Disney World...2

Day 2- Hollywood Studios

Emerson walking the red carpet!

The backlot studio tour, we saw an explosion, flood, and experienced an earthquake!

Tower of Terror in the night sky.

Isn't this so cool? You stand at just the right spot and low and behold you are in SF!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Disney World...1

Plane, trains, automobiles, boats, monorails, flying elephants, spaceships....talk about using all different modes of transportation! You might ask where we might be able to ride on all these things...well on a trip to Florida and Disney World of course!

We traveled to Florida for Jeff's work convention and took in the sites while we were there.

Day 1's agenda- Epcot

The view across the lake inside the park.

Germany...Octoberfest

Brennan getting a little squeeze from Stitch.

Soccer Fans!

Who are you calling?

Lots of love,

The Grady's

It's Thursday...

1. One of the coolest things ever? Teaching my daughter how to cook. Today she cooked cinnamon muffins from start to finish all by herself. Wow. Read all the directions, measured, mixed and was SO proud of her end result. I love that she loves to cook. I think it was right about this age I really began to "get" it too.

2. So it's HOT. Nothing new. You've all heard me complain many times before. But, the biggest issue we are having now? The one place we can cool off, the one reprieve from the crazy heat? The pool. But, it is 96 degrees itself. Gross.

3. So speaking of heat. I think I should do a little science experiment with the kids. Crack an egg on the sidewalk and watch it sizzle. I am absolutely positive it wouldn't take long!

4. Leaving for Florida on Tuesday. Hurricane on the horizon. Packing for 4...hot, humid, and wet. Should be interesting.

5. I got a new toy.

6. Emerson is getting a room makeover. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I cannot go long without rearranging furniture, redecorating, or just changing things around a bit. Sadly, Em has inherited this freakish habit. Just as I inherited it from my mom. Pics will be soon to follow!

7. I am completely struggling with keeping the kids entertained and active this summer. We have done puzzles, read books, seen movies, swam, written stories, practiced math facts, colored, played cards, cooked, cleaned, painted....I feel like an entertainer! I'm beat, exhausted! Any other ideas?

8. I miss the beach.

9. When I have a lot of extra money. Win the lottery. Inherit a bunch of money from some unknown relative. I'm buying a house on the beach. Period. NO questions asked.

10. There is nothing better than when the UPS man rings the doorbell and delivers a box of wine. I love that.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Oceanside, Part 3

Okay, I promise...this is the last of the vacation pictures.

Things I miss:

the cloudy, overcast mornings

my view while I enjoyed my morning cup of coffee

the silliness!!! These kids are a crack up! Look closely at this pic, you can see each of them and their personalities.

crazy, amazing sunsets...wow.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Oceanside, Part 2

Pictures, Part 2

What makes a great vacation? Great friends of course!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Oceanside, Part 1

We just came home from a wonderful week, coast side. We spent another blissful 7 days in Oceanside this year. We just couldn't pass up the great location, perfect house, and great company! Lots of great memories once again.

Ready for the all the pics? I think I will put them in a few categories...so Part 1:

The Beach

Jeff heading out for a sunset boogey boarding trip.

Joseph filling his bucket.

Domenique focused on building her sand castle.

Haha!

Joseph catching a good wave.

One of the few times I could catch all four of them chillin' out.

Love this little guy!

My little munchkins

The girls loving the sand!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Red, White, and Blue

Bbq, swimming, relaxing, and fireworks...perfect way to celebrate the 4th!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10

This post might be all over the place...but then again so is my brain lately!

1. Summer is supposed to be relaxing, right? So why does it feel like i have been running, running, running???

2. BIG news to share...I have a new job! I was offered a position teaching 5th grade at the kid's school. It was too great of an opportunity to pass up! I am thrilled to be able to be at the same school as my kiddos and have smaller class sizes, and students that love school, and so many other great reasons!

3. This past weekend we took a little trip to Newport Beach, to escape the heat and celebrate Father's Day. The weather was just amazing and the beach was beautiful as always. We are so lucky to live so close to the ocean.

4. The kids and I spent almost 2 hours at Barnes and Noble yesterday picking out summer reading books. Way too easy to spend lots of $$$ there. Thank goodness for the educator discount!

5. Brennan tested for his green belt this past Friday. He is an awesome job! Even broke his board with a drop kick!

6. We celebrated Domenique's 6th birthday a week ago at the bowling alley. What a fun day! The kids just LOVE bowling!!!

7. Summer is so great for doctor appts. We have already been to the eye doctor for both kids. Ped. for Emerson for swimmers ear. I am off to the dermatologist this morning. So much easier to make appts. when you don't have to limit yourself to the hours of 3-4:30pm.

8. Vacation Bible School! We experienced our first year of this amazing program. The kids had an absolutely fabulous time. The theme was knights and princesses and dragons. Talk about being able to draw boys and girls of all ages!

9. Had a great visit this past weekend with the Spencers and Nanas'! It is so fun to see everyone's little ones. A bunch of little mini-me's walking around! So fun:)

10. VEGAS....one more day and we are off!!!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Off to Kindergarten!

Brennan's preschool graduation was a great celebration! We are so excited for the little guy to be starting kindergarten in the fall.

Brennan receiving his diploma.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Wish List

I can't possibly be alone in my love of travel....right? Loving to see new places, explore, and see amazing new things. Everyone must have a list of places that they *have* to see sometime in their life....can you figure out 5 of mine?

1

2

3
4

5

Lots of love,

The Grady's