Floppin' Flounder

Our last day in Charleston was spent running our first race all together. Emma was very helpful, yelling "beep beep," effectively getting people out of our way!
Afterward, Emma raced by herself.
And before we go, the traditional picture in Mommy's old climbing tree. A slight difference now from the first and second and third pictures in this tree!
Just had to show what having a baby does to you. We have the largest passenger vehicle available and we still had to bring a trailer to fit all of our stuff!

Told you we visited CTL a lot!

Like I said, we had to go look fo gators 3 time! Luckily, Charlestowne Landing is one of the prettiest places ever!
And, Look! We found another gator! Look close, he's in the water near the other shore.
Emma loves Charleston.
Gee, I wonder why.

Folly Beach

Emma had so much fun at the beach the first day, we just had to go back.
Love the rock star glasses!
She's going to be a runner just like Mommy and Daddy!
Daddy, Don't let go!
What a great day!

Mommy's turn!

You thought that Mommy was joking about Emma's love of the alligator? Mommy had to hold Emma back to keep her from doing an underwater search for the gator!
"Don't worry, kiddo. We'll find you a gator today!
Hmmm...Is it down there?
Photo op!
Where's the alligator?!?!?

Charlestowne Landing 2009

Hmmm...This sign looks familiar!
Oh yeah...Now I remember! Daddy, I'm much older and more mature now. That doesn't scare me anymore!
See? I've changed in a year, haven't I?
Ooooh. This sign doesn't lie!
A black bear!!!!

More Charlestowne Landing

Well, I guess it's time for us to head back home.
But wait! What's that?
An ALLIGATOR! How cool! Emma fell in love with the alligator and asked to go see it everyday in Charleston. We went 3 times to visit just to see the alligator at Emma's request!
Yawn!!! What a day! Daddy? I'm ready to go home and go to bed now!

Nathaniel Russel House

Later on we visited the Nathaniel Russell house downtown. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take pictures of the inside but Emma posed nicely outside!
So did Daddy!
And Emma, again. It is her blog, afterall!

Family visit!

While we were in Charleston, Thea Alexis, Uncle Barney, and Thea Mary came to visit. Uncle Barney loved the toys as much as Emma!
You wouldn't believe how much fun you can have with a box!
Dinner time!
This picture says it all! Emma is always the center of attention!
And Emma demonstrated to everyone where her attention goes when Caillou is on TV.

Beach fun

After the turtles were set free, we got down to some beach business. Emma had a lot more fun today than the first time she visited the beach.
Emma and Daddy played in the gully first.
But then Emma was ready for more adventure so they went to the waves!
Emma loves the waves!
If you haven't noticed, by the time Mommy ever gets Emma, she doesn't want to take good pictures anymore but Mommy needed to prove that she actually got in the water, too.

An unexpected treat...Two loggerhead sea turtles were being released at Folly Beach so Emma decided she'd like to see them off. She and Daddy posed for a photo op while we waited.
Emma never has trouble entertaining herself.
There's one! Uh oh, it's going the wrong way!
To get the turtle back in the water the rescuers picked it up and carried it closer to the water and farther from all the people. Emma was VERY upset that they picked up the turtle.
But once she saw it go into the water she was as happy as could be and waved bye-bye to it.

Charleston 2009!

No trip to Charleston would be complete without a trip to IHOP. Mommy learned that from Aunt Heather! Emma thinks this is absolute wisdom!
After IHOP Emma took Daddy to the Charleston Aquarium. Emma thought Daddy looked very silly trying to imitate the fish!
A brief stop to investigate a skunk in a hole...Luckily, it was fake!
Mommy! Daddy! I want to go play with the fishies! Let me in!
On second thought, I'll stay on THIS side of the glass!