Spring Break Part I: Raleigh, NC

Eating on the veranda. :) It was so nice.

Addison liked the garden pond.

Addison also liked sitting on the dog's food mat in the kitchen.

We introduced my Aunt Helen to the world of Skippyjon Jones. We love that series of books.

Xavier chilling with grown-ups by the pond. (he had already fallen in once)

Addison was very excited to see a squirrel. I think it's because she recognized them from home.

Xavier got to touch one of the butterflies.

Xavier was so excited because he had just watched Zooboomafoo on Sprout and they talked about this snake, the sand boa. It can burrow under the sand and catch it's prey. (Thank goodness they are native to Kenya.)

Xavier and Uncle Ray in the bat cave at the museum.

The kids hanging out by a lake at the rest stop in South Carolina.


The first leg of our journey took us to Raleigh, NC where my aunt and uncle live. I use to live in Wake County when I was a little girl, so it's kind of like going back home. Xavier and Addison love being at my aunt and uncle's. We stayed 2 nights and got to see some of my cousins and the new baby, Thomas. Uncle Ray even joined us for an afternoon at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (it's free in case anybody ever wants to go)

Touch-a-Truck Day

A caboose at the Civil War Locomotive museum.




Inside a stock car. He thought that was so cool!



On a school bus.





I love that he is looking inside and his butt is sticking out.


He said it was so cool to be up so high.



Climbing and sitting all over the fire truck.


In the back of an ambulance.




In front of the 18 wheeler. Addie hated the noise the horns made from these and screamed when it was our turn to climb inside. Xavier got to play around though and below he is sitting on the bed/couch in the studio cabin. (It was a fancy 18 wheeler)




The kids inside a back hoe. Addie was just starting to come around to being here with all the trucks.


Inside a dump truck.


On a small street sweeper. Below is Addison looking around like what is all this stuff and all this noise. She was not impressed.



The big front end loader that we had to wait forever to get on.


Inside the scoop while we waited. He liked sitting inside it.



Finally our turn and he was so happy.


In Kennesaw there was Touch-Truck day. They had trucks of all kinds for kids to climb on and honk horns, push buttons, and basically explore all they wanted. It was from 10-2, so we had to leave church early in order to make it in time. The best part was that it was FREE! That was awesome! Although Xavier thought the trucks were pretty awesome. And because it was at the train depot, he also got to see trains, perfect day for my son. :)

A Lovely Spring day

Today was a beautiful day. The kids played outside in the yard and we opened up the sand and water table on the back deck. It is a very small area, but Addison and Xavier played out there for hours before and after dinner. The best money I ever spent.

Dancing in Trinidad

Video of the new bebe outfit

Her first bebe outfit

My really good friend, Alicia, from Colorado sent Addison a package the other day. Alicia loves bebe clothes and so she got Addison her very fist bebe outfit. It is a lilac color and super cute. Here are the pictures of her opening the box and then wearing the top. I couldn't get her to stand still in order to get a good picture, so I had to take a video. I will post that next.

THANKS ALICIA! WE LOVE IT!!

International Night

My beautiful children in the Virgin Islands. Maybe one day we will actually go there. :)


Eating some pizza in Italy.


Chilling with Ms. Matsui in Italy.



John and Addie back in Monaco.



Addison liked Trinidad. or maybe she just liked this rocking chair. I am not sure.




Xavier and Anahita in Trinidad. And yes, Xavier danced again this year in Trinidad. (If you don't know what I am talking about, check out last years post. He says he can only dance in Trinidad. This year I got video.)




Tammy, me, and Addison on safari in Kenya.



Going on safari in Kenya.




Xavier loved the beach in Barbados.



Addison was not impressed by the beach in Barbados.



Addison and Senora Andrea in Barbados.



The kids in Australia.



Xavier eating, again. You would have thought the kid was starved, he had to eat every place we went.



Addison outside the Virgin Islands. She and Xavier had t-shirts from the Virgin Islands, so they dressed like lil beach tourists.


My son gambling in Monaco. (He didn't win)



Last night was International Night at my school. My class represented Monaco. It was awesome. We had some terrific food and a roulette table. The room looked amazing.
Xavier's class represented the Virgin Islands. He loved his country. He loved all the countries. It was a really great night.