Richard B. Russell State Park

 We just got back from our annual family lake trip to Richard B. Russell State Park. Unfortunately Jay had to work. Gram and Grumps always spoil all the families with planning such a fun week, and the kids count down until our lake adventures. 

There were a total of 23 people between the Thornes, Barbers, Stubblefields, and Wehr/Corbitt families. That guarantees a lot of conversation, activity, splashing, snacking, and noise! This year also brought the HEAT! Temperatures reached 100 degrees almost every day, but Gram and Grumps's cabin provided much needed shade and a spray fan.

The highlights from each kid included swimming at the beach area after dinner each night for Jacob.

Maggie loved fishing with Gram on the dock. She caught four fish on her own!

Tuttle impressed everyone with his commitment to kayak across the lake multiple times to visit the small island in the middle. One of my favorite memories was successfully making the trek with him! It was an ab workout! 

I think the lazy feel of lake life caught up to our family because we slept until about 10am each day.

The grandchildren convinced Grumps to take them tubing on the boat several times. He was a real trooper because that metal boat was HOT! Considering how many kids he had to pull, it was a real job! :)

Most of the time the kids tolerate my photos, but one child clearly loves this sibling picture while the other does not. :)

The park is absolutely beautiful, and the memories will last a lifetime. 

Thank you to Gram and Grumps for making sure this trip happens and organizing all the entertainment!

In Her Element

 Maggie was living her BEST life this week.

She officially moved up to Level 6 at the gym and started off the season with team camp.

Level 6 requires 16 hours a week of training and also incorporates more travel for meets. Team camp included bonding with the new team and coaches, a run each morning, typical training, and some fun activities sprinkled in!

Maggie was able to tag along with Indi and her mom to Lake Lanier on Thursday for a team outing. The girls literally stayed at the water park from open to close. 

Recently we hit the jackpot for clothes for Maggie at the cutest shop in Downtown Woodstock. Maggie is difficult to size because her petite frame does not always work with the older girl trendy styles. She has already asked for a gift card to the shop for her birthday next month. Why did I not look this put together at 10 years old?!??

Maggie's first trip to a hair salon was Saturday, and Jay and Jacob tagged along. She has been to the children's haircut spots, but I knew she would lose her mind at a grown up hair studio! The experience started with a hair shampoo, neck and back massage, and paraffin hand treatment.

Jay CANNOT say no to Maggie, so when she suggested getting her hair dyed purple, he made it happen once we arrived at the salon.

Maggie is feeling this look, and so am I!

Now she is preparing for her first Peachtree Road Race with Jay next month. She started a little training on the treadmill today. She is going to smoke Jay on the run.

The boys do still exist. :)

Tuttle and Jacob attended VBS at Roswell Presbyterian this week. Tuttle was a volunteer in the rec area, and Jacob was a camper in the Bustling Butterflies group. I think the highlight for Tuttle was the break room for the workers. He said it was stocked with all the drinks, chips, doughnuts, and assorted junk.

Jacob added another new injury/illness to his track record that we never dealt with Tuttle or Maggie. (This list includes HFM, ear tubes, stitches, and extreme poison ivy reactions.) What started as a rough night complaining about his ear about a week again, turned into clear drainage over the next week, and finally climaxed at blood running out of his ear. It was not painful at all to Jacob, and Jay figured out it was most likely a ruptured eardrum, but I took him to CHOA Urgent Care today for a second opinion and antibiotics. The doctor confirmed out suspicions and hopefully we are on a road to recovery.

Jay left today for a business conference in Napa Valley. We miss him already, but I doubt he is missing us. :)

You've Got A Friend In Me

 We were ready to get Tuttle and Maggie back from camp on Friday, especially Jacob.

We filled his only child week with a trip to the movies, a haircut, pool time with friends, and extra snuggles in our bed. (We may never get him back to his own room now.)

Even though the big kids were exhausted, we immediately went to the neighborhood pool for a Summer Kickoff Party!

The HOA treated everyone to fried chicken while we supplied the sides. I slaved in the kitchen preparing four boxes of Kraft Shells and Cheese. :)

Everyone slept in on Saturday until Jay insisted that we go to lunch in Woodstock. Maggie and Tuttle talked about returning to their beds the entire meal. It was the perfect evening for us to sneak away for a neighbor's birthday party sans kids! 

Melissa knows how to throw a party, and Kevin's 50th birthday was a night we will never forget with almost 150 guests. Between the endless food and drinks, AMAZING live band, and the best neighbors ever, we celebrated in the Hoffman's resort style backyard.

The friendship weekend ended with a grand finale. After THREE YEARS, Zanna and I were reunited for a brunch date! We had so much to catch up on even though we do a pretty good job chatting on the phone. The time change in Las Vegas makes connecting a little more difficult, but in five weeks the Martin family will relocate to North Carolina. I cannot wait to have my best college friend close again.

This weekend really filled our cups and was much needed!