The Last of the North Carolina Pics

So the rest of the time we were at Aimee and Ray's, the kids played outside quite a bit, since the weather was so beautiful. There was a lot of swinging, sliding, and playing in the sandbox and pool. Once the kids went to bed at night, the adults stayed up late playing Settlers and poker, and just catching up on life. It was so good to see these friends; we really miss them being around!


Rachael learned how to swing like a "big girl"


Ryan likes to swing, too


Playing in the frigid water of the pool


The water was so cold, it took Rach a while to actually get in the pool. For about 15 minutes, she stood by the pool and splashed.


Ethan, Reagan, and Rachael


At this pretty rose garden at one of the parks we went to


Rachael wanted to stop and smell the roses (which always involved touching them)


Ryan with his friend Carsyn


More swinging


Playing in the sandbox

After staying with Aimee and Ray for about 4 days, we drove back to Charlotte for one last weekend with Mark's family. We didn't get to do much outdoors because, like it always tends to do on our vacations, it rained quite a bit. But we did go kayaking one morning--a first for both of us. No, it wasn't the dangerous white-water kayaking kind--come on, you people know me-- it was quiet kayaking on the still waters of the lake. Very peaceful. Until it started to rain on us.

Anyway, that's the last of the vacation pics. We had an uneventful plane ride to North Carolina; wish we could say the same about the flight home. It was excruciating. Both kids were unhappy. But it was a great trip; we came back feeling very refreshed.