Ready for the Weekend?

I start back to school on Saturday. I'm ready, I think. Lyle told me the other day that I needed to finish school so I could be his "Sugar Mama". He just wants to go back to school for his pilots license and I told he I already put him through school once and it was my turn.

Chawhee Park and Zoo

One of the last places we went to was Chawhee (I think I spelled it wrong) Park and Zoo. This Zoo was in the middle of a forest. It was cool. Almost the whole zoo was up on bridges. The thing my kids remember most is the alligators. They had a ramp that put you right over the swamp. The alligators were so active. We could have sat and watched them forever.

A rain storm came in and we had to RUN to the cars. We still were soaking wet when we got there.

Thanks James and Jennifer for letting us intrude on there space for a couple of days. Tahmi and Gordan and Dianna and for showing us what there is in Michigan.

A BIG thanks to my mom who helped my a lot on this trip.

"Turtle" Park in Albany

While in Georgia I went to my Brothers house. His family took us to a park in Albany (they call it Turtle park, because of all the fake turtles around) that was right against the river. My kids loved playing in the water.

Part of the park had a tribute to Ray Charles. This was a little side walk made to look like a piano. I took this picture for my kids piano teacher.

This is also a picture for the piano teacher. All the kids on a note. Too cute.

School GLORIES School

We take a break from vacation photos to share this WONDERFUL NEWS!

First day of school! Anna started kindergarten this year and was very happy. As you can see her backpack is almost as big as she is. She was so happy to sit up to the table and do homework with all the other kids.


My group ready to go. They all had a great first day. Austin is very exited that Science is he last class for the day, Joey had Art her first day and Jared got to move up to the 2nd and 3rd grade playground. Anna was just happy to be able to play on the playground. When we would visit the kids during the school year she was not allowed on the playground.

Atlanta Zoo

This is us at the Atlanta Zoo. It was so hot and humid there. The kids couldn't understand why they were sweating so much and I told them they are not sweating more it is just not evaporated off of them. This sounded to much like school so they stopped listening. The zoo was really beautiful. It was very hilly also. The front of my legs were sore for the next couple of days.

We got to see the pandas up close but I forgot to take the camera so I didn't get any pictures

Inside CNN Studio Tour

On the 2nd day in Atlanta we did the "Inside CNN Studio Tour". These were the only pictures we got as we were unable to take our cameras with us do to copyright issues. I thought it was funny that they had professionals there to take your picture during the tour and you could buy them. Oh, well. The kids thought it was really funny that Cartoon Network is part of the Turner Broadcasting Network.

The coolest part of this tour was the 8 story free standing escalator that you ride up right at the beginning of the tour. They stated that it takes 2 1/2 minutes from the start to the end of the escalator. The kids enjoyed seeing how the green screen works and how the news gets reported.

Georgia Aquarium

We went to the new Georgia Aquarium. It is the biggest Aquarium in the USA (I think that's what they said). I was fantastic. It was HUGE! There were so many people there as you can see from the photo. This is the tunnel aquarium-not the official title. We got there about feeding time and it was funny to see the big whales push the boat that feeds them around the top of the aquarium. I was unable to get many pictures because of the people there but the kids thought it was really cool. William would sit and watch the fish and would get mad when it was time to move to another aquarium. I would recommend this only if you get the City Pass (See posts below) as it is almost $ 30.00 for an adult entry.

This is us at the entrance to the aquarium. They had two to three story high aquariums to little home size aquarium. The kids were even able to touch sting rays, sharks, urchins, star fish, and crabs.

The World of Coca Cola

The World of Coca Cola Museum was great. We got to see many different Coca Cola memorabilia and the history of Coca Cola. When you walk in you see all different Coca Cola merchandise from the beginning to current. Then you watch a movie on how the Coca Cola vending machine gets you your Coca Cola (they had a small part of the movie during one of the Super Bowls). You then do a self guided tour of the history of Coca Cola and how Coca Cola is made. You get to see Coca Cola being bottled in 6 ounce glass bottles which you take home when you leave. You then go into a big room with different pods where you can taste Coca Cola products from all over the world. (the kids favorite part) We also watched a 4D movie, were the chairs move and water squirts you in the face. Then of course the dump you in the gift shop so you can spend more money.

This is me trying Inca Cola which was Lyle's favorite on his Mission to Ecuador. They don't sell it in the states. We have found a place up on Bell and 43rd Avenue that serves Ecuadorian food and sells the soda, but we don't go up there as often as we would like to. I took this picture to tease him with.

This is is the entrance of the Museum. We really had fun and spend around 3 hours there.

Centennial Olympic Park

Downtown Atlanta has the Centennial Olympic Park. (For those of you who were watching the Olympics when they were in Georgia this is were the bombing was). This water fountain is make into the shape of the Olympic rings. We got there early and no one was there. We were able to take pictures without getting wet. After we were done with our activities for the day I let the kids get wet then we went back to the hotel and change into our swimming suits. Anna fell asleep and we had to make a third trip to the rings when she woke up so she could go also. Good thing the hotel was close.

The rings also had a show that was set to music. It was only about three or four songs long, which was great as all the kids were waiting to get back into the water. The park was very nice and very big. We were able to have lunch and play on the playground.

Skate Park

On the way from Michigan to Georgia we stopped off in Kentucky to eat lunch at a park. The park happened to have a skating area. Mason (my nephew) couldn't help but break-out is Rollerblades. I had a hard time explaining to Joey that she couldn't get her roller skates out. There were too may people around and the park was too hilly for a girl who had been on roller skates for less then 2 weeks.

The kids had fun running around and get all there wiggles out. This was a much needed break for me also. If you are ever in Kentucky check out Puddle Park (I think that was the name). Just don't go there at night.

My Redneck Side is Showing

The last thing that we did in Michigan was got to the Lawnmower races. Shop laughing and wipe your tears away. The kids had so much fun and the racers and fans really get into the race. Josie relaxing in the shade of Grandmas Van.
They had kid races between the Lawnmower races. Look at the determination on Jared's face. (He is the one in the glasses)

"Go lawnmower, GO!"

At the Beach

Went to the lake with my Sisters up in Michigan. They really had fun swimming playing in the sand. The water was cool and the lake was really nice.

Cool Park by my Mom's House

This is a really cool park that is by my Mom's house. This is what the park looks like. It had a really great playground that was a HUGE castle. The kids wanted to go there every day.








This is the truck that William liked to "drive".










I couldn't get the kids off of this tire swing. (until I flipped Joey out. She was fine). It was really fun!