Back to School

Nobody was ready for school to start again this year.  Grady and Myles wanted to see their friends but that was about it.  As they get older, it's harder to get "first day of school" pics.  They were not having it this year.  

Grady heading to 7th grade.  Doesn't he look thrilled?

Myles wouldn't even look at me.

Yay!  I had one taker!  She was the happiest of the 3.  Heading to 1st grade.

Watch out 5th grade, Myles is on the way.

Thrilled, I tell ya.

Summer in Virginia

During the last few weeks of Summer, the kids and I flew to Virginia to visit my parents.  We had a lot of fun, as usual.  Checked out the old favorite sites and hung out with family.  It was a great end to a busy Summer.

The kids were awesome on the flight.  Waiting for Papaw to pick us up.

Home cooked meals were waiting.  Haha!  Mom, I love you.  You have a plethora of strengths, cooking is not one of them.  

Mimi got a few make overs whether she liked it or not.

We went to the Trampoline Park

I was able to get in some awesome, much needed trail runs.

Papaw took the boys out shooting

This is always one of their favorite things to do in VA

We had some museum time, of course.

We met up with Uncle Will and did a tour of DC on scooters.

We come home to this.  Poor Mimi!  Emma had a great time playing doctor.  I'm not sure if the patient is feeling any better.

She was the boss as she ever is.

On our last day, we made it to the National Zoo.

More shooting pics

My loves.

They had a dinosaur exhibit at the Zoo

Myles didn't want to play along ;)

I had some tricks up my sleeve to keep Emma under control on the plane and in the airport.  

It worked beautifully.  Home again.

Venice, Florida

 We were lucky enough to score an amazing vacation thanks to Leia's, my sis in law, family.  Her mom and dad bought a sweet home in Venice, Florida and asked if we wanted to borrow it.  It was a perfect house and close to a lot of fun places to visit.  We hit every beach in the area, went to the pool and met up with old friends and family.  It was a pretty easy, laid back vacation.

The cute little house

A drink in Siesta Key

The house had toys all over.  Emma was psyched.

Checking out the Florida gators in Myaaka State Park

Grady caught a Gopher Tortoise

Grady is really into fish right now.  We found a cool "mom and pop" fish shop.

Josh's dad drove down to see us.  Orlando was only 2 hours away.  He stayed for a few night and let Josh and I go out.  It was awesome.

Sushi Nachos.  They were delicious.

Next to the house was a YMCA.  We are members at home so we could go and use the pool.  Every. Single. Day.  They even had a diving board which kept the kids busy.

Josh getting into the action.

Grady

Myles

Siesta Key. The sand was white and the water clear.

Emma made friends with the Racket ball coach at the Y.  She got two free lessons that week.

Emma ran into this plant every time she walked into the house.  She told me to tell Cindy and Dan to "put police tape around it".

The neighborhood had no shortage of parks/playgrounds

Shark Tooth's beach

Myaaka State Park

We went to a horrible road side zoo that was called a "sanctuary".  I was horrified and we didn't stay long.  Never, never visit the "Big Cat Sanctuary".  It was one of the saddest thing ever.  Gross.

Look at all the sharks teeth we found.

We met up with Jenny, one of my besties from high school.  It was so much fun to catch up and let our kids play.

While Emma chased grasshoppers

Mackenzie

The boys

Emma's racketball coach gave us some fresh fish her friend caught.

The trees were amazing.  Over all, it was a great vacation.