Fathers Day 2023!

Arnold is such a good dad! He is always involved in the kids' lives and there for them.  

We decided to spend the day at Lake Lure beach. We thought it would be a fun thing to do with the kids, and a good place to remember dad. He took us to lake lure at least twice a year, every year since I was a baby. I love the mountains.. everything so beautiful there and it's so calm and restful. You can't beat the view! The weather was beautiful for us! It was hot, but not too bad. 

Last time we went up there Arnold had to carry in a big cooler-- we've since gotten one with wheels, which made it a whole lot easier this time! We packed stuff for a picnic lunch. 

I actually wore my bathing suit and went swimming in the lake! Most of you know that Im not a big swimmer ( I CAN, I just don't like to) and Im self conscious about wearing bathing suits, so it was a big deal for me. But lately I'm trying to do more, in honor of dad who used to give me the hardest time about never going swimming! And ill admit I did had FUN as soon as I got over the shockingly cold water, and the nastiness of the lake.. I did shower as soon as I walked in the door that evening, haha! 

Love my hubby! Glad we were able to pull off a fun day for him! 

Sisters!

The night before we went to the store and Rachel and I picked out floats to take with us. They even had a sale so we were lucky! She got one with flowers and I got one with pineapples. I took a sparkly pink float to the beach last year and loved it so I thought Id try it again. My arms were sore that night though after holding myself up in it all day!! I am not used to using those muscles and swimming, haha! 

I guess poor Arnold had to do some work on Fathers day! He blew up our floats for us! We are spoiled! :)

Brooke in her backwards cap and coke bottle.. haha

Caleb laid down and fell fast asleep... he took a nice nap... the girls were mean and took pictures of him asleep with his mouth wide open, but I didn't! 

Arnold put his hat over his face and decided to rest in the sun as well!

Brooke had bought a new outfit the past week and wanted to wear it.. and me to take a picture. She said the linen pants just felt "beachy" to her. That Girl loves to shop! 

I wore my dad bracelet which I've worn every day since my BFF Joanne got it for me! I'll admit the day was pretty tough now that dad is gone. I used to love spending the day with him and eating yummy food and letting him know how much we cared about him. Being in the mountains made me feel close to him, though. That was one of his favorite places to be, too. Rachel even remembered the funny jokes he used to pull on them, like telling them to watch out for the alligator in every body of water they were in.. even just regular swimming pools! We saw a few ducks that day also... dad had wooden ducks sitting on his shelves in his office at home. Little things here and there kept reminding me of him! I miss him so much, but I know he's having a blast in heaven! 

Rachel's 14-yr Interview & Birthday!

Shoe size- 7

Going into Grade: 9th (highschool!!)

Party theme this year: sharks
Gifts this year: clothes and makeup 

Favorite Color: red

Favorite Animal: cats/orcas

Favorite Food: shrimp

Favorite Drink: sweet tea

Favorite Snack- hot Cheetos

Favorite candy: twizzlers

Favorite Season: summer/fall

Favorite Holiday: Christmas

Favorite Restaurant: Shuckin Shack (too bad they closed!)

Favorite Fast Food- Chick Fila

Favorite Tv Show- The walking dead

Favorite Movie: The new Spiderman

Favorite Book- none (Breaks her mamas heart!)

Favorite Flower: lavender 

Favorite Thing to do: sleep.

 

Favorite Store: Ross

Favorite part of school: Science

Favorite Thing to Wear: Jackets 

Best Friend: Destiny, Shinbi, Hope, Maya, Cheyenne, Mackenzie, Kailey

What are you afraid of? bugs

What do you want to be when you grow up? A psychiatrist 

What do you want for Christmas this year? Money

Where do you want to go to college? Lenoir Rhyne 

Most excited about for high school? Football hames/marching band 

Rachel had a birthday dinner this year with some friends, her parents, grandparents, and sister. Unfortunately Caleb couldn't be there because he was at ROTC camp! We went to dinner at Red Lobster because her fave food in the whole world is shrimp!! 

She told me she liked sharks.. no idea why? LOL but she said she wanted something scary and I said um no! They only had kid looking stuff that I could find so we went with what we had! Haha.. the plates and balloon and table cloth all came from target. The cake was actually pretty cute with an ocean theme-- they had baby shark and we were going to switch it out with a "cooler" shark but didn't get around to it, so it was fine! The little sharks ended up being bath squirties and the waitress had mentioned her little daughter loved baby shark, so at the end of the evening I have her the toys for her daughter! Im glad someone could enjoy them! 

When we were standing outside after the party the string came loose from Rachel's arm and the balloon went floating away! :( Her friend got this picture.. and its called Samuel because in our family we always name stuff... don't ask why... lol.. but his name was Samuel the Shark! 

Sweet sisters!

So glad Grandma could make it, even if she hasn't been feeling the best!

We love our girl! Cannot believe she is 14!!

Rachel and some of her close friends that came to celebrate with her!