Carolina Beach

I transferred all my cell phone pictures to my computer today and found all these pictures.

I remember taking them, but forgot to transfer them after our trip to North Carolina.

Carolina blue sky!

We were so happy to see this water stay in our own little beach pond.

There was a red flag warning, so we didn't let the girls play out too far, so this water spot came in handy to entertain them all.

Boonshoft Museum

This is one of our favorite hang outs during summer vacation. We also will go on school breaks other times of the year too.

All three girls have so much fun each and every time we go.

We have an annual membership and it really pays off. 

We use this membership to get in to other places for free or at a discount (if the place is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums). 

From water fun to a small zoo, this place is a big hit!

The courthouse has some new updates and great information on the walls about the judicial system.

Sarah decided to be a witness on the stand.

Jenna the judge.

And Meghan (caught her with her eyes closed)..one very happy prisoner!

My pizza workers.

Meghan cleaned up all the mess made by other kids and her and another little girl took on the rolls of managers and ran a great little pizza place.

We ended our day with one last visit to our Otter friends. 

This little guy would come up to the glass and scratch at it....the girls wanted to take them all home.

Crunch and friend

I was so excited to see this turtle. I read about him in emails sent to me by Boonshoft museum, so I was looking forward to this visit.

When I saw him my excitement ended....I've seen one of these before and some big ones too. Not sure if I've seen one this big, but pretty close...not sure where. I think Crunch needs a tank mate to eat all the algae off his head and back.

I did get him smiling at me!hahaha

Not sure what this little guy's name is.

He didn't look very happy.

I did want to share...just case you have never seen one of these turtles.

Last day in NC

We were only in NC for a week this year and we crammed as much fun in that week as we could.

The girls love playing at Memom and Papa's house. They took rides on the golf cart, ate ice cream, played basketball, played on the swing set...and so much more.

I found a great deal on a Red Rider Trike for Sarah at a second hand shop, so she practiced riding it around.

She asked a few times on the ride home if her bike was in the car!haha  Guess that means she likes it!

My girls and my nieces and nephew are six VERY lucky kiddos. My parents have shown each and every one of them so much love and attention.  We don't see them very much, but when we do it's like we haven't missed a day with them. The girls love them so much and I'm one lucky girl to have them as my parents too.  

We only get back to NC once a year...but thankfully get to see Memom and Papa more. 

It's a long drive to and from, but they do it a few times a year.....to make life long memories with my girls. 

If my girls had their wish...we would all live on the same street!

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

We started off our day with breakfast at a place called Kate's.

Great food and we got there before the crowds, so not a lot of waiting for us.

We have been to the aquarium before, but it's always fun to go and see it all again and again.

We (the girls and I) are members at Boonshoft museum in Ohio and with that membership we all got in to the aquarium for free (plus it got Papa in too).

Albino alligator, her name is Luna.  She will always stay in captivity due to being an albino. The other alligators just visit until being released back in the wild.

Happy baby girl!

Three chilled out, happy girls!

A dive demo in the large tank. The big girls stayed to watch it.

Sarah and I went to check out the play area.

Steph and the girls checking out the 80 mph winds in this simulator.  Sarah stayed in both times until winds reached 70 mph..then she wanted out.

Beautiful little pond on the trail.

Sarah on our way out showing the big frog some love.

Another great day out and about.

Carolina Beach

We headed to Carolina Beach for a day and a half when we were in NC.

The girls love love love going to the beach.

I didn't take my camera to the beach, so the only ones I took were with my phone.

We stayed at my Sister's place and it slept 8 of us great!

We spent the afternoon on the beach.

We all had a blast even though it was a red flag warning.

Luckily a small pool of water appeared after we arrived, so Sarah and some of the other smaller kids had a great (and safe) place to play.

We ordered pizza out and then headed to the outdoor movie by the lake.

We enjoyed Britt's donuts that night as our movie snack/dessert.

I was thinking Sarah would fall asleep, but not such luck.

She did sleep in until almost 8am the following morning, so that was cool.

We had an awesome breakfast at Kate's then headed to the aquarium.

Sarah enjoyed the balcony.

The view from the condo balcony...awwww the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

Two very happy girls waiting for us to go to the movies.

I'll post pictures of the aquarium in my next post.