South Carolina Zoo

We went to Riverbank Zoo one day- it is in Columbia (where Benji and Katie live), which is just about an hour from Florence, so it was a nice day trip. Benji didn't have to work, so we met for lunch then went on in. Unfortunately, Katie did have to work, so we didn't see her until we raided their apartment for dinner! (We did bring it, just used their house to heat it up and eat)

The zoo is great! There was a lot of shade, so it wasn't too hot. The animals were actually out and playing, too-always a plus!

Lovin on Uncle Benny (Benji is still a little hard to say)

"Did you see that?"

The bears were being a little aggressive.

Big gorilla sitting up against the glass

Rachel and Uncle Benji were inseparable the whole day!

Unless Papa had her, that is... She wasn't too sure about feeding the goats.

Awesome Tiger... one of Dustin's favorite pictures he's ever taken, I think!

Cute little baby baboon!

"Excuse me!" She was watching the penguins and scooted her way in front of this couple- at least she didn't block their view!

Family picture- Rachel's hair was a complete disaster-oh well!

Riding the kimono dragon

"Nice Kitty" Everything was kitty that day!

Getting a little sleepy

"I think we should go over here, Papa"

She tried to escape. I really wasn't upset, Dustin just caught me mid-expression.

"Follow Me!"

"Maybe we should head this way!"

She crashed in the car on the way to Benji and Katie's apartment

Snuggling with Aunt Katie and Uncle Benji before we had to leave

More Easter

Easter Day was packed, too. We went to church in the morning then had lunch. After that, Rachel opened her Easter basket from us.

She loved the little recorder that we got her!

We also got her a little bowling set, a duck, sidewalk chalk and of course a chocolate bunny. The big bouncy ball didn't make it in the picture, but she really likes that, too!

Well, she didn't quite have the hang of what the bowling pins were at first!

She's getting better at throwing the ball now.

Poor Zoe, stuck inside.

We took a walk in the afternoon at a local college.

Wee!

Oopsie!

She dumped the eggs out in the road, too! Thanks, Grandma and Papa for picking them up!

Easter Weekend

We spend the long Easter weekend in South Carolina with the McCollum's. We were able to do a lot of fun things while still relaxing!

Loving on her new bunny from Grandma and Papa

Dustin's parents live across the street from the neighborhood park, so we went over there for a while one day. Zoe was happy that she got to join us for that fun!

On the teeter-totter with Papa

Going down the big slide with Mommy. (I didn't even know that there were any of these slides still up- so much fun!)

Love the bouncy car!

We had a little Easter Egg Hunt while we were at the park, too.

"Bubbles!"

Family Picture... 3 out of 4 looking at the camera isn't too bad!

We also went to the Farmer's Market to find some plants for my garden. (More to come on that later) While we were there, Rachel walked with Papa and Daddy to see some statues.

"This is kinda weird"

"I think we should go over here, next"

Helping Grandma decorate a special birthday cake

The finished product. 1/3 decorated for Dad, 1/3 for Benji, and 1/3 for me!

Happy Easter!

I love all holidays- getting together with family and friends and dressing up the cutest little girl there ever was is just exciting for me- I'm not going to lie. After saying that, I am realizing more now than ever what every holiday is really about. Of course I know the true meaning of all of these holidays, which has nothing to do with dressing up and being excited about baskets, eggs, candy. Easter has everything to do with Jesus dying on the cross for us and saving us from our sins. Why I am realizing this is because of that cutest little girl there ever was. Dustin and I have grown up in homes where our parents taught us the real meanings of all holidays and we are blessed to have had this. Now God has trusted us with Rachel and with that comes teaching her the same things. I guess I'm just realizing now more than ever that what we put an emphasis on is what she will think holidays are about... a lot to think about is all.

Now, after saying all that, I will still dress up Rachel and get excited about the little things, but will always put God first and make sure she knows the true meaning of why holidays are celebrated.

It runs in the family

Daddy had to work late last week- drill team auditions. It's hard to believe that auditions for the fall are here already! But I digress... we decided to go see him at work and this is what Rachel did- no coaxing from us.

She also had a great time watching the dancers and following them around the gym. She is really going to enjoy the Fall!

Early Easter

My parents came up to Roanoke this past weekend for a long weekend since Dad was on spring break and mom was able to take a few days off. We had great plans of heading to a kite festival, but we had horrible storms, so we had fun playing inside and going to the mall. (We also got absolutely soaked running across the parking lot from the mall to Cheddar's!)

Then Rachel opened her Easter bucket from Mimi and Poppy...

She loves her Little People mini-van, complete with a suitcase that opens up and Rachel pretends is her cell phone!

"Mimi, will you open my cuppy... this Peep tastes funny- but I like it!"

After the weather cleared up, we had an egg hunt in the font yard.

"I think there's one over there, Mimi"

"Hey, Poppy, I think I have something in my hood..."

"Whatcha doin' up there, Poppy?"

"I love you, Mimi!"

My favorite Mimi and Poppy!