• Greenville: Playing Around Downtown at McPherson Park

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    Brina figured out a creative way to swing!

    Sometimes it is nice to get outside for a few moments.  A little extra fresh air and Vitamin D from the sun will do you good.  We have driven past McPherson Park near downtown Greenville many times over the years, but one day I finally made a point to actually stop when the girls were with me.  They have a small playground, a miniature golf course (bring your own clubs and balls), tennis courts, and pretty walking trails.  It was nice to get out and play for a little bit.   The girls want to come back sometime and play miniature golf!

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    Karlie relaxing, chatting, and swinging!

  • Greenville: Exploring the Children’s Museum of the Upstate

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     Karlie and Brina climbing the rock wall at the Children’s Museum of the Upstate!

    We had some great opportunities to travel over the girls summer break so we didn’t get to do some of the fun activities in our local area.  Whenever we had a chance we would look over our list of fun local activities and pick one to do together.  The girls recently chose going to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate as one of their activities.  The Upstate Children’s Museum is located in downtown Greenville and has many fun interactive activities for the kids.   We had a great morning exploring and learning at the Children’s Museum.  Thankful for such an awesome museum for kids in our area.

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    When you put your hands on the spots the drum mimics your heartbeat.  Pretty cool!  Two people can do it at the same time and hear the differences in their heartbeats.

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    They are smiling a lot for being on crutches!  Hopefully we will avoid having family members on crutches.

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      Karlie pulling herself up!

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    Brina smiling as she pulls herself up.  Testing the different ropes and pulleys.

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    Karlie at the bank getting some cash for her groceries.

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    That’s a lot of wind!

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    Construction crew making bricks!

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    Brina bringing over a wheelbarrow of bricks!

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    Karlie’s proud of her creation!

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    Making a cool structure!

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    Relaxing in the camping area!

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    The Light Waves Ahead display is always a fun one to use your creativity on too!

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    Fun times with the girls at the Children’s Museum!

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    Driving the recycling truck!  Watch out!

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    Brina in a water bubble!

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    Karlie having a blast in the music room!

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    Brina loves hanging out at the Children’s Museum!

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    Going through the cool jungle gym area at the museum!

  • Greenville: Bouncing Around at Pump It Up

    Pump It Up Greenville

    Fun group of kids!

    To celebrate the last week of Summer Break we joined friends at the Pump It Up in Greenville, SC.  The kids had a blast bouncing around, climbing the rock wall, building items, and more.  The kids played and were able to burn off some of that extra energy while the Moms had a few minutes to chat.   Thankful for a time to get together with friends.

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    Karlie pausing to give us a smile as she plays at Pump It Up!

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    We found Brina perched on this bouncy castle!

  • Pavilion Recreation Complex – Ice Skating, Bouncy Castles, George the Train, Playground Fun, Picnic, and More!

    Pavilion - Greenville - Ice Skating, Bouncy Castle, George the Train, Playground, Picnic, Cousins

    Karlie enjoying her time on the ice!

    The girls had a blast hanging out with their cousins and friends at the Greenville Pavilion Recreation Complex this summer.  Every Friday this summer the kids could get in to ice skate, play on the bouncy castles, ride on George the Train, play at the park, and get a snack for $10 each.  The parents would get in for free (although we didn’t get the snack)! 🙂  The ice skating was only for 2 hours, but the rest of the activities you could do all day.

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    Karlie and Nicko having fun on the pile of snow they left in the ice skating rink!

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    Look out!  Here comes Brina!

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    Karlie having fun!

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      Our friends Ashley from Reflecting on the Simpler Things in Life and Bradley having a blast too!

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    Goofy girl!

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    Zachie hung out with me the first time we went on the ice.  He didn’t really like the ice skates too much, but had fun playing in the snow pile!

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    Brina waiting for Zachie to go down the slide with her!

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    Snack time – Oreos and Juice Bags!

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    Ready….Set…..Go!!!

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    Karlie going down the slide with Nicko!

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    I am getting beamed with snowballs from my nephews!

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    Karlie chasing Nicko!  The second time we went out on the ice we had the kids keep their shoes on.   We were the only ones on the ice the second time and all the kids had a blast with just their shoes on the ice.  The ice skates were a good idea, but at least for the younger kids the regular shoes were a bigger hit in the ice skating rink.

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    Brina flying on by me!

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    Watching the Zamboni clean the ice skating rink.  This was fascinating for the kids!

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    Riding on George the Train.  At the end the conductor let all the kids push the button and honk the horn.  So exciting!

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    Whose ready for a picnic!?

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    Grabbing a bite to eat so they can go play again!

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    Easily entertained….

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    Brina on the four wheeler!

  • Fun at the Park with Friends

    Roper Mountain Science Center - Robotics - Lego Mania

    Climbing on rocks at Herdklotz Park with friends

    We met some sweet friends at the park for a picnic and to play!  The only time that I could get all four kids to sit still long enough for a picture was after they climbed up on this rock.  It was the big rock, but they all managed to get up onto it.  Thankful for a great time with friends.

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    Derby decided to join me on the dash in front on the way to and from the park today.  He was on the lookout for a fun adventure!  It’s not everyday a horse rides on my dash.  The girls thought it was hilarious having him help in the van!

  • Lego Mania at Roper Mountain Science Center Robotics Camp

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    Lego Mania Event

    The girls attended Advanced Lego Robotics Camp at Roper Mountain Science Center this summer!  They always love the events at Roper Mountain.  The camp was packed full of learning and fun.  They got to make a variety of robotic items throughout the week.  Halfway through the week the kids put on a Lego Mania activity for the parents.  They created a carnival with moving rides, water parks, and more fun creations!

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    Karlie created the only dual robotic Ferris Wheels.

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    Pausing for a brief moment by Brina’s Ferris Wheel – hers went faster!

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    Karlie made an interactive Time Machine Restaurant!  That would be neat!

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    Brina’s Water Fun adventure, complete with a seesaw on the water!

     

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    Karlie made an “Oh No!” Waterpark – complete with slides, tubes, and more fun!

  • Launching Rockets at Legacy Park

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    Setting up the rocket!  3….2….1…. Blast Off!

    We met Jake at Legacy Park over his lunch hour to shoot off rockets.  The girls had a blast setting up, shooting it off, and chasing it down.  We shot off the rocket several times, on the last shooting it got stuck in the tree!   We had a grand time even though the rocket didn’t make it back home again!

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    She found it!

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    Karlie turning to look at the cheering squad. There was a daycare at the park while we were shooting off the rocket!  A whole group of kids were sitting on the steps cheering every time we shot off the rocket.   I think the had as much fun as we did.  Jake is trying to untangle the parachute so we can do the next round.

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     The girls are helping Daddy set it up for another round.

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    Ready for blast off!

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     Putting the rocket and parachute back together for another launch!

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     Setting it back up!

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     Karlie on the run for it!  If you look closely in the upper right corner of the picture (in the blue sky) you can see the parachute and rocket coming down.

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     Brina helping prep for one more launch.

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    Brina ready to push the button for launch!

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    Ready for take off….just need to push the button!

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    Opps!  The rocket got caught in the tree!  You can see the yellow in the upper middle of the picture.    The little “Fat Jak” rocket provided entertainment for quite awhile!  Thanks Daddy for meeting us at the park on your lunch break!

     

  • Fun at the Zoo!

    Greenville Zoo and Window Art

    Watching “Joy” the elephant play

    We were able to squeeze in a fun trip to the Greenville Zoo with our cousins during summer vacation!  A big thanks to our sweet cousin who shared zoo passes with us!  Joy the elephant was playing with her tire while we were there.  It was the last week Joy was at Greenville Zoo.  A couple days later they were transporting her to a new zoo in Colorado.

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     Sweet girls!

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     Hanging out in the shade at the Giraffe exhibit.  There were 3 giraffes in the pen and the Momma is expecting another one any day now!  Great times with the cousins!

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     The turtles were very fascinating to watch!

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     A quick picture of the girls on the bear as we worked our way through the zoo!

    We spent the morning at the zoo then headed to Cleveland Park to eat a picnic lunch and play on the playgrounds.  It is always fun going on special trips with cousins.  Thankful for a fun time together with family!

  • Greenville Drive Baseball Game & Fireworks

    Greenville Drive & Fireworks

    Greenville Drive Game

    Jake’s company hosted an event at the Greenville Drive.  We ate delicious BBQ and enjoyed one of the best Greenville Drive Games we have been to in our area.  The girls had a blast watching the game!  Since it was a Friday night they had fireworks after the game as well which are always a big hit with everyone!  Greenville won with a 13 point spread.

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    Daddy and Brina watching the baseball game!

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    Karlie is very excited!

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    Awesome fireworks!

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    Great way to end the night at the baseball field

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    A few fireworks even hit the stadium lights!

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    Beauitful!

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    Thankful for our fun evening together!

  • Civil War Activity – Museum & Library of Confederate History

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    A picnic at the park with my girls before going to the museum!

    Recently I took the girls to the Museum and Library of Confederate History in a nearby town.  They have been studying in school various aspects of the Civil War and I thought it would be a good field trip to help them learn a little more regarding the history they are studying in school.  They had a grand time looking at all the cool items in the museum.  One of the workers took the time to go from room to room with the girls and explain in more detail many of the items on display.

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    Brina and Karlie at the Museum & Library of Confederate History

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    Touring the Museum & Library of Confederate History

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    Checking out the cool Civil War items

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    This toy cannon is similar to the one Thomas Jefferson’s son had as a child.  It was said that he attacked his toy soldiers with the cannon and occasionally a stray chicken.

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    Enjoying the museum

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    Karlie soaking it all in…

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    Brina enjoying her time at the museum exploring.

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    Karlie and Brina had fun learning more about the Civil War!