Spring Break 2024

 

Unforgettable flight mess to start off the trip! We were supposed to depart on Saturday afternoon after several hours of delay we finally boarded the plane, left the gate and had the flight cancelled due to mechanical issues. On Sunday we did it all again - back through security, board the plane, leave the gate and flight cancelled due to mechanical issues. 3rd times a charm? We finally left the airport on Monday, a full 48 hours later than planned. Because of the delay we were unable to make the drive to Naples to see Dick and Sherry so we booked a VRBO in Orlando at the last minute. The VRBO was full on Harry Potter theme!

Leaving the airport for the 2nd day in a row.

Cannot believe that we have mechanical issues again!

Out to dinner in Orlando

Lots of time in the VRBO pool.

Will loved the Harry Potter themed game room.

Next stop, Universal Studios. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel for 3 nights. 

The Harry Potter section of the parks were awesome!

Dinner at Mythos in Islands of Adventure. 

Scott and Will stayed in the park until close and Will got a ton of beads from the Mardi Gras Parade. 

Escape from Gringotts

Cracked me up that this was Will's drink of choice. 

Everyone's favorite ride was Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure. Scott, Emily and Charlie were the only ones brave enough to ride the Velocicoaster - man it was FAST! 

It's Football Season!

 

We are enjoying our 20th?? year of tailgating and the kids now tagalong and have a great time with their friends as well. 

Charlie turns 12!

 

Ice cream cake for the shared family birthday party

Measuring in - officially taller than Evy. Mom still has the lead by at least a centimeter.

Happy 12th Birthday Char-Char

Celebrated with pizza and cake at our house followed by taking all of her friends to a West High football game and then back to our house for a sleepover.

12-YEAR-OLD BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW

 Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Yellow 

 

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Chicken Strips & Ranch from Misty’s.

 

Q: Who is your best friend?

A: Elsie and Josie. 

 

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Dance 

 

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: Anything from Taylor Swift

 

Q: What is your favorite treat?

A: Shave Ice

 

Q: What is your favorite drink?

A: Strawberry acai lemonade with 6 pumps of vanilla, light ice and no berries at Starbucks.

 

Q: What is your favorite show or movie?

A: The Summer I Turned Pretty 

 

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: My phone

 

Q: What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

A: Go out to dinner at Fiesta.

 

Q: Where is your favorite place to go?

A: Italy (she’s never been there.) Actually, the Bahamas (been there briefly on our Disney Cruise).

 

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: I don’t read.

 

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: I don’t know but I want to go to Penn State. A brain surgeon.

 

Q: Are there any other things you want to tell me about being 12? 

A: I’m almost 13!

 

Q: What are you excited about?
A: I’m in middle school and now I can do the zipline at Wapsie.

 

Q: What’s your favorite thing about school?
A: FRIENDS

 

2023 Summer Vacation: Chicago

 We had planned on a road trip to Yellowstone but once the summer activity schedules started rolling in we knew we did not have time to squeeze in a long road trip. We pivoted to Chicago and had a great time!

Museum of Science and Industry - brief moment of getting along!

Fireworks at Navy Pier

Daily stops at 7-11 for Slurpees.

Willis Tower.

Cubs at White Sox

Fogo de Chao

Huge cotton candy in Water Tower Place.

Willis Tower

Oak Street Beach

Drinks at the Hancock

The Bean

Stopped off to visit the cousins on our way to the city.

Last Day of School 2023

 Last Day of School!

Last day of 2nd and 6th! Will will be by himself at the elementary school in the fall!

On to Junior High!

On to high school!

Evy hung out with some friends on the last day.

I drove Evy, Cade and Graham to school on the last day. They will all be driving themselves to high school in the fall!