FAMILY TIME

So my kids finally made it home all in one piece. They ended up staying in Utah for two weeks rather than one, and I was sure glad to get them back. Tarek however came home sick and was really sick for most of the next week as I was trying to get ready for our Florida vacation.
Tarek not feeling so great

Luckily, he starting feeling better about two days before we were to leave. We had a busy, but fun, few days just before we left. Brooke and I took our kids down to the river for a festival they were having. They set up a bunch of booths with crafts for the kids to make and paint, we have gone the last few years and the kids always love it. They got their faces painted and than we found out about a hair salon just down the street that would do princess hair styles for little girls and punk rock styles for boys. We took the kids and got their hair done, it was so cute! They had a great time and Tarek now asks if I can cut his hair blue again.
Kalli and Tarek ready to party

We than did a birthday party for Kalli and Kaydra together. We invited a few cousins and went to funland at Tauphaus park. The rides looked a little scary, but the kids seemed to enjoy it and no one got hurt! The next day we went a picked Huckleberries (Huckleberry cream pie is SOOO GOOD!) Hopefully we will get back up there to pick once more before they are all gone!
Tarek picking huckelberries

Kalli picking Huckleberries

I came home and finished packing up for our trip and got everything ready to go. Sunday we drove to SLC and flew to Florida for a week of warm weather and lots of swimming. We had such a good time there, although eighteen people and two babies can make for a crazy week. We spent a lot of time at the beach which was right outside of our hotel, but we also went to Magical Kingdom and MGM.

Kalli and Kanyon in the Ocean

Tarek and Kanyon in the Ocean

Tarek showing off the seashell he found

The kids had a great time and the weather turned out to be very nice. A little humid, but slightly overcast so it wasn't scorching hot. I got the pleasure of riding around in a wheelchair for the two days at the park which was nice. The first day we were there (Monday) everyone went on a kayaking adventure other than my mom and I who stayed home with Riley and Miranda. We definately got the better end of the deal, as they would let us know all week long while scratching the mesquito bits they all got that night. Apparently they were unaware that they were leaving out of a place called Mesquito Bay, and only had a very small amount of bug repellant for the entire group. They all seemed pretty miserable for the next few day, especially the two little boys who seemed to have gotten the worst of it. I hear that they did get to see a few cool things and that my dad and Kalli who where in a Kayak together nearly got tipped over by a manatee! All in all we did have a great time, but are sure glad to be back home in our own beds!

Kaydra, Kalli, Tarek and Kanyon meeting Buzz Lightyear

Tarek and Kalli tired out from a long day

Tarek finally crashed

Brooke has way more cute pictures of the vacation posted on her blog at www.fitzsimmonstimes.blogspot.com if you want to see more pictures (she was way better at having her camara handy)

We had such a great time and loved getting to spend time with our family. It is so great to be able to have such fun memories especially as it seems time goes by so fast most of the time. We are so thankful for my parents and the time that they put into getting this vacation together, we really did have a wonderful time.