Quarantine Chronicles {still}

Well, I thought quarantine life was lifting, but alas the number of cases is rising again and we are back to being cautious about who and what we are around. Philip feels strongly that wearing masks and social distancing will keep the numbers from spreading like wildfire, so that is what our family is doing. We have spent lots of time with our family and the kids have loved the cousin time they are getting. 

Mom, Anna Jo, me and the kids ventured to McConnells Springs for a little hike. 



Baby Charlotte is getting cuter every day and we love getting to see her. 

My best friend came in for the week before we left for the beach! 

We spend a lot of time in Georgetown either at Matt & Rachel's pool, Nanny & Pop's, or Auntie Jo's. 







We spent the 4th at the pool, then at Anna Jo's for fireworks that night. Matt and Philip put on a great show (again) and even though it was a late night it was well worth it. 

We also took a trip to Lake Barkley with the Burton family. We stayed in one of Megan's friend's lake house (which was beyond nice) where we could swim in the pool and fish from their dock. Everyone got along well and we all had a great time. 





Our neighborhood pool opened! Since it is considered private, it was allowed to open to limited capacity. We have been going in the morning on week days when it isn't crowded and the kids can burn off some energy. 

We took the boat out and convinced the Birdwhistell family to take a sick day and come with us:) 


We also met up with the Sarlls boys for a bike ride. 

We are just doing our best over here. Making decisions that are best for our family and our circumstances, while attempting to balance seeing people we trust and feel comfortable being around (outside and apart as best as we can). 

Parker's preschool announced they will not be opening back up in 2020, which we are pretty heart broken about. This is an odd time we are living in and we are still waiting Fayette County to make a decision on what school will look like in the fall. 

Thankfully we know our Lord has us in His hands and He is in complete control. 

You can buy me a Boat

I knew when we did our lake trip last month, that the itch had been surfaced for Philip. I should have squashed that itch then, but I let it fester. Conversations (some heated) were had, feelings were shared and the outcome was : Philip bought a boat. And I will say my feelings were pretty mixed about it. 

Especially when this beast showed up in our driveway. 

The kids were elated and immediately climbed up top and made their "beds". 

We had to park it at Auntie Jo's for a week during our beach trip and while we figured out where we would keep it long term. 

And a few days after we got back from the beach, we took her out on her maiden voyage. Nanny, Pop, Uncle Bubby & fam came along. We got her into her new home on 'Houseboat Holler' on lake Cumberland. our neighbors were super friendly and helpful. 











We had our tube from our eclipse trip years ago, so we dug it out, blew it up and put it to use. Ainsley was brave and stood up to surf. The girls loved it too, so we took turns going out on it and everyone had a blast (well maybe not nanny). 

Philips dad met up with up with us for a bit, but said it took over 30 minutes to reach us from his marina. Overall it was a successful first time out (sans a few injuries to toes, feet and an ear).  

my mixed feelings turned to much more favorable feelings as I floated in the water and watched my family go down the slide. and listened to their laughter coming off the tube. and watched Philip look stress free and relaxed. I left that day happy and hopeful to all the memories we will make on this boat. 

Besides there isn't a better way to social distance than out on the water, right?! 

Coronacation 2020

Several months ago, after having to cancel our spring break Disney cruise and our 10 year St. Lucia anniversary trip, we booked a beach trip to just get away. It was at the peak of quarantine and we needed something to look forward to. Philip loves vacation planning so he found us an awesome house in OBX, NC. And the countdown began.

As luck would have it my best friend Whitney needed a get away too, so she got to come with us! 

Just an elevator in the our house, because i let Philip pick the house and thats how he rolls.

 We had our own pool which was so nice and ideal for social distancing. 



We had our groceries delivered to our house, ordered takeout a few times, walked to the beach when it wasn’t crowded, and headed to the pool when it was. The kids and I didn't go in any store, and when Philip did he was required to wear a mask and hand sanitize upon entry. 

Ainsley loved wake boarding the first day. she did it over and over and over again. Then the jellyfish sightings and stings began and she decided she didn't like the ocean so much. 



We walked on the pier one night, wearing masks until we were at the end of it. We hung around hoping to see a small boy reel in his catch but it was taking too long so we went back to the house. 






The kids really enjoyed the sand this year. They loved playing in it, building things, burying each other and looking for sea shells. Parker thought the ocean was so nice to “give him shells” but also got mad when it “stole them away”. He also loved punching and fighting the waves. 













The jellyfish were really bad this year. Philip got stung twice, Parker and I each got one and Ainsley was too terrified to get in after the first day.  True to himself, Parker wasn't afraid of getting stung again and wanted back in the next day. 

We went to the Wright Brothers Museum one day. It was so hot but the kids loved running around and learning about the history. Parker really wanted to make it to the "number 4" stone. 

We took nightly walks on the beach where there were several large puddles from the tide coming in. Parker loved these puddles and Ainsley decided she did too. 

We played Marco Polo and Sharks & Minnows more times than we could count. And they played critter round up with Aunt Whitney, because she bought them a bucket of critters. 





We went to the Sand Dunes one morning and it was so cool to see the “desert” as Ainsley called it. We watched people hang glide and raced back over the dunes. Momentum caught up with Parker and he ended up face planting and eating some sand.  




Ainsley had us all doing gymnastics on the beach and would give us awards (shells) for the best performances. 













We had a wonderful time and were all able to relax and just be. We slept so well, laughed so much, napped, ate and enjoyed escaping reality for a week.