Airboats and Alligators

We stayed an extra day in Orlando after our cruise, and I was dying to do an airboat ride! We decided to try out Wild Willy's in Kissimmee. And it was awesome!
All ready to go! So glad they give you these headphones, it was so loud!
It was so cool how those air boats just glide over everything, and you don't even feel a bump.
Our driver was so nice and I learned so much about the alligators and the other wildlife. We went to visit the "Nursery" of the biggest female on the lake. She had three years of babies that stay in this area. I was really hoping we would get to see a big one, but we were there in the middle of the day and they say it's usually too hot for the gators to come up to the surface. But we got to see lots of babies. I tried to point out in this pic where the baby was, but I am not sure if you will even be able to pick it out. It's there I promise. :)
A random cow just hanging out. And nope the alligators don't even bother them. A fun fact we learned.
We made it back! Majorly wind blown, but it was so very cool.
And at their office they have this cute little guy that you get hold.

If you ever make it out that way make sure and look up Wild Willy's.

Cruisin' the Bahamas

(DISCLAIMER: The below pictures include me, 24 weeks pregnant, right in that tubby phase. It is not pretty.)

Back in November Kenny and I went on a Bahamas cruise. One last little fling before baby number four. It was so nice to take a little break and spend time together. I sure do love that guy. Going back through these pictures made me truly miss that warmth when there is a foot of snow outside right now! We flew into Orlando on a Saturday and stayed the night in Cocoa Beach close to the ship port. It was dark when we got there, but when we woke up in the morning it was so beautiful! Our motel was just across the street from the beach so we walked over and took it all in. A great way to start a vacation! I took this pic with my phone to send back home to make everyone jealous. :)
Before we sailed off! That's a Disney ship and Royal Caribbean in the background.
Our first stop was Freeport, Bahamas. We took a taxi out to Port Lucaya, which is like their main square for shopping and hotels etc. A live band was there playing some fun islander music which helps you not forget where you are.
Then we walked to the other side of the hotels and this is what we saw! Seriously so pretty. I have never been to the Caribbean before and was really shocked at how different the beaches were than on the west coast.
We just walked up and down the beach and through the pool areas to site see.
Ahhh, what says vacation more than palm trees and sunshine.
Our boat the Sensation.
One fun thing about cruising is getting dressed up for dinner. It's nice to have an excuse since it doesn't happen at home!
Our next port was Nassau, Bahamas. This place is a little more fast paced and a bigger city than Freeport. The driving was CRAZY! We ended up spending the day at Blue Lagoon Island. It. Was. Amazing. We took a ferry boat ride out to the island.
First site of Blue Lagoon. They have a Dolphin Encounters there where you can swim with the dolphins or Sea Lions. We just did the beach day but if I ever go back, I WILL swim with the dolphins!
This is the entrance where the boat pulls in to let us off.
And the Lagoon where we got to lounge and swim and hang out all day! It was paradise.

And swimming with us were these guys. It was so unreal to have sting rays just hanging out where we were swimming.

It is a very small island and felt so private and relaxing. We walked around the island from one end to the other. See those hammocks hanging in the trees? Lovely right? I'm telling ya, Paradise!
We took a little cat nap waiting for the boat to come pick us up. I kinda didn't want to leave!
Even if you don't pay for the dolphin encounter you can walk all around the habitat area and see them swimming around. They were entertaining us as well. It was neat to see them in the ocean in their natural habitat not in an aquarium.
I highly recommend going here if you are ever in Nassau. I can't say enough how much I loved it!

A couple of highlights from the ship.
Of course the water play area. Kenny tried out the water slide a few times, while I cheered him on :)
And what's a cruise without a little mini golf on the ship!
I am so glad that Kenny and I are able to take a break away once in a while. I missed the little guys but I know they had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa! Next year, new cruise! Hmmm, where should we go??

We did one more thing in Florida before we headed back to the cold. To Be Continued...

October and November

Continuing to catch up...

I really love fall, like really love it! I wish I would have posted about all the fun things we did, but I didn't, so a couple will have to do.

Of course we had Halloween. You can't be a member of my family and not celebrate Halloweeen. This year the whole family coordinated. Although I am not sure where the mexican and his pinata fit in. :)

Landon and grandpa were members of the lollipop guild from munchkin land. Landon was so excited and talked about his costumes for months before. He was even excited to wear that awful makeshift wig. A few people mistook him for a girl, but he thought it was the coolest thing ever.
Glinda the good witch with the munchkin. (Isn't my dad a good sport) Funny story, he never really looked in the mirror all night, and when we were looking at pictures later, he was shocked at what he looked like!
One of my cute little flying monkeys.
And my fellow Dorothy.
Kenny had to work when the other pharmacist got sick. :( We missed him, but I'm sure he secretly was glad he didn't have to join the craziness. I had his costume all ready and everything, maybe next year. ;) This Halloween I did the most sewing I have done for costumes. I made my dress, with out a pattern or anything and it was quite the process. It was so fun to make these things and see them slowly come together. And my boys are so great and appreciated every stitch!
At our home in Clearfield we don't really get tons of leaves. But at grandma and grandpa's there are plenty! Good thing they have some help from these little ones.

Other September Stuff...

Labor day camping at Tony Grove. Having a snack on the big rock.

We went to 1st dam to feed the ducks.


And fishing with grandpa.

and one of many Bubble baths in grandma's tub.

Happy Birthday Landon!

If I want to post anything about this baby when she gets here in the next few weeks I better finally get caught up. And before Landon turns 5 it might be good to post his pictures from his 4th birthday! I am gonna try and make this short, so just a few pictures, even though I have plenty more. Landon turned 4 on Sept. 25. (seriously Sept? I am awful!)
So excited for his birthday muffin!
He chose to have a dinosaur party. We played pin the head on the dino bones! Even some of the adults played this one.
Then of course a little beating of the pinata.
And of course every kids favorite part, present time.
He got so much fun stuff, and I think the one he loved the most was his "Dollars" from Great Grandpa and Grandma Hansen. Pure joy in that kids face.
Everyone got a monster thank you hug.
And showing off the whole loot.
Cake and ice cream. I was struggling with this cake so don't look closely.
But if you do look closely you can see the volcano was really smoking. Landon thought that was pretty cool. A little bit of dry ice can sure impress a kid.

What a sweet boy you are! Sorry it took mommy so long to get around to your birthday post!

Starting School

Jackson started Kindergarten this year and he is absolutely loving it! He goes to a brand new school in Smithfield, Birch Creek. His teacher is Mrs. Hamp and she has been great! He goes from 9:00-12:00 and gets home just in time for lunch.

First day of school

I took him the first day, but the bus was the way to go the second day and every day since. (Except that one morning he missed it, oops.)
My parents house sits off the highway and the bus picks him up right at the top of the lane. He has his own personal bustop.
Walking up the lane.
Waiting at the top. He was so excited but a little nervous. I was having the normal mommy worries that he wouldn't get off the bus after school and would be driving around on some random bus far from home.
But, no worries, he made it! This little dude walked up with me to meet him getting off,
And here he comes! All smiles! He had a great time and one of his favorite things about school is riding the bus.
I can't believe our Jack is old enough for Kindergarten. He is learning and growing so quickly it's hard for me to keep up!