Durham Life and Science Museum

Megan has been visiting for the past few days and we took her and Blake to the Durham Life and Science Museum. I was the only one who has ever been there before, and that was when I was on a school field trip in Elementary School...so this was an adventure for all of us!!

Blake got to explore and learn many new things...

He learned how clouds are made and he even got to play in one!

 

He got to play on his favorite thing...the slide!!

 

He even got to race balls with Daddy!!

 

He loved hearing how different sizes and shapes can make different noises.

 

Megan loved exploring the butterfly garden. She was lucky enough to have some land on her!

This one looks plain on the outside but it was a gorgeous bright blue when open.

 

We enjoyed taking in the beauty of the butterfly garden!

 

 

The best part was the Dinosaur Trail! Yikes!

 

Nothing like Jurassic Park images constantly flashing into your mind...

 

 

The Wildlife Walk was fun too!

 

Of course they spotted turtles...

 

And we topped off the day with a cool mist. Perfect for a hot summer day!

Rain is a Good Thing

 

Luke Bryan says in one of his country songs that "Rain is a good thing." He is right...unless you are trying to watch a Luke Bryan Concert outside. LOL!

Yesterday Ryan and I got to go see Florida Georgia Line, Thompson Square, and Luke Bryan in concert. Rain was pouring all day but thankfully the skies cleared when it was time for the music to start. We had such a great time! Normally Country isn't Ryan's music genre of choice, but I think he had a really good time trying something new. This was also our first concert together!! So much fun.

We also weren't the only ones to have a great time. Blake stayed at his Granny and Papa's house with Aunt T too! It was his first sleepover. Yep, he is 17 months old and this was the first night that I ever stayed away from him for the whole night. I think he had so much fun that he wasn't that excited to come home. Haha.

Just another great Summer night for the Larsen Family!!

Sailing Date

Ryan and I FINALLY got to go on his birthday sailing trip. We had it scheduled for last week but it rained so we rescheduled. I think it worked out perfectly because yesterday was the most beautiful day. Blake got to spend the day with G-Daddy, so this was just Ryan and I. We really needed a day of just us.

We woke up nice and early to drive to the small sea-side town of Beaufort, NC. At noon we took off on a chartered sail boat. There were the most amazing views!

Our first stop was at an island beach. We got to pick up sea shells, see wild horses, swim, and eat some yummy lunch.

Next we went to Cape Lookout! We were able to walk around the grounds of the Lighthouse and see the Keepers Quarters.

Being at the beach with Ryan for the day has made me SO excited to take Blake to the beach in two weeks. I really can't wait to see him for the first time at the ocean. We are in love with our family summer!!

Red, White, and Blue

Happy 4th of July!!! What a great Summer Holiday! And it is a Holiday that we, as the Larsen Family, hold dear to our hearts. Ryan is so Patriotic and loves serving his Country. With that Blake and I support him and stand proudly by the Army life that we have had.

Luckily we were able to spend July 4th together as a family. We started the day off with the Wake Forest Children's Parade. I think we were kind of expecting there to be police cars and fire trucks and floats and candy... but really it was just a bunch of kids riding their bikes and wagons down the street. Haha. The best part was watching the parents run after their kids on the bikes. Fun times!! I guess we fit right in with our wagon!! Blake and Hope loved it.

 

 

We then went home and took a nice and much needed family nap. I wish I could make that a regular habit! :) Since Blake is still a little young for the fireworks...and he can't stay up past 7:30... we left him at home with Granny. Ryan and I went the Durham Bulls Baseball game with some new friends! The fireworks weren't too bad either. All in all we had the perfect American day!!! 

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

"Daddy's taking us to the zoo tomorrow....

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

How about you, you, you...."

 

Ryan has been singing this song with Blake for the past few days and today we actually went!! Yay!! It was a great adventure!

 

It takes two hours to get to Asheboro, NC and the weather was a little iffy. In fact, when we arrived into Asheboro there was an awful downpour of rain. Ryan and I just looked at each other and laughed. What a great day for the zoo right?!?! Not!! The weird thing is that after we parked, the rain stopped within 5 minutes. It even held off the whole time we were there. Yes, it was a little humid but we could deal with that. Frizzy hair and all. :)

 

 

 

So where do I start? This is obviously going to be a post that has more pictures that words... Lets start with the Polar Bears and Seals. Blake loved watching them slash in the water!

 

 

 

Next were the elephants. We were surprised to see them out since it had just rained so hard. They were beautiful. Blake was slightly amazed but also a little nervous about them. I don't think he has seen an animal that big! HAHA!

 

 

 

The zebras were pretty neat too. I wanted to see the giraffes, but apparently they couldn't come out because of the weather. Their legs are fragile and they could get hurt with the wet surfaces. You aren't too old to learn something new!! By far my favorite picture!!

 

 

Navigating around the zoo was intense. We had to walk, ride, and carry all of our stuff everywhere! Blake was a champ with the traveling.

 

 

 

I loved the elephants, Ryan enjoyed the lions, and Blake.... well he just wanted to ride the carousel! We ended up riding it twice! So sweet watching him enjoy it so much.

 

 

And at the end of the day... we were worn out!!! Great family day!!!