Vacation Monday- Universal

The "BIG EVENT"!!   Universal:  Islands of Adventure

Nevin was SO SO excited to meet the villians

and the heroes!!

And he was anxious to see Jurassic Park,

sadly the Jurassic Park River Ride was down for repairs, 

but Nevin always makes fun wherever he goes!

"come'on, Mom., follow me

.....  I NOT scared!" 

oh, what parents do for their beloved children!!

Kevin and I donned our motion sickness patches 

and bravely tackled "most" of the rides.

post-adrenalin explanation!! 

and nope, you're not talking me into going on the Fear Fall

one of Nevin's other goals was to take us on a ride, 

so that MOM and DAD would get wet!

Mission accomplished!

    LOVE this picture.... and yes, I was hiding.... trying to stay dry!  

and......... the MAIN event!! 

Harry Potter's castle.  

We got to Universal early and then "rushed" 

(it felt like the running of the bulls) 

to the castle as soon as the gates opened.  

Only had to wait about 10 minutes.  

Wish I would have gotten some better pictures

....  was having some trouble with my camera settings 

after the "run" to the castle then the wild broomstick ride. 

Nevin got a wand at the wand shop..... 

and I was able to "talk him down" from the $100 Harry Potter robe

..... but it is now on my "to do" list to make one.

  

Nevin has a picture on his phone of him with his wand.....  haven't uploaded it yet.  You'll have to check it out on his photoblog later.  

(ummm... maybe tomorrow night)

It was a wonderful, exhausting, wet day.  

Nevin loved it!!

The Pirate Ship

Ahhh....... the ocean...... the beach!!  

Love the look on Nevin's face in this picture. 

His first time time seeing the ocean.

Yup, the bunny ears are in Florida, too!

"Tenderfoot", heading back to our condo.

Not the usual smile, huh?

I think it was shock.

He couldn't believe it.

The shock is wearing off, he's back to himself!  

There are definitely advantages to being both 

"forever young at heart"and an adult.

When you're "young at heart"

you can get your face painted

..... you get to wear pirate hats 

and raid the treasure chest for a gold necklace.

you get to "get down" with the pirate trainers

and dance with other pirates in training.

But being an adult means you get to have a beer with your dad while cruising on the pirate ship.

Yo Ho Ho and a can of beer?

..... and you can stand on the upper deck with you beer 

and wave at passing ships!

and best of all, if you older than 18 years old

you get to go up on the Captain's deck 

and meet the CAPTAIN!!

And if the Captain considers you a worthy pirate, 

he lets you STEER THE SHIP!!

Yup..... it's Pirate Bunny Ears

and a big day tomorrow........

Vacation......

Vacation.....  finally, we did it!!  we took Nevin and flew to Florida.  

 Can you say EXCITED!!   

It all started at Christmas time, when Nevin got his carry-on bag.  

of course, in his favorite color..... red.

Inside the bag was a book.  

A book about a very big surprise.    

Vacation to Florida!!!

some sample pages from the book

This was a first for us.  Not a first vacation, but it was a first BIG vacation with just Nevin.....  to a state other than Colorado (Kevin's family) or Wisconsin (Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kerry, of course!).    Nevin's second plane trip.    And it was mine and Nevin's first time to Florida.   

Nevin's excitement is so very contagious!!  The people around us enjoyed his "thrill".   

Another surprise after we "booked" our vacation......  

Uncle Craig, Aunt Renee and Aunt Sondra happened to also be going

 to the SAME area, the SAME flights, and staying about 5 miles up the coast from us.  

So we got to share some fun times with them in Florida, too.

yup!! we're here!! ....  Palm trees!!  

tomorrow... a Pirate Ship!!

be sure and check out Nevin's Photoblog for more pictures!

"She makes us better"

He makes us better!! 

who needs a trash compactor?

I love that Nevin is always willing to help out!   he doesn't complain and always seems to find a way to make it fun.    ... and just to explain, he brings in the big blue recycle box, empties the purple "recycler" from  in the pantry and then stands in it to BE the compactor.   :)

Thanks, Reagan!!

Nevin got his first Christmas gift today from his friend, Reagan.  

A Nerf Gun.

Really cool !! 

lot's of bullets

his idea!!

yup, still his idea!  

"who, me?"

"it's ok, Rosie, I put it away!"

Nevin photoblog post

Nevin posted about the HADSA Christmas party.  Lot's of fun and a special girl.    

You can link to his photoblog  about the party   

 here  and here

here is a couple of my favorite picts

Open the eyes!!

oh, my Lord, thank you for blessing my heart today!

Oh, what fun.....

Nevin and his friend, Chris went to a Hawkeye Game last night Tuesday night.  Oh. My. Goodness.  can you say EXCITED!!   When Nevin got home, he was still in his "post-adrenalin" high  (even though it was late... about 11:00 pm and they had a 45 minute drive home).    He was still bubbling, talking, doing his modified cartwheels while he talked, ....   whew.......     

Nevin has been blessed beyond measure by his friend, Chris!!  Chris and Nevin started working together about 6? years ago.   Nevin has learned SO much from his friend!  Chris has been a wonderful teacher, mentor, friend.   

 Nevin posted all of his pictures  and his "stories" from the evening on HIS photoblog.