Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Temple Open House

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Temple was having its Open House and I thought it would be a great opportunity to take the kids to a Temple and be able to see all around inside.

We drove up to Chad & Katrina's house and we stayed then night before going to see the Temple the next day.

The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins.

Allison and I were having fun with the camera.

Allison and Jessica with Jessica's birthday cake made out of ice cream sandwiches.

 Jessica, Allison and Sarah

At the Temple Open House

Grammy Pat came with us

After we went to the Temple Open House, we met up with Pat's son and his kids and saw the Liberty Bell and some other historic sites of Philadelphia.

Allison's 8th BIRTHDAY!!!

We are not always home for Allison's birthday but this year we were...kind of.

Sister Sharon Richardson had these delivered for Allison. What a sweet lady and a spoiled Allison

Allison's primary teacher, Sister Deborah Toombs, works at a local amusement park, King Dominion and Allison mentioned about wanting to go there, so Sister Toombs got tickets for us. We used them on Allison's birthday.

Here is our traditional donuts on birthday morning.

Here we are at King Dominion

It was really hot out, especially for this one.

Chris took the kids in the water part

Merry-go-round

We had a super fun day, and Allison even convinced Matthew and I go on the drop tower. We were scared to death, but we did it.

I made Allison's Minnie Mouse birthday cake and then she wanted to take it to Activity Day girls since she finally got to go and share it with the girls there.

Sarasota, Florida cousins

After spending time with Spence & Joni's family we drove 2 hours South to Sarasota and spent a couple days with Mike & Wendy's family.

They took us to the beach one of the days we were there.

Tired little baby

Tired brother too apparently

 

Matthew(10), Vanessa(7), Allison (just shy of 8), Kenneth(11)

 Wendy was so good just being willing to hold Michelle

Banana tree in their backyard!

Bananas actually grow up, not down.

Lime tree? or Lemon tree?

Pineapple!!!

I real life growing pineapple.

You plant the top of the pineapple and another one grows underneath it. 

One pineapple per plant

Their avocado tree.

They are HUGE avocados

 Cousins

Garrett, Matthew, Eileen, Shannon, Kenneth, Allison, Michelle, & Vanessa