A family reunion in Florida

That vacation went too fast! It was a lot of fun though. A visit from almost the entire family was very refreshing.

My brother, Eric, his wife, Lucy, and their son, Eugene came to Apopka Christmas Eve which was a nice pseudo-surprise. They arrived around dinner time so we set out to find a place to eat a nice Christmas-eve dinner. Our choices were slim but we found a nice Chinese restaurant that Alisha, Randy, and I discovered a while back. It was delicious. After dinner we just came back home and I gave Eugene his present, a dig-a-dino. We spent the rest of the night trying to dig a dinosaur fossil out of a sand box. It was pretty sweet and took us many hours and a whole lot of digging.

On Christmas we decided to go to Cocoa Beach. Eugene loved the waves and we spent our day swimming and collecting beautiful sea-shells. For Christmas dinner we ate at a beach side restaurant, another one of my beach-day traditions with Alisha. We made our way home and were pretty tired after that so we had a popcorn and movie night. I finally watched my first Indiana Jones movie!

On Sunday we went to Dinosaur World in Plant city (towards the western coast of Florida). I absolutely loved that place and I think that Eugene may have enjoyed it a little bit too!

Monday morning was a little crazy as I had to get to the airport to pick up my mom, dad, and grandma. For a morning activity Eugene made a sign for me to take with the airport. His snake drawing skills are amazing.

After picking up my family from the airport, getting the car, and finding our house in Kissimmee we were ready to start the Orlando area adventures. Monday night Eric took the family to a Pirate adventure dinner. It was a lot of fun and the food was pretty decent too.

Greta, John, and Olivia didn’t get in until about 11:00 and were sad that they missed the dinner but none-the-less they were also ready to get their vacation underway as soon as they got into Orlando.

Tuesday Eric, Lucy, and Eugene went to Sea World and the rest of the family went on an airboat tour in Kissimmee. Although it was too cold to see any alligators there was still a lot of wildlife roaming around - lots of birds and, surprisingly, cattle.

On Wednesday we ventured to Magic Kingdom, my first DISNEY WORLD experience. It was a little bittersweet because 74,000 other people had the same agenda as my family. The park actually ended up refusing people into the park because it was so crowded. The highlights of Magic Kingdom included Tom Sawyers Island and of course, the Tea Cup ride.

Thursday was spent at Downtown Disney where Eugene had a blast in Lego Land (or whatever it’s called) and we had our last meal with the entire family at the T-Rex restaurant. That place was pretty awesome too! After lunch Eric, Lucy, and Eugene started their long trip back to Kansas ☹

After Eric, Lucy, and Eugene left it was down to my parents, grandma, Greta, John, Olivia and me.

For New Years Eve we went to Sea World. That was probably my second favorite thing we did during vacation. We saw a ton of shows including shows that starred Pirates, shamoo, dolphins, and so much more! We rang in the new year while watching a figure skating show and counting down with fireworks at Sea World. I think this New Year will most definitely be one of the most memorable experiences I will ever have.

On the first day of 2011 my family and I gathered around the TV to watch the Badgers take on TCU. It was a good game but the Badgers just couldn’t take the victory. I love my alma mater regardless!

The weather was a little bit warmer than earlier in the week on Sunday so I took my family to Cocoa Beach (they weren’t here for the first round and frankly, I love the beach so I’ll take any chance). The weather was great and I think everyone enjoyed their time at my favorite place in Florida! After the beach we raced home so we could catch the Packer game. It was pretty good… I think the Packers won, but I was too busy playing with Olivia too really take note… I know, I know, I’m not a true fan.

Monday morning everyone flew back to Wisconsin and I had to get to work that morning. All the drop-offs went smoothly and I made it to work with a few minutes to spare.

So, that’s that, my vacation flew by but it was probably one of my most favorite vacations! It was very nice to see everyone. A little piece of home came to me, which is VERY fortunate for me since I got to escape from the snow and cold cold weather!

This past week was pretty uneventful- however!!! I had written a grant to IBM for new computers and/or money for computer equipment and I got it! Along with 28 computers, that’s right a whole new computer lab for the AFLC! That’s probably the most exciting work related news I have.

Today Alisha, Randy, and I are going hiking at the Wekiva State Park so that should be fun!! Woo woo!

The beach wasn’t warm enough for our pale white skin (it’s only 70degrees today) so we are going to go tanning with the alligators at the springs instead. Wish us luck. Over and out.