My Friends, The Sharks

A few days ago I got to go to the Aquarium. I was up bright and early and we were the first ones there. So, I had the whole aquarium to myself for a while! My favorite animals to watch that day were...

You guessed it, the SHARKS!

The sharks were about as entertained by me as I was watching them. One big one, and two smaller ones kept circling back and following me along the glass.

"Hey, where'd you go?"

"Well, hello again!"

Taking a break. Hanging out with sharks is tough stuff.

Waving good-bye to the sharks.

The Babe

The Babe is finally up and running! Dad and my puppies are very happy to have a pick-up again. I don't really get to ride in the Babe, but I still think it's a pretty cool truck!

Me and Dad

Dad had to get his picture taken for the promotion board so he wore his dressy uniform to work yesterday. Mom got a quick picture of us before I tried to play with the fancy ribbons on his shirt.

My Frogs

This week we decided to move my frogs to a bigger aquarium. Even though they live in water they are still really good jumpers, which Mom learned quite quickly. Both of them nearly escaped multiple times, but luckily Mom was quick that day and caught them every time before they flopped to the floor.

There, all safe in their new home

I think they look happier already!

Back to the Beach

The weather was gorgeous last weekend so I was able to convince Mom and Dad that it was time we paid the beach a visit :)

At last! Hello ocean!

Diggin' for shells

I decided to hang with Dad for a while because he was winning in the shell collecting. He found the coolest and biggest shells of the day.

I made a run for it a few times, but wasn't quite quick enough to get by Mom and Dad and jump in the water (they mentioned something about the water being to cold, but I'm not buying it). Anyway, I decided to listen to them and stay out of the water, but was sure to play as close to the edge as possible

Mom and I sitting for a few minutes trying to spot dolphins, but sadly, this was the first time we never waw dolphins at Emerald Isle. Hopefully next time.

I look way better in these than Mom does!

What's a trip to the beach without tormenting some unsuspecting seagulls?

What a fun day!

So long ocean, See you soon!

Sunshine and Wintertime

Turns out that when we came back from Minnesota we brought the cold with us, at least that's what our neighbors say.

I don't know what they're talking about. I think it's plenty warm to play outside.

I've been brushing up on my ball skills after my break for the holidays. I can't wait til I can take on Dad!

Don't think it's all play for me. Oh no, I am a hard little worker and love working outside too. My trusty little shovel is still one of my favorite toys. (Make sure to get a look at my cool hat. It was my Uncle Tyler's when he was little and it is my absolute favorite hat of all time! Thanks Uncle Tyler!)

I even work hard away from home. I decided to bring my bigger, heavy-duty shovel with me to the park yesterday just in case there was some digging that required my assistance.

My puppy, Lakota convinced me that I had worked hard enough for one day though.

So, Dad, Mom, me, Kiara and Lakota went exploring the trails around Brice's Creek.

"Where to now, Kota?"

I loved the trails and bridges. To Mom and Dad's surprise, my little legs didn't even get tired and I walked the whole trail by myself!

Mom and Dad took me down to the creek too. It's so pretty and peaceful that we wish we could go there all year long, but the bugs get way too bad when it's warm, so we'll have to go as often as we can while it's still cool outside.

It was such a nice day to enjoy the water (even though I couldn't convince Mom and Dad to let me go swimming like my puppies).

Have a great weekend everyone! Everyone up North keeps telling me to send the warm weather that way, so I'll do my best. Bye Bye!

Rewind to December...

Hey Everyone,

Yes, it's been a while, but I would still like to share some of our pictures from the holidays. Let's rewind back before Christmas...

"Ah, all settled in for our 1,300 miles of pure fun!"

I wasn't being sarcastic. I really don't mind the drive. Mom and Dad come up with lots of things to entertain me along the way, and there's always lots to see out the window. But, this year took a bit longer because of the huge snowstorm we ran into. Yes, you all heard Mom and Dad complaining about it over the holidays, but honestly, what are the odds of the one big snowstorm to hit North Carolina all winter arriving on the same day we leave?

Even though the snow slowed down our drive a lot, it did make our drive through the mountains even prettier.

And I figured that if I pretended that it was a beautiful sunny day maybe that would help melt the snow on the roads more quickly.

Well, we made it back before Christmas so that's all that matters.

"Mom, what is it? I'm on the phone." "Hello, Santa? Yes, you can still bring my presents to Minnesota this year"

Once we were back we were happy to have snow. Mom and Dad had fun and built me a giant snowman one day.

I had lots of fun visiting all of my grandpas and grandmas, aunts and uncles, and cousins.
I got to stay with Grandpa John, Grandma Ellen, and Aunt Kelly while were back.

I had lots of fun with Aunt Kelly and loved trying to sneak down to her room all the time.

Since I was such a good boy all year, I got lots of cool presents while visited!

Aunt Carissa was so much fun to open presents with!

Grandpa John showed my the funnest ways to use my new presents!

Now I like to ride in my new wheelbarrow, my new tonka truck, and my new shopping cart.

My shopping cart was fun to stand in even before it was put together!

And since I like getting rides in everything, I figure my animals would like that too. I love hauling them around in my wagon.

Don't worry, all of my presents made it safely back to North Carolina.

We finally got my rocking chair back that I got for Christmas last year. I love having a chair just my size to read my books in.

When we got back I did decide to double-check some of my toys to make sure they didn't need any repairs.

"Good to go, Mommy"

It was so nice to see all of you. Hope you're having a great new year!