Family Vacation

Last week we embarked on our first family vacation since having kids. I have visited our old stomping grounds in NC several times since our move to VA, but this was the first time that Ellis was able to come with us. It felt complete, if that makes any sense, and it felt right. We had so much fun staying with our friends, and God gave our two families lots of genuine, sweet family time together.

Thanks, Rocke's, for hosting us and being so generous and welcoming to us. Your love and hospitality ministered to us and we are thankful for our new family memories.

When I told Mac and Corrie we were going down to visit Calvin, Jack and Luke, they went and filled up their backpacks with all of the toys they wanted to show their friends.

Family picnic. Any parking lot will do!

Traveling together

Playing Hide and Seek

Mac loving the "mist" exhibit at the museum

Pointing out banana leaves after eating Cookout dinner together at Duke Gardens

Mac and Corrie enjoying the new fish pond that was under construction when we moved. Mac has his hands on his face in his signature "I am so excited!" pose. Recently he told me, "Mommy, when I put my hands on my face it makes me feel happy!"

On the walk back to the parking lot, we let the kids run down the hill and cross over a little bridge together.  They looked so cute and tiny on that bridge and they kept yelling, at the top of their lungs to us, "we are on the bridge!"

At the pool with another family that we miss, the Hoyles. It was a fun, relaxing evening and we loved catching up with them. Mac and Cal played together all week in a really sweet way.

Eating burritos at the Eno River. Mac and Jack are infatuated with a fuzzy caterpillar.

Crossing the "bridge of faith." I don't know if any mom can cross this with little ones and not be praying the entire time

And before we knew it, we were back on the road again, enjoying our new PLP (parking lot picnic) tradition. 

Kelly gave us some of their extra dry erase crayons for the road. The kids were happy to color on their drawing boards in the car. Can you guess who colored each board?