Moses Cone again...

On 10/20 we went to Moses Cone again for a fun hike. It was drizzling and very cloudy but it stopped raining by the time we got there and we had a gorgeous fall hike. We did about a four mile hike around the lake, through the maze, to the apple barn and then back to the lake. The scenery was gorgeous and we all had a great time! As we hiked Eli was all about carrying (and making sure Mama and Dada carried) colorful leaves. We also saw a beaver, Pie-billed Grebe and a bunch of Mallards in the lake.

Eli hanging out on a pit stop.

Mama munchin' with the boys.

Dada and the boys.

Beautiful sugar maples around the lake.

Gorgeous scene across the lake.

Our Little Helper

Eli loves to help and copy what we do around the house, he has done this since he could walk. He enjoys and will sometimes initiate the loading/unloading of the dishwasher, folding of laundry and he loves to cook!

Andrea is browning meat so of course Eli has his
frying pan, spatula and even his play hamburger!!!

Emmett at 5 Months

These pictures are of Emmett on his 5 month birthday!! He's such a super happy and smiley baby!

Sea World Day 2!!

The tickets we got to Sea World allowed us to get a second day free, so... we went back the next day!!! On our first day we watched a pirate show and saw a lot of animals. On the second day we saw two other shows, rode roller coasters and saw the rest of the animals we missed. The roller coasters were awesome!! On the Manta you ride face down and head first, parallel to the ground when you takeoff!!

The shows were awesome as well. Eli still talks about the pirate show that we watched on the first day. He now sword fights because he saw it in the show :-)

We're ready to go.

Grandparents and the grand babies.

The show really was awesome!!

Some of the actors.

The show included dolphins, a false killer whale, parrots, a condor, and acrobats!

The Shamu show.

The orcas are beautiful!

A fun family pic.

This much fun will knock you out!

Sea World!!!!

While in FL my parents generously took us all to Sea World!! It was a blast. Eli loved all the animals and watching the roller coasters! Eli and Emmett both got stuffed animals, a Manatee and an Orca, respectively. Eli also got a bunch of the pennies from the machines that flatten them and put a design on them, he loves his "coins".

Flamingos hanging out near the entrance.

Eli watching the sting rays. He loved watching them but did not want to touch them. Everyone else touched them and my mom fed a bunch of them.

We also fed the dolphins.

Here is Andrea with one.

They are so pretty up close.

So cute watching the dolphins.

"Can't reach it."

Underwater dolphin watching.

The manatee area.

Auntie Jill showing Eli the manatees.

Grandpa and Eli looking at alligators and roller coasters.

Emmett and Mama watching baby dolphins.

Seals and sea lions.

Tennis

One thing we always like to do when we are in FL is play tennis. It is usually the only time we play, and every time I forget how fun it is. Enjoy the comic relief :-)

Action Jill.

Excellent form.

Almost powered myself out of the shot :-)

Speeding into position.

Auntie Jill and Emmett.

Eli feeding ducks from the porch.

Pops and Eli hanging out.

Orlando

These are some pics of the first couple of days hanging around in Orlando...

Emmett wearing Dada's hat.

Emmett and Dada playing.

Eli and Dada checking out the lake.

Mama and Emmett playing in the pool.

Eli having fun in the pool.

Eli trying to swim!!

Look my hands are wrinkly... we had a long fun day in the pool!!