A Break from Moving

We moved two weeks after we got back from vacation. One week after we got back, we moved 90% of our belongings out of the old house and into the garage of the new house. So, we had no bed frames, no couch, no table, no dressers. Think mattresses on the floor, suitcases, and lawn chairs. It was awesome. Or not. The day after we moved everything OUT, we decided to take a day and go to the zoo. It was a much welcome break. Especially for the kids.

It was a cool, comfortable day and the animals were out and about. And the crowds were NOT, at least until the afternoon.

The big cats are family favorite.


BABY tiger. So stinking cute. And feisty.




A new zoo friend, the red panda!


Measuring!



Lady lion.


Leopard.



The elephants were not so entertaining this time. I think they were waiting to get in to be fed.



Lovely giraffe.


Baby gorilla! He is so humanlike. Amazing.


The cheetahs were new to us too!


Colin made friends with this BIG emperor penguin. It was very cool.


Petting some rays. And getting soaked.


A pacing polar bear. Honestly, he looked pretty miserable. And neurotic.




We did enjoy the otters though. So silly.


And Colin had been wanting to see these guys ALL DAY. He loves him some sharks.


A great day at the zoo. Just the break we needed.

Off to the Beach, Part 3

Well, our weather jackpot gave out on Thursday. A chilly, wet day. We mostly hung out at the beach house, just lounging and doing laundry. And buying movie tickets online for the new "Minion" movie. The kids had been REALLY wanting to see it. Remember that part. They REALLY wanted to see it.

There was a late morning break in the rain, so we stretched our legs and used the playground a bit.






So, we got to the first matinée movie of the day. And got our seats. The lights went out. The previews started. And Colin wanted to leave. Go to the hall. LEAVE. NOW. He wanted to LEAVE. We are mean parents and said, NO. Mostly because WE wanted to see the Minions. And in the middle of the movie, Gillian started wanting to leave too. Sigh. I think it boiled down to this a) they were tired b) it was LOUD and c) they don't yet understand that bad stuff doesn't permanently happen to the main characters in kid movies. Anyway, we made it through the movie. And if you ask them now, Colin and Gillian will both SWEAR they liked it. KIDS.

Anyway, we hit Funland again after the movie. And noticed that the beach was actually closed to swimmers that day. Surf was just too rough.



When we woke up on Friday, there was no rain. But also little humidity and BIG surf. So it was a day for playing in the sand and walking the beach. No swimming for us!













Parents!


Grandparents!


Family!


Ladies!


Dancing girly.


Relaxing.


Names in the sand (in hopes of returning next year).





Oh, more doritos.



Friday evening we went out for our traditional last night at the beach dinner. And some Funland. And some ice cream. Gillian agreed to some pictures before we left. Colin did not.




Some dinner shenanigans.






Funland.



(Notice that Daddy and Colin didn't go UP in their helicopter. By Colin's decree.)


Papa Greg kindly snapped this (AWESOME) family pic in about 3 seconds for us on the boardwalk.


Saturday morning we were up and out the door by 7:00. We stopped for some gas and some waffles. And one final round of silliness.




Bridge from the other side...


And we had another fast, easy trip home. Thank goodness for good travelers. We had a FANTASTIC week. We can't wait to go back!