Smith Lake Weekend

Before our summer vacation was over, we decided to make a quick weekend trip to Smith Lake. We asked the Milligans to join us and we were glad we did because we had tons of fun...as always!

We stayed at my Grandparents lake house which is actually up for sale. There is no furniture, or anything else for that matter, in the house so we really had to "rough" it just like we were camping. (However, it did have air conditioner and a shower so I guess that's not technically "camping!")

We started off our weekend by splashing into the lake as fast as we could. It was SO HOT!

When the sun started to go down, we did a little fishing. We didn't have much luck because of the heat but the kids enjoyed it...

After fishing, Mark grilled some steaks while the rest of us relaxed....

After dinner, the grown-ups battled it out in a serious game of Rummy.....Haha!

The next day, we went for what we thought would be a nice day at the recreation/beach area....

However, the water was DISGUSTING and HOT.....

Yuck! We didn't stay there long!

When we got back, we decided to cool off in the house for a while.... but somehow an indoor football game erupted!

Poor Mark!

Good gracious! Watch out kids!

Mini chest-bump!

Don't worry! They're still buddies!

Even though we didn't have a boat, it was miserably hot and we had to sleep on the floor, we had a great time! It is always trips like this that make you thankful to have a great family, great friends....and AIR CONDITIONING! =)

Birmingham Zoo

This summer we decided to take the kids and Abby to the Birmingham Zoo. We have been almost every summer sine they have been alive and we love it. I love to go to zoos and aquariums and luckily my kids are the same. This was Abby's first time to the zoo and I loved watching her get excited about all of the animals!

We got to pet a real llama....

Ride a real camel....

And hold real lorakeets....

Abby was not so sure about this part at first....

But she eventually joined in on the fun!

When we first picked Abby up, all she said was "I want to see an eli-pant (elephant)!" But unfortunately the zoo is renovating almost everything and there were NO ELEPHANTS! Figures...the one thing she wanted to see!

We had lots of other things to do though! Here are Chase and Abby ringing the bell before we rode the train...

After our train ride we decided to cool of in the misters. It was SO HOT that day and I think this was the kids (and the grown ups) favorite part!

We had a great day at the zoo, as always, and can't wait to go back next year. The new renovations and additions look like they are going to be great! 

Hope to post again soon with some of our other summer fun!

Our Afternoon Get-a-way....

Aren't these beautiful! Sunflowers make me smile so I was so happy to see that they had planted several rows of these behind our house this year!

We are so lucky to have this just a few steps from our backyard...

We bought our house a few years ago. It was old and ugly and was in dire need of some MAJOR updating. (Maybe my next post will show the before and after.) However, Mark and I took one step out of the back door and knew that this was our house. The house backs up to the wildlife refuge which makes the yard look like it goes on forever. We made an offer that same day (2 days after it went on the market) and we've loved it here ever since!

Anyway, every afternoon Mark and I go for a walk in the field just to have some quiet time...no kids are allowed. It gives us some time to talk and unwind in peace. (Actually, they really don't like to go so we don't feel that bad.)We do take the dogs and they LOVE it. They know when its time to go and they get super excited. 

Here they are waiting patiently to get out of prison the backyard....

Mark unhooks the latch and we're off!!!

The first stop is the river. They love to play in the water and we love to watch them. I don't know why but it never gets old!

  

The next stop is a little scary for Wilson. There is a plank from one side of a creek to the other. Shady pounces right across.....

But Wilson is not so sure.....

This picture makes me laugh. If only you could see his back legs shake as he crosses!

Luckily, this time he made it across just fine. Other times he has not been so lucky! Haha!

One more run through the water.....

And then it' time to go home....

We love our afternoon get-a-ways and we love that we have such beautiful surroundings to explore!

Shady says, "Have a nice day!"  See, they make her smile, too! =)

Our Little Comedian...

Now this is one little boy who marches to the beat of his own drum.....

We love you, Chase, for keeping us laughing everyday!