Beaches

I was very nervous in the weeks and days leading up to our vacation because the forecast wasn't showing any days above the low 70s and to me it isn't beach weather until you hit 80.  But, the weather was great and we got to the beach 3 times!!

While it wasn't quite warm enough to go swimming, it was plenty warm enough for playing in the sand.   

So that is what they did and absolutely loved it! 

Aaaahhh... when can we go back?

Cruising

Ahead of our trip, I booked us on a 2-hour cruise on a Pirate Ship thinking that the boys would be very excited once they saw it.  I intentionally didn't say anything to them because I was anticipating their reaction once we got to the docks.

Well, I was the one in for a surprise.  I still question how this is possible, but my boys saw the ship below and promptly expressed disappointment that they weren't going on the double-decker white ship next to it.  Seriously?  Look at this ship!!

There were pirates on board!

They perked up a bit once we were on board (and I told them if the cruise went well maybe we'd take another one on the other boat).  I'm still shaking my head. 

I do believe that Ryan thoroughly enjoyed himself.  In the picture below they are practicing their "Aaarrrgghh."  Check out Ryan's face.  He participated 100% and I loved watching him.  He swaggered, he punched his arms out, he yelled "ahoy matey" and "yo ho ho and a bottle of rootbeer!"

Tyler started to enjoy himself when they brought out the waterguns. 

They both enjoyed swabbing the deck! 

In this picture I asked for their best pirate faces.  Thank you Ryan! 

Tyler did get a tattoo. 

But, he refused the face painting. 

Isn't he cute? 

They went all out on this ship including finding treasure! 

At the end of the day, I do believe they had a great time.   

So, we had to go on the other cruise.  Aunt Sara and Leah joined us on this cruise.  I think all 3 kids were excited about the day.

And, so was I as this was a dolphin cruise.  We got to see LOTS of dolphins!! 

They were very close to us and just kept coming. 

The boys got the opportunity to steer the ship. 

Overall, it was a great way to spend a couple of hours on a beautiful day.  Good call boys!

Easter

This year we spent Easter and Spring Break with family on the Emerald Coast!!  

Our Easter celebration spanned the whole weekend starting with a visit to the Easter bunny.  

There was lots of silliness all week with various members of the kid crew participating.  While others (mainly Ryan) did their own thing.

We had beautiful weather and lots of activity. 

 The cousins colored Easter eggs together.  I think that might be a first??

And, then something new... confetti eggs!  Who knew such a thing existed?  Basically they are hollowed out colored eggs filled with confetti and then closed up with tissue paper.  See?

The kids were excited to smash them on each other's heads.  We should have been more clear and said smash them OVER each other's heads, but we didn't and had a few tears as a result.  Lesson learned.

They did have a lot of fun. 

 Lots of running.

Smash!

I guess I can't think this is too weird considering what the event Dyngus Day is in our neck of the woods.  If you don't know what that is, go ahead and google it.  Pussy Willows and Water Guns.  Why?  I have no idea.  I'm not from here so I claim ignorance.  

On Easter Sunday itself we got to see Ava and Nora sing during services before spending the afternoon at the beach and then dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse.  I have to say, it is a great way to celebrate Easter!

Oops, how could I have forgotten the egg hunt?  What a treat it was that the bunny could hide the eggs outside! 

 

Yes, I tried to get a decent picture of all 5 kids all week.  I don't think I was successful once.

Pinewood Derby

Saturday, January 26th was the long awaited Pinewood Derby.  This was Tyler's 2nd Derby, but first time attending at a local mall.  

Dan coordinated the event for our pack and I assisted with recruiting volunteers to work the event as well as leading them during the actual event.  Suffice it to say, it was a very busy day.

These first two pictures are not mine.  I did not have much time to take pictures and those that I did take didn't come out great because I didn't have the time I needed to set up my camera.  It was quite a day!

I spent the whole day working under that banner with a number of boy scouts, organizing cars and getting them read for the heats which started every 6 seconds or so.  There were 380 participants that day with each car going down the track at least 4 times plus the finals where there were 68 participants.  Crazy.  I never saw the banner above the track until I was looking at pictures on facebook after the event.  

Isn't this track slick?  So much better than last year!

Tyler and Dan worked long and hard on the car.  Tyler drew up the initial design.  He wanted a jet car.  Dan even bought the right kind of saw so that Tyler could cut out his own car.  I am very pleased that Tyler was so involved in the process this year.  I think the results are pretty cool.  He named the car 'Blue Nightmare.'  Yes, he named it not long after attending the monster truck show.

These trays are how the cars were organized for the heats.  The banana car in the middle of the below picture won the people choice award for our pack.  That car was really neat.  Tyler got 2nd place.

Here is Tyler's car getting ready for a run down the track.

Aunt Donna and Ryan were track side cheering on Blue Nightmare.

Tyler came in first in his den of 10 boys which meant he went on to the finals.

Here is Tyler's car from the back.  Check out the orange inside the jet engine... fire!!

Tyler did not place in the finals, but had a fabulous time.  

He's already looking forward to the next Derby.