Columbia, the rest of the story

The kids wanted to go have a picnic so we drove to the Lake Murray.  My sister had taken me there before and I thought the kids might have fun throwing rocks in the lake.  I was so disappointed when we got there and I learned that they actually close the park by the lake in winter.  Dumb!!! So...we drove to this place close by.  I think it was called Sandy Shoals or something like that.  It is a huge park with a pond, playground and the river runs through it.The kids were happy.  

We went for a little walk on this trail.  It went no where but it was a trail so we had to walk on it.

 Not sure what Jalen is doing but you gotta love that cute little face.

 By a pond that was really a bog and totally gross.  The kids were dying to touch the slimy water.  I was about to have a nervous breakdown until I got them out of this area.

 By the river.  I bet this place is packed in the summer.  There were so many trees.  I really wanted to put on my running shoes and take off.

 Lauryn still has her pants on.

 This water is FREEZING!!!  They don't care.  I actually had to do a little scolding to get them to come out of the deeper water.  Crazy!

 Imagine my surprise when one night I went to let the cat in and this is the face that greeted me.  At first I thought it was a rat but it is an opossum.

 His Mom tells me he is a trouble maker and a handful.  I don't believe her.  Just look at that face.  Does he look like he could ever get into any trouble?

 I am not a big fan of cats but this cat had quite the life while my kids visited.  They bought him some toys and he did not want to share.

 Cute little cousins.  We needed another outing so...we went back to the zoo.  This time we started on the garden side of the zoo until I realized that most people were there to enjoy a peaceful walk through nature.  There is nothing peaceful about 5 kids.  Especially when some are cousins.

So we got on the tram...

 and headed to the animal side...where we belong.

 Lauryn showing me her  tricks on the trampoline.  We had such a great trip.  I could not believe how good the kids were.  We could have lasted several more days except we missed Dave.  We were all homesick and ready to head back to Vegas.  So we took off for Atlanta where we were able to have dinner with an old high school friend of mine and his family.  Again...I forgot to take pictures.  I did that last time we were there as well.

 I put an offer on this house.  They didn't accept.  Someday...

 The Atlanta temple at night.  It was pouring rain both at night and the next morning so the kids wouldn't get out of the car.  Wimps...

The last few days of our trip it was 80 degrees.  The weather was beautiful.  We all about went into shock when we stepped off the plane into below 40 degree weather.  Our pool was frozen over.  This picture doesn't really show it but the ice was 1/2 inch think.  It has been a week since it first iced over and there is still ice in the pool.  Crazy.