Vacation Day #7

Wednesday, November 3rd was our final day at the condo. We spent time at the beach, the pool, and at a mini golf course. It was a fun and busy last day!

Vacation Day #6

On Tuesday, November 2nd, we drove over to Sanibel Island. We visited the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

K participated in a junior ranger activity and was awarded a Junior Ranger badge at the end.

We went on a drive through the refuge, and we actually spotted a live alligator in its natural habitat! This was so exciting!

Along the driving trail, there were a few trails you could pull over and park, get out of your vehicle and go on a walking trail and explore.

Along a walking trail, we saw this really cool ORANGE grasshopper!

Of course we spent more time at the beach once we got back to our condo!

Vacation Day #5

We weren't planning on going to a zoo, but we learned that this particular zoo had an alligator feeding show, so we decided to go on Monday, November 1st. K thought it was pretty cool that right when she walked into the zoo she saw a bird that looked a lot like the one on her shirt! The zoo was a small zoo, but it was one of the most relaxing times we've ever had at the zoo. I think it had something to do with the fact that it was a Monday and November!

The alligator feeding show was cool, but don't try this in the wild, folks!

Dad always lets the kids get a small souvenir from the zoo gift shop. The children have things from zoos in Tennessee, Nebraska, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and now Florida.

Vacation Days #3 and #4

This is the beautiful view from our condo!

On Saturday, October 30th we spent more time on the beach. L is just chillin' out and watchin' the waves come in.

Now L is running from the waves. Dad and T like to get out and let the waves hit them. They also liked trying to use "the force" (think Star Wars) to stop the waves.

K was focused and diligent with her sand castle building endeavors. She was really excited when we came back Sunday afternoon and she found it all still standing!

Horseshoe Crab!

T slept on the pull out couch.

These are bunk beds the girls slept on. Actually, they only slept on them for a couple nights and then all three kids ended up sleeping on the furniture in the living room.

On day #4, Sunday, October 31, we went to a nearby church for a worship service, ate lunch out, and then went back to the condo to rest and then headed to the beach!

Vacation Day #2

We made it to the beach around 4pm on Friday, October 29th. We unpacked the van, and headed straight to the beach!

I saw some of the most gorgeous sunsets during our stay here at Ft. Myers Beach, FL.

The tidal pools were fun to wade across and play in. It was fun to look for little fish and watch the beautiful birds eat.

Vacation Day #1

On Thursday, October 28th, we left at 3a.m. and Savannah, GA was our destination. We crossed over this BIG bridge (I am scared of bridges).

We made it to Paula Deen's restaurant, "The Lady and Sons" at 2:30 in the afternoon, and were able to enjoy a late lunch (which was technically our dinner since we ate breakfast and lunch so early since we woke up at 2:3o a.m.).

After dinner, we walked to the riverfront and explored the area. It was nice to walk around after so many hours in the minivan.

This is my favorite picture from Savannah! These oak trees with Spanish moss are beautiful!

I'll post tomorrow about our second day of vacation.

More about our visit to Grandma's House

The children enjoy riding Miss Kitty while we're at Grandma's house.

This is our cat Lolly. Grandma kind of adopted her when we moved to PA. Mom wasn't too thrilled about the idea of driving in a mini-van with three children, and a cat nearly 1, 000 miles. So, Grandma took Lolly home with her. The children couldn't believe how much Lolly had grown in 4 months!
Grandma has a really cute dog named Cody. He is great with the kids! The children keep reminding Mom and Dad that we promised them a dog once we moved to PA (since we had to get rid of our other pets). Maybe this spring...if our landlord gives us permission.

CA Cousins

We made a last minute decision to travel to Southern MO to visit Heath's sister and her family before they move to Southern CA. According to mapquest, once they move we will be 2, 634.17 miles apart!

My sister-in-law has always been like a sister to me, and I am also thankful to call her my best-friend. Her children are sweet-natured, well-mannered, well-behaved, and truly a delight to be around. We love them! Jess and Don (the mom and dad) are wonderful parents who strive to point their children to Christ in all they do.
I am certain they will have a wonderful, happy, and healthy life in sunny Southern CA!

So, Uncle Don, Aunt Jessica, Allison, and Carter, we love you and we will miss you greatly! Let's promise to meet up at Grandma's house in MO from time to time. We promise to come to CA and visit so we can go to Disneyland, and build sandcastles at the beach!

Our Mini Vaca in Hershey, PA!

Heath's Mom and her husband blessed us with a 2 night stay in Hershey, PA. We had a good time. The suite was nice. We enjoyed watching cable television (don't have it at home), swimming in the pool, playing in the gameroom, visiting Hershey's Chocolate World, and eating out at Red Robin....yum. The suite was wonderful for families. We were able to eat most of our meals in our suite because of the full kitchen. We were also able to dry all our pool towels and swim suits because they have a washer and dryer in every room. Thanks Grandma and Mr. James! We had lots of fun!

Chocolate World

The Suites at Hershey