To Live Will Be …
Charleston: The Charleston Museum
Standing beside the replica of the H. L. Hunley outside of the Charleston Museum!
The girls have been wanting to go to the Charleston Museum ever since they saw the replica of the Hunley sitting outside in front of it. On one of our recent trips we got a chance to explore the Charleston Museum. The girls were very excited to check out the museum. The Charleston Museum was America’s First Museum founded in 1773 with the purpose of preserve the culture and history of Charleston and the Lowcountry.
Checking out the Hunley replica before heading into the Charleston Museum.
Oh yes, they found a cannon!
Look above the girls! That’s a huge whale skeleton hanging from the foyer of the Charleston Museum. That whale was one that came into the Charleston Harbor many years ago.
Checking out the display!
Soaking in all the history!
Brina enjoyed going through the animal displays.
Goofy Karlie….
Hanging out with two Southern Belle’s!
Dressing up in some fun clothes!
The dresses are not the most perfect fit, but we had fun!
Brina having a grand time!
Travel & Vacation: Heading Up North
Brina hanging out at the airport
Our family had the opportunity to fly up to Vermont recently to visit Jake’s Mom and grandparents. The girls were very excited to spend some time with family and to have some fun time in the snow. They did great at the airport despite the delays. Thankful for kids who travel really well (and who can sleep pretty much anywhere, even in a busy airport).
Karlie and Brina watching the planes coming and going. Our first flight was on time, we actually arrived at Washington Dulles early.
Delays at the airport so the kids are starting to crash, at least they are getting some rest
Karlie snoozing in the airport
Brina crashed in the airport
Waiting in the Burlington airport for Daddy to get the rental car
Driving in a snow storm
Road trip…
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: Life Around the Kabini River, India
Sign near the Kabini River. Guess it probably won’t be a great idea to swim in the river….not a fan of swimming with crocodiles! Hmmm…let me think about it….No, thank you I would rather not swim with the crocodile! 🙂
I absolutely LOVED going to India. It was an amazing experience. The people were awesome and I learned a lot about myself during the trip. I have many things to be grateful for in my life yet so often I complain. I don’t have to pump drinking water or live in a tarp yet how often I grumble with the inconveniences of my life. I really do need to have a more thankful and giving heart because there a many people in this world that are content with far less. May I never forget this trip or the many things India revealed to me.
Filling her water jugs up to take back to her home. Watching her pump the water makes me appreciate the running water we have in our home. Sometimes I don’t realize how “convenient” life really is in the United States. I don’t ever remember pumping and carrying my drinking water.
Road full of goats!
Family in a small village near the Kabini River! The little boy is so cute.
Colorful houses near Kabini River
Look out stand in the tree. They use these look out to spot dangerous predators.
People will set up tents near the fields that are ready to be harvested. When the field is done they move to the next location and set up their tents. Makes me feel so very blessed to have a nice home. Even though its not perfect I don’t have to set up tarp tents near a jungle with lions and leopards in it. I have so much to be grateful for in my life.
Traveling through India was an eye opening experience for me. I enjoyed meeting a lot of wonderful people. Jake and I spent time exploring the area with Jake’s cousin Matt and his family. Thankful for an opportunity to spend some time with their family. We had a blast and hope we will be able to go back again some day.
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: Leela Palace – Bangalore, India
The Leela Palace in Bangalore, India
Matt and Jen took us to the Leela Palace on the last day we were in Bangalore. You know how sometimes you save the best for last…..well this was it. The Leela Palace was AMAZING! They had every kind of food you could think of to eat from Indian Curry, to Roast, Pasta Bar, Salad Bar, Cheese Bar, Breads, rows of Desserts and so much more. Some of the best food I have eaten, it was delicious and the palace was beautiful. If you are in Bangalore I highly recommend that you check the Leela Palace out!
They had row after row of desserts. It was difficult picking the ones you wanted to try because all of them looked AMAZING!
Yes, that huge beautiful artistic piece in the middle is made up of………..chocolate!
They had a separate supervised play area for the kids. The kids could play, watch a movie, eat, read, run around, play a game or many other awesome activities.
Gorgeous Birds of Paradise flower in their garden.
Even the bugs in India cannot resist a pretty flower!
The Leela Palace such a beautiful place to visit in Bangalore, India
Jake & I in front of the gold elephant on the garden gate at the Leela Palace
One of the large entryways.
It almost looked too pretty to eat…….but I did it anyway and it tasted awesome!
Jake and I were thrilled that we had the opportunity to come visit his cousin Matt and his family while we were in India. It was wonderful meeting many awesome people and eating their tasty food. A lot of great memories were made on the trip. Hopefully, some day in the future we will have the chance to bring the girls with us. I know they would love the adventure!
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!
14 Gifts of Love
Gifts & Goodies for Daddy! The girls and I are going on a trip over their Spring Break to visit family, however, Jake is staying home to work. We will miss him greatly and even though he will probably enjoy his few days of peace and quiet we decided to wrap up some special surprises for him to enjoy while we are away. We have a wrapped present for each of the days we are gone. The wrapping paper I choose was a mix of happy smiles and hearts to show him how much he makes us smile and that we love him very much. The presents are a variety of goodies that he likes (I cannot tell you exactly what they are yet because he may read this article).
The girls have also put together several sweet notes for Daddy that they have hidden in various places all over the house for him to find. On their easel is a huge heart that says “I love you Daddy” with a series of little hearts along the bottom. Super cute! They are excited to go on the trip but I am thankful they are thinking about their Daddy who will be staying here. All of the notes they did on their own. They had an idea that I was putting together a couple presents for when we were gone because they were with me on one of the adventures to pick up something for him, but the note idea the girls came up with on their own. Hope he enjoys his special goodies while we are away. What special things do you do for your husband / spouse when you have been apart?
Gift Giving: Allowing Kids to Give from the Heart
My husband took the girls out recently to pick out gifts for my birthday. They had a certain amount of money and found the presents with a little Daddy supervision. They came up with practical and fun gifts which made my day. It was sweet hearing about their adventure shopping to find the perfect gifts.
Here is what they gave me:
- 2 Christmas Hand Towels – practical and pretty (love them)
- 2 Jar Candles – Vanilla Cookie and Spiced Apple (they smell awesome)
- 2 Adorable Bars of Soap – Ice Cream Cone & Gingerbread Man (pictured above)
- Set of Colored Pens – so I can write notes
I think the girls were more excited than I was to celebrate my birthday and they had a lot of fun going shopping with Daddy. It is a great opportunity to teach them about money and giving. If you haven’t done this with your kids, even if they are little, try it! Explain to them how much money they have (you will probably have to remind them at the store) and guide them in the choices but allow their creativity to shine through. We typically stick to one store to make it more manageable for the girls. They truly give from the heart and love it.
