Jamboree, Day 1

We got up at 6 a.m. this morning and headed to the Jamboree. The drive is about an hour and fifteen minutes from Mark's house, but with all the people trying to get into the Jamboree today, it took us 3 hours to finally park. Then, it took about another 45 minutes to finally hook up with Brennan. Remember, there were 45,000 scouts there and about 30,000 visitors today.

Brennan participated in the Indian Lore activities and earned a cool patch.

One of the highlights of the Jamboree for Brennan was the patch trading. He really was excited about some of the patches he got.

He had to be back at his campsite around 3 this afternoon to be there when the Mayor of Orange County stopped by. I got to visit a little with Mr. Crotty myself. Below is a picture of Brennan's troop patch and his number that are at the entrance to his campsite.

Brennan's Patrol

Chris and Brennan at his tent.
In the tent. His bed was the one to the left. I couldn't believe that his tent looked WAY better than his room. I'll have to remember that. ;)

The scouts all marched to the arena and we couldn't sit with Brennan, but we did get to see all of the cool things they had going on. Paratroopers dropped in, jets flew by and all that cool stuff.
Below is a picture of the arena area. There were about 80,000 people there. It was an amazing sight and show. The guy that stars in the show "Dirty Jobs" is an Eagle Scout and he spoke to the kids. His talk was really great, and one of the highlights to Chris and I was that Scouts can get dirty physically, but can, and should remain clean inside. He also talked about scouting forcing him to be uncomfortable and doing things that he wouldn't normally do. EXACTLY! We loved it!

We're off!

After a crazy morning of driving one hour each way to meet Mom to get Greyson back and to give her Aislinn, I arrived at the office to find out that Chris had to leave at 10:30 to go to Lake Mary to get the guy selling Nancy (Mom) her house to sign the papers.

WHAT?

Leaving at 10:30 to go to Lake Mary that is 30 minutes away to get this guy to sign the closing documents. Somehow, I'm seeing that we will not be leaving Mount Dora at 11:30 as planned to catch our 2:30 flight to Virginia.

I remained calm. Then I discovered that in all my haste to leave the house this morning, I even left our suitcases in our bedroom. So, I had to go back home.

Chris arrived back at the office at 12:40 and we sped, yes, sped to Orlando International Airport. Luckily, I had printed the boarding passes yesterday, and we just carried our bags on. We arrived at the gate about 10 minutes before they closed it down.

Icing on the cake? Of course!

On our way to the airport, we are dealing with our lender on the new building because they are not wanting to release the money for the build-out until it has already been done. Meaning, that we have to front the money to our contractor. Umm, we just spent all of our money and we don't have any more to 'front' to our contractor. It's in the paperwork...

Craziness! But, we made it to Richmond, rented our car, ate dinner at Red Lobster and arrived at Mark's around 8.

Tomorrow, Jamboree fun!

Shipley Law Firm

It has been a year long process, I'm not kidding, we've really being going about this for a year, but we finally closed!

Now, we just need to finish building it out, which will hopefully take 45 days, and we're in! Great things are about to happen...

I took this second picture kinda from the side so you could see that it is an "L" shape. There are 3 sections in the back, all attached, that we will hopefully be able to rent out. The front, where we will occupy is about 3600 square feet and the back, is also that size but divided into 3 sections. We will have a long commute though, a whole 3 miles!

Transfer

I picked up Kerstyn today and left Greyson with Yoo-Ma. It was a quick transfer as I needed to get back to be ready to go to the closing of our business building. We're praying that it closes today.

Anyway, Gryeson will be staying with Yoo-Ma until Friday morning where I will transfer again. Aislinn will then go with Yoo-Ma, Greyson will come back and Aislinn will stay with Yoo-Ma and Papa until we get back from Virginia. I am scheduled to pick her up next Tuesday. Busy, busy, busy.

Pioneer Day Picture

I am on the activities committee again, as you know. So, we as a committee worked hard putting together an activity that we thought the ward would appreciate. Lew Clayton took pictures of all the families in attendance and he had cute costumes that we could wear too. Well, today, he brought the pictures to church for us to have. I absolutely LOVE ours. It is too cute!

Busy Saturday

Chris, Brennan and I were up until 1:30 this morning making sure everything was ready. We all woke up again at 5 to get him off on his way. I took this picture right before they got in the car to leave.

Chris and Brennan drove to The First Baptist Church of Orlando, where 7 charter buses headed out with 250 Scouts and 28 leaders. Below is Brennan on the bus and the buses leaving.

I teared up a little when I said good-bye to him this morning, and Chris said he teared up a little in his car when he took this picture. I'm not really sad, but it was a long journey to get this far and we know that he is making memories of a lifetime the next ten days.

We put Brennan on a wait list two and a half years ago for this event and he has been having meetings and preparing, physically, mentally and emotionally for over a year.

Later this morning, I took the 3 kids we have left to the gym and they got their faces painted and jumped in the bouncy house while I cycled some stress away.

Tonight: Chris and I are having a date and going to watch Salt. I'm looking forward to it.

Jessie and Woody

Yes, this is my bed.

That is where Greyson and Aislinn say they need to 'sleep'. Cute.

Kerstyn's turn

She's gone and already having fun. Good for her!

Not enough time

I haven't even had enough time to blog. That makes me sad.

Brennan leaves for the Jamboree Saturday morning at 7.

Kerstyn is getting dropped off with my mother tomorrow morning. I am scheduled to pick her up Tuesday morning.

We're still right in the heat of purchasing our building for our business which is super stressful. Top top it off, we are also trying to help Chris' mom with her purchase to move over here. Both of these purchases have to be completed by the end of July.

We are also supposed to go to Virginia next Thursday so we can visit Brennan but Chris just had a hearing scheduled on that Thursday evening in Jacksonville. So, now what do we do?

This plain crazy!

Aislinn and Shelby

Shelby is so sweet and patient. Aislinn hooks on the leash and drags poor Shelby all around the house. Here she is posing for the camera.

A first and some comments

Brennan gave his first talk during sacrament meeting today. I believe that he did a great job. He spoke clearly and slowly and on a topic that he has a testimony of, the Holy Ghost. I had to sit behind him on the stand today because the choir sang prelude music and a special musical number. I was a little embarrassed though because I sat back there super emotional.

I was thinking this among other things: Wow, my oldest child, a son, holding the priesthood, is up there speaking and bearing his testimony. I pray as his mother that I don't mess him up too much. I want nothing more than eternal family.

Next: I had a semi-meltdown today in Primary. I was filling in for Debbie and doing the music instead of playing the piano and I failed. Miserably. My children were acting up and I ended up having to take Aislinn out in the middle of a song. I then dealt with Lauklan who was already out in the hallway with his teacher because he couldn't seem to behave either.

I was embarrassed and upset. Still am. :(

Chris and Brennan are in Winter Garden right now at Brennan's last Jamboree Troop meeting. He leaves for Virginia this Saturday. I'm excited and worried at the same time. I pray, and I mean literally pray, that he will be safe and make memories of a lifetime.

Finally: While sitting at the kitchen table a few minutes ago, Greyson was playing with and adjusting his new "Woody" doll. Aislinn proceeds to ask him, "Greyson, do you like that new Woody? To which Greyson replies, "No, I LOVE it!"

Cute.

Anniversary Sale

I went and I conquered!

I headed to Nordstrom this morning bright and early. The store is having their Anniversary Sale and I needed to see what I couldn't live without.

So, this morning at 8, I left and drove about an hour to our nearest store.

I took care of some serious shopping business.

I did leave a few items for you though, but you better hurry...

Random

I'm scared to death about the purchase of this new office building. Its a great deal, but scary none the less. I know that you get reward when taking a risk. I know that Chris knows how to run a business and that we will be successful, but it is scary. Period. Downright frightening.

Next.

I got Brennan back today. He had a great time at Mom and Dad's but I think he's glad to be back home too. I'm sure by tomorrow morning he'll be grumpy at one of his siblings for sure, but as of right now, he's still glad to see them.
As you can see, Brennan is taller than Mom and me. I even had on heels!

I'm getting older

I used to be able to spend 12 hours at Disney and still feel somewhat normal the next day.

Nope, not anymore.

I am dragging. But, I'm glad that we went and had such a good time. However, it would have been nice to have Chris and Brennan with us.

I guess we'll have to do it again, just do make sure nobody misses all the fun.

He's 9!

He's 9 and I can't believe it! To celebrate, we headed to Magic Kingdom this morning. We had a lot of fun!

On the tram heading in.

Waiting for the monorail, there was time for a quick picture with me so I can remember how tall he was and all that good stuff.Heading in, obviously these pictures are out of order. Sorry.

Lunch at Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends.

The picture below was the kids waiting to go into eat.

It was quite hot today, but not miserable. We visited just about every restroom in the Magic Kingdom and ate as much as we could hold. We rode rides, ate and had fun. I didn't know how long we would stay, but we ended up being there about 12 hours. Grandma arrived around 6 and stayed with us until we left which ended up being about 11 p.m. We watched part of the new Electric Parade which was great when I was a kid. We can't wait to watch it up close. Also, they redid the fireworks and they were absolutely beautiful and well worth staying so late to see. We just had to endure the long lines to get out of the park, but we all made it.

Lauklan was happy but we were all VERY TIRED when we got home.

Oops, I forgot to mention that we actually ate at Crystal Palace twice today, which is a first. It certainly wasn't planned, but it was neat to eat there for dinner since we had never done that. See, there are still plenty of Disney firsts for us.

Happy Birthday Lauklan. You're quite a neat young man.

Ms. Homemaker

Is not me! I'm not good at it. I like it okay, but it is not my forte, we'll just leave it at that.

However, I did all my normal stuff today.

I worked a full day.

Shopped for groceries and dropped off and picked up dry cleaning.

Went to the gym.

I COOKED DINNER!

I know, I know.

Amazing.

I just had to blog it, who knows when it will happen again. ;)

He's off

It is time for his one on one time with Yoo-Ma and Papa.

Time to eat junk all day.

Sleep as late as you want.

Do what you want.

Not have to listen to Mom and do Chores.

What could be better?

I'm married to a geek

Chris and I went to Tricia Desourdy's suprprise birthday party today. She turns 40 on Tuesday.

While we were there, Geoffrey Wise decided to talk to Chris about his new iphone and his ipad.

All I have to say is "thanks".

We had to go to the Apple store after the party and purchase an ipad. We were put on the wait list for the new iphone. Chris has been telling me how he 'needs' an ipad for months. Well, now he has it.

His iphone fell out of his pocket when he got out of the car to go with me into Publix and the glass on the face shattered. Perfect. He says it has fallen on the ground many times before, but this time, it's shot. Great timing, huh?

I'm just posting this because I think it is cute. Chris works hard and these 'toys' are also used for the business so I'm not complaining. He never gives me a hard time when I want something or go buy it and I couldn't ask for a harder working husband. So, all I have to say is, "have fun honey".

More shopping and eating

Mom and I headed out to Citrus Park mall this morning around 10. We shopped and shopped. She had her first smoothie and loved it. Following Citrus Park Mall, which is in Tampa, we headed to The Beachcomber Restaurant that is on Clearwater Beach. The picture below is us before we got our meal. it was delicious!

After lunch, we stopped for some more shopping at Countryside Mall which is near Dunedin.

When we arrived at the house around 6, we let Neil, Mom's dog out, and then we headed to Hooter's for dinner.

We've laughed and laughed. I hate for our time to end tomorrow.

International Plaza and a friend

Mom and I headed over to Tampa this morning and got there about noon. We ate lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and then shopped until about 4. By then, we were ready to go back to eat our cheesecake.

After we got home, we called to see if Mr. and Mrs. Brumblay could come over. Mrs. Brumblay was feeling under the weather, but Mr. Brumblay came. He is a great friend to my mother and he was also my sixth grade teacher. I guess we're kind of like extended family since he taught with mother for about 30 years.
I even got to go for a ride in his electric car.

I had so much fun today that I had to get in bed by 9:30. Man, I'm getting old.

Personal Fitness

I was asked by our Scoutmaster to work with the Boy Scouts on their Personal Fitness merit badge. Tonight was our first night to meet together.

We did our initial assessment of sit ups, push ups and the mile run. All of those were done following discussing the different aspects of personal fitness and the requirements for the merit badge.

I am excited to work with these boys because I worked with most of them as cubs, so watching them grow is a blessing. We're going to have fun.

Piano lessons

I took Kerstyn to her interview tonight with a perspective piano teacher. The teacher lives in the Country Club, so the location is convenient.

Ms. Sullivan is her name and I'll tell you, that lady is serious about piano. I know that what she is going to teach Kerstyn is very valuable, so I hope that Kerstyn will latch on to it. Kerstyn was very excited and I am excited to see what comes.

Ahead lies a LOT of practice, time and money. We'll see how it goes. First lesson is Thursday and that is falling on Chris since I will be over with Mom.

Animal Kingdom

After a morning of getting some things done around the house, we headed to Animal Kingdom. We got there around noon and stayed until 7 or so. We all left tired, fairly dry and happy.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July from our home to yours!

Brief but fun

We left late today and headed to Typhoon Lagoon hoping that it wouldn't be raining there.

It was, but we went in anyway in hopes that it would stop.

It didn't.

So, we went to eat at Downtown Disney's TRex restaurant. We went there once before, about a year ago, and the kids have been asking to go back, so tonight was the night.

They all made dinosaurs at the shop that is in the restaurant that is like Build-A Bear. They completed all their dinosaurs before got seated and here are some pictures for evidence.

Already?

Is it really the July already? I can't believe it. Now I know that I am really getting older because the days just fly by!

I am working essentially full time at the office now and it is crazy busy. We are in the process of purchasing a new building to move the business into and of course, nothing is going easily. You name it, it is messing up.

Tonight was family night at La No Che so Chris and I are headed out there to see Brennan. He was doing well, was in a good mood and was having a good time. We were SO GLAD to see him like that. He comes home Saturday morning and I know he'll be glad to get a shower. He has a very busy summer with scouting. He already spent the week doing Eagle work and now another week doing other merit badge work. Then of course, the end of the month he heads to Virginia for the National Jamboree. He's excited about seeing the president...