Charlotte downtown ...and Peter arriving

Wednesday morning a very tired Peter arrived in Charlotte.  This Jaime was very excited for, and all of us!

First even recordable event in Charlotte was our visit to downtown Charlotte...  

Catching the train

The train

One of the alley ways

The museum of modern Art - just like all teh other museums in Charlotte we stood outside peeked in took a pic and moved on!  Thats life with a 2 year old

walking in the Charlotte streets

Some guys washing windows - we found the whole process fasinating

Some Charlotte charm

The boys waiting at the station after a long day walking the town

North Carolina: Charlotte

8 November 2010 a new day, a another airoplane, a new adventure.... this time in Charlotte - North Carolina.  This time thank God it was a 2 hour flight and one flight only!   





Jaime wanting to sit in "Jaime's chair" but to tired to stay up

 We arrived in Charlotte, beautiful Charlotte.  The State has a canopy of trees all chaninging in colour - green, yellow red, it was asolutely beautiful.  Ili's, the practical minded, first thought "oh hell no whose gonna clean up those leaves???"

Car #2 a Dodge Caliber

Like in most states the children are high priority, so finding a playground for Jaime to run off his energy was pretty simple.  This was also one of the ways we found out more about the area - the condition of the playground, the children and parents there and well the surrounding area.  You could pretty ,much tell one area from the next purely on the playground. 
 
This one in particular was set in the middle of a forrest, this Jaime enjoyed the initial stomping on leaves, running free, and enjoying not being in a confined plane or hotel room.



running in between the trees

 We look forward to the next 10 days ...

Another Goodbye

We left Florida on Monday morning.  Lucky the kids were clearing out for school so the goodbye was hectic - always a good thing as I really hate saying goodbye!

Ili, Jaime and myself had such a good weekend!  I think the best was that we could eyewitness the fact that Augi and Martin have settled down and have done so well!  We really enjoyed conversations and all the tips for our up and comin adventure!

Thank you cuzzies for being such great hosts and making the future hopeful!

Sunday in Florida

Sunday after a pancake breakfast we head out for a drive to Fort Myers and the island of Captiva.

As usual when ever we can stop we do - else the kids eat us alive in the car ha ha ah

Jaime getting more and more adveturous with what he climbs

cowboy

Martin joining in the fun

still driving around

finally a pic of Augi...taken by Jaime

Family pic - reaturant on Captiva Island.  We were the youngest people in the joint ha ha ha at least we felt young again

Daniela and Jaime (Augi was trying to get Jaime's attention by doing the "Jaime look at the birdie", so what does Jaime do, copy of course)

The view of the ocean from our table.

On the way back home we passed the Lakes park again for an authentic train ride.  Now this was fun!  A 20min ride through the park which basically took us through the different cities and neighbourhoods in Florida.

The train ride

The city ahead 

All aboard

the back seat driver - making sure the train doesnt derail.  Martin we wont tell anyone that we derailed twice and it was completely not your fault ha ha ha ha

Another day in paradise

We spent the morning the beach....

Walking on the soft soft sand

digging a BIG hole

Hard at work

checking out the scene

Afternoon at this huge park called something lakes...I knew I should have taken a pic of the sign!

Watching the kids on the jungle gym

Fishing...without the rods and any form of equipment lol

the 3 monsters...ok it looks like Im pulling Dylans head but honestly my hand is resting on his head

Check out the lux swings - who would't wanna swing!

Catching some sun

Evening chilling at home

A bed time story read by Daniela

Dylan messing around

Jaime messing around - monkey see monkey do

Fort Myers: Florida

Our Florida triip started Friday 4th at 3:30AM.  We packed up the hotel, dropped off the rental car and checked in.  Yeah right things never go that smoothly!  Here in the states if you travel nationally and you check luggage you pay $25 a bag.  Now we have 2 HUGE bags both over weight grrr extra $90 a bag!  So we landed up reorganising our bags checking in 3 bags just to lower our cost!

An hour later we finally check in, pass security and catch flight #1 to Atlanta.

Land in Atlanta RUN to #2

Arrive at gate just as they start boarding ...geez nothing like an adrenaline charged holiday!

We arrived in Fort Myers, met a smilling Augi at the baggage claim!  Good to see family!

Then we started to chill - arrived home and waited for the kids.

Jaime, Daniela and Dylan met eyes and clicked instantaneously! 

Everyone swinging - one does it they all do it!  Its cool

I had to ask the kids to lie down for Jaime...normally they run around the ring while it itself turns on the axile. 

Look at me mom!

Dylan - Jaime's new idol

Gorgeous Daniela

This is the playground on the estate "community" where Augi, Martin and the kids stay

Apparently we brought the cold to Florida.  It is expected to be the coldest its been all year.  Note we all wearing really think woollen jerseys ;-)

Last few days in Texas

The last few days in Texas flew by!  Here some pics of Jaime chilling at one of the Plano malls.  It was raining the last few days so we pretty much stuck to the malls and driving around, so not to many exciting pics.

I told you we drove around...

In teh middle of the mall they have a section sponsored by teh Medical centre.  Basically its huge loony toons playgym characters that the public can play with.  Jaime had a blast!

The ambulance

burining some energy...

really burning energy



the Im a big boy smile


We had a really good time in Texas - getting a good feel of the Plano, Fort Worth, Capelle and Farmers Branch areas. 




Playground in Farmers Branch


Now forward to Florida!

Mommy's boy

My Cowboy

Cowboys are strong, astute, ride bulls and wear very unique clothing...

The one knee pose was done all on his own

Cheese Dad