Palmetto Falls

My favorite discovery of the summer was the Fort Jackson water park. I had heard about it but assumed it was military only and it was for some time. It's now open to the public Tuesday through Friday. It's incredible (for Columbia). It has a shallow pool with a little slide and mushroom fountain for toddlers. There is also a bigger pool with several slides and a lazy river that goes around the pools. They also have a spray park and snack bar. And it is only $9.00 because Carlysle is free. We went several times this summer and had a blast.

This is Carlysle deciding to venture out on her own. One minute she was playing in the water and the next minute she was leaving the toddler section and heading off to the big pool.

This is her closing the gate so that I couldn't come after her!

Carlysle's First Watermelon

Carlysle feeding the ducks at the park

These are pictures from one Sunday afternoon when we took Carlysle to Sesquintental Park. We took some bread for her to feed the geese. She loved it but was determined to hug one, until it actually came near her, then she would run away. In her defense, they look all cute and cuddly until they get close. Those things were pretty intimidating and taller than she was. And they are all business. They just keep walking towards you with a very determined look as if they were saying "Drop the bread and no one will get hurt".

Here is some video from our visit to the park.

Mother's Day Weekend

Ok so I'm just posting pictures from Mother's Day Weekend (I know I'm behind). We attended a surprise birthday party for Gail (Joey's step-mom) that Friday night while Carlysle and John Andrew stayed with Mimi. These are pictures of the cousins playing together.

On that Saturday we had a picnic in Mimi's backyard to celebrate Mother's Day. It was such a beautiful day and we loved spending time with the family and seeing the cousins played together.

Andy and John Andrew

Mimi and Carlysle

John Andre, aka "Coco"