Last bits from our vacation

Ok, so I decided this has to be my last post from our vacation. I have been home for over a week and I need to be able to focus on posting on other stuff. So here are the random pictures I have left to share.

WE went to a pirate dinner show. It was a lot of fun, however, if I were to rate it on a scale of stars - I would give it 2.5 out of 5.

And here are a few picture from another time we went to the beach.

baby discovery

Having a 16 month old is a lot of fun. Brook is thriving on Independence and figuring things out for herself. She has finally figured out how to give REAL kisses, and she kept coming over to me last night and giving me kisses and mumbling her "I love you". Every time Donald asked her for a kiss she would run away. It was totally cracking me up, but after Don got the shaft for the 10th time, I started to feel bad (only a tiny bit,,, I am the one who gave birth to her,, what did HE do, lol). Luckily this morning, she ran up to Donald and gave him a big kiss and a hug. Don said it was the best Fathers Day morning ever!

Today at church Brooklyne would not sit still or chill out at all. I ended up standing with her in the back of the chapel, but that lasted only a few minutes before she wiggled her talented self out of my grip. Once she was confident and comfortable in her new found freedom, she B-lined it for the drinking fountain. She climbed up on the little step stool and waved for me to come over. I lifted her up a bit and pressed the bottom (you know, that big long grey thing in the front that says PRESS) and water came out. She was pretty amazed at first, and then figured out how to get a drink. She now found a new toy that she wanted at her disposal, you can only imagine the furry that was expressed when I removed her from the area. I went back into the chapel, only to sit for all of maybe 3 minutes before she was unruly again. So once again I was standing at the back of the chapel trying hard to listen to the talk. It was like deja vu from just minutes ago. This time when Brook got to the drinking fountain I stayed back and told her I was NOT going to help her. She started to throw a bit of a fit, and then changed her mind set - she decided she did not need my help. I wish I had had a video camera with me because I was laughing so loud in the hallways I was certain someone was going to come and close the chapel doors. She was grabbing the drinking spout and trying to pull her whole entire body up to the fountain. In her process of trying to elevate herself, she pressed against the big grey button. She was surprised by the water flowing and turned to look at me. when she looked back at the water it was gone. She fussed like it was MY fault it was gone! She then proceeded to try to get the water to come out again. Every time she pressed the button she was amazed. After the excitement wore off and she was successful several times, she started to actually drink some of the water. Mind you, her nose does not even come up to the rim of the drinking fountain. Because she was grabbing onto the spout of the fountain, every time the water came on, her arm got wet. She would let go of the spout and then lick her arm. She did this a good 4-5 times. all I have to say is that it was very entertaining and I am sure, far funnier than the talk in the chapel.

. . . it's ARMY TIME! ! ! !

We had Kolby's birthday party this morning at the park. The theme of the party . . . ARMY! I must say I was completely brilliant because his party was at 9:00 a.m. and was to last 1 hour and 30 minutes. This allowed the kids to play outside and get worn out earlier in the day before it got too hot to bear, and it allowed us to get home before nap time. We let all the kids play for 45 minutes or so and then we had a few games, then cake and presents, then a few more minutes playing in the park and home we went.

Here's a picture from "DRILL SERGEANT SAYS".

Here's a picture and me giving the kids their "rescue mission" instructions. And then a picture of Kolby and his friend from school Peyton with their rescued men. Each child who rescued an army man was rewarded with LIFESAVERS.

While I was telling the kids congrats on their completed rescue mission, we were attacked by an ENEMY! He attacked my crew with a supersoaker. Luckily my men were well trained in water hand gran aid attack and they went after him.

Finally after completing THAT mission, we retreated back to our camp and sang happy birthday, had some yummy cupcakes and of course, opened the presents.

Universal Citywalk (more Florida vacation)

One evening we went to Universal citywalk which is similar to Downtown Disney (but not as fun, in my vast opinion). Nonetheless, at the end of our evening we let the kids play in the water area. Just check out how excited Kolby is and how much fun he is having.

Now Brooklyne was the most entertaining to watch while they played in the water. We were laughing so hard everyone around was completely fixated on her. She darted around the water area like a pin ball in a crazy game. She kept going going up to the different spouts trying to get a drink.

Yup, it's true . . .

My sweet little boy is growing up. It is hard to beleive that he is 5 years old already. In the fall, he will be starting kindergarden - - I am just not ready for him to grow up!

We had a great birthday dinner. Kolby chose grilled hot dogs, watermelon, corn on the cob, root beer, and banana cream pie instead of cake. After we sang to him, he went on an army search for his birthday presents. The sad thing is that I was out of wrapping paper so he did not get to UNWRAP any gifts. However, after tucking Kolby in for bed that night, I asked him what his most favorite thing about his day was, and he said "searching for my present with the flashlight, that was really fun mom."

Splish Splash

While we were in Florida we went to the pool more times than I can count. I only took my camera down with me once, so I only have a handful of pictures, but that is ok. We were able to go to the pool almost every day. The pool right next to our building was perfect for our kids and we had a great time.

sometimes the simplest things are so darn cute!!!

Ok, so while we were on vacation Brooklyne started folding her arms at prayer. It was ADORABLE!!!! Kolby was saying the blessing on the food and I was half watching the kids during the prayer. Brook was looking around at each person at the table, then looked down at her own arms, and then folded them! It was soooo stink'n cute!!!!

Downtown Disney

Yes, it is true, we went to the Orlando area and DID NOT go to Disney World. I know, GASP, but it is true, and we are completely happy with our choices. We did however, spend Monday evening strolling the streets of Downtown Disney. We had a fun time and stayed out way too late. Here are some pictures from our fun night. The only purchases we made while there were: a princes crown for Brooklyne, a really cool sports mug for Don, a star wars baseball, 1 bag of cotton candy, and 2 large delux candy apples.

Cocoa beach pictures

We arrived in Florida on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning we went swimming at the resort and then after lunch we headed off to Cocoa beach, an hour away. Here are some pictures from our first of three trips to the beach.

Home again and I am HOT HOT HOT!!!

We have been gone on a vacation to the Orlando Florida area for the past week. I promise I will post pictures and a run down of our vacation when I get a chance.

But our vacation is not what I wanted to talk about right now. Right now, I want to VENT! So we got home last night around 10:00 p.m. only to discover our house was 90 degrees and our air conditioner was not working! This would not be such a dramatic horrible thing, except for the fact that we are in the south and it is sticky hot here! I would be surprised if it got below 75 degrees outside last night. So, now we have a service man here in our home right now, and he is saying he thinks we need to get a whole new UNIT! HELLO - - - does money grow on TREES??????? UGH, I think I want a second opinion!

First time experience

While we were in Florida for our family summer vacation, we were able to witness the launch of the space shuttle Discovery. Donald and I thought the boys would think it was the coolest thing on the planet, especially since this shuttle even had BUZLIGHYEAR as one of its passangers. (granted, Buzz was tucking in a box, and placed in a locker, but do I really have to tell that to my 2.5 year old?) So when Don and I asked the kids if they wanted to see the space shuttle take off, they said "NO". All the boys wanted to do was go to the beach. Luckily, we were able to come to a compromise, we went to Cocoa beach for the afternoon and were able to see the launch from there. The sad thing, is that Trent had to go poop 6 minutes before the launch. Donald and Trent did not get back util a minute or so after the launch so they missed the beginning of it. Anyway, here are some pictures and a video clip.