Cuteness Overload

Since the view from our driveway was so pretty, Laura said that she wanted to get some pictures of Laney in one of her patriotic outfits by this cute little red barn.  I was more than willing to take some with my "fancy" camera.  Unfortunately, it was so bright outside that I didn't notice that my shutter speed wasn't correct for some of these pictures.  Regardless, Laney is a beautiful little girl.  I love how you can see her personality in these pictures.

Since the traffic in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg was going to be insane, we decided to stay at the cabin on the 4th.  We went to this cute little general store in town to get some homemade ice cream.  I love being in a small town on 4th of July because the residents are so proud to be Americans.

All across the Valley that night, people were shooting off fireworks.  We were able to walk to the field by our house, look up at the mountains surrounding us, and see the show.  It was awesome seeing Laney's face light up with each firework.  Something I'll never forget.

After a fun-filled week, we headed home on July 5th.  Thank you Will, Laura, Yogi, Gail, and Laney for making that week one we will never forget.  Love y'all!

Adorable

Sweet girl posed on her own.

Sad that my shutter speed wasn't right, but she's still beautiful.

Exploring

Can't. Handle. It.

She leaned by herself.  She's like a little model.

Family.

Vintage America outside the General Store

I love Gail's reaction to Laney leaning on her.

She loves her Nana.

I think Laney likes ice cream.

I LOVE this picture

Uncle B, Auntie Sara, and Laney

Kisses for Laney

Can't handle the cuteness

Thanks Laura for our awesome sunglasses

Mommy and her dog

God's beauty...the view from the end of our driveway that week

My baby girl

Great vacation (excuse how tired I look)

Exhausted on her way home

First TN Family Vacation

Early this year, Brett's family decided they wanted to take a family trip to the mountains.  This was the first family vacation we've taken with Laney away from OIB.  Will found us the perfect little cabin in Wears Valley, TN (about 10 miles outside of Pigeon Forge).  They even allowed pets, so Piper was able to go with us.

We basically hung out all week and watched the World Cup.  The guys played golf two days, while the women relaxed at home since we had the puppy and baby.  We scheduled all of our meals and made a big grocery store trip (nicely done Laura), so we only went out to eat once.  I had heard from multiple people that we should go to the Apple Barn.  Oh my... it did not disappoint.  They gave you these delicious apple fritters with apple butter, a salad, soup, entree, and dessert for an extremely reasonable price (I'm talking like $10).  I was done after the apple fritters.  So like me to fill up on bread before my actual meal.  If you ever visit Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, you must go to the Apple Barn.

After going to the Apple Barn, we went to the Incredible Christmas Place.  If you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas.  This little village had over 43,000 square feet of Christmas. Seriously, I could have spent all week in that store.  It was so large that a couple of times I got turned around.  Going to the Apple Barn and the Incredible Christmas Place was probably my highlight of the week.

With all of the traffic, we decided not to go out to see fireworks on the 4th of July.  Laney had the cutest little outfit and Laura picked the best location, so we had a short photo session with Laney.  Given how many pictures are already in this post, I'll save those for tomorrow.  Guess you'll have to come back and visit to see them :)

Reading with Uncle B

Big girl

Probably watching the Walk of Life video with the Pop's Man

Smiling while sleeping

Love

Daily activity

Beauty

Laney wants Piper OUT

Another family picture

At the Apple Barn. YUM!

My chicken pot pie

Love this family.

Auntie Sara and Laney

Laney mailing her letter to Santa

Love him and that he lets me get excited about Christmas

Siblings

Family

Nana and the Pop's Man with Laney

More fetch

Playtime with chalk

Watching mommy

Braves girls

Oh, the struggle

June Recap

Wow...I can't believe it's been over two months since I've blogged.  That should give you an indication of how busy this summer has been.  With weddings, traveling, a puppy, and getting slammed at work, I took the little evenings I had to try to unwind and relax. 

To give you an idea of everything that has happened this summer, I'm going to be writing a couple of recap posts.  They'll be filled mostly with pictures, but those are the best kind (in my opinion).  Here are the highlights of our June:

• Piper traveled with us (outside of her crate) three weekends in June.  She LOVES to travel. Brett and I give her the whole back seat.  Plopping down in front of the AC, she sleeps almost the whole time.  When we went to OIB, we drove through a hail storm for 45 minutes (driving 15 mph I might add from all of the rain), and she didn't even whine.  How blessed we are that she loves car rides.
• Celebrated our 2 year anniversary by surprising Brett with tickets to Saturday of the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2.  What an experience.  So glad we got to share it with our dear friends Kyle and Amy as well.
• Spent Father's Day (the day after our anniversary) at my parents' house. Piper swam for the first time in their pool...and boy did she love it.  Since she doesn't float well yet, she spent a lot of her time laying down on the first step.  As soon as you pick her up and put her in the water, her little legs start kicking. So sweet.
• Saw my sweet high school church friend get married in Southport, NC.  We stayed at Will and Laura's during this trips.  It was Laney's first time meeting Piper.  They love each other.
• We finished off June with a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN with Brett's parents, Will, Laura, and Laney (we missed you Sam and Maggie).  Stay tuned to my next post for a recap of that trip.  You don't want to miss the cuteness overload with pictures of Laney and Piper.

Piper and Aunt Sierra love playing with my Dad.

Family picture

Piper's first time in the pool.  She absolutely loved it.

At the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 for our 2 year anniversary.  How appropriate.

Baby girl and her crazy flipped-over ear.

That hair though.

Their favorite thing...playing fetch

Love that sweet little niece of mine.

On our way to Mary Beth's wedding

With my love in Southport

We love Southport. Such a beautiful, quaint southern town

The beautiful ceremony

No words

What you get when you say, "Love Piper"

Precious