Frankenstorm

We made it through our first hurricane last night.  Hurricane Sandy starting sweeping through the east coast:    (here)

Colton's school was closed both yesterday and today, and Blake's was closed just today (his daycare provider was not feeling well today, so he is chillin' at home with the rest of the fam).

Yesterday, Eric and I took Colton bowling.  We got to the alley around 10:30 and paid for 2 games each.  Thankfully we got a chance to finish up right in time, since they decided to close at noon in preparation for the storm to come through our town.

How cute is my little bowler?!?

The bumpers automatically came up the sides each time he bowled...  so convenient!

Colton and Daddy looked outside to feel the heavy winds...

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And here's Blake trying to check out the weather as well.

Luckily, we didn't lose any power, but millions unfortunately did along the east coast.  Well, we have a day at home to chill out, make crafts, work on Colton's workbooks, and Blake has his 15 month doctor appointment today.

Hope you and your family stayed safe!

Fall Vacay

The fam and I just took a(nother) trip down to Florida.  I really didn't think the trip would be in the cards for me, since I just started my new job 2 months ago.  But, thankfully I have a really cool principal who let me take 2 days off.

Blake and I spent 2 days at our favorite friend's house in Florida, who I will call the A's (Colton and Daddy were still at home.  They planned to fly down a day later in anticipation of me not getting to come down to Florida at all...  and poop on Air Tran for their $75 change of flight fee in addition to the higher flight cost!)  The A's, consist of my girlfriend, Juanita, her husband, Steve (who Eric and I call "the nicest guy in the world"), and their six children;  Ainsley (9), Isabelle (9), Phoebe (7), Schuyler (6), Tripp (4) and Sebastian (2)...  oh and their new doggie, Rusty.

The kids want another baby (which is not happening according to J and S), so they gave Blake a huge welcome when we first arrived.

top row left to right:  Sebastian, Ainsley, Phoebe
middle row left to right:  Isabelle, Blake, Schuyler
bottom row:  Tripp

They A's just bought their home last month, so my mission was to help them unpack as much as possible and offer any decorating tips if they needed any.  They have been living in homes less than 1/2 the size in the past, so this was a fun project to help out with!

This is their new home.  It is GORGEOUS, besides my little economy car parked out front!

Saturday evening, Eric and Colton came in town, and we checked into our hotel.  Since we have season passes to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, we decided to stay on their property.  Our hotel gave us early entrance admission to Islands of Adventure and Express Passes throughout the day (and I got to ride the new Harry Potter ride and only waited 5 minutes!)

Our hotel was built to resemble Portofino, Italy

We went to the amusement parks a few times (and Colton was 42" this time, even without his special shoes from a previous blog post (here)), our pool (The A's minus Sebastian and a sick Steve even met us one day) and hung out with Eric's twin brother and family who were also staying at our hotel.


Here are some more pictures:

Schuyler (Colton's 'crush') and Colton

Tripp and Colton

Isabelle cooling down in the pool

After the pool, the kids played in the piazza before heading to dinner

Tripp, Colton and Phoebe heading up to the restaurant

...and stopping on the steps to pose

Colton even had Spiderman sign his shirt at Islands of Adventure!

Blake and I, and Erika (my s.i.l) and Keilan flew home early, while the hubbys and older boys stayed for a few more days.  Here are the brousins at the airport on the way home.  Do you see any resemblance?

What FUN place have you been to lately?