With all the craziness of this summer, we decided we needed a little get-away from Bartlesville. And when we need to get away, the first place we always think of is our "second home" in Tennessee.
My sister and her husband are always so gracious to let us come to their house and make us feel right at home!! The only bad part is the long drive! But I brought my mom with me to help out with the driving and kiddos. Each year they do a little bit better on the road, and this year was the best so far.
As soon as we got out of the car, Amy took us up to the pool to get a little energy out! Addie discovered a new way to do back floats! We actually went up to their community pool quite a few times during our 10 day visit.
Of course, Ashton's head was in the water 90 percent of the time! We also went to the YMCA almost every morning to work out. The little kids loved going to their "class", and the older kids would run the track, play in the in-door water park, and go to the game room to play pool or video games.
Once the cousins get together, they are inseparable!! Here is Austin with Kimball! We also went to another YMCA that had an outdoor water park! It was so much fun! We went twice to that one. The first time we were there about 30 minutes before the clouds came in and it started raining. So we went back another day... and once again after about an hour the clouds rolled back in and started raining! But we still had enough time to enjoy it.
When we weren't out doing something, the kids always found ways to entertain themselves! One of their favorites was dress-up!
They tried on a million different outfits.... these were their favorites.
And we also took in the last Harry Potter movie together! That was so exciting!
Uncle Todd was nice enough to stay home with the little girls so we could all see it together. Kaylee actually went to the midnight showing, but loved it so much she came to watch it again with us.
I still remember the very first Harry Potter movie and watching it in Tennessee with all our cousins... so it was quite fitting to end the series in the same fashion! Well, almost... we were missing a few! Karrington was busy with Youth Conference and EFY, and Kyson is still serving his mission in Bulgaria. Only one year left!!
Another thing that the kids had a BLAST doing was Kaylee's scavenger hunts!! Kaylee was such a sweetheart to take the time to play with the kids! She put it together so that each kid had a turn to find a clue and they even had to do activities along the way! Look at that cute picture in Ashton's hand... Kaylee is so talented!
From the looks on Avery's face, she must know where to find the next clue!
At the end of the scavenger hunt, Kaylee had some fun little prizes waiting for everyone! Thank you, Kaylee, for such a fun day! You are such a sweetheart and example for my kids!! I'm so proud of you and all the great accomplishments you have already made in your life! Good luck at BYU... and I hope my kids will follow in your footsteps!
Here are the girls showing off their wings... only I think Kimball might need a little help! Hahahaha, she is so much fun!
After the scavenger hunt, we headed out to visit Buddy. I love this picture of Kaylee with Buddy. She is a Tennessee girl through and through!
Ashton didn't care to get too close. Instead, she took a seat and watched the action from inside the barn. (Still with wings on!)
Kaylee took the girls for a little walk while Uncle Todd worked Buddy.
And they found some pretty wild flowers to pick.
Such a pretty bouquet, and guess who she gave them to! Me!!!
These three little munchkins had so much fun together! They got along so well!! Best friends!
We also did some shopping while we were there... with all the kids!! Crazy, I know! But they all did surprisingly well! This poor statue probably wished we had stayed home though! It was a great trip and we can't wait to get back out there!
We have some really great friends, the Murphy's, who always include us in their fun activities! Every time Ryan and Bobbi Murphy come into town from Utah, we are able to celebrate their kids' birthdays and have lots of fun. This year, they surprised the kids with 
The princesses came with lots of fun games and prizes.
The girls all dressed up as princesses or fairies and had a blast! 
They played games for about an hour...
and learned all the princess poses!
And then it was time to say good-bye!
Bobbi made this cute Rapunzel hair for all the girls!
And then Susan played a few more games with the girls. Avery was having the girls all wave like a princess here.
I think Addie and Ashton have it down!
Happy Fourth of July!! July 4th is always a fun holiday for us! Being friends of the Vaclaw's, you can't help but look forward to this holiday! I believe this was their 7th annual firework show, and I believe we've attended every one!
They've been doing t-shirts for the family for a few years now, but this year they sold them to everyone. It was actually a lot easier than trying to find red, white and blue outfits! Of course being all decked out, we had to grab a few shots! They have this great old barn that became a great backdrop! :)
With, of course, our grand ole' flag! A new touch they threw in this year was after the Pledge of Alligiance while the National Anthem was being sung, they flew mini American flag hot-air balloons. There were probably 8 to 10 of them, it was very cool and a great touch!
Of course going out to the Vaclaw's Firework show always includes lots and lots of friends! Each year the number of viewers grow and grow. Here is Ashton with our sweet little Kate Hubbard! Everyone kept saying how much Kate looks like Ashton. I babysat Kate for a year or so, so I always say it was because we hung out so much together!
Here is Addie with her friend Ellie Christiansen...
Austin and Mack Vaclaw...
And Avery with MaryKate Vaclaw!
We were so excited this year because Ricky, Anne and their family came over from Arkansas! We love and miss our cousins! We are so glad that they are back in Arkansas so we are a little closer! Here is Tyler with Addie.
And look at these cute girls! Rachel, Taylor and Avery.
And our spunky boys: Tyler, Austin, Tanner and Drew! It was great for Austin to have so many boys around!!
We had so much fun hanging with Ricky and Anne! We went to Tulsa one day, went and visited Ryan and Jessica, went out to lunch, and while the boys were golfing Anne and I took the kids swimming. 
Bubba and Jenny also came up from Houston to hang out with the family! Jenny's family lives in town so I totally sympathize with them because I know how it is trying to fit both families into the small amount of time they were in town! But we enjoyed what time we did get! And I'm so happy to say that Bubba finally proposed and Jenny will soon be my new sister-in-law!! She's such a sweetheart! 
And of course we have enjoyed seeing Julie and her family lots and lots right now as we are living with Randy's parents while our house is being built. 
The girls! :)
We are up so close that it gets pretty loud, but there is also great music playing while the firework show is going off. My favorite song each year is Toby Keith's Red, White and Blue song.
and Austin found Logan Vaclaw.
Instead of baseball, this night was all about basketball!
I think I mentioned how great it was that all of our kids had friends to hang out with, not just Austin. Here is Ashton with Addison Revard.
And Avery with a few a her girlfriends: Kaleigh, Grayson, and Riley.
There was lots of food and fun!
So, really quickly, I didn't take any pictures of swimming lessons this year, so I thought I would talk a little about it with this picture of Ashton! She's crazy! She loves having her face in the water at all times. Addie has been in starfish for two years now. Ashton joined her this year, and after just one 2-week session, they both passed starfish! But Addie has picked it up this year and its fun to see her finally get more comfortable in the water. After just one time in seahorse, Addie passed! Ashton is still in seahorse but I wasn't expecting her to pass that class so soon! Austin also did 2 sessions of swimming lessons. He passed dolphin and went into swordfish, but didn't quite pass swordfish after just one round. I think they want him to get a little stronger before heading into shark! I told Avery next year I wanted to put her back into swimming lessons more for a refresher course and excercise since she's already passed everything, but this year she enjoyed sleeping in!