June

Summer 2015 has been shaping up quite nicely for the family.  Trips, summer sports, pool time and even a few evenings out for mom and dad!

Indigo Girls at Chastain - appropriate timing on the evening of the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling

Avery (10 months) - As our most camera happy child, Avery has lots of pictures this month.  She had several milestones this month with her second tooth coming in, mastering pulling up, beginning to cruise and enjoying walking with mom/dad.  She had a virus at the end of the month and ended up with her first ear infection but she was a trooper and back at it in no time!

Reading books with dad at a bar

Loving standing up on her own

Date night - dad and his ladies

First Curl

Everything goes in her mouth

Her play area

Sweet sick baby =(

Parker (3 years, 7 months) - Sweet Parker is such a precious kid with his hugs, kisses and I Love You's.  But he is definitely a three year old who fights for attention with his brother, falls apart when he doesn't get enough sleep and likes to test boundaries.  Lately he has been in a sweet mom kick and his best friends at school have become girls.  His favorite indoor activity is art and he loves to make drawing for everyone.  He has been loving the great weather outside particularly riding his trike and swimming.

Laughing at a silly party guest

Art time

Carter (5 years, 1 month) - Carter is difficult to capture on camera these days but he's definitely still a presence in the house.  He is enjoying our summer adventures, being a helper around the house and big brother.

Getting ready for his first baseball game

Siblings - All three kids together can be fairly chaotic at times but we definitely wouldn't change it.  The boys adore Avery and are very good about taking care of her.  They love being together though despite the alternating tears and laughter that ensues.

Parker likes to hold Avery and even will give her Blue Bear when she is sad

Before their first baseball game

Goofing off with Uncle Reido

Grocery shopping with dad

Playing in the play room together

Family tree to watch the Woman's World Cup

Father's Day

The kids were really excited to have a special day to celebrate their amazing dad.  The made lots of homemade gifts and decorated their own wrapping paper.  Carter decorated the table and Parker made some posters to hang up.

They made some adorable handmade books, they were super proud of!  

My Daddy Is - By Carter

Happy Father's Day by Carter

Happy Father's Day by Parker

The boys picked out books, games and movies they could use with dad.  Avery picked out a sweet shirt to celebrate her first father's day.

Happy Father's Day to one amazing dad!

Boys Camping Weekend

This Friday we decided to not go to school and instead head slightly north for some fun on the water and in the mountains with one of Carter's best friends Jake.

Someone woke early and excited for another fun camping trip

After loading the car with our gear, we had three excited little boys in the back seat ready for a fun filled weekend.  First stop was Jake's lake house on Lake Lanier for an afternoon of fun in the sun on the water.

After dropping off our stuff for the evening, we quickly headed to the lake.  Mike (Jake's Dad) is an excellent driver and tour guide.

As soon as we got to a wider section of the lake, we dropped in the tube and Jake and Carter were being dragged all over the lake.  Jake was well practiced and showed Carter where to hold and they both stayed on like champs.  Carter fell once, but was more than excited to get back on immediately after.

After a brief dinner stop, we took the boat back to Jake's lake house to rest up as a very long and exciting Saturday was ahead of us.

Feeding some fish with our left over bread

We woke early Saturday, and after a brief breakfast stop at Waffle House, we made our way about 10 miles north of Murphy, NC to Durhamtown Tellico (www.durhamtowntellico.com) for fun on some side-by-side 4x4 ATVs in the mountains of North Carolina.

Two brave adventurers ready to go

The crew (less Parker who was a bit camera shy)

Carter made it to the top

The boys loved the view

We had a blast flying through the mountain trails at speeds upwards of 45mph.  We gave our Polaris rides all they could take.  At times a bit scary for the boys, but always smiling and saying go again at the end of each trail.

Our fine ride

We even had a chance to find a waterfall for a short rest.

Camping buddies Jake and Carter

Once our riding adventures were done, it was time to find a camp spot for the evening.  Luckily we had a great spot next to this cool creek. 

Once camp was setup, it was time for another new experience, fishing.

Try as best we could, the trout were not to interested in our corn and trout bait.  However, Jake was able to get one good sized trout on his line and out of the lake to the excitement of all.

The boys all were soon exhausted and whipped which lead to a great night for all of them.  Once awake it was time to start heading back home to the ATL.  On the way back we took a slight detour to Dukes Creek Falls just outside of Helen, GA.  

The falls were just over a mile from the parking lot.  All down hill to the falls (meaning all uphill back).  The boys were all troopers and did a great job hiking.

After some general horsing around and admiring the falls, it was time to head back

We stopped at a calm area of the creek and allowed the boys to wade in for a bit.

Finally it was time to head home after a most epic weekend of fun and adventures.  Best part was both Carter and Parker were begging to camp and have many more adventures to come.