Cruising Beaver Lake

For the longest time now, everyone has been telling us that we need to go spend some time on Beaver Lake. We've hiked on trails that provide views of the lake and I've even gone with Haley down to some of the parks that border the lake and provides swimming access. Lake access is only thirty minutes away, but without a boat or so much as a canoe, we haven't had the chance to really experience the lake.

Well thanks to Robert and Shannon (Shannon is Renee's former boss from Marketing Drive) we were given a tour of the lake and had the chance to swim in some of the coves. Haley had a blast! We all had a great time. Thanks for taking us out on your boat.

Here is a description of the lake from a website: Beaver Lake, completed in 1966 and nestled high in the Ozark Mountains, is located in northwest Arkansas, The 28,370-acre lake is the first of the impoundments created in Arkansas and Missouri along the lengthy White River system.

Taking advantage of the natural scenic beauty, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed a variety of recreational facilities. Paved access roads wind through 12 developed parks. There are 2,008 acres of campgrounds and over 650 individual campsites. Visitors can enjoy such conveniences as electricity and fire-rings. Drinking water, showers and restrooms are nearby. Other facilities -- picnic sites, swimming beaches, hiking trails, boat launching ramps, sanitary dump stations, group picnic shelters and amphitheaters -- are also available in the parks.

With 487 miles of shoreline highlighted by limestone bluffs, Beaver Lake offers a world of recreational opportunities. Marinas and outfitters are plentiful. Cabins, resorts and other lodging ring the lake, and campgrounds are also available in good number.

Haley and Connor relaxing while we motor out to a swim spot

Haley enjoying the view

Katie standing proudly on  a rock that she swam to

Robert and Connor at the helm

Haley getting the Princess treatment

Heading back to the marina, and completely exhausted

Thanks again guys for such a great time!

Grandma and Grandpa Joe Visit So Mommy and Daddy can go to VEGAS!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Joe came to visit and spend a few days with Haley so that we could go to Las Vegas for our anniversary. I'm sure complete debauchery took place here in Arkansas while we were away, but we'll never know because there are only a few pictures of what went on--and I'm sure they were staged scenes anyway.

As for our trip to Vegas, well first we...and then we  got on a plane to come home. You know, typical trip to Vegas. In all seriousness, we had a great time. We spent some time (and money) in the casinos along the strip and ate some great food. We also saw the Cirque du Soleil show KA.

We had a day with the fam before we left for Vegas so we went to the splash pad.

It takes some serious coercion to get Haley on the splash pad

But once she's there she loves it    "You can't catch me Grandpa Joe!"

Making brownies after the splash pad

Making Grandpa Joe look "pretty"

So the following pictures were taken with my camera while we were gone in Vegas. I'm sure some crazy stuff happened while we were gone, but I can't prove it...yet.

The first of only two pictures we took while on our trip. New York Hotel & Casino. I don't know why we didn't take a pic in front of the MGM (where we stayed), or any of the other great sites in Vegas for that matter.

The other photo we took:  View from our room at the MGM. The pools were great.

4th of July Fireworks at Orchards Park in Bentonville

We decided to keep it local and go to the fireworks at Orchards Park here in Bentonville. We had a great time dancing to the live music before the fireworks show. Haley and Renee had some shaved ice. Then Haley spent most of the time running around and being her normal crazy self. The fireworks were great as well.

Haley can't wait to get there...

Haley and Mommy with their shaved ice

Music

Pond, fountain, and waterfall (not in pic) at the park

More of the park. You can't see it to well but there is a flower garden in the center at the end.

Videos from that night. The last two videos are the finale of the fireworks.

This video is a little bit long (almost 5 minutes)

What we thought was the end, was not. The fireworks  started back up and lasted another half minute.

Haley's Pre Fourth of July Fun

Haley had fun playing in the water with our neighbors Tate and Jocelyn during the day and then several of the families in the neighborhood got together to light fireworks and eat cake and watermelon.

"Whoa, Dad. Let me know when you're going to take a picture."

Okay Dad. Enough!

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free..."

Mini Captain America

Videos from the day:

I know it looks like Haley was scared...but she wasn't. She was screaming because of the rainbow.

Neighbors lighting fireworks

Haley Goes Prep on Us

So Haley has been really good about dressing herself in the morning. It's always fun to see what combination of shorts/pants and top she comes up with. Today she decided to go with a prep look. Too cute. And of course when I took the camera out to take a pictures she decided to start modeling for me.

July's First Fridays Event at Bentonville Town Square

First Friday is an event that is put on every first Friday of the month starting in March. There is a new theme each month and the activities and entertainment are based around that theme. July's theme was the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that will be completed in November. It's located about five minutes from the downtown Bentonville square. Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I used my phone to take the pics and videos.

Yummy.

Haley is so cool. I didn't even ask her to do this. She saw it and said, "I want to do that...now." She made the weight limit by less than five pounds.

She kept trying to do a flip because that's what she saw all the other kids doing. She came very close. She put her head back and got her legs up but just couldn't get herself to flip over. She rocks!

She always has to make a trip to the water fountain.

We end the night with some really great Crepuscular Rays shining through the clouds. Click on the link to learn more.

 

Here are some videos from the night. The quality is not great because I used my phone.