I still have not accumulated a lot of vacation since I used everything I had plus went in the hole from my maternity leave with the girls so instead of taking a big vacation we took several day trips. One of my favorite was a train trip from Greensboro to Charlotte. Whether you drive or take the train it takes the same amount of time but on the Amtrak we all got to see the scenery and relax on the way there and back.
This is the Amtrak station in Greensboro. I had not been in there since it was turned back into a train station and I thought it was really nice!
Mom, Jonah, Luke, and myself went on the trip. We are waiting on the train to arrive. We met my brother, Michael and his sons Ethan, and Colin in Charlotte since they live near Charlotte.
Once in Charlotte we went to the Discovery Place. Unfortunately we did not know they were renovating it so most of it was closed. They did have a really cool pirate exhibit.
Michael, Colin, and Luke in the wind tunnel. It showed how it would feel with high winds from a hurricane.
Colin, Ethan, and Jonah.
We had time left so we went to a really nice park after lunch. Then we got ice cream and went to a library before heading back to the train station.
Luke fell asleep on the train ride home and wasn't fully awake when I took this picture.
On the next trip I did not get to go. My parents took the boys and went with some friends and their grandson to the Lazy 5 ranch. I have been twice in the past and it is a really neat place. They have a petting zoo and then you can either drive your car through or take a horse drawn wagon through the zoo and feed the animals.
Luke and Zan.
The goat was nice enough to let Luke hold his horn.
Most of the animals are loose walking around, except for the giraffes, rhinos, and other animals you would not want to be walking around while you were in the zoo. The best thing to do is pay for the wagon ride, the driver will tell you facts about the animals and stop to let you feed them. Most animals will eat out of your hand.
Jonah feeding the giraffes.
Our next big occasion was Jonah's 10th Birthday.
This year he had an indoor Rock Climbing Party.
Jonah
Shane even gave it a try.
Jonah's friends.
Afterwards we had cake . All the boys seemed to have a great time.
I took off work the day before school started for Jonah (4th grade) to take the boys to a city pool. You would think since it had been HOT all summer that it would be on this August day, but no, it was chilly. We still had a lot of fun.
Jonah and Luke goofing around.
It is a fairly new pool and they have a beach area that has different kinds of mushroom looking towers that water comes out of. Jonah and Luke were under one of these.
We had a great summer but as usuall it went by to fast.
Jonah, Luke, and me.
We saw lots of animals. At first it seemed like every animal was taking their morning nap but as the day went on more animals were active. We got to see the elephants up close. The otters, seals and sea lions were active. We saw the turtles, lizards, giraffes, and puffins eat their lunch. A crocodile was blowing bubbles in the water. When we got home we looked it up and learned he was blowing bubbles to try and get a girlfriend.
There were all kinds of statues to climb in and on. They were a big hit, like this egg Emmett and Luke got in.
Jonah and Emmett
There were several exhibits to learn about different animals, this one had a helicopter to play in.
Luke did his best to keep up with his big brother, climbing on rocks and statues.
We all had a lot of fun and were exhausted by the time we got home. 
Lilly & Grandpa Jim loved the cake!
Brotherly love... Jonah & Luke
It's so much fun to open presents!
Especially when you get what you wanted...a video game so I can be just like my big brother.
