SeaWorld

When we first learned of the wedding location we started researching things to do in the Key Largo area.  Of course our minds also drifted further north to the Orlando area, not wanting to give up any family time we decided to spend our week with family in the Keys then our two extra days we headed north to Orlando. With so many attractions in that area we decided on SeaWorld. Something that was totally doable in one day.

Sunday after checking out of our "Florida House" as Branson called it, we headed north. When I first came up with the idea, I didn't realize how far it was, but Josh convinced me it would be worth it. Our kids are great travelers, but still 8 hours in a car followed by a six hour flight home made me a bit nervous. They rocked it though. Five hours north to Orlando without one stop. No potty breaks or food stops. 

There was lots of reading

And LOTS of fighting

Happy kids to be out of the car and getting food in their bellies. Happy mommy and daddy too for such an easy car ride and to be out of the car as well.

We woke up bright and early the next morning to get to SeaWorld right when they opened.

And looking back it was totally worth it. 

The kids like the shows

And LOVED the rides. 

There was literally no wait in line for the rides. Josh and I each took turns going on the adult rides while the other stayed with the kids.

Branson was tall enough to go on all of the kids rides alone and just tall enough for most of the adult rides.

We headed out at dinner time and the kids promptly fell asleep as we headed south to Fort Lauderdale. Arriving at midnight we checked into our hotel aware that we were basically paying for a place to shower and get organized for our flight home. We checked out at 4 a.m. and headed to the airport and had an uneventful flight home. 

When we landed in Seattle the adults were starting to get sleepy, but we knew if we could make it home we would get a break.

Thankful for kids and grandparents who missed each other. We dropped the kids off at Papa and Mimi's and went straight home to get some rest. Transition back to reality was fairly easy with their help.

Key Largo

Our Spring Break trip was amazing. Amazing people, amazing weather, sand, surf. What more could we ask for?!

It was nice to get to be with family for the week. 

Lots of cousin time.

Lots of Auntie snuggles. 

Another day another Auntie.

Or cousin.

Another day, another meal on the water...

We spent the majority of each day in the pool

We drove down to Key West. It is a beautiful drive with turquoise water on both sides of the road. The Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Amazing.

We watched the cruise ships, went to the most southern point of the continental United States (to match the most southern tip of the U.S. that we visited in Hawaii a few years ago), and saw the beginning of highway 1. Quinn's favorite part was the ice cream snack.

We came home to snow in April. Branson entertained himself by bike riding in the house. Why get dressed when you can ride bikes in the house?!

We are thankful that we are getting some breaks in the weather and can be outside a bit more. I am so glad for gymnastics and indoor activities that kept the kids and I busy this winter. Quinn started gymnastics when she was 18 months old and is doing great. The last 5 minutes of class they have free time and last week Quinn chose to lounge in the doughnut.

 

Road Trips

Ack! Super behind on blogging, but figured I should get a couple of the fun little trips we've done recently recorded before our big trip arrives.

The kids and I invaded Auntie Holly's for the weekend. Her and Bryan were wonderful hosts.

We had a raging Super Bowl party...

A surprise visit to a fire department was a highlight. Bryan's cousin is a fire fighter and even took us on a ride in the fire truck. A little excitement took place as we were pulling back into the station and they got a call.

The next week Josh and Dave were going to be in Spokane at the Ag Expo so we met up with them for dinner one night

The kids and I visited the Ag Show on our way home the next day.

The next weekend we headed to Walla Walla and had a tons of fun with Uncle Mahlon and Auntie Patty. Branson had his first ice skating lesson from Mahlon 

The Shockers made it to regionals so we headed across the mountains to root them on. We made a fun weekend out of it. We stayed at the same hotel as the Grillo's and made a quick trip to the zoo before the game.

 

Papa drove up and met us for lunch and helped us cheer on our team. As soon as we found out our game was in Bothell, Josh contacted releatives in the area and many of them joined us too. So much fun.

Currently we are preparing for our Spring Break trip. We are looking forward to nicer weather, cousins to play with, swimming pools and of course the reason for the trip...A WEDDING!

Love

Here are some of the ways we celebrated love last week.

Monday is story time at the library. Last week Blake and Dakota were scheduled to come over then. Typically I wouldn't be up for story time with four young kids, but the older two really wanted to go,  so off we went. Not my most relaxing story time ever, but lots of fun and totally worth it.

Branson and I made sugar cookies for our friends.

Quinnie giving loves to her dolly on Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day the Shocker's won a district basketball game which means they are in regionals this weekend! 

Branson had a party at preschool. It is always so fun for me to get to help out and see B interact with his friends.

The party was complete with a pinata.

I am pretty sure that there was more sugar in this house than there was on Halloween. 

While B and I were at the Valentine's party Quinn was hanging out with Grandma. I think Valentine's day is her new favorite holiday, she loves chocolate.

Fun Times

We had one of the best weekends ever. The Thompson's were nice enough to let us invade there house and the weekend was made better by the Sanderson's joining too. So much fun!

Sledding on Saturday. Quinn and I stayed home for a nap, but it sounds like so much fun. A mile long run that was fast and ended with torn gloves and only minor injuries. 

Quinn made herself at home next to Sarah and decided to help her play the piano.

Love this picture, this was the best we could get with all the kids. 

We came home Sunday night to help celebrate Justin's birthday. Thankful for these friends to celebrate another year with.

 

Best friends enjoying birthday cake.

Other fun things that we have been up to...

Saturday morning snowmobile rides.

This is one of my current favorite pieces of art that Branson has done at school.

Not so fun things we have been up to...

Tooth brushing. Quinnie has been following in big brother's foot steps and is hating having her teeth brushed. Actually...she hates have help brushing her teeth. Made worse by a hard fall to her face and a chipped tooth.  Looks like her adorable smile with have some character for the next few years.