our day

Today was just one of those days. A day when everything that came out of Ryan's mouth just kinda made you laugh. It started out as ryan, owen and i were cuddling in bed, watching cartoons. Ryan informed me that he wanted daddy to stay home with he and owen and he wanted mommy to go to work everyday. Kinda sad to hear it but Ryan has been going thru a daddy stage lately. That, is kinda sweet! He has always been a momma's boy so it is nice to see that he is really liking his daddy. And scott has been working alot lately so i know he is saying that b/c he misses him. We had to call daddy and tell him that right away. Scott's response was "tell me when you want to start. I am ready right now!" Too bad my nurses salary wouldn't cover the bills. Sorry, Scott, you get to keep on working!

Next, we were getting ready to go work out and i thought i hear ryan say "damn" but i didn't say anything. As we were in the parking lot, trying to find a spot, ryan said it again. Ok, he really did say "damn." I asked where he heard that word from and i got no response. I asked him if mommy or daddy has said that word and he said "daddy." right.....and he wants daddy to stay home too. I simply told ryan that we probably should not say that word.

Finally, after owen's afternoon nap, we had to go to the grocery store to pick up mouse traps. Yep, scott say a few droppings in the unfinished part of the basement. It seems like very Fall, when weather starts to get cooler, we always catch one or two mice. Ryan couldn't believe there were mice in our house. he wanted to see them. Then he told me he wanted to hold the baby mice. I told him we put food on the traps and it catches them so they won't be in our house anymore. He informed me that we need to let them stay in the house b/c it is too cold outside for them to live. He has a point. Good observation from a 3 year old, but it's not gonna happen! once we got home, he went straight to the frig and got a piece of sliced cheese out and he wanted to "build" the trap. I told him we had to wait for daddy. I have no part in mouse traps and never will. It's a boy thing....not in my job description! I just pray he does not go to school and share all this info with everyone else!

Sea World/Magic Kingdom

Saturday night, we made our way to Orlando. We got a later start that what we wanted but we made it. We checked into our hotel at the Marriott Village then ended up eating at a Golden Corral. Not the greatest place to eat but traffic was CRAZY!!!! Golden Corral was the closest place....parking lot connected to the hotel...so it only made sense. We all just wanted to eat and then get to bed...we were soooo tired. The beds were so comfortable, compared to the beds at our hotel in st pete so we all slept like babies.

Sunday morning, we were up and at 'em, heading to Sea World. I debated how to spend our 2 days in Orlando but as Ryan and I were talking about the beach, he told me he wanted to ride a whale like Diego. Only made sense to go to Sea World. I think the kids enjoyed it.

Daddy and boys waiting to watch Shamu

This was the big Shamu! He was huge!

Then it was off to see Clyde and Seamore...the sea lion show, the sharks, peguins, and then to the manatees and dolphins. Owen just couldn't take it all! Thank goodness I found this Maclaren double stroller (on craigs list) specifically so O would be able to recline and nap. Ryan looks a little big for it but there was no way he was gonna be walking all day. It served its purpose.

We finished seeing everything by 2 so we thought we would head over to Downtown Disney. Of coarse, the minute we started driving, this happened....

So, Scott and I decided to sit in the parking lot, once we got there, and talk. We had been so busy in St Pete, that we never really got to sit down and chat. It was nice to have "quiet time" and not having any boys interupt us as we tried to talk.

After downtown disney, we went back to the hotel for some pizza then we went out again to go shopping. there was a great outlet mall right next to the hotel. I treated myself to a pair of Joe's Jeans and scott bought a Columbia coat and pair of shoes. Darn, i will regret it once we get the credit card bill but as Scott reminded me, "it's vacation" and we should treat ourselves.

Monday morning, we were up bright and early are ready to go see Mickey. Ryan was not in the greatest mood...as you can tell in this picture, he is covering his eyes.

But he did come around and was ready for pictures as we waited to watch the 3D movie, "Mickey's Philharmonic ??????" (sorry, can't remember the full name). Think this was one of his favorite things....it's what he talks about when people ask how our trip was.

"It's a small World" ride.

Finally, we saw some characters.

Aaahhhhh, Mickey's house!

Owen just couldn't make it very long after lunch.

But 45 minutes later, he was ready to go!

We left the park around 3. The kids were wearing down, and so were we. There was no way we were going to be able to entertain them til 8pm, til the night parade. We headed back to the hotel. Kinda sucked that we had to get back on the monorail, then take the tram to our car, load the car up and drive to the hotel but it was fine. kids fell asleep in the car. once we got to the hotel, both were sleeping and scott and i just looked at each other and said "let's take a nap too." So, we locked the car doors, left the car running with the AC on, reclined both our seats and we all 4 took a nice 45 minute nap. Call us crazy, but that was our only chance for some down time. we knew the kids would wake up the minute we took them out of their seats and, believe me, they needed the nap if they were going to be staying up late for the parade and fireworks!

after the nap, the kids played with their toys in the room, watched cartoons, swam in the pool, then off to dinner and back out to the park. Ryan loved the castle all lit up.

Owen was in awe of the light parade.

The fireworks...although i could never get a good picture.

It was back to the hotel to get some well needed sleep. Tuesday morning we were up packing and out the door by 8am. Flight home was good....although the pilot was not the greatest. very rough landing, but both kids slept thru it!

There is a picture of Ryan and his beloved souvenirs! His penguin**, buzz lightyear, and light up sword. Yes, he slept with all three of them the first 2 nights home.

It was a wonderul trip, just very exhausting! But i would do it over in a heart beat!!!

**side note: ryan took his penguin to the doc office on saturday when daddy had to take owen in for a rash. apparently, ryan lost it b/n the elevator and the car. Scott refused to go back and look for it. Nor did he call me at work and have me look for it. so sunday morning, as i was driving to work, i drove thru the parking lot to see if i could see this penguin. nope! then i walked by the front door. nope. i was looking over the counter at the main enterance where volunteers sit and to my very surprised eyes, penguin was sitting there! someone had found him! Thank the lord. i thought i was going to have to call sea world and describe this dang penguin and have them ship me a new one. well, penguins have at least two lives!

Emily's Wedding

Congrats to Aunt Emily and Beef! They are officially married! We all had a great time. I think this may be the world record for how many pictures there are in one blog but i have to share them. As for this first pictures....well, i forgot to download it. I guess that's not too bad. Out of all these photos, i just forgot one! And it's my favorite....my three boys on the beach. So here we go...the story begins.


Scott, Ryan, and Owen after the wedding ceremony
Ryan enjoying his dvd on the plane

Owen sitting next to papa Les. We lucked out....there were open seats on both flights so we got to bring owen's carseat on and he sat in it for most of the time. He did have to get out, though, and visit a few people on the flight down.

Yes, we successfully survived the flight down. Kids in stroller....waiting for our luggage.

Chatting with everyone while we wait at Tampa Airport to catch their tram to take us to baggage claim.

Ahhhhhh, the beach! As soon as we checked in, we got our suits on and to the beach we went. Both boys loved the beach....the water, sand, etc. It was a great time and just confirmed to Scott and I that there will be many more beach vacations ahead of us. I am thinking Destin next!

All the ladies!

The Wolpers sisters!

The guys organizing their beach football game.

Ryan, Owen, and Kenna Bixler enjoying the sand.

Thursday evening....a happy hour at The Sloppy Pelican, hosted by Beef's parents.

Beef and his dad.

Mom and Dad

Emily and Katie

Kenna and Ryan down by the dock. Don't you love the beer in the picture. Aunt Katie swears she didn't let the kids drink any.

Another one of my favorite pictures.....Ryan and Daddy.

Friday October 16, 2009....It's wedding day!

Dad seeing Em for the first time. Ahhhhh, so sweet.

The sisters.

Oooppppps. forgot to turn the pic. The Kreisel's, right before our enterance into the indoor wedding! Yes, it poured rain at 5:30 so wedding was moved inside. It was still beautiful!

After the ceremony, waiting for family pics with the bride and groom.

One of my favorite pics of ryan and i.

All the girls with the bride

A few of beef's close friends....Lefty, Andy, Jimmy, and Scott

Yes, another one of my favorite pics! Trying to get Ryan and Kenna to pose for a pic. Kenna did great. Lord knows what Ryan was doing!!!!!

The rain did stop shortly after the ceremony so beef and em were able to get some beach photos.

While they were taking their photos, many people went down to the beach for pics of their own...or they stayed up at the cocktail hour, enjoying the free alcohol! Thanks dad!!

Aunt Katie got this great picture!

The Kreisel Family....think this might be a framer!

Owen enjoyed walking around at the cocktail hour. He was just being little Ow-ie. That expression is totally him!

The centerpieces.

Their first dance

Father daughter dance

Ryan, Kenna, and Owen had the best time running on the dance floor. They wore themselves out! Lisa caught these great pics of them running. Hummm, think i need a new camera! She captures such great pictures! Maybe for christmas!!!!

Owen running on the dance floor

Ryan dancing!!!!!! (after he had been playing in a water fountain, hense the wet shorts!)

Midway thru the reception, the kids were completely exhausted. So glad we had Cari's best friend, who lives in St. Pete, come to the hotel to stay with the kids while the adults were able to enjoy the rest of the reception.

After the reception, we all made our way down to the beach. This is one of my favorite pics of Emily and Beef minus the beer can!

Em changed into her "second dress" and enjoyed a more relaxed feel down on the beach.

Some of the guys being crazy....yes, scott is in the blue swim shorts. he and a few guys went swimming at 1am. were they trying to get eaten by a shark??? why would you swim at 1am, when you can't see what's beneath you? blame it on the alcohol!

We were all super tired the next day. Here is owen and mommy taking a nap on our deck. Thanks, Katie, for capturing this one!

Emily and Natalie Saturday night at a local beach bar.....everyone gathered to watch the MU game.

But for the Kreisel's, it was off to Orlando and to Mickey's house! That will be left for the next post....whenever i find time to download pics!

Again, congrats to Emily and Beef! We all had a wonderul time. Everything was beautiful. Em, you were a beautiful bride. I am so happy for you and Beef....two best friends that deserve only the best! Cheers to you! And feel free to start having kids anytime!!! Ryan and Owen would love some cousins to play with, ha ha :)