Summer Vacation- Day 1

We took our Summer vacation to San Antonio, TX! We decided to stop along the way and pick up my cousin from Tyler, TX. She was such a great help and the kids just loved her!! I really enjoyed having her because we are about 15 years apart and don't get to see each other often! When we got to the hotel the kids were so excited just like any kid would be in a new place. They immediately went to pool and swam! The next day was Sea World and the kids could not contain themselves...they were so excited! I decided that since there were probably going to be alot of people that we got matching shirts...it worked out well too! Even though it was HOT...the kids did great! The kids and Katie in the car headed to Sea World!!


Waiting in a long line..we decided to take the opportunity to get a family photo...not sure what Abby was looking at though.





These characters met us at the entrance to take a photo. As you can see Ava did not want to get to close!





As soon as we got into the park, Mason immediately asked if he could go on a roller coaster...he had reading over the map since before we left. So, I went with him on the "steel Eel"...and so did Josh!! Mason defiantly likes the thrill rides!!

We saw a awesome Seal and Sea Lion show and then afterwards we were able to go around back and see them swimming and you could see people around feeding them. The kids really got a kick out that.

Watching the Sea Lions beg for food!!

Another show we saw was the Azul Show. It was acrobats and dolphins and beluga whales. It was probably the best show we saw.

Abby taking her nap during the show. Although when she woke up her and Josh were sopping wet from sweat. It was really hot!!

This guy was the oping act for the Azul Show. He kept trying to catch water that was squirting from the ground. The kids wanted to go over to him so they could get wet!!

The bird was Ava's favorite in the show!!

This was the one roller coaster at the park that Ava could ride and wanted to ride! That is until she was riding it...she was crying by the time she got off! We stood in line for a little bit, so she saw what it did. That is my Drama Queen!!

In the dolphin area they had a big pool like place that made it possible for people to feed the them. So we order some dolphin food and the kids fed them. The dolphins would literally come right up to your hand. It was a pretty cool experience.

WE then took the kids inside to cool off and were able to see the sharks and the big fish take with stingrays. When we got in we realized we got there right when it was feeding time. The scuba diver was in the take with the stingrays and would give us high fives on the glass!!

We caught a cool water skiing show on the lake inside the park. They had some really cool tricks. It really made me and Josh want to get a boat and go skiing, but that was short lived!!

Here is Katie, Mason and myself on the rapids ride. I was thinking we were going to get drench, but not so much. I was kind of hoping to cool off! I eventually got that chance later on at the end of the day.

Of course we could not go to Sea World without seeing the famous "Shamu"! This was the last thing to do before heading back to the hotel for the evening. Katie and I decided that this would be our chance to sit in the splash zone. WE did not realize that it was going to be mountains of water poured onto us. It was a great show, we even got to see the newest killer whale baby that swam right next to her mommy the whole time!!

Katie, Mason and myself we in need of major shower...so we headed to the hotel. WE bathed kids and sat down to relax a bit...soon to find Ava and Mason passed out the couch. All in all they had a great first day and we ready for Day 2!

Spring Break...Chicago!

I realize that I am far behind on updating the blog, but I thought I would still show you some of our Spring Break Vacation to Chicago, IL...to visit Papa and Ducky.

Ducky took us to a very kid friendly restaurant that the kids would enjoy...Choo Choo Johnny's...it was all about trains! When your food was ready to come to your table it came to you on a train. The conductor (waitress) would blow a horn to let you know that you food was on its way! The kids just got a kick out of that!!

Mason and Ava watching their food come by on the train!




One of the first things we did when we got to Chicago was go to a museum in Joilet on Route 66. It was a really neat museum and the kids even enjoyed it. Their were lots of things they could touch and get in! After the museum we headed on the Route to a old restaurant that has been there for ages. It looked just like it did back when everyone used Route 66...it was called the Polka Dot Cafe.

The kids pretending to drive up to a drive movie...notice who is driving!!!

These were some of the few statues at the cafe...The Blues Brothers!

We took the kids one day to Legoland. It was kind of like a mini theme park indoors! We saw 2 4D movies, saw all kinds of things made out of legos, rode a ride, and learned how to make a spinning top out of legos.

Ava learning how to make a spinning top out of legos!




Mason racing his car that he made out of Legos!

Abby content just hanging in a pool of Legos!!

Luckily we picked the best day to go downtown. The weather was beautiful! WE went to the Navy Pier, rode on a roof top tour bus, ate at Rainforrest Cafe, and rode in a taxi. The kids really had a blast and so did the adults!!

Mason working in the Hershey Factory...getting a bucketful of chocolate!!
In front of Buckingham fountain

The kids touching the famous Bean...it is a big mirrored bean!

At the end of the Navy Pier...the Michigan in the background!

Abby getting some energy out...with the skyline in background

Ava checking out her doll from American Girl!