San Antonio Day 2 & 3

On April 26th and 27th, we went to Sea World.  The kids have known about it for months now, but FINALLY the day came.  They were so surprised because we never tell them where we are going . . . we chalk it up to an adventure!!

Jasmine and Seth waiting for the place to open

Seth, Marianne, Jeremy and Jasmine right in front

First up, we went to dolphin cove to see the hungry and playful dolphins.  We bought some fish and Jasmine threw a fish in the dolphins mouth.  She was took scared to steal a pet.

Seth our fearless and crazy boy did not drop the fish in the dolphins mouth, but proceeded to hold on to the fish while the dolphin put it in his mouth. He was mesmerized by the whole thing and wouldn't listen to us telling him to let go. Thankfully, the dolphin was smart and did not bite my son's hands off.  

Next, we headed to the sea lion/walrus show.  Seth was completely silent and in awe.  Jasmine loved it too!

After this we headed for some lunch where I had a yummy bacon cheeseburger at Seafire Grille.  We had went at the perfect time because it was empty.  After that we went on some rides in the Bay of Play area.   Jasmine rode her first roller coaster called Shamu Express with Jeremy and then me.  We also rode the carousel, rocking ride, ferris wheel.  

Jasmine and Amachi in the Ferris Wheel.

Afterwards, we went and saw the Azul show with beluga whales and dolphins.

To cool off, went to see the Sesame Street 4D show.  The kids liked it although I think the beginning could have been cut out completely.

After this we walked around to the back of the park and watched the giant roller coasters.  We also checked out the penguin area.  We continued our walk and Jasmine got to ride the Journey to Atlantis with me and her Amachi.  It is one of those rides that puts you 10 stories up and then rides you down to plunge into water.  I couldn't believe Jasmine was big enough for this one.  She said it made her tummy go "WHOA".  Well we had made it this far so we decided to see the new One Ocean show that featured all the orca whales.  It was great and the kids loved to see the orca whales jumping and splashing.  I thought the orca whales were awesome, but not sure why they had this video showing in the beginning that for me was a waste of time.

Of course both kiddos got their very own orca whale.  :)

That was the end of the first day at Sea World.  Everyone was tired and we were thankful to have leftover pizza at the house for dinner.

Day 2 at Sea World was icing on the cake - we got buy one get one day free.

First stop, Bay of Play.  The kids played in the splash pads and had a ball all by themselves for quite a while.      Then, Seth got tired of all the water and I took him up this giant playground/net thing.  It was a workout for me and little man.  Jasmine kept playing in the splash pad during this time.  Then a Sesame Street little show started, so Seth, Daddy and Amachi watched that while I took Jasmine up the playground/net thing.  After the show, the characters were out for pictures.

Cookie Monster and Zoe with Seth and Jazz

 

The Count gave them high fives!  They also saw Grover.

After this, we probably rode some more rides before heading to the One Ocean show again.  Jasmine wanted to be splashed this time, so Jeremy and her went down to the splash zone.  Sadly enough they did not get splashed at this show, so Jasmine was quite disappointed.

We left the show right when it was over and ran to the Smokehouse right across the way for lunch.  I will say that I liked this place the least.  Friends, if you go during prime time expect a long line and long waits.  They say it is best to eat during a big show or off times.

 

I took a still from the video of Jasmine going down the Journey to Atlantis ride with Jeremy.

I will have to say this was the best trip ever with our family.  This was the first purely fun trip that we have had since having the kids. We did not have one negative thing to say about the whole thing and the kids did so well and LOVED it.  Jasmine talks about being a orca whale trainer and Seth asks when are we going again.  I will say it is a pricey place to visit with the tickets, parking fees, food, etc, but for us it was worth it.  Our kids have told EVERYONE about their trip and it will be a great time to remember down the road.

San Antonio Day 1

April 25th, we got up early and hit the road.

 
Here is my new perspective in the car.  I sat in the third row of our minivan while Jeremy and Amachi were up front plus kids in the middle.  The third row was perfect for me as I didn't feel carsick when helping the kids.  The only drawback is there is a speaker right next to my head and Jeremy was in control of the music!

First stop in San Antonio, Morgan's Wonderland!  We had read awesome reviews about this place and decided to check it out.  It is a place where children both with and without disabilities can play.  Seriously Jasmine and Seth could do everything there and for as many times as they wanted.  I think that was the best part.  It is a bit pricey, but I consider it to include a donation (the park gives free admission to any child with special needs).

Seth "driving" a car on a track and without a license!

Jasmine riding a horse

Jeremy helping the kiddos at the grocery store

Seth checking out the lobsters

Dark picture I know - Amachi, Jeremy, Seth, me and Jasmine on the train (one of two rides that day).

View from the train as it goes around the entire property

Amachi and Jasmine - yes, Jasmine soaked herself in the water play area. :)

 

Seth riding the carousel with daddy (we might have done this 3 or 4 times)

Jasmine looking beautiful in purple

To top off our first day, we met up with our dear friends Donny and Jody for pizza!  Here are the kiddos - Leah, Cole, Jasmine and Seth.  

Friends from South Africa

On August 7, 2010 - I remember going to Chase bank with Seth and meeting Songe and Ningi for the first time ever.  They were getting their U.S. bank accounts.  They were two students that came from South Africa.  Our small group got to spend time with them while they were in the United States studying for a special business certification.  When I first heard of this opportunity with ICX (International Cultural Exchange organization) to spend time with foreign students, I jumped on it because I think of how my parents came from India to a place that was so very different than home.  I thought that we would get students that came from the corner of some distant land, but Songe and Ningi were from the city and are two of the sweetest and most outgoing people you are ever going to meet.  Their social calendars were always filled and they went on more trips around the U.S. than most folks would do in a lifetime.  When I would hang out with Ningi, I would always think of her as a peer and then I would remember that I am 10 years older . . whoa!  I am thankful for the time we were able to share with them and also thankful for Facebook, so I can stalk them from here!  :)

Songe and Jeremy at Songe's going away party on 05/19/11

The gang - Amanda, Jennifer, Jonathan, Songe, Jeremy, Marianne, Chacko (my dad was in town), plus the kiddos in front -- Adalyn (see her foot), Jonathan, Jade, Abigail behind the green balloon , Jasmine and Seth

Ningi and Songe on their graduation day

Amanda, Adalyn, Abigail and Ningi at her farewell party on 07/14/11

Jonathan and Ningi

Ningi and Jade

The gals for one last time to visit - Jennifer, Amanda, Jade, Ningi, Courtney, and Marianne

Ningi looking so classy!

07/18/11 - The last goodbyes before she left on a plane back home

Airplane museum

On July 12th, the second day of our trip to Galveston we stopped in at the airplane museum which is right next to Moody Gardens.  When Jeremy walked in is when the drool started.  I knew I would have to pry him away from this place.  There were airplanes everywhere and other cool military things.  I would like to tell you some specifics of what we saw, but I have no clue and Jeremy is out.  :)  After looking around inside and out, we went to the gift shop and both kiddos got cute little toy planes that they like to zoom around the house. 

Moody Gardens

On July 11th we headed out to Galveston for a quick trip.  We got a pass to Moody Gardens and went all over the place.  First we hit the Aquarium, then the 4D Dora and Diego 15 minute movie (very cool as we got sprayed with water, blasted with wind, different smells were piped in too) and lastly we went to the Rainforest.  The next day we went to Palm Beach which was awesome.  There was an area where our kids could go down a slide themselves or on our laps.  Also there was a splash pad, wave pool and lazy river.  We then went to the Discovery pyramid (something not worth paying for) and then to the Dinosaur Alive exhibit.  We went back to the 4D Dora and Diego video and then finished with the Aquarium again.  Both kids loved the Dora and Diego video.  Every time we passed the entrance, Seth would yell bideo aka video and Dora!  The aquarium was also a big hit with the kiddos.  I loved the Palm Beach because well that was my first taste of a water park of sorts.  On Wednesday we headed to the beach and played in the sand and water.  Jasmine liked playing in the sand/water and Seth liked running around.  All in all it was a nice family getaway.

Seth, Jasmine and Jeremy in front of the penguins in the Aquarium

Jeremy and Jasmine looking at butterfly cocoons - one was wiggling around too!

Jasmine pointing to a Jasmine flower - Yeah she is our pretty flower!

Look at all the vegetation in the rainforest pyramid

Some sort of lizard in the pathway

Loved these birds!

I think this was the wildest thing about the rainforest -- there were monkeys running loose!  Very cool indeed.

This was in the Dinosaurs alive exhibit which was a tent filled with many large automated dinosaurs.

The cousins have invaded

The cousins invaded Texas territory Friday, June 10th.  Jasmine and Seth have loved having their cousins around.  At first she would drag Kenton around the house by the hand and I finally had to tell her that he might not want to play all the time, etc.  He was such a good sport about it seeing as he is 10 years old!  He even played memory with Jasmine which she thought was so very cool!  Eric (6 years old) is the baby in his family, but Seth would try to convince him that he is the bigger baby.  Seth would follow him around house whining for what was in Eric's hands and didn't understand why Eric would not just give the toy to him. It was pretty funny to watch.  Allyson (15 years old) who is not pictured is Jasmine's favorite.  She loves it when Allyson reads to her before bed or plays dolls with her.  It is so sweet. 

06/12/11 - This is me trying to read to Seth before bed.  It became a party instead!

The two little ones (Jazzy and Eric) got sent away while we got down to business!

Eric with his sweet innocent face!

Mother's Day

Well I thought for Mother's day, I would try and get a good shot of me with the kiddos.  We did pretty good, but it can be like herding cattle.  :)  I am so thankful to be a mom to these two beautiful children.  I am amazed at how God created them so perfect for me and Jeremy.  Their personalities are so fun, they do the most adorable things and did I mention how cute they are?  Thank you Lord for this blessing!