Memorial Weekend @ The River

May 25-28, 2012

Our first trip to the River this year!! Jeremy took Friday off work so that we could leave that morning and get to the River in time to unpack and get our camper in order. We weren't sure what Caleb remembered, if anything, from last year so we also wanted him to have a little time to warm up to being there since it was basically new all over again for him this year. We talked about going to the River all week with him and he was so excited to go. He got to sleep in the Pops and Nana's camper since Kailyn is still getting up during the night for a bottle and we were afraid to keep them both in ours in case she woke him up. I think Pops and Nana may have been more excited about Caleb being in there with them than Caleb was...fun!

It is a 3 hour drive up there, so we got up and packed a few last minute things and left the house before 9am- wow, I am still impressed about that time! So we were able to get up there and enjoy most of our Friday on the water. First order of business- test out Pops and Nana's new boat!!

Kailyn fell asleep soon after the boat started going. She did not care for the life jacket, so we were glad she fell asleep!

Caleb did not have a nap that day, so by this point, he was just plain exhausted. He also took a little nap on our boat ride- comfy in Nana's lap!

Pops and his little princess.

Swinging with Mommy before dinner.

Pops and Daddy hard at work, getting ready to grill some chicken.

The only thing bad about the River is that time just slips by and before you know it, it is time for a new day! Saturday was another day of perfect weather and lots of fun. We enjoyed another boat ride and parked on a beach on the river bank so we could swim and play. Kailyn took a brief nap after we parked then got to swim in the River for the first time!! It was also her first time to wear a swim suit- so cute. Then in the afternoon, we went to the beach across the street from Deedee and Pappy and Caleb had lots of fun playing with family.

Kailyn wearing her first swim suit.

Loving the monogrammed hat :)

Caleb was excited to be going on the boat again.

Caleb wanted to sit in the shade with Buddy.

The TN Barge!

Kailyn's first time to swim in the River.

Caleb was having so much fun with Pops and Nana!!

Pops and Nana with their grandbabies!!

Our Family- LOVE :)

Mommy and Kailyn swimming.

Daddy was actually able to get Caleb away from Pops to play for a few minutes!!

Captain Caleb and Co-captain Pops

Mommy and Kailyn watching everyone play at the beach Saturday afternoon.

Mommy's 2nd cousins Lucas and Landon played at the beach with us.

What a relaxing afternoon!

We love holiday weekends! Instead of having to pack up and leave on Sunday, we had another whole day to play and enjoy the River. By Sunday, Kailyn was getting more used to being there and took 2 long naps- yay!! We had more of a lazy day on Sunday but still enjoyed swimming and boating. The best part of Sunday was that the entire family went on a sunset boat ride- in 2 boat loads!! Deedee and Pappy even joined us. We stopped by the barge ties for the brave ones to do a quick jump then floated in the River while enjoying the sunset. Great memories.

Headed out for the sunset cruise.

Uncle Phil's crew...which way?!

Excited to have Deedee and Pappy with us...for they are the reason we all have and love the River so much!

Kailyn with her great-grandparents :)

Uncle Phil jumping.

Jeremy Toppe jumping.

Uncle Great (Keith) jumping.

Love them!!

Mommy and her mini me!!

What a fun weekend to kick off the summer season at the River! We had a blast and are looking forward to many more weekends this summer. Caleb absolutely was beside himself with all of the special attention from Pops and Nana, boat rides, golf cart rides, throwing rocks into the water, swimming, and just being outside for 4 days straight!! Kailyn loved being outdoors too and adjusted really well to being in such a new environment. We feel so blessed to have such an awesome place to escape to and so many loving family members to share it with 