Bluff 2013

We flew from Arkansas to the Bluff for a week of refreshment and ministry appointments. Abby has been talking about going to the Bluff since we left last summer, so despite our exhaustion she was bursting with excitement the whole way there. (We were excited too...just really in need of a shower and a nap!)

The weather was beautiful. The visits with family were sweet. We played lots and enjoyed the lake. Here are a few of the highlights (in no particular order).

Boat rides. Ella had her first boat ride and loved it. At first, she wasn't sure about the life jacket, but once she got used to it she was a little wild child. Abby wanted to drive the boat and when she wasn't at the wheel, she was riding in the front shouting, "G-Diddy, make the boat go FASTER! Can you make the music LOUDER? LOUDER!!!"

Captain Greeley

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Abby and Ella took lots of turns kayaking around the lake and enjoying every minute of it.

Swimming in the lake for the first time

Bath time in Grammy's brand new sink

Lazy mornings

Spending time with Nana

Abby's very first sleepover with Lauren. It was completely spontaneous and initiated by the kids. Abby and Lauren ran up to Joe at sunset and asked if Abby could have a sleepover at Lauren's cottage (two cottages away from us) that night. Abby was ready to explode with excitement at the thought. Of course, we all wondered if she would make it through the night, so we had cell phones by our bed just in case. But, as we expected (she has been begging for a few weeks to have her first sleepover at home and promising she is ready), she didn't skip a beat. She never hesitated and came home the next morning telling us how much fun she had. I have a feeling this will be their first of many! 

saying goodbye the next morning

The girls didn't want to leave each other. 

Playing with Uncle Tommy and his "invisibility glasses".  Tommy convinced Abby that if she put his sunglasses on she would disappear and no one would be able to see her. We all played along and Abby had a magical time.

Where did Ella go?

Snuggles with Uncle John. Ella's hugs melt hearts.

Enjoying a nice meal with everyone at Connelly's

Quality time with Grammy and G-Diddy

Cookies (and every other piece of food in Grammy's kitchen). Ella just loves to eat and she is very vocal about it. She kept us all on our toes making sure we ate every meal right on time. And just in case anyone thought the baby of the family didn't need a chocolate chip cookie, Ella voiced her opinions until we came into the kitchen and found her like this. 

Playing with Mary 

This view seriously takes my breath away every time. 

Spending the afternoon like this...

Making Bluff inspired eagle cookies with Lauren before sunset. There is an eagle that lives at the end of the Bluff, so when I saw this fun dessert in a magazine I knew we had to make it. The girls had fun getting messy and liking their fingers clean of all that sugary frosting. And sunset. Abby looked forward to sunset each day. She made sure we all finished our dinner each night in time to gather at the top of the Bluff and take it all in. 

Her "CHEESE" face.

Greeley. We enjoy some puppy love whenever we are with him. 

Not a highlight...saying goodbye. Highlight: Ella gave G-Diddy an extra long squeeze when we said goodbye. Can you handle all of the sweetness happening in this picture? 

Our annual Bluff family picture