Skipping school: Busch Gardens Trip!!!

Before our Busch Garden's passes expired for the year, Andrew thought it would be fun to surprise the two older kids and have them skip school to go one last time.  They didn't put up too much of a fight.  :-) 

 

Chocolate covered smores made the perfect snack to a perfect day. 

Virginia Beach Trip

We took a small family trip down to Virginia Beach for a few days.  The weather was perfect! 

Our first night there we decided to take a walk down the boardwalk.  It was hard to go on a walk and not at least try out the sand a little bit. 

Our second day there we spent the whole day at the beach! 

This little one was very chill and spent about 90% of her time under the canopy or taking a nap at the hotel. 



Carson and Abby both found a friend to play with on the beach. 

This was my favorite part. 

Andrew took the older two on a walk in the evening. 

Once the kids were in bed and all but asleep, we heard fireworks outside.  They were shooting them right off the beach and we had a perfect view from our window.  The kids were too groggy to bother waking up to watch. 

It was a short little trip, but we had a blast! 

Summer Vacation Part 3: The Beach House

We rented a lovely beach house in Indiana along Lake Michigan.  Since part of the trip was rainy, it was nice to have a place where the kids could play and have their own space from the adults. 

 

Grandma and Grandpa bought Kayla and Kaylee these giant balloons at the store. 

Trying out the hot tub.  The heater was actually turned off most of the day, so they were pretty cold!  Luckily it got fixed so the next night it was much more enjoyable. 

Kayla loves her cousin Kaylee

Kaylee tolerates Kayla pretty well.  :-) 

Abigail and Riya sharing an air mattress on the lower level. 

Landon and Carson also sharing an air mattress on the lower level. 

Lunch in the back yard

We found a really nice playground at the park. 

Kayla refused to wear a sweater even though it was chilly. 

 

Summer Vacation Part 2- Chicago

Our first outing once we made it to Indiana was to LEGOLAND Discovery Center outside of Chicago.  It was a good rainy day place for the kids to run around and have some play time. 

 

 

Abigail next to a Lego tiger

Inside the "Lego Factory" learning how they make Lego bricks

A very fuzzy picture of Andrew and Kayla on a ride

Also a fuzzy picture of Carson and Abigail on the ride

There were legos all over the place for kids to play with.  This area was for building racecars

The next day, we rode the train into Chicago and went to the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. 

Watching a worker feed the animals in the exhibit

Checking out the jellies. 

Outside the museums

Picture on the aquarium steps

Very foggy skyline

Inside the Field Museum.  Carson's favorite part of the whole trip

SUE

We were in a hurry to get through the museum before we missed the train, so I didn't take any photos inside the Egyptian area, except for this.  It really was an amazing exhibit! 

Since I didn't take any pictures of the mummies, we took a picture of the picture of some mummies. 

We wish we had more time to explore Chicago!  Guess we will have to come back again.  :)