I'm Thankful . . . Austin's home for Thanksgiving!

We are thankful to have Austin home for Thanksgiving! It has been great to get those big bear hugs again!

Macey wrote in her letter to Riley this week, "Austin came home he's leaving to go back to Utah on Friday just to tell you Riley, Austin is stronger than ever after prayer a couple day ago Austin gave me such a big hug that it felt like he broke my rib but my rib cage is fine."

Sunburned? Really?

After living in Florida for (9) years you would think we knew a thing or two about the sun and a thing called sunscreen!

When we did our impromptu vacation to Georgia in August we got out on Lake Lanier with the boat and jet skis. Before we knew it we had been out a few hours. Didn't think much about it but before we knew it we had been out all day. Riley and Austin spent most the time on jet skis. It was the law to have to wear life jackets (not that it's a bad idea).

We all got quite sunburned but Riley's gave us the best picture! Obviously he spent most his time working this summer not hanging out at the beach in Florida!

Georgia On 'Our' Minds!

We had a lot going on this summer and at the same time - not a lot. We didn't plan any big trips for starters. John and the boys had scout camp, John was working on a couple different business plans, Riley & Austin both had jobs and before we knew it the summer was almost over. We wanted one last chance to spend a little bit of time together as a family before things started to change - which is what happens as our kids grow up and venture off on paths of their own. So at the last minute - we got in the car and headed to our old stomping grounds in Georgia.

We rented a little townhouse on Lake Lanier for a couple of days. It was nice to get out in the 'woods' again. Parker & Macey had a blast 'exploring' the great outdoors.



We rented a boat for the day and Riley rented jet skis. We had a great time exploring the lake, tubing, getting wet, feeling the sun and the wind in our hair and on our faces.




Our longtime friends, the Depews, came to join us for the day - back where it all started in Cumming, GA all those 9 years ago. Can it really have been that long ago?! They stayed the night close by and we all got to go to church together the next day.





Craig & Jennifer's oldest son, 'little' Craig is on a mission so we had to give her a big boy fix and a couple of hugs.