Arkansas

Our summers are always full of baseball and travel...this summer was missing the travel part and we were bummed about it.  Luckily Bob, Edd, and Maw Maw were secretly working on a surprise trip to Arkansas to meet up with each other.  A week before we left, Bob shared the secret with our family and we were so excited to get the chance to see the Vilts.  It's been over 8 months since we had last seen each other. Carter, Landon, and I left Wednesday morning and picked up Maw Maw and Paw Paw to start the 14 hour trip.  We stopped at a hotel in Nashville the first night.  The boys love snuggling with Maw Maw at the hotel.

Bob and Nolan had baseball playoffs on Wednesday evening and they couldn't miss it because Bob pitches to the boys (coach pitch).  The boys played tough and ended up pulling out a win for the championship.  Once the games were over they jumped in the car to start the journey to Arkansas.

When we arrived in Arkansas we were over the moon excited to see each other. There was lots of screaming, hugging, jumping, and crying with excitement. All is right with the world now that we have the chance to be together.

The house we rented was right on Lake Hamilton, which is in Hot Springs, AR  We had a dock that the kids loved to sit and jump off.

I was so surprised at how much the kids loved using the kayaks. 

Meal times were always full of fun.  A crowded table is the norm and lots of chatter and laughter too!



The weather was wonderful and hot!  The lake temp was over 90 from the crazy hot days and the warm nights (and maybe from a few natural hot springs here or there around the lake).  It felt like bath water. 

We explored Hot Springs Downtown while keeping our distance from others.  




We ventured up the trails to the Tower downtown.  It was super hot and quite a steep climb.  Here is a group of hot people who just climbed a mountain.  


These sweet kids love each others company!

We spent time hiking each day together!


The top of the tower...observation deck!

 Nothing like wearing a mask 500 feet in the air. 

Luckily the National Park was enforcing social distancing and we had the entire deck to ourselves. It was great.  

Maylee was super attached to Maw Maw from the moment she woke until she crashed at night! 









Lando horizontal dive.  Look at that form 

Addie with the ninja kick to the face 












Falls Creek Falls

Our favorite excursion was renting a pontoon boat for the day.  We had an absolute blast. 

Yep, we are absolutely out of control!














May wearing Landon’s sunglasses was too cute 

I spent each morning out on the dock with coffee for my early morning meditation before any of the kids woke up.


Carter could sweet-talk Maylee into anything!

Smoke bombs!

Maylee loved the bubble machine.  She would use the bubble solution to scrub her arms and legs each day.


It wouldn't be summer with out a tie dye t-shirt!  

Evenings winded down with a movie and popcorn together.

One of the big attractions about 90 minutes away was the Crater of Diamonds State Park.  This was a place you could go and dig for diamonds.  It was hot but it was such a great attraction to do with the kids.

May babe with Daddy

Nothing like a hot day in the hills of Arkansas looking for diamonds... recommended to do at least once in your life 


The vacation was over too fast, however it was just what we all needed.

Cousins spending time together is priceless to the soul 

Until we see each other again...