July 2024

We are back in Rome and getting settled into life as a family of five. First on Hudson list? Rearrange his room into his dream room...beds moved together, piano moved in, colored lights turned on

WE arrived back just in time for our annual 4th of July beach celebration with our friends.

It was a good time 

Ruthie, Lauren, Silas, Katherine, and Hudson

On a walk through the park and all of the wild bunnies were out. They are quite big and not really too afraid of people

At a going away celebration for Cynthia

Cynthian is moving to Germany

His favorite way to ride in the car

And we are off!

Beautiful views from the hotel room

Always enjoy seeing a new European city

WE finally got to meet baby Ryan! He was born just before we left for the states.

He's so big already!

A little bubble tea mother/daughter time

"Helping" our friends with their move

The girls always find many ways to entertain them

Saw them out on the street another day and teh girls got BIG hugs

They really were moving so we helped with the kids.

Fort Building is a must when you are a kid

We also enjoyed spoiling them a bit...rides/games at the mall

a "free zoo" AKA a pet supply store with fish

Everyone meet Claribell, the stuffed animal that Ruthie fell in love with and Aunt Kelly just HAD to buy ;) 

And I couldn't not buy something for Silas, too. The girls were with me and laughing. They said, "at least we know what you will be like when you have grandkids one day." Haha, they are probably not far off.

How do you entertain yourself when it's 105 outside? You do henna on your hands and feet.

And play lots of Monopoly!

Getting some water on our evening walk to the Colosseum. It was a cool 96...we can handle that!

Still hard to believe that we can walk this in 20-25 minutes

I started walking on Wednesday mornings with my friend, Rachel.

Oh, and the 4th of July group shot! Not sure how it ended up at the end, but here it is.

June 2024

Me and My sister

Benjamin's Graduation cap and gown photos in America (he's doing this for his mama and because I said he will look back one day and wish he had)

At Aunt Jan's house learning some family history :)

We were able to visit Washington D.C. in our whirlwind stateside. It was just for a day, but we tried to see as much as we could. Of course the White House was on our list to see. We didn't know that a Pro Palestinian protest was gathering. We got there early but by the end of the day there were thousands. Happy we were able to get a quick glimpse

The Washington Monument....you know you have lived in Rome a while when you think "Why is there and obelisk in America?" haha

Lunch from a food truck and eating in the shade

Walking to the Aviation Museum...we passed so pretty buildings and flowers...we never got to go in to the aviation one because you had to book a time slot

The Capitol Building

We walked A LOT due to several protests that basically shut the transportation system down. So we headed in to the NAtural History Museum for some AC and bathrooms and looked around for a bit.

We could hear and see this protest coming

Vietnam Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington Cemetery

WE drove part way back to Knoxville then crashed at a hotel for the night. The next day we had Cracker Barrel on our drive back.

Not a trip to Knoxville without visiting the Mast General Store

Hudson found his truck ;)

Benjamin was on the news!!

He was talking about the trade school that he is doing.

Driving herself home from physical therapy

Well, we say a sign for Bucee's and thought...we have to know what everyone keeps talking about. So now we have been.

Met my brother and sister and family in Gatlinburg for a couple nights. What a wonderful time! I'm so glad they were able to travel up to see us.

Grace and Katherine had matching water bottles!

walking in town

the kids

everyone

Ok, these fritters were sooo good!

Grace adn Hudson

We went to the aquarium, too! I didn't know they had a homeschool discount! It made it to where we could afford it!

a little indoor putt-putt

And the boys wanted to end the trip with a visit to the Knife store

Benjamin bought a car!!!

Target trip with Emily and Mamaw

Happy Father's Day 

Grandmommy came to visit us so we celebrated her birthday early

Pelican's SnoCones

Emily arranged for an evening playing TopGolf. It was so much fun!!

Friends of Mamaw came to visit for a day...and we all loved on this cutie!

Especially Hudson

Grandmommy and her sister Jan

a little family Disney Trivia....you basically need to be on a team with Benjamin to win ;)

My favorite meal...Wasabis

Look at all of that food!!!

Cruze Ice cream

Jonathan with Emily and his mom

We had free ice cream at the UT Creamery

Saying goodbye already...too fast

WE were surprised at Granddad's...cousins, aunts and uncles came to say goodbye!

Ashley drove down from Nashville

Sprocket

He's definitely Granddad's dog

Michael and Granddad

The crew

Kelly, Kim, Dad, Michael

Paige...and Aunt Kim photo bombing :)

Drove down to Jackson to say hi/bye to Regan. We got a kick out of the girls representing three different universities...Union, William Carey, and Campbellsville. It will be interesting to see where the other two end up.

New swings on campus

Chic-fil-A breakfast

Some family fun before we leave...Putt-putt...we were the only ones to brave the heat

It was a really fun course, complete with nets to fish your balls out of the water...smart!

Regan said I looked like the course...demonstration required :)

Getting some shade

Jonathan cooked one of her favorites in her dorm...chicken pot pie

Oh, Regan had a GREAT time on her mission trip to South Africa. She can't wait to go back!

Recreation

trying on sunglasses with Auntie Em

The three of us...doesn't happen all that often anymore

A snapshot from Top Golf
 

And we arrived back in Rome to this sweet face at the airport :)