hot springs and great wolf lodge

So, we have these sweet friends in our neighborhood. Their daughter is from Ethiopia as well and they came over last week to meet Evie for the first time. Lyla was SO excited that Evie looked so much like her with the same skin color and even the same TB vaccine mark on the same arm. It was so sweet to see them together, and Evie had fun playing with their son, Evan.

We decided last minute to take a trip to Hot Springs, AR and visit Jason's grandparents. They just moved to a beautiful location near a lake. The kids had a blast playing at "the beach".

 Evie's first time in a lake was a success!!! She loved playing with the rocks under the water.

We also went hiking in the mountains. The boys loved climbing on the rocks near the stream.

Cutie pie also enjoyed her first hike. She loves being outside!

Before we left we got a picture with Pappa Mac and Jill. Thank you guys so much for letting us come invade your home for a few days, and while Pappa Mac was sick with a cold. We had a blast!

Pappa Mac told the boys that the gnome in the front yard brought treats to little boys that talked to him every day. Each morning the boys would talk to the gnome then one morning they went out and there were candy, bubbles and toy cars for them to play with!

On our way home from Arkansas we dropped Elijah off at Great Wolf Lodge to spend the night with his good friend from school, Zander, for his birthday. His family invited us to join them at the water park for the day on Monday. Almost the entire water park is indoors...it's amazing, and the kids loved it! I loved not being in the hot sun and worrying about sunburn!

Evie took a nap in her stroller and of course loved the water!

Elijah and I rode the red "tornado" slide on the right. He talked me into it and it was terrifying but we laughed about it later! :-)

I can't believe the summer is more than halfway over! Camp of the Hills is coming up next week!!!