Fun

  • Fun Around Town: Hollywild Animal Park (Wellford, SC)

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     Our family visiting Hollywild Animal Park

    Recently our family made a trip across town to visit Hollywild Animal Park in Wellford, South Carolina.  We already had a couple events earlier that day on that side of town so we just drove a little further and spent the afternoon having fun at Hollywild Animal Park.  It was a beautiful day and it was great seeing as well as interacting with the animals.

    Even though our girls are twins they have very different interests, however, they both share a interest in anything pertaining to animals.  They love animals so this trip was a lot of fun for them.  All the animals seemed very active which was fascinating to watch that day too.  You could tell they were enjoying the Spring sunshine.  The newborn baby animals were very adorable!

    The only problem we had is between my husband and I we took a lot of pictures so it was hard to narrow down some of our favorites.  We consolidated, but will probably highlight Hollywild in a couple posts in order to give you a full view our trip to this fun place.

    If you live in the Greenville area you should check out this Hollywild Animal Park if you haven’t already especially if you have kids who enjoy being around animals.  There a good variety of animals and you have opportunities for more interaction with the animals as well.  It’s a great family event to do together.  Not to mention it is educational for the kids.

    After spending an afternoon at Hollywild the girls first comments were – “Wow, that was a lot of fun!”  and  “I wished we lived closer so we could go more often!”  The kids give it a big thumbs up!

    Here are some of the pictures from the animals we met while at Hollywild Animal Park:

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     The Canadian Geese were very friendly.  This one decided to pose for me.

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     Brina talking with the bird.  She loves all creatures!

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     Karlie found a rock to perch upon.

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     On the run….Karlie doesn’t want to get left behind!

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    Jake and his girls by the pond.  Right behind them in the water you could see all kinds of turtles (including Red Eared Sliders like we have at home) and fish swimming around.

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     Beautiful cluster of ducks, the girls tried to get them to say AFLAC (guess that’s one commercial they remember, ha).

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    Karlie had to stop and pet the pony!

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    Having fun with my girls!

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    This little donkey was hoping we had some yummy treats still to share.

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    Brina soaking it all in.  She wanted to make sure we didn’t miss any of the animals!

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    This Baboon was talking up a storm.

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     He really wanted something on the outside of the cage.  We watched as he grabbed a stick to try and bring the item closer to him so he could grab it with his hand.  He was very determined to get it!

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     Brina petting the pigs.

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     Beautiful iris flowers that caught my attention when I turned to walk to the next animal exhibit.  Makes me think of my Grandma and Jake’s Grandpa.

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    Someone’s got a tasty treat and digging in!  It was fascinating to watch him eat.

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    Looks like a sharp set of teeth in its mouth!

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    Intently watching the other one eat.

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     Pretty bear!

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     This one is getting a little closer!

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     Brina loved petting this super soft dog named Andorra!

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    Andorra was enjoying a good petting and laid down so Brina could continue!

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    Up on his rock jungle gym.  The girls think we need to build a climbing rock structure for our goats too.  I have a feeling the goats wouldn’t be the only ones climbing around on it though.

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    A little one….so cute watching him run after his Mom on long wobbly legs.

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    The camel watching us approach!

    The camels were featured in the following:

    • Christmas Play – Evangel Cathedral
    • Myrle Beach Christmas Production – Dixie Stampede
    • Living Christmas Tree – Jerry Fallwell Ministries

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    More content watching the kids.

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    This picture makes me smile…

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    Beautiful  Leopard Appaloosa was featured in the following:

    • Movie – The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
    • Many live appearances and promotional events

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    So pretty! I think it is hoping for a treat!

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    We had a great time at Hollywild Animal Park!

    Hollywild Animal Park Coupon Discount (Free Child’s Admission):

    • Print off the coupon for Free Child’s Admission with purchase of an Adult Admission and bring it to the park with youLimit one per family. $8 Value. This coupon is valid during our Park Season which is open Weekends in March, Daily April through Labor Day, and Weekends from Labor Day through the end of October. Please visit our website for seasonal hours prior to your visit. Coupon not valid during our Holiday Lights Safari Benefit.  Expires: 10/24/2015.

    A special thanks to U.S. Family Guide and Hollywild Animal Park for offering a special discount to our readers.  Any specific product information was provided by Hollywild Animal Park and U.S. Family Guide, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own.  We did receive tickets so our family could visit and share our experience.

  • Travel & Vacation: Exploring the Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Atlanta, GA)

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     We’re having fun at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History!

    We had a blast working our way through the various sections at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.  They had one section that was very interactive, a lot of science, experiments, brain teasers, heritage, and more.  We ended our visit at what I call the “fun zone”.  It was like a giant indoor jungle gym with lots of things to do, see, and learn about.  They did are really great job with this museum.  Our kids really enjoyed it.  We made it through the entire museum, we were there when they opened and left as they were closing.  It was a full day of fun and learning.

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     Brina making a huge bubble

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     Jake made an hour glass shape bubble, neat!

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    Whoa Dad!  That’s so cool!  They loved this bubble activity!

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     Karlie giving it a whirl!

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     Brina stretching it out a long ways.

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     Opps that one popped before she got too far

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     Wow, Karlie!

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     Awesome bubble Brina!

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     Brina flipped the bubble ring over her head and she was standing inside the giant bubble

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     Karlie had to try being inside a bubble.  Pretty neat.

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     Karlie having fun with the bubbles

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     Brina and Daddy trying out the next activity

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     Jake helping Brina do this one!

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     This one was pretty cool because I could stand on the other side and watch her do the whole activity.  Karlie trying to figure it out.

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     Karlie doing the activity while Brina watches.

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     Brina doing the “Mirrorly A Window” activity

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     Karlie sitting across the room chatting with Brina – super cool!

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     Brina talking with Karlie from across the room.  Even though it was noisy with others doing various activities and they were across the room from each other they could hear perfectly fine speaking in their normal voices because the acoustics were set up to carry the sound perfectly.

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     Weather station.  Brina watching the tornado

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     Brina and Karlie checking things out

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     Brina wanted me to go up with her into the huge tree house so she could show me some of the neat stuff they had.   It was really nice play area for the kids.

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     Brina jumping onto the swinging bridge just as I was about to cross….crazy girl! She makes me laugh.  At least her dramatic jump give me a little bit of a warning.

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     Brina found this book in the tree house library, she thought it was so hilarious she had to show it to me.

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     As I was talking with Karlie and looking around for a few minutes I went to find Brina.  This is where I found her back at the library reading another book.  It makes my heart happy when I see my kids reading voluntarily.  Love catching Brina enjoying  a good book on her own.

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     Karlie and Brina exploring the ocean section of the play area.

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     Baby turtle coming over to say “Hi”

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     Karlie on the look out

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     Brina and Karlie had a great time at the museum.  The time went by quickly, but we squeezed a lot of fun into the day together.

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    Karlie thought it was so cool she could sit in a dug-out canoe like the Native Americans used to do so many years ago.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Atlanta, GA)

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    We’re ready to explore the Fernbank Museum of Natural History

    On one of our recent trips to Atlanta, Georgia we visited the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.  We had never been to the Museum, but were looking for fun and educational activities to do with the kids before heading home.  Since it appeared to have some great items we decided to give it a try.

    The girls were very excited to check out this museum.  They have a variety of activities and events that you can do as well.  If you get hungry during your visit there is a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat.  We had packed our sandwiches before leaving the hotel so when we got hungry we headed out to the van for a picnic lunch then went back inside to finish exploring the museum. We had a lot of fun and spent a lot more time going through it than we initially planned.  The kids probably could have stayed longer, but they were closing for the day and we had to get back home.

    For more information, directions, and other details about the museum you can visit their visit at  Fernbank Museum of Natural History.  If you happen to be in Atlanta and it’s a rainy day this would be a great place to take your family.  Plus you might see and learn some new stuff along the way too.

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    They had this massive dinosaur in the lobby of the museum.  Pretty neat!

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     Hey who let the turkey inside!?

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     Checking out the different regions of the area.

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     Brina and Karlie having fun.

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     Cute fox, made you want to pet it!

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     Oh dear Brina, there’s a deer behind you!

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     That’s one big dinosaur footprint.  Brina was impressed.

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    Brina checking out the dinosaur. Not sure I would want it running at me though.

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     Jake and the girls checking out the different dinosaurs.

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     Always something interesting to read and learn about

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     Brina looks small next to this one

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     Relaxing and having fun

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     Looks like a cute kid on the tail of that dinosaur.  Silly Brina!

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     Hammerhead shark

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     Our crew at the museum

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    Sweet Karlie loving her time at the museum (if you look closely there is a racoon right behind her too).

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    That’s some strange looking dinosaurs.

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     They had a section on “Poison” and a presentation that we went to while we were there.  It was very interesting!

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     Our family  learning about different types of poisons and how they are used

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     Jake and Brina checking it out

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     Daddy reminding Karlie of the saying….What was it again “Red and yellow kill a fellow….”

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     This was a really neat book / display.  As you turned the pages different items would show up and it was interactive too.  Pretty fascinating!  Brina especially liked the information on goats!

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     Brina, Karlie, and Jake playing a game to see if they can figure out what poison the dog ate and save it!  They all 3 won!  Must have learned something today!

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     The Astronomy Picture of the Day was on Saturn.  Karlie’s favorite planet.

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     Went to an animal show and demonstration (love their huge frog on the wall, neat and colorful).

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     Brina always wants to interact and learn more about any living creature.

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    Karlie saying “Hi”

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    We finished a level.  Where are we off to now Brina?!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Flashback Friday: Meeting Extended Family Members on 1st Trip to Kansas

    Grandma Doris and Brinac

    Great Grandma Doris holding Brina.

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to when the girls were just over 3 months old.  It was also their first airplane ride and visit to our Kansas family.  I have a lot of extended family members in the Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado area.  It was an adventure flying with two little ones on heart apnea monitors.  Thankfully my brother Lee flew with us and was a big help getting all the kids and their stuff into the airport.

    The biggest disadvantage to flying with twins is that you cannot sit together.  There is only one extra air mask per row on the airplanes so you cannot sit in the same row, you have to sit either behind or in front of each other if you have a “babe in arms“.  Something we were not aware of until flying with the girls the first time.

    We also realize that a lot of airport workers are not used to seeing babies on heart apnea monitors.  At one point they delayed the plane from leaving and brought the monitors up from the storage area to put them on.  Per the Doctors if we are holding them they didn’t need to be on any monitors, however, the workers insisted that they have them on.  It made one of the security guards at one airport so nervous when we took the monitors off the kids that he pushed all our stuff through without stopping to thoroughly inspect everything and immediately said “please put those monitors back on!”   I guess having tiny ones on monitors makes some people nervous.  To Jake and I it was pretty normal, we had to deal with them from day one.

    We had several family celebrations and gatherings during our long weekend in Kansas.  The girls got to meet a lot of Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins for the first time during this adventure.  They met many new faces on both the Hendrich and St. Clair sides of the family.  Thankful for kids that travel well, safety, and for time with family.

    Thankful for these precious pictures.  The girls are blessed to have so some many wonderful memories with their Grandparents, Great Grandparents, and many more extended family members.

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    Great Grandma Willa talking with Karlie

    Renelle, Karlie and Grandpa Verlync

     Renelle, Karlie, and Grandpa Veryln being silly!

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    Aunt Tracy with Karlie.

    Aunt Vick, Karlie, Alecia,  Emily, and Brinac

     Aunt Vick and Alecia with Karlie and Emily with Brina

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     Snoozing on the bed at Grandpa Russell’s and Grandma Penny’s house!

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    My fun and cute nephew Nathan!  He is the girls oldest cousin on that side of the family.

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     Jake relaxing for a few minutes with Brina!  Thankful for all his help and willingness to travel all the way out to KS with the little ones to visit my family.  Love him so much and he is an amazing Dad to our girls.

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    We got to go to my cousin Jordan’s High School Graduation while we were in KS.  Jordan’s pictured above with my brother Lee.

    Renelle and Brina at St.Clairsc

    Aunt Renelle holding a sleepy Brina.  Renelle is super good with kids.  She was my “partner-in-crime” while growing up and probably the closest thing to a “sister” I had while growing up in a house with 3 brothers!

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     My cousin Whitney and her niece Claire!

  • Travel & Vacation: Fernback Science Center (Atlanta, GA)

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    Karlie excited to be standing by the Apollo 6

    We had the opportunity to spend some time in Atlanta, Georgia recently.  Actually we have had 2 recent trips to Georgia in the past couple of months!   Georgia is not too far away from where we live so it was nice to get away as a family for a little bit and hang out for a few days together.

    On this particular trip to Atlanta we visited the Fernbank Science Center for the first time.  It is part of the same association as the Roper Mountain Science Center.  It was already free admission, but since we are part of the association we were able to get free tickets to the IMAX shows throughout the day (we could go to as many as we wanted).  We were only there for a couple hours so we just went to one of the shows.  It is smaller than our local Science Center, but the kids still enjoyed learning and exploring the different items they had on display.  The Apollo 6 was Karlie’s favorite while the animals were Brina’s favorite.

    The Fernback Science Center is located at 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30307.  Phone number is  678-874-7102.  They also have an observatory open some nights and a library where you can relax and read some books (which the kids enjoyed).  For current events, programs, and shows please visit the Fernbank Science Center website.

    Museum, Atlanta, Georgia, Travel, Vacation

    Karlie trying to get the light bulb to glow.

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    Jake and Karlie checking out the Apollo 6

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    Apollo 6 Command Module

    If you look under the capsule you will see a series of holes.  The holes were drilled to investigate how the heat shield held up after this capsule re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere.

    Apollo 6 was the last unmanned Apollo mission and was launched on April 4, 1968.  The purpose of the mission was to test, for a second time, the Saturn V rocket.  At the time of the launch (one second past 7 a.m. EST) all five engines operated normally, then a series of sharp vibrations shook the rocket.  Minutes later two of the five rocket engines shut down.  For the next 80 seconds the Saturn V behaved like a drunk driver lurching back and forth, as NASA flight controllers decided whether to abort the mission or not. 

    After two earth orbits it was time to re-light a smaller rocket.  CS-IVB, to stimulate injecting the rocket into a path toward the moon, but this rocket failed.  Using a series of smaller rockets on the Service Module NASA scientists completed most of the planned maneuvers.  The spacecraft was returned safely to Earth.

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    A monkey on the inside!

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      Brina working on her balancing and building skills

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    Her buildings with stood the Earthquake

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    Karlie and Daddy working together to build a giant carbon nanotube.

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    It was almost as tall as she was!

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    Pretty bird

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta Monetary Museum, & Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner (Atlanta, GA)

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    On the steps of Atlanta’s Federal Reserve bank & Monetary Museum (white building on the right side of the picture)

    We had a lot of fun exploring Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank and Monetary Museum on one of our recent trips to Atlanta, Georgia.  The kids didn’t believe us at first when we told them that we were going to a bank to learn about money.  Although the more we talked about it the more interested they became.

    In order to go into Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank and Monetary Museum all adults must present a valid ID such as a driver’s license or passport.  You cannot carry any electronics, phones, cameras, purses, or other devices into the museum.  They do have lockers next to the restrooms to put your items into if you need them.  We just put my id in Jake’s wallet and that is the only thing we brought into the museum so he could carry everything we needed.  The admission and self guided tour is completely free.  The only thing we had to pay for was parking since it is near downtown Atlanta and there was not any free parking available at the time (it was just a couple of dollars for parking so it wasn’t too bad).

    It would have been really neat to be able to get some pictures of the museum and some of the items we saw while there, but no photography is allowed.  The employees were really nice and helpful.  The kids learned some cool history about money.

    Probably the kids favorite part was the robots toting the containers of money back and forth between the various rooms.  It was fascinating to watch them carry the bins full or partially filled with money from one place to another.  In some of the bins there may have been a million dollar or more in cash!  Did you know that they shred about 10 million dollars of cash every day?  These are bills that have been crumpled, destroyed, or otherwise deemed as unusable.  You could see people physically counting the bundles of money as they came in as well which was interesting to watch.

    The kids had a little “quiz” or worksheet they filled out as we explored.  It was a neat learning activity and the kids loved it.  At the end we picked up a bag of shredded money to take home (which the kids thought was awesome)!

    We did get some pictures on the outside of the Federal Reserve Bank though to help us remember our adventure that windy day in Atlanta.  You can locate the Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank and Monetary Museum at 1000 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30309.  If you are already at the Federal Reserve Bank you should check out the rock spinner is directly across the street from the Federal Reserve Bank.

    Across the street from the Federal Reserve Bank was the Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner (pictures below) which fascinated the kids as well. As we were waiting for the stoplight to turn so we could walk across the street I happened to read the description on the rock spinner and mentioned for the kids to come over to see if they could move the huge boulder.  They of course thought it was so cool they could spin such a massive rock!

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     Large Federal Reserve Building in Atlanta

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    Where’s Waldo…I mean Karlie, Brina, and I outside the building?  If you look for the specks in front of the statue that looks like spots of “Red, White, and Blue” that’s us!

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     Our family visiting the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta

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     Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner!  Once the girls starting spinning the rock other kids stopped to try it out too!

    Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner – is a kinetic sculpture that helps you understand about the transformation of one’s relationship to mass.  This particular boulder weighs 22,000 pounds and would normally be considered immovable, however, with a little art and engineering this huge boulder becomes something fun to move and play with (both for kids and adults).  There is a plague next to it saying  “Take it for a spin!”  YES, you can spin it, stop it from moving, and switch directions, but no climbing is allowed on the boulder (for obvious reasons).

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     Making is move…

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    Brina and Karlie trying to see how fast they can get it to move

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     Who knew that a spinning boulder could provide so much entertainment!?  If you are already in the area it is something neat to check out – Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner  The kids thought it was neat!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Cute Panda Bears and Wildlife Show at the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)

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    Panda Bear content to relax and eat bamboo

    The panda bears were one of the girls favorite animals to visit at the Atlanta Zoo.  I think the big fascination was watching the twin panda cubs.  It was a little harder to get a picture of both of them at the same time, but the kids loved watching them eat and play.  The Wildlife Show on birds was pretty neat too.  Of course the girls went up after the show to ask more questions about the birds.  The zoo worker was really great with the kids and patient in answering all the questions.  On the way out the girls wanted a picture with the gorilla.  It was a great day at the zoo.

    You can read more about our adventure at the Atlanta Zoo on my Travel & Vacation: Visiting the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)Travel & Vacation: Lions, Tigers, Seals, Reptiles, Bears, and more at the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA), and Travel & Vacation: Orangutan Easter Egg Hunt at Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)  blog posts.

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    Looking pretty cute!

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    Look out, showing some teeth this time. Watch out!  They may look cute and adorable, but I think it would  not be a good idea to pet them with teeth that size.

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    Someone found an Easter pinata

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    Loving the bamboo

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    Peeling the bamboo stick apart, eating some pieces, and putting the other pieces on his belly for later.

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    Crunchy, but delicious

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    Good stuff

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    Panada’s look so cute

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    Checking things out around the pen

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    Heading towards some more goodies

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    Twin panda’s in their cage.  One sleeping on the log and the other one eating some bamboo

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    Relaxing and chewing on some bamboo

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     Bird Show in the Wildlife Theater at the Atlanta Zoo

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    Getting all their questions answered

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    Brina giving Willie B a hug

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    Karlie and Brina enjoyed the Atlanta Zoo

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    Karlie all smiles

  • Travel & Vacation: Orangutan Easter Egg Hunt at Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)

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    He’s eying that cool looking pinata egg with sweet Easter treats inside it!

    Another one of the neat events at the Atlanta Zoo was the Easter treats for the animals.  We were able to get front row viewing at the Orangutan Easter egg hunt.  It was super cute.  There was a Mommy with a little one which the girls thought was adorable.

    The Easter Eggs were made of jello and placed throughout the pen, pinata eggs full of special treats, leaf baskets with goodies, and cardboard cutouts with peanut like substance on the back for the orangutans to enjoy.  They had a lot of fun finding and snacking on their treats.  Even the baby found some.  They had paper garland hanging up which the orangutans enjoyed moving and playing with as well.

    You can read more about our adventure at the Atlanta Zoo on my Travel & Vacation: Visiting the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA) and Travel & Vacation: Lions, Tigers, Seals, Reptiles, Bears, and more at the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA) blog posts.

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    An edible Easter egg in the tree and one on the rock in the background….waiting to be found!

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    Swinging out to get the Easter garland

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    Oh yeah, this eggs mine!

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    Climbed up on top of the platform for this pinata treat

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    Enjoying the goodies inside the pinata Easter egg

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    Holding the cardboard cutout of the bunny rabbit and licking the treat off the back of it

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    Hanging out near the hammock picking up and eating eggs, delicious!

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    Look closely, he’s got a green jello egg in his mouth

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    Momma and baby

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    Sitting in the shade – Mom and Baby (the baby is not really little, but obviously still under its Mother’s care)

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    Mom and baby kisses

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    Licking the goodness off the back of the cardboard Easter egg decoration

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    Mom and baby looking for some more treats

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    The baby wasn’t too sure about everything at first so it stuck near its Mom at the beginning of the Easter Egg Hunt

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    The baby is getting brave.  He is climbing the pole to get the Easter basket, with a little Chick, and goodies.

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    Made it, now to grab it and head back down.

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    The Mom watched the baby climb, get the treats, and bring them back down.  Then she took the items from the baby and ate them herself, ha!   The baby did get some treats, but Momma Orangutan got the first dibs!

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    Rearranging the Easter Garland in their pen.

  • Travel & Vacation: Lions, Tigers, Seals, Reptiles, Bears, and more at the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)

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     Lioness pacing on her rock

    We had a blast seeing all the animals on our recent trip to the Atlanta Zoo.  We arrived just as the Zoo opened in the morning and stayed until closing.  The kids loved seeing all the animals, the activities, and special events.  It was a busy, packed, and fun day together.  We walked all over the area of the zoo several times over.  The morning was a little cooler, but it was very comfortable by mid-morning (not too cold or hot).  You can read more about our adventure on my Travel & Vacation: Visiting the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA) blog post.  

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     The two lionesses were playing and pouncing on each other while we were there.  They were so fast we weren’t able to get a non-blurry picture of both of them together.  It was neat to watch them playing around instead of just sleeping on their rock.

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     Better watch out….

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     Tiger giving himself a bath.

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     Out for a stroll

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     The seal was catching the fish they were throwing at them.  You can see the fish right in front of him.

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     Karlie and Brina learning about snakes.

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     Karlie having fun

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     Learning more about this little turtle

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    Curled up and watching people as they go by his cage

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     Brina fascinated by all the animals

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    What’s in this one!?

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     Karlie and Mommy having fun at the Atlanta Zoo

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     Me and my girls!  They are growing up so fast.  Thankful for these little adventures together as a family!

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    Brina was always good a spotting the animals really quickly, not sure how she does it so fast!

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     The snake was following the heat from Karlie’s hand

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     Jake and his girls at the Atlanta Zoo

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     Jake is always so good about explaining and showing the girls different pieces of information about the animals.  The snake is acting like it might try to strike Jake’s hand through the glass in this picture, but it never did.

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     The bear brought this branch with leaves on top of the platform so he could eat it by himself without the other one bothering him.

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    Fun times!

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    They loved learning about all the different wildlife.

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    Love my family!  Grateful for the opportunity to hang out at the Atlanta Zoo for the day!

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    Such a rough life…. They look so cute and cuddly.

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    This is a “Tanuki” it is very timid and doesn’t come out very often per one of the zoo workers that we asked.  We walked by its cage multiple times and never saw it out until almost the end of the day.  It gets spooked easy so it is not visible very often.

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    How does your Mom carry you!?  Silly girls – Brina and Karlie

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    Karlie loves brushing the farm animals. She is currently on her way to brush another one.

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    Brina talking with the zoo worker about goats and asking questions.  He was really nice and pointed out several different types of goats and characteristics of the ones near her.

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    Brina and Karlie brushing one goat.  Lots of TLC for this Mamma goat.  They always love the interactive animal adventures.

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    The giraffe is eying us while the ostrich was too busy eating to give us any attention

  • Travel & Vacation: Visiting the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)

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     Our family at the Atlanta Zoo!

    We surprised the girls with a long weekend trip to Atlanta, Georgia over Easter weekend.  They were very excited to go explore the Atlanta area.  We are members of our local zoo so we were able to get into the Atlanta Zoo at a discount which was really nice.  The kids love animals, learning more about various ones, interacting, and so much more.

    Since it was Easter weekend at the Atlanta Zoo the animals were getting special treats to enjoy for the Holiday.  The new Amphibian & Reptile Exhibit also opened the weekend we were there as well.  There were a lot of people at the zoo, but it was so big we had plenty of time do see and do almost everything (some things the kids enjoyed it so much we did it again).

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    Pink Flamingos were hanging out peacefully near the entrance to the zoo

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    So excited….Karlie and Brina!  They have their maps out and are ready to GO!

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     The birds were sleeping peacefully all together on one branch.

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     It was a little chilly when we first got there in the shade at opening, but no one was complaining!

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     Birds of all colors

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    Brina soaking it all in.  She loves animals.

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     Playing around in the water puddles.

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     Karlie smiling as she quietly watches the birds and little kids.

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     Meerkat’s roaming around in their pen.

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     There is always one Meerkat on watch (or guard) for predators

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     They gave the Meerkats a pillow case stuffed full of hay, little bugs, and special treats.  They were a little timid about it at first, but before long they were all taking turns going into the pillow case and digging out their special treats.

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     Are you done yet!  Hurry up and get your bug so I can get my turn inside the Easter treat sack!!!

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     They look cute, but serious.  Look at those claws on this meerkat!  Yikes!

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    Rhino heading out into the sun after getting some sticky mud on itself to protect it from a sunburn.

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     This rhino was moving the stick around and chewing on it.  Must of had something tasty on it.

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     They drew flowers, easter eggs, and bunny rabbits with chalk on the rocks in the Zebra’s pen.

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     The warthogs got hard boiled and colored Easter eggs for their special treat.  They both found the first one about the same time.

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     Someone found the purple Easter egg!

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    The elephants had Easter eggs that had a jello consistency that they place in baskets made of leaves.   This elephant just discovered the basket of leaves and is moving it out of the way so she can eat her jello Easter egg.

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     Whole lot of elephants!  They had a huge pen and sometimes if you couldn’t see them on one side you had to go around to see them in a different section.

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     Jake and his girls exploring the Atlanta Zoo

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     Beautiful bird

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     Brina found Big Bird’s Nest!!! HA!

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     My two little chickies in the huge nest!

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    Karlie thought the nest was hilarious!