The Magic Kingdom

Todd's favorite ride:  Space Mountain

Reagan's favorite ride: Splash Mountain

Layton's favorite ride: Pirates.  He rode it four times!

 

Our first ride

The castle at night.

We met Mickey and Minne,  Layton was mesmerized.

Goofy. :)

A picture in front of Walt, Mickey and the castle.
Layton was throwing a nice fit and wouldn't get in the picture.

We met Buzz Lightyear. 
Layton loves you!

Poor daddy carried it all.

Best day of my life!

Princess Reagan

He had so much fun!  He loved Pirates!

Thanks Dad!  You deserve a great big kiss!

Daytona Beach

Friday, we hit the beach.  My kids had never been and weren't sure what to think.  We purchased some buckets and rakes to play in the sand.  It was so relaxing.  Todd enjoyed everything.  He even rode a boogie board on the wavess. Reagan absolutely LOVED the waves.  Layton was content to dig sand, build sandcastles and find seashells. 

Downtown Disney

We arrived!  After driving non-stop for 19 hours, we pulled into my parent's driveway around 9:00 a.m.  The kids were ready to go!  The first place we went to was Downtown Disney.  We loved going through the shops, seeing the characters in the stores, listening and watching entertainment, and eating at the Earl of Sandwich. 



I think Grandpa and Grandma were as excited to show them everything as the kids were to see it.



Buzz is one of Layton's favorite characters

Matching hats!

Loving on Mickey and Minnie

Layton was so excited to ride the train.

Arrgh! Pirates

Reagan and Sleeping Beauty

Todd and the Lochness monster made from Legos.

A family made of Legos

Layton and his pals Woody and Buzz.
These guys were made out of Legos too.

A relaxing boat ride from one end of Downtown Disney to the other. 

Summer Vacation 2012

We waited patiently all summer in hopes that we would be able to go to Florida to see Grandma & Grandpa, the beach, Mickey Mouse, alligators and RAIN.  When daddy finally came home (after being gone for 4 weeks), we hit the road. 

We were really excited!
Well, Todd was. 
All this crying was over wanting to sit in the back seat.

Summer fun with Science

Thanks to pinterest, we found a fun science experiment using soap.  The kids loved it!  We have been showing everyone that comes to the house our fun soap experiment. 

You start with Ivory soap.  I cut up a bar into four squares.

You put it in the microwave and watch.

He is crazy.
Yep, the kitchen is where all the deer heads go. 

Keeping ourselves busy.

In effort to keep ourselves busy, I went to JoAnn's and got a few of their "Camp Crafts" that were 50% off.  Reagan loves to paint and put stickers on anything.  I made the mistake of taking her with me.  That girl can shop!  Every isle we went down she would say, "I need this".  She picked herself out a birdhouse to paint.  She picked out Todd and Layton projects too.  We came out of there with plenty of things for Reagan to paint.  I am so grateful my kids are still young enough that they will do small craft projects like these and enjoy them. 

It took two days even with 100 degree temperatures for that paint to dry. 

Paint by number.

Homemade Icecream

I saw somewhere that July is the National Month of Ice cream.  I don't know who made that up but thanks.  We have an ice cream maker that we hadn't used ALL summer.  I whipped that bad boy out
and made some delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Since then, I have made two more batches.  The kids love to watch the machine as it turns around and around.  It always seems like magic when the liquid turns into ice cream.  

Enjoying the sweet side of summer.

While we were in Arizona, Donelle and I thought it would be a great idea to cook up some delicious freezer jam and buttermilk syrup. She introduced us to buttermilk syrup. That stuff is crack in a jar. I can just drink it by the spoonful. It was so fun to hang out cook in the kitchen like old times. I love her so much for that.

They had strawberries at her local store for 77 cents. 

Letting it sit up. 

The buttermilk syrup.  Messy but so worth it!

This is my loot I took home. 

Summer Bucket List

Climb a tree - CHECK

Hang out with cousins - CHECK

7-11 had a birthday party.

7-11 had a birthday party and gave us all free slurpees. 



It sure made our HOT summer day better.