We have just returned from a very fun family vacation to Orlando, Florida. Jason, the boys and I got on the road after some sickness to meet Jason’s brother Chad, his wife Amber and their 4 kids and Jason’s Dad and his wife Jeanie already in Kissimmee. The boys love time with family and their cousins are some of their favorite people! 
Of course as with any group of children that are around the same age there was some tousling, but all in all they got along great. Games with Papa,
swimming in the heated pool, building fortresses out of Jenga blocks and watching Judah (their oldest cousin) dominate some video games.
Then it was time to go to the Magic Kingdom! I was just about as excited if not more than our kids. (after the anti-climactic reaction when we surprised them with the Disney announcement) Cinderella’s Castle, all the characters, the rides, the shows. I was so anticipating their faces when they saw everything in person. It was as expected, jubilant memories made that they are now at the age to remember for a long time! 
Ben is not so much the roller coaster rider…yet, but Sam hung with Daddy, all until Space Mountain…he wasn’t as excited after the ride as he was in this picture.
Ben and Sam ended up ending the Disney day with fevers and commandeered the stroller from the younger ones. 
Their next 2 days consisted of quarantine in the upstairs infirmary. So glad I had asked their teacher to send them with some work. It gave us something fun to do while everyone else got to go to Downtown Disney or play in the pool. 
After 2 restful days we were ready to go to Arabian Nights. A fun dinner theater that Papa got us tickets to. The kids loved the horses and all the stunts. I have a lovely video of Jonas dancing for the Latin American portrayal of horse back riding!! We got some rest and headed out to Ben’s favorite…Sea World. 
This place has always impressed me. It tugs on my heartstrings and the love I have for animals, and to see my kids love them so much to just makes me happy. Ben is his mother’s son. He has been saying that he wants to be a Whale Trainer when he grows up..he has, since Arabian Nights, added Horse Trainer to the future resume.
This was a fantastic time away with family that we haven’t been able to spend much time with as they have been away over seas for periods of time. So glad we had the opportunity to go. Great memories made and many years of reminiscing to follow!
Oak and Pines 