Summer Activities – A Hammock Full of Memories
Swinging and relaxing for a few minutes in the Hammock! A few months ago for Mother’s Day Jake gave me a hammock! It wasn’t until this Summer that I realized how much the gift meant to me. As a family we have spent some wonderful time together talking, laughing, reading, and just relaxing together in the hammock. Jake hung the hammock in the shady part of our yard near the jungle gym, swimming pool, and where I can see the majority of the yard, house and driveway.
Karlie hanging out with us on the hammock! Once Karlie was done swimming she ran inside the house to change so she could have some relaxing time on the hammock with Mom and Dad. I cannot count the number of times she has fallen asleep on the hammock as we enjoy time together.
Brina loving the extra time talking and relaxing with Mom, Dad and Karlie. The girls love getting a chance to swing on the hammock with Mom and Dad. They have a blast talking about anything and everything. It is a great location to have some heart to heart as well as reminisce about all the fun memories we have together as a family.
Skipper, our faithful guard dog while the family enjoys time on the hammock. After Skipper has made a complete loop around the entire property she will settle down at a spot right next to the hammock. She occasionally will look at us but for the most part she is checking out all the activity in the woods and creek area. Although she has never been on the hammock she seems to enjoy it when the entire family is outside nearby.
A moment of rest. Every once in awhile when we are on the hammock the girls will fall asleep. It is such a great place to spend a few moments together. Life has a way of getting so busy that we need some time to stop, focus on each family member, enjoy being outside and relax.
A peaceful view of nature! This is the view looking up from the hammock. You can enjoy the beautiful trees, baby blue sky, and white puffy clouds floating by. Just looking up and watching the leaves rustle in the breeze and the clouds drifting by makes the time relaxing even better.
I have gone out many times over the last few months to relax, read, think, pray, do my devotions, write, brain storm, or hang out with Jake and / or the girls. I am thankful for a thoughtful husband who gave me a gift that not only helps me relax but to slow down and enjoy a few precious moments with him and the girls. Our hammock is so much more then just a hammock it is full of relaxing moments sharing memories together as a family. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that make the most treasured memories for our children. I am already looking forward to watching the leaves change colors as we move closer to the Fall season.
Family Outings: Picnic at Legacy Park
Karlie and Brina finishing their picnic lunch! Every once in awhile we have the opportunity to meet Daddy for a quick picnic over his lunch hour.
Karlie about ready to blow her bubbles on Mommy! The girls like to blow bubbles when we go to the park and luckily for them I usually have some in the van. Bubbles have come in handy quite often in our adventures.
Now it's Brina's turn to blow bubbles my direction! Somehow I get plenty of fun bubbles blown in my direction!
Karlie having fun on the play ground. It’s the little things in life that can entertain for hours!
Brina flying away on a jet plane, always plenty of entertainment on the play ground. The girls enjoy exploring and playing at the variety of parks in our area. Thankful for some time to spend with Jake and allow the girls some play time as well.
Cleaning Up the Yard & Spring Bonfire
We are blessed to live in a wonderful area with a creek and woods. While the trees provide shade they also are known for dropping branches occasionally. Since we had some limbs piled up we decided to clean up the yard by building our first Spring bonfire. The girls had fun gathering the twigs and branches in the yard and bringing them to the fire. Once the fire was good and hot was roasted hotdogs, did a little more work collecting branches, followed by relaxing together and roasting marshmallows.
Sweet Sisters and Best Friends having fun gathering twigs in the yard together! 
Brina loves hanging out with her puppy - Skipper! 
Karlie telling a story while Daddy cleans the wire for her hotdog. 
Bonfire conversations with the family! 
Daddy and the girls relaxing around the bonfire! Love spending time with my family. We were able to get some work done in the yard and relax together. It was awesome having some time to talk and make new memories with the kids!
