Space

The second full day in Florida took us to Kennedy Space Center.  I didn't know what to expect really, but it was more than I thought it would be.  Cooper had so much fun and it was great to see Cory and his Dad be excited to get to our destination. 

This one NOT thrilled to be in the car, again.

Cory's mom said the smile on Cory's face was worth the entire trip.  He was really excited to experience this.

Carter was not feeling the moment.

Cooper had so much fin climbing into all these pieces of history.  (Cory did too.)

I was amazed at how tall so much of these were.  Alan, Cory's dad, thought they would be bigger... perspective, I guess.

Wouldn't you want to blast off into space like this... uncomfortable.  It was made for Cooper's size, I thought.

Muscles!

The shuttle that is getting ready to launch next week.  We got within a mile of it on our bus tour.

The shuttle behind the boys.

At this point, I don't have proof, but Carter stood and entertained a group from England for about 10 minutes and EVEN POSED FOR PICTURES for them.  Grinning the ENTIRE time.  What a stinker.  I have very few grins caught on camera.  Very few.

Posing with a "super cool car, Mom!"

It was really so much more than I expected.  We learned a lot, saw a lot.  I had no idea it was also a nature preserve.  Lots of protected wildlife there.  We saw an eagle's nest that is over 40 years old and about the size of a Buick.  No kidding!  And, alligators in the ditches.  Cooper never caught a glimpse, but the rest of us did.  It was such a great day.

Then that evening we went to a dinner show called Medieval Times.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was similar to the Dixie Stampede in Branson, with cheesier acting and swords thrown in.  Coop LOVED it.  

They have a little village set up outside the castle that you can walk through, too.

Carter was able to get down and cruise around, he ran all over.

Cory... always so serious.

LOOK!!!  One of him grinning!

It was a fun evening.  By this time I had really figured out there wasn't going to be much "down time", apart from the scheduled free day that I had worked in.  We were going non-stop from the time we got up until we went to bed.  I was feeling a little sore from all the walking that I wasn't used to, but had no idea how much worse I would feel later in the week.  Every evening ended with me wrestling Carter into his pj's.  Why are 1-year-olds so opinionated about pj's???  He fights them every night!

And laughs about it.

Love & Laughter,

abby

Disney Day 1

So, the fun began at... Animal Kingdom.  It was a warm, humid day.  We managed to have a great time, despite being sweaty and a little overwhelmed by all the walking.  Cooper was so well behaved this first day.  Cory and I were amazed. 

Cooper was crazy excited to get there.  He had no idea what to expect, but he was ready to go!

Right before we left for the day!

First ride, Dinosaur.  Maybe not the best choice for Cooper's first Disney ride.  Scary and a little rough.  But, he was a trooper and just requested that we not go on that ride again.  We agreed.

First characters we met.  We spent more time in lines for character's autographs and pictures than we usually did for rides.  Goofy has always been my favorite.  Cooper loved looking at each character's autograph in his book when we were done. 

First ride Cooper actually enjoyed!  ;)  More his "speed".

He had to get his face painted...

And, he NEEDED to be a pirate.  Very Cooper.  Very sweaty and smeary later in the day.

First character for Carter.  He literally latched on to Pooh and didn't want to let go.  Very cute!

Close to the end of the day.  Tired boys.  (Notice the smeary pirate makeup.)

This looks like Eyore put Cooper in a headlock to me.

Safari pictures.  Cooper told us that was the best part of the day. 

An animal carved into the Tree of Life.  The Bug's Life show is under this huge tree.  Carter and I stayed for about the first 3 minutes of it.  Then he couldn't tolerate the wind puffed into his face and the sprays of water being directed towards us.  Cooper informed me that it was spectacular though.  :) 

A "sorta" smile from Carter.  Getting a smile on camera from him is W.O.R.K.  Tough cookie, that one.

There was so much I didn't get pictures of.  The ride where we all got drenched, Kali River Rapids.  Cooper was over-the-moon excited about it.  Cory and I going on the crazy Expedition Everest rollercoaster, where I screamed my head off.  (And Cory giggled like a girl!)  Meeting several other characters... Minnie, Thumper, Goofy - again.  The Nemo show, Rainforest Cafe for dinner, and the anteater that Cooper was thrilled to discover.  

But I have lots of images in my mind from the entire day and it was awesome.  The first day was a success and I couldn't have been more pleased with my family and the memories that we made. 

The next day would take us for a drive... all the way to Kennedy Space Center, only an hour away.  More on that later.

Love & Laughter,

abby

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig...

We have spent the last 10 days on vacation.  Isn't it funny that vacations feel like a ton of work?  For instance, I was up every day at 5:45 a.m. eastern time, which was 4:45 a.m. my time.  Anyone who know me, knows this time of day is completely unacceptable for me.  Also, I have planned/walked/ached/rode in a car more than I can ever remember.  Vacation is hard work.  The memories... are awesome.

I was going to just put one huge post, tons of pictures, lots of info.  But, now I think I will do it one day at a time.  I just noticed I took nearly 600 pictures while we were gone. WOW.  And I know there are things I missed.

So, the first couple days were just driving...

He slept more than I thought he would.  Carter is not really the best car baby.  I was amazed at how well both boys did on the way down!

Our first night on the road.  We stopped for the night and Cooper acted as if he had never been in a hotel before.  "Look Mom, they have a tub... And a shower... And soap... AND, KLEENEX, Mom!!!"  What an exciting moment. 

This was my view the whole ride.  Back corner, beside Carter.  I get crazy car sick, but did really well on the way down.  I had my wrist bands, ginger tablets and cinnamon candy... lots of preparation!

Another stop. 

Palm trees!

One baby, tired of riding in the car.

We have arrived!

Cooper couldn't wait to start exploring the "vacation house", as he likes to call it.

Carter looking out of the condo, 11 stories up!

The view!

The first night in Orlando, we went to Downtown Disney.  We were very tired, but wanted to do something that first day.  Guess what I forgot???  Yep, the camera.  It was even in the car.  But, by the time I noticed it wasn't with me, I had walked way too far to turn around and get it.  Cooper got his first souvenir there and saw so many Disney things, he was so hyped up for the next day!  

So, we are home.  I am definitely exhausted.  Definitely thrilled to be home.  So excited to share the rest of the trip!

Sneak peek...

(Does he look excited???)

Love & Laughter,
abby

M.I.C.K.E.Y. M.O.U.S.E.

FINALLY!  We found him.  :)

Love & Laughter,
abby

Cooper's Vacation Photos

Cooper has a camera this week while we are vacationing in Florida.
Here is some of his work...  Enjoy.

(Is it me, or are the clouds where the trees should be?)

Awesome.

Yep.

Well, this is a cute one.

Important.

And a little help from mommy finally, to get this one.

Love & Laughter,
abby

Buggy

                                    This boy loves his bugs!
              (As long as they are made of plastic and entirely harmless.) 
        
Real bugs FREAK him out.  He has complete meltdowns when we discover a bug inside or outside!  Unless, it is a ladybug, which for some reason he finds completely acceptable.  I hate ladybugs, fyi.  Something about them gives me the heebie jeebies.

Speaking of the phrase heebie jeebies... Cooper asked me yesterday what the "hebert jetties" were?  It took me a minute to figure out what he was asking!


Love & Laughter,
abby

Peace

These are pictures of my babies sleeping.  AT THE SAME TIME.  An incredible occurrence, as Cooper almost never takes a nap anymore.  All I can think of is how peaceful they are while sleeping.

Love & Laughter,
abby