Blue Bonnet Pictures

Some friends and I decided to go to Waco to check out the Magnolia Market.  On the way, we saw some bluebonnets, so to be silly, we took a selfie.  Usually we take selfies of our kids in the bluebonnets, but this time we thought it would be fun if it was the girls.

A little later, we took another bluebonnet picture....

Universal Studios Orlando

We went to Orlando for one of Ellie's gymnastics competitions.  Our first stop was Universal Studios so that we could see the Harry Potter rides and Hogwarts Express.  I haven't been to Universal Studios since Joe was still in law school.  Universal has taken out all of the metal roller coasters and replaced them with automated rides that are mostly just a movie with moving chairs.  Nate was very upset that there were no roller coasters.  It was also extremely cold- record cold for the area.  We were freezing and they couldn't run the roller coasters that they had because it was too cold.

We dud enjoy looking at all of the Harry Potter villages and riding the Hogwart's Express.  Nate even picked out a wand for himself. 

I was glad we went to Universal Studios, but it was so very expensive, and I didn't feel that it was worth the big pricetag.

Disneyworld

One of Ellie's level 6 competitions was at Disneyworld's Wide World of Sports.  I decided to take Ellie and Nate and visit both Disneyworld and Universal Studios while we were there.  We stayed at the same resort as the other girls on her team and we went to the parks with them. 


Since I normally get very motion sick, I have to have Ellie and Nate ride the roller coasters and I sit outside waiting for them to finish.  It's a win/win as I get to read a book or people watch and they get to ride the rides again and again.  I did get brave and ride the Rockin' Roller Coaster one time with everyone.  It was fun, but I did get super ill so it was a one and done thing.

We went to Hollywood Studios with Ellie's team and we also when to Animal Kingdom with just ourselves.  The kids loved all the roller coasters.  Nate was not so happy when we rode rides that were not roller coasters or watched shows.  He would have been completely content to ride one or two roller coasters over and over and over again.

Nate’s Bear

Nate just earned his Bear award in cub scouts.  Here are some pictures of the fun activities he did during the year:

Making pumpkins

Making fruit kabobs

Talking to a police officer, Brother Parrott.  Nate even got to try out the handcuffs.

The Pinewood Derby
This year, Joe and Nate tried a different technique with the pinewood derby, and unfortunatelyit didn't make it so that Nate won.  He did design his own car, and the design was amazing!

Nate’s Last Field Day

Nate had his last field day ever at Broadway.  I got to go help his class and compete with him in the events.  Nate is very competitive and so he loves it when someone comes and competes with him.


He had a great time, and it wasn't unbearably hot, so it was great!

Panama City Beach

Joe and I got away for a weekend to Panama City Beach in May.  Since Adam is now 16, and can drive himself and others around, we felt that he was responsible enough to take care of them for a weekend while we got away.



We stayed in an AirBnb on the beach and went to the movies and slept in and just relaxed.  It was a nice getaway and much needed time for just us.