Brooks' First Roller Coaster Ride

I am a huge fan of roller coasters. During our trip to Florida Brooks had a chance to go on his first roller coaster at Sea World. Mike went with Brooks, Callie, and Drew so I could stay back with Ty(who was dying to go too, but he was just now quite tall enough) Mike thought he would need to ride with Brooks to be a hand to hold in case he got scared. Well as you can see he insisted on riding with Drew and he LOVED IT! It is a coaster for kids, but I was surprised how steep and fast it really went. Drew even has a grimace on her face and she rides all the big coasters too. I could not stop laughing at Brooks. He had a blast--which Mike was very happy about, so I will have someone else to drag on the rides besides him!

Don't worry Brooks

My back has been peeling from to much sun at the beach and yesterday Brooks discovered it. He could not figure it out at first, why my skin was coming off. After Mike explained and few minutes passed, he said "eeeeeeeew Mom, I don't want all your skin to peel off and I'll see your bones." I guess he took the skin peeling very seriously.

Can we please go home now?

Can we please go home now?

Cooper and Ty were completely wiped out during our entire trip to Florida. There was so much to go and do all the time! Here they were both exhausted after the family picnic we had with Mike's extended family.

Cooper was glad to have some cousins his size

Brooks and Drew were attached at the hip! Brooks was so glad to have Drew as a play mate, and not just brothers.


Uncle Mike grilled the best hamburgers!

Cooper and Logan returning from the playground with Chrissy.

What a fun day with family.

Callie Wake Boarding

Being a Florida girl Callie has been in the water since she was born--but she was quite impressive wake boarding. She gets on the water as often as she can and wants to start training for local competitions.

In wake boarding like skiing the rider uses a series of hand signals to the driver and spotter on the boat. We died laughing when Michele said that Callie has hand signals she uses to signal the boat, but no one knows what she really means and they just wave back at her.
Ty was certain Callie should not be getting in the water off the boat. Once he saw what she was doing he calmed down and loved watching her board.

She is really good and it was so fun to have a chance to watch her practice.

Ty has found his calling

Michele and Derrek had us out to dinner at their place our last night in Florida. After dinner Michele had promised Brooks we could go on the boat. Gearing up for the ride.
This is their beautiful dock and their house is in the background. It is all so pretty on the lake.

Ty thought getting to drive Uncle Derrek's boat was about the coolest thing in the world!

This is Ty pushing on the throttle, and Uncle Derrek having to pull up at the same time because Ty just wanted to go faster and faster! It was so cute.

If Ty doesn't end up moving to California I have no doubt he will go to Florida. He had been tired and crabby all day, but we got on that boat and he was a different kid. He loves the water and boats.

Cooper not really enjoying his life jacket! Ha Ha

Brooks then took his turn driving the boat. He enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as Ty. He was much more cautious and just drove in a straight line, where Ty went all over the lake.

Lakefront

On our first evening in St Cloud we took the big boys to the lake front at sun down. They loved the sandy shore and the water.

They spent a lot of their time skipping rocks and throwing sticks and stuff in the lake.

We didn't stay long as it got really chilly as the sun went down. What a nice evening and a great way to end the day!

What is it?

What is it about babies playing that is so cute?

This is Mike's cousin Damon's daughter Kaitlyn and Cooper playing at the family picnic we went to in Orlando. Cooper was glad to have some playmates closer to his size! I thought they were so cute sitting and playing in the dirt.

Our day at the beach

We couldn't make a trip to Florida without a little time at the beach. Mimi and Grandpa live about an hour from the beach so it is very doable.

We took the boys over to Cocoa Beach on Monday for some fun in the sun, and of course they loved it!

Ty had so much fun running from the waves. Brooks got very brave and wanted to go out a little deeper but with my help. Cooper did not like being on the shore line, but he did like the sand and buckets filled with water. Each of them got knocked down by a wave at one point or another, and then panic just sets in.

I realized all of my pictures are of Cooper and Ty. Brooks was there but he just loved the water and I had to stay in the shade some of the time with the 'whites'

I am very happy and proud to report none of the boys got too much sun. I was a freak about it the whole time, but they are so pale and I just knew they would get a sun burn!

Oh yeah, and if it has been a while since you have been to the beach--let me remind you SAND GETS INTO EVERYTHING! especially on 3 little boys.

At the park

Having some fun in the Sun!

Best

Buddies sliding together. Brooks and Drew have really loved having each other to hang out with this week. It has been fun to see them playing together.

Mimi pulled another 12 hour shift so Mike could take me out for my birthday. We went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for a day of roller coasters without the small kids in tow. Brooks went to Michele's for the day so he could play with Drew in the water. MIchele said they had a big time and played great together. We returned home and had dinner and cake with everyone! What a day............

We Love Shamu

Friday we went to Sea World with Michele and her girls. (Not Cooper--Cooper stayed back with his Mimi.) It was really fun to do the park with someone who knew where to go and what is worth doing. We got to feed the dolphins as well as the rays and sharks. Everyone loved it, but Ty was not so sure about holding the dead fish. Brooks at the Shamu underwater viewing. It was cool there were 3 whales in this tank and it was very easy to see them. Ty liked that it was so easy to watch them play and swim.
Brooks and Mike watching ShamuCallie and Drew--
TY still not cooperating for pics
Mike & Brooks trying to win at the carnival style games. (He and Ty were able to win)

We had a ton of fun and had 4 very sleepy kids at the end of the day (And one spoiled baby)! Thanks Mimi for keeping Cooper.