Sharing our life - all our adventures and bumpy rides. Family of four with two young boys - moved back home to allow them the similar experiences and opportunities we had living in North Carolina. Come explore with us!
The Dino Safari made its way to the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh - something to do that was socially distanced, so we had to jump on some tickets!
Brent picked up Brock from school, stopped at Bojangles, and met Kade and I at the Museum of Art's parking lot so we could all enjoy dinner and a show together!
The plan worked out nicely - no hunger pains from my crew!
I heard it looks pretty cool at night - the dinosaurs all lit up and moving, but this was pretty cool too - we still heard the dinosaurs roar! Each car follows an audio tour as you travel each section of Pangea. It showcases a few dinosaurs found in what is now the different Continents of the world.
Tiny arms!
How did you lose a sunglass lens Kade??
Brock showing off some of our dinosaur goodie-bag!
Brock also said this was his favorite dinosaur - the Spinosaurus.
One of the coolest things we saw was a fossil of a T-Rex head. Perfect for Brock - he just completed an entire lesson on Paleontology!
At the start of the tour the boys were given two plastic Easter eggs... at the very end, we finally found Momma T-Rex and had to return the eggs to her. The boys liked throwing their eggs out of the car window!
Safely returned - and we all survived the adventure! Not bad - 50 minute total journey. I had heard others waited a LOT longer than that!
We haven't seen my brother since August and I've been missing him, so a few short weeks after they moved in their new home, I asked to visit. Virtual school has its advantages - set Kade up with a hotspot in the 4Runner and he did his morning classes on the road!
They were so cute together! I love that Maddox wanted to show Kade EVERYTHING. We took a tour with Nancy and Brian when we arrived, but Maddox was intent on showing us everything all over again when he returned home from preschool.
A simple favorite - rolling the ball to each other. Silly Riley wanted to join the fun.
Finally some sun after many rainy days - we all took a walk down to the playground.
Nancy got in on the slide action!
After a delicious dinner (where I tried Brussel sprouts for the first time and I liked them!!), it was bath and bedtime for these two!
"Just pet me!!!"
Kade was too funny - he woke up in the middle of the night to tell me "I really like Uncle Brian's new house."
A short visit, but so very glad we were able to get together. I didn't take too many pictures of the house and don't want to spoil Brian's "reveal". I'll post other pictures later.
But, on Monday morning, Kade drew his previous weekend's events with his cousin - complete, as Nancy pointed out - with their coffered ceilings!
Oh yeah - and right before that trip - I turned 40! That number just seems ridiculous - how am I forty already? Time does move a lot faster these days!
Received some gorgeous flowers from my husband and sweet sentimental notes from my boys.
My "big" 40th birthday present - new pots & pans!! Hey, I'm practical! After days of research, I selected Calphalon Premier for our new pots and pans set. It's ridiculous how thrilled I am about them. I'm such an adult!
Posing with the shipping box! haha!
I'm hoping so! Along with the hopes that 2021 goes much better than 2020!
Brock had a low-key birthday celebration this year. He woke up to a few birthday decorations and a big number 8 balloon tied to his chair. We brought the balloon up to his room during his school day so all his classmates could see it too!
Blueberry muffins for breakfast, Bojangles for lunch, and Pancakes with Cracker Barrel fried apples & Candy Apple bacon was the requested dinner menu!
After dinner, we had a group video call with Papa & Phyllis and Grammy & Grandpa. They watched as he opened gifts and we all sang happy birthday around his Minecraft birthday cake.
A special gift is coming for the birthday boy this year - Lifetime hunting and fishing license - jointly from Grandpa & Grammy and from us. (As Brent said, he won't realize just how special that gift is until he's in his teens/20's!)
We are so proud of all the Brock has tackled this year. He transitioned to virtual school, abided by the pandemic safety precautions all around, raced a few virtual swim meets, accompanied his dad on fishing & hunting trips, became proficient in Minecraft, and even though hates to admit it..... can be a really great big brother (when he wants to be). We know this has been a tough year and we've had some bumps in the road, but I'm so impressed by how well he's handled his responsibilities. Happy 8th Birthday Brock! We love you!
Made him interrupt his tv time to take this picture - see the remote still in his hand!!
A few days after Brock's birthday, he swam in the January Dual Meet against Charlotte's Lifetime gym. He's the youngest boy on the Bronze team so they usually have him swim with the Under 8 girls.
25 meter freestyle was Brock's first event - and yes, he swam it solo! (The other racers on the results are all from Charlotte) Again, our pool is a meter pool, but the times are adjusted for yards. (25 yards)
Breast stroke is his weakest event he partook this race. However, he did really well! He looked great!
Kade was relaxing and taking it all in!
Get ready for Butterfly! Look at those arms outstretched as he dives in!!
Brock got to swim in FOUR races on Saturday! Ending in the 50m Freestyle - which we think he really liked! Just watch his underwater dolphin kick and how his body is just streamlined!
The team celebrated finishing the meet by opening the water slide and letting all the kids play for awhile.
Brock improved on every single event he had completed in the past. He had one proud smile on his face all day! 40 points earned towards his team's win! (Team won with a score of 482-353!)
