Celebrating with the Grasshoppers!

John turned 32 on the 4th so we decided to celebrate with some friend's of ours by going to a baseball game!  So much fun on a great night!

10 WHOLE YEARS!

As of July 30, 2015, John and I have been married for 10 freakin' years.  10 YEARS!!  Have all of those years been sunshine and rainbows?  Definitely not.  However, I wouldn't have wanted to ride this crazy road called life with anyone else.  My sister in law kept the girls in Knoxville this weekend so John and I could have a couple of days to ourselves.  We hit the road and went to Nashville!!

Our first stop was the Grand Ole Opry....I was in awe.



First stop, Grand Ole Opry!



After touring the ground of the Opry House, we headed downtown to Antique Archaeology (AKA The American Pickers store)....Heaven I tell ya....Just heaven!

 

Next up was the Country Music Walk of Fame.  By the time we got here, we were both so exhausted and it was HOT.  We'll definitely have to go back when we can take the girls :)

 



 

We ended the night eating at one of our favorite restaurants and thought of our girls every minute as we knew they were gonna be soooo mad!  LOL

 



Blowing Rock

Today, the girls and decided to go to Blowing Rock and hang out for a while.  Ally LOVES the mountains so she was up super early and ready to go.  It was a beautiful day and definitely one for the books.  Our state is so beautiful and I have so much fun exploring it with my babies!

 

Happy Birthday Ava

My Dearest Ava,

Today you would have turned 7 years old.  We miss you so much and wish you were here.  There is not a single day that goes by that we do not think of you.  I woke today imaging you waking me up running around, brown curls bouncing....just excited about your day.  I know one day, we will be able to celebrate together, but until then, stay close to me and your daddy.  We love you!

XOXO,
Mommy

Ava's 7th Birthday Adventure

Every year, John and I take the day off of work for Ava's birthday so we can have some down time with the girls and overall just a good family day to do an activity that we would do for Ava if she were here with us.  We have fun, but at the same time, reflect, and miss our little girl. 

For her 7th birthday, we took the girls to the Greensboro Science Center.  One of the Gibbon's just had a baby and the girls and I were eager to see it.  I got some good pics with my Nikon, but was too slow with my phone so I don't have any to share with you all.  I did get a couple of good ones of the older brother and Daddy :)

Big Brother

Daddy

Seriously though, if you have not ever made it out to this location, it is a must see.  We always have so much fun when we go.  So much to do for the whole family!!

Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Family

We decided to use our vacation time this year to go visit my sister in law and her family in Knoxville.  As long as they have been there, we haven't really had the chance to explore the city and venture out on our own in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  Shell and Mitch both work from home, so while they were working, we went out to play!  In the evenings we got back together and had dinner as a family and got plenty of play time with Emily :)  Below are a few of my favorite pics from our times out!

Taking a break in the shade by The Old Mill

My FAVORITE pic from our trip.  Behind the Old Mill Restaurant

Adalyn wanted to camp under that bridge!

Love this sign (and my babies!!) in downtown Knoxville

This pic was taken in a dog park, but it was so pretty!  LOL

World's Fare Park

Recital 2015



 

          Recital was tonight and amazing.  The girls both did so well.  It's hard to believe that Ally has been dancing for 6 years and Adalyn 3!  Time flies when you're having fun (and staying busy!).