First day of school

Today was the first day of school.  Anna started 3rd grade!  Henry had kindergarten orientation!  His first full day of school will be Wednesday.  I can't believe that school has started.  It was a super fun summer, and I will miss our days together.  I think this is going to be a great year for both kiddos!

 My sweet, smart 3rd grader!

 Our "kool" kindergartner!  

We dropped Henry for orientation and peeked in to see Anna at lunch!

We were excited to pick up the boys after school!  They had fun!

After school...Ms. Hall's girls from last year!  

Asheville, NC with Laura and Jacob!

This week Laura has been driving from Texas to Boston to start her masters program at Harvard!  We are so proud of her!  I know that she is destined to do some amazing things!  

We were able to meet Jacob and Laura in Asheville for a few days during one of their stops!  It was a super fun and festive little getaway since it was Laura's birthday too!  

We stayed in a cabin with a freezing creek on the property, pre-civil war barn and lots of land to run around!  

I think we will have to go back soon!  The mountains were such a nice break from the heat of the summer!  

Smores every night = pure happiness - the fear of nearby bears = still happy!

Working on rainbow loom bracelets

Visiting my cousin Mark at his cool record store!

Laura on her birthday for lunch!!!

 At a very delicious Tupelo Honey Cafe...funny because Tupelo honey was the only honey we ate as children!

Look what Henry found in downtown Asheville...he always notices little things, and this was a little door!  He knocked, but no one came out!

Trying walking the tightrope/aka slack line!

 Freezing cold creek!

Pre-civil war barn

Anna took pictures as I drove down the mountains!

See you next time Asheville!

Trip to Richmond!

Anna and I had a really fun girl's trip to Richmond, Virginia.  We had a wonderful visit with our dear friends from Seattle!  We loved meeting the newest addition to their family and catching up!  

These girls have been playing together since they were babies, and it is so fun watching all of them have fun together.  What special friends!  

Trip to Texas

We had a fun trip to Texas last week visiting with family and staying busy!  We were able to go to the American Girl store in Houston with four generations!  It was so fun.

We also went to the beach house and spent the majority of our time there!  We all loved being there!  My mom and dad have worked so hard to make such a relaxing and perfect getaway spot!

Time for the beach!

Schlitterbahn!

More beach!

Putting out the flags with grandpa in the morning was fun!

 Chasing dogs!

Paddleboarding!  Both Anna and Henry went!  I only captured a pic with A!

Our last full day in Texas I went to visit with Nana!  We had fun going through tons of old letters, general store receipts, and old papers from Alabama.  They are all in the secretary that stayed in one house since the 1800's until it moved to Nana's...that is probably why there is so much stuff and it is in such good shape.  We found lots of land grants as well.  This one was from 1837 and signed by the 8th president, Martin Van Buren.  Crazy, right?  I loved all of the old pictures and letters the best...they are just so interesting to read and beautiful to look at!

 My very favorite find was this picture of my sweet grandpa.  His eyes sparkle in it just like they did everyday!  It makes me miss him, but smile as well!  We loved him so much!

Another favorite pic is this one of my great aunt Adelaide and her father whose name was Henry!  Doesn't he look like a southern gentleman?

On our way home in the airport!  Can't wait to see Daddy!