"I Form Freight"

2 Years, 30 Weeks.


That was her response when I asked Siri about finding some applications for the
iPhone 5:  "I don't understand 'I form freight.'"

Oy vey.  Sometimes the newest technology isn't always the best.

Last Thursday, after several weeks of waiting, my new phone arrived.  It had been a couple of years since I had last upgraded my communications device, and I was falling way, way behind on both information and technology.  Seriously, how did people survive without these smart phones?  Anyway, the very next morning I took the new iPhone to the Verizon store to activate it, and to transfer all my contacts and photos from the old one. I was one happy man when I left.

But that happiness was short-lived.

A few hours later we were en route to Sea World with Nana and the children when I realized that I couldn't make or receive any calls or text messages on my new phone. And we were supposed to meet Tangie somewhere at the park later that afternoon.  I used Nana's phone to call the store to try and troubleshoot the issue, and when it still wouldn't work after I had powered it off and then back on a couple times as directed, they told me that I had to come back to the store to get the SIM card replaced.  That left me a little annoyed and irritable for the rest of the afternoon.

As soon as Tangie arrived at Sea World we swapped cars and I drove back to the Verizon store to get the new SIM card.  Of course, when I got there the place was swamped with other customers, so I had to wait forty-five minutes until I was finally helped, and then I had to wait another 30 minutes to resolve my problem.  And that was only the beginning.

Two days later on Monday I realized that my wi-fi capability was nonexistent, which posed a problem since I was nearing my data limit and would incur overage charges if I ran over.  After researching the Apple forums online, it was determined that a system update that my phone had available was needed to fix the wi-fi issue.  But here was my dilemma:  I needed a wi-fi connection on my phone to get that update!  Unbelievable.  So...back to the Verizon store on Tuesday evening to get it fixed.  Again.

So, you'll forgive me if I don't sound too excited about getting the new iPhone 5.  Don't get me wrong, I love the new features and everything, but seriously, at what cost for the time, gas, and frustration?  Oh well, I'm sure I'll get over it.

We had another good but busy week.  Here are the highlights:

• Friday we hit Sea World with Nana.  She had purchased the season pass when she last visited us for Braelyn's birthday back in March, so we wanted to take advantage of having her use it at least once more while she was down here.  She and the kids had a lot of fun together.

Christmas is already here at Sea World!  At the North Pole inside the Polar exhibit.

Riding the choo-choo.

Braving the nets at the kids' play area.

Nana loving on the twins.

About to do the crab drop ride thingy.

Maddy is a ham on the spinning jazzy jellies ride.

Just silly.

• Sabbath we went to church.  Our Sabbath school class is getting really crowded and we are most likely going to have to transfer to the next class up in December, when the twins will be two and a half; normally they would've stayed in Cradle Roll until they are three but overcrowding decided otherwise.  I went on a bike ride while the rest of the family took naps and then Tangie and I joined our friends the Bergherms, Grodacks, and Whitakers for a parents' night out to dinner at Season's 52 (Thank you Duncan and Corey) and the new James Bond movie Skyfall.  It was so much fun hanging out with everyone; we ended up getting back home around 2 in the morning.  A huge thank you to Nana for graciously staying with the children for the night while we got to go out and play.  :)

The most fashionable pink bunny.

How can you ever take them seriously?

Eight adults and ZERO children!

Enjoying each other's company while waiting for the movie to begin...
I mean, enjoying their phones while waiting for the movie to begin.

• Sunday I worked on some projects around the house while Tangie spent some time with Nana and the kids while they went shopping at the Factory Outlets down on I-Drive.  Later that afternoon I attended a football baby shower for a friend whose wife is pregnant with their son, due in December.  It was funny because it was just a group of guys hanging out, watching all the football games going on.  But I was so tired, I came home and went to bed before the rest of the gang arrived back from their shopping excursion.

Professional cup stacker!

Maddy learning how to run a cash register.

• Monday morning Tangie took a trip to St. Petersburg, with Nana and the twins accompanying her.  She had a luncheon/meeting with a client and this gave Nana the opportunity to spend some time with the twins and visit the west coast for a bit.  They went to a couple of playgrounds and had lunch while they waited for Mommy to finish, and then came back home.  Meanwhile, I hooked up with an old friend from Collegedale who was on vacation and in town for the week with his family.  He and I, along with another friend of ours from Southern and the symphony orchestra, played a round of golf at Orange County National.  A gorgeous day, but a long and slow round.  I was just a few minutes late picking Braelyn up from school; a quick trip to the frozen yogurt shop to make up for it was warranted.

The view from the park in St. Pete.

Maddy tries to climb up the roller slide.

Playing with the different features on the playground.

Orange County National with Stacy McClarty and Richard Hickam.

She was thrilled to get some frozen yogurt!

Spending time with Nana in the backyard.

• Tuesday was a whirlwind.  I had driven back out to Sea World to let my friend and his family into the park; pass holders can get friends and family in with a discount.  Then I drove back home so I could pick Nana and the twins up to take Nana to the airport ~ her flight back to Denver was around 2 so we wanted to make sure she had enough time to go through security and get a bite to eat.  We got back home in just enough time for us to eat lunch and then to put the twins down for their naps, before heading back out to pick Braelyn up from school.  At least, that was my plan, until my phone rang just as we were heading inside from the garage.  It was Braelyn's school, and that she had had an accident.  Apparently she had a hard time getting her belt undone and couldn't hold it in any longer.  Oops!  Unfortunately, she had no extra underwear available (we usually have extra clothes there in case something like this would happen but for some reason never replenished it after the last occurrence) and would it be possible for me to swing by with some?  I said yes, but I told them that I would take Braelyn home then, as I wasn't going to drive back and forth 40 minutes each way, just to turn around and do it again for regular dismissal.  And then I had to deal with the wi-fi issue at the Verizon store that evening when Tangie got home.  Whew!  What a long day in the car!

The McClartys at Sea World.

Nana says goodbye to the twins.

• Wednesday Tangie flew out to Pensacola for week 3 of 3 until Friday evening, leaving me solo for the majority of the day, until reinforcements arrived with Lala coming up that evening.  With her here I was able to get some laundry and cleaning done, as we anticipate the next round of visitors to come stay with us ~ my younger brother Mike and his family for the entire Thanksgiving week!  We are so excited to see them!

Sharing some laughs at Costco!

Catch-up:

• Don't know why these photos didn't make last week's post, but we had an outing for lunch with Nana at the Old Winter Garden Pizza Company the Wednesday before.

Waving to Nana at the play park.

Deciding what to have for lunch.

Waiting for our order.

Sharing an awkward hug on the bench swing.

Watching the water together.  Awww.

Random:

I was getting a Bible games app for the kids on Sabbath morning.
Check out review #2.  Seriously?  Wow.

Quotes:

• We were heading back home from dropping Nana off at the airport, when Maddy and Kohl both noticed a billboard for the Greek restaurant Taverna Opa showcasing a belly dancer.

          Maddy:  [laughing] "Ahh!!"

          Me:  "What is it Maddy?"

          Maddy:  [pointing to billboard] "A lady!"

          Me:  "Oh, that's right!  And what is the lady doing?"

          Kohl:  "Shake a booooty!"

Have a great weekend!