Southern Tour

Last week, the girls and I ventured down South to South Carolina and Georgia.  We left on Monday morning and headed down to SC to stay with Aunt Kristen, Uncle Mark, Jack and Sarah.  On Tuesday, we headed down to Atlanta to spend the night with our old neighbors. We left Georgia on Wednesday and headed back up to SC for a couple of days.    Despite the fact that Ellie came down with Madelyn's fever on Tuesday (and spread it to her cousins), we had a great time.  It was definitely a whirlwind with lots of driving (almost 20 hours) but I'm glad we were able to visit family and friends and see everyone's new city and home.   It was well worth it!  Here are some pictures from our Southern Tour:

Enjoying dinner on the Richter's screened in porch.  It is so awesome how the cousins get along so well!

The girls loved catching up with Shay and Calden!

It did not take long for Madelyn and Shay to warm up to each other.  It was like Shay had never moved!

Ellie and Calden enjoying one of Julie's homemade popsicles!

Julie to us to the Cabbage Patch Baby land General Hospital.  We witnessed the birth of this cabbage patch and Madelyn was excited to hold baby Marcus!

Ellie holding the new baby!

Madelyn got to adopt her own baby girl and name her Sarah Grace.  Sarah is named after her cousin Sarah who was also adopted.  They had to take an oath before getting their adoption papers.  If you look closely, she is raising her right hand during the oath!

Ellie excited to adopt her new baby girl, Bella Michelle. 

A very excited new Mommy!

Ellie taking her oath to take good care of Bella Michelle!

I could not stop taking picture of Ellie during her oath. Wish I had remembered to take a video!

Very happy Mommies!

Watching the gorilla at the zoo in Columbia!

Ellie laughing at the gorilla!

Feeding giraffes!

Madelyn usually hates feeding animals but actually fed the goats at this zoo!

Ellie was all smiles at the zoo!

Watching the fish at the aquarium!

This little girl is feeling much better!

Looking at me after she pet a snake. Madelyn was so proud of herself because she knows how much I dislike snakes!

Ellie loved petting the snake!

Sweet cousins!

Sarah and Ellie loved playing together during this trip.  They are starting to be best of friends!

Happy Birthday Aunt Kristen!

We loved the zoo, especially the restaurant.  The kids were dancing they loved their food and the zoo so much!

Ellie petting the snake again!

This was one of the best zoo trips we have ever been on.  It was a great day!

Sweet Sarah!

Swim Team Awards Ceremony

Last night, the swim team had an awards ceremony and the pre swim team was invited to take part in the event.  Madelyn and some of the other pre team swimmers got to help hand out gifts to the swim team board.  Madelyn was so excited to get in front of everyone and help with the gifts and be a special helper.  She was also very excited to receive a medal for being part of the  Church Run Rockets Pre Swim Team.  The medal was engraved with each swimmer's name which made it even more special.  Madelyn was so proud and told me she loved the ceremony.  She slept next to her medal, ate breakfast with her medal and told me she can't wait to be on swim team next year!

Some of the Church Run Pre Swim Team!

Madelyn loved being on the pre swim team with her cousin!

Madelyn and her friends!

I am so proud of my sweet Madelyn.  I was on swim team as a kid and is a big fan of the sport:)

Madelyn, Cora and Judah with Coach Kasey!

McGuire Reunion in Baltimore!

This past weekend we got together with the McGuire side of the family in Baltimore to see the Red Sox and Orioles play.  All the siblings gathered at our house on Thursday night and we all headed up to Baltimore on Friday  morning to meet up with Grandpa and Vera and Great Aunt Amy and Steve.  On Friday, we spent the afternoon swimming in the hotel pool and the kids were in heaven.  They all love the water and it was a very special treat when Grandpa got in the water to join in the fun.  On Saturday morning, we went on an Urban Pirates cruise which was awesome.  The younger kids were a little overwhelmed but Jack and Madelyn were really into the cruise.  Everyone had pirate names (Killer Kelly, Maraudin Madelyn and Electric Eel Ellie) and vests and the kids got tattoos and pirate scars.  We sang songs, listened to stories, played games, danced and shot Mad Dog Mike with water cannons.  The water cannons were by far the highlight of the cruise! 

On Saturday night, we all ventured into downtown Baltimore again for the baseball game.  Despite a short rain delay, it was a perfect night.  We had awesome seats, lots of junk food and the Sox won the game.  The kids did really well staying up late and Madelyn and Ellie made it until the bottom of the 7th and we still got back to our hotel at 11:30.  They were exhausted but it was well worth it!

There is never a dull moment getting together with the McGuire family.  We enjoy our time together because it does not happen very often anymore because we are all in different states.   We can't wait to see everyone again so need to start planning our next reunion!

Fun with Grandpa in the pool!

Jack and Madelyn relaxing in the hot tub!

It was so much fun seeing Sarah's personality.  She plays so well with all the kids and the girls just adore her!

Vera and Grandpa doing a little dancing on the cruise!

Madelyn, Aunt Kristen and Jack doing a little limbo action!

Ellie and Vera getting into the limbo!

Madelyn's favorite part was shooting Mad Dog Mike when he stole the treasure!

Picking out their treasure from the box!