A Merry Chaos: A long weekend in Buffalo River Country.

The five of us recently spent three days in the Ozark Mountains (mine and Robby's favorite place on earth) with Kim (Robby's older sister), our niece Ashli, and nephews Blake and Ryan. We stayed in Jasper (the very town we named our oldest son after) at a cabin a mile outside town. It was tucked back in the woods off of Hwy 7, complete with hot tub, a game room made from 27 different types of wood, and breathtaking views of the mountains. We had a great time together! We spent our days exploring the ever so charming Jasper, swimming in the Buffalo National River, eating good ole Southern meals, hanging out at the cabin, and doing a little hiking nearby. And, of course, Kim and I got lots of girl chat in. :) It was a good bonding time for all of us, especially the kids. And any time spent in the Ozarks is a time of unspeakable joy for me in particular; when I am there, I feel completely in my element. I am convinced that when God was making that particular region of the earth, He had me on His mind.

And now for some photos!

Jasper in Jasper!

At the cabin, Kim tries to get a cell phone signal by standing "exactly.like.this". ;)

My beautiful niece Ashli posing on the deck off the master suite.

Blake and Ryan getting cozy in the game room.

Yours truly checking out the view.

My nephew Blake and I.

My beloved Scenic 7 Byway!

The Ozark Cafe in Jasper (our favorite).

Rockin' outside the restaurant baby!

Jazz enjoying his meal.

Robby's order- the Excaliburger (a half pound meat patty between two grilled cheese sandwiches!).

Ozark Cafe is popular with the bikers passing through.

The kids outside of the Newton County Jail (yes, it's really a jail!).

Playing some pool at the cabin.

Handsome boys!

Bridge over the Buffalo River.

In the water.

My girl having a blast in the river.

Aunt Kim flirting with Jasper. ;)

That's me doing a little bluff jumping.

A fruit stand in town where we stopped for peaches (there was no one working the stand- there was a table with a mailbox with a slit cut in the top of it where you left the money for the fruit you took. Seriously, what is better than that?).