Tweetsie Railroad

We have had some great adventures this summer!  Grandma and Paw Paw took us to Tweetsie Railroad. I had never been there before and did not know quite what to expect.  It was a really nice place!  It wasn't very crowded, and the weather was beautiful.  There was something fun for everyone in our family. . . . 

We discovered that it is super fun to sit on fake horses!!!

 

And to go to fake jail!!!

I am not sure that my kids have ever been on a ferris wheel, but everyone (including Drew and Grandma and Paw Paw) joined in on the fun!

 The only ride I would not  recommend was the Tilt a Whirl!  We felt pretty sick after that one. 

 Our girls loved the inflatable rock wall - - - - they all made it to the top!

Drew wasn't sure what to think about the petting zoo at first, but he warmed up to it!

 We enjoy the Llama, Llama books, so it was fun to get to see some in real life.

 Grandma and Paw Paw talked us into this one.  I was a little unsure after the Tilt-a-Whirl, but it was really fun!

 Drew was quite brave about the kiddie rides.  He wanted to try them all.  It was nice to have big sisters to bring along!

It was wonderful to spend time with Grandma and Paw Paw.  Joe misses the mountains (and I do too!), so we go up there whenever we can.  We all had a wonderful time!!!

Favorite Things

Every summer since I was a child, our family has gone on a beach trip.  Now that we are grown up with lots of kids, my dad still rents a house for a family week at the beach.  (Thank you Pop!!)  This year my sister Cassie was very pregnant and has a 3 year old.  My sister Meredith has a newborn and a two year old.  Even though we have 4 kids now, I felt like maybe we had it the easiest!  We go at the same time as another family that we have known forever.  They are like family too, and have also greatly increased in number! I love the tradition, and look forward to it every year.

My girls know that my inevitable question at the end of the trip will be: "What was your favorite part?"

Katherine has grown up so much in the past year.  She is so helpful and mature, and is a great big sister.  She still loves the beach, and she has always enjoyed spending time with friends and family.  Her favorite things this year were. . . . .

watching the sunset,

making drip castles in the sand,

and reading on the porch that overlooked the ocean.

Sue has such a sweet and gentle spirit.  She almost always puts others in front of herself.  She loves to take care of younger children.  Her favorite things this year were . . .  

playing with her cousins and friends,

playing putt putt,

and shopping at Eagles for mood rings and dolphin statues - because that girl loves to shop!

Emma has always LOVED the beach. It makes me smile to watch her run out into the waves over and over.  She doesn't mind being dunked under the water.  She is so very full of life!  She actually had way too many favorite things to mention, but here are a few. . . . .

running out into the waves

battling the waves like a ninja,

flying kites, and playing with her friends.

It was Drew's first trip to the beach!  He was a little unsure when the waves first came in, but he quickly came to love the water.  His favorite parts were. . . . . 

seeing the water for the first time,

playing in the waves,

and playing in the sand.

His least favorite part was having to share the Italian ice we bought with his sisters.  It is just so yummy!!!

 I must say that Joe helps me all of the time, but I especially appreciate it on vacation.   He has not always loved the sun and the sand, but now that we have kids he has fully embraced it!  This year his favorite things were. . . . . 

watching the sunset,

and seeing a huge, intricate sandcastle,

I love getting to spend time with my dad and his girlfriend Patti, my sisters, my kids, and old friends.   My favorite things this year were. . . . .

going out in the evening

 and every mama needs a Girls Night Out.

 I had to include a picture of Pop and Patti with all of the kids!