Week 113

April 27-May 3

So most of this week we were still on vacation in SC. After all of the Easter fun in Myrtle Beach we went back to Sumter, SC to stay with Ed's parents. We relaxed for a couple of days and then drove to Columbia, SC to spend a day with my mom, my sister, brothers, and also my grandma who had driven up for my brother Will's graduation from fire school. We had a nice time hanging out with everyone.

My mom and Grandma watched Jack while Ed and I went to one of our favorite places for lunch. While we ate we noticed firemen setting up bounce houses in a parking lot adjacent to where we were eating. We walked over and asked what was going on and found out that evening there would be a benefit that evening for the Columbia Fire Department. Baskin Robins was having $0.31 scoop night and taking donations for the firefighters. Well of course we were in. Jack LOVES bounce houses. We went with my sister Caroline. Uncle Andy walked over for a little while because it was right across the street from his work. Jack had a blast!!!! We all had our ice cream, made our donation, then he bounced his little heart out!!

The next night was my brother Will's graduation from Fire School. It was so awesome to get to be there for it! He is so grown up and mature all of a sudden. He got his assignment and had to report to work for the first day this past Monday. He loves his station and the people he works with. He has gone on quite a few calls so far and seems very excited and happy about where he is at in life. We are VERY proud of him!!!!!

The next day we were back in Sumter and Jack had a play date with Mr. Nolan Manning. His parents went to Clemson with me and his dad is stationed at Shaw, AFB. Ed and I went to their wedding years ago and we haven't seen them since. We have all been traveling so much with the military it's a rare moment when paths cross. Nolan is a few months older than Jack so they are very close in age and had a lot in common. We met on base and they got to play for a few hours. It was so awesome to catch up with Becky and meet the newest member of their family....Harper!! She was ADORABLE and so very well behaved!!! Thanks for meeting up with us Becky!!!!

On one of our last days in SC we decided to check out the Riverbanks Zoo! I'm pretty sure I have been to the zoo in Columbia, but I can't remember when the last time was. It was amazing! We went with Ed's mom and met up with his brother Ryan. Jack was in heaven!!! As far as selection of animals and things to do, this zoo beat our little zoo out of the water. We had a blast walking around and looking at all the different animals.

There were lots of fun things for kids to do. We waited in line for Jack to ride the pony, but for some reason he kind of freaked out when we went to put him on it. I don't really understand what happened because the last two times he rode a pony he loved it and didn't want to get off. He also rode the carousel, fed the birds, and saw two bears fighting! Awesome day at the zoo! We got tons of great pictures to share. I only posted a handful on here, I will put the rest up on Facebook.

Sunday morning we woke up super early and drove home. Jack was very well behaved in the car once again. At one point he even fell asleep reading his book...adorable! We had a great vacation and enjoyed getting to see our families!!!!!!!