Museum of Life Science

Our second adventure while in Chapel Hill was much more of a success. After dropping Mike at his conference the kids and I headed to the Museum of Life Science in Durham. We arrived about a 1/2 hr after they opened at 10am and stayed until they closed at 5pm. The kids and I really enjoyed all the fun things to see and do. We . . .

Rode a train

Played at the seed tower

Explored the dinosaur trail

Dug for fossils

Watched the frogs, spiders and insects

We closely watch the frogs as you can see from Natalya.

Marcus was doing the same thing but stopped right before I took the picture.

Hunted for butterflies in the tropical conservatory.

It was neat having all the butterflies flying around us

Took a picture break on the butterfly seat

Petted the farm animals

(I think this was Marcus' favorite thing to do.)

Played in the sandbox

Built things

and played with fun toys.

We also got to explore the Carolina Wildlife exhibit and watch the snakes and alligators while they were being feed. It was cool watching the poor little goldfish trying to out swim the snake but finally getting eaten.

And after finishing our day at the pool the kids and I were really ready for bed.

Chapel Hill

Once again Mike had a medical conference to attend and we tagged alone for the ride. This time we went to Chapel Hill, NC. Besides a bit of sickness that hit most of the family while there we really enjoyed our time exploring and soaking in the 80 degree weather. We spent a lot of time outside and in the hotel pooling keeping cool.

The first day of the conference the kids and I decided we would go explore the Planetarium and Science Center on the UNC campus. After finding parking about 5 blocks away, which wouldn't have been so bad if I wasn't 36 weeks pregnant and had to carry a 18 month old in 80 degree weather. But we did make it and to the planetarium which ended up being not much to see for the kids because the exhibits are only open on the weekend during the school year and all the shows were sold out because of lots of school groups. We did enjoy the nice weather and the kids got to run around a little outside.

It ended up that we had to pick up Mike early from his conference because he wasn't feeling well so it worked out ok. After bring Mike back to the hotel the kids and I enjoyed some lunch and a little shopping before heading back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. So not the day I had planned but we all had fun anyways.

The girls posing while exploring the UNC campus

Sunny Days

We have been enjoying the nice spring weather and playing outside. The kids really like it that they can be outside and jump and hang out on the deck.

Marcus hanging out in his big boy undies.

Having fun on the trampoline

35 weeks

I haven't been pictured on the blog lately since I'm always the one behind the camera so I thought I'd post about me. So here is a picture of me. Notice once again I'm the one behind the camera. I'm now 35 week and doing great. The baby is measuring small (3 weeks to be exact) and so I'm headed back to the doctor next week for and ultrasound to make sure everything is all right. We are not worried and neither is the doctor because all our kids have measured small, just a precaution. Very excited to meet this new little guy and introduce him to the family. Hopefully we can decide on a name before we leave the hospital or better yet before he comes.

35 weeks and counting!

Marcus 18 months

Our little man Marcus turned 18 months. If I had been a little more prepared we would have celebrated with a cake or something, but I'm sure he has eaten lots of cookies and brownies this week so that should make up for it.

Marcus is such a happy little kid and loves just playing by himself. I'll go to find him and a lot of the time he has let himself into the basement and he is happily playing. He loves his cars, trucks and trains and is usually carrying around one or two in his hands. But he loves his necklaces too, as you can see from the pictures. Thanks Grandma Kennedy for all the fun jewelry. I think Marcus gets the most use out of is lately. He is just like Raquel at this age, she loved her necklaces too and it wasn't just one or two but as many as can be found.

Marcus had his 18 month check-up and is doing great. He is growing and gaining weight like he should. We all love an adore our little guy!

18 month stats

32 1/2 inches (50-75%)

25 lbs 4 oz. (25-50%)

18 1/2 in. head

Agriculture Community Day

The Blacksburg High School FFA club held a community agriculture day at there school. The kids had lots of fun making different crafts, petting animals, painting, planting plants and eating snacks. The day was so cold so it was nice to have a fun indoor activity to entertain the kids. We did venture outside to see the different large animals once or twice. The poor piggies were huddled together trying to stay warm, where as the goats and alpacas didn't seem to mind the cold weather. The kids were able to make peanut butter and bird seed covered pine cone that we put on out pack porch. The kids enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels eating them.

Checking out the rabbits and ferret.

Marcus was more interested in the cages than the animals.

Marcus, Raquel and Natalya making glove gardens.

Enjoying a mini ice cream cone

Checking out the little pigs.

Marcus loved the animals!

Petting the miniature horse

Natalya & Raquel

Marcus sitting on the 4 wheeler.

He was drawn to it every time he noticed it.

Marcus destroying the sample caterpillar

Natalya making an egg carton caterpillar with dad

Raquel painting her flower pot

Snow

We finally got our first big snow of the winter and the kids had lots of fun playing, sledding and building a snow man in the snow. I should say that Natalya and Raquel had fun, and Marcus just tolerated it. He really didn't like being out side in the snow. The family went sledding at the park, but Marcus and I stayed in the truck while the girls and Mike had fun going down the hill. Natalya was really brave and would sled by her self. It was cute watching her slide down. She would just sit on the sled and ride it down until it completely stopped before getting off or she would just sit there on the sled after it stopped until Mike came and got her and pulled her back up to the top. Mike soon learned and had Natalya start pulling the sled up to the top herself.

The girls and I had fun making a snow man and shoveling the driveway (yes Raquel actually asks if she can shugel (shovel)). The snow won't stay long, its suppose to get into the 60's this week and so we had to have as much fun as we could fast.

Mike playing with the kids in our front yard.

Raquel

Natalya enjoying the snow

Marcus & Natalya sledding in our front yard

Marcus taking a ride. He tolerated it, but didn't like it.

Marcus likes getting dressed in his snow outfit but

doesn't like to be out in the snow.

Raquel and Natalya showing off their snowman

Winterfest 2012

The kids enjoyed another year at Winterfest on VT campus. They had fun in the bouncy house, which deflated and fell on Marcus while he was in there. We tried to get him out but he had no interest leaving such a fun place. Luckily they were able to get the air going again before he was completely trapped. We ate popcorn and cotton candy. Played games, colored and stood in line for over an hour to get balloon art. But we had lots of fun!

Mike and Marcus

Raquel and Natalya enjoying the bouncy house

Marcus and Natalya in the bouncy house

Marcus and Natalya squishing their

faces against the bouncy house.

They also had a photo booth with props you could dress up in for pictures.

Marcus trying out the pinewood derby cars.

Making sand art

You would think that every kid would love cotton candy. Cotton candy equals 100% sugar. Well Marcus wouldn't have anything to do with it even after we forced it into his mouth to try it.

Natlaya and Mike practicing their medieval weapons skills

This is how Natalya decided to color her picture.

Laying half on a coffee table and half on a couch.

Waiting patiently for their balloon art.

After standing in line for about 1 1/2 hours this is what we walked away with.

Natalya got a butterfly, Raquel a unicorn and Marcus a bear on a stick with a heart.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Raquel's school put on a Daddy Daughter dance and she was very excited to have her dad take her. They made a little date of it, going out to dinner before and then to the dance. Raquel and Mike made it a double date with her friend Autumn and her dad. Autumn insisted on going to IHOP for dinner and so Mike and Raquel made the best of it and just enjoyed the time together.

At the dance Raquel had fun dancing and hanging out with her friends. Unfortunately she was very tired when she got there and ended up coming home early and falling asleep on the way home.

Natalya was a little sad that she didn't get to go on the daddy daughter date and so we had to make the evening fun at home too. We decided to have a picnic with chicken, popcorn and apples on the floor and watch a fun show. I think both Natalya and Marcus enjoyed having popcorn for dinner.

Raquel and Dad before the dance.

Natalya didn't want to be left out so she got her

picture taken with dad too.

Marcus and Natalya making popcorn

Enjoying their picnic dinner