Memorial Day

Christian was at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, treating all the inmates' G.I. problems. I took the kids to the Jacksonville National Cemetery to honor the veterans.


It is a small and fairly new cemetery, so most of the people there had died recently.

We hope our children will remember and reverence the sacrifices made by those who have served and are still serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Endeavor Space Shuttle's Last Launch

We were lucky to win the ticket lottery for tickets to the 2nd to last shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center. This was the last launch for the space shuttle Endeavor. After changing the launch date and time several times, it was finally slated for May 16, 2011 at around 9AM. This meant that we needed to arrive 7 hours before at 2AM. Christian was unable to attend, due to his work duties.

We watched them prep for launch on a large outdoor screen.
There was a pretty large crowd there. Skies were clear and we were all very excited.

We set up our camp chairs and after exploring the center a little and watching a few movies, the kids took a much needed nap until the launch.

We were all very tired, but very excited (as you can see).

About 1/2 hour before launch, a low cloud cover rolled in. We watched the take-off on the large screen and eagerly anticipated our view of the space shuttle as it rose above the white canopy next to the screen. Unfortunately, due to the low cloud cover, we only saw it for about 2 seconds from the treeline to the cloud cover and then it disappeared out of sight. "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyoooooooooooooooooohhhhhhh!" Very disappointing and sad after leaving Jacksonville at midnight, driving 2 hours to Kennedy, and waiting 7 hours until the launch. Well, at least we can say we saw it in person (even if for only 2 seconds)!

The crew (and wannabe crew) of the Endeavor.

We spent the next few hours enjoying the exhibits there.

Could have been so beautiful . . . could have been so right . . . Darn that cloud cover!

Spring Festival at FIP 2011

Amara is in the Mini Company at her dance studio and they danced at a local Spring Festival.

Amara loves to dance. Her favorite style so far is lyrical.

Her company danced to "Fireflies."

They also danced to "Shake Your Groove Thing."

Here is the Mini Company.

Here are the Mini, Junior, and Senior Companies at Wehner's School of the Arts. Some of the older dancers were missing from the picture.

Day 4 WDW Animal Kingdom

Last day at Disney, this year. Looking for some ANIMAL ACTION!

The Everest rollercoaster was SWEET! We rode it over and over and over!

The Nemo show was MORE than SPECTACULAR!

Of course we enjoyed all the animals at the park.

Aleya met Pocahantas.

Dinoland was fun, except that the roller coaster wasn't working.

They had a fantastic parade with giant animal puppet floats.

The Lion King show is always incredible.

Petting a rodent.

An exhausting, but fun day. Too bad the park closed so early.

Day 2 WDW Epcot

Epcot had a garden festival with gorgeous caricature topiaries throughout the park.

I love the giant ride at the Universe of Energy . . . though I could do without Ellen.

A new ride for us . . . Mission to Mars. We'll have to try a few more missions before we'll get it right.

Test track is cooler than Orrin's expression implies.

I'm counting down the years until Amara is ACTUALLY driving. Time flies . . .

Nemo ride.

This is why we don't go to the beach much here in Florida . . . too many sharks.

Orrin used to make this sign when he was around two . . . during Discovery Channel's "Shark Week."

We love NEMO!

It's CRUSH!

I love the "Land" ride where you get to see all the hydroponics and cool plants.

Aleya met Mulan in China.

Viking Princesses in Norway.

We finally attended a Princess Dinner (on whim while passing through Norway).

It turned out to be TOTALLY WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Each of the Princesses came around and talked with our girls. Aleya was in HEAVEN!

The Princesses marched in parade with the children.

Aleya was given a Birthday card signed by all the princesses and a special birthday treat!

We found Rapunzel's tower!

The Beast and Belle in France.

Dad and Aleya posing like the Prince and Princess topiaries.

Photo ops with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Pluto.

Fun firework show at the end.

Orrin couldn't resist the light-up mohawk.

Aleya Duck. (newest Disney Character)