I almost missed an opportunity...

Last week Caden was selected to be Star Student at school, this week Maggie was selected and because I was too busy worrying about life and what was going on at work, I almost missed the opportunity to record the kids answers to questions about their life.

That was until I was brought down to reality by our Maggie.  I will post more on their answers later but right now this is the one line that brought me back to reality, made me realize that it is definitely time to slow down and to stop missing time with my family....
The question was, "When I grow up I want to be..."  Maggie's answer, "5 and ride on a school bus"
Just think about it, that is the realm of her growing up and it is only a short year away. 

So to start my Friday, I have tears in my eyes, proud, happy and sad tears, and I took 5 minutes during my morning coffee to stop and record this moment because my little Maggie Lynne made me remember what is most important, mommy needed this to bring her back to her priorities.  No it should not take my almost 4 year old to remind me but sometimes it does.

Here is to a happy Friday and a great weekend filled with lots of family time!

Our family vacation to Gatlinburg TN

This summer we did not get to take a week long vacation but we did get to take 4 days and head to beautiful Gatlinburg, TN.  Our reason for when we decided to go is so that Matt, Caden, Papaw Frank and Big Papaw could go to the NASCAR race at Bristol but we enjoyed our trip and here are some great photos to remember our time by.

Waiting to start our adventures in the aquarium!  What a great place for the kids to explore and learn plus they are stroller friendly - bonus!

Don't they look thrilled to be there?

Matt making fun of me for capturing all of our memories!

Condo time:

Where Cale spent most of his time, rearranging the furniture on the deck!

And this is where Cado spent most of his time. 
He played at least 2 rounds a day!

Maggie showing her golf skills - hold still ball!

Mallory came out to play

Matthew taking some lessons from Caden at the end

This is how Mallory walked for at least 2 months - on her knees!

More putt putt - this time a new course

Riding the carousel

The little ones loved the carousel!  We rode 3 trips making for a dizzy mommy!

And now for when Matthew decided it would be a good idea to take the older two to the race park - not a good idea.  Here are Caden and Maggie trying to see if they can ride the rookie track by themselves.

Maggie trying, Caden NERVOUS

He had way too much time to think about it

We were in the cars but Maggie was too short so we bailed!

 And since they couldn't ride by themselves daddy thought they should ride with the adults - Caden's face says it all!  He cried the whole time and Maggie spent most of the trip hiding under Papaw Frank's arm!  GREAT IDEA??? Oh well they did it but they both said they do not want to do it again but being a McCool I know this was just the beginning of race track driving tries.

So that is our trip - it was relaxing, even with sick kids - of course there were sick kids we went on vacation didn't we?  It was great family time.  Plus anytime we can take these kids to places to learn and explore I know we are blessed. 
I would like to give a big shout out to Matt and Jesse.  Matt for letting me borrow his camera and Jesse for having Matt as her boyfriend so I had the opportunity to use and try with a wonderful camera!  It was a great way to capture our memories so thank you both!

I love vacation and this one was no different. 

There was swimming, eating, walking in the beautiful mountains and most of all FAMILY TIME!