch our legs, change diapers, and hang out a bit, but otherwise we were in the car the whole time and the kids did wonderful. Scout has always been a great traveler and Kamden an usually entertain himself or sleep...but you never know what to expect when it comes to babies and traveling. I hope they do that well when we go back next month for Thanksgiving!
Well that's it for now. We had a great trip! More to come.
