It's been a busy few weeks with two of my out-of-town children in for a visit. Not that I was with them 24/7, but having people in and out of the house somehow makes it feel busier. Casey, my son in from LA, California and Jessica, my middle daughter, in from Boston, Massachusetts and I went to Rita's work (Rita's the baby) to do a little writing/drawing/reading. We all were trying to put on our serious face... that's usually not hard for me because I never have a natural smiley face, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy.
Last weekend we took a road trip to Arkansas to see Casey, Jessica, and Rita's older sister, Jennifer and her family. We stayed at their lake house.
Here's a view of part of the lake
Jennifer started things off with a handstand off the pontoon boat.
Later, John (Jennifer's husband) took Alex (Jenn's daughter), Emmy, Abby (John's daughters - he also has another daughter, Livvy who wasn't able to make it due to a tournament), Casey, Jessica and Ethan out tubing. Rita was the smart one and stayed with Jennifer and me on the pontoon boat.
The boats were anchored near some cliffs. Throughout the day some of the braver ones climbed up and jumped off. I'm not much of a water person, so needless to say I didn't do any jumping. But here are all the siblings jumping off the cliff.
Rita, Casey, Jessica and Jennifer
Ethan was a bit shy to jump, but eventually jumped from a lower cliff.
Here are a few other shots:
Alex and Abby, although it could be Emmy as Abby and Emmy are twins... and yes, they look exactly alike.
Rita
Casey
Jessica
Ethan
Jennifer
John, Rita and me
We had a great time and it will be one of those vacations planted in the memory garden that will only blossom.
Another view from their lake house during sunset.
Thanks Jenn, John, Alex, Abby and Emmy.
Wow, looks like you all had a great time. Nice you had family. Water looks great in this heat. Isn't the heat near unbearable?
ReplyDelete"Planted in the memory garden that will only blossom" should be on the cover of a photo album or something. Beautiful! Great action shots. Glad you had such a good time!
ReplyDeleteThe water looks so inviting! What fun to have the family together.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
You took some outstanding photos! Butthat phrase, "Planted in the memory garden that will only blossom" made me "ahhhh". Incredibly beautiful sentiment. You should make a banner for your blog with that.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and pictures, Lynn. I love learning more about your family. That picture of you being "serious" is pretty funny....doesn't look at all like your cute, smiling self!
ReplyDeleteLooks like great fun!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you on Donna's blog.
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great family you have. The photos say it all, and your memory garden quote is a keeper.
donna
As I read your blog, it underscores what I've known for a long time - you are the glue that connects your kids to their half-siblings. Your acceptance, love, and reality sprinkled with a fabulous sense of humor, enriches their lives (and mine!)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful photos, Lynn. The one of them all jumping off the cliffs must be award winning!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you guys all had so much fun.
Kathy M.
Lynn, that sounds like sooo much fun - I just love all your pics!
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely link to this blog post on my photo challenge page, I think you've captured amazingly well Love, Walk, Close(ness), Together (things I suggested for July) :)
Great pix! Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly put on your serious faces. For a moment there, I was afraid it was going to be a verrrrrryyy looooonnnng uncomfortable visit. But what fun and what a wonderful vacation story! I'm not a water person either... I can't swim.
ReplyDelete