Playing with the Snyders and Pappas' in South Carolina

After lots of driving around, we finally arrived back in Columbia to spend a week with the Snyders and the Pappas families. Here are some of the things we did while we were there.

Karah and Micah had fun playing the drums at Uncle David's birthday party

Ashlyn enjoyed swinging with Daddy...

and running around.

Happy Birthday David! Glad we could be there to celebrate with you!

And it was fun to be there to congratulate Niki and Stephen on their engagement!

The family diamond that has been passed down since my great-grandmother looked so beautiful in the new setting.

Stephen and Niki with all the kids!

Karah and Micah decided they wanted to set up a lemonade stand. Here they are making cookies to sell at it.

Looking good!

Micah had so much fun serving all their customers!

And they all had fun playing games while waiting for new customers.

Emily and Ashlyn both love the tub!

Playing "pooh sticks" during a nature hike.

Ashlyn loves trying to keep up with the big kids!

So cute!

Micah was proud of his find down by the river - a clam shells with both shells stick stuck together.

Emily and Melody

Recording their findings on paper

Ashlyn wanted her own piece of paper

Very proud of the lizard they found in the backyard

Everybody contributed to making pizza one night.

We spent one afternoon at the South Carolina State Museum where we met up with an old friend of mine from high school...

Here's Micah digging up dinosaur bones at the SC State Museum

Karah is helping Ashlyn to get in on the action too.

Learning how to weave

Playing in the train car.

Ashlyn loved the telescope!

Checking out an old musket.

The kids all had fun playing "school" in an old one room schoolhouse that now resides in the museum.

Playing in the discovery center.

The highlight of the day for all of the kids was sadly not anything educational that they learned, rather it was having Uncle Mark spin them around and toss them on to the huge pile of stuffed animals in the discovery center. With 8 kids all clamoring for a turn, Mark got quite a work-out!

Tiffany and Barb ~ It was so fun to see you again Tiff! Thanks for driving down to Columbia to visit with us. It was great to finally meet your kids!

A Day at the SC Zoo

Although it rained off and on while we were there, we ended up with wonderful weather on the day we went to the zoo. We met all the cousins at the picnic area and then headed inside to see all the animals...

Crazy cousins...

We were impressed with their Bear exhibit - the bears were in clear sight and actually quite active, something we aren't used to seeing at our own zoo.

Micah was excited about the pony rides at this zoo.

Riding like a pro!

Ashlyn practiced her cow milking skills.

And they all had fun feeding the goats!

The goats were very willing participants in this game!

All the cousins in the wagon.

Micah nearly got thrown into the alligator exhibit! Oh-no!!!

I think the highlight of Ashlyn's day was climbing in and out of the tree over and over and over again!

Playing at Uncle Loui and Aunt Kathy's

The kids enjoyed a stop at the italian ice shop! A great way to cool off from a hot day!

Micah and Daddy got to drive Uncle Tim's convertible over to our evening at the Pappas'

What great adventures Micah found in the South - here is the frog he caught in the Pappas' front yard!

When Nathan and I used to live on the East Coast it became sort-of a tradition for us to all make a pyramid whenever we visited the Pappas home. Well, now we all have kids, so we decided to let them be part of the pyramid this time!

Of course, piling on top of each other for a pyramid quickly turned into horsey rides by all the Daddies!

And what's a night at the Pappas' without any games? Although we didn't stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing, we did get in one game while the kids watched a movie. Guess David was excited about Nathan's farkle roll!

Celebrating Grandma's 86th Birthday!

On our last day in South Carolina we were able to celebrate my Grandmother's 86th birthday! The kids had fun baking a cake and making cards for Grandma!

Singing Happy Birthday!

The kids all helped her blow out the candles!

We all enjoyed a yummy brunch before the cake was served.

We also got to celebrate Aunt Jan's birthday that day as well!

Bettyfae, Ashlyn Fae, and Barbara Fae

A rare picture of Barbara and Melody. After 9 days together, you'd think Melody and I would have more pictures together, but this was the only one, and our babies wanted to join us for this lone picture!

Grandma with 6 of her 20 great-grandchildren!

Soon after the party we headed to the airport to return home to LA. Only in the south would you find rocking chairs while you wait for the plane. How fun! We had a wonderful time visiting with so many people during our vacation. It was sad to leave (especially for Micah), but it was also nice to return to our family and friends at home. Thanks to all of you who hosted us while we were back East. We are so thankful for all these new memories!