Fun at the Zoo

Since we had to cut the vacation short, we decided to head to the zoo. That's just as good as the beach, right? When we got there, we asked the boys what they wanted to see most since we didn't have time to see it all. Noah wanted to see the snakes (ick!!!), the cheetahs, and moneys. I really wanted to see the sea lions. John was just happy to be there.

Talking to the orangutan

Waiting for the sea lions to be fed

Watching the sea lions

The lone seal

Vacation

Just before Noah started pre-school, we hit the road for one last trip. Greg had to go to Atlanta for a meeting on the way, so we took advantage of the opportunity to visit our friends who live there. We left the house at 6:30a... Very early!

Starbucks for breakfast in the car

Notice how they have everything they own on their laps

Trying to color

Too much stuff

I'm finally out of the car, but I can't straighten out...

When we got to Atlanta, we ate dinner with Greg and left him at the hotel so he could be close to his meeting place the next morning. We got back in the car...and headed to our friend's.

Noah, Addison, and John playing with baking soda and vinegar.

Dressed himself.

Dylan, Addison, and Noah making s'mores

Placing an order

The man enjoys his s'mores.

Playing soccer...or tackle football...you decide.

Before leaving Atlanta, we went The Dwarf House (the original Chick-fil-A). 

Hunter had to eat too.

We split up so we didn't have to wait so long for a table. All the kids wanted to sit with the daddies.

Hunter with Mommy and Ms. Hayli

The whole gang

Saying goodbye...so cute!

Next we headed to Columbus to visit some family.

Napping in the car.

Sporting a Burger King crown

Watching a movie with Joshua.

Our plan was to head to Destin after Columbus, but Hurricane Isaac put a little kink in our plans. We debated about going somewhere else and in the end decided to head home.

Random frog sculpture on the side of the road

We stopped in Nashville on the way home to spend the night. We got to have dinner with Greg's aunt and uncle. And, what would a road trip be without a trip to Bass Pro Shops?

Riding the Gator

Posing with the bear

It turned out to be a huge blessing that we headed home. John got a terrible cold/cough on the way home. I slept in the bed with him in the hotel. Every 30-45 minutes he would wake up and cry. So John and Hunter were waking each other up all night. When John was sleeping he was snoring. By 2:00 in the morning I was just wishing it was morning so we could get in the car and go home.

The Visiting Tour

In July, we went on a trip that turned out to be many visits. It was very fun. First stop, Grandpa and Grandma's. Grandma was very brave and let the boys help make cookies. There was a small mess, but they did well. There was only a little flour everywhere.

Resting after the cookie making.

Our next stop was Bolivar to visit our friend Darin. We went to eat first thing when we arrived. Noah was cold and asked to put the nursing cover over his legs. The next thing I know, he's wearing it around his neck. 

The Bolivar fireworks display took place while we were there. We sat on Darin's back patio and watched... Well, we sat and waited for them to start anyway.

This is how John "watched" them.

Next we made a brief stop in Springfield at Boy Heaven (aka Bass Pro Shops). I think we could have spent the entire day there. The boys (including Greg) loved it.

Watching the fish

Look out for the bear!

Driving the Gator

Noah's crying because he wanted to drive

One minute later when it was his turn

Checking out the alligator gar

After the stop at Bass Pro Shops, we headed to Branson to visit our friends at Kamp. 

The boys and Harper playing in the waterfall

Having dinner at Kamp

Noah, John, Me, Hunter, Lindsay, and Harper

Jumping on the giant pillow

When we left Kamp, we went to the Landing in Branson and stayed. 

The boys checking out the water

Slumber party (aren't they sweet!?!)

The next morning, daddy had a little work to do before we headed to Arkansas.

Working with Daddy

Hunter is helping Noah

Sleeping in the car...notice how his head is propped up on the recorder.

Everyone pooped out.

We visited our friends in Arkansas. We rode on a golf cart to a pasture where some horses were. I wish I had a picture of us on the golf cart! It was a two seat cart. But, we had two adults and 5 kids on the cart. We were quite a sight!

Morgan helping John give the horse a carrot.

Noah petting the horse

I couldn't believe he did! He's generally a little cautious about these kinds of things.

Thankfully, the horse did not bite John!!

Hayden, John, Noah, Hunter, and Morgan all decked out in their Mizzou gear.

Our next stop was Grandpa and Grandma's again for a family reunion. (We were kind of all over...)

Noah with his feet propped up.

Mega Slip 'n' Slide - The kids were not waiting until the first one was down. Good thing they were little and didn't gather much speed.

Look out! 

Playing Bingo.

Helping Uncle Gary call Bingo.

Barrel Rides

Just chatting

...or eating dirt.

What is it with boys and dirt?

Too dirty to wear clothes in the car. (And very tired.)

Our final stop was Poppy and MiMi's.

Yuck!

Playing together

Lunch "poolside."

Roasting Marshmallows

MiMi had to help a little.

Poor Hunter doesn't get a s'more.

"I'll eat Hunter's!"

The boy likes his food.

Checking out a bug.

Aiden helped give Hunter a bath in the sink.