Our Visit to Corinne & Anthony's House

Me, the boys, Mom and Johnny went to visit Corinne and Anthony, who live right around the corner from my mom and Johnny, in Ocala, FL. I've know Corinne since we worked at Lockheed Martin together (well, GE, Martin Marietta, etc...) back in early 1990's. We have remained great friends ever since. They always welcome us into their house, put on a nice spread for us and deal with all my crazy kids! The boys always have such a great time at their house and ask when they are going to go back again. Thanks for your friendship and great hospitality! We look forward to the next visit!

Going back home to New Jersey

One of the bridges on the way home.

John Driving Home

John drove all day and all night long to get us home. He was determined, since he spent the day before being sick all day. It's not my favorite thing to do, drive all night long. The kids dislike it too. We really wanted to stop, but it was nice to just get home after driving all those hourse (21 hrs).

A View from the Backseat

Driving back home...

St. Petersburg Beach

This was the view from where we were sitting. What a view!

Me & Gavin

We went back and forth to the water to get buckets of wet sand to build a sand castle.

Where's Gavin

Riding the waves in

Riding the waves in on Grandpas' back. They really got a big kick out of this!

Justin

Brandon Loves the Beach

Brandon loves playing in the sand and running into the water. This beach was great for that, since the water was only up to your ankles for several feet into the water.

Nicky G

Nicholas having fun on the beach

Nicholas & Gavin Playing in the Sand

Nicholas and Gavin had fun building sand castles at st. Petersburg beach.

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's

Our last day at Disney we had breakfast at Chef Mickeys' located in the Contemporary Resort. It's always a good times and great food at Chef Mickey's.

Goofy and the boys

Goofy was being goofy! He even through Nicholas' hat off his head. Right up Nicholas' alley!

Minnie and the Boys

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I love Minnie. She is funny how she walks and holds her hand out!

Me & the Boys with Donald Duck

Donald Duck cracks me up, because he signs the autograph books "Donald Duck #1!" He does that becase he's at Chef Mickeys!

Magic Kingdom

We didn't really take any other pictures at the Magic Kingdom, with the exception of these. It was pouring rain and windy, so I didn't want to destroy my camera. It was also hard to take any pictures like that. I have my lovely rain poncho on, but it did keep my legs from getting soaked as well. If we didn't pay a fortune to get into the park, then we would have spent the day inside. However, since we had a small fortune invested in this day, we bought the rain gear ($6/each), and pressed on! What troopers everyone was!

Magic Kingdom

John sporting his rain gear with the boys.

Dinner at the Garden Grill

We ate dinner (our first time) at the Garden Grill, hosted by Chip, Dale and friends. This is located in Epcot, the Land. The restaurant actually rotates around ever so slowly, but enough to have the scenes keep changing. You see scenes from the boat ride, Living with the land. It takes one hour to come back to your starting point. It really keeps the kids busy, because they keep seeing a different part that we are passing. The food was great too. It came out family style, all you care to eat at the table. They had fresh bread, turkey, beef, catfish (which we didn't get), potatos, a great salad, which was fresh from the greenhouse downstairs. Also fresh veges from the greenhouse, and a yummy dessert of apple cobbler. The kids had mac & cheese, nuggets, veges and a cup of dirt (chocolate pudding, sprinkled with cookies and gummy worms) for dessert. I would higher recommended this place to dine. Not to mention, the characters constantly come by your table, since the restaurant is in motion.

Me & Mickey

It was funny because Mickey Mouse came to our table, he just stood there starring at us, then he stuck out his finger and started counting all the boys and John. He then took his hand and wiped his brow in amazement. That's when he sat down with me at the table! (Mickey must have been a girl, LOL!)

Me & John with Pluto

Dale with the Boys

Chip with the Boys

Mickey and the Boys

Pluto- Garden Grill

Justin, Brandon, Nicholas and Gavin met Pluto at the Garden Grill

Brandon Enjoyed Dessert

Brandon really enjoyed his dessert - "A cup of dirt." It's Chip and Dale's specialty!

Baby Bunny

We even saw this baby bunny on our way walking to test track. He didn't even move. He must be use to having people around.

Passed Out

Gavin just passed out in the stroller! At least he was able to get a nap in.

Earth Day Sand Sculpture

This sculpture was done out of sand. It even held up in the heavy rain storm!

Pretty flowers

You may even catch a hidden Mickey (or two) in these flowers! They smelled so good too!

Having fun playing in the water

I'm not sure if this was what you were suppose to do, but sometimes you just have to say what the heck! It was hot, and they wanted to get wet. They had fun, that's all that counts. People were looking at us like we were crazy for letting them do this.

Gavin - not so soaked

Gavin was the only one who didn't get totally soaked in the water sprouts! I guess he knew we didn't have a change of clothes for them.

Brandon Soaked!

Nicholas after playing in the water

Justin all soaked

Good thing we had no change of clothes or towels!

The boys playing in the water

Playing in the Water sprouts

Gavin had to lift his shorts up so they didn't get wet!

Me at the Countries

Me, Nicholas and Justin

Walking around the countries

John and the boys

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Beauty and the Beast (prince)

One of the balconies

Brandon, Nicholas and Gavin hanging out!

Our Disney Trip - April 2009

We stayed for the first time at the vacation club villas. We stayed at Saratoga Springs. The room had this great view of the golf course, and we were on the 4th floor with two balconies. Safety man (aka John) didn't like the kids having access to the balconies though. The room was great, with two bedrooms there was plenty of space for everyone. We even had peace at night when the kids went to bed. You can actually sit in the living room area and talk without the kids being right next to you. We can't wait to go back and stay at our home resort - Bay Lake Towers!

Epcot

We went to Epcot on Monday, April 13, 2009. Epcot was having the flower and garden show. They made a lot of different characters out of plants and flowers, which was really pretty. The park was not as crowded as we thought it would be, considering it was a holiday week. We walked around Epcot all day and then we had dinner reservations at Garden Grill.

Spanish Heritage Event

Justin standing next to his poster at the heritage night at Vets Elementary School. He did this project for Spanish Class. Great Job!

Gavin's Easter Bunny Basket

Gavin's First School Project

Gavin's first school project was to make a bunny basket for Easter. He did a great job. Very cute!

Gavin's First Day of Preschool

Gavin's first day of preschool at the PLC, April 2009. He was very excited to go to school finally. John took him out to pick out a new backpack and lunch bag too.