Field Trip - Wilbur Trip - Road Trip

I call our recent adventure a giant field trip. The kids call it a Wilbur trip since it was, of course, in our dear ole' RV that we have affectionately named Wilbur (which by the way seems to be shrinking every time we climb inside of him for another adventure.) And Anna called it a Road Trip. So choose your name own name, grab your hiking boots and come along for the ride. (Or a cup of tea, this is going to be a long post.)

We began in our state capitol for the 2010 Homeschool Day at the Capitol where we met our state senator, representative, sat in on part of a legislative session and toured the capitol building. Daddy loves staying active in the politics of our state and nation and taught all of us so much.

We also toured the governor's mansion and took advantage of the beautiful grounds for some great photos.

The next day found us at the EdVenture Children's Museum where we met the largest child I have ever met. Eddie was huge and very fun to climb inside - starting with his brain, then descending into his heart, then stomach and finally a ride down a slide where I assume we were excreted out. There were sounds in each part to simulate brain synapses executing commands, the heart beating, stomach action and yes, there were noises as you slid down the slide for the final exit. Nice.

Future hygienists?

Next stop - Atlanta to visit our dear friends, the L. family. We attended a homeschooling conference together and even Abbie's soccer game where her loyal fans enthusiastically cheered her on.

Go Abbie!

And most exciting of all to us was getting to meet Jae, their newest and quite adorable little addition.

Abbie and Logan. Abbie announced that if her first choice of a husband doesn't come through, then Logan is next on her list. Not sure how Logan feels about being #2, but Abbie would make a fine wife.

Silly Hannah with her Daddy.

The next day we donned those hiking boots and set out to conquer Sawnee Mountain. Micah's first hike. (Which he proceeded to sleep through.)

It's always nice to be rewarded with an incredible view at the top. Rebekah was quite proud as this was her first official hike completely on her own. Her own pair of hiking boots (hand-me-down from her big brother, but cool nonetheless) motivated her as she bravely set one foot in front of the other all the way to the top. Of course, she didn't really have a choice, but don't tell her that.
'

The hike wore Anna out.

We finished off the night with s'mores in the backyard of the L. home.

Next stop - Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL. Very fun. So much fun, we forgot to take many pictures. Highly recommend.

Nightly ritual - dinner and s'mores around the campfire.

Calloway Gardens, GA - Gorgeous!

Tropical butterfly house was very fun.

Guess my hairspray was sweet.

Our new home.

It's too bad we never have any fun together.

Have I mentioned recently that I'm married to a total hunk?

View from our campsite in FDR State Park overlooking Lake Delano. We love traveling in the off-season as we were one of two campers parked on the lake. Peaceful, quite, serene.

Learned lots of FDR history. His Little White House in Warm Springs, GA below.

The warm spring - 88 degrees F year round that FDR used for therapy of his polio.

The unfinished portrait. FDR was sitting for this portrait in 1945 when he suffered a stroke that took his life.

FDR's favorite picnic spot. Dowdell's Point.

Ellen imitating the FDR statue.

Next stop - Aviation Museum - Warner-Robbins Air Force Base, GA

Game night in the RV. At one particular campsite in Savannah the bugs were carrying us away. We opted to stay in and not serve ourselves as dinner to the insects awaiting our sweet skin. Anna loves dominoes with her daddy.

Fort McAllister - only underground Civil War bunker. The Fort held for the entire Civil War until Sherman ended his march to the sea here in Savannah.

Anna did her best to defend the fort.

Final stop - Hunting Island, SC

Climbed the Hunting Island Lighthouse - one of 8 lighthouses in SC and the only one open to the public for ascending.

Are Daddy's arms not the safest and coziest place in the world?

A friendly visitor came by at dinner each evening. She must have enjoyed the carrots and marshmallows we fed her.

This is what our Wilbur trips are all about. Family. Together. (Of course, It's hard not to be together when 8 people have 200 square feet to share.)

And finally, on the way home, we detoured slightly to pick some strawberries (75 pounds worth!) at an organic farm. We've been busy freezing them, making jam, popsicles and just eating them by the handfuls. The farm had the most beautiful black dirt to grow the delicious red berries. Anna loved the dirt so much she decided to wear it home. All over her body. From head to toe. In her ears. Between her toes... you get the idea.

Welcome home. Our washing machine didn't come up for air for several days.