McKinlee is in 2nd grade

Where does the time go? seems like yesterday she was an infant...then poof Kindergarten...then poof 1st grade...and again POOF 2nd!! YIKES...she isn't a baby any more!! she got the teacher she wanted AND her BFF, Chance is in her class!! and *I* am super lucky there are great moms of great kids in her class!! We didn't have very many hands on in her class last year!! I don't see that as an issue this year!!

a Comparison from last year ;)

Day 1

I typed this backwards to be easier for you to read!! I am trying to remember but it has been a a few days now!! I hope you enjoy seeing part of our trip as much as we enjoyed being there.... I booked this trip back in February...then early summer - Larry and Elaine aka Mamaw and Papaw decide to join us...they had taken their Granddaughter early June and I guess they decided it was just to much fun!! so we added 2 days so that we could have more time with them, since Elaine works in an ISD and has to go to school a week early...I never know what I am thinking when I book flights..ok I do - the sooner I get there, the better...so I booked an 8:50 take off...not really thinking about rush hour...but oh well - Chris wants to leave at 5:30 I say 6 and we take off in the truck about 5:45am - it has started to rain and we stop for donuts at the gas station across the street it starts raining pretty good...MIND you - it hasn't rained here in FOREVER ...we decide to be safe that we would come home and get my van so the suitcases aren't soaked..we do this...and get BACK on the road at 6am ( i knew 6am was a good time) anyway of course it doesn't rain anymore...but better to be safe then sorry!! we get to the Park n Ride about 6:45...we figure that is easier then to disrupt people in taking us and picking us up...so we immediatly hope on the bus to take us over...

we get there and stop so Chris can smoke since he can't in my van - and the bus was literally WAITING for us to get outta the van ;)
we check our luggage and since we changed it...we had to pay the $30 bag fee..I mean seriously WHO goes on a vacation and takes NO luggage!! I mean COME ON..I see taking it from 2 bags per person to 1 - but to pay for the 1st bag...crap - so we check 2 and carry on like 4...but I will stop there that is a big soap box for me...we get through security quickly and are in the terminal about 1 hr before boarding! GOOD thing we didn't leave at 5:30 ...the kids both had a window seat and neither one took a nap...I think we were all to excited!

our wing seat view!! this is not my fave seats...but it is cool to watch on take off and landing!
at the Orlando airport we have to take a monorail to the baggage claim...

Mamaw and Papaw are waiting for us!! we have planned on going straight to Daytona...so Mamaw buys some beach towels for the kiddos...since we had NO room to back any ;) First things first though...Lunch at their favorite NOT in Texas location...Perkins...and then the 1 hour car ride to Daytona Harley Davidson shop, I think the BIGGEST ever...Tanner had just fallen asleep so he was a bit crabby but finally woke up some!!

This is way mamaw and papaw want next ;) Mckinlee says it pretty comfy too!!
Look at this cute Mini Chopper!! tanner really wanted to take it home *giggle*Then to the beach...it was about 5pm so Elaine, Chris and I decide not to put on our suits...but the kids and papaw do!! and they had FUN!!



OH.MY.GOODNESS..this was about waist deep for Larry...he took the pic, I did a fix all and HOLY COW...look at all those fish...we saw a lot flopping out of the water and a LOT of pelicans feeding as well...but YIKES it was fairly clear water, had I had a suit on, I would probably had freaked out!!I told Chris he needed a Henna tattoo...and everyone was excited..but as it ended it was only Larry and I that get one..so we had to get a picture of us..the cool Henna dudes

Since we had an early start and plan on hitting Islands of adventure, we head back towards kissimee, to Mamaw and Papaws rented house!! I tell ya, there are advantages to staying on site, but the amount of room and stuff in this house, it was QUITE nice!! we stopped at the publix and got dinner and some breakfast for the next few days!! here are a few pics of their house!

the garage was a game room and had a screened in pool and "hot tub" although it didn't get hot! All in all a great day!! we had a slight delay with our flight and the tow hitch or something...but our luggage was there, we didn't wait long...the kids were pretty good and we had fun! looking forward to the rest of our vacation!!

Day 2

Mamaw and Papaw wanted to treat us to Islands of Adventure...this is part of the reason we added two days to our trip! We got up and left the house about 9:30 getting to Universal/Islands of Adventure about 10ish...Mamaw and papaw spoiled us...getting 1day 2 park with "Fast Pass" I forget what Universal calls it, that is Disneys name for it...but basically you pay a little and then you get to go to the FRONT of the line!! that was we could do both parks! :) THANK you Mamaw and Papaw! On our way there, we say a Shamu Slug Bug and then the Disney Electric line, aren't they both super cool!

Finally In...get a stroller
..a..n..d..
First Stop...Dr Suess-land...I figured the circle starting this way would be best...Riding the cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish and others...

Then off to the Lost Continent...what cool buildings, I don't remember these from last time - but maybe Ive just lost that memory!! I do remember the Dualing Dragons!! Larry and I rode both!! McKinlee was excited she recognized them from the Bring in On - In it to Win it movie ;)
Then over to Jurassic Park...Last time the car wasn't behind ropes ;)
and the ride...then Comic Book Land...this was a favorite...the building are just awesome! We meet some Super Heros there!!

Doesn't Chris look SOOO happy!! ;) we bought this pick and I was like What the HecK?
then Wolverine...Tanner wasn't to sure of him, but he talk to Tanner a bit and Tanner warmed up some!
we then we went to a girl super hero but she left as soon as we got them..meanie!! after we rode Spiderman the ride, in which Tanner was soooo excited, since he was the 40" minimum - even checked us and then they pulled him OFF to check again...I was like freaking come on!! anyway it is like a 4D - you wear glass and the things moves ALL over, Tanner was quite NOT amusued and really did NOT like the 3d part at ALL hehe...after all we went through to get on it...in his defense that ride almost made me sick and I can usually handle crazy things!

anyways after that we head over to just "universal studios" stopping at the Hard Rock for lunch in between...
Matchbox 20's guitar and pic ;)

about to go in waiting for PapawWe rode Jimmy Neutron - after we saw Sponge bob and got a quick pictureand then Shrek - then we met Shrek/Fiona and Donkey...Donkey was cool we would talk to you!!!
just a beautiful little girl...while waiting on daddy :)
the Woody Woodpecker ride...they rode this OVER and OVER and OVER... they had much fun!!

Chris got to pose with the Delorian from Back to the Future!! the kids had NO clue what this was hehehe
and JAWS...Tanner rode this ride...and actually liked it...he found it funny when the "shoot and burn" Jaws the Driver was all disgusting!! that became a phrase for a few days!! he still wasn't going to get to close to the big shark!
We also rode the Simpsons ride...which Elaine Mentioned she thinks used to be the Back to the Future Ride...and I have to agree after seeing it!! another 4 D type ride!! you are on a Roller coaster and Homer has fallen out!! they put some comedy in it...like about them dying and Homer says...we can't die,we still have $$ in our pocket!! and then something about send all your $$ to Universal.. it was quite funny! we are about finished at ET...which *I* loved as a kid, and I am happy to say BOTH my kids were super excited to ride it...and both talked about it the rest of the night...each had to get an ET doll ;) and we made a plan to watch it as soon as we get home!!

It is starting to get dark, we begin to head out...

As we leave Terminator was about to begin so we decide to do that...none of us were to impressed although they did mix 3 d - with real life...had seen that yet...but it was getting late and really we were ready to go!! we had to wait about 10 mins before the show actually started...
We didn't stay for the firework show, although we could have but as we were leaving Elaine stopped at the NBA shop and I caught this over the Hard Rock of the fireworks...and then we check out how HUGE the NBA players hands are, as they are imprinted in the basketballs below the menu outside!!
walking back through City walk Tanner wants a pic with the Margaritaville Plane!! so I obey this request... not a great pic here, but you get the idea!! then I had to sing about looking for my lost shaker of salt!! being the only drinking I sadly walked by margaritaville - secretly drooling for one!! ;)
Tomorrow is our official Disney check in day! I can't believe what all we have done already and we aren't even suppose to be here yet!! thank goodness for the Fast Pass things, as it was pretty crowded, I hope this isn't a sign of the week!!