Lads to Leaders

This was Austin's first year to participate in Lads to Leaders in Orlando. Kiera, David, and Tyler used it as an excuse to come see us!!! We had so much fun. We got adjoining rooms at the hotel, so we were able to be together all the time. The kids had fun hanging out together. I just wish the Keens lived closer so the kids could be together more! We'll just have to plan a lot of trips to make sure they are close!

On Friday, Austin competed in Bible Reading. He was so adorable! Everyone kept commenting on how confident he was up there. Since he is a first grader, he wasn't judged in any of the categories (that doesn't start until 3rd grade). I was very proud of him! After his competition, we came back to the room and changed to go eat at Don Paublos, ice cream and then go to the Friday awards ceremony. We didn't make it all the way until the end...the kids were tired so we headed on up to the room.

Saturday, Austin was able to lead his song. He sang "Jesus Loves Me" (number 1014 in the song book...just ask him...he wouldn't say the title...he only wanted to say the number). He stood up there proud with one hand in his pocket and the other leading the song. He was precious. Very few of the kids actually attempting "leading" the song (instead they just sang it), so he was one of the stars!

We spent the rest of the afternoon going around to the other events to support Savannah and Hannah. We went to dinner at Bahama Breeze for dinner. It was delicious and a lot of fun! David's birthday was on Sunday so we celebrated it that night. I love my family!!

Saturday night was another Awards ceremony. Austin got to go up on stage with the K-2 participants. He was very excited, but disappointed that he didn't get a trophy. David decided to sneak him out early and take him to the pool. They had a good time while we supported the rest of our group at the cermony. We headed back to the room after the ceremony to hang out and talk and get all the kisses we could from Tyler!

We left early on Sunday morning to head home. It was a good ride home. The kids slept all but 2 hours of the way home. I have to say that this weekend has been WONDERFUL!!!!

Orlando Trip: Day Two

We decided to sleep in a little on Thursday because we were wiped out from Sea World. We were up and headed to Magic Kingdom around 10:00. We pulled up to the parking ticket booth and were informed that the park was full to capacity. WHAT?? It really threw us all off...we pulled off the road to decide where to go. After a little debate, we decided to go to Hollywood Studios in Disney. We were a little disappointed because we were looking forward to the rides at Magic Kingdom, but what do you do?

When we first got there, we rode in the Star Wars simulator while Nana and D took Madi and Tyler to see the Playhouse Disney section. Austin was giddy coming off the ride. He was so excited! Then we had lunch (which we got for 1/2 price because the other park was full...that was a nice perk!).

One of our biggest concerns was that we had told Madi that we were going to see Ariel (her absolute favorite Disney princess). We were thrilled to find out that they had "The Little Mermaid" show. It was super cute...even Tyler liked it!

While the girls plus Tyler were visiting Ariel...David, Austin, and D went to see the "Indian Jones Stunt Spectacular" show. I think the "big boys" were more into it than Austin was.

The Beauty and the Beast show was the most awesome because it was successful at putting Tyler and Madi to sleep for a little cat nap (which was much needed!). During the show, Nana took Austin to play in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!".

Then for the big ride at Hollywood Studios the "TOWER OF TERROR"!!!! Nana, me, Kiera, and Austin all rode the ride. We were so nervous. David told Austin to not scream like a girl (because David himself didn't want to ride!), Thanks to the Fast Pass and Kiera...we didn't have to wait in line that long. It was a fun ride. We were either screaming or laughing through the whole thing. Austin got off the ride and said, "I'm going to tell David that I screamed like a BOY!"

We decided around 8:00 that we were hungry and ready to head back. We decided to go to Red Lobster where we waited to be seated for an hour and a half and didn't get out food until 10:00...we were starving! It was a great day!! We all headed back to the hotel and promptly went to bed!

Orlando Trip: Day One

sea world

What a fun week we had!!! We got up early on Wednesday and headed to Orlando. The kids did great; the only glitch was that the fuse kept blowing which controlled the DVD players so a little extra child entertainment was needed. Nana was gracious enough to read books to the kids (because I can't read in the car). Their favorite was a scary book which she concluded by telling them about her haunted house experience (where she knocked Brittany down to get out of the house!). They thought it was hilarious! But we finally made it around 11:00. We drove straight to Sea World. The weather was gorgeous and the park was crowded. It was fun watching the dolphins and touching the stingrays.

We didn't get to ride many rides because the lines were so long, but Nana rode on one roller coaster with Austin and that seemed to be enough to suffice him.

We did get to make a few shows. We saw Alure' Call of the Ocean. It was a really cool show where there was lots of tumbling and acrobatics...so much to watch at once.

Before the show started, it got dark and Madi kept asking, "Scary?"

I told her that it wasn't a scary show...but she wasn't convinced.

Again she asked, "Scary? I fall and get a boo-boo."

"Madi, why would you get a boo-boo if it was scary?"

Madi replied, pointing at Nana, "She push me down!" (from the story earlier in the car).

It was hilarious! She also decided that D should now be called Glenn and basically called him that the whole day (luckily, she's moved on from that!)

Austin loved the Shamu Believe show. He and D sat in the splash zone while the rest of us went higher to stay dry. We left the park around 8:30 to head to the hotel where we met up with Kiera, David, and Tyler. What a fun day full of fun memories!!