saturday in st. augustine

daddy didn't have to work so we decided to drive down to st. augustine on saturday. it was a beautiful, yet hot day and we had a great time.

first stop was to the Mission of Nombre de Dios grounds to walk around their beautiful green garden/trail. it is here where the very first mass in our country was held. people actually make pilgrimage to the Our Lady of La Leche Shrine which is the building it took place. LOTS of history here, considering the city of st. augustine is currently celebrating their 444th anniversary!

sitting pretty on the way to st. augustine: russell was using the trash bag as a steering wheel to help drive:

there were lots of little gazebos on the trail and the kids loved playing--and posing--in every one:

natalie would sit on every bench and ask me to take her picture:

there were lots of random tombstones around and this one read year of death: 1886. talk about creepy!

The Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche:

interesting facts:

inside the chapel:

yes, there was a HOLE in this tree!

the Great Cross, stands 208 feet tall and weighs 70 tons (look how tiny russ looks walking towards it):

the kids running around at the base of the cross:

when you look up it looks like it is swaying back and forth:

natalie took this picture! (it was windy, hence my crazy hair):

after walking around the church area, we took the kids for some yummy kilwin's ice cream off of historical st. george street. then we drove a little down the road to the little park where the carousel sits. natalie and russell were so excited to get on!

that's russell on the left:

old school monkey bars!

these swings were ridiculously tall, the kind that make you feel like you're flying!