Atlanta part 5

After the CNN Center we went on a little walk to the Olympic Park which was not too far.  They had some playgrounds which Ryan enjoyed and a big field which Ty enjoyed being able to crawl around.

Ryan checking out planes with his pretend binoculars.   Atlanta has the busiest airport I've seen in a while so both boys had a fun time plane spotting--they definitely are McLays!

Atlanta part 4

After the aquarium we went downtown to tour the CNN Center.  I personally don't ever watch CNN but it was part of the city pass so I thought we might as well.  Tyler fell asleep on the way there and thankfully slept for most of the tour.  I didn't realize until we got there that it was about a 50 minute guided tour.  They said I could leave at any time in case the kids weren't digging it but they did fine. 

Overall it was a pretty neat tour--though the thing that I found the neatest was their amazing food court (sadly my pictures didn't turn out).  They had a gift shop but I couldn't think of anyone that I know who watches CNN either.

This is the world longest free standing escaltor--Ryan enjoyed it.

Atlanta part 3

The second day in Atlanta we went to the zoo in the morning.   We spent a little over 3 hours there and I have to admit that I was pretty proud of myself considering 90% of the time I was wearing Tyler.  Both kids did great and Ryan loved it.  There were a few playgrounds there which I think were Ryans favorite part of the trip.  He also enjoyed the elephants and the little train that they had.

Both kids loved the flamingos

We got to watch a bird demonstration.  It only lasted about 10 minutes which was perfect for us.  Ty wasn't too sure about the owl.

I guess pandas are a big deal and only a handful of zoos have them.  I was trying to think and I guess technically this could have been the first time I'd seen them in real life.  Ryan wasn't too impressed. 

I kind of love how Ryan was ask me to take his picture now.  He likes posing in statues.  Of course after I took this I saw a sign saying to not climb on it.  Oops.

I just find him cute in a hat.

Some more pictures he asked me to take--this one was mid roar

Atlanta part 2

I bought the City Pass which gains us entry into 5 different exhibits because I figured since I knew we wanted to do 2 of them already (the zoo and aquarium) it'd be cheaper.  One of those exhibits was of the Coke museum...which was a short walk from the aquarium.  I am definitely a Pepsi girl but I wanted to get the most for my money so we went.  Of course I had just bought Ryan a toy hammerhead from the aquarium so he was asking to go back to the hotel so he could play with it so he wasn't too interested.   I didn't realize the first bit was a guided tour which was kind of difficult with the kids but thankfully it was only about 20 minutes and then we could walk around.   We didn't really see much--we just headed from the Coke tasting.  They had 6 flavors of Cokes from all over.  If Tyler wouldn't have been grabbing my cup I probably would have tried more flavors.  The one from Greece has a pineapple flavor and is actually quite good.  They let us take a bottle at the end which was nice too.

The guide was pretty excited about these bottles so I took some pictures. 

Ryan holding his hammerhead which is all he was concerned about. 

Blurry--but they had stations set up for the different continents.

Ryan grabbing us our free cokes.

Atlanta part 1

Roo is out of town and Ryan starts school next week so I decided to take the kids to Atlanta for one last hoorah.  We left home a little after 4 am because I figured that especially since I was by myself I'd rather have them sleep for most of the drive.  By the time they woke up we had about an hour and a half left until Atlanta.   Since it was too early to check in to our hotel we just went straight to the aquarium.   Ryan has been on a shark kick lately so I figured he'd enjoy it...and I was right!  He had a great time.  Looking back the only thing I'd change is telling him we'd look at toys in the gift store after because from that point on he just glanced and stuff and kept saying he was ready to go.  Overall we were at the aquarium for about an hour and a half which is a record for us.

We're all looking a little rough after that drive.  I have made a point this trip to take as many pictures as possible (and to be in some too).

When in Atlanta...

Tyler enjoyed seeing all the fish too

Mandatory picture with the mascot

I actually saw a few animals I'd never seen before...like this sea dragon.

They had a really neat show with divers which included 4 whale sharks among a ton of other fish.

Roo has been flying a lot this week and I'm trying to enjoy time with Ryan before he starts preschool next month.  Our AC hasn't been working the past few days (which is no fun!).  The only upside is that I get to eat out--so I don't heat up the house even more by cooking,  of course.   We haven't done anything overly exciting this week but I know the Grandparents are wanting pictures.

Ryan playing hide and seek.   I love how Ty wants to be everywhere that Ryan is.  Ryan is such a great big brother--I hope that they are always friends! 

Ty eating corn on the floor.  If it keeps him happy long enough for the rest of us to eat I'm fine with it.

Ty definitely loves corn...He must get it from his Grandma. 

One of our friends is out of town and is letting us use his paddleboard.  It's great exercise and it nice that Ryan and Roo can have some bonding time. 

Ryan was unsure at first but after he saw a dolphin he started to enjoy it more. 

Wedding fun

We had a lot of fun this weekend celebrating with good friends at their wedding.  Ryan had a great time dancing the night away on the dance floor away and I had a fun time alternating between the cupcake bar and the dance floor.  It was the first time Ty has been in "real clothes" and I must say we all clean up nicely.

So handsome!   I can't believe it's been 9 years since our wedding! 

Me attempting to dance with both boys.

Ryan didn't want to stand still long enough for a picture.  

My handsome boys.   On a side note it is really hard to get Ryan to make a nice face in pictures! 

Blurry but proof I was there. 

My guys!

Just being goofy

Museum of Play

This weekend we're up in Rochester,  NY to celebrate some friends as they get married.  Roo was busy with the rehearsal today so I took the boys to a museum downtown.  Normally Ryan is done in about 30 minutes but it's fun to see his imagination grow the older he gets.  This time it was Tyler who didn't last as long...but 2 hours for an 11 month old is still impressive.

We went saw a butterfly exhibit.  It was 20 minutes...we left after 4.  Note the wings Ryan is wearing.  He got them from the pilot of our flight and insists on wearing them all the time.

The boys checking out the fish.

All I wanted was a nice family picture.