Thursday, August 11, 2011

Orlando "Children's Wish Network"

Most of you probably already knew this, but in June Griffin was granted a wish from the Children's Wish Network. Griffin's wish was to visit Discovery Cove and get up close to dolphins. They also arranged for us to go to Sea World and Disney World. They flew us all of down, got us rental car, and set us up in a condo for four days. We were blessed with the opportunity and had a really great time.

Discovery Cove was amazing. Unfortunately most of the things we did were wet, so I did not carry my camera everywhere. I have some great moments recorded but we did not get documentation of Griffin's interaction with his dolphin friend Diego, or floating on an amazing lazy river, or snorkeling in a giant man made bay full of fish.

Griffin going into Discovery Cove on our first day in Orlando.

In the aviary looking at and interacting with exotic birds.

Mollie and Griffin feeding a lucky bird.

Griffin and Olive June Checking things out.

Olive June amazed by something but I am not sure what.

Griffin and Olive June petting a bird with animal caretaker.

Mama, OJ, and Fin.



Dolphin souvenirs, yay!

I love my dolphin.

The next day at Sea World we got to see more sea animals. This time Griffin got to feed a few dolphins.

The kids got to climb in a tunnel that lead to the center of a fish tank; Griffin pictured.

Olive June's turn.

Olive June melting down. Griffin trying to be patient. Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries, so this is the end of the Sea World photos. We got feed seals & sea lions, go to the Shamu Show & the Seal Lion Show and see many other animals.

A yummy donut breakfast.

Day three, Disney World Animal Kingdom. The kids standing in front of Rafiki.

Mama and OJ walking on a path.

There was a really cool Safari ride were we got to see many African animals. The kids loved it.

One curious young giraffe walked very close to the truck we were in.

Wildebeests on the savanna.

At the Animal Kingdom there was a section called DinoLand, USA. It was right up Griffin's alley. Here he is standing next to a T-Rex skull in a cool play area.

Griffin sitting on a life-size Corythisaurus.

Daddy helped him climb onto it's head for a photo.

Griffin on a dino-dig. In the background you can see part of the Mammoth the kids were unearthing.

You may have noticed Olive June was absent from the DinoLand pictures. She was so tired that she fell asleep and missed most of it. She was sleeping peacefully with her new Dumbo toy. Before Olive fell asleep we saw lots of animals from all over the world.

On day four we went to Disney World Magic Kingdom. The kids were excited.

Olive June liked the People Mover. It was a nice dry place during the afternoon rain that lasted until after we left.

Griffin just before going on his favorite ride, Stitch's Escape. Olive June's favorite ride was The Pirates of the Caribbean. The kids got go on classic Disney rides and had a great time.

On the way home we got a photo at the airport. We had a lot of fun but we were tired and ready to be home.

Hopefully I will be able to go through the Lake Havasu photos soon. Then I should be pretty much caught-up on this summer's photo extravaganza. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Olive June's B-day & Grandma and Grampy's Visit

So, it has been a while since I posted anything and I apologize to you all. I have been sorting through all the most recent photos lately and I'm breaking them into smaller bits to manage. Between this post and the next, which will be the Orlando trip, there were more than 300 photos to consider. I hope you all enjoy these; I think these are the best of the best. We start this post with Olive June's 3rd Birthday.

Here she is, pre-party, in her party dress.

Look at me, I'm a princess.

Pre-party spread. Notice the unicorn piñata and mermaid, or mernaid as Olive call them, decorations.

Our neighbors, the Eversoles', were gracious enough to let us barrow a miniature jumpy-castle for our living room.

The Kids had a lot of fun.

OJ on the jumpy-castle.

Olive June is enjoying cupcakes with Maybre and her other friends.

Yummy.

Olive June playing kitchen with her friend Kyle.

Olive June with Callie representing one of our Georgia families.

The aftermath of the piñata

Checking out the situation.

Opening some presents with Griffin.

Fun new toys.

More cake eating.

So cute.

The Billings' arrived on the same day as Olive June's Birthday Party. They brought Olive June a music box that she thoroughly enjoyed. Regretfully, this photo is the closest to having a photo of Grandma Kathy; I will have to be more mindful of what photos I have taken next time.

Check this out.

I am so excited.

On Grampy's back.

Reading time.

Griffin "listening" to Grampy.

While Grampy and Grandma Kathy were here Mollie and I got to Myrtle Beach, for a few days, to enjoy our 1oth Wedding Anniversary. It was very nice. We had such a good time we forgot to take pictures.

Next to come: Orlando, FL.