We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

On Monday, we went with our friends to the Atlanta zoo. Melinda bought a season pass, and she got some free passes, so it was very little money for all of us to go. We took: Collin, Cayleigh, Mason, Mallory, Ava, Dawson, Amanda, Adam, Aubrey, Brendan and Baylee. It was quite a crowd! The kids had a great time. When I asked, Mallory's favorite animals were the pandas and Mason loved everything.

It was hot, and it rained during lunch. We ended up sitting just outside the Cyclorama doors to have our picnic. The kids didn't care. By the time we started to eat lunch, they were just hungry. They would have sat in the rain. The kids played on the cool playground and went to the petting zoo. Each child chose two activites to do, also. Mason chose to go rock climbing and Mallory wanted to ride the carousel (of course!). Then we all rode the little train that went around the Children's Zoo. It was fun and the kids had a great time.


One of the last things we did before leaving was go to the parakeet house. You could buy sticks with food on it to feed the birds. It was a big cage with lots of parakeets. They would just fly around to anyone who had a stick and eat off their stick. The kids were a little nervous at first (as was I) but when they got the hang of it, they loved it. The birds would actually fly right to you.

By the time we got in the car, everyone was really ready to go home. We'd been there since 9:45 and we left around 3:30. It was a long, hooooooooot, day. But a trip everyone will remember!






















Mallory was facinated by Willie B.




















They both loved feeding the birds.














Mallory and Brendan watch as the panda has a snack.




















Mason got half-way up and decided that was far enough! Go Baylee!





There are a bunch of pink flamingos when you go in the gate to the zoo. The kids were facinated!

More summer fun!

The kids had another fun day at VBS this morning. Afterwards, we went swimming at Melinda's pool. The kids have a great time there and didn't want to leave today. (Mason wants to move into her neighborhood!) It was crowded today but the kids (all 11 of them) didn't seem to mind.

Mason is getting braver when he jumps into the pool. He's taking a running start and jumping as far as his little legs will take him. And, yes, I do feed him!

Ayden, Mason and Ava started the jumping together to see who could jump off first. Makes me a nervous wreck. Look how close Ava is to the side!

Bradley had a great time at the pool. He didn't hesitate in the water and didn't want to leave!




















This is Mallory's favorite thing to do. She can float all by herself and go wherever she wants to in that float.



The kids are having a great summer. We've got lots planned (or atleast our planner, Emily, keeps everything planned. Thanks, Em!

We had supper club at Ma's house tonight. This was the last one for a few weeks. They are taking a family trip to New York next week, so we'll not have our club for two weeks. It makes me sad! I'll miss them.

Bradley Dean

Andrea's son, Bradley, came to visit this week. We picked him up yesterday afternoon in Chattanooga. They went to VBS this morning, had lunch at Wendy's, saw a magician at the library, went to Mallory's cheer practice tonight and finished out the night with dinner at the Mexican restaurant. He probably felt like he was on a roller-coaster. But he's been a trooper. I get tickled at him every time we get in the car. He wants to know where we are going and exactly how long it will take us to get there. He's become my new "back seat driver". I ran over a curb this afternoon at Wendy's and he says, "Aunt Staci, Those curbs are everywhere. You have to watch out for them!" I laughed so hard. It was a busy day, and I didn't have my camera with me. I promise some pictures tomorrow.

He went to bed without complaint, even though I think 8:00 was early for him. He only got up once, but he just wanted water. Bless his heart! I hope he has a good time!

Good night, my sweet angels!

Our newest adventure...

Mallory has never been involved in any organized...anything. So when Cheerleading was offered through the church's Upward program, I thought it would really be something she was in to. She LOVES it! She doesn't quite "get it" yet, but she's practicing and loves to wear her uniform. Her first game was Monday night and it went pretty well, considering: it was hot, the bugs were bad, I forgot bug spray, and the uniform really didn't fit her that well.

Gracie joined in the fun and is fitting in well with us Baptists!















Bless her heart! She does what the other girls do for "spirit", and most of them just kick their leg out! She's so cute!














2 x 4 plus 8 is 16...all for Upward...stand up and lean. A lean, lean, lean, lean....















Space girls, spread out so you don't kick each other when you show your "spirit"!

They really are very cute. And they really are learning alot. The games are Monday nights at 7:00. Anyone is welcome to join. Just bring a chair...and some bug spray!

And not to be outdone by his sister, Mason is playing flag football. He got on a team at the last minute on Monday night, so his jersey didn't even match. He was so excited! I don't really understand the game yet, but we'll learn.

Gulf Shores 2009 (Take 2)

We had a great time at our trip to the beach. The kids love the beach and never wanted to leave it. Here are some of the clips we got from the trip.

Our family photo. Mallory wasn't too happy because she'd been up a long time, had been at the beach all day, and was ready for bed.

Abby loved the swings. She must have ridden this ride 3-4 times and was more beautiful each time!




















This was Mason's favorite ride. This year he was finally tall enough to ride the kiddie carts by himself. He was so afraid to bump the other cars that he would sometimes stop to let other carts go past him.















After a long day at the beach and night at the "carnival"!















Mason loves the beach!




















Two little boys built this little pool on the beach. Mallory thought it was so cool and spent most of the day sitting right in this spot. She would collect sea shells and hermit crabs and put them in the pool to watch. She was so cute.



















Look at those muscles!















They held on to their last ticket so they could convince their dad to take them back to the "carnival" before we left town. It worked!















We wanted to take the kids to play putt-putt because Mallory had never been before. At each hole, Mason would "line up" his shot. It was so funny to watch him imitate something he had seen a grown-up do on TV. And he was very serious about it!

Overall, it was a great trip! Our condo was beautiful and the view from it was awesome. We ate breakfast every morning from the balcony. We'll definitely be going back.

Off to the beach

Well, the kids and I are headed to my mom's house in a little while. We are leaving with her in the morning for the beach. Gulf Shores, Al. to be exact. We have an amazing condo (for cheap!) and three days in the sun. I can't wait and the kids are really excited too.

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles

Last month, at our Spring Fling, some friends of ours gave the kids a bubble machine. Last night while we were in the back yard, Christian turned it on for the kids. They absolutely loved it!! And, WOW! It makes a lot of bubbles. The box said 4000 per minute and I believe it. These are just some of the cute shots we took of them. Thanks Julia and Katie for the bubble machine!