Our RV Adventure- Days 8 and 9

On Sunday, we continued our way back to PA.  We visited the Nashville Zoo.  What an amazing, beautiful zoo!  The zoo houses more than 6000 animals and 339 species in a natural, breathtaking environment.

Since openings its doors in 1991, the Zoo has grown from a small, private operation in Cheatham County to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility with international conservation involvement.  Over three-quarters of a million visitors come to the Nashville Zoo annually, making it the number attraction in Middle Tennessee.

The Zoo is one of the few zoos in the country with the ability to expand (only 84 of their 188 acres are developed).  Once fully developed, it will be the ninth largest zoo, by landmass, in the country.

The exhibit designs, which are SO natural and inviting, have been featured on Animal Planet's Ultimate Zoo series.
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Kiddo #3 who absolutely loves elephants was so thrilled to see the massive exhibit.  Our local zoo does not have elephants right now, so this was a wonderful treat!

There was also an exhibit where you get to walk with and pet kangaroos.  They are so amazingly soft!

A zipline will be opening this summer that takes visitors over various exhibits.  Looks like it will be SO much fun.  Maybe next time we pass through!  :-)

That night we found a lovely little campground in Tennessee to stay the night.  We stopped at the Waffle House (aren't their waffles and hashbrowns just the best?!) and then went to get a good night's sleep before driving straight through to PA to arrive in time to bring the rental back on Tuesday morning.

Hope you have enjoyed reading about our adventure!  :-)  If you missed any days, you can find them here:

Day 1

Days 2 and 3

Days 4 and 5

Days 6 and 7

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Our RV adventure Days 6 and 7

Friday was the last day of the conference.  More wonderful speakers (including one for moms by moms) and the last day of Kiddo #4's group.  She really loved her group leader.

The afternoon concluded with a performance by all of the different groups, including Kiddo #4's.  They did such a wonderful job!

I was able to catch up to newlyweds Ben and Jessa and give them the Razorback scarves I had crocheted for them on the long trip from PA to Texas.  They absolutely loved them.  :-) The evening concluded with all kinds of food.  Everyone had food at their own campsites and the Duggar family hosted everyone in the campground at their site for an all-you-can-eat extravaganza.  The kids (and moms!) enjoyed some last moments with their friends.  We were told that these evenings usually go into the wee hours, but not this year.  You see, not too long into the festivities, we got a warning that a big thunderstorm was on its way and we had 10-15 minutes to clear all of our food, etc and bring things in that could blow about.  Not too long after everyone entered the relative safety of their rvs did everyone hear the bullhorns telling us to evacuate to the bathhouses immediately.  There was a tornado warning.  Wow.  This East Coast girl had never experienced anything like it before.  I was proud of my kiddos.  They quickly got their shoes on and got themselves (and their friends who had congregated in our rv) out of the rv and into the bathhouse.  While in the bathhouse, the adults prayed and sang and the kids just chatted. (the photo was a bit blurry as it was taken on my phone and my hand was probably shaking a bit!)  Thank God, about an hour later, we were given the all clear.  It wasn't until the next day that we heard that a tornado did some significant damage about 5 miles away.  The kiddos, hubby and I spent the rest of the evening together in the rv watching a movie.  It turned out just fine after all!

Saturday came and it was a pack up and get moving kind of morning.  In the photos below are the kids helping our neighbors with their tarp, posing with some of their children, Kiddo #4 enjoying part of the obstacle course one more time and Kiddo #1 helping one of his new friends (one of the Duggar boys whose name escapes me right now) pack up their trailer.

We drove for quite a while and stopped for the night at the Redstone Arsenal Army Base in Huntsville, Alabama.  It is where the Army and joint services, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, defense and aerospace industries all come together on the 38,000 acre base housing some of our nation's most critical missions.  They have an RV park there.  How cool is that?!  I have to say that I have never felt more secure and safe than I did that night.  Not everyday you and your family are protected by all kinds of armed personnel along with the nation's most tightly guarded missions! Even Pooh was impressed. :-)

Stay tuned tomorrow for our visit to the Nashville Zoo!

For Day 1 click here

For Days 2 and 3 click here

For Days 4 and 5 click here

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Our RV Adventure- Days 4 and 5

On Wednesday, the homeschool conference in Texas began with all kinds of motivational speakers, faith, friends and fellowship.

Kiddo #4 participated in a program for her age group that was like a summer camp or VBS.  They sang songs, made crafts and played games.

The older kids had "formal" and informal activities and motivational speakers.  There were some, like the Benham brothers that literally had the teens on their feet.

There were speakers and programs in the mornings, afternoon and evenings.  You could go to as few or as many as you'd like.  We enjoyed meals with our dear friends who were our "next-door neighbors."  :-)

How refreshing to be removed from the world, if even for a few days--when you could open your door and let your kid go out and play and know they were safe or have a child knock on your door and welcome them in to play.  Don't we wish that it could be like that all the time?

For Days 2 and 3 click here.

For Day 1, click here.

Stay tuned for the end of the conference, Kiddo #4's performance and a visit to Nashville on the way home!

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Our RV Adventure Days 2 and 3

Sorry it's been so long since I've written about our adventure!  It was difficult to write while on the move, and while in Texas, I was just too pooped by the end of each evening to think about writing up a post.  So, I will do my best to catch up now that we are home safe and sound.  :-)

I think what I loved the most about the rv trip was how much my kids really enjoyed it.  My boys are really tall and cannot fit comfortably in our minivan for any length of time. (imagine a serious case of knees in the chest x 3!)  They were able to stretch out, play games of cards, get up if needed for a drink, etc.  When we finally did arrive on Monday afternoon (after an all-nighter pulled by my sweet hubby to make sure we would get there on time), we were greeted by two of my friends.  It was so good to see them! (forgive my I've been in my same clothes for 2 days look, lol!)

That evening, and the next day (Tuesday), the Kiddos made fast friends with so many!  The night we arrived, there was a big bonfire with a chance to meet and greet with the already hundreds of people who were there(they were expecting over 2,000 by the beginning of the conference) There was bike riding, playing of games and even Kiddo #1 flying his airplanes.

On Tuesday evening, there were the opening "ceremonies" and we were welcomed by the cadets who are currently studying there and some other speakers.  The campus is the International ALERT academy.  ALERT stands for Air Land Emergency Resource Team. (they train firefighters, police, rescue workers, EMTs, etc.)

I look forward to sharing Days 4 and 5 with you tomorrow!  :-)

If you missed Day 1,  you can see it here.  

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Our RV Adventure Day #1

It has not begun exactly as planned but that's ok.  We are calling it our own Griswald-style National Lampoon's vacation.  :-)  We have headed out on our long journey from Pennsylvania to Texas for a homeschool conference.

The unit we were originally scheduled for had some problems, so they lined us up with a brand new 2015 rental model as an "apology."  When I say brand new, I mean brand new, as in we had to wait (and wait!)  for it to get tags and then wait some more for them to call their insurance company to get it covered, so we got a much, much later start than we anticipated.  But, it is really new and really nice. (forgive the quality of the first two images, as they were taken on my phone)

During one of our stops early today in Maryland, we visited the National Road.  George Washington had envisioned a road spanning our new nation.  Thomas Jefferson brought the idea to fruition.  He authorized the construction of a road from Maryland to Ohio.  The road was literally built when entire parts of the mountain range were broken through.  We got to climb up one half of one such peak and cross over to the other side.  It was pretty cool if I should say so myself.  I just love how there is always something to see and learn!  :-)

We also went through West Virginia today (I didn't realize just quite how breathtaking going through the Appalachian range would be-- and fun on the ears, as well!) and are heading into Kentucky as I type this.

I look forward to posting even more updates and photos as we arrive at our destination tomorrow. :-)

How was your weekend?

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Disney Memories

As many of you know, my parents took us on a wonderful trip to Disney over Thanksgiving.  What a  blessing, indeed!  The kids had an amazing time (as did the adults) and we were definitely very grateful for their generosity.

We visited Magic Kingdom

and had a birthday girl

Kennedy Space Center (and literally got up close and personal with a Space Shuttle!!!!! WOW!)

Sea World (and got to have Thanksgiving dinner with Shamu-- I'm not kidding!)

Animal Kingdom

and Epcot

And, here are some photos with the "grown-ups" :-) in them:

Even a week doesn't do it all justice, but definitely gives us reason to try to get there again someday!

**Home to 4 Kiddos has been nominated for the "Best Homemaking and/or Recipe Blog" Award in the Homeschool Blog Awards.  Can I ask for your vote?  You can vote once per day per device. Click HERE to go to the page to vote.


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Weekly Wrap-Up/My Week in Review/THMJ- September 28

It was a busy week!

On Wednesday, we attended the Homeschool Day at Graeme Park.  The main house on the property, the Keith House, was built by PA Governor Keith in 1722.  The property was purchased by the Governor's daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Thomas Graeme.  Dr. Graeme was a respected doctor, justice of the PA Supreme Court and port physician for Philadelphia.  The home entertained patriots, politicians and many of our founding fathers.  It also served as an encampment for our troops during two battles of the Revolutionary War.  We toured the mansion, "joined" the militia, saw colonial craftsmen, did some fishing 18th century style and played colonial games.  What a fun afternoon!

On Thursday, we headed down to Bethany Beach, DE.  We visit every year as Kiddo #1 and hubby attend the NASCAR race.  We stay at a military base close by to the beach.  Since it was raining when we arrived and couldn't do anything outside, we headed for the base gym.

On Friday, the kiddos got some outdoor play time in before Kiddo #1 and hubby left for the racetrack for the K and N race.  The rest of us visited the Nature Center trails, strolled the boardwalk, visited an arcade and played some miniature golf.

On Saturday, we did something we have never done before-- went for a dolphin/whale watching boat ride.  While there were no whales to be seen, there were SO many dolphins.  They seemed to enjoy entertaining us, flipping their tails, jumping high into the air and trying to race our boat.  What an amazing sight.  The pictures do not do it justice.  By the time you grab the camera, the dolphin has already gone back under the water.   They are such incredible and graceful creatures!  On the way back to Bethany from Lewes (the town from which the boat tours leave), we found a church to attend that was quite nice.

As Kiddo #1 and hubby headed to the main race on Sunday, we all went to the beach.  What perfect beach weather.  Who would have thought that the last Sunday in September would find a crowded beach on a warm and sunny day?  :-)

Tomorrow (Monday), we are heading to Assateague to see the wild horses!  I can't wait.  Last year, they came right over to our car and were everywhere we looked.  Hope we can see them like that again.  Stay tuned for more posts as we have a couple more days of our long-weekend adventure!

Linking up today with:  My Week in Review,  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week and Collage Friday

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Happy 15th Birthday Kiddo #2

Our Kiddo #2 turned 15 on Monday.  He wanted to start his celebrations at midnight, with a special countdown on his computer.  We all gave him our gifts.  :-)

He had a special birthday treat of waffles and ice cream (where he even entertained his siblings) followed by time on the beach, pool and arcade.  A very fun birthday at the seashore!  :-)

Happy Birthday to our smart, funny and kind young man!  You light up a room not only with your knowledge of all things sports, but your smile and your giving spirit.  You excel at everything you try, whether that be Taekwondo or inventing games to entertain your younger siblings.  You are truly a gift to all who know you!  We love you!  :-)

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My Week in Review- 8/22

We have been here at the beach and having a wonderful time with family and friends.  If you saw my Wordless Wednesday post, you saw some of the pictures of our first few days including:

 

 

 

The kids got to spend time with good friends (as did I!) and enjoy everything that the boardwalk and beach has to offer:

 



 

 

We are thankful for the memories that have been made and look forward to making new ones in the days ahead....

My posts this week:

• Try a New Recipe Tuesday: Beach Edition
• Wordless Wednesday: The Beach Edition

Have a great weekend!  God bless!

Linking up today with:  My Week in Review,  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week

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Wordless Wednesday- Beach Edition!

Some random photos from our first few days at the beach......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Linking up with: Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices, Look What We Did and Do Small Things With Love and Wordless Wednesday Bloggers and A Sorta Fairytale and Friday Flash Blog Hop

 

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Cape May County Zoo

Last week while still on vacation, we visited the Cape May County Zoo.  We try to get there every year.  Believe it or not, the entrance fee is by donation only and it is well worth whatever you choose to give.  The layout is SO unique.  There are literally boardwalks over many of the animal exhibits, so you get to walk through and over their habitats!  You have such a view and perspective as well as it being so very peaceful and beautiful.

Some very special "firsts" that we got to witness this year include: baby snow leopard cubs playing with their mom, a baby fawn basking in the sun, a snowy owl doing a peculiar dance around a tree, a lion literally roaring at us as he began to partake of his meat supper and the most amazing was that we got to witness a bison calf stand up for the first time!  It was born that very morning and we were there as it stood on its feet!  Wow!  Absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring for sure.

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices, Look What We Did and Do Small Things With Love and Wordless Wednesday Bloggers and A Sorta Fairytale and Field Trip Friday and Wildlife Wednesday


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