Too Much To Tell!

I was a little intimidated to write this blog but I knew once I started it would go okay. It's been awhile since we've updated because we've been on vacation!! We went several places the last 2 weeks actually. We had an awesome time in the Great Smokey Mountains and Gatlinburg. This was a special Sauder family trip to celebrate Jerry and Kathy's upcoming 35th anniversary. It was awesome--we stayed all together in a big cabin in the mountains. We did several fun activities--an aquarium, a short hike (toddler friendly), putt-putting, Gatlinburg shopping, outlet shopping, a small zoo, Cades Cove, and Josh and I got to go on our very own date :) Nora and Owen still enjoy an afternoon nap--Nora sometimes for up to 4 hours. So it was nice to be able to relax in the cabin in the afternoon. It was a memorable trip! Nora is really turning into a toddler. She was walking more and more--especially in the last week or so. Owen enjoyed holding her hand to help her along. In fact, Nora and Owen bonded quite a bit on this trip :)

Kinda hard to see everyone but this is the group that went in the traditional tourist photo spot.

We spent a whole week in Gatlinburg before driving back the 8 or so hours to visit the Sivey's in Ohio. Josh's cousin, Michael and his family--including 4 month old twins!--were in town from California. Nora enjoyed meeting them :) Here's a shot with Great-Grandma and her four great-grandkids: Harper, Riley, Owen, and Nora.

After four days in Ohio relaxing :) we drove up to Michigan to be at Farwell Lake for Memorial Day. Aunt Kim and Uncle Mark, Mom, Pat and Destiny were all there. It was a rainy day but we had a few hours in the middle of the day to take a pontoon ride together and ice cream. Here's one of mom and Destiny with Nora playing with dirt!


We finally made it home at bedtime on Memorial Day! It felt good to be home. I got some laundry done and started to clean the house before going back up to Michigan to visit my grandma for her 83rd birthday. It was good to see her and Nora enjoyed it too--especially playing Great-Grandpa's organ!

We were blessed to be able to spend so much time with our dear family these last few weeks. They are all great people and we're glad they live so close (MOST of them at least!). It will be good to settle down for the next 2 weeks at home before we go back up to Michigan for my Suzuki training at Blue Lake!