Day # 2 Animal Kingdom

Our first Disney Park was Animal Kingdom. A very beautiful park in my opinion, making me feel like I was somewhere else other than a theme park.

Our first ride of the day was a safari ride. It was my personal favorite. I thought they did a good job really making you feel like you were in Africa.

Eric, Zach and Cale's favorite attraction was the Dinosaur ride. That suprised me since it was pretty dark and scary. Big dinoaurs constanting roaring and jumping out at you.

My favorite quotes of the day. Cale's: (after riding Dinosaur and watching the 3D film Bug's Life, we are sitting at the peaceful, calm musical Nemo) "Is there anything going to jump out at me, here." Zach's: (we've been walking around Animal Kingdom a few hours): "Does anyone speak English here?"

Digging for "dinosaur bones". Zach was looking forward to this- he really likes this kind of stuff and has mentioned he would like to be a palentalogist (until Eric told him that he probably couldn't do that in Iowa and then he would be along way away from me).

Day # 1 and Happy Birthday to Eric

First flight for Cale, seemed like a pro.

Zach's first remembered flight. (we took him to Las Vegas when he was one, because I didn't want to be apart from him :) ) Zach enjoyed the flight too, except the landing in Orlando- it was really hurting his ears, I was thankful it wasn't that way on the way home.

The boys were such troopers. Our flight back we had to wake them up at 4:10 am, they were more wide awake then Eric and I.

Our first night in Orlando, a friend of Eric's from high school joined up with us at the hotel. They live just a hour away from our hotel, it was nice to see James, his wife and 4 kids. The kids enjoyed playing together in the pool. One of their children was 3 year old, Peter, who had been taking swimming lessons, since he was an infant. (they have a pool in their backyard, so wanted the kids to be safe, etc) Anyway, he was swimming and Eric and I could hardly believe it and made mention how awesome that was. Well, that was all the motivation Cale needed and he learned how to swim during the trip.

The boys loved going to the pool. We went every day, but 2. Each day they would meet new friends from different parts of the world and play with them. Eric and I enjoyed relaxing, especially the complimentary cocktails during happy hour :)

Walt Disney World Vacation

After months of research, planning, reading, saving, praying for me to stay healthy and Eric to be employed, the time finally came for the four of us to go to Orlando, Florida for our vacation. We got back this morning and before I get back to the routines, schedules and busyness of life, I wanted to record our vacation, besides that I am sad about being back and just want to keep thinking about our wonderful vacation and I am afraid I will forget things. Sorry, it will be a lengthy post- 8 Days in Review.

Eugene Mahoney State Park outside of Omaha, Nebraska

Our summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to our favorite park. Labor Day weekend is still considered summer, right? Anyway, the past 4 (or 5 years) we can't remember we have camped at this wonderful state park outside of Omaha. This year, since we sold our camper, we stayed in the lodge. We all agreed, we did like the lodge a lot. I can't say enough great things about this park- it has so many things to do and everything is at a reasonable rate or free- gotta love that. Beautifully landscaped- with plants, flowers, trails, bridges and streams of water. Eric was a trooper- it may be a fall allergy person's nightmare- I think Eric may have sneezed over 500 times, but he did it with a smile- what a great dad!

The Indoor playland has two big ball pits. It is a 3 story structure- with slides, tunnels and all kinds of fun little play areas. The boys asked to go there twice and we stayed over 2 hours each time- love when they release their energy!

At the top of the observation tower- we saw this guy with a glider thing- it had a motor on it. It really fascinated us all- he even swooped by to give us a wave.

The lodge is where we stayed at this time. They have two large campgrounds where we have stayed in the past, plus they have all kinds of full service cabins. The one draw back is the place gets booked up fast. You can book a year in advance- and a lot of the cabins, campsites and lodge rooms are booked then.

The indoor playgound. Even adults can play!

The aquatic center is perfect for the age of our boys. They have this zero entrance play area, plus a wave pool, bigger slides, a diver board and a lap pool. It was mid 80's, but the pool is on top of a hill and it gets windy there- the reason Cale has a sweatshirt on- when you got out of the water it was a little chilly- didn't stop us from staying almost 5 hours.

We love miniature golf. Cale was pretty happy with 2 hole in ones!

We got to pet the horses, but have to be 6 years old to go on the trails on the horses, so we have to wait a few years before Cale can do that.

This year, they put in a new frisbee golf course. Love playing a little frisbee golf, we team up and do alternate shot, except the boys are figuring out that Eric is much better so I have trouble convincing anyone to be on my team!

A little mini botanical center- with a few critters that the boys get a kick out of. They keep everything looking so nice.

Well, I wonder if Mahoney State Park will pay me for advertising- I just love this place ( I know I said that already)- hope to go back next year.

First Day Of Second Grade

Today is the first day of Second Grade for Zach. We met his teacher on Monday night and went to Zach's classroom- he seems real excited to get the new year started. We also went to see his first grade teacher- it choked me up to see him give her such a big hug and how kind she was to him. It always takes me by surprise when I see people that aren't family or close friends give my boys hugs, sometimes kisses and see genuine compassion for them. I remember the first time it happened I picked Cale up at daycare and one of his daycare providers gave him a big hug and kiss, I thought- what are you doing, but then I realized while my boys are apart from me, they are able to have bonds with others, which I think is a good thing.

First Day of Second Grade

Here's to praying and hoping for a fabulous year!

Maybe next year I will remember to have him not look in the sun- oops!

The Grant Street Kids are all growing up. I think we all better enjoy these days, it won't be long and they will all be teenagers and driving cars- yikes! Cale wanted to be in the picture, even though he has one more year to wait. Cale will spend this year at Mercy Day care where they have the preschool curriculum included. I think I will really miss having the kids across the street from work and seeing all the wonderful teachers we have gotten to know over the past 7 years.

All the kids and parents waiting for the bus. The bus stops 3 houses down from our house- very convenient.

This quick look back at mom, did it for me, the tears came. They are growing up so fast and you love them so much, soon they aren't going to be my little boys anymore. I did take the day off and Cale is home with me and he helped us get back on track to enjoy our Mommy and Cale day. So far, we went to the dentist- left with a good report, then we went for doughnuts (what I did with my mom growing up), did some shopping, ate lunch at Subway and now he's waiting for me to play the Wii and some games with him. That will keep my distracted as we wait for Zach to get out of school and here how is first day went. I hearing him calling for me . . .

Lost Island Lake weekend

We went up to Lost Island Lake and visited my sister, Sherri and her family. My parents were also there. This time we stayed in one of the cabins they have there.

Cousins having fun inside the cabin playing on the lofts.

Redwood Resort (where my sister and her family keep their camper in the summer) hosted a Halloween in August, so the kids got to go camper to camper trick or treating. That was fun, the first time in a few years, they went trick or treating and it wasn't freezing cold.

This was the group of kids that went trick or treating around to the other campers. I wish I would have remembered to take a picture, but my sister Sherri had their camper all decorated for Halloween- with pumpkins, scary music and even a fogger.

Saylorville Lake

Before we came home from camping, we hit the beach area to cool off. This was the Sandpiper Recreation Area at Sayloville Lake, we had never gone to this beach before and I was pleasantly surprised.

I love it when Zach and Cale work/play together. It makes my heart smile when the two of them seem to enjoy each others company- my hope and prayer this will be life long.

A side note, I do feed these boys- I can see both of their ribs. In fact, all summer long we have been going through at least a gallon of ice cream a week and Eric and I are not eating any. Oh to have matabolisms like that!

Enjoying the water on a hot, hot day!