The Strong Museum

As a midway point, we decided to go to The Strong Museum in Rochester, NY.

We were pretty sure Stella would enjoy the "National Museum of Play" and she did. 

She loves everything Elmo so she really liked the Sesame Street exhibit.

They had some neat green screen setups that allowed you to be "on TV with Elmo."

The exhibits were just as fun for the adults as they were for the kids...

Stella's favorite area was the Super Kids Market. 

She could shop for her own groceries (she bought a lot of carrots) and then check herself out. 

There was a little train ride that we went on.

She really liked the indoor slide too

There was a Nintendo exhibit too with a big screen of the original Mario Bros. game which brought back memories for Mom & Dad

Their feature exhibit was about the Berenstain Bears.

We all really enjoyed the Strong museum. Now it's time to continue our drive towards Vermont.

Leaving Adelene Lane

The movers showed up at 7:45am on Thursday, January 7th. 

The 4-man crew worked for almost 12 hours on Thursday and came back on Friday at 8am to finish packing and loading. 

Once the movers hit the road (around 4pm). Joe and Colby finished cleaning, sweeping, touch up painting and packing the last few items that were going on the truck + trailer.

We had a quick dinner on the stairs around 7pm...

We took one final family picture at the Adelene house (minus Gus who wouldn't sit still)...

Then Stella got into PJ's and we hit the road.

Bye Adelene Lane! We made some great memories there but look forward to making new memories and having a new adventure!

Farewell to the Davis Center

This past week was Stella's last week at the Davis Center daycare.

Stella said bye to Laurismar and Arlene, her teachers from the Baby Angels room. Laurismar and Arlene took great care of her starting when she was only about 11 weeks old.

Stella and Pam give a goodbye hug to each other. Pam was Stella's teacher in Baby Bears from around the time she was 9 months to 16 months. Pam also came over to babysit for her a couple of times.

Kathy (left) and Ashley were Stella's teachers in the Toddler 1 room. Stella really enjoyed spending time with them and her little friends, Russell, Hudson, Madeline, Leni, Maggie & Audrey. 

Ola Faye also was also one of her teachers that filled in throughout Stella's time at the Davis Center. All the teachers did a great job with Stella and will be missed. 

Pee pee in the potty

The new year started out with Stella going "pee pee on the potty" five out of six days in a row. Right now we are just trying to get her to go in the morning and will eventually start asking her if she needs to go pee pee before bed.

Probably a big reason that she is going "pee pee in the potty" is a reward of M&M's. Although it looks like someone (Dad) got into Stella's M&M stash? 

Trip to the Knoxville Zoo

The Sunday after Christmas, we decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and visit the Knoxville zoo.

Stella and Dad at the rhinoceros area.

Stella can name some of the animals now like the zebras and giraffes.

Dad and Stella looking at the lion and lionesses sleeping in the sun.

Stella and Mom watching the gorillas.

Stella's (and Dad's) favorite animals at the zoo are the gorillas. There are 2 baby gorillas that Stella loves watching and pointing out.

Stella's hand compared to the gorillas hand.

There is also a Wee Kids play area with tunnels, a pretend fruit market and a Komodo dragon viewing area.

She really enjoyed ringing out her "customers" at the fruit market