30 Day Adventure - Days 21-23 East Coast Road Trip

We had to be in Baltimore by Monday, May 11, so we took our time driving from Alabama to Maryland over the weekend. Our first planned stop had been to stay the night with Whit and her sweet family. Unfortunately Amelia woke up with a fever so we had to scrap that plan. But Patrick found us a super cheap hotel room near Whit's home so Austin and I spent the evening with them while Patrick and Amelia had a 'pizza delivery' date at the hotel. Whitney was my roommate during our freshman year at Auburn and I'm so grateful for her friendship.

Isla & Austin

I love Isla's face!

I'm holding Tessa (4 months) who was a great snuggler

Some pre-bedtime reading

Leaving a hotel - these kids are just amazing when it comes to hotel room stays. Seriously no complaints here.

We made it to Richmond, VA and visited the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. They were minutes from where we stayed and advertised a butterfly house and splash pad.

She asked me to take her photo!

Cheesy grin over the butterfly stamp

Spider stamp - they sure know how to make kids happy

 

The butterfly house was full of exotic species so we had to go through special screening before coming in and out. The room was full of gorgeous flowering plants and butterflies flittering everywhere. 

Brand new butterflies, transferred to the butterfly room, about to take their first flights

Gorgeous orchids nearby

 

I don't know if a photo could do justice to this rose garden. They had it set up for a wedding and it was definitely magazine worthy. 

Tree house in the children's garden

Climbing tree

 

This girl had so much fun! 

This boy had so much fun watching her. But would not get in.

 

We tried bribing him with M&Ms to go in. He made a quick dash in and out and was done. And demanded those M&Ms. 

Quite a happy camper

 

We headed to Jim & Martha's home in Maryland for a night. They spoiled the kids with bubbles and chalk and balloons.

 

Some kind of important discussion by everyone's faces. :)

The next morning Martha let them watch a show on her bed and Amelia talked about it for the rest of the day. She also asks when they are coming to visit again (hint hint!)