we couldn't spend all of our time at the hospital with the kids so we had a full day before i went up with my mom after all of the kids were in bed for a visit with abby and wyatt.
we met up with grandma, big pop and jude at the florida museum of natural history. it was in our price range too - free. the museum almost didn't matter because the kids were in love with the playroom!
manning - who isn't fond of slides - loved this one and couldn't get enough of it.
mason thought that it was pretty cool that he could listen to the 'ocean.'
madelyn really liked using the microscopes.
maddux was using the diorama and explanation signs as a 3d 'look and find.'
the kids loved these giant shark jaws. they were saying how that shark could eat all of them at once - even big pop.
we were all pretty impressed with the butterfly collection.
this was almost a great group picture.
how cute is this kid?
this 'wind tunnel' table was a huge hit with the boys. maddux was excited about using the orange paper.
i thought that we might need to get some pictures with grandma and big pop too.
jude wouldn't let me take a picture until he was "done."
so much love.
on the way back to the house we stopped by a favorite park. it was pretty great (aka shady) and had lots of equipment we don't have around here.
diagonal teeter-totter
manning was happy just watching. i loved his serious little face.
daddy had gotten krispy kreme donuts and hats with the kids and he couldn't get enough of the hat!
when we got back to the house, ford and annabell were home from school and the kids got right back to the fun!
mason
ford and jude showing their moves
and now it was time for the performance! annabell was the director and everyone got in on the act.
and then we all snuggled up to watch frozen (for the millionth time).
ford and i had a great time discussing alternative characters and plot lines that didn't make the movie and then we got silly with the camera on my phone...
for dinner we headed to stevi b.'s - think cici's pizza crossed with chuck e. cheese, "but classier" (as brad put it). the kids loved it! they didn't care that almost none of the games worked and the ones that did weren't all that 'fun'. i love these pictures of ford and maddux with their vampire teeth prizes because maddux looks the same in both pictures!
annabell and madelyn (they are actually the same height, madelyn was just hunched over to hug annabell)
my cousin kristine and two of her daughters came up to see us too (although i failed to get a picture - errg!). it was so great to visit and see everyone. we had to say our good-byes there because the big kids would be at school when we came over to say goodbye in the morning.
my mom came by the hotel to pick me up to visit abby at the hospital after bedtime. it was so nice to actually be able to visit with abby. there was much less crying. both times we were at the hospital wyatt was sleeping (yesterday was during nap time and tonight it was after bedtime) and we had to try to be quiet. they are trying to limit the amount of stimulation he has so that his body can get the most rest possible. again, i just needed to be there. love.
a friend of mine from fort myers had posted about a lunch matinee of sleeping beauty at a local theater in july. since we would be down there i decided to see if any of the dates were while we were in town and there were! grandma thought it sounded like a great idea so we got tickets and when briana couldn't meet up with a school trip due to a dentist appointment, she was able to join us too!
the girls were very excited. briana had been there before so she acted as our guide around the theater. madelyn loves a buffet and it was filled with kid friendly foods.
our little "lady" with cake icing running down her face...
grandma, briana and madelyn
the girls colored on the backs of the placemats while we waited for the show
the show was really good for kids. there was no intermission and it moved along quickly with lots of singing and dancing. when it was time for the kiss at the end madelyn said, "i have been waiting for this!" she really, really liked the show.
afterwards we waited in line to see the actors. the girls wouldn't take pictures or get 'autographs' from the male actors and briana lost interest after the queen, but madelyn couldn't wait to meet everyone.
the girls comparing autographs on their playbills
when we got to the fairies we had to wait to take the picture when it was madelyn's turn because the woman behind us had the fairies start signing her playbill. she was so pushy that the fairies thought she was with us and tried to get her in our picture! rudeness is not just for the 'younger generations'....
it was pouring when we were ready to leave so i took my shoes off and left my back with grandma and the girls to go get the car. we had a great time and i am glad that it fit into our visit. love.
sunday morning we got up and went to church with the family. we had gotten in around 10:30pm the night before so we were tired (especially matt after driving for almost 20 hours), but it wasn't too bad to get up and get going.
madelyn was so excited to get to see her cousins! and i was excited to meet our two new nephews who were born after our last visit two years ago!
madelyn and annabell - instant friends.
madelyn, briana, annabell and ford (not sure if it was humidity or a smudge that made all the pictures blurry)
after church, everyone went home for naps before a big family dinner at big pop and grandma's that night. since the kids weren't tired, they were entertained by big pop and grandma.
feeding the catfish
big pop and maddux watching the catfish eat
and then everyone else arrived. there were 8 kids - madelyn is the oldest at 4 and maddux is the youngest at 9/10 months - it was a little crazy to say the least. uncle brad and uncle josh helped to get everyone riled up too.
braydon and mason at the train table.
madelyn and briana
6 of the kids at b.p. and gma's play area
the serious jude
madelyn and annabell
uncle brad meeting maddux
the girls' table - madelyn, briana and annabell
uncle josh push-ups
uncle josh was already worn out by the time i saw what was going on, but he pumped out a few more for me to get some video. the kids loved it!
josh and the kids ready for brownies
braydon, aunt adrienne and maddux
we had so much fun eating snow crabs (my favorite) and catching up. a perfect way to start our visit. love.
