Day 6: Stake Conference & Smith Grandparents

We had a great stake conference today, despite having to go out with the kids. My parents and Cass were a big help! We enjoyed the talks which seem to center around Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, revelation, following the words of the Prophet, and in general, just seemed very personal to the people of Florida. I was glad to be there.

 After, we got the boys changed and ate lunch at home. We called Austin before heading out to Edgewater and Cadence couldn't stop talking to his dad! He was walking all over the house for what must've been 10 minutes or so! He's really missing daddy.

 We had a good, but short visit with the boy's Great-Grandparents (Smith). It made me miss Austin a little less to see them and we enjoyed catching up. Cadence had a little too much fun with Lily (the cat) and she bit him on the arm.

 Grandpa had a good time entertaining Kory. He spoiled him and let him play with the cell phone (which for Kory, always includes some drool).

 When we got back from Edgewater, we just had another calm evening. Cassie and I encouraged Kory to be on his hands and knees. He's starting to rock back and forth now. The adventures usually end in backward movement, but I'm happy he's making progress. We had fun trying to get him to walk too!

Day 5: The Symphony

 My parents treated me to the Orlando Philharmonic Symphony today! It was nice to have a relaxing morning (and they took Cade grocery shopping so it was really relaxing). We saw the matinee show and I caught a peak of my old high school friend, Kristen. The show was fabulous! It was the film behind movie scores - Night at the Oscars. They did music from Ben Hur, Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, & An American in Paris. It was entertaining and even comical at times. I was amazed at how much more I enjoyed the movies with a live orchestra behind. We also enjoyed some delicious roasted nuts!
 This evening, everyone headed off the adult session of conference. It felt good to have a relatively slow day with not much on my mind. After having left the boys for two events in 24 hours, I leisurely put them to bed and enjoyed spending time with them. Kory didn't eat well from a bottle either time I was gone, so I wanted to stay home with him especially. Erin was in town just for the day practically so we hung out a bit after I put the boys to bed. I started the sing-off and made a treat for everyone when they came back. They filled me in on adult conference, which was all about the importance of eternal relationships. Elder Anderson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is here this weekend for stake conference. A special treat! I was a little bummed not to go because the adult session is always better than the Sunday session. I wasn't about the leave my boys again though and only had a little time with Erin. Still, I'm excited to hear what they have to say tomorrow and also excited at the prospect of seeing a lot of people I haven't seen in awhile.

Day 4: Wedding Day

We kept things pretty low key because it was wedding day. I was amazed how busy I was just being a mom again, changing diapers, meals, playing, etc. It felt good to just relax and play with my kids.

 We had a scare this morning when Kory fell off the bed! It turned out is okay (I feel so relieved and blessed) after Cadence and I said a prayer. It was about 6:30 a.m. and Cadence, because he had gone to sleep so early the night before, decided it was time to wake up. I wasn't really ready to be up, especially to an emotional roller coaster! It was enough that I went back to the bedroom when Kory fell asleep, after Grandpa woke up. Kory and I felt much better after getting a little more sleep and Grandpa and Cadence has a great time together!
 The wedding was wonderful! Fernanda looked gorgeous and it was so good to see old friends, Jana & Kevin, Thea, Eric, and Trisha, plus meet some new people. Unfortunately, I forgot to charge my camera battery so the pics were limited. I'm hoping to snag a few from other people who were at the wedding.

Day 3: SeaWorld

 My parents purchased SeaWorld Annual Passes (because they are practically the same price as one admission) back when my sister was visiting about two months ago. So, Grandpa wanted to treat the boys and I to Sea World as well. Cadence and I were looking it up online to see what we could do there and he fell in LOVE with the dolphins. They happened to be the very first thing we saw!

 Actually, we had a very relaxed morning after a day at Disney and didn't get to SeaWorld until just after lunch. Thankfully, my dad knew the show was about to start and took us straight there. I was glad we didn't miss it. In fact, they knew SeaWorld pretty well and it was nice to get to see most everything with only occasionally glancing at a map.

He was giggling the whole time!

I tried to let him pet them, but gave up when he kept trying to reach further in the pool and closer to falling in!

 After our close encounter with the dolphins, we decided to take them under the take to look at them through the glass. Kory also loved watching the dolphins swim back and forth.

 Just outside, they had a sting ray encounter so you could pet the rays. Cadence loved it!

 Next we saw the alligators, which we learned were given that name because they looked like big lizards. If you look really close there is a lizard on the small rock on the right. The difference in size is amazing! I think "big" lizard was an understatement.

 The penguins were next and I was surprised how many different types of penguins there were. I wanted to learn more about them, but Cadence didn't seem interested in any of the educational parts. So we just watch them. It's so neat how they can swim underwater. Do they actually fly? They have interesting breeding patterns too. In most breeds, both parents incubate the egg and feed the baby.

 We saw some frogs in the gift shop (real frogs) that were blue and yellow. Cade loved watching them. At first he couldn't find them, I think because he was expecting green frogs. Kory and mommy then took a break (hence the lack of pictures) and Grandma & Grandpa took Cade to see the seals and the sharks. Grandma said he kept looking in other people's strollers saying "Where's my kid?" Grandma said, "You mean, Kory?" "Yeah, my kid!"  So cute! Cadence just loves Kory and it's funny to hear him copy is mama.
 We caught up with them in the shark exhibit. They had a cool moving sidewalk that went under the aquarium so you were surrounded by them. A ray went right over top of us too!!

 Next Grandpa wanted to take us to a walk through garden where they have mini-shows and talk about animals. Cade couldn't sit still. Aunt Cassie grabbed a snapshot of the bald eagle and then I suggested we leave.

Flamingos!

Forget me not's - a reminder to Daddy - don't forget us!!

 Cade spent some time running around and then I decided to buy ice cream. I know it doesn't help an already over-tired hyper child, but it did get him to sit still for a minute.

 Then we played an arcade game (got a free pass on our receipt) and went over the carousel, which was kind of cheap. It kept stalling. It was also really dark - dark colors, no mirrors, and no lights. But, the boys still enjoyed it.

 After the carousel we headed over to this play place they have which is HUGE! I always wanted to do it when I was a kid. It's got big nets and slides. It just looked like a blast. Well, it wasn't. I had to take Cade through because he wasn't quite big enough. I had flip-flops on which kept getting stuck in the netting. Cadence's feet are just small enough that they kept getting stuck between the holes. This is something he would've done with daddy and had a blast if he were here.

 When we got off, we saw a spinning up and down kind of ride that looked like fun so we got "in line". Really, there was no one in the line so we were just waiting. Cadence starting running again, so I just let him run through the queue. Next thing I know, I look over and see him running back to me with a HUGE pout, then he finally got a breath in and wailed! His mouth was bleeding and he had somehow given himself two cuts, one just outside his mouth and one inside. It looked like maybe he bit it. Poor kid! It took forever for him to calm down. We headed over to the Shamu show next and took a picture of his little battle wound.

The Shamu show was honestly disappointing after the one we saw last Christmas. Definitely NOT as good. But they had this cool part where you could text your name and picture in, so Cadence got to see himself on the big screen, which cheered him up a bit. He ate a ton while the show was going on and I knew he was tanking up for a long, hard sleep. Grandpa bought them souvineers after the show. Cadence got the dolphin puppet (because he wanted to see the dolphins) and Kory got a Shamu puppet (which was the other show we watched that day). They both really loved them, especially because they squeak. It gets Kory smiling every time and Cade is still trying to figure out how to really work it.
 As we were leaving the park, Cadence was singing the Alphabet Song. Grandma thought it was cute and I told her he was just trying to stay awake. He always repeatedly sings that song if he's trying to keep himself going. To prove my point, when he finished it (for like the 3rd time) I said "Let's sing another song" and started singing "I Love to See the Temple". It's another of his favorites, but if he doesn't want to sleep, he won't sing it because it's usually a bedtime song. I got about to the third word and he started blaring the Alphabet Song again. He was asleep (after many more repetitions) before we even arrived home. I changed him for bed, diaper and all and he stayed asleep. He slept a good twelve hours and had a hard sleep, hardly even turning. Poor guy! I honestly didn't know you could wear that little guy out!

Day 1 & 2: Flying & Kory's 1st Disney Trip!

 Here we are just past Day 2 of this crazy, Florida adventure. Amy's best friend from high school is getting married so we are down here in Florida for only a week, enjoying as much family time and sites as we can, amongst a wedding. Austin had school and other obligations, so he couldn't join us (hence the crazy part - a mom with two kids, BY HERSELF).
 Day 1 went picture perfect! We flew out of the Provo airport and it was so cozy! We loved the short drive and everyone was so friendly. Plus, it just felt less stressful.
 Austin said "Don't worry, people will help you." as I was trying to figure out (out-loud) how I was going to juggle a toddler, and infant, a car-seat, and a backpack onto the plane. Sure enough, they did (thanks to Marna for holding Kory so I could change Cade's diaper & the several ppl with helped with the car-seat and stroller)! There were so many wonderful people willing to help. Cadence didn't sleep the entire day, but he was REALLY good! Kory was ready to eat each time we took off (saving him from the popping ear pain) and was ready to sleep each time the plane was sinking(which means a pacifier and also saved him from ear pain). At least that's what Cadence calls it - sinking, not landing. He LOVED the plane. I broke down and payed for direct TV on the flight. I came prepared w/ my laptop and a movie, but Cade couldn't put his tray table down because his car-seat was too big and I couldn't put it in front of me because Kory kept grabbing and things and drooling on them. It was definitely worth the $6!

Cadence was so excited to see Mickey! He had the hardest time sleeping the night before we left to Florida. He'd lay down for awhile and then get up and say "I'm awake, where's my backpack?" Kory, on the other hand, didn't know much different. Though he legs did get going pretty good, his standard sign of excitement these days. The poor little guy also got a runny nose. Not the best way to spend your first Disney trip. 

We debated whether to go on the boat or the monorail. We ended up HAVING to go on the boat. Cade loved it! We had a great view of the castle and even met some people who grew up in Utah (PG & Bountiful). Weird that's my home now and when I'm here I'm visiting...

Though I tried my best to plan everything, we still had a few bumps. Michael and Malissa met us at Magic Kingdom to get us in (I just assumed it was because it was easier for them, they assumed we were going there to play). We wanted to go to Hollywood Studios. So after taking the ferry all the way to Magic Kingdom, we got our tickets and headed back to the ticket center to get on a bus for Hollywood Studios. So not a good start on a humid day... 

 Cadence LOVED see McQueen and Mater outside though! It was worth it when I started to see how excited he was (though tired, most of the day).
 We heard that Toy Story usually has a long wait and that ride was one of the main reasons that we were at the park, so we headed straight there. The line was like 50 minutes long and we saw Buzz and Woody so we decided to go meet them first.
 They have a really cute queue, with lots of great picture opportunities on the way to meet Buzz and Woody. This was one of my favs (in fact of the whole day)!

"Farwell my Daddy! I have been chosen! I go off to a better place!"

"Rocket's Explode!" "Not a Flying Toy!"

"The Evil Emperor Zurg!"

Definitely Stinky Pete!

1st Disney Trip - 1st attraction even and already so tired!

I debated whether or not to get Cadence an autograph book. I thought, "This is so lame! People waste there time just filling a book with fake signatures when they could be on rides." Then, Cadence fell in love with some characters. Next thought - they should have pictures not just signatures. Then I saw some little girls with cute autograph/picture books. Still, I felt torn. It started to see like a good idea until... we met Andy's toys! When we did, I realized Cade isn't ready to go out all meeting characters yet. He's still somewhat leery of them.

Okay, so he was a little freaked out, but ended up giving Woody a five after mom did and Buzz got a "pound it!"

Next, we headed off the to the Toy Story ride. Another amazingly cute queue! Thanks Disney! It was so easy to entertain the kids inside (in fact, it was difficult to nurse Kory all day because he was so visually stimulated).

 Potato head is animatronic and a real "ham"! We got stuck in line for a bit right next to him and had a great time making him sing for us! The boy behind us in line gave us tips on how to get high scores on the ride.

 Proudly, I won!! - 105,100 points (with a 6 mon. baby on my lap - what now?!). Sadly, my accuracy was only 32%. Mom pulled in at 75,000 and 33%. Cassie was 85,000. I was impressed with Cade's 2,800 points. (A little disclaimer here - I have the best 6 month old baby anyone can ask for! He's so good and he LOVED the ride).

 We decided to wait for the Lights, Camera, Action Stunt Show - where Lightning McQueen makes an appearance. It wasn't until 1:30 (or so we thought) so we had some time to kill. I ate lunch and fed Kory while Cassie took Cade to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground. When he went down the slide he said, "Ah! A spider!" and couldn't stop singing "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" when he came out of the playground.

 Next I took Cade to look at McQueen gear while Cassie ate her lunch. We were busy killing time and didn't even realize the show was starting (even with the car noises in the background). We went back to get everyone and changed Cade's diaper and when we came back, it had already started - we MISSED it! Turns out mom's watch was like 15 minutes slow AND it's started at 1:20 p.m.! I was bummed because we had planned our whole day around this show. But thankfully, we bought Cade's McQueen and Mater toys (you can see him holding them below - a better pic will come soon 'cause he's always got them now) and we headed over to the exit to take pics of the stars.

He liked this photo-op much better than Buzz and Woody, but still was a little weirded out.  

I had originally planned to go to Animal Kingdom after Hollywood Studios. However, we planned to see my brother Michael while he was working on Main Street and I also realized there was enough to do in Animal Kingdom for more of a day trip, instead of half a day. So we headed over to Magic Kingdom and got there just in time to see the parade. We had a great spot right near the beginning and could feel the air conditioning. I started to tear up during the parade - is that sad? 

Celebrate Today (and everyday)! I love Disney's theme this year! 

 

 Then we headed to Fantasyland (which they are expanding and I'm excited - finished in 2012), which was kind of a nightmare after the parade. Cadence and I went on the Carousel. While we were waiting in line, Cadence made friends with a boy and girl in front of us, eating rock candy. His mouth was just watering! The Dad said they had an extra and he could have it, because "We have two kids, so only having one more is not going to work" the mom chimed in. He only ate a little bit and it sure got him going! 

We were close to the front of the line so I had Cade pick the color of horse he wanted. He really wanted the green horse, but somebody took it right before we got there. He had the hardest time picking a different horse to go on, but we finally found one. 

We took a picture of the green horse anyway so he'd have one. 

 After the carousel, we went over to It's a Small World, so we could have an air conditioned ride. I sent Mom and Cassie on with Cadence so I could stay back to feed Kory where he wouldn't be distracted. He ate really well, then I changed his diaper and clothes and wiped him down. He was like a new baby! I ended up missing the ride, but I'm glad I revived him.

We went to the teacups next, which Kory and Cadence BOTH loved. I think Kory enjoys hearing mommy say "Wheee", just as much as he loved the actual ride. We bought some drinks next and I left just after mom from the shop and was looking for her and this is what I started walking towards...

Then I heard her call my name from the other direction and saw...

Uncanny! Mom had a twin - same double stroller, same gray hair, red shirt, and blue capris (and only feet away). Weird!

We stopped at the People Mover on the way out of the park. It helped give Kory a nice little nap before heading home. Everyone was really tired! We didn't get a lot "done" today, but we definitely enjoyed our time together. I was glad I could introduce Kory to Disney. It was so fun seeing him, my little observer, just go nuts looking everywhere and taking it all in. He didn't say much the whole day and I think I wore out the little man.
 Cadence had a blast! I was glad to spent time doing things I knew he'd really enjoy. Of course we had to catch a picture with my bro, Michael, on the way out at the Plaza Restaurant. He's a coordinator now, just under manager, and we are so proud of him! Thanks for working so hard Mike, and for the great day at Disney World!