Little White House

We took an overnight trip to Warm Springs, GA to visit the Little White House.  Kayla was researching FDR so we thought this made for a neat little adventure over spring break.

 

This is the portrait that was being painted when he collapsed and later passed away.  It was 

left unfinished. 

And this is the chair he was sitting in while having his portrait painted. 

We also visited the pools that FDR frequented.  They are no longer filled, but they did have this fountain with the water that came up from the springs. It wasn't as warm as I was expecting.

Pool time is always a fun time with these girls. 

Before we headed home we visited the Wild Animal Safari. 

And this is what we were all thinking once we got in that NASTY car.  The only door we could open was the drivers door so we all climbed in that way.  By the time we were done I refused to crawl back out that way.  Turns out the doors hadn't been unlocked so I was able to pull the rope and open my door.  Yes, the car was so beat up that there was a rope to pull to open the door.  The back doors still didn't open. 

The animals come right up to the window looking for food. It was quite disgusting, but we did laugh a lot on our adventure. 

This picture just cracks me up!

We made sure to shower really well when we got home. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever done, but we also laughed harder than we had laughed in a long time.

Kayla's Birthday Celebrations

We kept it super simple this year and Kayla just had a couple of friends over to spend the night. They ran around and played, did a scavenger hunt Marc created, and learned how to play Capture the Flag.

Searching for clues!

Putting the clues in order to make sure they had them all.

All of that excitement wore this one out.

 

We had school on her birthday, but she requested a roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a couple of other things for her birthday dinner. Family came over to celebrate, and just like that she is 11 years old. 

Happy 11th Birthday, Kayla!

It is always such fun to look back at old pictures of my girls, especially around their birthdays. I have forgotten so much of the day to day life when they were little, but I am so thankful for the memories that are recalled through photographs. Eleven years of snapping pictures of my first baby. It hardly seems real.

Gone are the pudgy cheeks, rolls, and bangs.

But I have welcomed each year as you have grown into the lovely young lady that you are 

becoming. You fill our days with sunshine, smiles, deep thinking (most of the time), and mispronounced words. ;)

After trying ballet, tap, tumbling, and sewing you have finally found your passion - clogging. You are always clogging in stores and around the house.  I'm happy to see that you have found something you love. You did also manage to get your mother's love of traveling. I'm not sure we will ever top your 10th year in that area.  After all, Mexico and Australia are not common vacations!

Kayla, 

It is so hard to believe that you are 11 years old. You have found an amazing group of friends at school and at church. You are kind, thoughtful, and loyal. Every morning I am greeted with a smile, even if it does take you a few minutes to wake up on school mornings. Planning and organizing are just a few of your strengths. When it comes to school you are becoming very independent which is such a blessing to our homeschool days. 

In your spare time I can almost always find you with a book in your hand or a plan being made. Sometimes I wonder if you will ever start playing because you spend so much time planning! You love your sisters fiercely, and you are a great big cousin too. 

You love reading the Bible and journaling about what you are learning. You have memorized quite a few verses this year and you challenge me in that area. I am so thankful that you have chosen to follow Christ and that you are cultivating that relationship at an early age. 

I am blessed to be your mama and I'm thankful for each day that I get to watch you grow into a beautiful young lady. 

I love you always and forever, 

Mama