Now that's alot of fish

Hank, Tucker and dad managed to get in some fishing the week before Christmas. And by some, I mean plenty. Luckily, on this particular day it paid off. They brought home a cooler full. As much time as they spend on the pier, it doesn't seem like we get to eat fish near often enough. We not only got a good meal out of these, but got to stock the freezer too. Sure hope their luck will continue!

Ride em cowboy

Mom and dad brought a wooden rocking horse with them this trip that belonged to Josh when he was little. Tucker and Sailor both got some riding time out of it when they were little, now its Cutter's turn. He rode it tons while at moms for Thanksgiving but we were so loaded down that we couldn't bring it home with us. Cutter has been on it every day since they brought it, usually yelling, "yee-haw".

Red Horse Christmas Party

Since it seems like I only post pictures of the kids, thought I would throw this in here. It's not often (more like never) that Hank and I actually get a picture together. This was for Hank's squadron Christmas party, which we got to attend with no kids (that never seems to happen either). Big thanks to Allie for watching everybody, I'm sure you had your hands full!

Grand Junction, Colorado

Hank spent last week out in Grand Junction, Colorado for work. It's not often he is sent somewhere that I would like to tag along but Colorado sounded a heck of a lot better than Afghanistan. Had the kids not already missed a week of school for Disney I think I would have taken them out so we could all go on this trip. Hank was very fortunate in that he not only got to go out and get his training in, but had time for sightseeing as well. I want to go just from seeing the pictures, it is beautiful! They took in a hike in the canyon one day which is where most of the pictures came from. Hank said it was exhausting but definitely worth it.

On their last night there, they got to meet some country music celebrities, Andy Griggs and Gary Lear.

Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade 2010

We decided to get out this weekend and check out one of the local parades we had heard about. Chumuckla is little community about 40 miles from here. We had heard about the parade and of course with it being a Redneck parade, Hank was more than anxious to go and see. We drove up a couple of hours before because we read they also held a festival the same day. However, we did not anticipate having to find a parking place for the parade several hours before it started! For such a small community, this was a huge event. I read in the paper Sunday morning that around 18,000 people had attended Saturday, that's a lot of people!

The roads were lined with people tailgating. I don't know that I have ever seen so many confederate flags, camouflage , or beer cans in my whole life.

Bubba Claus

Floats around here typically throw beads rather than candy. Cutter loved it! He would stand with his little hands out waiting for the next float.

Yes, they even gave out moon pies during the parade. Hank was in heaven!

The kids ended up with two ice cream buckets filled with candy. Sailor even got a full size stuffed animal and a my little pony.

Pecan picking

During our trip to NC for the Thanksgiving break we took the kids down to Gum Neck one day to pick up pecans. They loved it and had such a good time. And although Sailor wasn't particularly crazy about eating them, she enjoyed picking them up and toting them in her dress (such a lady).

Hank giving a lesson in pecan cracking (and eating)

Cutter loved throwing them in the basket

It's a very rare occasion to get a picture of all three, especially when they all look happy

I love this picture, except for the fact that Sailor has her dressed completely pulled up holding pecans and Cutter's diaper is so full that it has popped open his pants. Oh well, was a nice try.

Character meetings

On one Sailor's favorite things at Disney was the meet and greets with the characters. She was very patient about waiting in line to meet the characters and have her picture made. She was thrilled about meeting all the princesses and kept telling me how beautiful they were. Cutter on the other hand was a little unsure of the characters. I think their size was a little intimidating to him.

High five for Goofy, I'm still amazed he got near him.

Day 6, Downtown Disney

Our last day in Orlando was spent at Downtown Disney. The day we went they happened to have an art festival going on and everyone, adults included, seemed to have a really good time. One of the things going on was an interactive Lego display. The kids were each given a square with a color pattern on it, they were to place the Lego's to match the pattern and then their individual squares were put on a huge board. Once completed, the Lego's would make a picture that will be displayed on one of the Disney cruise lines ships.

Working hard on their squares.

Some of the Lego art on display outside the Lego store.

I believe they had every kind of Lego in existence at this store. You could even buy individual pieces.

Tucker went to a store called Rides. It's like a Build a Bear for boys. You get to pick your car frame and the various parts and build a remote control car. Tucker had such a good time. Sailor was upset that she didn't get to build one also, she informed me that girls could have cars too.

Forrest found his boat!

Day 5, Sea World

After our 4 days at the various Disney Parks, we spent the next day at Sea World. I love Sea World, I could spend days there. The dolphins are my favorite. I am always amazed at how beautiful they are and how graceful they can swim, especially to be the size they are. We were a little disappointed in the show by the killer whales, but they are still amazing mammals.

We got to feed the dolphins. One of my most favorite things of all times!

Notice how he/she closes its eye when being touched, I love it.

I know the picture is a little blurry, but I was so proud of Cutter for feeding them.

The newest addition to the Shamu family, so sweet!

They are feeding the sharks. Tucker was a little disappointed that he couldn't get closer to feed them, I see a future in the marine sciences.

One of the dolphins in the dolphin nursery.