Heart of Dixie Pictures, continued!

Nanny and Poppy usually take us to Chuck E Cheese. This year was no different. Ella thoroughly enjoyed the new Kentucky Derby Horse game.

She also whooped Poppy in some air hockey! =) He's a good Poppy.

We also celebrated my grandfather's birthday and had a little get-to-gether in H'ville! Kyle broke out his guitar which made me so happy. I remember family gathering as a child and my Uncle Larry used to play all the time. For some reason he stopped. Kyle seems to have picked up the tradition. I love it.

Nana and Pa have these large rock structures in their back yard. I remember climbing them as a little girl. McKenna took up the hobby this year.

We also went to Cathedral Caverns while in AL. It was wonderfully and miserably hot that day. With the humidity, you were drenched within 30 seconds of walking outdoors. The cave however, was a comfortable 61 degrees. I think McKenna really enjoyed most of it. Ella, not so much. There were parts that she liked.

McKenna has developed a new found interest in rocks, minerals and gemstones. Mostly gemstones. So, when she had the opportunity to go "panning, " she couldn't pass it up.

Heart of Dixie Pictures

While in Alabama we stayed with the Millers. Haley played with the girls, a lot!! Here's what their adventures came to one night. Girly Silliness!

A visit to Grandpa Higgins' house. Here's Victoria and of course, the kittens.

This year we hit up the Space and Rocket Center. My family has a history with Space Exploration. Both my Uncle and Grandfather have worked on Space related projects--and that's a bit of an understatement.

The actual rocket (repainted and repaired) Apollo 11 (I think?)

The kids walked through a moon crater.

The Apollo 11 Lunar Modular

Hmm, I don't remember what this is....maybe my Uncle Dave will leave a comment and tell me?!!!)

Quarantine Facility for astronauts

More Alabama pictures to come! Maybe tomorrow!

Heart of Dixie

Recently, the girls and I took a road trip down to Alabama. It was their first trip in the car that lasted longer than 3 hours. I was a little nervous about how they'd handle it. Lots of people seemed a bit concerned for me. My Grandma reminded me that rest stops were horrible places.

But...

...Off we went, anyways.

I packed everything (and I pretty much mean everything but the kitchen sink!). I even packed 2 days worth of food in the cooler, determined to cut costs as much as possible.

We left around 7:30am and about 15 minutes into the ride McKenna said, "Mom, are we STILL in Minnesota?" I was, needless to say, very disheartened by this question so early on. But, all turned out well.

The girls did really well. I couldn't have asked for more. It was really a fun "girl" time for us. We sang, we watch videos (well, not me-I was driving), we played games, we talked about the states we were driving through. Each hour a different person was in charge of what was on the radio/tv.

Ya know, with modern technology: DVD in the van, IPhones, GPS....traveling is much easier than it was years ago. I really can't complain.

We stopped at rest areas (mindful of the warnings from my grandma) and had our picnics. We stretched our legs, ran around and gassed up about every 2.5 hours. We rested that night at a relatives house in Indiana. They had lots of dogs and cats and lived near a park. They girls were excited about that!

The trip back was pretty much the same.

Would I do it again?

Yes, in a heart beat! As long as snow were out of the picture. I don't think I'd do that trip over the winter.

Pictures to come soon!

Ella is a Graduate!

Ella's graduation from preschool was, of course, adorable. For some reason the pictures didn't load in the order I wanted them to. So, I will just go through and tell ya about each one.

Here, Ella is trying on her new headband!

Ella and friend Erin.

Ella and friend Brody. Ella informed me that she plans on marrying him. They call each other husband and wife. Cute.

Ella and Ms. Katie.

Ella and Uncle Dale

All of us.

Mrs. Jan and Mrs. Barb.

The whole class

Ahh, my little grad.

They did a song in A, B, C sign language.

Preparing to move the tassle.

Needs no explaination!

Ella and Mammy and Papa.

Switching the tassle.