Power Outage= Impromptu Vacation

When the power went out on us last Friday at 10:30pm due to a huge storm blowing through the region, we spent a sleepless night in extreme heat, before checking our phones to see that the power outage was widespread.  Knowing that it could be days before it came back, we decided to ditch our weekend plans and head to see nana and papa at Smith Mountain Lake.  We checked in with them and they still had their power, so off we went at about 10am Saturday morning.  Impromptu vacations turn out to be some of the best ever!  We had a great time and Ella can't wait to go back next week!

 The girls enjoyed snuggling in the hammock on the porch at the condo.

I absolutely ADORE this photo of my two sweet babies!

 Amelia enjoyed playing with the wind chimes

 Sometimes I forget to take a photo of myself and document I was actually there. I tried this time, and the result is this less than lovely cheese self-portrait

 Melia and Nana enjoying the boat

 Ella, ready for full speed ahead!

 Oh my little Miss and her binkies.  Gotta kick that habit this summer.

 Boating with my sweet Elle

 Pool time with Nana, with retro editing effects.  Looks like the photos of Nana and me in 1982

 The girls couldn't get enough of playing with daddy in the water, whether the lake or the pool, he was the most fun!

 Nap time

 Yippee!

 And to top it off, our cousins from Texas drove in and surprised us!  They got there Monday morning, and we left Monday evening (assured by our neighbor the power was back on, and in time for Shaun to get back to work).  Ella with her big cousins, Katie and Jackie.

 Ella with her other big, but not quite as big, cousins, Nathan and Lacy

 Another favorite photo from the trip.  

Shaun jumping off the boat with Ella and Lacy.

 Papa with Amelia, enjoying some rays

 Nathan in mid-jump.  Uncle Shaun gave him a boost.

 Look who's driving the boat!

Handsome hunk a burnin' love!

We really enjoyed playing in the water.  Ella slept the whole way home she was so worn out.  Amelia, not so much.  But they both had such a good time.  Thanks nana and papa for a great impromptu weekend!  And thanks cousins for coming and making it that much more special!