Let me just say, first off, how grateful I am for the freedoms allowed us in this country.
I'm not just talking about our constitutional freedoms, like freedom of speech or the right to bear arms.
I'm talking about the daily ones that we take for granted: living wherever we desire, being able to drive to anywhere, to go shopping and make purchases, being able to go to the beach and hang out with friends, etc. etc.
These things wouldn't be possible without the sacrifices of our military, both past and present, who risk or gave up their lives so that we the public could enjoy life as we know it; to be able to enjoy those things we do take for granted.
And then some.
My grandfather fought for the Philippines in WWII; Tangie's late grandfather fought for the US in the same war. But I haven't (and hope that I don't) experienced the feeling of having lost a family member during combat, so I can't even begin to empathize with those that have.
But I can continue having gratitude towards them and their families for their sacrifices for our country.
God bless our troops!
Here was our week:
Friday afternoon after school, we took the kids to the Magic Kingdom to kick off
the holiday weekend and Braelyn's summer break!
A family of Olafs.
We took the twins on Splash Mountain. They were petrified!
I found a nook inside a Disney store while Mommy and kids were shopping and took a snooze.
We joined 5 other families at New Smyrna Beach for Sabbath.
Big group: Clarkes, Meidingers, us, Jamersons, Ottatis, and Kittrells.
We had the kids get in the pool at the Jamerson's condo facility to get
all the sand out of their swimsuits!
Stopped at a local pizzeria for supper before heading home.
Did a nice 50 miler early Sunday morning.
Duncan emphatically says, "We're turning right!"
I don't know if this picture of Maddy is cute, or oddly strange.
Maybe a little of both.
The twins playing news: Kohl reports while Maddy mans the camera.
Sisters sharing noodles.
We attended Isabella's birthday party at Rounderz on Monday.
The entire building was filled with trampolines!
And they had this great foam pit you could jump and flip into!
Braelyn just relaxing.
The birthday girl with the Frozen sisters. I photo bombed them via mirror!
Maddy with her favorite princesses!
Daddy too!
A photo of some of the parents after the party was over.
After naps, we took the kids back to the Magic Kingdom, for some late night fun!
Maddy participating with Belle at the Beauty and the Beast program.
Mommy took a photo of her crew just sitting on the steps of the steamboat.
What happens when you stay out past your bedtime!
But the fireworks were spectacular!
Upon arrival home.
Playing under the shade of the patio.
Went to pick up some supplies at Walmart and decided to get some of their energy out!
Nothing better than getting your frustrations out via Nerf sword fight!
Maddy doing a trust exercise at the pool?
Mommy and Braelyn had a date to Hollywood Studios on Wednesday morning!
Making sure she drinks all of her water! The weather has been so hot!
Lunch under the shade of the pergola.
The girls trying to protect themselves from Kohl.
Can someone say chocolate smoothies?
They were having a lot of fun, despite the girls' faces!
Getting their bedtime stories from big sister.
Pet (literally) Project: Braelyn and Daddy built an outdoor hutch for her pet guinea pig!
The design.
Getting all the pieces measured, cut, and shaped!
Braelyn using the straight edge to make the cut line.
Making the bottom piece waterproof.
Tada! The finished hutch! Great job Braelyn!
Food:
Randoms:
We saw this lady on the monorail with cinnamon buns over her ears.
People wear the darnedest things at Disney. Take this family, for example.
And this couple. At least she wore it confidently!
This week in "random people sleeping".
I hope they're not talking about the weather, because then they would be lying!
Bumped into our dear friend Monica on Monday!
Quote:
I had asked Kohlden what he wanted to eat for lunch, and he responded with,"Peanut butter and jelly sandwich…on Brioche."
