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.  

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.

Easter Weekend

On April 22nd, we headed out to San Antonio to visit our dear friends Donny and Jody plus their children, Cole and Leah.  The drive up was uneventful.  We went during nap time, but the kiddos did not really nap in the car.  We did stop at Bucees (after reading 500 billboards) and got some snacks.  I love that place.  That night we went out for Mexican food and then the kids were pooped, so we threw them in bed.  Now the sleeping arrangement was good as we all slept in one room, but there was one problem . . . Seth!  Seth is our early riser, but normally he talks to himself or falls back asleep.  That first night he woke up around 5 a.m. and realized that his sister and parents were in the same room as him.  He was SO excited to have a sleepover that he didn't want to sleep and even pulled some kids books off the bookshelf while he said "book".  At this point we knew our morning was shot, so we played in the room and tried to keep quiet so everyone else in the house could sleep.  After some breakfast and playing in the backyard, we started what will be known as the busiest Easter schedule ever!  :)  We headed to their family Easter lunch along with egg hunt and pinata (Jasmine and Seth's first) out in the country somewhere in San Antonio.  The kiddos had a blast!


I loved this little windmill.  Jazzy looked so cute!

Jasmine enjoying all the festivities!

We put Seth inside this thing!  It was cute!

Seth's favorite thing was running around outside or inside our friend's home.

Cole found the gigantic egg!

Seth putting one or two eggs in his basket.

Hey he found one!  Now if only he could open it by himself.

Jasmine with a ladybug egg.

Seth's first shot at the pinata . . . Jeremy almost got taken out!

Jasmine's first try at the pinata.

We are all looking at all the kiddos taking a turn at the pinata.  This pinata was indestructible!

After this hunt, we came home and gave the kids a nap.  They were tired!  After that we headed to family event #2 which was right around the corner.  There had a pig, chickens, etc.  We had yummy dinner and then had another Easter egg hunt.  There were tons of eggs and kiddos everywhere.  After that we threw confetti eggs which I never knew was an Easter tradition, but apparently it is.  There were dozen of eggs going ever which way.  After this party we headed home, got the kiddos in bed and then the adults hung out!  Whoo hoo!

The best picture - Seth and Leah sharing the glider at party #2.

The second night Jasmine work up twice screaming as she heard noises which also woke up Seth and us.  Amazingly enough we got them both back to bed each time.

Easter Sunday we headed to their church which was awesome and then came home for lunch before we headed off.  This last picture is of our clan--Leah, Cole, Jasmine and Seth.  It was such fun to watch them play together and for us adults to visit with each other.  I drank so many smoothies (thank you Donny!) and enjoyed every minute of it.  Next time, we are going to have a very relaxed visit as this one was nonstop!  We miss you all already!

Opryland Hotel

On November 23rd, we headed up to Nashville to our usual trip to see the lights at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  It was a fantastic time with the kids despite the late hour.  The place is so magical with all the lights, plants, and decorations.

A family shot in front of the gigantic poinsettia tree

 

Jasmine and I split a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream as a treat.  Seth wanted in on that action in a big way!  :)

Jeremy holding Seth during the water show set to awesome Christmas music telling the birth of Jesus Christ.

 

Jasmine, Jeremy and Seth posing with the horse.  We took a picture at this same spot two years before.

A super gigantic Christmas tree in the background

Jeremy and Seth - little boy was jumping around with glee

The nativity scene outside the hotel

Me and my handsome hubby outside before we got in the car to drive back to GeeGaw's home.