Family Fun and Happy 4th

What a crazy month June was at the Smith house. We had our trip to AK and were home for a little over a week before heading up to Mentone, AL for the annual Smith Family Vacation. Because all of the Smith kids are so scattered and getting everyone together for the holidays is virtually impossible, his parents have planned (and generously paid for) a family vacation for the past 2 years so we can all get together. Last year we vacationed in Galveston, TX, and had a wonderful time, but it was about an 18 hour drive for us, so we were thankful for the closer commute this year - only about 2 hours. We stayed at a beautiful cabin in the woods on a mountain in Mentone. It had a nice big screened porch and hot tub, which we enjoyed almost every night. I can't say it was a very relaxing vacation - I mean for me going from no kids and just a husband, dog and cat to trying to keep up with to 6 kids and cooking and cleaning for 12 - well I'm sure you can imagine it was just a tad bit exhausting. But it's always fun to hang out with the family - especially since we don't get to see them very often. Here are some fun shots from the trip.

The twins, Deborah and Ellen, and their big sister Katherine

Katherine learning to swim

Me and my buddy Ben chilling on the swing

Pop with David and Katherine at one of the waterfalls

I love this shot

Mom and Pop

Jeff getting his workout in

Cousins Chey and Katherine

Amy, Eric and #5 Ben (They're still trying to decide whether or not to go for #6). Can you believe Amy is a mother of 5 - doesn't she look fantastic!

Rock climbing

Touring a local cave

Mom and Chey

More cave pics

A little family fun playing "Imagine If." If you haven't played it already, I would highly recommend it for any type of friend or family gathering. It's a great way to get to know people better. I learned that most of the Smiths think I'm high maintenance (and in all fairness compared to the rest of the Smith women I most definitely am). I also learned that my husband thinks if I was a dog I'd be a Rottweiler - how romantic:) His dad thought I would be a french poodle. Can you imagine me as a french poodle:) Like I said, it was a very fun game.

Sunday before we left Mentone we went to church at this tiny Presbyterian Church in the middle of nowhere. After service I was playing with the kids on the playground, and looked over and lo and behold there was Trent Wilbanks swinging his little girl on the swingset. I went to college with him and his wife, Joy. What a coincidence! Evidentally they live in Fort Payne, which I'd always thought was in south Alabama, and the church we attended was the one they call home. I had no idea they were only 2 hours from us. We'll definitely have to meet up again before the summer is over.

On the way home we stopped in Birmingham so Jeff could visit an old friend - Joseph Martin and his wife Hannah and adorable baby boy Winston.

We spent most of the week after our trip relaxing, but kicked it into high gear for the holiday weekend. Thursday night the 3rd we camped out in downtown Kennesaw with Brian and Gina for some pre-4th fireworks. It was already crowded by the time we pulled in, so we just found a patch of grass off the main thoroughfare and made ourselves right at home. Our Popeyes picnic dinner was delicious, although we did have to fight the ants for the last few pieces of chicken.

I've mentioned before that Brian and Gina are some of our closest friends - and they live just right across the road - literally - so we see them pretty often. We're so close, in fact, that Jeff feels right at home with them when they come over. The picture below was taken right before we left for AK. It was a fun party - can't you tell:)

We started off the 4th with a house project (surprise surprise). After a month of vacations and rainy weekends, we decided to stain the decks off the screen porch. We knew there was a chance of rain, but took the plunge anyway. We didn't realize it would take nearly 6 hours to finish the job, and thank goodness for our patient and understanding friends Josh and Lisa. We were supposed to show up at their house around 5 for dinner and fireworks, but ended up pushing it back until almost 8 pm because if you've ever stained something before, you know that once you get started you have to finish. Now most of you know that Jeff and I are notoriously late for everything, but never that late. To my credit I did call Josh 3 times, and he assured me that later was better for them, so I guess you could say I took him literally. On the way up to their house we drove through a torrential downpour, so I was quite certain our $120 stain job would be washed away by the time we made it back home, but thankfully Marietta stayed dry through today, actually. Thank you Lord!! When we finally showed up we had a lovely, laid back time with Josh, Lisa and Natalie, my favorite kind of party. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so had no shots from the evening.

Saturday Jeff had to work and I enjoyed a lively brunch at Mimi's house. She was introducing a friend she grew up with in Prattsville, AR to all of her Dunwoody friends. My grandparents, as I've mentioned before, have a million friends and are always doing sometime with somebody. I always try to take notes when I attend their parties.

Saturday evening we met our friends Amy, Michael and Bryce for a dinner at "5 Guys" and then an evening hike. I was a little worried about eating greasy burgers and going back-country, but thankfully all settled well and we had no issues. We met the Whitlarks several years ago through the Trices, but really started hanging out after Amy and I worked on invitations together for Suzanna's baby shower last fall. We share a lot of the same interests, and have really enjoyed hanging out with them over the past 7 months. In fact it feels like we've been friends for years!

The Whitlarks

Funny Jeff

Look - I'm glistening. It was quite a hike!

We wrapped up the holiday weekend some birthday cupcakes for Brian over at their place. Brian is 29 today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We've known Brian and Gina 5 years come September - my how time flies.

Hope everyone had a safe and holiday weekend!