family trip to SML

this past week, we took off for moneta, va where jack's parents have a house at smith mountain lake. 

it is gorgeous there and this was the first time we have ever taken a "vacation" just the 4 of us. we never did one with just the 3 of us either. we took our chances! ;)

we go to the lake most holidays in the summer, and usually, something bad happens....i was 8 weeks pregnant and stayed in bed the whole time because i felt so bad, lawton first started his breathing problems there when he was a few months old which led to a urgent care visit, which had a first time mother very anxious. then one time he had a fever and i freaked (i look back now and laugh) then the power went out and i was 8 months pregnant and i made us leave 30 minutes after we walked into the house....8 hours in the car that day, with a toddler.

so, i told jack we would "try it" and make the final decision that sunday depending on how both boys felt.

well, God was in our favor this week and thought we all needed to get away and it was the best week we have had a LONG time.

our gorgeous view. the mountains are in the back and the air was crisp and perfect. the water was freezing and stays that way until july!

lawton was in heaven! no school, lots of room to play cars and stay in his pj's until he felt like getting dressed. he stayed up late and slept in mimi and b's king bed, and went to sleep watching tv every night. 

this little booger is a maniac!!!! climbs up and through everything!! then he doesn't know how to get down ;) he is sleeping great -- awesome 2 hour naps in the morning and one hour in the afternoon and down at 7:30-7 in the pack-n-play all in a room by himself. 

colbie was just so happy. poor girl doesn't get much attention around here and i think she is depressed half the time. she never wants to go outside, but here, she never wanted to come in. it seriously made my heart happy to see her run like crazy around the yard and just lay in the sun. sorry for the butt shot

also, so much fun to pee anywhere around here! not sorry for this butt shot

jack says the only way to cure a hangover is to jump in the lake because it is freezing....no hangover this particular morning, but it sure woke him up! he is a "all in" kinda guy. i stick my toe in, realize it is freezing and back away. sometimes i wish i was a little more adventurous. but pneumonia isn't my thing.

always moving!!

the boys on big toys. lawton LOVED the jet ski this year! 

chillin out maxing, relaxin

getting some vitamin d

blue eyes

my little trooper is doing SO well. i am so proud of his strength and patience with these tubes in his nose.

mama and her boys ;)

daddy and his boys ;)

lucky charms all week! first he eats all the marshmellows, takes a break to play cars, then comes back for the rest and slurps the milk.

  3 going on 10

our view from the deck at night....

all week, we laughed, watched TV, ate lunch outside, grilled out, played ball, rode jet skis and the golf cart, had cocktails, enjoyed our children....and slept! it was JUST what the doctor ordered for all of us. we needed to get out of our house, enjoy the sunshine and especially each other. jack hasn't taken a week off of work in 3 years. it was perfect. refreshing. and best of all, it was just the 4 of us...our little family.

we just started a new tradition.