Florida Here We Come!

My parents bought a time share a year ago (a one-time thing) and they had to use it within a certain time frame. About 6 months ago they decided they had better finalize some plans. They had some different places to choose from, so being the shy and non-aggressive child that I am---I told them they should go to Florida and we would come with!

So we did!......

Thanks Mom and Dad for an awesome trip! When are we going again????

Day 1: Disney World

I did a little research before we came to Florida. We didn't really know what to expect or really what to do. We asked friends and did some Internet searching. We decided that we would just do Magic Kingdom at Disney World. (There are 4 different parks inside Disney World and you have to pay an entrance fee to each one. We decided one was enough for us.)

It was a magical day!

Firs things first...When we woke up it was pouring rain. While we were watching the news the weather man said, "For those of you on vacation here--you picked a bad time. This rain is going to stay around all day." PERFECT. What a way to start the day.

We had to make the best of it though. We decided to put on our rain gear and head to Disney World. As we were getting out of our car the rain clouds parted and the sun came through....and the humidity knocked off our socks (..I mean our crocs!) We put our rain gear in our bags and headed for a day of fuzzy hair! (I decided to just put the blow drier back in the bag...no use for the flat iron either. It would've been an absolute waste of time. Pony tail weather!)

It was a great day! The lines were short and we were able to ride all the rides we wanted too. We ate lunch with Tigger and Pooh (which made Carsen's day!) While we were strolling through Frontier Land Carsen spotted his dream 'a gun'! We bought it for him and he didn't let go of it the entire trip. (We had to convince him on the airplance that it had to go underneath or they would take it away from him. It was the first thing he asked for when we got in the car in Utah).

Carsen's favorite was driving the race cars with his Daddy. The funniest thing happened at lunch...It was about 3 o'clock by the time we finally ate lunch. We had been roaming around the park for several hours by that time. After we were finished with lunch we were deciding what to do next. Out of nowhere Carsen looks at all of us and puts his fist on the table and says, "Okay....I'm tired." We all started laughing because he finally was able to admit he was winding down.....(a miracle!) My parents took he and Myka on some train (for a bit of a cat nap) while Chad and I went and rode some bigger rides.

Everyone had such a fun time! It was also Chad's first time ever experiencing the whole Disney theme park...(he and Carsen were able to experience it together)!

Day 2: Sea World

The condo we were staying at was so close to everything...It was nice to not have to drive a long distance to get to our destinations for the day. Because Florida was 2 hours ahead of the time we were used too....let's just say we weren't exactly "up and at 'em!"

We were disappointed when we arrived at Sea World to find out that the Sea Lion show was closed for the day, because they were 'resting.' Carsen liked the Shamu show, but really h e just wanted to take a nap. He woke up pretty quickly when we got splashed! Although, I think his favorite was playing in the little splash park...

It is such a process to have kids (and strollers and diaper bags and snacks and extra clothes.....) I'm sure my parents were thinking, "Why did we agree to come with them?" This was the day Myka had a blow-out all over my mom's white pants...And of course this was the day I didn't bring her a change of clothes. (I had never had this problem before.) So! I had to go into a bunch of little stores and try to find her something to wear....An hour later we were back in business and ready to see more sights.

Every night when we would get home from our adventurous day we would change into our swimsuits and head down to the pool and hot tub--it felt sooooo good after a long day of walking and more walking.

Day 3: Islands of Adventure

Carsen was afraid of this Dinosaur...until he decided to put his gun to use...

We were given "must" orders by our friends Collin and Natalie that we had to visit Islands of Adventure (Universal Studios)! They were right....Chad and I loved it! The rides there were amazing (and somewhat nauseating)! Luckily we had my parents along with us to watch the kids while we hit every ride. There were no lines and the only thing holding us back were our spinning heads and the hot humidity. (Anyone thinking of going to Orlando---you have to go to Islands of Adventure!)

Carsen loved the Dr. Seuss land (he was a bit afraid of the Grinch) but loved riding the little kiddie rides. It's a good thing he had his gun with him. We decided that gun was the best baby-sitter (and investment) of the entire trip. He was entertained the entire time and was always on the look-out for things to shoot at. He's a boy--what more can I say?

I must say--this day had the most delicious lunch! While Chad and I were out roaming around riding crazy rides (Dueling Dragons) we came across this place to eat tucked away in a Tavern-type atmosphere. The attention to detail at this entire amusement park was absolutely amazing! Anyhow...back to the delicious food...We went and found my parents and told them they had to come eat here. (The sign is what enticed me it said: Smoked Turkey Legs)! After being thrown around in the air all afternoon for some reason these smoked turkey legs sounded delicious....And they were! We all sat there gnawing on these super large turkey legs! (Chad said to me, "You really ate all that?" as he looked at my turkey leg bone....)

By the end of the day we were exhausted and ready to go home. The kids were such troopers (especially Myka...that is one good girl!) As a side note...I can't believe the places I had to nurse that girl.....(It really is good to be back in the privacy of my own home!)

Day 4: Daytona Beach

By the fourth day of our trip we were exhausted (and tired of walking!) We loaded up and headed down to Daytona Beach. We picked the worst weather for the beach, but the best weather for traveling (it was raining). Due to high tides we were unable to drive along the beach (which Daytona is very famous for). Instead we changed Carsen and Pa into their swimming suits and they headed out into the salty sea water. (Carsen said to us when he came out of the water, "This water is yucky.")

The two wild boys had a great time playing in the surf and the sand. Carsen even let us bury him in the sand.

We made a quick stop at the Daytona Speedway to take some pictures, because we are the world's biggest Nascar fans! (kidding of course!)

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty......

Chad has a strong dislike for cats....Maybe it's due to the fact he grew up on a farm and cats ran wild there. I grew up always having a kitty...Now that we have a house (and a yard) we have decided there will still be NO animals (maybe a fish or two in the future). We are not big fans of the hassle (and the hair) that go along with having animals.

My two nieces recently received an adorable little kitten. Carsen loves to go to their house and hold their cute kitten. He will sit on their couch and cuddle the kitten forever! When we were over there recently I turned around to look for him and he had climbed into the baby saucer with the kitten. I thought it was so cute, that I had to take a picture (plus, I wanted to show Chad how much his little boy loves this kitten!) Carsen said to me on the way home, "We don't like cats, huh mom?" I had to tell him we like cats, but daddy doesn't. Carsen said, "They're disgusting." Then he said, "Can I go buy a cat?" I told him to ask his Dad......(p.s. the answer was absolutely no)! Just wait...there will be a day not too far off when Myka can talk and she will go snuggle up to her daddy and say, "Can I have a kitten....puhlease Daddy!" You know the Pecks will have themselves a pet! (It worked for me growing up!!!)

Little Buddies

Carsen is starting to play more of the 'big brother' role. He is always very concerned about Myka and calls her, "Princess." Out of the blue he will comment, "She's so cute." He also tends to tattle on Myka! He will say, "Myka scratched me." As you can see from this photo, both of the kids' faces have been scratched. (Carsen blames Myka) I believe the true story is Carsen was picking his nose and had a hang nail (I totally thought of Katelin and the fire ants!!! In order to understand that you have to read Kye and Kelly's blog). As for the scratch on Myka's face--that would be my fault--I'm so lazy and always forget to clip her fast-growing fingernails:)

Oh, How We Love Our Kids!

We just can't get enough of our adorable kids.....Our life would be so boring without them.....We would have nothing to talk about, complain about, or clean up after!

Carsen Too

I took Carsen with me to get the pictures taken, and I wasn't really planning on taking any of him......(Just some with Myka). I should've known that wasn't going to be the case. He was too adorable to leave out of the pictures. Carsen thought the photographer was a "funny man."

Carsen's latest interests are action heroes. Grandma Gay (GG) made him a cape with a "C" on the back (picture yet to come) and Pa bought Carsen a Spiderman Outfit. He's never seen Spiderman, but he is infatuated! Carsen is also into "drulering" (a combination of coloring and drawing.....drulering). He drulers us pictures all the time and even drulers the letter 'C' and 'E'.

Myka Update

I took Myka to get her pictures taken for her 5-month.....What a joy! She gets more beautiful everyday and is such a happy little girl!


Myka and her mommy dancing at cousin Kate's wedding in August.


Myka and Kallee Olson (our neighbor down the street who is two weeks older). Myka is in the turqoise.


Myka's new thing is to growl at us and anything in her hands--it's so cute that we find ourselves growling back at her. She is a little jabberer and waves her arms and flexes her feet whenever we come near her and makes this "whoo whoo" noise. She is still on a 'roll' and is getting more happy about being on her belly. (In fact, this has turned into her favorite sleep position). Myka has also become quite skilled with her "pinkie" (nickname for the binkie compliments of Carsen). She is able to locate the pinkie and make it to her mouth all by herself! With a little growling of course!

We love our Myka Mooka and can't believe she is 5 months!