Jake adores his children and shares unique bonds with each of them. 
It was a long drive, but totally worth it! We had so much fun exploring all the different exhibits and even catching a show in the planetarium.
The kids got to touch a cloud...
This next exhibit was an all around favorite. It's a large pulley with two ropes on either side. On one side the rope is placed higher up on the pulley which makes it easier to pull. On the other side the rope is placed at a lower level which makes it more difficult to pull. Emma, Abby & Nate went up against Daddy in this challenge and they won! They didn't really care where the rope was placed or why it is that they won, all they cared about was the fact that they beat Daddy in a game of tug and war! If you look real closely at this picture, you can see Jake on the other side pulling with all his might...
Here is another favorite...
You had to sit in a chair and then try to lift your own weight using the ropes. I think both girls did this so many times that the probably have rope burn on their hands!
Emma was brave and laid on a bed of nails. She didn't seemed nervous about it at the time, but looking at this picture now, she looks a little concerned...
We all tested our balancing skills...
Nate had fun listening to different sounds with the headphones...
Abby got lots of information about the human body at this exhibit. She thought it was jut so funny that when she picked up the phone someone automatically starting talking to her. I don't think she understood that it was a recording and she thought someone was actually talking to her and telling her the same information over and over again. She's too cute!
This is Nate's foot in comparison to a dinosaur's footprint. He thought it was a swimming pool!
In the dinosaur exhibit we saw this crazy looking creature, a Savannah Monitor. I don't know too much about him, I just thought he was interesting :)
The kids had fun looking for fossils...
Look at teeny, tiny Abby in comparison to this dinosaur!
Nate touched a "tornado"....
In addition to all of this fun, we also saw a show in the planetarium which was a huge hit with each of this kids. All in all, I think Emma got the most out of this trip educationally, but Abby and Nate had a lot of fun and learned some new things too. It was a great trip and I am sure we will go back someday.
Nate was absolutely exhausted by this point and in no mood to pose for a photograph, but some very friendly stranger offered to take our picture so we did. Four out of five smiles after a very long day is a success in my book!
Nathan had so much fun, he even got a strike! 
I love how Abby puts so much spunk into everything she does!
And Emma's game has improved so much since the last time we went bowling, she did great!
After bowling, we went to Pizza Hut for some dinner and presents. The kids brought along some very special gifts for Daddy that they each made...
Jake thought that this was the end of the celebration...but he was wrong! When we got back in the van, Abby discovered a present behind her seat. It was so big, she needed Emma's help to get it out. Hmmm, what could this be?
Jake, very confused, he unwrapped a set of grilling utensils, a grill brush and a grill cover. He is confused because we don't own a grill...well, at least we didn't own a grill. Can you tell by his face he is surprised? For those of you who know Jake, you know that it is almost impossible to surprise him. It can be extremely frustrating and I am not sure why I even try sometimes. But I am glad I did this time because it worked!
And here it is (well, it's in the box)! We all can't wait to enjoy some delicious food Jake will make us on this grill.
Happy 33rd Birthday Jake! We love you so much! 
...with three very special kids.
We had a great weekend and we hope you did too!
