Sci-Works!

 We just LOVE science museums!!!

Seriously.  Where else could you put your head in a T-Rex's mouth. :)


Or run through a hollow tree and slide till your hearts content?

The kids get so competitive with each other and themselves, solving all the fun mind-benders and puzzles.

Watching physics is SO much more fun, than reading about it, right?!

Whether it is lifting yourself with air, or turning your self with momentum.....

This guy was so great!  He took his time with kids, to show them how and explain why these experiments  work the way they do.

Then, of course, we have to get totally grossed out by the hissing cock-roaches......

I felt like we were intruding on the wise ole' owl......
(he would just peak at us!)

The raccoon made us smile....

And this guy, was just creepy!

There was a section about the human body that was so interesting and fun.

Literally, looking at all the parts of an eye.

Playing 'Operation' BIG-kid style!

LOVE this piano!  Parker could NOT stop running on it........back and forth, back and forth.....

The 'Little People' section was too cute!  Emily had fun shopping through the store and ringing up all her food. :)  Parker was persistently trying to build a ramp system that would not drop the ball.

But, the really cool part, was when one of the employees brought out an enormous Boa Constrictor!  I was COVERED in chills.... All the kids got to pet him, too.  (I just braved it and took a picture) HA!

Give 'em a hand!

It was a fun day at the Sci-works Museum in Winston-Salem, NC.


Blessings,
Steph

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!

Last Friday, we drove into Winston-Salem, NC., for a VERY important factory tour.

As we walked in, this was the beautiful sight glaring back at us.  ;)

Another customer noticed us walking in and asked if we homeschooled. (I guess she wondered why we were there, and not in 'school.')
So, I explained that if we finish ALL of our week's worth of school work by Thursday, then we don't have school on Fridays!
She was so sweet and unbelievably encouraging.  She asked if she could buy us a DOZEN DONUTS!!!

WHOO HOO!!

Look at all that white, sugary YUMMINESS!

We watched how they form the donuts, put them on racks and watch them rise, warm up and then get DRENCHED in a 'blanket of white, sugary L. O. V. E.

Tanner was just a little excited....

I bought some chocolate milk and coffee and dug in to those FREE donuts from the sweet lady. :) (Thanks so much Sharon!)

The kids were so happy.  Seriously.  Like they need more sugar around Halloween, right?!

It was a sweet day!

Blessings,
Steph

BBQ Capital of the Country!

Last Saturday, we decided to take a drive, admiring the BEAUTIFUL fall colors, to the local town of Lexington, NC.

It just so happens, that it was also the ONE day of the YEAR when this town celebrates its special food!

So, being from Texas, we HAD to go and see what this was all about, right?

There were probably at least a few thousand people at this event.  It was HUGE!  The town of Lexington shuts down their city, and it seems that all the businesses get involved and all the people, too!

There were rides......

The juggling unicycle performer.....

Street performers......

Works of art!  We were totally captivated by this sand art!  So cool.

We also thought it was too awesome, seeing Dustin Lynch perform his famed, 'Cowboys & Angels' song!  He is actually from Lexington, and comes back every year to perform.  :)

We saw this booth and Tanner showed his 'Manly' skills!  He actually completed 18 pull ups - MARINE-style!  (for those of you who may not know, that is a pull-up that requires your arms to stretch all the way down, with your legs dangling straight, as you pull your self up over the bar)  -Yeah, my arms hurt just thinking about it!  HA!
 Go Tanner!  We were all so proud of our boy.  :)
 He won a cool water bottle that says, "Pain is weakness leaving the body"

So, after all that walking around, we decided to taste some of this FAMOUS BBQ at Speedy's.
The waitress was so sweet and wonderful and even brought us more fries.  BUT.  I can honestly say, that we all love Texas BBQ better........sniff...sniff.....
It was a little sad.  But, you just can't take the true Texan, out of us, loyal, DIE-HARD BBQ, lovin', kind of people!


Blessings,
Steph

Fun Fall Festivities!

We stayed at the Forest Lake, Thousand Trails Campground for 2 weeks, and during our time there, everyone got into the Halloween/Fall/Autumn/ Whatever you want to call it FUN!

(That is a pic of one of our neighbors' motorhome!)



They scheduled a game of BINGO!  Seriously.  Who doesn't like BINGO!?!

Everyone carefully listening..........

WINNER!  Yeah Emily!

Here is our lovely campground-BINGO-Caller. :)

Then, the park set up all of these fun 'moon walks!'

Wheeeeee!

It was hilarious, watching the kids run out of a caterpillar's rear-end!  HA!

They had inside games and prizes, too!

And then, one of my FAVORITES!!

The Cake Walk!  (I told my kids that we HAD to win!)  :)  (I'm not competitive or anything....)

We all enjoyed the hot dogs, cokes, and cotton candy.  ;)  YUM!

It is ALMOST as big as his face.  :)

They had chalk-drawing contests outside!

Zach TOTALLY won with his 'Yoda.'  ;)

Guess what?!  We won the Cake Walk!

Well.  Actually, half way.  Hannah and her new friend, Caitlyn, were literally walking side-by-side and when the coordinator turned around, they were sharing the winning space!  So, they BOTH got to share a dessert of their choice!  HA!  It could only happen with Hannah!  :)

It was a fun-filled day and the kids had so much fun.  Did I mention that it was all FREE!!!  I LOVE free.

 Now, we are brushing our teeth, by the hour!
(I'm heeding your advice, Peggy!)  :)


Blessings,
Steph

The Candy Factory!

So, while we were visiting Lexington, NC., we decided to take a trip to this cute little shop in downtown.

A candy-covered chair, straight from Candy Land! Too fun!

There were rows and rows, shelves and more shelves FILLED with old-fashioned candy, and good ole' time favorites, too.

It seemed like the choices were endless!
We told the kids that they could spend $2.00 each on whatever candy their heart's desired. :)

The store also has antiques and old-time toys.  Parker thought the Jack-in-the-Box was Awesome.  hee..hee  :)


In true "Parker style" we stuck our treats right in front of our faces for the camera.  HA!

Blessings,
Steph