What a Trip!

   We've been having a great summer.  Russ made it home from Iraq.  Yippee!  Shortly after his homecoming, we left for the mainland to visit family.  Our first stop was Tennessee to see my mom and step-dad.  It was so nice being back in the country again and hanging out with my sweet mom.  Rachel really enjoyed seeing her Granny and P-Pop.  They took us fishing....Rachel's first fishing trip, antique shopping, out to lunch, and a little sightseeing.  After our visit in Tennessee was over, we headed for North Carolina to visit Russ' parents.  Rachel was happy to see her Nana, Gramps, G.G., Aunt Chris and Uncle Bob.  Rachel also got to see her Aunt Jen, Uncle Rob, and cousin Carol Ann.  We did a lot of fun stuff here, too.  We went to the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.  We participated in very fun adventures here - rock climbing, zip lining, aerial ropes course, and free fall.  And yes, Rachel did it all with us.  While we were in North Carolina, we also played some mini golf, ate at some Diners Drive-ins and Dives featured restaurants, went to Carowinds theme park and went to the Discovery Place children's museum.  We even got a little exercise in, too! 

At the airport waiting for Daddy.

Making friends with Smokie.

Fishing with Granny and P-Pop.

Working her way up the wall.

She amazes me.

Up the cargo net to zip line.

Zip lining alongside her Daddy.

She loved it.

30 feet in the air!  Ropes adventure course.

Can we say "thrill junkie"?

Russ, Aunt Chris, Me
Rachel

Back in beautiful Hawaii.....planted on the beach!