Trip to FL

Okay, so our trip to Nicaragua wasn't all fun and games...it almost was. After Newel went back to the States, the kids were missing their dad and so was I.  Also, the kids were covered in insect bites, from mosquitoes, ants, to a bee sting.
We flew from Nicaragua to Florida to spend two weeks with our family.  Unfortunately, when we got there Maya had an infected insect bite and we had to take it  easy. We were a bit tired from our trip, so we didn't mind staying home.  But we also didn't get to do as much.  We stayed home for about 3 days.
Once Maya was better, we headed to Orlando to celebrate Arden's birthday and to hang out with their cousins Mia and Mae.
We stayed with them for three nights and the children had so much fun with playing.
They really love each other.

Arden chose to go to Sea World to celebrate his birthday.  I tried to convince him to go to Busch Gardens, but he loves the ocean and sea creatures.
It really was a lot of fun for us.  We watched baby dolphins...
lots of sea creatures...

So much joy!

We petted and fed some sea creatures...


And posed next to plastic killer whales...

But that was not all...

We went on rides...
Arden was even brave enough to go on a roller coaster ride by himself.  I couldn't go with him because Maya wasn't tall enough, but we waited in line with him. 

Even though he was a bit nervous, he really liked it.
We went on more rides and saw different animal shows...including Shamu.  At the end of the day, we even bought souvenirs...two manta rays...he sleeps with them every night.  The mama ray and the baby ray.
Maya picked a whale...I guess Shamu made an impact on her.
When we got home, Karen not only had dinner for us, but she had also cupcakes and presents for Arden.  What a lucky boy!  He was very surprised and happy.

The following day, we met up with Jenny at MOSI.  They learned all kinds of things! And played all kinds of games. 

But what I think Arden enjoyed the most was seeing his Jenny.

We had a busy day.  After MOSI we drove back to Lakeland to check out HB's resident apartment, where he had to live for about 3 weeks while he was on rotation there.  It was a cute apartment that he got to share with another resident.  After the apartment tour...we headed to this awesome park in Lakeland.  When we go back to FL, we need to go back there.  It was so nice I felt like I should have paid a fee to get in.
Also, we got to meet Jenny's boyfriend...he was nice and we liked him...now he's on a mission and she's dating someone else...that is the beauty of being young =)

I also had a lot of fun just staying up late talking to Karen.  I don't have that many friends in UT, so I really miss girl time, especially with people I really like. It was fun watching some silly shows...like the Real Housewives of OC?

The following day we went to see Mia excel in her swimming lessons, but instead we posted a picture of Mae pushing Maya in the stroller...
After swimming lessons, we met up with some of Karen's church friends for a pool playgroup. That was also fun...Then, we ate some pizza and headed back home.  
We were a bit sad to go back to my parents house...not because we didn't want to be there, but because we also love being with cousins.

But on our way home...we cheered ourselves up...we stopped by Dinosaur World.

I had live in FL for so many years and I had driven by that place so many times, but this was my first time inside.
If I was a 6 year-old boy who is obsessed with dinosaurs I would think this place was dreamy...

Arden felt exactly that way. He was amazed and excited.  I took so many photos of this place.  These are only a few pics that made the cut.





We felt like we were stepping back in time...in a time machine...





going back...




millions of years...



We were scientists exploring...




We even dug for fossils...


And got to keep 3 of them for a fee =) (it was worth it)

Supermodel Maya

Arden and Gabby

Our fun didn't end there.  Even though our time was coming to an end, we got a chance to hang out with the Limas.  We met up with them at a park in Port something. 

We love playing in the water.  It was also nice to catch up with Michelle.

Our deserted house

It's funny...the issue with our house has been dragging for so long...that it doesn't even feel like it's our house.  Just another box

 

We couldn't visit FL without Arden and Lito going on a fishing adventure.  That is one of Arden's favorite activities to with Lito.  This time they didn't catch much, but they still had a great bonding time. 

Arden taking Lito's picture

Around Arden's birthday, it is also my cousin Johanna's birthday.  So, we went over to her house for a pool party. Did I mention that Maya almost drowned.?..well, not really...almost.
I had just taken off her floaters and was getting  ready to change her into her PJ's.  She went by the side of the pool...by the steps and sat there for a minute.  Arden was still swimming.  I guess she forgot that she didn't have her floatys on and jumped in.  My mom saw this and ran to the rescue.  Maya was okay.  She barely dove in when my mom saw her and rescued her.
That night I also got my girls night out.  Jenn picked me up late...as usual and speedily drove to Berns's Steakhouse, where we met up with Vilma, Karen, and Jenny.

We had a fabulous evening.  Lots of laughter and lots of fun.  Just a group of girls having a great time.  We even had a guy buy us wine...too bad none of us drink =)...but we felt special.
After dinner, we went to the dessert room, where we indulged in desserts and hot chocolate.
I still think about that night and smile.  I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my 30th birthday...with friends I love.


One of our last weekends, we went to the beach to celebrate Arden's birthday...again.
We love going to the beach.  And we also got to spend some more family time.  I finally got to meet my cousin Juan's daughters...Emily and Rebecca (I think).  They are both beautiful girls.


Emi really hit it off with Arden and Maya.  They became really good friends, fast.
Sadly, about a month later, Emi and Rebecca's mom passed away from  cancer.  

 Oh, since this party was more of a brunch, I made crepes, but by lunch time, the family was in need of something with more sustenance...they made gallo pinto, queso y huevos. 
 But the crepes reminded them of the manuelitas they used to eat in Nicaragua.


Maya really liked hanging out with her Abby. 




Arden is officially 6 years old!








I really like this picture of Maya in the lawnmower with Lito.  I have photos of Arden running around in the mower with his Lito.


We had a great trip to FL.  The children and I got to spend some great times with family. Even though we enjoyed our trip to Nicaragua, we were glad to be back in the states.  We were also glad to go home...to see Newel.  We missed him and he missed us.