Our Getaway - Day 3

Two words.  Sun rise.  Went out to watch the sun rise Wednesday morning.  Thought it might be a bid disappointing since there were quite a few low-lying clouds.  Boy, was I wrong!

There were dolphins swimming in the distance!

God's beauty at its finest!

We drove up to Manteo to Roanoke Island Festival Park.  Princess Sparkle is learning about early settlements in America in history class right now.  She was excited when I told her we'd be going here on vacation.  (We will have 4 days of school in while while on vacation.  Two school days while traveling down and back and two days worth of field trips.  I call that a win / win!)

Queen Elizabeth II

In the bowels of the ship

Hollowing out a canoe

Searching for fossils

Squirrels like sour cream Pringles, Bugles and pretzels.  Who knew!?!

We stopped at the Christmas Mouse store while in Manteo.

Butterfly found her name on on the Nice List.

She also found Isabella's name -- believe it our not, Aunt Mel.

Camero, tractor, motorcycle and ATV ornaments -- not sure which was his favorite.

Sparkle doing her best owl impression.

 We also stopped at the dunes on the way back to our vacation house.  The kids loved running up and down them.  There were a lot more neat shells in this area too.

Sparkle's creation

Ended the day at the beach!

Phipps Conservatory

Wednesday we went with friends to Pittsburgh's Phipps Conservatory.  Featured exhibits currently running were the Butterfly Forest and the Summer Flower Show with train-themed displays.  The girls and I had been there on one other occasion for a field trip, but this time we purchased a membership and look forward to going numerous times throughout the year!  Here are a few photos from our visit -- I can't believe I took 225 photos!!

Lil' Birdie

For a couple weeks on and off, I've been tring to capture a picture of the birds that frequent our birdfeed.  I get frustrated when I "just miss" them or when I more closer and they fly away.  This morning I decided to set my camera on Burst hoping to get at least one good picture.  (I'm a little slow when it comes to bright ideas if you can't tell.)

 

I was so shocked when I looked at the pictures after I downloaded them onto our laptop that I had to make a collage!  Now if only the shade strings weren't in the way . . .

 

Click on image to make larger.