day 3: aquarium

On Saturday we all went to the aquarium. While I was glad to go and see the fish, I was even more excited about the Dairy Queen window that has opened since I had been last. We all had a blast...Caroline even touched a horseshoe crab and ray! After naps and and changes of clothes, we had a cookout and another round of sprinkler play...another wonderful day!Allie and Caroline...as close as she'll ever come to having a cat for a pet

trying to get our picture in front of the shark tank

ocean petting zoo

Nonna (my Mom) with her girls

sharing ice cream at the Dairy Queen

tired crew on the way home; Gramps holding hands with the twins

day 2

On Friday, the kids and I headed to my parents. While Mom was showing me the back yard and garden, Caroline decided to run through the sprinklers. I think she had a great time and before long, all three kids were soaked and exhausted...what a great evening (no wonder they went to bed so easily!).

We tried to get her to play in the sprinklers last year with no success, but this year Caroline loved them!

I was really glad to get this expression with the camera...I see it from him all the time and it is hard to describe, but cute to me

Emma was quite the Papa's girl while we were visiting. She wouldn't go to anyone, including me, when he was holding her

Emma also loved climbing up and down the steps of the deck

Sam was visibly upset when I sat Emma Kate next to him

"Oh yeah, you don't want me here?" that's fine...

"I'll show you..."

"So there!" these little biting fights break out all the time lately

A great trip

Matt's annual golf trip to Myrtle Beach was this week, so the kids and I packed up and headed east. We saw my parents, grandparents, and Matt's parents over the few days we were gone. It was a very easy, laid back trip and it did us all good to have a change of scenery. The kids really enjoyed the extra attention and getting spoiled and I liked having the extra hands.

We spent the first night with my grandparents and then the others with my parents. I took so many pictures (imagine that!), that I will have to post them by days, so here is our first day of our mini vacation with Gigi and Gramps. We had a great dinner the first night and the next day went to the Lynnwood Zoo in Jacksonville (who knew?). Thanks for having us, it was wonderful!

Gramps and Emma Kate feeding Billy, the goat

watching the doves

the love birds

"Come here, baby. I have a little treat for you." Caroline was excited to see an animal so close to the fence.

Caroline and Mommy by the Zebra

feeding the antelope

most of the family at the Lynnwood Zoo

"so sweet"

the look of trouble to come