Red, White, & A Blue Lake

Happy Independence Day friends!  What a bizarre one on so many levels.  Actually, what a bizarre year all together.  Even with that being said, I love this country and I know my family of five is proud to be American.

Our 4th wasn't quite the blow out it normally is.  Given the circumstances, some of our family just couldn't make it. We definitely missed them and are hoping for a normal get together next year.

However, we did celebrate at the lake, we did don our red, white, and blue, we did watch a fireworks show, and we did get lots of Grandma and GG love.

We started our 4th with a back porch photo shoot.  I truly can't get enough of these girls.  They have been such a light and bundle of fun during these uncertain times.  It seems we haven't been apart since March {except for that little week in Florida}.  Girl Power!

My Patriotic Beauties...

Once suited and sunscreened up, we spent the rest of the day swimming and boating on the lake.

Jack has spent the summer going back and forth from the lake to our in-town home with Daddy.  He can only handle so much "girl power".  It's great that he and Daddy are getting special bonding time, but I sure do love having him at the lake.

And I certainly love having this lady visit us too.  My beautiful Grandma. 💗

My boys...my heart is exploding just looking at this picture...

After a long day on the lake, we topped our evening with a fireworks show right off the dock.  It was amazingly convenient and checked off all the boxes for a perfect July 4th.  Then, of course, we couldn't resist a few sparklers before telling America one last Happy Birthday and hitting the hay.

On a side note, after writing this post, I noticed it seems I'm only posting on holidays these days.  So to explain this to my future self and my kids one day, that's because, well, there isn't much else going on.

We have spent an incredible summer at the lake house while the world and my house are in disarray {have I mentioned we have pretty major remodeling project going on at home and the girls don't have bedrooms?}.  Family and friends visit us all the time and its been a peaceful utopia up on the lake with lots of sunshine.

We will return to reality eventually...just not quite yet.  And more on that remodeling project when I make it home to check out the progress. 

Until then we will be enjoying life on the lake.

Fathers Day By The Sea

It's really starting to feel like summer!  Although, my kids should be at sleep away camp and we should be prepping for a vacation to Yellowstone, summer is really here!

With the current uncertainty of life, we decided to plan an impromptu Father's Day weekend down in St Simon Island.  We had never been {and probably never will go back} so we decided this was the time.

The change of scenery was nice for all of us. And we were able to bring our beloved Shelton on vaca with us.  Win-win!

We spent our first day hopping from the pool to the beach.  Since we haven't really experienced a pool all summer the kids were very happy.

We stayed at a condo at King and Prince.  The accommodations were nice enough, but the real selling point was being able to hop back and forth to get Shelton for beach romps.

The big guy was okay with the waves, but loved running up and down the beach and getting many pets and snuggles from people.

Our first evening, we made our way down to the Pier and shopped and dined on seafood.

Our next day was filled with more pool time and a few beach visits.

But the real highlight of the day was our guided trip aboard a shrimp boat.  I'm such a planner so beach vacas can be tough for me.  I always have to throw in at least one activity.  The Lady Jane was the perfect addition to the relaxing weekend.

Both girls insisted on wearing their new Simply Southern tees they had purchased at the pier the night before.  Lucy just about fell in love with hers that donned a Golden Retriever.

Jack, of course, loved the shrimp boat excursion.  We got to see the nets lifted and raised and handled a plethora of sea life.

Maggie had no interest in touching anything that came up in the nets.  But she did partake in ice cream after dinner.  And speaking of dinner, we had the BEST southern fried chicken at the Porch.  I highly recommend dinner there.

Our last day, which was Father's Day, was a short one.  The boys got up early for a round of Father's Day golf on one of the beautiful courses on the island.  The girls and I enjoyed brunch sans the boys and then met up afterwards for one more spin around the beach.

Lucy found an entire family of hermit crabs and built them a glorious home.

And Shelton got his last fill of sand and ocean before the car ride back home.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!  Thank you for all you do for our family!  We adore you and loved celebrating you by the sea.

Lake Haven

The lake has always been my happy place.  But in this bizarre year of 2020, it has not only been my happy place, but my haven.  Thank goodness for this place, the friends & family who visit, and the wonderful memories made.

We have most certainly gotten good use of our little lake house outside of the city this past month.  Basically from our Florida departure through June, this is where we have been.  And we are so grateful for the friends who have come to enjoy the sunshine {and rain} with us!

So if you are looking for us next month, the lake is where you will find us!

A Different Dance Recital

Oh, this girl!  She stole my heart the day she was born and still hasn't given it back. 

My tiny dancer was able to to squeeze in her much deserved dance recital.  And although it was altered due to the virus, these pictures fill me with joy.

The altered version took place in studio without an audience.  As disappointed as I was not to see Maggie on stage dancing, I was so thrilled she got to wear her costume and perform after all of her hard work.

Next year, I vow to be front and center.  I mean who wouldn't want to see this cutie live?