columbia zoo trip. ftw.

This past weekend, Mr. P and I and my brother and sister-in-law decided to take a trip down to Columbia and take the girls to the zoo. My brother and I were in Charlotte Friday working a golf tournament so we decided to meet Mr. P and Kiki and the girls there. Only they took forever. So Steve and I took a detour to a driving range and then to the parking lot to take a nap.

Finally, they made it. And it was time to hit the zoo.
Some of Kiki's family made the trip down as well and brought their kiddos. BG had an absolute blast running around with the other kiddos.
Seriously, how many people can one fit into a photobooth?!

The day was so fun. The weather was less than perfect but the kids didn't care. When it rained, we hit the indoor exhibits. Or we ran around in the rain. Either option.
We had such a good day. I love spending time with my little family and I love being surrounded both other friends and family. And my girl? she's made like me. She thrives with her favorite people around.
It was a good day. I kind of can't wait to do it again.

maryland: the trip's end.

You can read about the rest of our trip here, here, and here.

After our crazy New Years Eve, the parents of the little ones were dragging (to say the least) on New Years Day. So it was low key. And that's putting it mildly. My parents' neighbors came over for a little while to visit and attempt a family photo for us, but a certain toddler wasn't having it so that didn't go so well. Uncle M, the SIL, and I finally felt human enough that evening to go do a bit of shopping but even that wore me out.

Thirty is not so kind in some ways no?

The next day was our last day in Maryland. We spent the morning lazing around and just soaking in the last few moments of everyone being together. Unfortunately a certain toddler was once again, not having it, so her mood in the pictures is pretty evident. Toddlers are weird.

We had been telling BG about the beach just down from my parent's house the whole trip but had yet to make it down there, so we decided to hit it on the way out. It was bitter cold. BITTER, but I still attempted a family shot for grins and giggles.

And because I'm insane.

I asked my brother to try and get a good picture of me and the little while we were out there. That didn't happen. This next sequence can be called "Bipolar Toddler". She refused a picture and wiggled her way to the ground, but the second I attempted to walk away, she wanted to be picked up. I'll say it again; toddlers are SO weird.

All too soon it was time to be trapped in the backseat with two cranky kiddos for 8 hours the drive home, so we packed it up and headed back to Carolina. We were all spent, including the girls, so the trip seemed to take even longer to get home than it was to get up there. But we made it. I made the little brother get back in the back for a bit while I drove, but that lasted about five minutes. Both girls were hollering while he played on his phone and I tried to shush them from the drivers seat. Men are special.....

The trip was a blast. It was so much fun to have almost everyone together in one place. Next time though, I'm not getting stuck in the backseat with both kiddos on both trips.

Savannah (recap) (day 3)

So I should finish these recaps huh? You can find Day 1 here and Day 2 here.

Our last day in Savannah was much like the rest of our trip. We did a lot of laying around and hanging out and chatting. We managed to make our way out to eat with my aunts and granddad, but that was the extent of our activity for the day.

Oh, I made my family dress up in our Fourth of July clothes for a family picture since we didn't have one for the year. They were pleased as punch about that. That would be the extent of the activity for the day.

How cute are the girls in their matching SheShe Made outfits?! I wish I could have gotten some better pictures, but they were not feeling it. Oh well.

We had to soak up as much time with the sweet baby as possible. I think Mr. P might have the fever.. He'll deny it forever though.

It was the perfect weekend. It was low key and perfect and I already need to go back.

Savannah (recap) (day 2)

I'm finding my way to the other side of a bombshell so I'm finally ready to sit down and do some updating. So here goes. Nothing I like more than being a month behind on the blog.

::Sigh::

You can catch up on DAY 1 of this trip here.

I took an insane amount of pictures while we were there (shocker) so I think I'll keep the words short and let the pictures do most of the talking.

Besides, we really didn't do much. A lot of waiting around on the people with the new baby (grr), a lot of boiled peanut eating, a lot of watching Baby Girl play, a lot of laying around, and a lot of just good, 'ol lazy family fun.

Waiting on AK to wake up. We did a lot of that...

Days spent lazing around on the back porch are just about my idea of heaven. Not even a little bit kidding.

My Papa's neighbors are two of my favorite people on this planet. It's been a hard year for them too. It is so good to see these laughs.


There's a water park that opened downtown a while ago that we had never been too. One of the main things I wanted to do while we were there was take BG down there. Well, we eventually made it. Not when I had planned but she got to go and she loved it. A little bit hesitant at first but then she was full speed ahead.

I do love that little grin...

She even managed to get her uncle out there with her.

I think it's safe to say, the splash park was a major hit. For Baby Girl and Uncle Marine.

UM and Kiki wanted ice-cream while we were down there, so Mr. Perfect walked with them to get the little one a cone of her own. Proof she loved the splash pad? we had to drag her away for ice cream. That doesn't happen.


After she was completely soaked and all sugared up, we changed clothes and headed out for dinner with some of our best friends. It's quite a different scene now; all of us married and three little girls along for the ride, but it's still so much fun to be with these people. I adore my friends.


We ended the night with some play time and drinks at KK's house. I never want these nights to end. I so miss these people.


Such a good day and night. Super full, but so fun.

Total picture overload I know, but I can't help it.