Wowzers...so I haven't been updating this blog in like FOREVER...seriously. It's been a while!! Not that I have (m) any followers...but still.

Posting some pics of the fam- including our new baby boy Logan...he's an absolute angel and we are all in total love with him!!! Such a blessing!!

Dylan is playing Upward bball and really enjoying it! It's amazing how much he improves week to week. So fun to watch!! :)

Just got Madison registered for Kindergarten for next fall...can't believe she'll be 5 soon...then I will have two kids in school...craziness!!

Myrtle Beach, here we come!!!

FINALLY!!! It was time to head for Myrtle Beach- one of my most favorite places to visit!! I have so many fond memories of that area from my teen years...it's just tradition to go there and enjoy all the great things about it! The beach of course, but the pools, the neat shopping, mini-golfing late at night, shows and such. IT was great!

One of my favorite things to do is just sit on the balcony and just be. You know- just sit quietly and hear nothing but the ocean waves and the seagulls and smell the salty air. To me, there's nothing more relaxing (ok, a massage is close...). I just love it!

The kids just had an amazing time swimming, playing on the beach in the sand and spending time w/ Grandmama Jeanne and Papa Henry and Aunt Courtney! It really was a fantastic vacation. I think this was the first year they both were able to really enjoy themselves at the beach.

Our vacation... Pt 2!

For the next few weeks, the kids and I stayed at my parents house in Greenville, SC. It was so great to be home and have plenty of time to visit w/ friends and family! When you live so far away, the 2 week Christmas trip just doesn't allow for much extra time for friends. That's what I was looking forward to!

The first week we were in Greenville, the temps hit 100+ degrees. Man was that hot! Especially to me and the kids who were still kinda used to much cooler temps in WI even in May. We spent some afternoons in our little pool I got at kmart- that took much longer to blow up and fill up than it should have! lol! Isn't if funny how we make some things harder than they really are?? Over-thinking...yeah, that's what it was!

One main highlite was my sister Courtney's graduation from Mauldin High School!! I was so proud of my little sister...and is disbelief, really, that she was actually old enough- that I was old enough- for this to be happening! I was 14 when she was born, so I still kinda think of her as a "kid", but she has grown into a beautiful, smart, funny young woman now! She begins college in a few short weeks. Go girl!!!

We had various trips to friends homes and playdates to keep us busy during these few weeks. We were also looking forward to our former church's VBS! The theme was "Lanakila Cove" and the kids absolutely had a blast! I was completely amazed at how quickly they learned the songs and coordinating "moves"! The first day, they were singing all the way home! Of course, I had to buy the worship CD the next morning and we all enjoy singing along now!! So precious to see them grow in their love for Jesus and learning about Him!

It was also so wonderful to back at our "home" church. God has so blessed Biltmore and it was bitter sweet for me to be back there. We saw many of our dear friends and at times it made me more "homesick" for Asheville again. Maybe "someday"...

It's about time now to head for the beach...we were really missing daddy and it was time for him to fly back down for our vacation at Myrtle Beach!! Wooo hooo!!

Wow- it's been like- forever!

Well, I guess it is about time I got on here and updated our little family blog!! A lot has happened since my last post...basically the entire summer!

We hit the road on May 24th early...like 3:30am early (to beat Chicago traffic)... for our 6 week adventure back "home". We arrived in Hickory, NC at Erik's parents house that evening and the kids were just thrilled to see Meemaw and Papaw Barnes again! We hadn't seen them since Christmas, so it was definitly about time! We had a great week there in Hickory spending time w/ family and just enjoying the South again! Erik was able to get a couple days work in Charlotte done too while we were there, so that was good.

We were also gearing up for Dylan's 5th birthday party coming up that Saturday in Asheville! He was so excited to finally be 5 years old! I just couldn't believe that my "baby boy" was going to be 5 already! Where does time go??

We drove down to Asheville that Friday night to prepare for Dylan's party the next morning at Asheville's Fun Depot. The party was great- good pizza, cake and tons of rides/games to be played! It was so great to see old friends and family join us to celebrate Dylan's 5th year!!

After all the great fun at the Fun Depot was over and everyone was totally wiped out, it was time to head even farther south to my parents' house in Greenville, SC!

Where do I begin?

This is my first attempt to enter the world of "blogging", believe it or not! I know it's been around since, like, forever...but I've just now begun an interest in the "blogosphere"!

I admit that I originally thought of blogging as well- boring or something only really creative writers do. I now have a totally new concept of it all...after reading some really great "real people" blogs lately, I have been inspired to start one for my family! So here it goes!

A little background, I suppose, would be in order. I am Laura. I am married to the best guy ever...Erik! We have been married now for almost 8 great years and I am so thankful that God brought us together!

We have 2 amazing children!

Dylan is almost 5 (May 30) and is just the most intelligent, inquisitive little boy! He has begun asking some really tough-but great questions and challenges me daily! (both in good and not-so-good ways!) He is such a thinker...just like his Daddy, and just fills my heart with joy when he is singing!

Our daughter, Madison Claire, just turned 3 years old and is our sweet, delicate darling girl! She's everything you think of when you hear the words "Little Girl"! She loves princesses and dresses and soft, fluffy animals and baby dolls and pocket books...and getting into Mommy's makeup!! She is the light of our lives and has her Daddy right where she wants him- and he doesn't even know it! :)

In the next few weeks, we will be embarking on some fun new adventures- hence our blog name! God Bless!!