I’m a survivor

Jun 20, 2011 by Lindsay

We officially survived an 18 hour (one way) car ride to and from Ohio with three bouncing boys in tow! I told myself that if I could survive this trip, then I could survive anything! Not only did we survive, but it was good, we all had our moments, but there was less than 3 hours of crying/screaming/whining in each direction. Woop woop!

So, how did we do it? We drove while the chicklets slept. Best decision ever, and we will never do it any other way…..at least not until they are old enough to help us drive and not cry because they dropped their blankies! Haha!

We had the absolute BEST time in Ohio and Andrew has already been asking when we can go back! The cousins played great together with the exception of a few normal spats over major issues like Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen, but with a little parental guidance they were working out their disagreements on their own by the end of the week without the use of physical force

It is so hard to have two “homes.” Over the past 6 years Florida has become the home I have made with my husband, children and new friends. But Ohio is where I spent my entire childhood, it’s familiar, I am comfortable there, it makes me feel like I’m a kid again. I know all the streets, I always see someone I know when I go to the grocery store and it’s where some of my favorite people are.

Goodbyes are never easy, but this time was especially difficult. I don’t like missing out on the everyday things that my family does together. It makes me sad that my family doesn’t get to see my boys grow up and that my boys have to get comfortable with everyone all over again when we do see each other. As I was kissing my niece and nephew goodbye my chest was so tight it hurt. I love them like they are my own, I literally felt like I was leaving part of my heart behind.

I promise this whole post won’t be sad and sappy!

As we were pulling onto my sister’s street I was telling the boys that we had finally arrived at Joel and Caroline’s house and Andrew put his hands on his cheeks and exclaimed, “I can hardly believe it!” Haha! Needless to say, we are already looking forward to going back at Christmas!

Mommy had a stash of treats for when things started to get ugly, I didn’t have to pull out the suckers until we were 30 minutes from our destination! Not bad!

I have so much more to share but flickr wants to be lame-o tonight. Flickr is seriously to blame for many of my non-posting days, it doesn’t let me add pictures and then I get frustrated and give up. Anyone out there with a better suggestion for a photo hosting site?

Hopefully I’ll be back soon with more stories and PICTURES to share!!!

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Californ-i-a

May 11, 2011 by Lindsay

Spencer, Zachary and I spent last week in California. We attended the ASMC conference filled with all things Apple! Spencer spent most days in meetings and we joined him for meals, meetings when we could, and got really lucky when we found a Target IN a mall while on the hunt for some mylicon for Z-man!

It was a treat to only have one boy to take care of, I took my time getting ready in the mornings, read three books, took naps, sat in the sun….it was great!

Zachary was a great little traveler. He had some fussy days and was way off schedule with the time change, but overall he did great. Daddy even got him a book signed by the Woz! haha!

We stayed in San José but one afternoon Spencer had a meeting in Cupertino at Apple, or the “Mothership” as some called it!

After the meeting we headed to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge and eat dinner.

I kept comparing everything in San Francisco to Full House! I grew up watching that show, and so when I think of San Francisco, I think of Uncle Jesse and the Olsen twins! haha!

We ate dinner in downtown San Francisco and then drove around for a bit. It was crazy, people, cars, hills, buildings, street cars, I am definitely not cut out for the city life. I like to visit and then go home to my quiet little house!

(Sorry for the poor picture quality, it was late, cold and windy so we didn’t check to make sure they turned out ok!)

On our last day Spencer only had morning meetings and then we headed to Monterey Bay with the group and went to the aquarium and dinner.

This picture is for Spencer’s Grandma!

If you know me well then you have probably seen me stand like this, usually when I am leaning against the counter washing dishes, cutting up food or in the bathroom getting ready in the morning. My mom used to do it too, and I think my sister does as well. It’s comfortable for me and I do it without realizing it. I couldn’t resist when I saw this flamingo picture because that’s what it reminds me of! Haha!

Zachary all bundled up on our way to dinner!

One of the biggest hi-lights on the trip was all the wonderful food! All of our meals were provided by the conference and it was seriously the best food I have ever eaten! There was always fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, fish and more desserts than any one person needs Let’s just say that coming home and having to cook has been less than thrilling! I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures….try not to drool on your computer!

I was so thankful for a chance to get away, but as always it was wonderful to get home to our big boys!

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Hollywood Studios

Apr 11, 2011 by Lindsay

On our last day at Disney we decided to go to Hollywood Studios because our kids love the Pixar movies and Disney Junior. We started the day at the Disney Junior Show which featured all the characters from the shows, unfortunately it was too dark for very good pictures and the characters were puppets, so we couldn’t take our picture with them after.

Then we headed straight to meet Buzz and Woody. Thankfully some super intelligent Disney worker had thought ahead about the kids having to wait in line and there were different picture opportunities all along the way….it helped pass the time with two toddlers who were anxious to meet the characters!

*Disclaimer – no children were hurt in the taking of this picture…..although their facial expressions may appear otherwise.

Then it was FINALLY our turn! Andrew had no fear of the 8 foot tall Woody…he was just so happy to be done waiting!

I love this picture! Pure joy!

After lunch we headed to the “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” playground, but it should really be called “Honey Watch Out Because It’s Seriously Easy To Lose Your Kids In Here” playground! We had three adults and two kids and at one point I was sure we were going to lose one!

During about the hottest part of the day we decided to see a show and Joshua fell asleep while inside, he managed to stay asleep for over an hour, just long enough to miss the entire parade that afternoon!

This picture doesn’t do it justice, but Andrew literally could not contain himself when he saw the Toy Story Characters. He was jumping up and down and waving both hands frantically in the air yelling “HI Woody!!! Hi Buzz!!!’

Apparently Andrew is a big Lotso fan, even though he doesn’t like him in the movie! Ha!

We snapped this picture on our way out of the park, just Spencer and I with the big Mickey hat…and the girl with the holy jeans! haha!

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Magic Kingdom

Mar 24, 2011 by Lindsay

Hello!! Is anyone still out there? I have been gone fo-eva and have so much to share!

Last week we went to Orlando to take the boys to Disney! My in-laws recently purchased a home on wheels (aka – big old RV) and invited us to join them for a few nights so we could take the kids to Disney. It was a wonderful mini-vacation. If any of you knew me from the days of Alive in middle/high school then you know I am not a camper. Well, RV camping and tent camping are waaaay different. Give me an RV with a functional bathroom and kitchen, a nice comfy bed and air-conditioning and I’m one happy camper….pun completely intended!

Our first day we went to the Magic Kingdom, it was great! We were “camping” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness so we just had to take a boat to get there. We had a ratio of 4 adults to 3 kids…it was perfect

It took the boys awhile to warm up to the idea of the characters. Andrew got the hang of it by the end of the trip, but Joshua was still pretty shy!

This is one of Joshua’s new things. You say to him “Look at the camera” and instead of turning his head away, he just squeezes his eyes shut! I love that stinker!

I think the parade was one of the biggest hi-lights of the whole day. He would just wave and giggle at the characters. Then about half-way through Jafar from Aladdin came right up to us and Andrew literally started shaking in fear. The guy just kept inching closer to us when he saw how Andrew was reacting and all the while my son is literally trying to climb over my shoulder to get away from him! He was terrified! The people around us were laughing and obviously Jafar enjoyed his reaction as well!

Not the best picture, but you can see the joy on his face!

We stayed at the park until about 4:30 and then we went back to the campground for naps. We all got a chance to rest, freshen up and then we headed back for a few hours that night. It worked out great!

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We strategically waited to ride Dumbo until we knew the night-time parade was going on thinking it would mean less waiting….no such luck. Joshua got so unbearable that Spencer had to take him out of the line. By the time it was our turn Andrew didn’t even want to go, he kept saying “take me out of the line!” I insisted that he go since we had waited so long and just as we get settled into our Dumbo, the fireworks start, which terrified Andrew and he didn’t even enjoy the ride because he was trying so hard to cover his ears and eyes!!! But other than a little hitch at the end of the night, it was a great trip to the Magic Kingdom!

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It’s About Time

Sep 22, 2010 by Lindsay

I think it’s about time I finish sharing pictures from our trip to Ohio, don’tcha think?

So, with few words….here they are!

Riding the mini bike at Aunt Lynne and Uncle Kevin’s house!

Our last night in Ohio Em organized for all the family and some friends to come over for a campfire with s’mores!

Joshua with Grandpa Mark (my dad) I think he ate like three s’mores that night!

I love this picture of Daddy and his boys!

Mawmaw and Pawpaw Dewey with all of their great-grandkids….except Zachary!

Uncle Matthew with the niece and nephews….Caroline wasn’t feeling it! haha!

I really wish Joshua’s face wasn’t cut off, I love his big old laugh!

Three clean cousins in their Buzz Lightyear jammies!

The time we get to spend with our Ohio family is so special!

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See the rest, then see the best!

Sep 14, 2010 by Lindsay

That was the slogan on the welcome sign to the Hancock County Fair! I have to admit that I was pretty excited when I found out that the fair would be going on while we were in Ohio. My grandma got us all week long passes so we could get our fill of cows, pigs and fooood!

I grew up going to the fair, I think that everyone in Hancock County did. I have very fond memories of goats trying to eat my sisters jacket when we were little and my mom sweeping the competition in the craft barn with her sewing skills!

It was fun letting all our animals kids see the real animals