Sunday June 29, 2014
Leaving the house at 3:45am was painful this morning!! Wow, that’s early. I just had to keep reminding us all that the reason we picked such an early flight was to be able to land with enough time to go to Busch Gardens tonight! The airport was pretty empty no security line and we even got a little bonus! We were upgraded to business class! No way. We’ve never got to sit in the “cushy” seats before! It was so nice to be able to sit Indian style and not have my knees hit the person next to me! It was a really nice flight! Our second flight of the day we weren’t so lucky. We sat in the VERY last row of the airplane. We were even in the seats that don’t recline! Went from luxury to back of the bus! Funny. We arrived, picked up our rental car and headed out through the green trees of Virginia. We dropped off our luggage and headed to the park! We got there around 5:30 so there was plenty of time to enjoy the evening hours of the park. So nice to back to this beautiful park. We realized it has been about 8 or 9 year since the last time we were here.
Monday June 30, 2014
Today was a totally fun day. We began the morning at historical Jamestown meeting at the visitor center first. First me and kevin and Jadeyn went to the glass blowing place and got to watch the people smelt the glass and blow the glass into beautiful blue vases. At the visitor center we got to see everybody and Jadeyn was so excited to see cousins again. Funny that he couldn’t remember any of their names and he kept calling Jonah Kaleb! We watched a very informative video about settling in Jamestown and then went to hear a walking tour. The guide was so animated and he told us about so many different things about the founding of Jamestown that we didn't know before. The weather here has been a very pleasant and humidity hasn't seemed very oppressive at all. After the walking tour we decided to have some lunch how in the picnic area. During lunch everybody got to stand up and tell about what they've been doing over the last few years. Jadeyn was very cute when he told about learning to ride his bike and about kindergarten. He told everythiong and then promptly fell off the picnic table! Gavin brought a whip that he had made and cracked it so loud! Spencer brought his drawings. That kid is an amazing artist! Jared told about his bees, Papa about his Pickleball accomplishments, etc.
After lunch we went to see the ships. They were amazing to see and it was incredible to think how many people had to live for so many months in such a small area. The Indian village was amazing as well. There was a hut full of hides and furs everywhere. I couldn't believe how soft the beaver specifically was. We got to watch the guy making armor in repairing it.
And then it was time to head to the water park. I think everyone had a fantastic time at the waterpark going down the slides, the wave pool, and everything else. We got to split up a bit so the bigger kids could go on bigger rides and the rest to go and what they wanted. It was a blast! I think everyone's favorite ride was one where the tube was completely dark in black. We went straight from the water park to have dinner at the Golden Corral. It was actually very good and everyone had a blast. The cousins are really getting to know each other well by now, & Jadeyn has fully initiated the other boys with tassels punches in piggyback rides. All in all the day was a complete success I think. Everyone had a great time.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Historic Williamsburg today. We arrived at the visitors center right on time and ended up wandering around the visitors center until everyone else showed up. Doran came today! He had foot surgery not too long ago and has a boot on the he hasn't been able to get around very easily. He arrived on a kneeling scooter it was able to get around pretty good over the rough ground. Historic Williamsburg was very fascinating. There were reenactments scattered throughout the day with the possible discussions that went on among the citizens that started the revolution against the government. We all we found this interesting, but it kind of confused Jadeyn. His comment was: Why was everyone so angry back then? We were much more interested in the actual buildings and listening to the shop owners and workers.
The blacksmith shop was absolutely amazing to see the different tools and fire pits and others that they used. The bakery was fun to talk to the woman about her clothing. We asked if they were scorching hot in that many layers. She said that she actually is cooler wearing the colonial clothing than when she is wearing shorts and a t-shirt out in the hot sun. Pretty amazing. It was pretty cool to learn about the beginnings of our nation.
While everyone went back
to their condos, we had lunch at one of the local taverns. It was in one
of the old homes, they let us down to the cellar where everything was
lit only by candlelight. Kevin had a chicken fried steak and I had a
salad that was incredibly delicious. The seats that we sat in were so
uncomfortable and very very straight back.
When we met everyone to everyone at Shelly’s condo, she was setting up for our family history discussion. Each of us had chosen an ancestor to talk about from our history. We got to learn about several of our ancestors and find out the research that everyone had done. We also made corn husk dolls that were really fun to do. She also bought candy from the 1900s to introduce some of them to the kids.
Then it was off to Busch Gardens. I was a little nervous to do Busch Gardens with everyone because both families didn't have much experience with roller coasters, especially big roller coasters. It ended up being a complete success! We went to the park a little earlier, brought Spencer with us, and took him on several of the coasters and it was so fun to watch his face. He completely enjoyed them and was having a blast and Jadeyn loved having a friend along.
When
everyone else arrived we went on the big coasters as well and had a fun
time. The Griffin was the best one to introduce everyone to! There was a bit of a line so there was plenty of time to get the first-timers a little nervous. All in all EVERYONE loved it even though Shelly's legs were jelly for a few minutes afterwards! 
All in all it was a very fun day.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Full day at Busch Gardens today. We got to the park before everybody else, because we were ready to hit the rides as soon as we could get there. Preferred parking sure was nice since we were the 15th car in the parking lot. We raced over to the kids section and took Jadeyn on a roller coaster several times. Then we did a few more rides before the first group of family showed up. It was going to be a really hot day with the humidity so we really enjoyed the water rides. But Roman Rapids took the cake when it came to getting soaked. It was the raft style ride. Kevin got us spinning so we each took a turn it to get absolutely soaked! It was an absolute blast!
The roller coasters that are still our favorite are the Griffin and Apollo's Chariot. I went with Julie and it was hilarious! She gripped the seat so hard and squeezed her eyes shut for over half of the ride. Finally at the end I was able to talk her into opening her eyes finally so she could see a bit of the ride. She said she ended up liking it after all.
Julie and I hung out with the other kids and did they TidalWave and Flying Carpet several times while the others went on a few more of the big rides. The whole time we've been so impressed with Mom and Dad how they've been able to keep up with all of us kids. It was an extremely hot day with the heat and humidity and we all did great I think. We were able to do a few of the shows today. One was a mix up of fairy tale shows which was pretty fun very entertaining. We ate lunch there. Kevin got a piece of cake that was literally 8 inches tall! We were able to eat half! Everyone seemed to get a little tired around 3 o'clock, Shelly and Julie’s family went home to take a break. Mom and dad ended up staying for 1 more show, it was a British show called London Rocks. It wasn't interesting mix of 60 songs, but was very loud and a little unique.
After mom and dad left, we kinda took it easy and wandered through the animal areas and watched a bit of the cat and dog show. Jadeyn was a bit disappointed because they shortened the show down a lot because it was so hot! We did escape from Pompeii a few times to cool off. Jadeyn dumped two full cups of water on his head and was soaked! Well what to have for dinner when it is 98 degrees? Ice cream. We figured we had such a big lunch today that ice cream would really hit the spot! Jadeyn got a kids loaded sundae and we got the ultimate hot fudge. They were seriously melting so fast, but were soooo yummy. By the time we finished, Shelly's family was headed back and our boy got his second wind.
We let them say what they wanted to do most: water rides. Fun. We let them go on Roman Rapid without us though because Kev and I didn't want to get soaked completely again. (Oh, Julie's family went to water country tonight instead.) Then we raced over to the Griffin for the one last hoorah. Wait, did I say one? Make that six! Or more, we kind of lost track. We went on it over and over and enjoyed it every time. What a great way to end Busch Gardens.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Wow, crazy way to start the morning. We were getting ready, looked outside and saw that it was kinda cloudy and windy. There is a tropical storm headed inland, and it is supposed to make the holiday quite wet. Well, it tried today. It went from totally fine weather to complete downpour instantly! And we're not talking a nice rainstorm, it was torrential! It lasted for about 20 minutes, and in that time, the water was pouring over the tops of the rain gutters. Wow. It stopped and seemed as if it never happened. Weird. When I talked to everyone else who are about 20 minutes away, there hadn't been any sign of rain where they were. Amazing.
Yesterday we felt the heat. Today with the rain it wasn't nearly as oppressive, but still very hot. We decided to all go to water country USA after. While everyone else sent home for lunch, our family grabbed some food at the condo and went straight to the park. Nice to dip into the cool water. We went on a few rides that we missed the other day. So much fun. By the time we were ready for the fast lazy river, we ran into Shelly's family and mom. We floated around with them and had a great time.
We were starving by 6:30, so we decided leave and go get food. We changed and then left to have a hearty hamburger at Hardee's. Great burgers, but Jadeyn was so wiggly that he fell completely off the high stool he was sitting on ! Oh my.
When we got home, the fireflies were just starting to light up!! We found out that Jadeyn is a master fire fly catcher! We created some great memorable moments today. We also watched the bats flying all over above us.
Another fun filled and full day!!
Friday July 4, 2014
During the night we really got to feel the effects of the tropical storm move in. The wind whipped through the trees and the rain came down in torrents! They have evacuated Virginia Beach and the areas along the coast, but we should be affected except for rain predicted throughout the day. Funny thing is, we changed all our plans based on the weather to have a day indoors watching home movies etc, but at the last minute, decided to brave the weather and go as planned. Thank goodness we did because the weather ALL day ended up perfect!! Crazy, but awesome!
We headed to Colonial Williamsburg for the festivities. The banners and flags were waving and the troops were marching with drums and piccolos filling the air. The first order of business was to see the tribute to the 13 colonies. There were about 30 soldiers with muskets that shot off round after round. Then as each the 13 colonies were announced with their delegates, the state song was played and then they would shoot off cannon. BOOM! Each time you could feel the concussion of air in your lungs and if you didn’t plug your ears, they would ring for awhile! Then we listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Capitol building steps and the crowd was full of “Here! Here!” “Huzzah!” and boo’s throughout.
Ready to rally the troops for some family pictures! We seized the opportunity and a nice beautiful tree and started taking pictures! It was actually really fun and relaxed. We did each family individually and then a big group shot. We had to recruit some unsuspecting pedestrians to take the group one!
Lunchtime, what to do? We ended up going to Golden Corral again and it was a riot! Good food and a good variety, but there was a lot of joking and teasing all around. We ended with mom taking pictures of everyone and using an app to age us or make us gain weight! Oh my. Each time she revealed a picture we all hollered!
Afterwards, Shelly and the parents went back to Williamsburg to see one of the museums and Julie and us went back to their place to relax for an hour. It was actually the first break during the day that we had taken so far on the trip and it was nice! We talked, Jadeyn played and me and Julie made 4th of July rubber band bracelets. The few minutes of reprieve was nice to have before heading out to the heat again. Kevin, Jadeyn and I went to see the museum and the funniest part was, we decided to take the shuttle from the visitor’s center and just happened to get on the same shuttle and Shelly’s fmaily and mom and dad!! Crazy coincidence!! The museum was really cool. It was full of stuff from the 1600s and forward: money, silver, tools, weapons, pianos, clothing, paintings, and furniture. It was so cool to look through. We barely had enough time to see it all before it closed. Then the chaos happened. Doran has been a real trooper through this week with is cast, crutches and knee scooter, but the thought of fighting a few thousand people tonight during the fireworks was a bit too much. Everyone else decided that they would watch the fireworks from a school nearby instead of on the palace greens like we had planned. We thought the whole point of being here for the 4th was to experience the 4th right here in the Colonial atmosphere. Kevin and I decided to stay at the greens. It ended up that the school parking lot was closed off, and since everyone had already moved their cars, they lost their parking places back at the Visitor’s Center. Dang. So mom and dad and Shelly’s family decided to go home and celebrate there. Julie and Jared somehow were able to find a place to park and found us! It was awesome to watch the fireworks and festivities with them. The kids raced around with flags and built forts in the oyster shell pathways. They had fun! The fireworks were pretty impressive! The finale went on and on! Nice! Instead of fighting the crowds, we stayed behind, watched the marching troops with their drums and piccolos march by torchlight. Jared brought some sparklers and the kids enjoyed those. By then, it was a nice light crowd back to the cars. It was really sad not to have us all together, but we were so happy that Julie found us!
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Wow, what a week, and it’s amazing that it is already over! It has been one of the easiest and smoothest family reunions that we have had. It has really helped for all of us to have our own places that we could go home and relax in and have some individual family time. We packed up all our stuff and cleaned the condo and headed to Julie’s place. We were all supposed to meet there to say our goodbyes. As it turned out, Shelly’s family wasn’t ready yet and weren’t going to be there until about 9:45. While we waited, Kevin did a little research and discovered that Shenandoah Natl Park is only about 1:45 away! Oh man, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity! I felt terrible making the call to my parents and saying goodbye to Shelly over the phone instead of in person, but we hopped in the car and made a road trip out of it! This country is so beautiful. The roads are lined with thick foliage and tall trees that block any view of what lies beyond. Occasionally you can peek through and realize there is a whole neighborhood just off the road, but you would never know because the trees are so thick! You get the impression that there should be mountains, but there aren’t! When we entered the national park, the road was winding through the trees and it was so beautiful. It was a turbo trip through the park, but it was beautiful. AND, we got to see a little black bear!! Wow! He ran right across the road in front of us! We didn’t expect to see that!
We made it to the airport with a little bit of a cushion and it was a good thing too because we had a little hiccup. We got to security and they ran my back pack twice. Then they escorted me to the side and asked about the contents. I had no idea what they were looking for. Jadeyn started to get nervous too. Finally, they found Kevin Multi-Tool. Oh man. We had thought it was lost in the condo because we searched and searched for it a few days ago. Somehow it had gotten into my bag. Kevin was escorted back out of security so he could track down our suitcase to put it in there. Jadeyn saw this and really panicked. He saw his daddy being escorted out by someone with a badge and started crying. Poor guy. All the security people were watching and came over to reassure him that his daddy was a good guy and he will be back. One even gave him a few of her “smurf” blue gloves as a present to distract him! He was relieved when Kevin made it back!
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