Keeping Up with the Butlers: Memorial Day Weekend

We took our first overnight trip since Kyndall was born Memorial Day weekend. We headed to Pickwick to spend the long weekend at the lake with my family. My grandparents were all going to be there, and we were excited to spend time with our kids playing in the sand and water!

Our actual drive there was pretty miserable. Kyndall decided she wanted to cry the whole way, and, by cry, I really mean scream like a pterodactyl. This led to a very overwhelmed 18 month old and 2 annoyed older siblings. I feel like we handled it really well considering, but Murray decided we all needed a break when we made it to Corinth. We could literally see the lights of the gas station that we were stopping at when we saw some other lights behind us. We felt sure that he would have mercy when we rolled down the window to where he could here the torture we were enduring… nope! He did not feel a bit sorry for us. Cole helped lighten the mood with a “Why’d the Chicken Cross the Road?” joke. We really just had to laugh at the craziness of the situation, and we decided not to worry about it and enjoy the weekend.

Kyndall woke up excited to see what the lake fuss was all about… She’s so stinking cute!

The big three were SO ready to head out and play in the sand! Hayes loved it. He rotated from shovel to watering can to wheelbarrow to bucket…

Kyndall was really glad for an overcast day so that she could be outside for all the fun. Ok… maybe that was me, but she did seem to be happy to be outside!

The water was freezing, but of course they had to get in it!

Snack time!

Smith broke out the paddle board and gave everyone rides. The kids really liked it!

My mom also got this great pool that let the kids do a little more swimming. The water was still pretty cold in it too, but they were sure they wanted to swim!

Then they were sure they wanted to warm up!

The kids were excited to do a little fishing and try out some new lures that one of Murray’s patients gave him for them to use.

We had a special half birthday party for Hayes and Annie while we were there too. Nonny is too sweet and doesn’t think it is fair for them to have to wait basically a whole year from Christmas for their birthdays so she decided we would celebrate their half birthdays. Hayes was pumped to blow out the candles and just couldn’t wait!

Made it through the song!

He got a cool bike/scooter toy that he surprisingly was pretty good at!

Scooter Pro… What?!?

These two are so sweet and usually really love playing together. It was fun to watch this over the long weekend doing things together that they can’t necessarily do at home.

Hayes and Annie were having a blast checking out the creek together!

Life is busy, and we often find ourselves being pulled in opposite directions. BUT there is nobody else I would want to do this crazy life with. Love this guy and am so grateful for him!

Cole missed Uncle Smith’s taxi service so the boys set out to explore. They had a blast and only got a little close to a big snake. Yikes!

When they got back the kids wanted to swim off the dock. Cole started off with a huge cannonball!

Jordan got in first with a life jacket on, but she got flipped onto her back and freaked out because she couldn’t figure out how to flip back over. I ended up needing to jump in and get her because she was so scared… not my plan, I assure you! Cold!!! I was really proud of my brave girl though because she traded the life jacket for her puddle jumper, came right back, and jumped in!

Cole’s dive!

And from my above-mentioned experience rescuing Jordan, I was watching and waiting for when he hit the water. He had no idea how bad it would be, and his reaction was pretty funny!

I happened to catch these sweet moments between 2 of my boys. Such a good daddy!

We loved having my grandparents in from Indiana! Kyndall loved her great grandma!

My brother’s sweet family…

We love campfires and roasting marshmallows! Great Grandma helped Jordan, and Poppy taught Cole who became a serious s’more master! He would so patiently turn the marshmallows until they were golden brown and crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Perfect!