Our Amazing Summer (part one)

 Our family loves the summer! No schedule, no school work, just trips, adventures and hanging out! We did so much this summer we had to make two blog posts so we didn't overload you with pictures! This summer we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Because it was a bit of a drive from Virginia, we decided to make some stops along the way.  Our itinerary was as follows: Baltimore to watch the Mariners play the Orioles, The Creation Museum, The Ark Encounter and Mammoth Cave National Park.  We packed it in and had a blast. 

I would say our favorite stop was at The Creation Museum.  Our family learned so much and we left knowing what the Bible says about creation and the 7 C's. (Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, Consummation). Knowing what we believe and why really shapes who we are and how are family lives. 

We loved the huge rainbow in front of the ark!

It was huge!

Finally, after five amazing days on the road, we arrived at Gulf Shores to celebrate my parents! The boys had a blast swimming and being with their cousins. It was wonderful to be with everyone at such an amazing location. All three of them got to parasail and Abram went fishing can caught some huge (and delicious) fish. 

I love this picture of the five of us!

And this one of the entire family!

And enjoying enormous ice cream creations after everyone cooperated for family pictures. 

Even the grown ups enjoyed our treat!

Our favorite picture of the five cousins. 

My sweet parents enjoying their anniversary beach trip... 50 years!

Sparklers on our last night

Up they go! They had a blast!

Abram caught the first fish... look at the size of that thing!

Even my mom went up!

Our final stop on our way back home was to see the Natural Bridge. It was way bigger and far more spectacular than I was expecting. So glad we made one last stop on our road trip!

We took two camping trips this summer. Our first one was to the Bluffs at Cedar Creek and it was amazing! This new camping location only has five spots and all are on the creek. There is beautiful landscaping, a pond to swim in and a creek to explore. It was just perfect for our boys. 

 Swim Team was a huge part of our summer. From daily practices, pep rallies and meets... we did it all and we are so proud of our boys. They had great attitudes about practices and meets and they didn't get discouraged just because they didn't get first place. They grew in both confidence and ability... we can't ask for anything more. Now they are gearing up to start winter swim in a few weeks. 

With their year end medals

Luke and Abram at the Dolphin Duel.

Jack

Our boys getting ready to compete in the back stroke.

I love this shot of Abram.

Luke doing the backstroke in a meet.

Enjoying a break with ice cream cones!

Abram competing in the free style.

My little fish!

The obligatory swim team pose. I have so many of these pictures from my childhood. I love having their's now, too!

Jack swimming the breast stroke.

Abram doing the breast stroke.

I love this picture... we were so excited for Luke to decide to compete in the butterfly for his last meet. He did an amazing job!

I have no idea why these pictures ended up at the end, but these are of our final stop on our road trip before the beach. We went to Mammoth National Park in Kentucky. Lets just say it was super interesting to come here after the Creation Museum. But none the less, it was stunning!