Lake

This was our annual lake weekend with my best friends from college.  Unfortunately, our Ashville, NC crew couldn't make it this year because they're busy packing to move to a new home, but we managed to have a blast nonetheless.  Taylor and Kerry and I have been friends for a very long time, and Brandy was another sorority sister of ours from college as well.  When we get together, it's just like no time has gone by at all, even though we are assured it has through the expansion of families.

When we started out this tradition three years ago, it was just four couples.  Now, at least this time, there were four kids in the mix (and one along for the ride in the belly).  Kerry and Jeff are good friends of ours in Birmingham, and we love having them as friends, especially since Thomas and their oldest Allan have become such good friends.  They have also been generous enough every year to have us all to their tree farm and lake house about an hour south of town.  To say it's relaxing is an understatement. 

This year, though, with four kids, 18 months, 17 months, 7 months, and 2 months, the relaxation took a back seat to fun with the kids, and by the end of the day, once the kids fell asleep, the adults fell into an abyss of long conversations over big dinners, tasty desserts and good wine (for them, at least :).  It was just what the doctor ordered after a long, exhausting, emotionally excrutiating, and rough couple of months. 

The best part, I think for me, was watching Thomas love the outdoors so much, and getting to meet miss Cassie, Taylor's adorable baby girl.  We also got a sneak peak of Thomas with babies.  And he was really good!   He was very concerned with the well-being of both Cassie and Samuel (Kerry's 2 month old), and was very gentle with them.  So here's hoping that sticks in two months!

Taylor w/ adorable Cassie May

The two oldest getting into the toys

"hey, mom, what can I get into next?"

Sweet Baby Samuel

Thomas checking out Cassie

This boy was ALL OVER the place

Thomas found out quick what happens when babies get ahold of your hair :)

TROUBLE

Allan chatting with Taylor & Reese's dog, Delilah

The two buds

Thomas on his first ride on a Kubota RTV

He LOVED it

And was super fascinated by the gun rack the whole time.  I think he thought he was helping to "steer"

Checking our Mr. Jeff's big tractor

This is a recent face/expression.  We think it's used when he has a question of some sort.

So PROUD of his RTV ride.

Mr. Smiles

Family Shot on the pier

All the girls with all the kids.  Mine wouldn't stay still.

Kerry, Jeff, Allan, and Samuel

Taylor, Reese, Cassie, & Delilah

Not sure why we blocked the stairs, but happy nonetheless

Sweet Miss Cassie

Thomas "helping" Cassie get her toys

Group Pic (ignore my massive belly and no makeup, please :)

I'm already looking forward to next year....