Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Adventures with ABBY!

Last week we had the wonderful opportunity to get to know our cousin Abby better.  Abby is the 13 year old daughter of Matthew's first cousin and she lives near Chicago so we've only seen her a few times.  Abby loves kids and is an avid follower of our blog so she has basically been watching our kids grow up online.  When her parents asked her what she wanted to do this summer once school was out, she asked if she could come stay with us.  When her dad called to ask what we thought, we were thrilled that she would want to do that and of course we said, "Yes!"  Abby was a wonderful help with the kids and we had so much fun, although the week went by so fast.  We hope that this will become an annual event!

Abby is helping Tysen ride his trike.




Supper time!


Enjoying the sunshine at Hoover Resevoir




Bowen is staying cool in the shade of his hat and stroller.  He's just adorable, love that smile and dimple of his!!!


Yep, that's my daughter in her bright and white dress, playing in the dirt....


Feeding some baby ducks




Abby helped me take the kids to the movie theater.  We saw the movie "Epic" and the kids loved it, especially Alexa and Gavin.  Bowen slept through most of it.


After the movie, we walked outside to the fountains and let the kids play and cool off.




I love this picture of Gavin spraying the water with his foot partially over the fountain.


Bowen is hanging out with Abby in the shade but enjoying watching the kids play in the water.


While the kids were napping, I put Abby to work matching all of our mismatched socks!  She said that she didn't mind and was able to watch television while she made some extra cash! (Please don't judge about all those socks!!!)




We took Abby to the Columbus Zoo.




The kids were thrilled to ride the carousel three times in a row!


Bowen and I rocking in the shade while the older kids are on the carousel.


We went to the Dinosaur Island and Boat Ride!


My kids loved this because they all love dinosaurs. 


Along the way, we came upon a zoo worker that was holding a snake.  The kids tried to get me to touch it, but I couldn't do it.  They are braver than I am.  All three of them eagerly petted the snake.




Feeding time at the zoo






On the dinosaur boat ride
(Because Gavin wasn't quite tall enough to ride alone, a zoo worker rode next to him so we could all go together.)










Train ride


Next 2 pictures are by Gavin








Polar Bear exhibit


So fun to see the polar bears swim


Rides at Jungle Jack's Landing


It was the perfect day for this because there were absolutely no lines!






Abby brought some markers and crafts to share with the kids.  They loved this!


Abby and Alexa helped decorate the cupcakes for Father's Day.


We were able to squeeze in a pool visit before Abby had to leave.  It was a little chilly, but the kids didn't seem to mind at all!






Jumping in!









A short video from the Dinosaur Boat Ride

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