A short trip

The kiddos and I headed down to Miami this past Monday while Jeremy worked. Jeremy went in to the office for a couple of hours and we hit the road as soon as he got home. It was about a four hour drive, and we made good time (having lunch in the car helps!). We checked-in, unpacked and it didn't take long for us to head back out.

We were really wanting to go to a Marlins game, and despite the rain, decided to give it a shot. It took us a while to finally decide on something for dinner (it ended up being Chick-fil-a!, and Kids Night which meant free kids food!), and then after about a 2-hour rain delay, we watched (part) of a ball game!









We were tired when we finally got back to the hotel Monday night.

Tuesday, as Daddy headed off to work, we headed out to the mall to try our hand at some bowling! Mrs. Kelly met us for lunch at Johnny Rockets first, and then went with us to the bowling alley. After stopping in at a few stores at Dolphin Mall, back to the hotel we went. Just as I laid the kids down for naps, Daddy got back.




On the way to dinner, the kids said they weren't tired.


We had dinner in Miami Beach with Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Keith. Seafood for the adults, chicken and mac & cheese for the children.


Wednesday was another SUPER busy, SUPER hot day. Again, Daddy off to work, so the kids and I headed to the Zoo. OH.MY.GOSH. The Miami Zoo is super huge and I totally did not realize that. I suppose the monorail and the safari cycles should have tipped me off, right?

BUT, we FINALLY got to see elephants! Yes, it has taken my kids 5 years and 3 years before they ever saw live elephants!










Daddy got home just after we did and we all went to the pool for about two hours. One of Jeremy's co-workers went to grab pizza with us for dinner, which was fun. He said our kids were well-behaved, but I reminded him I had completely worn them out at the zoo. Glad he didn't see them on a normal day! :) kidding. They are usually pretty good!

Yesterday morning we swam a little more while Daddy was finishing up. He helped us pack up the room and car and off we went home. Luckily, Mr. Keith was in front of us and called to warn us of the fires that had the interstate shut down. After about a 40 min detour, we were back on our way.

Home, sweet Home!

Mississippi girl (and boy!)

This weekend, the kiddos and I got to spend a couple of nights with my sister in Mississippi. Even on the way up, Ella Grace said how she wished we could stay with Aunt Lo-Lo (as in live with her). She reiterated it a couple of times throughout the weekend! I'm not so sure how my crew of four could live with Lori, in her extra bedroom, with one bathroom...especially with that extra fiber Lori fed Major over the weekend! ha!

Lori entertained the kids to no end! They had fun in the bathtub, playing like there was water in it, and swimming.


And we went to my favorite little place to eat there, Borrum's. A little old pharmacy that has a grill and makes some WONDERFUL milkshakes!!

Playing around while waiting on our milkshakes!

Yum-o!

And Ella Grace had to sit in the laundry basket while she played with Aunt Lori's phone!
Then, we visited the the kids' all-time favorite - a little pizza place with jumpy things for the kids. Ella Grace begged and begged to go to this place. I continued to tell her to stop asking me. My favorite line of the weekend was when Ella Grace said "Momma, I really don't want to say this, but please can we go?" Bless her sweet self, she really tried!
We had such a great time with Aunt Lori. After church, we even got to see Uncle Curt for a bit before we headed back across the state line!

Love you guys!

Travelin' Times #1

We have been traveling quite a bit lately. This is the first post of a few about our trips.

Mom & I went on a trip at the beginning of September. When we got back Mom had a new swing for the kids. They fixed it up and had a ball on it. I think I got some great pictures of them. They were enjoying having their picture made, too.

I la-huv, this picture!

She's such a priss-pot!

I am in love with his blue eyes! They make my heart melt!!

What a Friday!

Have you ever had so much on your "to-do" or "to-go" list that you just didn't slow down? The kids and I spent a busy Friday and Saturday trying to do and see as much as possible. We'll start with Friday tonight, and hopefully get to Saturday tomorrow!

We woke up early at Nana and Pop's. From there we drove to get Major's picture made for his 3rd birthday! That is so hard to say! He did a great job. I was a little worried at first; as my mom said he was doing a "pirate grin" at first. He warmed up quickly, and we got some good pictures. Ella Grace was trying hard to make him smile. She could easily get a job as a photographer's assistant!

After that we dropped by Krispy Kreme and picked out some assorted doughnuts to take to Mee Maw's for a snack. BUT, not before we watched the doughnuts being made. That was cool!

At Mee Maw's we ate our snack and the kids played with the "junk". This is what the kids affectionately call the toys at Mee Maw's. It is a compilation of all sorts of things - from Easter eggs, a small chain, measuring spoons, plastic plates, an old butter dish, a few puzzles, a basket and little tin bucket. The kids never get tired of this and are so excited when they get there to play with this.

Showing off her chocolate with sprinkles doughnut

De-lish!

Major, Mee Maw and Ella Grace

Major and the "junk"

After leaving Mee Maw's we headed to the science museum for a short visit. We ate lunch there and played hard for a little over an hour.

Isn't this cool/creepy?!

It looks like Major fell right into it!

Shew-ee!

Little bit of a problem here...

Hmmm...

10-4

Beam me up!

There is this "thing" there - it senses your motion and transfers it onto a screen that looks very 70s-ish. Ella Grace was trying to get Major in a handstand on the screen.

Our final stop was to the lake. I inadvertently forgot the swimmies, so we did a stop at Grandmother and Granddaddy's house to borrow theirs and then met Pop at the lake. The kids swam and played on the boat, Pop got a quick dive in, and I took a little snooze. I had taken some allergy medicine the night before and was just exhausted. Ugh!

By the time we got back to Nana and Pop's house the kids were worn out! No nap, but they were super! When you keep them on the move and busy, they do a great job! Just don't slow down!