Day in Athens

Saturday we went to Athens to see the Trial Gardens at UGA (University of GA) and to see the State Botanical Gardens.  The trial gardens are where growers send their flowers, bushes, trees, etc. and UGA tries to grow them.  It's basically like a big outdoor science experiment!   It was an overcast day and the temp was around 60, so it wasn't too bad. 

I don't know who was more excited - Brad or Parker - hah!

Had to get a picture of the handsome boys in front of the pansies.

After we toured the trial gardens and campus, we went to the State Botanical Gardens.  It is 313 acres of bushes and trees.  It was really cool - lots of paths and trails to walk on.  We only covered about 10% of the area, but we all had a good time!  There was no entrance fee to get into the gardens, just a donation, so we had a fun family day in Athens for cheap!

Parker was on the move!

I believe Parker is going to follow in Daddy's footsteps of loving horticulture!

The sun came out for a brief period and Hannah was awake, so Brad snapped a quick picture. 

Taking a rest break in the gazeebo 

Parker loved this pathway in the grass. 

We had to get a picture in front of these bushes because we have the same kind at our house! 

On the wildlife observation bridge - all we saw were squirrels - hah!

Say CHEESE!

This is one of my favorite pics of Parker

Parker was worn out, so this was his preferred mode of transportation to the car!  We had a fun family day and Parker and Hannah slept the entire way home.

Science Museum

Grandpa Kleeman came to visit last weekend and we had a great time with him.  It was the first time he had gotten to see Hannah and Parker loved every minute with his Grandpa, so we were grateful he was able to come down.

We went to the science museum and we all had tons of fun!  Parker was worn out by the end of the day.

This was a fun activity that fascinated us all - you can have coin races and it simulates the vortex of a tornado.  We all could have stood there all day and played - hah! 

This was Brad's favorite - it simulated a duck call!  Brad would make it work and Parker would just giggle!

Banging on the drum and learning about pressure. 

Brad and his dad playing the ball race game 

Parker worked on stacking blocks while the big boys played the race game 

Parker's 1st movie - On the Bayou about the life and people of Louisiana.  It was really good! 

Touching copper 

Checking out the prehistoric sea turtle in the dinosaur exhibit 

Hannah cooperated the entire time (she slept most of the time we were there).

After we toured the museum, we ate lunch at the picnic area, then headed home.  We had a fun day and Parker and Hannah both slept the entire way home.  Thanks to Dad and Grandpa for a fun time at the museum! 

Garden of Lights

Thursday night we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens to their "Garden of Lights."  The entire place is covered in lights, lights wrapped trees, lights hanging from tree branches, and lights around bushes.  It's really neat!  It was packed, so Parker didn't get to walk as freely around as he's done before when we've been there during the day, but he still enjoyed himself.  Hannah was a little fussy for about the first hour, then she calmed down for a while.  Even though the kiddos did not fully cooperate like I had hoped, we still managed to have a good time.

Looking at some lights wrapped around the trees on the canopy walk.

This isn't the greatest picture, but it was the only picture I got with the kiddos.  You can't really tell, but Hannah was really "testing her vocal cords" during this picture - hah! 

Some of the pretty trees lit up in the garden. 

Snowflakes hanging from high in the trees! 

Checking out the cool Christmas tree on top of a pool.

These were cool - they were set to music, so they would change colors and "dance" with the music that was playing - it was really neat! 

Parker was intrigued! 

Enjoying the light show from a better view! 

At this point, we had been at the garden for about 2 hours and it was past Parker's bedtime, so he and Hannah were both tuckered out.  I was holding Hannah, so we put Parker in the stroller and headed for the exit.