Park Hopping: Rolater Park

Back in July Bethany and I went on first long park day trip (that ended up being the only long one). We headed up to Rolater Park in Cave Spring, Georgia. It looked like a neat little place with a cave and a creek. We weren't sure what to really expect, but headed there anyway! When we first pulled up, we saw a very neat natural swimming pool. It was fed by the creek that came from the spring. I wished we had brought our swimming things to do that as well! Anyway, we stopped and ate our lunch at the pavilion before meeting up with another friend from church who lives nearby. 

The fresh spring water. We all filled up our water bottles, but my kids and I didn't care for the sulfur taste that usually accompanies spring water.

Shelby and Kyle feeding the fish in one section of the creek. This area was directly below the fresh spring and was off limits for getting in. There were a ton of fish in it and food to feed them!

The crew before heading into the cave. 

Inside the cave - everyone was trying not to get muddy (surprisingly enough)!

Sophia, Shelby, and Paige in the cave.

The crew in the water. They had fun splashing up and down from one end to the other!

Cheyenne and Keira eyeing everyone else's antics.

Kyle, Paige, and Sophia figuring out how best to jump in from the little bridge.

Mercy Rose on the bridge.

Having fun for a group picture!

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Click here to see Bethany's post on this trip!

Park Hopping: Tribble Mill Park

In June we went with Bethany, her kids, and Mom to Tribble Mill Park. While the park itself is decent enough, we went off the beaten path to a natural falls for the kids to play in the water. It comes out of the lake through a dam and flows over rocks where it pools up as well. The kids and I had a great time sliding down the rocks and into the pools!

The kids could hardly wait to get there and took off for the water as soon as we rounded the curve where they could see this! 

Mom even got in the water for a picture!

Avalyn and Paige at the top of the hill.

Avalyn and Paige going down one of the best rapids!

Shelby pouting while sitting in the water. Not sure why she wasn't enjoying herself.

Sophia playing in the water.

Sophia and Shelby splashing and playing together in the water.

Bethany taking a picture of me taking a picture of her! 

Clayton and Kyle going down the rapids.

Cheyenne playing in the water.

Keira sitting in the water near the top of the hill.

Mamaw hanging out in the shade with Patrick and Mercy.

(Most) of the kiddos on the way back to the car.

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Click here to see Bethany's post about this trip!

Park Hopping: Zoo Atlanta (June)

Our second park adventure for June was going to Zoo Atlanta. Our families have memberships to the zoo and so we try to go once a month. This month was our sixth which was a big deal because we have passport to adventure memberships and the kids get prizes for coming monthly. Once you get to six stamps everyone gets a rides wristband for their ride section. Since this was the first time in six months they've gotten to do those things, they were very excited! I took the older kids to figure out zoo's clues first, then we just hung out at the rides and splash pad.

Cheyenne and Keira on the merry-go-round which was our first stop.

Paige and Kyle holding hands on the merry-go-round.

Bethany checking out her pictures.

Then we all headed to the train!

Then we headed to the splash pad! Paige loved standing over the fountain.

Clayton kept trying to chop the water.

Cheyenne loved splashing herself and anyone else with the water!

And loved when the fountains shot up high!

Shelby enjoyed standing on top of the water even when it came back on and splashed around her feet.

After the splash pad, we dried off and headed to the climbing wall. This is a favorite to do at the zoo.

Clayton made it to the top twice!

Shelby was too small to go rock climbing, so she went to the canopy climber instead and had fun climbing up that and going down the big slide!

Cheyenne enjoyed climbing as well, but only wanted to go about halfway up.

This was Paige's first time being big enough to climb. She was excited to try and made it over halfway up the wall!

Sweet little Mercy playing near the fence while everyone else was busy!

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Click here to check out Bethany's post about this trip!

Park Hopping: Lullwater Park (Part 3)

While in the ruins of the mill, I took a picture of each of the kids sitting in the window on the waterfall side of the ruins. I decided to put these pictures in a post by themselves.

Clayton

Cheyenne

Paige

Shelby

Avalyn

Keira

Kyle

Sophia

Mercy

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Click here for part 1
or
Click here for part 2

Memorial Day Picnic

Every year on Memorial Day, the Howland's host a picnic for the entire church at their farm. It's always a great day of food, fellowship, and fun! I only took a few pictures of the kids playing ping pong and riding in the canoe. Clayton also got to paddle a kayak for the first time. He absolutely loved it!!

Jon and Cheyenne

Jon and Paige

Clayton riding solo!

Jon and Shelby

Clayton paddling around the lake in the kayak!

I took a turn too! 

Mr. Barker giving Kyle, Avalyn, Paige, and Clayton a ride in the canoe.