• 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!

  • Travel & Vacation: Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of Natural History

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    Standing at the banister looking down on the elephant and floors below.

    The girls were thrilled to go to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History.  Brina especially loves anything associated to animals.  Since we did the Smithsonian Institution of National Air and Space Museum yesterday we thought this will be a great next adventure.  Thankful for some fun times together!

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     Touring the National Museum of Natural History

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    OOOOOOOUCH Karlie!  This one has a lot of teeth!

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    Brina and Jake checking out the armadillo shell!

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    Doing their names with stamp calligraphy

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     Having fun exploring with my Brina Bee

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    Brina reading the sign and soaking it all in

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    Learning more about animals

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    Wow!  Some cool looking animals!

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    One big giraffe

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    Checking out the fun displays

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    They had a huge elephant in the middle foyer of the building.

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    Touching a piece of rock from Mars…..fascinating!

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    Karlie thought this rock was so cool

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    Whoa….look at those rocks!

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    The Hope Diamond is a 45.52-carat dark blue diamond.  It has traveled from India to France to Britain and now the United States.  The Hope Diamond is also described as the “most famous diamond in the world.”

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    It looks like the elephant is coming toward them!

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    Super excited to visit the Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of Natural History