Jakes first field trip

Marie made a chicky Halloween costume

Eek!  Chickey laid too many eggs.

Jake put erasers in his ears

And his sister copied

Jake washing his plasma car!

Jake washing the car!!!

Marie says, hey, I am going to work today and I am drinking coffee (it's really tea with honey)

Marie is very hungry, "where is my food?"

Jake eating spicy queso at Chez Zee and it's loaded with veggies and he sees them and likes them!!!!   This is HUGE!!!!!!

Marie is very hungry, "where is my food?"

Jake eating spicy queso at Chez Zee and it's loaded with veggies and he sees them and likes them!!!!   This is HUGE!!!!!!

Marie is very hungry, "where is my food?"

Jakes super cute drawing

Cute Story about Daddy and Jake

A few days ago, when I was out and about with the kids, we drove past Austin Parks and Pizza. It has an enormous miniature golf game. Jake could not believe how awesome it was. He asked me if we could go. Anyone who knows me, knows I despise miniature golf, so I said ask your Dad, maybe he will take you. It was one of those side comments, I was hoping he would forget the place and that would be the end of that.

Sure enough when we got home, he went straight to Daddy and asked, can you take me to the new miniature golf place. And Bill responded with the yea sure, sometime. Jake wanted to go that very second, or the next day. We already had plans, so Bill said maybe in two or three days. Jake latched on to two days, studied the calendar and was ready for his day with Daddy.

Jake woke up around 6:30am yesterday and said, can I wake Daddy up so we can play miniature golf? I said no, its dark, the place doesn't open until 11am. Jake checked on Bill throughout the morning. He decided while Daddy was taking a shower to hide under the covers. He had me tell Daddy that he was hiding but make sure not to look in the bed. When Bill came out Jake yelled SURPRISE. Jake couldn't wait for his special day. Bill made one attempt to try to convince Marie to go, she likes Miniature golf, but not in the 105 degree weather so she politely declined (phew that was a close one for me!).

Anyways, the boys left before noon and came home about 4:15pm. They both had a great time, had tales of TWO miniature golf courses (they played 18 holes on each course), drove a go-cart, played a ton of video games, Jake even brought home a toy for Marie from his winnings. Jake keeps mentioning how much fun he had. Daddy also told us stories on the go-kart of how he passed the little kids on the track and figured out how to not spin out in the turns. They both had a great time. Jake also told Marie she needs to go there, as they have girly rides she can ride too, like a tea cup that spins in circles. Marie said maybe when its cooler outside.

Adventure Day on the Lake with Bridget and Charlotte

This is a picture of cute little Charlotte, she is in love with Jake, no one knows why. Jake is pretty certain he 1. doesn't like babies 2. doesn't like girls and when Charlotte comes running up to him and says "Hi Jake" with a giant smile, we get a grunt from Jake and he walks away.


Lisa our friend took these wonderful pictures of the girls. Marie and Bridget wanted us to go faster - faster - faster. Marie loves riding the tube and we just can't seem to go fast enough. The last ride Bill bounced her all over the waves and she had a smile from ear to ear.

Jake took a turn, but it consisted of him sitting on the tub for about 10 seconds in the water and stating - "I am done".

Bridget on her last ride had me cracking up, she had her face down to keep the water from splashing, was getting bounced all over the place, but where she was hanging on, one thumb was popped up, it was about all we could see....







Fun summer days on the lake are coming to an end!

Marie and I at lunch

Jake knocked down 10 pubs

Surprise!!!!   We went to Chicago for my birthday for Italian beef sandwiches.  

Natalie with water balloons

Marie accidentally order an iPad app for 149.99.  After freaking out we got a refund, phew!

Super Jakey in his cape.  Today was also pajama day.

Super Jakey in his cape!

Mimas face when she realized Marie was taking pictures of her :)

Marie took a picture of Mima.

I had this view the entire 18 holes, they moved do fast.

Cool!!!  We played speed golf with my cousin and her son!

Jake at the Congo miniature golf, we got to feed the alligators hot dogs!

View from room in Daytona.

Jakes new buddy, Sergio.

Sanibel Lighthouse, can't climb it, not to pretty either, but a nice little car ride for Jake to take a nap.

Jake and I visited and toured two war ships -- two thumbs up, he said!

Marie stayed in the hotel watching TV with Daddy, she had no desire to go. There were two boats we toured. This is one that was in a lot of wars and had some real battle scars. Jake thought they were both cool, the other, a Coast Guard boat, sunk a submarine and Jake thought that was really awesome.

When we got to the gun room, he couldn't believe the bullets were almost as big as him. He zoomed through these ships without fear, climbing up and down the tiny ladders and going through the narrow spaces. He told me he was in charge and I was to follow him. He also thought the bedrooms were really small and when he saw where the sailors slept, just in walls of cots he thought it looked fun.

He wanted to be a weatherman, who flew planes and helicopters. After our tour today he said maybe he wanted to be a captain of a ship, since they have to know all about the weather, they can still fly planes and helicopters to get on their ships but then he would also be in charge of a big giant battleship.

At the end of the tours he asked if he could fire the gun or see a battle in real life -- the answer was no of course.

The submarine (lab)

Jake has been anxious to go on a submarine. We haven't found one to ride, but a Eco-Discovery tour (free on Key West, perhaps the only free thing in Key West) had a replica of a Submarine Lab, Jake had a really great time playing inside it. The windows looked real and he could see the life at different sea levels. He loved this place so much, we went back a second time and brought Marie along. She was not as impressed as him, but she did have a good time on the scavenger hunt.

Key West

We got Daddy from the airport yesterday and arrived in Key West. Its a funky little town.

We went to the beach yesterday, but the first 2 feet of water are covered in sea weed. Marie and I emerged from the Ocean looking like sea monsters - it was pretty gross on the beach. I am told most beaches are like that on Key West, we have another beach to try today. The pool was great, it had floaties for us to play with and it was refreshing.

The kids spotted a playground on the way to the hotel, so after we had quiet time, we ventured out to the playground. They had a lot of fun, its all sand under the playground, so they played for a while and just had some good old fashion fun with the other kids.

Then we came back to the hotel, they scarfed down most of a pizza, watched a little TV and went to bed. They are very happy to have their Daddy back.

Hopefully I will manage to take some pictures today.

Pictures from the Dolphin Research Center

Both kids were extremely excited about the Dolphin Research Center. We did the Dolphin Dip. Marie got in for a little bit, but was grossed out by slimy fish. Jake hopped out a few times, but participated and had a great time. When we were about to get in with the Dolphin, Jake said, "Pinch me, I think I am dreaming". He was so excited he was shaking.

The first picture, we are asking the dolphin to swim like a shark.

The second picture, we are having a splash fight with the dolphin.

The third picture, Jake is shaking hands with the dolphin.

It was a lot of fun, both kids pet the dolphin several times. Marie thought he felt like a soft wet boot.

Marie and Jake at Sombrero Beach Digging for Treasures

Digging for treasures

Marie and Jake at the Dolphin Research Center

The Rooster who Greeted us at the Dolphin Research Center

I was not even sure who was chasing who, where the kids chasing him? Or was he chasing the kids? It was a little of both.

Marie is posing at the Dolphin Research Center

Jake is very excited this morning, he is ready to be a dolphin trainer.

Dinner anyone? The burnt pizza.

I put the pizza in the oven and set the timer. I think our oven cooked a little fast, what really floored me, is Marie said, I don't know what happened, I checked on it a few minutes ago and it looked really yummy and cheesy. Luckily we purchased two, and I cooked the second one in half the time :)

Marie making a sand angel.

Jake making a castle.

Marie at the beach

Marie discovered how wonderful the ocean breeze is to blow through your hair and just relax.

Jake is turning into Sandy Guy, he made up a sandy guy song.