Martin Luther King Day

January 18th 2010

Duke doesn't give Labor Day off, but they DO give MLK day off. Since John didn't' have school we decided to go to Raleigh. We've lived here for 2 1/2 years and have been in Raleigh for only one reason... the airport. So, we decided it was past time to go exploring in our state's capitol!!

John's sister (Hailey) is going to school at BYU Idaho and she's on the track system where she only goes to school Summer/Fall semester so she decided to come live with us for the Winter semester. We are thrilled to have her living with us. She couldn't come with us to Raleigh because it was her first day of work! She's been here for one week and already has a job!! She's selling Cutco knives and had lots of appointments set up for that day. Maybe next time...

"THE PIT" is a famous BBQ place here in North Carolina and since John is determined to try as many different BBQ places as possible while we're in North Carolina, we thought a famous one would be an excellent choice... and it was!

We went to MARBLES, this AWESOME children museum in Raleigh. Jack loved it! It was a fun change because we usually just go to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham.
Driving the fire truck with daddy

Getting the hose ready for spraying!! They had an "infant" station just for little tykes like Jonah.

They were having a canned food drive while we were there and they had the cans displayed as all kinds of cool things including Super SMURF!!

They had this awesome "Tool" station where you could use real saws, screw drivers, wrench, all on real wood! We spent a good amount of time here. I'm not sure who liked it more, Jack or John.
Very determined and concentrated!!

Jonah enjoying the large fish tank built into the wall.

They had another station where you could race your car after you constructed it yourself.

Exploring the museum with mommy!

We could have stayed at this station ALL DAY LONG. Jack was in heaven. But what little boy wouldn't be with 3 entire train tables in a row??

Jack said he's pulling his trains through the tunnel because they need shade!

Then we walked around the Capitol Building in downtown Raleigh.

These 3 Presidents came from North Carolina.

James K. Polk, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson

Playing on the Capitol grounds.

These little robin red breasts birds were everywhere.

North Carolina State Capitol Building

On our way back to the car we passed the Museum of Natural History and had just a few minutes to peek inside before it closed. We're excited to go back someday very soon. It looked very cool. Thanks John for taking your day off to hangout with us instead of doing homework. This was WAY more fun!!!