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!
