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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Day 8

Today, our plans are to do laundry and clean the condo. Probably have some pool time, too.  We need a quiet day. Traveling in this crazy traffic is wearing on a person. And I'm not driving!!

When we got back to St. Petersburg, the condo next door was wrapped. They are fumigating for bugs. Rick wanted to pack up and leave immediately!  I missed a picture of it wrapped. But here it is being taken down. 




There are lots of little lizards outside our door. 




I was just handed a flyer of upcoming May events. In it was this notice:


Blessings!

Day 7

We were heading back through the Everglades. We did not take the toll road. We wanted the "Essential Florida" trip. It's an old Adventures in Odyssey partial quote on their Hawaii trip. 

Still seeing lots of animal signs and a sign I hadn't seen in ages. Daytime speed limit and night time speed limit. 


We also took an airboat ride in the Everglades. 




And saw lots more gators. 

This alligator has its head resting on a turtle. 

We also saw alligator wrestling. 

And you could get your picture holding a small gator. 

Then, traveling through the Everglades, we saw the smallest Post Office!  It's even smaller than the one in our town!

We got back to St. Petersburg and did a bunch of laundry. Had a nice meal of rotisserie chicken, Caesar salad, and fresh strawberries. Fed all 6 of us for a total of $10.50! Not each. Total cost! 

Blessings!

Day 6

We drove down to the Keys and saw these signs. 


Then, we went to Theater of the Sea. It was so much fun. The only negatives were they were limited on t shirt sizes. They had plenty for adults or infants. 



We saw dolphin shows. The dolphin would push the girl up into the air. 


More Dolphin show. 




Then, what makes this place amazing is you get to swim with the dolphins. For more money. Each of the boys did each of these activities. I'm just putting on 1 of each activity. 

Here are the boys rubbing the dolphins tummy. 

Dan getting a kiss from the dolphin. 

Matthew getting pushed around the pool by the dolphin. 

Andrew getting a torsal pull by 2 dolphins. 


Dan hugging a dolphin. 

The boys holding a dolphin. 



Lots of thatched roof huts all around the Keys and Everglades. 


We stayed at a Super 8 this night. And yes. We now fastidiously check for bed bugs!

Blessings!










Day 5

We got in the van and headed south to the Everglades. We had an enlightening trip. 

First, there was the bridge. 


I. Do. NOT. Like. Bridges. At all. 



Then, there were the odd signs. 



This was in a well populated area. By a hospital and nice golf courses. 

We made it to Florida City. Checked into a nice hotel. It was a Econolodge. The boys went to the pool. This was right by the pool. 


Crawled into bed. Shortly after, there was a knock on our door. Dan and Andrew were in a room, and they found bed bugs!!  (Sorry. No picture of that). They told hotel management and they came and checked, and sure enough, grossed the management out, too!  Gave them a new room. 

The next morning we checked out. I don't think anyone slept well. I kept turning on my flashlight on my phone to check. 

All we got from management the next day was, "I'm sorry.  The previous guest must have brought the bed bugs in."


Blessings! 
 



Monday, April 28, 2014

Day 4

We went to Universal Studios. The older boys had tons of fun. They went on lots of rides. 



Rick, Sam and I stood in line for Despicable Me. The line was 65 minutes. Yeah. Right. After 45 minutes of waiting, an announcement comes on stating they are experiencing a slight delay, and the minions are looking into it. Well, after 1/2 hour, the line finally started up again. I should mention that it isn't a ride. It's simulated. 

We went on the Transformer ride and that was fantastic!! 



Tried out the Twister. It wasn't a ride, you stand for this one, and they show you what it looks like, as you are on a set. It was good but my feet were already tired. 

We are gluttons for punishment and thought we would try out Despicable Me again. The line was only supposed to be 50 minutes. After 45 minutes, we were oh so close, the announcement comes on go a slight delay. We sat down and waited 15 minutes. Then, there was a new announcement!  They shut the ride down. Sam was not happy. 

I think they should give people, who are this close to being on the ride a special pass to go to the head of the line if the ride breaks down. It was ridiculous. 

We did the Men in Black ride and I got the most points for zapping aliens. 

The park was 1/2 hour to closing, and we were able to walk right up to the front for Transformers. Twice!!!

Later, we ate at Olive Garden. Yum!


Blessings! 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Days 2-3

Day 2 - We went to Universal Studios Islands ofAdventure. It was a lot of fun. Exhausting, and very long lines. 

I almost got in trouble!  Rick, Sam, and I were on a Dr. Seuss ride. Sam and I in the front of the car. Well, they did not tell which side to exit out. I got out on the wrong side, saw my mistake, and got back in and exited the right way. Can you believe they shut the whole ride down for about 10-15 minutes???  The gal said it looked like I was in danger. Ha! I was on a platform, realized my mistake and corrected it. They took down my name, AGE, and address!!  It was awful. I almost didn't want to go on any more rides. 

Day 3 - Today we went the beach. After looking for a Florida map for quite some time. :-(. We went to Madeira beach and enjoyed the sun, finding sea shells, and getting a little sunburned, even though we used a lot of sun block. 



Later on, we went to Sawgrass Park and foundout they have 3 kinds of poisonous snakes here (rattlesnakes, coral snakes, and cottonmouth or water snakes). Thankfully, we didn't see any snakes. But we did see 3 alligators. This park is about 2 miles from where we are staying. There are tons of lizards every where we go (even in front of our condo). The boys even saw a turtle. 









Heading to the car. I still think Spanish Moss looks creepy!


Blessings! 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

In Florida

Well, we made it to Florida!  I even did pretty good on the flight. Well, a little Dramamine helped. ;-). Sam loved flying And can't wait to go again. We will have two flights on the way home.  There was quite a bit of turbulence, and the pilot took us way up to get out if it. I slept most of the trip. 

We made it through security just fine. We were worried because Matthew is on liquid antibiotics, Dan has a defibrillator (how many 17 year olds do you know have one?) and I have my Cpap machine. We had no problems. 

We had to stop and buy some food. Made our traditional pizza on the first night of vacation. 

After supper we took the boys to the outdoor pool. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Well, that is, IF you can find towels and sheets!  We looked all over the condo. Rick ended up going to a Dollar General and bought 4 towels.  Rick and I slept on some extra blankets because there weren't any sheets on the bed. 

This morning we found the sheets!!  We thought this one closet was locked. It's actually just very hard to open. We also found a bike lock so we could move the 3 bikes outside so Dan and Andrew have more room. They are staying in a porch that was converted into a bedroom. Rick and I have the bedroom and Matthew slept on an air mattress and Sam slept on the sofa. 

When we got there, I walked through the condo, and saw the back door wide open!  I said, "Rick?"  A man comes out of a closet and says, "How did you get in here?"  I asked him the same. Lol. Found out he was the maintenance man. Whew!

Here is a picture of a perfect ending to a perfect first day. 



Blessings!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

More wedding photos

I should put some more wedding photos on here.  I am so proud of my family!  They all look so very handsome/beautiful.

Here is the groom, Ben:


His two beautiful sisters were bridesmaids, Rachel and Rebecca:


All my handsome men:



Josh, Brittany and Elise:

 

The bride and groom, Ben and Kristina:



Blessings! 

School is at a crawl, and the Drama is Full Swing

Well.  So much for starting back to school, and getting into the swing of things.  We have been dealing with a lot of sicknesses, and running to the clinic.  First Sam was so very sick--high temps, and a cough.  We were dealing with it.  At first, he would just cough while sleeping.  Then, he was coughing no matter which position, and he wasn't getting any rest.  That was right before the wedding.  We took him in, and they put him on antibiotic, and a codeine cough syrup.  It's amazing what a good night sleep will do for a person.

Last weekend was busy with the rehearsal dinner, wedding, and gift opening.  It was beautiful to attend, but also nice to get back home.

Then, Matthew started back in with the horrible headaches, and vomiting.  I took him into the clinic on Tuesday (after 2 days of fever, and vomiting).  They ran a bunch of tests (kidney, strep and mono).  Those were all negative.  Then, they did an electrolyte (to see if he was dehydrated--yes, a little), as well as white blood cell count (which was elevated, as he has an infection somewhere in his body).  They didn't prescribe any medication.  Said they would call the next day.

So, Wednesday, he is feeling a bit better.  Drank a smoothie, and kept it down.  The clinic called, and I told them he was better.  Ha!

During the night, he starts vomiting again!  And he has a horrible headache, and now ear pain.  He was crying, saying it hurt so bad.  So, back into the clinic.  Now, he has a double ear infection.  They did prescribe antibiotics, and we are hoping he gets well quickly!  He is supposed to be in the Living Last Supper performance, as well as vacation next week.

Here is my cute invite for the rehearsal dinner:


Here is Dan during the filming for Shane's Hero's Award:





My handsome fellows at the wedding:


Blessings!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Back to School for us

So, things have settled down, somewhat.  We started back to school on Monday.  After school, I made up a rehearsal dinner invitation, and got those ready to go.

Then, I proceeded to fix the girls' bridesmaid dresses.  I am not a great seamstress, but I did get it done.

Then, I fed us all supper, and after the girls left, I took food into Rick at the polls. He had brought a sandwich over for lunch, but I thought he would like a hot meal.

I also called the rehearsal dinner place, and got the meal settled.  Ben and Kristina had ordered a fish dinner.  I added in chicken.  I just don't do fish.  And if I don't, there might be others that feel the same way.

Today, Wednesday, I woke up to hearing Matthew vomiting in the bathroom.  Oh, joy.  He also has a high fever.  Sam and Andrew have a fever and a cough.  I hope they get it out of their systems.  :)

So, no school today.

So, today, I gave the boys hair cuts.  They weren't thrilled, being sick and all, but we needed to get it done.  

Blessings!