Roanoke Island

This is a week late, we actually went last weekend. But I'm finally getting pictures posted. We wanted to drive out to the coast and do some sight seeing while Bruce's parents were visiting, so we chose Roanoke Island. It has an awsome history, first US colony, people were lost with no clues as to what happened to them; and a first place of refuge for slaves during the civil war.

We had a great time walking around and visiting the sites. They have a replica ship to tour and a small army camp. They let you try using the woodworking tools, put on armor, and Travis' favorite, playing a game similar to bowling, I forget what they called it.

It was a fun day, and we hope to go back to the coast often. There is so much to see along NC's coast. We're pretty excited to visit it all.

Walking along the nature trail at the visitor's center. There were plaques along the way that showed how the colonists survived on the land.

Courtney, Dylan, and Bruce's mom, Roberta. There was one little spot to walk down to the sand, so this is the most we saw of the water. I figure we'll have plenty of time to play on the beach during the warm months, so not being able to spend time in the sand and surf was fine this day. Plus I think the water was about 60 degrees. BRRRR!

Courtney, showing off the nail that the blacksmith made for her. It was pretty cool to watch him work.

Courtney, trying on some armor. She's ready for battle.

Bruce and Amy, being silly.

Travis, wanting in on the fun.

This was the kids favorite part of the museum, getting to be pirates. The museum was great, with tons of hand-on exhibits for the kids to use. They showed stuff from the past: colonists, fishing, pirates; and stuff from present day: finding shipwrecks, duck hunting, the local lighthouse.

I wish I had gotten more pictures, but my camera still had the original memory card, which only holds about 8 pictures. I'll have to get the ones Bruce's mom took that day.

I finally bought a new memory card a few days ago. The kids spent the day trying to take all 1200 pictures that it would hold. I have plenty of shots from the inside of my car, up someone's nose, a blurry shot out the window, and many others if anyone is interested!! But that's a new post entirely.

Monkey Joes

I took the kids to Monkey Joes last week, a place full of huge inflatables for bouncing, sliding, climbing, etc. Dylan's friend Eve wanted to take him there for her birthday and I took Courtney and Travis along also. They had a blast. Its a great concept, the kids love it, but too expensive to do very often.


Dylan and Eve. These two get along so well, in fact they tell us quite often that they are getting married when they get older.


Travis




Courtney

Happy Easter!

We've had a great Easter day so far. Bruce's parents came to visit for the weekend and have been jumped on, talked to, and dragged around nonstop by Courtney, Dylan, and Travis. I'll post our fun outing we had yesterday later on this week.

The kids woke up to their Easter baskets overflowing with candy along with some fun presents that the "Easter Grandma" brought them.











We got ready for church, somehow making to the chapel early despite the fun candy-induced morning.








After church and a quick lunch that I insisted was at least somewhat healthy, we went in the backyard for an Easter Egg Hunt. They loved showing off all of their loot.











The day ended with a yummy dinner of spiral cut ham and a bunch of other yummy things, followed by strawberry shortcake while watching "The Testaments," a wonderful video on Christ and His life and Resurrection and Atonement. Great day!

RAIN RAIN RAIN

It's been raining off and on the past few weeks. The other day it was also pretty warm out, perfect for playing in the rain. I got some shots of Courtney and Dylan with 2 friends on the trampoline. They loved it. When they were done, they came in for some hot cocoa. Perfect day.

Wild Animals

Since Courtney has 3 weeks off from school, I've been trying to do some fun activities with the kids. On Monday, we went to the North Carolina Zoo. It was very fun, but exhausting with all the walking. I rented a double stroller so both Travis and Dylan could have a break. But the park is uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half. I got my workout with those boys. We all had lots of fun and want to go back soon. (I got a year pass so we can visit the zoo and aquariums all year.)

Posing with the baboons.

The highlight for Dylan. A few weeks ago he decided he wants to be a zookeeper when he grows up and take care of the giraffes. We had to visit them twice that day. They were very cute, 4 little ones were running back and forth playing.

Another fun pose.

Courtney got a boost onto this bison from some teenage boys that were climbing it before her. She loves to climb.

They had this fun helicopter to sit in and pretend you were driving over the savannah tracking animals.

More adventures are coming soon...