Popcorn

Nothing brings together the Strong family quite like popcorn. Cody is convinced it's one of the major food groups.

Fear the Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle: Kids, kids, kids, there's nothing to be scared of here! I'm just a giant American Bald Eagle head helping educate the American public about the magestic beauty and grace of the American Bald Eagle. Please come closer so I can fill you in.

Bald Eagle: There you see, nothing to be afraid of here. What cute children you are! Now where was I... oh yes, The American Bald Eagle became the official bird of the United States of America in...

Bald Eagle: ...and that's why the American Bald Eagle was chosen as our national bird rather than the wild turkey. Oh boy, I think I'm losing them. Kjersti is giving her cool girl pose and Eli is looking like he's the baddest man on the block. Sheesh.

Bald Eagle: I've officially lost all control here. When they start picking my nose, I have to draw the line and launch straight into the "power" segment of my speech.

Bald Eagle: GULP. And that's why you don't mess with the American Bald Eagle. Any questions?

Eve: Where can I find the wild turkey's? Are they over there?

Maymont Park - Richmond, VA

On Saturday, 26 March, we took a family trip out to Maymont Park in Richmond, VA. The park consists of a nature center, mansion and garden park. Here, Kjersti is posing by a beautiful flowering tree.


I just love the subtle smile she has here.

We spent some serious time at the petting zoo... and we shelled out a lot of quarters on animal pellets to do our part to ensure the animals won't go hungry. Way to go Eli!

Not many can say they looked goats in the eye, but Eve can. She couldn't get close enough to them. I'm pretty sure the only thing that would have made her happier was to get inside the pen and ride them until she wore herself out!

Here we see Eve "The Goat Whisperer" tending to her adopted flock.

At the Nature Center, Eli was picked to help train the otters. He loved being one of the lucky few to hold the "giant red otter trainer thingy". I'm pretty sure that was the technical term for it.

This fish ladder was like a second dream come true for Eve. Not so much because you could play with a giant red Swedish Fish, but because a lot of running water was so close to her. The only thing Eve loves more than animals is running water. I guess heaven for Eve would be playing with goats in running water... Eeesh. I hope that never happens.

Here are the troops in action!

Adventures in Sleeping

DISCLAIMER: The following pictures are NOT staged. They are Eli's actual sleeping positions.


The only thing that could make this picture more believeable would be if he were shot off a roof and fell on his bed into this position.


Sometimes, parallel is just better than vertical.


Despite the fact that it looks like he barely made it in bed, I can assure you that his starting position was in the middle of his bed, under his covers.

I think he may have been dreaming about trying out for the Rockette's in this one.

Every now and again, you run out of bed and end up all scrunched up at the top. I'm sure one day he'll grow out of this, but in the mean time, it certainly makes for some great laughs before going to bed. What a crazy little man!

The Master of Disguise

Eve: Sometimes I like to switch things up a bit by dressing up in disguises so clever, my own mother doesn't recognize me. Then I run about doing all manner of mischief without concern of being discovered! I call this one "Pretty Lady".

Eve: The uber large pink crown, when worn with the pink and yellow tutu gives headaches to most people just by looking at it. My brother Eli was totally incapacitated the first time he saw it. Either that or he was watching a show on the computer. I forget which? Anyway, I call this "sUber Princess".

Eve: Of course, I do have a sassy side to some of my disguises. The church dress panties over the top of my swimsuit topped off with my favorite moon boots usually gets me a double take or two... I call this "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful".

Eve: When I have to do a job and need the guarentee of anonimity, I pull out all of the stops. That's when I reach for my fake nose, glasses, mullet wig and Power Ranger outfit. I call this outfit, "Ugly Boy".

Eve: When I'm looking to confuse my mom for just a few seconds in the morning so that I can get a second helping at the breakfast table, I whip up the yogurt mustache. The "Groucho" has never let me down!

Choclavania

Kjersti renamed the State of Pennsylvania to Choclavania when she was about 4 years old. The name stuck. Here we are at the Choclavania state capitol of Hershey.

Among our other stops in Choclavania, we paid a visit to Gettysburg.

The new museum is really amazing. Cody and Heidi enjoyed it the most and the kids just endured it.

Abraham Lincoln: Four score and seven years ago... ELI, DON'T YOU DARE LICK MY FACE! KJERSTI, STOP WITH BUNNY EARS! I thought the Civil War was bad, but this is too much!

Playing Around

Eli: I think one of the stuffed animals just pinched my bum!

Eli: Dad, it's like 10 degrees outside. My face is frozen into a smile. Did you happen to notice that we're the only people here on the playground today? The parking lot is totally empty. I think that is a sign.

Eve: Dad, I thought they did away with the public stockade back in the 1600's. What did I do to end up in this mess?

Eli: Spiderman stands to learn a thing or two from this display of brilliance on the monkey bars!

Eve: Aren't I too young to be behind bars? What's with the punishment theme?

Eli: I believe I can fly!