Wild and Wonderful West Virginia

Wild is right! Hee hee. We had such a wonderful time in WV hiking through the woods (both marked paths as well as crazy off-trail hikes up steep hills with a 3-yr old *thanks Mom*! <-- just joking!), watching waterfalls, swimming in the pools & more hiking!

On Friday we got off to a bit of a slow start, but it didn't keep us from doing some sight seeing! We went to a state park that had a tram *note very very small tram* that took the 6 of us down the mountain so that we could ride a boat around the Summersville Lake and to the dam. During our boat tour we got the chance to see how real W.Virginian's live it up next to the water! Our next stop was to see a waterfall and then if was off to dinner!

Saturday was more of the same. We went on close to a 4-mile hike out to a point on Summersville Lake. *Autumn & Ray ya'll might remember this hike about 4 years ago!* It was such a good time. The men stayed up front for most of the hike while us girls (Kalea) took our time checking out all of the little flowers, sticks and bugs along the way.

This is what we saw scattered along the river

The waterfalls were really beautiful. It would sprinkle and then the sun would come out and shine right on the one spot. Gorgeous!

The WILD part... this is the "Mystery Hole". Talk about a different experience!

What a fun hike!

Kellen and Pap before leaving on Sunday.

I took SO many more photos, but too many to post them all here.

If you are checking out my blog, why don't you post a comment and let me know you're here! ;)

Evenings out

Last week we spent some time at a Knights baseball game and then also dinner out with a dear friend. Thank you Jennifer for meeting us and then listening to the speaker with me. I had a wonderful evening and learned a lot. Since it was raining while I waited for Jennifer, I took a few photos of the kids with the umbrella.
At the game:


Waiting in the rain:

My lil model

Thank goodness she loves being in front of a camera. Bless her heart - I love you sweetie.

And this is one I played with a little bit from when my parents were in town.

Another nice weekend

Parents in this weekend. We had such a relaxing wonderful time. I miss my parents a TON and wish we could visit with them more often. Anyway, I shot a few photos this weekend – just a broad range of different things as an overview of what we did.

They came down on this, their favorite ride:


My mom has some great ideas for flowers for the front yard. Our yard right now is such a work in progress. We often talk about the things we’d like to do, maybe if I had her help we’d get some things done. I am clueless when it comes to what flowers to get, etc. I think I get overwhelmed in a garden center with so many different options! This is a wild flower growing in the front right now.


Mom also enjoys taking photographs of her grandkids. We were often sitting them together or “staging” some of the photos of them this weekend. We even made them sit next to each other from time to time!


One morning we spent at a state park walking around the lake there. Here are just a few captures:



(there were a lot of cobwebs – just ask dad – he went first!) hee hee.



One of those “go stand together” times! They look so thrilled, don’t ya think?


And last but not least. This is definitely a favorite of mine:

I think they’re smitten with each other, what do you think??

Love

I didn't get the chance to write a month ago about my hubby and I's wedding anniversary. So... this is a tribute to him. He's such an amazing father & husband, I am truly a very luck woman.



He loves the ocean and we enjoy walking the beach early in the morning. Here are some random shots that I liked from our morning walk.







I'm available for beach portraits in August. Contact me by phone or email if you're going to be at Myrtle Beach and would like some photographs!

And just a cute one of baby girl to leave you with.

Latest trip to Myrtle Beach

Little man learned how to ride his boogie board last weekend, but I finally got a couple shots of him doing his thing this time! I am always in awe of how much he is growing up (which has me wondering if I'll always call him little man! HA!). Because her big brother was having so much fun, Kalea thought she'd join in on the boogie board so the grandparents gave her her very own Dora board! LOL. She enjoyed riding it, but wasn't thrilled with water in the face, so it's not quite as much fun as her brother led her to believe. ;) I didn't get any pictures of the short rides she took.




We then headed to our favorite dinner place, Margaritaville, and then walked around the zillion shops at Broadway that evening. It was a nice evening.



Baby girl really did have fun, regardless of the sour face she put on for the photo.

4th of July festivities

We're back from a long weekend at the beach! It's nice to relax a bit, there are times when a break is needed. This was one of those times. I'm happy to be back, though, and it's not like we're saying goodbye forever. ;) We'll be back to the beach a few times (weekends) this summer. The kids love it there and they get to visit with their Gramma & Papap James.
Sunsets



I have a love for a beautiful sunset/sunrise. If I could plaster the walls in my house with pictures of a nice sunset over the ocean, I think I would! ;) It's one of those times when you get a moment to take a breath, step back and revel in the beauty of our Earth.

In sand with grandparents

My kids love the beach, and frankly, I think this was the only time they sat still! We'd go to it first thing in the morning till lunch.

Pool time

And of course, when the beach gets too warm and crowded we'd head to the covered pool. There were no objections from the kids.

4th of July visit to old Naval base monument






Path to beach


Lifeguard chair at sunset

Again... sunsets... can't go a weekend to the ocean without shots of the Glory of God's work.

Fireworks!

Let me tell you... fireworks photos... not easy! HA! I liked this shot... loved the one "burst" on the left, but again... nothing fantastic. I have always liked fireworks too. Sunsets and fireworks (oh and not to mention a good ol' campfire)... vacation is complete!