First Flight

After surprising the kids, we hopped into the car and headed to the airport. Here are the kids looking out the window at our tiny plane - there were only 3 seats total in each row on that plane, meaning there were 2 seats together, the aisle, and then one seat all by itself. I had to duck my head so as not to hit the emergency exit sign as I walked down the aisle.

Emily has been on a plane once before, but she doesn't remember it because she was only 18 months old. None of the other kids have ever flown on an airplane, so they were excited and a little nervous too.

The window seat was the coveted one amongst the kids. 

Personally I prefer an aisle seat so that I can stretch my legs out.

Our seats were the very last 6 on the plane, so when everyone else had disembarked the kids were able to hang out with the pilot in the cockpit.

For some reason the exposure on this picture was horrible, 

so I tried to fix it as best as I could.

We flew to Houston where we were met at the gate by my dad (on the right) and stepmom. Then my brother, his wife, and son arrived (they're the ones, to the right of Julie, bending down to greet baby April whom they had never met before). My sister and her hubbie and baby were the next to show up (they live right there in Houston). 

And of course, the fact that we were all there was NOT a surprise to Julie! I need to teach my brother-in-law how to keep secrets - my kids didn't know anything about the trip until I told them 15 minutes before we left! I think the only surprise was Julie's friend and old college roommate showing up. That's Liz - the one on the left holding the cup in her hand.

We all got to fly together to Orlando. Our seats were all together, except for Chris's seat. He got bumped up to first class - poor soul! Of course then he got to take the baby with him, which worked out great.  (Though I guess I'll have to stop calling her "the baby" soon; she's 14 months old already.)

Surprise!!!

We had kept our trip to Orlando for my sister's birthday a secret from our kids. We woke them up around 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning and told them to come downstairs. Then we revealed the surprise. 

Did you notice that Peter and Laura were about to cry about the idea of going on a plane? It wasn't until we told them where the plane would be taking us that they decided a trip would be fun.

We're going to Disney World!

Well, actually, we already went -- yesterday! My sister's 30th birthday was yesterday. Her husband wanted to surprise her (since his surprise of us coming with them to Paris wasn't a surprise at all) so he invited all of our family to come to Orlando for 3 days of fun. Julie is a Disney fanatic, and this year, Walt Disney World is celebrating everyone's birthday by letting you in free on your birthday! We flew down to Houston where we met up with my dad and step-mom, my brother, his wife and son, and Julie and her husband and daughter, and Julie's old roommate Liz. Then all 15 of us flew together to Orlando.

Friday we went to the Kennedy Space Center and Saturday we hit Disney World. Unfortunately only 14 of us made it to Disney World. My poor step-mom ended up in the hospital! They're still not sure exactly what is wrong - possibly pancreatitis - she's still there now and won't be able to fly home as originally scheduled. Nancy is so sweet - she knew how much my dad was looking forward to going to Disney World and so she insisted that he go anyways. We're glad she has good nurses taking care of her and pray she'll be well soon!

On the Jungle Cruise at Disney World, our boat driver told us a cute joke that the kids are still repeating --

Why does Tigger never walk?


Because he doesn't want to step on Pooh!

I was just doing my hair, and Laura walked into our room (we're staying at a time share resort and we have a double deluxe room - 2 full bedrooms and baths with kitchen and living room). She told me that we (Shad and I) are lucky because we get our own private room. I told her it wasn't really private because we have to share it with each other. She said "Yeah, but when we're not here you get to smooch and that makes it private." I guess she's got us figured out!

A new color?

The other day Laura was coloring with markers. I started to pick the ones up that had fallen on the floor. She told me to not take a certain brown marker because, she said, "It's as close to the color of rocks as I could get. It's a Beijing color."

I had to giggle, because, of course, she meant beige - not Beijing. I guess the Summer Olympics left quite an impression on her!

Joke

My friend Leah had this joke posted on her blog and I just love it.

If you are a democrat who can't take a joke, don't bother reading any further.

A republican and a democrat walk past a beggar. The beggar asks for some money. The Republican gives the man his business card and tells him to go to his office and he will give him a job so he can earn money. The Democrat then reaches into the Republican's pocket and gives the beggar $20.

Remember that old commercial?

The other day I was talking to a friend on the phone. It had been a rough morning and I made the comment "All I want is for Calgon to take me away!" 

Laura was in the room and she asked me, "Who is Calgon?"