I Love Extra Long Weekends

Hot Springs has been our day trip destination for years. No matter how many times we visit, we always enjoy the shops, the architecture, and all the history that is there. It's also home to one of our favorite Ice Cream shops, Kilwin's! This time, I had Chocolate Peanut Butter. It was pretty much a Peanut Butter Lover's dream...

We also stopped at the Christmas Shoppe this year! I don't think it has ever been opened when we were there, so it was a treat. The store is very small, but every square inch is covered in all things, well, CHRISTMAS!!!!

Daddy and his girls:

By the time we had circled the downtown area, we were worn out. It was very humid, and well, toddlers have a way of making you extra tired. ;) So we stopped at our favorite coffee shops, except this time, I ordered an iced fruity tea. It was so good!

And now, I'm ready for  quiet day at home in my jammies, and catching up on housework. Hope you had a great weekend!

Petit Jean Mountain

I was feeling a bit restless the other evening, and what better than a dose of fresh air and sunshine? So, we headed to Petit Jean Mountain known for it's sprawling views, waterfalls (during rainy season), and hiking trails. It's also a booming campground during the summer and holiday weekends.

It's a bit of a drive, but it was worth the trip! The sky was so blue that evening, and the weather was perfect. I love seeing our state from different perspectives--and this one certainly did not disappoint.

This picture = my heart. And if you can't tell, they are both 100% daddy's girls. ;)

It's very serene and peaceful. A good place to clear your thoughts and of course, explore.

Josh wrangled the girls for a few minutes, so I could walk around to find different angles for pictures. So thankful for a fun hobby that always points me back to the awe struck wonder of our Creator. Isn't His work magnificent?

The sunset on the way home was fantastic, but I failed to capture it's beauty. Two little girls had had enough...so, home we went. ;)

Happy Wednesday!

Around The Winding Road, To The Lake We Go

One of my favorite things to do, is go for long drives with the windows down (and the radio turned up of course!). Especially, when the weather is nice. Yesterday, we did just that. We worked our way around the lake...through the spiraling roads, and up, up, up, the mountain top, only to work our way back down to one of my favorite spots: the Marina!

Evie was all about feeding the fish. I think we went through about six bags in less than 10 minutes! Ella, however, was not about to let go of her sippee cup even to feed the fish. She was happy to just watch her sister. ;) It's fun watching the girls experience new things!

After yesterday's adventures, I've decided on a few things: We need an Airstream, a boat, and a hammock. And a fire pit to make S'mores! I think Josh might agree. Just maybe. ;)

Weekend Away

We got to sneak off to the Ozark Mountains over the weekend. It was an early celebration for our seventh anniversary. We stayed in a delightfully "off the grid" type bed and breakfast. It's tucked just off the back highway from Mountain View. The rooms are decidedly stuck in time as they are well versed in antiques. The best part? Our room didn't have a television, phone, etc.

When we first arrived, we took a few minutes to walk the grounds. The landscape is what sold me on the place. They have a beautiful private lake, rolling land, and it's nestled at the base of a mountain. The setting was serene, and it felt like you'd stepped into another world. I desperately needed that time to unplug and recharge.

I had way too much fun setting up photos, and searching for perfect lighting. The grove of trees were beautiful, and we spent some time walking around. I grew up in the Ozarks, and honestly it made me realize how much I missed the area.

We also visited a nearby tourist attraction, Blanchard springs, known for it's waterfalls, and underground caverns. It is the perfect place to find a sliver of adventure.  Not to mention, the weather was perfect!

While in the Ozarks, you HAVE to have catfish. I mean, that's just the way it works around there! I've been to Jo Jo's On the River many times as a kid, and I was excited to take Josh. I don't think he has the same enthusiasm I do for green tomatoes or hush puppies, but ya'll they serve the BEST. I'm just sitting her drooling at the memory of them. I'll have to go back soon. ;)

So thankful for a weekend away!

Wye Mountain

If I were being honest, Sunday didn't get off to a great start. We had a rough morning trying to get the girls loaded up and off to church. By the time we were out the door, I realized we were running half an hour late! I don't tend to make excuses, but there are some days you just have to re-group and re-plan the day. And bank on grace.

We later ended up going for a long drive through the backroads in the Ouchita mountains. We took the back road back to our little town, and stopped at Wye Mountain. It's a large field that boasts a daffodil festival every year. It was fun stopping by to see what was left (we had an early bloom season). While most of the flowers were gone, the greenery and landscape was still breathtaking! It's amazing how beautiful the world is around you if you only stop and take the time to enjoy it.

I thought Evie would go crazy over the flowers once we showed her the leftover patch. Nope. The only thing she was excited about was running free with daddy, and collecting rocks. Haha! Kids. They keep you humble. ;-)

I love that we've been given the gift of exploring our world together as a family. Just the way it should be. <3