The long days of summer require the coolness of a pool and the people you love the most in the world!

On their own, they placed towels on the ground and began practicing yoga.

We love nature’s rocks.

We appreciate time together.

Markers of time, a growing foot from my little man.

Early in the swim season, splashing and hanging on to the sides. I placed a stipulation on these two. “Let me slowly start the process of teaching you to swim or you HAVE to go to swimming lessons given by ANOTHER teacher.” Each time we visited a pool they had to attempt holding their breath as well as doggie paddling in the shallow.

Yes, mommy even went back on her word. Swimming in the lake!

Better on the lake…an introduction to kayaking.

Both Jackson and Abigail picked up the skill quickly. Although happy to watch them enjoy going at it solo, I have to admit, I was happier to have them come closer to the edge.

Daddy and his girl having a special treat after a good school day.

Baby girl and daddy by the pool.

Shall I tell you this baby loves her Daddy!!

My water puppies have really enjoyed playing in the water this summer.

We even traveled to Charlotte, NC to play with Saxton and Synclair in their pool.

Jackson has built his swimming confidence enough to try water slides.

We are having the time of our life by the pools.

Even the backyard pool is a blast, as long as we play together!
Love these summer memories!

August 21, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

We were all finally able to gather together to celebrate Nana, Amy, and Stephanie’s June Birthdays.

Although we waited FOREVER to be served, we had a great time!

We’ve been able to spend some much needed time with Aunt Teresa.

Some Friday mornings we joined Nana for breakfast with her Electro Voice buddies. Bonnie is one of their favorites.

Jackson had three dollars given to him from Little Brenda because when he bit into his biscuit his tooth fell out. She played fairy for breakfast.

Papaw took off all week for picnics, fishing, playgrounds, and Dollywood.

Popcorn with Papaw, Nana, and the cousins.

These boys went wild in the water. Minutes after this photo, Jackson had a huge nosebleed after colliding with another face.

Mommy and Daddy had to get in on the fun.

We consider this little guy “Pockets” a familiar friend. He is a rescued animal of Lynn McCoy. Each summer she brings her furry friends to our reading program at the library for a study of rehabilitated animals and we love it!

She also brought “Cinnamon the Owl” and “Miss Molly the Opossum”

Mommy, Uncle Mikey, Na-Noo, and Pa-Poo

All of us except Brooke and Nana

The goal was to have all legs in the air on the count of three!

Isabela and Great Aunt Fran Fran

Learning from Nana and Papaw, great summer corn and okra growing

Life is just grand!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
In memory of Mamaw Judy…

July 15, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

The little country church within our community just celebrated 100 years! To celebrate this occasion, the bell has been restored and is now ringing!

The church, 100 years ago, 1914

Abigail loves all fuzzy critters!

We like hanging out anytime with Nana and Aunt Fran

We took Nana out to celebrate her birthday.

We even talked Great Aunt Fran Fran into trying mussels…”no like”

It was a fun night

Isabela is happy that her Daddy was able to join us!

I had to include this photo. My little birds call Aunt Fran a “fraidy cat”
She was terrified to be that close to the water, check out her holding on to Nana. Jackson wonders why she also always holds tight to her purse…

Love you little birds!

We try fishing but it’s not much fun when they aren’t biting.

As long as we get to hang out with Daddy all is well!

Walking with Ras…he always has exactly three suckers when we see him!

My sweet, sweet treat!
She says everything living on the earth is her best friend.

One of our new favorite things we are testing out as a family is the mountain trails.

Selfie of us after the 2.8 mile hike we completed!

Honestly, I/we weren’t sure if we would make it to the Arch Rock, which was our attempted goal on this day. We were overjoyed we didn’t turn around before reaching this point. This has been our longest walk yet, especially for Jackson and Abigail. In the future, we hope to make it to the next two points on this trail, and maybe in a few years, Mt. Leconte will be the prize!

Isabela had the best seat. She did walk some but the terrain was dangerous and so was the very narrow bridge.
I gave my girl her butterfly wings and let her cross it alone. Hard for me but also thrilled at her success.

The creek ran alongside the trail. It’s always fun to stop, have a snack, and splash in the water.

Abigail enjoys testing out the current by floating leaf boats.

Nature is amazing in the backwoods.

Wonder what lives behind this space?
I’m happy we take a road less traveled which allows us all to stop, look, and ponder the life around us.

A new day, a different state, another mountain to sea trail.

Silly Birds!!!

This trail had tree markers. This is Tennessee’s state tree. We are lucky enough to have one of these in our back yard!

Learning to string peas

Back to work in one of Papaw’s gardens.

Thinning the corn and planting beans beside them.

Notice Isabela in her furry winter boots. She is learning how to cover the seeds with her feet since we won’t give her a hoe.

I forgot to include these two photos in the blog “Jackson Sawyer”
Good memories!

Summer 2014 begins tomorrow, I am hopeful to create wonderful memories for my little birds!

June 21, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Let’s play all kinds of ball

Another fun crown

Sunshine is the best in the late afternoon

Look what Amy Jo found us, an antique school desk!

Little bird likes playing in empty boxes

Jackson and Puddels

Abigail is “certain” her ducks “love” to be “cradled like babies!”

I snapped several of her holding Marigold and they ALL make me laugh each time I look at this duck in her arms.

“Feel how soft this moss is Mommy”

Sunshine breaking through

The place where sky meets earth

Such deep red color in this beautiful creature

While out playing we found this little bird. All three wanted to keep it!

Finding flat, smooth rocks is treasure time

Happy Mother’s Day to me, naming each of my blessings one by one.

By Abigail

By Abigail, she took a picture of her shadow as we were walking. She calls it her angel. I sometimes really like the innocent way she thinks!

Jackson planned to to play his first game of putt putt when he turned seven.

Although a cold mid May Day, we finally were able to play a quick round.

Celebrating Cousin Elijah’s graduation from preschool.
Even though I don’t have a photo to share, we also cheered him on a for a tee ball game.

Jaydie at bat

Jayden at her Gymnastic program. Hooray for Jaydie, again not a picture, but she received multiple honors on awards day for her 3rd grade accomplishments.

Fun with new baby dolls and construction toys

Fun with each other

We enjoyed a field trip with our homeschool group to the Knoxville Botanical Garden where we learned about plants, composting, and saving seeds. We listened to a story, did a craft, planted tomatoes, corn and beans, and eggplant. We also learned about the Indian Legend of “Three Sisters”

May has been busy…no wonder it’s one of our favorites!

May 31, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

My baby boy is turning SEVEN!

We LOVE “birthday week” at this house!

Excitement is not easily contained!

We were joined for our fun by Jaydie’s friend Sally and Uncle Tommy’s granddaughter Jenna.

Amy and Stephanie were there also

For our birthday pilgrimage, we took Jackson to the mountains.

A trail to the highest peak in North Carolina, freezing cold, but an amazing view.

A picnic with cake on the peak of a mountain.

By Abigail, we want this tree for Christmas.

My favorite boys!

Out of the cold elevation and back in the warmer city, with a quick unzip, we converted our pants to shorts and traded our hiking shoes for flip flops!

Next, find a pool for some splashing fun.

Back on a trail, a mountain to sea trail.

A water break and a rest

An amazing sky view

I love this seven year old birthday boy. He fills my head with frustrations, but more importantly, he gives my heart it’s beat and fills my soul with the sweetest, purest form of joy.

Oh joy of joys!
Happy Birthday Jackson Sawyer Hall

May 13, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Sunshine makes us happy!

Unless someone doesn’t want to share the new swing.

Then the pouting starts…

Along comes Foxy Kitty for a visit

Blooming dogwoods in the background, a sunny afternoon, matching jackets from Aunt Teresa, and the best…
A fuzzy kitty…makes us ALL happy!

New buds growing on the vines.

We met Aunt Fran and Amy for a late lunch on one of Amy’s spring break days.

We all need a good excuse to take a break from school and an excuse to play silly…

Check out these straight rows of one of Papaw’s three gardens.

I enjoy their involvement in our food source planting. A skill to feed them for a lifetime!

Jackson really looks like a gardener with his Broncos helmet and his new “Omaha” shirt from Aunt Fran!

Isabela picked the blooms off of the chives and was excited to plant them!

Ice cream on this warm spring day

To bad these blooms don’t last in the summer!

May 1, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

What a view!

The mountain line is amazing.

New life on the earth’s floor

Colorful flowers against leftover leaves from last year.

Abigail is super excited to find these flowers in the mountains.
She picked this purple one for Jackson.

The sunlight coming from above was a welcomed feel.

King of the Mountain…

Playing together is always special.

Walking up a windy observation tower was not on their agenda!

Although much cooler, it’s a perfect way to acknowledge spring is here.

Exposure to the world around us

Mountain to Sea…WOW!

Three little birds rotate the driver’s seat riding on daddy’s neck up and down the trail.

A good spot to take a break

A different day, a different mountaintop trail.

We found an interesting rock overhanging another. We wondered what might have slept there the previous night.

Isabela has the best seat for this ride.

Abigail loves finding new blooms on our adventures.

I love seeing her discover things she is fond of.

Daughters that truly bless their mommy!

Mother Earth offers the very best views to be thankful for.

Jackson’s photo for his trivia collection

Thank you for these many blessings!

April 24, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment