Hello Hendo

We went to Henderson for a few days to hang out with family. We had a really good time. While we were there Jack and Luke got to hang out with their cousin Khloe a bunch- so that was fun.

One night I tried to get her to take a bath with the boys but as soon as she got in she was screaming to get out. I understand the boys are kinda scary :) A couple nights later Jack was getting ready for a shower when he asked if Khloe could come in. Pete said no since it was a shower and various other reasons. Jack countered with-, "But we could have a naked factory." Pete still said no to which Jack said, " Yeah, to have a naked factory we would need like a 100 naked people."

We did fun things like go to the park, play outside, but I think the thing Jack loved the most was going to the Wesselman Nature Preserve. I didn't get to go because all the traveling caught up to me so I wasn't having the best day. I gave Pete the camera but he was too busy having fun with the boys to take any pictures. I was told they saw a bull snake, got to touch a molted snake skin and look at it under a microscope, there were turtles, and ducks. There was a pile of sticks with toy animals hidden inside that Jack thought was really cool. There were trails they got to on, but the mosquitos were so bad that they had to cut it short. Next they headed out to a toy store where there were a bunch of dinosaurs and other amphibian toys that Jack loved.

The next day I was feeling better so Pete and I took Jack to play mini-golf. Jack had fun doing that too- he really likes golf. I took a few pictures of that outing.

Other than that we mostly just played at grandpa's house so here are a few pictures my dad took of the boys. As a side note I have decided that if anyone would like to get us a going away present next year a nice camera would be do just fine. The pictures my dad takes are so clear and crisp-- don't you think pictures of Europe would look awesome with a nice camera?

Georgia on my mind

We leave Georgia tomorrow so I figured why not write about our trip.  The town is interesting- there is government housing all around the campus, which you think would deter people from sending their kids to school here. Many of the gas stations have bars on all the doors and windows, and there are lots of signs that remind you to lock your doors and keep things of value with you-- again another sign that maybe you don't want your kids to go to school here. The campus is pretty nice and there are a few streets a couple blocks away that have lots of bars and restaurants that are nice, but in contrast to the rest of the city, it just seems awkward.

The first couple days we didn't have a whole lot to do but soon we found a couple parks that Jack really liked. There is a park here with a little zoo area and a pond with lots of turtles and geese that Jack thinks is interesting. Then we found another park with a lake and a beach that was lots of fun. The water wasn't cold, it wasn't too crowded, and both boys had a great time. On the way back we saw a nature center that had snakes and they let Jack pet a snake so he was in heaven. Then he tapped on the glass of a cottonmouth- this made the cottonmouth so angry that he raised up and 'bit' at Jack openmouthed with such force that he hit his head on the glass.

There are a lot of people in this area of math that are heading to various parts of Germany at the same time we are or are originally from Germany. There is a family with kids the same ages as our kids who are going to Leipzig for a postdoc- it is on the other side of Germany. There were a few German conversations going on, but I never understood what they were saying-- very sad. We were told that if we want to learn German we will have to learn it right away because all Germans speak better English than we will speak German so they will get impatient and start speaking English to us. I also learned that I will need to find a kindergarten (school for ages 3-5) that is done in German and English- apparently there are a few in the traditional public school system.

Postcard from Nashville

We stopped in Nashville for a couple nights and had a nice time visiting the Darke girls and going to the Science Adventure Center.

See how the kids just flock to him? Is there any question that he was meant to be a dad?

We went to lunch at Puckett's in downtown Nashville. While there Jack managed to throw a sugar packet and hit one of the busboys, and Pete knocked his full glass of water all over the table and Jack. Things started off pretty rough, but once the food came we all settled down. It was so good- you should try it if you are in town. The blueberry cobbler was delicious.

Next stop was the Science Adventure Center. This isn't really the best picture of Luke but I thought I would show you the big piano keys you could play on. There were lots of cool things- like an excavator you could operate and pick up plastic balls with, a heat sensor screen, large dinos, a train with buttons that made noises and actually blew a whistle, an actual bee colony, and a large play tower structure that went up around 5 stories with a slide that went down two.

This is Jack sitting in his favorite thing- a large heart that we called a Giganotosaurus heart. It was basically a tunnel, and his other favorite thing was another long dark tunnel that was supposed to be an intestine- I believe.

The girls gave Luke a new hairdo while he was there. In other Luke news- he has started taking steps and takes a few everyday. Yay!! I thought this day would never come. He can't take more than 5 or so, but at least he is trying and can do it with some success. Also, he is starting to tell you what noises animals make when you ask him. Go Luke!

Jack had a great time playing with the girls. He was very excited to show off his German language skills and his dino knowledge. He didn't understand why they had to go to school during the day- one of his playmates obviously didn't understand either so he had some company our last morning there. :)

Jack also got a pretty good scrape on his forehead while we were there and was able to cover it up with a shiny metallic looking band-aid. I am bummed I didn't get a picture of him sporting his owie bling.

Then it was time to hit the road for more travel adventures. In the car we passed a town called Doraville (notice the Dora in Doraville) I asked Jack if he would want to live there. He said no he would rather live in San Diego ( notice the Diego in San Diego). He is a pretty clever boy.

Until the end of our next stop--bye bye.

Mother's Day and Zoo Time

We went to the Indy Zoo on Saturday to hang out with Granny and Danny. We had a great time checking out the snakes, elephants, giraffes, and dolphins. Jack loves snakes so he had to know all about the snakes at the zoo. The elephants were also amusing since the baby kept walking back and forth while the mother was shaking her head. Pete told Jack the mom was trying to get the baby to take a nap but the baby didn't want to.

Then it was Mother's Day. I got beautiful and colorful daisies. A card with a poem that Jack and Pete came up with: Roses are Red, Tulips are Black, I love you mom, love Jack. Then it was off to have our lovely picnic lunch. We had a great time and Luke ate a ton! Then we played with chalk, bubbles, and more bouncy balls. The sun wiped the boys out ( I mean a full day without rain and clouds they aren't used to it) so we came home for naps. Then it was grilling burgers time in the backyard with a little sweat and dirt thrown in. It was a great day.

the yellow circle is a sticker that says: Mom you are 1 in a 1,000,000