Sorry it’s been awhile since my last post. We just got back from vacation late Saturday night and I am still trying to catch up.
Avery did pretty well on the way to Raleigh/Durham. She had a few bouts of crying that only lasted a few minutes. I don’t think she was crying from the pressure in her ears, I think she was crying because she was bored and didn’t want to sit in her seat. We brought toys, stickers, candy, etc to occupy her. The flight from Cleveland is only 1 hour and 4 minutes. Best flight ever! By the time you get up in the sky, its time to come back down.
We arrived in Raleigh around 7pm. Driving to Atlanta was going to take about 6 hours so we decided to drive part of the way and then spend the night at a hotel. We stayed at the Comfort Suites in Gastonia, NC, just outside of Charlotte. I chose that hotel chain because I knew if we stayed two separate nights (one night driving to Atlanta and one night driving back to Raleigh/Durham) that we would earn a free night on our next visit. We stayed at a Comfort Inn in Columbus and really liked it so I was just trying to plan ahead for our next weekend trip.
The next morning we made a few stops (including a KFC with a buffet which was awesome by the way) and eventually made it to Atlanta to visit our friends Jason and Rachel. They have a son, Travis, who turned two in October. Avery was excited to have someone to play with…and a house full of new toys that she has never seen before. The first night we just got some take out and hung out. The next morning, Tim, Avery and I went to the Tellus Science Museum. Travis had preschool and Jason had to work so we decided to do a little exploring without them. The museum was pretty cool. They had an area where you can “dig” with brushes through the dirt to find fossils and also a section where you can pan for minerals. We didn’t let Avery in the panning section because she would have been soaked, though she would have loved it. She did enjoy digging in the dirt for fossils. She cried when we told her we had to leave.
The next day everyone(except Jason because he had to work) went to the Georgia Aquarium which is the world’s largest aquarium. It was awesome. The Cleveland Aquarium doesn’t even compare. Their beluga whale just had a baby two days prior so that exhibit was closed to the public but there were so many other things to see. One of my favorite parts was the penguin exhibit. They had this tunnel you can walk through and then pop up right in the middle of the exhibit and look out through a plastic window/bubble and be right there with the penguins. (see the pictures below).
Travis has a swing set with sand and it was Avery’s first time playing with sand. We didn’t know if she would like it or not considering she hated grass up until this year. She ended up loving the sand! Loved it!
The next day we drove to the hotel. We also went to Dave and Busters which is kind of like a tradition for us when we go on vacation. (well we went there on both trips to Columbus last year). I feel like this D&B was rigged though because you would swipe your card, the game wouldn’t work and then you would have to swipe it again. Then the ticket payout wasn’t working correctly. Anyway, I DO NOT suggest going to this D&B near Gastonia, NC.
The first night in Durham we had dinner at The Pit which is a southern barbecue restaurant. Avery was HORRIBLE and had to be taken outside at least 3 times during dinner. The next day we drove 2.5 hours to Wrightsville Beach. This is the first time Avery has been to the ocean. We didn’t swim because it was too cold but she loved playing in the sand. We all had a good time and I was lucky enough to get some crazy sunburn. (see picture below). The third day we just hung out and went to the playground, which Avery also loved. The next day we went to the Sarah Duke Botanical Gardens at Duke University. It was beautiful and HUGE! That evening we went to a Durham Bulls minor league baseball game. Avery was good for much of the game but started getting antsy around the 7th inning. The funniest part the night is that every time the guy selling snow cones walked by us, avery held up her finger like she wanted to buy one. Every single time. It was hilarious. She ended up getting popcorn and cotton candy.
Avery cried and screamed on the way to the airport. We couldn't console her and we didn't know what was wrong. When we got to the airport, we gave her some benedryl and she fell asleep for over an hour. She woke up before we got on the plane. She started crying and screaming even before we took off and she didn't stop for 40 minutes. I felt horrible for the people around us. We tried everything..giving her a bottle, candy, toys, letting her watch a movie. Even a passenger a few rows behind us sent a toy up for Avery. A few times I thought she might have pooped and that was the reason but I checked her diaper and there wasn't any. I think she just had really bad gas and it hurt her stomach. Then during the last 20 minutes of the plane ride, she was completely fine. She watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and didn't even mind the landing.
Overall, we had a great trip and we want to thank Jason, Rachel, Travis, Greg and Lauren for your hospitality. We hope to see you again soon!
Just a warning: I took a lot of pictures on vacation. This isn't even all of them.
Just a warning: I took a lot of pictures on vacation. This isn't even all of them.
Mommy wondered if we packed enough stuff
Mommy and Daddy doing there traditional tequila shot at the airport. Doesn't seem like the server is too happy with us
Waiting to board the plane
Picture with Mommy
Look at all of those planes Daddy
Buckled up and ready to go!
Eating some fruit snacks
They brought stickers and toys to keep me occupied. I liked sticking them on Daddy's shorts
Mmmm a staple in my diet: butter!
French fries, yum!
Travis and I playing together
Playing outside at Jason and Rachel's house
This was my first time ever playing with sand.
I loved it!
We are having a good time!
Story time with Rachel and Travis
Wheee!
I loved the playground!
Trying to climb up the slide
At the Tellus Science Museum
Fun with Mirrors
I liked watching the coins spin around
Digging for fossils
I cried when we had to leave this room
Why does it look like Mommy is pooping in this picture?
Dinosaurs!
At the Georgia aquarium. It was awesome! That's an albino alligator in the water behind us
Everyone is looking at the exhibit and I am looking at Travis
This is the cool penguin exhibit Mommy was talking about. Look, we are right by the penguins.
They had some huge fish tanks!
Look at those cool pink fish above our heads
So many fish!
Walking through the tunnel
Look at that big fish daddy
Only sat here for 2 seconds. Mommy is surprised she was able to get a pic of us together
Dolphins!
Making faces for the camera at Dave and Buster's
Playing video games with Daddy
Phew, having fun is a lot of work!
Smile!
More smiles
You mean the sand doesn't go on the blanket?
Look at all this sand!
Me and Daddy building something
Going for a walk on the beach. I DID NOT want to go for a walk.
Letting the wind blow through my {crazy} hair.
The water was too cold for us to swim
I have an ice cream mustache
Having a good time at the playground
Why am I smiling. I am sure this grate hurts my knees
This is so fun
Hi!
Mommy and Daddy think its hilarious when I walk like this with my hands behind my back .
This is a rare picture because I usually don't like to walk, I like to be carried.
I love Daddy so much!
At the Sarah Duke gardens at Duke University
It was so pretty here
Why are we smelling this flower if it doesn't smell?
Smiling for the picture but I really want to g in th
See, I told you
I love being outside and I love daddy
Playing with water on the deck
At the Durham Bulls game. Mommy took a selfie and when I can see myself on the camera I now stick out my tongue.
Greg and Lauren. Aren't they cute? I was in their wedding!
Mmmm cotton candy. Now where is that snow cone guy?
I am going to pick your nose!
Hey, what are you looking at?
I was getting a little too comfortable with the bull
Family photo!
Me sitting with Uncle Greg, Aunt Lauren and their dog, Bruiser before we left for the airport
This was taken during the 3 minutes I wasn't crying on the plane. I started dipping my fingers in the chocolate instead of the stick.
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