Loving the sand!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Final Day
What do you do with your last day in Florida? Well, it just wouldn't be right to leave here without some touch of Disney. So, today was a dash of Downtown Disney (complete with hot air balloon ride and House of Blues lunch), a trip to Wal-Mart, and an adventure at Arabian Nights. Unfortunately, Grandma Donner leaves tomorrow to return to a cold house. She may wish she was back in Florida!
400 feet up
The Black Stallion
The cast of Arabian Nights
400 feet up
The Black Stallion
The cast of Arabian Nights(and their fans)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day 5 -- Gatorland
We went to Gatorland today. While one may think you would see alligators there, that is only half of it! They had several shows -- handling spiders & snakes, wrestling alligators, and gators jumping (theoretically . . . it was too cold and the alligators didn't want to move). They also had a petting zoo with goats, sheep, a llama, and some cows. They had a observation tower to overlook a swamp, and they had a boardwalk through a swamp. Of course, Courtney's favorite was the bird aviary with 50+ parakeets.
Olivia was picked from the crowd to "help" with the Gator Wrestling show. She was told to pick an alligator out of a moat. She picked the one she wanted. Then, the guy told her he would grab it by the tail, and she could grab its head and hold him down. She sheepishly just looked at the guy like he was crazy. After the show, she was allowed to be the first person in line to sit on an alligator and have her picture taken with it. No fear!
Olivia was picked from the crowd to "help" with the Gator Wrestling show. She was told to pick an alligator out of a moat. She picked the one she wanted. Then, the guy told her he would grab it by the tail, and she could grab its head and hold him down. She sheepishly just looked at the guy like he was crazy. After the show, she was allowed to be the first person in line to sit on an alligator and have her picture taken with it. No fear!Many more pics to come.
Gotta Taste Everything
2010 Jan 086
Originally uploaded by counsel14
I wouldn't put a dead fish in my mouth would I?
Oh yes I would!!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
What do you do when it warms up to 60 degrees?
Go to the BEACH!
We headed to Clearwater this morning to eat at Frenchy's for lunch and play in the sand. It was a bit chilly, but it didn't keep everyone from playing in the sand. Here are a few snapshots, and many more are at Taylor's Photos.
We headed to Clearwater this morning to eat at Frenchy's for lunch and play in the sand. It was a bit chilly, but it didn't keep everyone from playing in the sand. Here are a few snapshots, and many more are at Taylor's Photos.
Monday, January 11, 2010
What to do when it is 30 degrees outside?
Heat up the hot tub as hot as it can go, throw on the bathing suits, and run to the water as fast as you can!!!
Then, feed the little birds some dinner.
Then, feed the little birds some dinner.Day 3 Activities
It is halfway through Monday, and we've gotten off to a strong start. Courtney took the girls to Bible study with her, which gave Mark and Grandma Donner time to shop and see the sights. We managed to see the giant car-eating alligator, the giant orange store, and the giant household store (IKEA). Although we had planned on heading to Downtown Disney, Olivia is running a bit of a fever. So, we opted for a nap instead, and we'll see about Disney later.
Day 2 Activities
Sunday:
We woke up and went to church this morning. Then, we headed north to the huge flea market called -- Flea World! Courtney read 75,000 people visit this place (per year? per weekend?). They must have all been frozen this weekend, because it was not very busy. The kids' rides were shut down too. But, we had fun cruising up and down the aisles of bargains. But, to warm up, we visited a Starbucks and had some hot chocolate and cookies. Once we made it home, it was bedtime for the girls, run time for Mark and Courtney, and football watching for Grandma Donner. A good time was had by all!
We woke up and went to church this morning. Then, we headed north to the huge flea market called -- Flea World! Courtney read 75,000 people visit this place (per year? per weekend?). They must have all been frozen this weekend, because it was not very busy. The kids' rides were shut down too. But, we had fun cruising up and down the aisles of bargains. But, to warm up, we visited a Starbucks and had some hot chocolate and cookies. Once we made it home, it was bedtime for the girls, run time for Mark and Courtney, and football watching for Grandma Donner. A good time was had by all!
Monday's Plans:
Ikea, shopping, movie? We'll see.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Day 1
Day 1 Activities
Woke up and ate breakfast.
Snacked around 10:00 a.m.
Ate Arby's for lunch
Snacked around 3:00 p.m.
Ate pizza for dinner while watching Sleeping Beauty.
Ate poppy seed bread for dessert.
Ate caramel covered popcorn for dessert dessert.
Snacked before bedtime.
When it's 35 degrees outside, you have to store up a good layer of fat to keep warm!!!
Woke up and ate breakfast.
Snacked around 10:00 a.m.
Ate Arby's for lunch
Snacked around 3:00 p.m.
Ate pizza for dinner while watching Sleeping Beauty.
Ate poppy seed bread for dessert.
Ate caramel covered popcorn for dessert dessert.
Snacked before bedtime.
When it's 35 degrees outside, you have to store up a good layer of fat to keep warm!!!
The Wooded Eagle Has Landed
Although she has had a flying phobia for over 30 years, the power of grandchildren is breaking that anxiety. Grandma Donner braved the skies last year and made it to Guam. Evidently, the non-eventful flight created enough confidence for her to try a continental flight from Missouri to Florida. Success again! She was amazed to be in Florida in only 2 hours.
Obviously, the kids were excited to see Grandma Donner. They all piled into Katelee's room last night, and this morning they were caught drinking coffee in bed! I'm not sure why the kids are excited now -- the Grandma effect or Coffee overdose???
Obviously, the kids were excited to see Grandma Donner. They all piled into Katelee's room last night, and this morning they were caught drinking coffee in bed! I'm not sure why the kids are excited now -- the Grandma effect or Coffee overdose???
Monday, January 04, 2010
Easy like Sunday Evening
2010 Jan 003
Originally uploaded by counsel14
Morning church. CiCi's Pizza buffet for lunch. Long afternoon naps. Cereal for dinner. Caramel popcorn for dessert. Sleeping Beauty for entertainment. Snuggling with girls in comfy chair. Does it get better than that?
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Welcome 2010
2010 is here. I can't really say we welcomed in the New Year with a bang. However, we did have a very enjoyable finale to 2009. We went to the Kissimmee park, packed a lunch of PB&J and pretzels, and enjoyed the sunset. We were attacked by the local birds -- especially once we started feeding them bread crust.
The girls were in bed by 7:00, and Mark & Courtney managed to stay up until 10:30. In Mark's defense, he was sick. In Courtney's defense, who wants to stay up alone?
She did make up a story about waking up at 12:03 a.m. She said she rolled over, looked at the clock, and said Happy New Year. Mark (who remembers nothing) evidently gently took her hand and caressed it. What a sweetie (when asleep).
2010 has been colder. We have managed to survive the frigid 50s of Florida the last few days. Actually, it has been in the 30s the last few nights. We have also been able to kick start Courtney's Half Marathon training. She has a couple runs under her belt, and she is on track to participate in Disney's Princess Half Marathon in March. I think the caramel corn she just made is part of the training program.
We look forward to a new year at Orlando Baptist Church. Currently, they are challenging each person to find a word that is the focus of 2010 -- Courage, Wisdom, Encouragement, Doubt, etc. Courtney is leaning toward Outreach or Community. Mark is leaning toward Encouragement. Your word?
Here's to 2010! Here we come!!!
The girls were in bed by 7:00, and Mark & Courtney managed to stay up until 10:30. In Mark's defense, he was sick. In Courtney's defense, who wants to stay up alone?
She did make up a story about waking up at 12:03 a.m. She said she rolled over, looked at the clock, and said Happy New Year. Mark (who remembers nothing) evidently gently took her hand and caressed it. What a sweetie (when asleep).
2010 has been colder. We have managed to survive the frigid 50s of Florida the last few days. Actually, it has been in the 30s the last few nights. We have also been able to kick start Courtney's Half Marathon training. She has a couple runs under her belt, and she is on track to participate in Disney's Princess Half Marathon in March. I think the caramel corn she just made is part of the training program.
We look forward to a new year at Orlando Baptist Church. Currently, they are challenging each person to find a word that is the focus of 2010 -- Courage, Wisdom, Encouragement, Doubt, etc. Courtney is leaning toward Outreach or Community. Mark is leaning toward Encouragement. Your word?
Here's to 2010! Here we come!!!
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Sweet Music
Katelee enjoyed the wonderful sound of the symbols. They went nicely with the trumpet and drum. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!
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