Vistors and a field Trip

Jim's parents and sister returned our girls!  We were so glad to see them all.   They spent a few days with us and are on their way home today.  While they were here, we did some shopping, played lot's of American Trivia, and took a trip to the local children's museum...  

She's not afraid of this tornado.

Ben banged out a few tunes.

53 inches!  He's getting so tall!

Scouting out some potential photo locations.  The architecture of this old tobacco factory was really cool.

Presidential fitness test anyone?  This girl blew the averages away, must be all that swimming. 

Oops!  Trying to sneak behind the ropes!

Hermit crabs!

One last shot.

We have been lucky to have so much family time lately even though we are so far away.  Only 16 more days until we head to MI for Christmas!

A field trip of dreams

When these kids are not inside learning, they are outside, in costume, playing pioneers.  Yes, we're sure the neighbors whisper.  Anyway, a field trip to a "real" pioneer settlement, feeds their hunger to learn more, and sparks their imaginations even further.  

Carding wool is hard work.

My baby in jail.

My other baby will not just sit there and take this injustice, she's breaking out.  

We felt at home in the one room school house.  Only, I don't dress like this teacher.  Yet.

The two family wigwam was an especially fun place to play.  I'm pretty sure we could have walked away and the kids would not have noticed.  At least not until they got hungry.  

A snack break for these two.  "Hey Owen, pretend we're drinking!"

Inside the cutest log cabin ever.  Grandpa, the only thing Marney wants for Christmas is a little log cabin in our back yard.  She promises she will never ask for anything else, ever again.

So cute, what little girl would not spend all day playing here?

Oh, Grandpa?  We want this garden too.  That's all, we promise.  The cabin, the garden, and the barn.  Did I mention the barn?  So. Cute.

Find your way through the bean tunnel.

This covered wagon "went to town" several times today, got stuck in the mud, hijacked by bandits, and hauled feed.  The Mom's were exhausted by this time, but the kids?  Their imagination, never tires.

Still smiling...field trip part 2

Field Trip! Part 1

Today my sister Jen called and invited us to the marsh.  They came and picked us up in their new big white van.  It was fun to all go together in one vehicle again.  There is even one extra seat just waiting for Ben!

it was a beautiful day, to go for an adventure...

into the tree tunnel....  

We captured the cousins all in one place, at the same time, twice!

Levi is in there somewhere, really.

After the marsh, it was on to Calder Dairy for the best ice cream around.

These two boys could really get into some trouble have some fun if they lived on a farm.

Next up...part 2...When Geese Attack!