Look Deep Into My Eye

So the other half of our anniversary trip was going out to eat at Roy's (a very uppity Orlando restaurant) and also riding the new Orlando Eye.  

The restaurant treated us very well and even had a special desert made for us.

Is there a more perfect desert for us in this entire universe than a single plate with pineapple upside down cake nearest to Jacob and a chocolate lava cake closest to me?

No my friend, there is not.  

Happy Anniversary written in Hawaiian and chocolate

The Eye is basically a 400 foot tall giant Ferris Wheel type thing that, thankfully, moves very slow and is air conditioned to provide maximum comfort.  

It changes colors at night, but we came in the morning to avoid the crowds. 

Still a pretty cool place!

For once, I am the one looking at the camera!!

Boom-shock-a-lock-a!

We also went to the SeaLife Aquarium that was located there in the same building, but it was just okay.  They had some pretty cool sea creatures in there, but the approximate one million school children who were also there, were not as cool.

They did have a 360 degree aquarium tunnel, so I was able walk over some sharks, but honestly, this probably happens every time I go to the beach.

And finally, we hit up Disney Springs to go to the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop to order 

the most ridiculous chocolaty concoctions we could ever imagine.  

We were in pain by the time we were done, so it must have been delicious.

I completely missed getting the shop in the picture, but you get the picture. We were there.

Wax On, Wax Off

As part of our 15th Anniversary celebration, Jacob and I decided to check out the new Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Orlando.  I didn't really know how much fun this actually sounded like. I mean, just walking around and looking at wax statues seemed kinda boring.  However, you are totally allowed to touch the statues, use the props that are lying around and really ham it up for some sweet pictures. And after we got done I decided it was actually super fun.  Color me surprised!  Here is our highlight reel:  

Remember that one time Jacob was on Jimmy Fallon?

It's a shame I didn't film when Jacob spun Cher singing
The Dukes of Hazzard theme song on the wheel of musical impressions...

And that time I caddied for Tiger?

And when I got eaten by a T-Rex?





Oh, Oprah, you are such a tease!

Her face accurately looks like, "Stop touching me."

Albert Einstein selfie!  (Never thought I would be typing those words together)

I know he's made of wax, but he seriously looks like the life has been
sucked out of him by watching people taking selfies all day.  Am I right?

Samuel Jackson looked so real I thought he was going to snatch my purse to find out what was in my wallet.  But everything is not what seems, right Selena?

I can neither confirm nor deny that posting this picture on Facebook caused Sean

 to think that Jacob actually met Keith Urban.

Just filling in for Chad. He broke his arm.

Meeting Obama caused some strong reactions in both of us....

Good thing there was some free awesomeness and attractiveness right around the corner!

Look at me, Cindy! I met Taylor! I know you're mad you missed this, but just shake it off.

This is actually a picture from when I interned as a water boy in Denver last season.  

And look, it's the Abe-ster!

Whatcha thinkin' about Audrey?
How handsome Jacob is.
Me too.

You helped end segregation?  That deserves a high five!

So, David Beckham, got any extra tickets to the next Orlando City game?

So, Steven Speilberg, got any extra tickets to the next Star Trek movie?

I nominate Steve Jobs as the most realistic looking figure in the whole museum.  

Amazing detail on this guy.

Plus, he looks like his whispering something to Jacob out of the corner of his mouth.

"I can't believe you married her.  She is way out of your league.."

Fun fact: When I stood next to Shaq, my head came up to his ribs.  His RIBS!

Maybe I should wear a fedora all the time!

Um, no. 

Okay, fine. I will just carry around a bow and arrow instead.

This has to be my favorite picture of the entire day. 

Nothing makes you feel more alive than being terrified while rescuing a pretend alien. 

So the moral of the story when it comes to this place:  

If you visit the wax museum, all your wildest dreams will come true.

#Floridaproblems, #ACindyQuickie

Today Cindy texted her Aunt Brooke to see if her cousin Michelle, (Brooke's daughter), in Utah was available to play Minecraft together online.  Brooke texted her back that Michelle was out snowshoeing with her Young Women's group in the canyon and wouldn't be back for a few hours.  Cindy was disappointed but made other plans and went outside to play.  And then I found this on the computer where she was sitting when that text came in:

FIFTEEN YEARS!

Whatever Floats Your Goat

We have recently discovered that the high school right down the street from us has penned four goats for FFA in the back of the school.  Which has lead us to to take daily bike rides to go visit them each day.  And, surprise, surprise we have learned that they like to eat! Pretty much anything we give them. Carrots, strawberry tops, lettuce, cabbage, banana peels, pepper tops, rubber bands, squash butts- yep, they really are like garbage disposals.  Okay, just kidding on the rubber bands. Just checking to make sure you're paying attention.

This big guy right here, who we have named Big Hero Six, gets VERY excited when our bikes come around the corner.  He leaps onto the fence and sticks his head through before we even get to the pen.

And what sweet goat manna have you brought me today?

Cindy also discovered that there are stinging nettle plants on the ground near the pen, hence the MJ glove and knee socks for ultimate protection.  Luke actually touched some on his leg the next day and acted like he almost died, so I am pretty sure the kids will feel the need to put themselves in full Hazmat suits for all future goat visits.

The other goats have been named Goldie, Oreo and Fluffernutter.  Is that supposed to be some sort of signal to me that my children are repressed when it comes to desserts? BECAUSE THEY AREN'T.  When it comes to sweets, they are goats.

The Sand Dunes

Last month I finally, personally, took my kids to the 'sand dunes' that are out at Carter Road park for the first time since we moved here 11 years ago.  Hey, I don't like to rush into things.  And wouldn't you know that it really IS just a bunch a cliffs of sand that you can run up and jump off.  Which is basically like heaven on earth for these guys.

The best part was definitely the dog that immediately stole Luke's shoes and ran away up the dunes with them.

It's too bad that summer is basically here and this place will transform into the surface of the sun in the next few weeks.  See you in December, sand dunes!

Nok Bok Tower

I got to go with Luke to Bok Tower Gardens on his field trip a few weeks ago.  The weather was absolutely perfect and I spent so much time in the moment, I only have these three pictures as proof of our day.  I think that counts as a mom win.

American Boychoir (With a Whole Bunch of Girls)

Last night Cindy's middle school chorus from South McKeel Academy got to perform a song with the American Boychoir at First Presbyterian Church on Lake Hollingsworth. 
I was sitting very far away and my camera skills are definitely lackluster, but I think this video allows you to get the general idea of how awesome it was.  The rest of the concert was just as great.  I am super jealous of the some of the soprano notes that were being hit by these boys. CRAZY good!


750 bonus points for being able to pick out Cindy's tiny head among the crowd :)


If last night was any sort of preview of YW camp this summer, do NOT sign me up to go. These three: Non. Stop. Silliness.