Gratituesday~sweet time with family and friends in TN

We had the most wonderful time on our family trip to Tennessee. We spent a couple of days in Savannah, TN. My sister and her husband have just moved in to their beautiful, brand-new home. We were so grateful for their hospitality in letting us crash on their guest bed, futon, air mattresses and couch! Their house is gorgeous, but the real reason we were there was to see them...and it was precious time!
We also got to spend far-to-little sweet time with some very dear friends. The Seller's Family is now living in Savannah, also. John is the associate pastor at Mount Hermon Baptist Church. I am always amazed at how we can go a whole year without seeing these precious friends, and as soon as we get together, it is like we see each other every day! We had so much fun! We grilled-out (one of our favorite pastimes) and the kids played so well together! Becca and I even had the chance to sneak away to the fabric department at Wal-mart and shop and talk without any kids!!! John and Becca also have a beautiful and welcoming home and they are doing an amazing job raising their 2 little ones...Brighton is 3 and he is funny and charming...Raelyn is 5 months old and she is a happy, smiley, sweet and oh-so-cute baby girl!


showing the kids how to shuck corn



Hadley was fascinated by the little worms in the corn



Our yellow lab, Crush loved playing with the Seller's weimaraner, Macey




Avery loved Macey, too!



Ben and baby Raelyn got along great...except when Ben tried to steal kisses...Raelyn does NOT kiss on first dates!



The 2 Mommies


We also visited Clarksville, TN, where I was born and where my grandparents still live. My Grandma Sue graciously hosted us all, and she fed us well while we were there! We had a wonderful afternoon at her house visiting with her, along with my other grandparents, Oma and Pa. I absolutely adore visiting with my grandparents. They are the most fascinating people! On Saturday, we drove over to Nashville to visit my great grandmother, Grandma Katherine. It was wonderful to have the 5 generations together again. Ben enjoyed meeting his great-great-grandmother for the first time. It was a special visit.
We were gone from home for 9 days, but we had such a wonderful visit~we wouldn't have minded staying another 9 days! I am grateful for all of the people who were so gracious and hospitable on our journey. And, I am so thankful that they are apart of my life!



Grandma Sue loving on her first great-grandson


Avery LOVES her Jason!



Isn't he handy?



Ben meeting his great-great Grandma Katherine...(don't know what happened to this pic)



Ben thought Jeff was funny



Ash and I enjoy our visit at Grandma Katherine's while Avery catches a quick nap


our visiting wore this little dude out!

for more gratituesday, visit Laura at Heavenly Homemakers...prepare to be blessed!

Disney on Ice

Last night was Girl's Night Out! We had such a great time at Disney on Ice in Jacksonville. Hadley, Avery and I joined our dear friends Monica, Reese and Reganne Robinson and Priscilla, Makayla and Ms. Harriet Jackson for a special girls-only night! We had dinner at Chic-fil-a before the show. Hadley was so excited to be eating at her favorite resturant with her best friend. They were so cute!
The show was amazing! We saw Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, Ramone, and Doc during the first part. Of course, that was Avery's favorite part of the night! It was really neat to see those cars racing around on the ice. Ramone even "hit the switches" for us!
Then, it was time for The Little Mermaid. That was my favorite part of the show. The Little Mermaid came out when I was in 3rd grade and it was my very favorite movie as a little girl. I felt like a kid again as I sang along to all the songs. It was great!
The Lion King portion of the show was next. The costumes were beautiful! The girls were a little scared of the part with Scar and the hyenias, but they really did enjoy the music and Timone and Pumba cracked them up!
The Fairies were the stars of the show. They came out after the intermission and they were the entire second half of the show. The look on Hadley's face when her favorite fairy, Silvermist skated out was priceless! It really was one of the best productions I have ever seen. The colors and music and special effects were just breath-taking!
It was a wonderful evening out with my precious girls. I would definitely recommend the show to anyone with little girls!