Adventures to South Carolina for Christmas- Day 3

So we got to Carolina at about 5:45 am, it was a LONG through the night drive, but we were so excited to arrive to see poppie, and see the beautiful ocean from his balcony. I think poppie was quite surprised too that we drove all through the night!

Colt was up and ready to go by this time, so in a few short hours we went to an awesome breakfast buffet, I guess buffets are pretty big down here. It was SO delicious. My healthy eating has sucked, while I have been on vacation, but that's okay, that's what vacations are for right?

It was pretty cold and super rainy on Sunday, the day we arrived, so we bundled up, and also headed to the boardwalk and went to "Alligator Adventures." There was a few people there, so that was the plus to going there on a rainy, cold day.

I have visited this place before when I was a little younger, because my grandparents used to live out this way, and it was just as awesome, as I remembered it, maybe even more awesome. Colt digs "cockadiles" LOL so that was good. He walked around this place like he was king haha

He is OBSESSED with the show "Team Umizoomi" and when we saw a Kookaburra bird (I think that's what they are called on there, and he does too haha so it worked)

Adventure to South Carolina for Christmas: Day 1 & 2

It was super last minute, and very spur of the moment, but he hadn't seen my Poppie in a little bit, so we decided that it is time, and since Jay has some time off of work, then why not now? and why not for Christmas?

So in the midst of unpacking and repacking all of our things for a new move, we packed a few small things, Colts Christmas gifts, and other essentials, and hit the road!!

The first day happened to be on a Friday, and on Colts bday. We left early afternoon, after we had a bite to eat, and after we donated a whole bunch of clothes to someone who had apparently had a house fire.

We were just going to drive to Cincinnati, since I had a tattoo appointment on Saturday.

We stopped at the Marriott and it had a BWW's close by so we celebrated Colts bday there again.

When we woke up in the morning we got some breakfast, in an AWESOME breakfast "bar." Things were actually cooked to order, unlike a buffet style, morning breakfast that I've seen before. It was cute. Colt enjoyed some cereal, and Jay some french toast.

This is where it gets exciting and fun!! We went to an AWESOME aquarium in Cincinnati!! There was so many cool things! Huge Christmas trees, music, even a scuba santa!! This really got me into the Christmas spirit, and now I understand why people like the city for the holidays! How fun!

The fish swam all around us. Colt absolutely LOVED this

 

Colt practiced touching animals with only two fingers and VERY gently. He got to touch a tortoise, horseshoe crab, and some stingrays! 

and then we saw something AWESOME. I couldn't get too good of a picture because he was swimming so fast, but SANTA was scuba diving with an elf! It was incredible. 

And Colt was able to touch more animals, like these nurse sharks!! 

and then there's this...it's terrifying lol

So after we were all done with the aquarium, we were walking to the car, and the little mall area, where the aquarium was, there were people in stilts, music, which colt played and SO much more Christmassy things!! 

Colt making music, and singing was the best part. It melted my heart!! 

Here's a sweet little video! 

If you are in the Cincinnati area, this aquarium is a MUST see!! It's pretty awesome, and super hands on. I was surprised, because it seems smaller than most of the Ripleys and other aquariums you see, but it really is great!! 

Christmas Adventures 2014

I haven't blogged in quite some time, mostly because all of our adventures, and some new opportunities, and new HUGE adventures coming up (will tell soon) are keeping us pretty busy.

I figured what better time to catch up on some blogging than right around Christmas time. This is an awesome place where I can come back to and see all of our adventures and anything else I may put in here.

It keeps things organized for me.

So this year we decided to start a Christmas tradition, we are going to plant a pine tree in our yard every year around Christmas, instead of cutting one down and putting it in our home for a few days. I am so excited about this!! Pine trees can grow up to 3 feet a year, so they will grow huge in the next few years and I can't wait to watch them grow with my family.

We started off at American Tree in Almont, MI. It's such an awesome place. People are also very friendly there, AND they had santa!

Colt was more excited about his candy cane here!! 

 but eventually he told santa that he wanted a "Blue dino" and a "doll house" They had a cute Melissa and Doug house there that came with multiple different keys to open it with, so he wanted that! 

They also had a horse that Colt got to ride, a couple crafts that he did. He made is first ornament here! So so sweet. And an awesome camp fire with a man who played the guitar to Christmas tunes. Colts favorite Christmas tune is "Jingy Bells" and he sung the whole thing in front of the crowd well the man played his guitar. It was hilarious. 

He also requested "Charlie Brown," as he is obsessed with this song as well. 

This is the place we got our "potted tree from." We loaded it in the back of the truck, after we picked the most "perfect" one, and headed home to plant it. 

Colts favorite part was digging the huge hole for the tree. 

After they dug the hole, naturally they put the tree in and filled it back up. Colt also got to play with lots of earth worms! 

And wah lah! A new family tradition, and an adorable tree (and a serious husband hahaha) 

In the next few days, Colt and I plan on making some ornaments and garland for the tree that the birds can eat!! 

Colt also got to do his very first gingerbread house!! He was more excited about the candy then actually making the gingerbread house, and even though I put it way up high, he attempts to climb up there daily. 

He got into it a little bit.....

and now we have a finished (and half eaten "Toodles the elf") gingerbread house! 

Speaking of Toodles the elf (on the shelf). I am such a bad mom. Toodles is most likely suffocating in a moving box at the moment. :/