Pre-Christmas Festivities

My brother and his family came in from California this week for Christmas. Katherine is 12 months older than Sophia but they are pretty much the exact same size. Every time we get together it is more fun as they are getting older and able to play together more. When the families get together it is always a challenge to find activities for the toddlers that coordinate with different nap schedules and time zones.

Monday night we all went to Nana and Pop's house for dinner and to play. The girls had fun with vintage toys that used to belong to me and Will.
Tuesday we all went to the science museum which has a large children's museum. Sophia loves bubbles and that was her favorite part.



Nana was fascinated with the ping pong balls that are released to fall, supposedly forming a bell curve as they bounce their way down. The time we watched it was messed up and not exactly a bell curve. Katherine also enjoyed it. We have always laughed at how much Sophia looks like Will, especially in the profile.
There was a fun part where there was a thermal camera. I thought this was a fun new family portrait. I especially love Caroline in the stroller and the cool spots that are Sam's glasses.
There was also a weather station. Here is Nana with the girls in front of the weather map.
You can see that they were excited to see themselves on TV.
Katherine loves to make a "silly face" for the camera thanks to her older cousins.
Of course dad's favorite part was the kids took bench. This area has always been here but I think they have improved the tools lately. Katherine loves tools and had fun pretending to make things.


Caroline really enjoyed looking at the fish tanks. She started at it and smiled a lot though I am not sure if she was more interested in the fish or the bubbles.
Katherine had fun in the little farm area. I think she looks so cute in the straw Cowboy hat.
They have stick horses and John Deere tricycles for the kids to play on.
There is also a cow to "milk". Water actually squirts out when you squeeze. These city kids had fun with it.

After naps we went back to Nana and Pop's house where we met up with my brother's best friend from childhood, Dean. He is in the military and moves all over the place so he and Will are not always home at the same time. He, his wife, two kids and mom all joined us for dinner. He was my second little brother growing up since he and Will were inseparable so it was fun to catch up. Here they are with their kids.