Jennie's husband, John, currently works for the Coast Guard School. We got a behind-the-scenes tour of the classrooms and the pool where the rescue swimmers train. He was even able to turn it on to simulate a storm for us. The rig behind them in the picture is the bones of a helicopter that they will be jumping out of.

*see more pics under the "Our Pictures" page 

One of the last things I got to do was spent the afternoon at the park with my Lilly. We played on everything (at least twice) and blew bubbles by the pond. We even met a new friend who was also named "Lilly". She had an American flag on her shirt so the girls decided to call her "Lilly America" to distinguish them. What a fun way to spend our last day together. 

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So exciting! I love sea turtles! Getting to walk in and see the place where marine biologists are actually doing the work was amazing!

There is also an area next door where kids can take a large plastic turtle and diagnose and care for it before releasing it back into the "wild".  This was a very hands on exhibit that showed the work these biologists do without making it too hard for a younger audience to understand. Well done!

*see more pics under the "Our Pictures" page

Our second lighthouse to climb this trip! This little girl is fearless. 

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Sisters on a Beach! Our first stop in North Carolina. 

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For my birthday, my mom gave me a trip to see my sister in North Carolina before she moves to Alaska. Her husband works for the Coast Guard and their next assignment will be in Kodiak, Alaska. 

You probably know my adventurous spirit does not usually extend to food..., but today I ate clams. Lots of them. And some amazing salmon!  All prepared by my sister from the fresh fish market. 

Our trip to a local NC brewery and eatery featured on an episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives". 

​*see more pics under the "Our Pictures" page

This trip to North Carolina is giving me the opportunity to not only see my sister, her husband, and her two children, but also climb lighthouses! I love lighthouses! (Charms on my bracelet, large image on my beach towel, decor in my classroom, etc.)

​This was Lilly's first time to climb a lighthouse. You have to be a certain height to climb and she is finally tall enough! She did great! No fear here!

*see more pics under the "Our Pictures" page

This has been a HUGE day for many reasons. 

1. Today is the day we presented the 3rd and 4th Grade musical "Thwacked!" (8:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 7:00 p.m.) 
2. Mom, John, and Randy have come to town around lunchtime
3. We headed out to our school to take the family photos with the bluebonnets after lunch and between the second and third "Thwacked!" shows. 
4. We played board games with Randy and John at Granddad's house.
5. We headed back to school for the last show. 
6. After clearing the stage, we saw the very first showing of the newest Marvel movie "Avengers: Infinity War". 
7. As soon as we get back from the movie (3:00 a.m.) I have to finalize my packing for my trip to North Carolina in a few hours. (No sleep)

So, Avengers...? Yeah! Awesome! And I cannot tell you ANYTHING! #ThanosDemandsYourSilence