A Wild and Crazy Ride

Thursday after we did some shopping in Pigeon Forge, Lily Kate said "Maybe one day can we go there?" and pointed to Kids Country- a small amusement park attached to The Track- a go cart place.  Yesterday we stopped there on our way home.

On the Kangaroo

Aubrey's first carousel ride!
She stayed on for most of the ride

On the ferris wheel -"Look I'm in a cage!"

After riding all the other rides
Lily Kate got brave and rode this one!

Cades Cove

On Tuesday, we drove to Cades Cove- an 11 mile scenic drive through the valley.  There are lots of old cabins and churches along the drive.  We always stayed on the lookout for wildlife- we saw deer and turkeys, but no bears (although the rest of our group saw a momma and 3 cubs!) 

Carter Shields Cabin

Breathtaking View

All the cousins on a log (minus Jacob-he stayed home)

Abram Falls hiking trail

After about a half mile, we turned around.  The rest of our family did the 5 mile hike back to the waterfall.  Their pictures looked beautiful, but the terrain was not conducive for a 1 & 3 year old.  We went back and played in the river at the base of the trail.

My Dad and Aubrey

Lily Kate said the water was cold like ice cream

Van Heeswyk Family Vacation

Almost every summer the VanHeeswyk's take a family vacation.  This was the first time in a long time that our family was able to join them.  We rented two cabins in Gatlinburg, TN.  It is such a beautiful part of the country and we had a great time just being with family.  Of course we also stayed busy enjoying all that that area has to offer- rafting, hiking, shopping, putt putt.

Our Cabin- Lookout Ridge

Group Shot

All the VanHeeswyk Cousins

We went for ice cream one night- just the 4 of us

Lily Kate enjoying her ice cream

Maximum capacity in the hot tub!

Swimming with GrandDebbie

Aunt Linda & Aubrey in their pink & white

Baby Jacob- this was the first time we got to meet the little man!

Ryan's family at Davy Crockett Putt Putt

Our future PGA star- she preferred the hand wedge

Big Man in a Little Hat

GrandDebbie got her granddaughters matching dresses!

She got the boys shirts

Cousins

Pools Out for the Summer

It has been so hot here this week, this is the only place that is tolerable outside!  Both girls are now enjoying the pool (before Aubrey wasn't a fan).

*Aubrey has started pulling up on everything...our days are numbered until she's walking/running all over the place.

Dunkfest 2011

Sunday afternoon was Dunkfest 2011.  Stephen's co-workers really know how to throw a party-there was a giant slip-n-slide, bounce house, snow cone machine, and dunk tank.  Stephen was the first one in the dunk tank (the girls and I got there late due to naps so he was a good sport and got back in so Lily Kate could dunk him).

The heckler

Taking a break to have a snack

Lily Kate on the Slip-n-slide -check out that form!

One of Stephen's co-workers Jennifer Z. posted some of her pictures.  You can tell she is a much better photographer than I am.  I absolutely love the shot of Aubrey with Cubby the dog.

Smooth Skies

Lily Kate's creativity never ceases to amaze me.  Tonight she pulled her chair from the kitchen into the hallway so she could pilot her airplane:

She was flying to Iowa to see GrandDebbie & Les.  At the end of her flight she hugged Aubrey and said she was GrandDebbie.

Time for the Baby Gate

Tonight Aubrey decided to climb the bottom stair and then fall backwards off of it. She is so fearless!  I was right there behind her, but she would just giggle and giggle.  

Wordless Wednesday

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times

We have been so blessed with great friends here in Charlotte.  Wes and Katie Haney are two of them.  Wes and Stephen graduated high school together.  Today we decided to get lunch together after church. 

Aubrey playing peek a boo with her basket

  They are expecting their first child in October, and we are so excited for them.  Lunch today was so refreshing- we always enjoy catching up with them any chance we get.

Katie & Wes

Renfrownation

The Annual Beach Trip at Ocean Isle was this past week.  We had a wonderful time with family that we don't see often enough. Every year they take a family photo- all 80+ Renfrow's don white shirts and go out on the beach for a family photo.  

Our Fam before we headed out on the beach.