Abi and Logan Exploring Hilton Head

Abi and Logan just spent the weekend exploring their new home away from home.  This was the first of many trips that should be great memory builders for them.  They had lots of fun chasing each other throughout the condo, using the king size bed for a trampoline, rolling in the grass, hiding in the shrubs, horseback riding and walking on the beach.  Abi could not understand why she was not allowed to swim in the pool or ocean.  They should really enjoy the warmer months.

"Obi and Lo",  as they call each other, will add a third member to their group in March.  Abi is expecting the arrival of a baby brother!

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed!

Lots of Smiles

I'm not touching a dirty pig.

We're ready to ride, where is our guide?

Giddy-up  "orsey"

Ok, I've got this down, what other tricks can he do?

Gigi makes bubbles for us to chase and pop

Playing with Brock is always fun!

Push Logan, push, you already have it leaning!

We've toured by Car, Boat, Plane and now by Train (Part 1)

We were able to remove two items from our "Bucket List"  on our most recent trip.  We went to Niagara Falls and we traveled there by train. 

Our Amtrak journey started out in Greenville, SC at 11:00 pm in a sleeper car.  We arrived at Penn Station in New York City the next afternoon at 1:45.  After changing trains, we departed Penn Station at 3:45 pm arriving in Buffalo, NY just after midnight.  The train trip was unique and enlightening on what seems to be a very common way of travel for the residents of the Northeast.

While at Niagara Falls, the weather was perfect for enjoying all that the Falls offer.  Our view of the Falls was incredible from the all glass "Sheraton on the Falls" located on the Canadian side.  We would fall asleep at night with our large window open, listening to the roar of the water.

For the trip home, we chose the 2 hour flight over the 24 hour train ride!

Gail enjoying coffee in her Amtrak roomette

Dining Car

George Washington bridge over the Hudson River

Newark, NJ  housing

Watching the board in Penn Station for the track # you'll depart from

New York City St. just above Penn Station

Connecting with another train in Albany, NY

Hooked up and ready to go

We've toured by Car, Boat, Plane and now by Train (Part 2)

Looking across to Canada

Sheraton on the Falls

View of park and Falls from our room

Falls from our room

Small rainbow created in the mist from the Falls

The "Maid of the Mist" gives you a close-up experience with the Falls

Approaching the base on the "Maid of the Mist"

Cases of disposable raincoats issued as you board the boat

Lots of water blowing across the roadway from the Falls

First Stop- Houston, Next Stop -Sedona,AZ (Part 1)

It's that time of year.  We were in Houston for two days for Rodney's fourth annual follow-up on his neck surgery.

We then flew to Phoenix and drove up to the Red Rock Mountains of Sedona for a week of relaxing and sightseeing. 

As we usually do, we tried to see and explore as much of the landscape as possible.  We also dig into the local culture, it's always interesting how others' lives are different from our own.

We visited Jerome, a mountain side mining town that was booming until the 30's when the mining stopped.  Now a ghost town except for the tourist, who come to see what is not there any longer.  We explored north through Flagstaff, to the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert and back to Sedona.

We also went offroading with the popular Pink Jeep Tours (www.pinkjeep.com) and on our last day we spent some time enjoying the cool 64 degree water of Oak Creek rushing through Slide Rock State Park.

The old mansions of Galveston withstood "Ike" in 2008. 

We were there 2 days before his arrival.

Giant Cactuses near Phoenix

Our condo at "Sedona Summit", typical area architecture

View from our patio

"Chapel of the Holy Cross" is built into the landscape in Sedona

One of Sedona's many shopping areas

White stones piled in the shape of J, makes Jerome visible from miles away.

First Stop-Houston, Next stop-Sedona, AZ (Part 2)

Grand Canyon views from the South Rim

Close up of the Canyon floor.

The floor can be 30 degrees warmer than the rim.

"Snoopy Rock", lying on his back

"People Waiting in Line"

View from the Rim, above Sedona

Living on the Edge with the Pink Jeep Tour

Been there, Done that

Slide Rock State Park

Oak Creek carved its' way through the red sandstone.

Second Annual Family Vacation

Abi and Logan took their parents and grandparents to the Orlando area this year. We stayed at a favorite resort, Sheratan's Vistana Resort. The sprawling resort is pretty much self-contained. It has everything required for a great stay, including seven pools.

Abi and Logan enjoyed playing together, swimming and of course Disney World. Logan gave Mickey and Minnie "high-fives", while Abi kissed them on the nose!

Abi at 20 months is making 2 and 3 word sentences and is beginning to swim underwater. Logan at 15 months is saying words and is trying to push, pull or drive anything with wheels or a steering wheel!

"Don't worry Logan, I'll show you the way"

"Somebody hand me my shades-please"

"Abi has the Fountain Island all to herself"

"Some things are just harder to drive"

"Gigi's hat fits me!"

"Push-we're ready for this!"

"After dinner at Downtown Disney"

"Hey, the view from up here is great!"

Where does this boat take us?-"It's a Small World!"

"Too much Disney-asleep on the monorail"

"Can you pick out Mickey and Minnie?"