Jacksonville Beach...

We planned part of our trip to Jacksonville to include a few hours at the beach. The sand castle competition coupled with the sun and breeze made for a perfect day. The kids really enjoyed it -- Avery picked up shells, Mike & Cole flew a kite and we all enjoyed an occasional dip in the Atlantic's cool waters.

Where do I dock the boat....
In desperate need of a pedicure....
Alice has lost her cat...

Horton...

Mommy playing photographer.......

Avery found LOTS of shells, which of course we couldn't just leave on the beach!!!

Cole played in the sand for 5 hours!!!! He took a skinny dip in the Atlantic when we were done to get the sand out of the unmentionable places!!

Avery helping Daddy get the kite up, up and away...

The guys admiring the view............ of their kite, or so they said...

Tuckered out.... all of us....

except Avery -- she was too busy jumping waves!

The birds loved the leftover sandwich bread...

Hangin out....

We took a long weekend and visited the Jacksonville zoo.... it is large (over 90 acres) and has many exhibits for hands on experiences. The kids loved it...

Daddy, Cole (sporting his big-boy haircut) and Avery Jane..

Avery and Cole liked the new Stingray exhibit -- one is just flipped up one of its rays for Avery!
The zoo also has a free splash park -- we let Avery in to get cooled off. Cole hung out with Dad enjoying his first ever snowcone with lemon & raspberry flavoring.

Rock on Man!!!!

This is the lorikeet exhibit -- the kids can feed it citris nectar in an open aviary. Cole was REALLY into it as was Avery Jane. The birds were very welcoming....

You could feed the girafees too --- the zoo was well equipped with wash stations right with all of these hands on exhibits for both the kids safety and the animals.

Avery's favorite....

Cole's unapproval of the hat Mommy picked out!

Avery started pee-wee soccer earlier this spring....

We forgot how much fun a pan of jello and jigglers (non-alcohol of course) can be. I had some letter cutters, which Avery loved. Cole got frustrated so we went and got a spoon and started shoveling it in.....

Mr. Man riding his bike...