Vacation Pics, Part I

(note: I have now published the second half of the vacation pictures, but have placed them BELOW (or after) this post so that they are sequential...just a note for those of you who may have already peeked on here today!)

EJ and I got a chance to get OUT of St. Louis (!) and go on our very first vacation!  What fun!  I am certainly hoping to save up some hotel points and some money to head to a beachy location the next go-round, but we had a blast hanging with our sweet and precious friend, Laurie.  EJ was a champ, despite some tough toddler falls, everything being new and different, missing her pal Symba (our cat), and other friends we see regularly here at home.  But, I think it was a great experience for both of us, and a special time for me - I can't remember the last time I was actually on a "vacation!"  Plus, we did so many "firsts" my little girl...what a joy for a mommy to jam-pack it all into a handful of days and experience it all with her.  :)

I didn't do a great job of keeping the pictures minimal, but I DID narrow down from over 200+ and I'm posting on 2 blog entries in case you need a break from scrolling.  

Enjoy!

Departure Day: Thursday 

We flew out in the morning (thank you Linda for yet another ride to the airport!), EJ was a champ on the plane, and oh-so-thankfully, we got the only open seat on a full flight.  My kiddo is WAY too big (& squirmy) to fit in my lap for 1 hr 15 min....  Once Laurie picked us up, we all caught up a bit and let EJ and "P" (who is only a few months older than EJ) get to know each other.  Then we all headed out to a park later than afternoon....

Waiting at the airport on our way OUT of town!

EJ and Laurie pointing to where we were - OHIO!!!

Just extra proof that we were indeed both there, in Ohio.  :)

Friday: Zoo!
Columbus has a WAY cool zoo, inspired by Jack Hanna, so we literally got to see tigers, elephants, lions, etc. up close and personal - only separated by a piece of thick glass.  The kids had fun....

EJ has always enjoyed trying to say "elephant" - it has been one of her first words since the beginning.  She can't actually say it, but Mommy can always tell when she's trying to.  I can't wait to show her Dumbo the movie someday.  :)

Love the tiptoes and stretching to see such weird-looking, pinks birds.

Gorgeous...

OK, this dude...we were only separated by these cages and about 4 feet...man, did they smell!

Afterward, EJ and P played together on the piano...precious!!

This is Laurie and the 3 boys (including "P") that she nannies for...and my kiddo joining in as if she were "one of the guys."  Only Laurie can capture and keep the attention of 4 kiddos so well.  :)

I told you we kept busy...the zoo was just the morning...it was time for mini-golf in the afternoon!

EJ trying to figure out where the boys' ball went after they putted them into the house-thingy.

Look, she's such a pro, pink ball and everything.  I have "no" idea who picked out that golf ball for her. :)

Two champion mini golf kids...

Saturday: A Day at the Farm!
We headed to Laurie's mom's farm about 45 min from Columbus to meet and pet their 4 horses.  EJ wasn't quite sure what to do with such a big animal's head so close to her, and for once, my fearless child, got a bit fearful...and never ended up petting these pretty horses.  But, she still hung on while mommy got to pet her first horse ever!  They were all really sweet, and put up with EJ's frightened and goofy squealing.  

Check out the action shot on those LIPS!

Love this one...

Laurie picked up EJ and they watched the farm dog hop around in the field...hilarious to see him popping up and down!  :)

She got to ride and steer the tractor with Laurie.  If I ever get videos uploaded...you'll see it in action.

This picture actually comes AFTER the next one, but look how silly EJ's face is in this one!  OK, so  now look below to see that we were playing peek-a-boo.  :)

Check out those LONG legs...what a BIG, BIG girl she is already!

EJ's first time on a slip and slide!!  Oh my gosh, it was only about 85 degrees and the water was SOO cold, but the 2 kiddos didn't seem to care one bit.  EJ really enjoyed it, once she figured out what this big blue plastic thing was all about...and with a little help from Laurie. 

She hijacked the water source and had to take timeout drinks...thirsty from all her sliding, I suppose!

Two of my favorite girls....

See?  Jam-packed 2 1/2 days already!  The remaining trip is yet to come!  I will post ASAP (already have the pics uploaded, just need to type up the descriptions)...check back soon!