big splash!!

well, this year daddio is workin over shutdown & a vacation didn't look like it would happen.  but, low & behold, groupon had a great deal close to home that we were able to grab for a weekend trip with some of our bestest friends.  (i think gracie sometimes would really like to become a part of their family, we all love them so much)..

to big splash adventure we went after church on sunday.  it was the perfect time, as the place was clearing out so we had the waterpark to what seemed like just ourselves.

lots of fun splishing & a splashin

oh, the ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!

the kiddos loved it!  especially getting to go on a vacation with friends!!going out to eat was even fun! but of course, benj didn't want to smile...

we see it in your eyes, buddy.

we had a round of mini-golf & some rides on video games (without any coins, but they didn't mind).

 i love this picture with the little sisters in control!!

& fun in the game area.  tickets a plenty, tickets galore!

all the kids can't wait to go back, it was one of the "best times ever!!"

the best night ever!!

we had our first sleepover with some of the kiddos' friends this weekend.  they had a blast!  especially jumping on the air mattress / trampoline!  they were all saying "this is the best night ever!!"  miss a & little a were so good, couldn't ask for a better first slumber party for the kiddos.  we even made it to church early on sunday!  i had some super fun pictures from the night, but my computer ate them...
but it sure was fun!

the zoo

a friend from gracie's class called (his mommy) friday afternoon & asked if we had any plans & would like to enjoy the zoo...we were still in our pj's (lazy momma here).  so off we went to enjoy the beautiful day!

the kiddos had a blast & got to do some extra super special things - like petting some special animals & feeding the rhino & watching the world's oldest hippo, donna, have a bite to eat. 

i just love the amozonia portion of the zoo, so awesome!  the kiddos love it too, with the animals all about.

checking out some creepy, crawlies..

good buddies!

feeding the rhino!

open wide!!

& of course, the obligatory pictures at the bat station & the giraffe statue. 

ben has a bit of allergies & is constantly clearing his throat, making a hacking noise.  buddy logan thought that was quite hilarious & decided to join in.  they were laughing so hard over it, had me snorting.  good times. thanks so much for inviting us to go to the zoo & the great time logan & samantha & dave!!

on the way home, i asked the kiddos what their favorite part was. 

gracie: "everything!"

ben: "when we were making that throat noise & cracking up." boys...

pizza!

yesterday i woke up feeling yuck.  migraine for sure & didn't want to get out of bed.  felt like i couldn't.  but i did & we trudged through the day.  at preschool, a mom friend offered to watch my kiddos so i could rest.  by the time preschool was over i was feeling somewhat better so we had some buddies over for a playdate.   it was a nice distraction from my headache. 

after everyone left, a while later the doorbell rang.  it was my dear friend amy with supper for the night!

can't beat it!  thanks amy. 

date night!!

oh, what a night!  our first child free night ever!!!!! can you believe it?  ben was very concerned that we would come back with a baby after date night, because that's what people do.  where does he get this stuff?

the kiddos had their first all night slumber party at grandma deedee & papaw paul's over the weekend with darby. & momma & daddio had a first date night in months.

we called up our friends dave & kate and headed to their home.

from there, we went to the casino to listen to some tunes & gamble on the boat.

this was kate's first time on the boat. poor thing lost $1. justin was the big winner of the night with $4! woo hoo!  we saw 2 managers from the guy's work there.  kinda odd!

fast eddy's was the final stop of the evening. my friend from highschool, jason was playing. his band is red eye max.  i was pretty impressed! he opened for kenny chesney over the summer! way to go jason, we look forward to the debut cd & hearing you on the radio!  it was great seeing my old friend & the path he is on.  watch out, brad paisley!

here's one of his songs from youtube.

thanks, dee, paul, janet & darby for watching our kiddos. they had a blast with you guys!

thanks, dave & kate for our date night. we had a wonderful time!

the crew at night's end