Our First Week Back Home!

Elektra and I flew HOME on Sat Sept 26th. She did great on the flight here. Leonard and Michelle had bought her a few surprises for the trip, and they worked very well at keeping her entertained.

We had quite the homecoming! There were purple streamers and balloons everywhere!

We got a yummy cake too!

She is fascinated that the cats let her pet them.
 
We took the kids to Universal Studios.

Elektra is not afraid of the characters and loves seeing them. The boys reluctantly went along.

We should all dream of riding on Pink Elephants,

and flying in Red and Blue Fish.

3 straws at once! Slow down! Your gonna get brain freeze!

Water time!

Hey boys, I only want to see this at Universal Studios.

Donkey loved talking to Elektra, but she preferred Princess Fiona.  The boys?

They wanted nothing to do with either one.

Our THINGS

Mike had to work down in Boynton Beach, so the kids and I went with him.

 We took them bowling while we were there.

We all enjoyed it. The kids got bumpers but Mike and I did not.  I could of used them.

 Although I was the first one to get a strike, Mike still won.

On our way back home we stopped at a beach in Sebastion. The kids played in the water until we saw some dark shapes.  Of course my first thought, Sharks! But Mike being brave (or stupid???) decided to get a closer look.  Manatees! 5 of them swimming right up the edge of the beach. We have seen these in the Springs and at the Sea Aquariums, but never out in the ocean in the wild!

They were swimming between Mikes legs, and Zachary even got to touch one.

This guy was out close to Mike. He said he couldn't swim well, but yet he never spilled his beer!

We had a great week home. Every day we walked to the boys bus stop. The first morning Elektra wanted to get on the bus with them, and I told her she was too young, she needed to be 5. She said, "I am 5! I want to go on the bus too!"  She was so sad she wasn't old enough.

But now she knows that when they come home from school, she gets to play with them.

So glad to be home and getting back in routine with Mike and the kids!

Disneyland!

After leaving San Jose we went to Disneyland! Mom flew in and we picked her up from LAX. The lines were not bad at all. Elektra enjoyed most of the rides. At first she put her hands over her eyes and just peeked out at the rides, but by the end of the trip, she was watching and enjoying everything! She especially loved the Princesses. Leonard and Michelle got her several Princess dresses, which she loved wearing. She saw every princess except for Jasmine. We never could find her. She also saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore. I guess I didn't get pictures of those other characters. They all signed her autograph book, and she got to pose with them. The smile on her face was priceless. Her eyes were just lit with joy! I dont know who is more of a princess.. Elektra or Sleeping Beauty? Mom and I were partners on the Toy Story ride. My score is in red. The second time we played. My score is in Yellow. I may have a bigger score on both, but moms accuracy was better than mine. I just shoot. I do not aim. This is why I do not own guns. We went on pretty much every ride. No wonder Mr. Toad crashes. The driver is NOT paying attention! Tarzans Tree House. Splash Mountain. I got soaked. No..Drenched. Not so much on this part, but before, when the boat hit the side and a wall of water crashed all over me. Why didn't I make Leonard sit in front? Mom, Leonard and I went on Tower of Terror. That is such an AWESOME ride! (we are in the back right corner) It was so fun that Leonard and I went again. This is the roller coaster California Screaming. And yes, we screamed. We had a great time there. Then we drove to AZ and have spent the week here. Leonard had to go to work in Utah, so he left Monday. Then Michelle and her niece Tia went home on Wed. We really miss having them around us.

We had a lot of fun at Disney! Of course!

My kids have been spending lots of time at Universal Studios. Which is good since our 2 year annual passes expire the end of the month. 2 years already?? wow. Christmas present anyone? After the boys are done popping all the bubbles on bubble wrap, Caleb wraps himself up in it. Mike tied bungee cords to the chair to give the boys rides. Because they don't get enough at Universal apparently. The boys took this..... And turned it into this. The kids fort. Getting ready for Elektra, the kids took out all the toys in the playroom so they could go thru them and organize it, get rid of small pieces or broken ones. I think they need more toys. Cant wait for all of Elektras toys to arrive. Look, everything is all organized and cleaned up. Now, can we get rid of half of it since Christmas is just around the corner? The other day was National Speak Like a Pirate Day. So they dressed the part too. I got another tattoo while here in Phx. My friend Tim did this one also.

 It stands for Times 2, which is something that Mike and I have said to each other since our very first date. Elektra and I are headed home in the morning!! I'm so excited that I doubt I will sleep much.