Orlando!

I started the post forever ago and stopped because it seemed overwhelming to capture our trip on here. After months of taking a break, I decided to not by so picky and just post it. So there is a slide show, not ALL the pictures from the trip are on there, but enough to capture the fun that we had.

We spontaneously decided to go to Orlando when airfare was $130 round trip. That was the cheapest part of the trip! This is the first time we had taken a "real" vacation with the whole family. It turned out great and we have many wonderful memories of the trip. Here are the highlights.

Spending 6 fun filled days together as a family

Playing so hard that we were all completely exhausted (who knew having so much fun was so tiring?)

Enjoying the fabulous Florida sun

Experiencing the fun of Disney with the kids

Watching the Lion King show

Meeting up with old friends from Rochester

Spending an entire day at the beach (everyone was sunburned, except me)

Watching Phil play in the ocean for hours

Learning that if we don't feed the kids, the turn into monsters!

Celebrating Kaden's 14th birthday at Outback Steak house (his favorite place to eat)

Phil and Kaden getting to ride the Manta at Sea World before it officially opened

The Shamu Show

Learning that our kids melt in high huminity

Getting to go back to Sea World for free the next day

All of our travel went off without a hitch

It was a wonderful vacation. We really enjoyed every minute of it!

Enjoy the slide show.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Official Odd Man Out

Kyson has officially made me the odd man out. I am now the only one in our family that has not had a CAST. They all have, every one of them. . . some of them twice (Kaden, Kambrie). So Kyson decided that he shouldn't be left out and fractured his arm by jumping off a stack of couch cushions. Just after I told him I didn't want him to do it because he might get hurt. . . .
At first he was very excited to get a cast. . . that lasted about an hour, then he was GRUMPY for like three days. And I thought "man this is going to be a LONG three weeks." But he finally adjusted and had a good attitude.

Healing bones makes a boy tired.

Kyson was so excited to get his cast off. He pretty much ran into the Dr. office and jumped up on the table.

And it's off! That is one happy kid.

And the next day we leave for Florida!

Fashion Designer

Kauri has always had a love of sewing and designing clothes. Several years ago Grandma Burton got her a Baby Janomi sewing machine for Christmas and she has LOVED it. Also, while my mom was visiting for a month she got some free material for her humanitarian projects. After she went through material she had plenty to leave for the girls to play with. Kauri had been anxiously awaiting for a day when she had time to sew. So on a Sat. after her soccer game she cut and sewed a dress and little jacket. No pattern. . . just doing what she wanted. She just loves doing it.
I love the fact that I captured her concentrating with lip out and all.

Here is the finished product.

Kaden Turns 14!

April 24th was Kaden's 14th birthday. I can't believe he is 14, wow, time has gone by so fast. He wanted his "big" gift first thing in the morning, which meant I had to get up at a decent time because he gets on the bus at 6:55 A.M! He was very excited about his new camera and off he went on the bus.
He wanted to have cake and ice cream and open the rest of his gift after all the kids were home from school and BEFORE he left for yet another camp out with the scouts.

About the time we were getting ready to do the whole cake singing thing, Uncle Jeff skyped in and so the Burton's in Idaho and Phil's parents were able to participate. I love technology. It was fun to have them here with us.

In addition to his camera Kaden got chocolate, shirts and money. What more could a 14 year old want. Look at all that smoke from 14 candles. Yes, I'm still adjusting to the fact that he is fourteen!!!!!!

Our tradition is that the birthday person gets to choose where we eat dinner. Kaden had his placed picked out for months, probably at least about a year. Outback Steak House. But we couldn't go Friday because of the camp out. So we planned for Sat. When Kaden got home Sat. he was soggy and cold. It had rained the entire night and their tent leaked. He pretty much didn't get much sleep. BUT with his new camera he documented the entire experience, 118 pictures tells the story. Needless to say he was one tired boy. By the time we were ready to leave, he didn't feel like going out to dinner. He was feeling a little sick. The other kids were all looking forward to it and were waiting in the car. . . so we left the poor birthday boy home and went to OUR favorite place El Curumba's and had Mexican food. We felt a little guilty leaving him home, but everyone was hungry and I hadn't planned on cooking (that really isn't such an unusual thing). But he had a great attitude and just needed to rest and get warm. Thankfully he didn't get sick with our trip to Orlando coming up the next week.
He is a great kid.