2016 Family Reunion: Day 2

We awoke to a soggy soaking rainy day; we found refuge amongst the fishies.

At Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

 It was a pretty spectacular sight.

 We even found a mermaid!!!

 I really adore hideous amphibious  creatures.  

 But my heart will always belong to the jellies.

 Cousins!!!!

 Reunion 2016 was officially off to a fantastic start!

2016 Family Reunion: Day 1

The day after Ryder returned home from scout camp, we loaded everyone up in two cars (because we couldn't all fit in one) and drove to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the Zimmerman Family Reunion!!

We rented a super fun cabin in the mountains and arrived on the Fourth of July.  

We spent the day wandering downtown Gatlinburg.  And by wandering, I mean sweating in the sweltering heat.  

And eating ice cream.

My babies all decked out to celebrate America!!

Hawthorne!!

Sweetest boys.

 Rowan!

We all went to bed that night exhausted and eager to explore the beauty of the Smokies.

June iPhone Dump

 ...rounding out the highlights of this insanely busy but equally rewarding month:

 The Pool Opened.  And we frequented.  Very, very regularly.

 The kids discovered they liked sushi.  

Which means, taking them out to dinner just got a lot tastier.

 Accidentally twinning is always winning!

 Ryder got braces!!

 We got to spend the day celebrating our favorite handsome hero daddy husband.  

Happy Father's day Allen!!

 School is finally out for the summer!!!!

 We found a baby bunny in our backyard.  

 It escaped her clutches at it's very first opportunity.

We got to have our cousins stay with us for a month. Ryder was basically celebrity status. 

He loved it. 

The boys loved it.

I adored it.

 And now, let the happiest, sunshiniest months of the year begin!!

Scout Camp

Three days after school ended, Ryder left for his first week away from home; at Scout Camp.

Arguably, the best week of his life.  Which is entirely offensive, but not at all unexpected.

He worked his buns off all week and earned 11 merit badges and 3 patches.

Scout Camp Rock Star!!

Also, better him than me.  

Or his father, for that matter.

End of Year Ear Bleed

The closing of the school year means concerts and recitals and performances of all kinds.

Also, it means headaches.

Linley's 4th Grade Band and Chorus Concert

 The three kids after their piano recital.  Tessa's first!!  She was so confident and adorable.  

The older two were also entirely remarkable.

 Flag day ceremony with at Hughes; Linley performed in the band.

 Eden's adorable dance class performance.  

 Absolutely sweet and satisfying!

But really, we're all just ready to sleep in and spend lazy afternoons at the pool.

Tessa Turns Seven!!

Our own personal slice of heaven turned seven.

She opted for cinnamon rolls instead of cake and brought home presents from two boys at school. 

 She gets life.

And life is always a little brighter when she is in it.

 She celebrated with a day in New York City with daddy...

 ...and lunch and a shopping spree at the American Girl Doll Store!!

Happy birthday Tessa Jane!!

Sweet Grandma K

June gave heaven a most glorious Grandma.

Allen was able to fly to California for his darling Grandma K's funeral.

He said the service was beautiful, and the spirit so strong as the grandchildren gathered to sing in her honor.

 

 

I adored Grandma K from the start.  She was tender and kind and real.  She was wise and strong and sure. She loved me and Allen and Obama through and through (and I'm not sure how all of us could fit into a single heart!!).  

She loved love more than anyone I have ever known.  She just got it.  All of it. 

Heaven got a goodie.