Home from some time away

We are back in TN now. We had a wonderful four days on Kiawah island. I have never heard of it or heard of anyone who had been there but WOW. What a beautiful, peaceful place. The kids had a BLAST. I think 

Abigail liked the vacation the trip the best. She loved the freedom of riding her bike anywhere and going to the beach or the pool whenever she wanted.

Sidge enjoyed that as well, but he also liked spending time doing birding/nature stuff with his dad. (Abigail did a bit of that as well.) 

Hannah will go along with anyone, anywhere. She isn't particularly fond of birding, but she's up for most adventures. 

Isaac is not as into doing things outside. He enjoyed the biking and the beach and the pool like I do -- a bit here and there. But he enjoys relaxing even more. To him this is getting to sleep in, no chores, watching any sort of music show (he's been really into past episodes of American Idol and The Voice for example), and listening to music. 

John attended conferences each morning. This was a conference for emergency medicine doctors to get CME (continuing medical education). They have to get 40 hours in every 2 years. Often, John has attended Wilderness Medicine Conferences (he's taken a different kid every year). However, this time, we decided to go as a family. 

John's co-director, Randy Belt, was there too. Randy is AWESOME and his wife, Whitney, is even awesomer. They have two daughters Rylee (who is going into 9th grade like the boys) and Ryan (who is going into 7th grade.) They attend the Christian school in Johnson City. Such nice kids. And such a wonderful time. Another one of Randy's friends was also there with his wife and two adorable little girls -- so many times it was six girls and our two boys. (How sad!)

We returned on Monday and got right back into the grind. Our summer is PACKED full of activities. We really don't try to make them be that way, but each kid has something they want to do. 

• Isaac: Did the mission trip, attending a youth camp, and doing a theater camp
  
• Sidge: Attending a youth camp and helping Grampa build the brooder
• Abigail: Attending ballet camp (this week) at CBT and also the big camp in Jackson, Mississippi
• Hannah: Has attended a VBS, will attend a ballet camp also

We are also having two different nieces in (my brothers daughters) for three weeks each (at different times!) We love Charleigh and Baylee and are excited to have them. Baylee is with us right now actually.

My parents are here for two months, staying at their house in Greeneville. We will see them a lot. They will also make a vacation trip to see my Grama (my mom's mom -- only remaining living grandparent.) They are also going to go see THE ARK in Kentucky -- something I'd like to do sometime as well.

Our next trip as a family will be to go to Vermont in September. It is always the end of summer and helps usher in the start of another school year for us. It's my happy place, and I can't wait to go.

For now, back to getting ready to leave for SEVENTEEN DAYS for Ballet Mag. I have decided to be a dorm mom. At first, I wasn't excited about it, and was thinking I'd just do it so I could be close-by for Abigail on her trip. But as I filled out all the interview paperwork, etc. I got more and more excited about this opportunity to pour into young girls and get poured into myself too through daily chapels etc. It's long, but it's exciting.

We are also going to be leaving Hannah home with the boys for this trip -- so it should be an adventure.