SEAWORLD!!

This morning we got up and started packing and getting ready to start driving. Destination: SEAWORLD!! yeah! Being in the military has it's perks, like Seaworld for free! woo hoo! So, before we could get on the road, we needed a car. I had reserved us a FORD TAURUS! hahaha I knew we couldn't fit into it, but I was grasping for anything. So, we headed over to Budget to get the Taurus, or at least see if they had anything else. The offered us a Ford Escape. After one glance we knew we wouldn't fit. So, we upgraded to the Dodge Caravan! And, well, we fit! yeah! And the stow and go seats were awesome. Anyway, we were on our way to Orlando.

We got to Seaworld at about 5 PM and a lot of people were on their way out. They were open until 10 so we started heading to the shows. The kids loved it! They were in awe. Trae thought everything was a whale and he would say to the whale "aauuuuga!!" Because that is what Diego taught him to say to the whales. I knew he would love the animals. We missed the last Believe show, but were able to see Shamu in "Christmas Miracles." We had to get to the show early, so we could make sure to sit in the splash zone. Since we still had a while to wait they started a sing along of Christmas songs, and not just Rudolph! Real songs, like Silent Night and Joy to the World. It was so great! It made me love Seaworld all the more. Last time we went to Seaworld was when I was 8 months pregnant with Trae, so we didn't go on any rides. But, this time I'm not pregnant with ANYBODY, so Walter stayed with the kids while I went on Atlantis. woo hoo! So fun! And I got soaking wet! Anyway, we loved the Christmas show and loved seeing Shamu. Everytime (all 2 times) that we go I decide all over again that I want to be a killer whale trainer when I grow up. Maybe I can force my dreams onto my kids!

After Seaworld we were exhausted! We had reserved a room at LaQuinta right there in Orlando, or so we thought. Walter went in to check in and they let us know that we had reserved a room alright, but we were a no show! Because, we had reserved a room for Christmas EVE!! ooops! So, we called around and found a LaQuinta in Daytona Beach right next to the race track. We headed up there and got all settled in. Our goal is to make it to Charleston, SC by tomorrow night, with a stop in Gainesville to visit Papa Pete and Granny!

Christmas Day for REAL!

Wow!! What a morning! Holy craziness! There were 9 kids, 11 adults, and a kitten. We brought 1 present for everyone, and they got like 3 presents for each of us...seriously! I think each family gave each person in my family 3 gifts. It was crazy! Not what I was expecting at all! We definitely got spoiled! At one point I found a toy on the floor next to Winni and I had to ask if it was hers or not. The kids all went at it at once. It was so crazy! I think the first thing Trae opened was 2 of the trucks from "Bob the Builder" and he went straight outside to play with them. I had to force him to come back in and open the rest of his pile o' presents. My kids thought they were in heaven.

We spent the rest of the day playing with toys and cousins and eating lots of food. It was fun to just hang out and play all day. What a great Christmas! I hear I missed a lot of snow back home, but I definitely enjoyed the nice warm weather we had in Florida today! And, although there was no snow in Florida, it still felt like Christmas.

Oh, and about the job offers?!? We got one from Northrup Grumman, which we weren't expecting, and the one we were expecting, from Ross Controls, didn't end up happening. So, guess where we are moving to??

Christmas Eve take 2

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve! Walter's cousins got in town last night, so we headed over this morning to start having some fun! We spent most of the day just having fun and letting this kids play, and then we got ready for the nights festivities.

First, we took some family pictures!

Then, we headed over to the church for a candlelight service, which turned out to be a service without candlelight. I have never been to a Christmas candlelight service, so I'm not sure of what I missed out on, but it was enjoyable. As we walked into the church they handed us a program and communion. This was the 2nd year that they have honored those who have passed on during their Christmas service and last year Aunt Sherrie didn't submit any names, so this time she did. She chose to honor Walter's Mother and Grandfather. It was nice being there for that. I also witnessed my first communion. The communion they handed out when we walked in was a small cup (think sacrament water cup, obviously, since it's the same thing) of grape juice with a little peel off lid. Then, on top of that lid was a cracker with another peel off lid. Before the congregation partook, the Pastor said that those who are not members of this church can take the communion, as long as they have been born again. Since I wasn't quite sure where I fit in that I just watched, therefore I still had my communion. I had plans of taking a picture and showing you how "cool" it was, but now I can't find it. Oh well. After the service we went back to Aunt Sherrie and Uncle Marks and watched the kids open a present, then we headed to GG's to have our own little Christmas Eve with her and let the kids open jammies, again! :) It was fun! I can't wait to see what Santa brought us! We will head to Aunt Sherries in the morning for all the fun. I'm sure it's going to be crazy!! :)

Today was our prep for Christmas day! We started by picking up our Christmas cards at Walgreens....


Aren't they cute! So, we made some last week, but didn't like them a whole lot, so we tried again with different pictures and I loved them! Some people got the old one, and some the new, but even if you didn't get one we still love you!! (woo hoo, I'm a rhyming machine!)

Then we headed to Costco to help Aunt Sherrie get some things for the mass chaos that was coming. Walter got a little side-tracked looking at electronics, so GG and I entertained the kids in the toy area.



We had a more relaxing day. We also got to spend some time with Braelean, GG's dog.





Weird looking little chihuahua, but she keeps GG company and they have fun together!

Winifred Darlene Gunter

Today held some fun adventures for us! We decided we needed to find the resting place of Walter's mother, Winifred Darlene Gunter. We talked Grandma GG into coming with us and we headed to the cemetery. Next October will mark 30 years since the day she was hit by a drunk driver and was taken from this life. While Walter had to grow up without his birth mother, he has always felt her guidance and love in his life.



While standing around the spot where she is buried, Grandma GG answered some of our questions about this woman we love dearly but (I) have never met. She told us that "Wendy" was very musical. She loved band and all things music. She was a petite young lady, which explains our little Winni! She could eat and eat and eat and not gain a pound! She was very studious and loved learning. She was an instigator, mostly of trouble, but her little sister was the one to follow through on Wendy's ideas. She sounds like someone I would love to have known. It also sounds like the apple didn't fall too far from the tree! She told us many stories about Wendy, and we can't wait to hear more. So many stories which we hold dear to our hearts and can't wait to share with our kids as they get older. WOW! It makes me feel so blessed to know of eternity, and eternal families. That one day we will meet her face to face and she will see what a wonderful son she has. I can't wait til she and "Gene" can have that mother-son dance they didn't get to have at our wedding.



Next October will also mark 30 years since she was laid to rest in an unmarked grave. We plan on changing that as soon as Walter has a job!

After the cemetery we let the kids run off some energy while we had lunch at McDonald's. Then we headed to this fun park we call the "dinosaur park". What a fun park. So many fun things to do and dig up!







Oh, and tonight when I got home from finishing up my last minute shopping with Aunt Sherrie, Walter had a surprise for us. He got a job offer! woo hoo!! We are expecting another one tomorrow, so, it will be interesting to see which one he chooses.

A little Sunday manipulation?!?

Today I went to my first non-LDS church service. Walter's aunt is Pentacostal, so we joined them at church today. They gave me a warning before church that things might get a little crazy, so I was prepared. It went great. It was a lot of fun. The message was very similar to what we hear in church, Jesus is with us, he loves us and wants us to succeed, however, the presentation was different. To start off, there is a live band! Seriously, a full drum set and everything! They have a song leader/pastor and a praise team, I think that's what they called them, basically back up singers. Walter's cousin Janelle is on the team. Her boyfriend, Richard, plays the bass guitar next to the guy who plays the electric guitar. Let's just say Christmas carols had a little more spunk this year! :) While it felt more for myself like a fireside, it was very enjoyable.

After church we headed home for lunch and then off to go boating/fishing. By the time we got to the dock and onto the boat we had about 1 1/2 hours to play before we had to be back home. We had a lot of fun! First, we stopped at a little island...

Then Uncle Mark caught some Mullet fish in his fishing net. He caught them so the kids could touch them and feel their sliminess, but Winni and Trae didn't want much to do with them.

Then we went fishing with poles. Winni caught the first fish, a spiky little sucker. I can't remember the name of the fish, but she was pretty excited. Uncle Mark helped her catch it.

While Winni was catching her fish, Trae was trying to catch one with Daddy. When he saw Winni having success, he changed fishing partners. Once he went down and fished with Uncle Mark he reeled in a little Jack fish.

They were so excited! So, that was our Sunday, however we didn't get through the day without a little manipulation. The conversation went like this...

Winni: Mommy, can I play with your phone?

Me: No, sweetie. Grady is playing with it right now.

Winni: Mommy, can I play with your phone?

Me: No, Winni

over and over again. Then a few minutes later I hear

Winni: with Liberty and Justice for all.

Me: wow Winni! Did you just say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Winni: Yep

Me: Do you know the whole thing?

Winni: Yes, Mom. Does that make you happy?

Me: Of course, that's great!

Winni: Then, can I have your phone??

The BEACH!!

Apparently, my kids love the beach. I didn't know this, considering the last time they went to the beach was when we were here in Naples 2 years ago! I'm thinking Dora has helped them find a love for the beach. Anyway, as soon as we started landing in Florida yesterday they have been asking about going to the beach. So, on our agenda today was THE BEACH!!

 

We finally got to the beach and my kids absolutely LOVED it! The weather was great, although the water was a little chilly! However, that didn't seem to stop these crazy kids! And, the nice thing is we got some fun family pictures, which worked great for my Christmas cards. I've just got to get them mailed now!

Silent Night

Or NOT QUITE!! Last night we headed to the airport to stand by for the 1250 AM flight to Atlanta. Apparently, so did everyone else. So, us (my family and my cousin Whitney) along with 30 of our closest traveling buddies spent the night in the SLC airport! The fun went something like this...

We all spread out all over the D concourse, so there weren't many people around us. And, since the kids were a little wound up, we decided to let them run wild.

We tried a few times to get them to relax and watch a movie, but it didn't seem to work. Finally, at 2 AM they turned down the lights. woohoo!! sleepy time! uh, NO!! I slept, but Walter kept watch while the kids wouldn't sleep. Then at 3 AM, rise and shine! The lights came on again. Finally, at about 4 AM, they went out again, for like 10 min! At that point the kids were locked in their carseats and watching a movie. Thankfully, in that 10 minutes my kids went to sleep. It was Walter's turn to sleep, so he held Grady while he slept, and I kept watch.

We were pretty sure there wouldn't be room for us on the 7:00 flight, so we didn't wake the children. Unfortunately, Winni had fallen asleep unbuckled and her head kept bobbing, so instead of buckling her in so she wouldn't fall out, we did what any responsible parent would do, we strapped her head in!



But, then the strap slowly made it around her neck, so we decided that wasn't such a good idea!

Luckily, by some miracle, we got on the 8:30 flight and were on our way. I had Winni and Trae and Walter had Grady. Grady slept the whole time, but Winni and Trae (who woke up at 7:30) didn't feel like sleeping on the plane. As soon as we landed, Trae fell asleep. We had to wake him up so he could run to catch our connecting flight. We got there just in time to get 4 seats, none of which were together! However, when you plop a carseat with a 2 or 3 year old between 2 complete strangers and then walk away those said "strangers" are more than willing to trade seats with you! In my case, both got up and found different seats after i put down Winni's car seat between them and collected Grady from the stranger in the seat in front of me! The joys of traveling with children. But, we made it, and so did our 9 check ins, including a car seat and a port-a-crib, and our 5 carry ons! whew!

Christmas Morning round 1

When I was young, Santa always brought us sugar cereal. As much as I loved it, I think that it was a gift to my mom, so that she wouldn't have to make breakfast. Well, I think Santa has forgotten that favor in my life. Especially since we didn't invite him to our little Christmas this year. So, after our Christmas Morning of gifts, I headed to the kitchen to make pumpkin waffles with cinnamon syrup. When I went to serve them I found an extra body at the kids table!



Isn't he cute!! He loves sitting at the table with Winni and Trae.



I can't wait til he figures out how to stand on the table and jump off with his siblings! Let the fun/er visits begin!!

It's almost Christmas!!

However, it will come sooner for us than the rest of y'all!! (I'm practicing my southern talk...i'm sure it'll come in handy.) Since we are going to FL for Christmas and GA for New Years, we decided to celebrate our little Christmas tomorrow. So, Merry Christmas Eve!

Of course we had to keep the tradition alive of PJ's on Christmas Eve...






Let's just say things got a little crazy while trying to get pictures! Then, of course, Walter and I exchanged our gifts on this "Christmas Eve".

I got him a hot chocolate maker with a frother. I know, cheap! But let's not forget the Rock Band he opened on Thanksgiving Eve. And he got me this



woo hoo!! We pulled it out last night and I got my 30 minute workout in. It was fun! It tells you your weight and BMI and everything. Including your Wii Body Age. Let's just say that the weight and BMI were nice to hear, but the Body Age, well....I disagree completely! There is no way my body age is 40!! Not that 40 is bad or anything, but it's not quite what I was shooting for! I guess I'll just have to put my Christmas present to good use and bring that age down!

And, since Santa comes on the real Christmas Eve, not our fakey, I decided I didn't have to wrap all the presents. I only wrapped 3 per child and set the rest out. My kids know Santa isn't coming until we are in Florida, so it was fun for them to see what we bought them.

Winni's Loot

Trae's Loot

Grady's Loot

Just in case you can't see what his cute shirt says...


Hmmmmm....I can't wait til morning!! :)

WE LOVE GWEN!!

The other night I had to work so I asked Blake, who watches my kids for FREE when I'm doing my church calling, to babysit for money this time! He, of course cause he's awesome, said yes. I found out later that Gwen wanted me to ask her to babysit. Well, Gwen is 10 and I love her, but I'm not sure about babysitting late into the night and she is with me in my church calling, so it was Blakes turn to reap the rewards of his hard work! Well, Gwen found a way around it. Since she and her mom were going to Midway to see the Nativity they do up there, they decided to take Winni along.



Don't they make sweet angels! She had lots of fun. And, when I got back Gwen was at my house, which is great. But, the even GREATER part was, she had cleaned my house! Ahhhh.....she is gonna make a lot of money once she turns 11 and babysits for real!

Grady

Hmmmm....not so much a fan of strawberry smoothies! He'll get over it real quick!

Easily Amused

Remember how on Thanksgiving the girls went to see Twilight? Well, we enjoyed the movie and all, but I forgot to let you in on the real fun! Turns out that at Jordan Commons in Sandy the bathroom is where the fun is....SERIOUSLY!! I can't wait to go back! ;)



Disclaimer: I realize we are dorks and we enjoyed this a little too much, but seriously, we were 7 females who happened to somehow sneak out on Thanksgiving day to see a movie. AND, is that not the coolest thing you have ever seen??

Good-bye old friend!!

When we found out we were pregnant with child #2, we (meaning Walter) had to run out and get a minivan! I tried my hardest to fill that minivan, but since I only had 3 kids in 3 years, I have failed to fill the van!! And, now that we have 3 kids, in car seats, we got rid of the van and now run around in a little blazer we barely fit in, but definitely fill up!! So, we say so long to our friend the minivan. Our lease is up and I turned it in tonight! sniff sniff!

Now we have to open our own doors by hand and refuse to give others a ride! Well, we'll see how long we last!!

Good Bye Discovery Gateway!

Today we say good bye to one of our favorite past times...Discovery Gateway! No, it's not moving or closing or anything like that, but our 6 month membership expired yesterday! sniff sniff! Now, if we want to go we'll have to pay and I'll feel bad if we leave before the place closes, no matter how long we've been there. Well, since I knew the end was near, we went 2 times a few weeks ago. It was so fun!

Trae is in love with lawn mowing and vacuuming, so when we found they have a lawn mower at DG, I knew Trae would be in heaven. In fact, he wouldn't let go of it!



Here he is playing in the water, holding on to the "mow mow". In fact, he let go of it for a minute and a lady moved it so her child could play in the water. Trae got very worried about his lawn mower and had to go find it immediately. From that time on he wouldn't let go of it, even while driving the police cruiser!



Grady started doing this a little too!



Why do my babies keep growing up!?!? I offered him money if he would just stay little and not stand and walk, but apparently he said no! At least he is having a lot of fun!


We also did a little news broadcast! Trae was our lovely photographer!


That scowl is going to take that girl places. Seriously, even grumpy she's so dang cute! If only the newscasters on TV were this cute. Maybe then I'd know what's going on in the world!


Trae became a helicopter pilot! He's so focused! This kid has a future as a pilot lawn mower! However, notice he doesn't have the lawn mower with him anymore. You can't take it in the helicopter. Last time we were there I tried to help him sneak it to the 2nd floor, but someone came and took it from him when I wasn't looking!! I wonder where they get their stubbornness from!?!?


And Winni, she has a future in crane operation and construction, along with mail handling.

We have LOVED our membership at Discovery Gateway! We have heard of ways to get tickets for free, but haven't tried those ways yet. And, thankfully, none of those ways involve illegal activity, or else we probably would have tried them by now! :)