Apollo's Chariot and the little kid that would if they let her.

We had a great time at Busch Gardens... again. We decided at the last minute to come back to Virginia this week (even though it seems like we just left). It was a last minute decision. This time we decided to ride everything as many times as possible.... and we did. It was great. We spent a lot of time before we came looking for Keri some new shoes and inserts because last time she was about 1/8" too short to ride the Apollo's Chariot roller coaster. That killed her. So she got new shoes and new socks and some new inserts and when we got there this time she was about 1/32" too short to get an arm band. Again, it killed that she couldn't ride. We told her to rip it off and we'd try at the coaster.


Well, we got there and nobody measured her and she got to ride 3 times. And before anyone tells me that the measurements are there for a reason and BLAH BLAH BLAH... save it. I don't care. That ride holds you in so good she was never in any danger and when she's 1/3" taller she not going to be any bigger really. So anyway she rode it 3 times then and one more time at the end and she was, of course, the happiest kid in the world because she finally got to ride a BIG roller coaster! The Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf just aren't big enough for her anymore I guess.

We met my friends Roy and Amber and their daughter Allyson there early and later Our friends March and Stephanie and there kids Claudia, Trey, and Ross. It was a great time and everyone actually got to go on the same day. Plus there was no one there so there was no line anywhere.

Baby Alex got to get in mom's pool also. The water was a little chilly from it being covered up. She didn't know exactly what to think about it. Keri now can jump in any part of the pool with no floats or anything. She doesn't care anymore and she is swimming pretty good. Stephanie and their kids came over to swim with us. Mahala and Claudia and Trey attacked me most of the time. That was fun. even though they just about killed me.


We spent more money than I wanted to here in VA (I'm still at mom's as I write this). We are putting up a LOT of auctions to have money to go to the beach in a few weeks and we spent some of it here. I guess I need to get on the ball on list some more. I am thinking of listing one of the kids. Can't figure out which on is the most annoying. It's a very close race in that respect. I Can't imagine anyone bidding much for the pleasure of having to put up with their crap either so maybe that's a bad idea....

Fast Forward...

Ok Now it's like 2 weeks later and I haven't posted this yet. We are getting ready for a Myrtle Beach trip which will include going to the former Hard Rock Park. It was re-opened by another company and the tickets, which were $50 each, are now 2 for $20 so that's a plus. The have a really cool coaster I can't wait to ride again.

We also had a yard sale today to get a little extra money for our trip. It went fine but it reminded how much I HATE having yard sales. It amazes me that there are so many every weekend. People are gluttons for punishment I guess. Mahala is really starting to act like a teenager... which means I am THIS CLOSE TO FREAKING KILLNG HER... The next next few years are going to be so much fun. I wish you all could be here to witness the fun...

Here are some pics and stuff...

Thursday

Today is when my sister posts her Thankful Thursdays which I love to read btw. She has been updating her blog a lot lately. I love that too. I just wish I could make mine as interesting, but her kids are grown so I have to assume she has a little more time than I do. Right now Alex is fussing because even though she can pull herself into a sitting position anytime she wants, she sometimes still falls flat on her face (which she just did). She didn't get hurt, but since Mahala just woke her up from her nap by yelling down the stairs, she is still tired and in a fussy mood.

Mahala is one cranky little brat today. She wouldn't even talk to me this morning and just now she slammed her room door (Bridget has just said she was going to kick her little 12 year old butt the next time she does it). I don't really remember the worst punishment when I was her age, but nowadays I know what it is. Take away her cell phone. She's lost without it. Cell phone, computer an yes, even TV (some things never change). Those are the things she can't do wihtout and I think she will probably lose one or all of them tonight. One can only hope.

I have decided to try the "miracle drug" Chantix to try top quit smoking. I hear it's suppose to be great wiht the only side effects being sleeplessness, crazy dreams, depression, suicide and violently murdering your whole family. Other than that I hear it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Oh yeah, there's constipation and gas too. Man, I hope I don't get gas from this thing...

A guy died at work last weekend that helped train me when i was in the mechanics program at work. He was only 49. Hi name was Bobby Scarbrough. Had a heart attack in his sleep. I'd be lying if I didn't say that just might be one reason I decided to try the Chantix. He smoked too of course. I went from working at a 150 person plant to now a 1500 person plant. Even so, it sure seems like a lot of people have died since I have been there. 4 people have died in motorcycle accidents. That's one reason I will never have one (plus the fact that one of my best friends died in a motorcycle accident when he was in his 20's).


Bridget is fixing dinner. Hamburger helper and fried green tomatoes. Sounds good to me. Yesterday she made this chicken, cheese and asparagus stuff she saw on Rachael Ray (if I spelled that wrong then thank goodness). It was awesome. She better not lose that recipe! The dish was called Spring Chicken Rollups or something like that. Anyway I loved it.

Busch Gardens Vacation

Last week was vacation week #1 this year. We took off for VA Friday and came back the Thursday before the 4th. We had some friends we wanted to get together with at Busch Gardens but they couldn't go the same day and we ended up going 3 times (never again, that's just too much) . Sunday, Just me, Bridget, Mahala and Keri went while mom kept the baby. That was fun. We got ride everything a bunch of times and we finally got Bridget on the Griffon (which she didn't really want to ride at first). Poor Keri can't ride it yet but she can't wait. She probably has a couple more years. Look at that drop!! It's not as bad as it looks though.

Bridget loved it of course! She couldn't ride anything last year cause of the prego thing, but we made up for that Sunday. Keri was about a 1/4" to small to ride Apollo's Chariot. That was disappointing for her but we rode the Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf with her a bunch of times. Those are still great coasters.

Monday we were supposed to go with Stephanie and Claudia but Stephanie (one of Bridget's best friends) couldn't go so we ended up with Claudia (one of Mahala's best firends) while Keri stayed at Mom's and played with a friend she had met the day before.




Wednesday we went with my best bud Roy, his wife Amber and their cute as a button daughter Allyson. We ate lunch with the Sesame Street characters which was great.

Yes I realize I cut off Big Bird's head. And he/she it was sitting down too. Oh well, I guess I should have bought the $20 picture Busch Gardens took..... NOT!



They had a ball in the new Sesame Street area also. That is a pretty cool kids section. Lots of cool rides and a water play area.



Alex also got on ride her first ride ever with da momma. She didn't seem to give a crap about it one way or another, even though she looks like she's having fun in the picture.

Geez Amber. Are you that boring that even the baby has to let you know??!?!
We love you Amber! :)


Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The kids got their faces painted.

Mahala and Keri stayed in Virginia an extra week and went to Deltaville with their grandparents. They had fun at first but after a few days were calling ready to come home. I think they got a little bored. Dad did take them out on the boat and both of them loved that of course.


Bridget wen tback to pick the kids up Wed so I had the house to myself for 2 days and all I did was work out in the garage trying to organize it. No parties, no beer.... I must be getting old I guess.... And she brought back 3 Anchor Room pizzas!!! That was awesome. Hadn't had one of those in a loing time! Ok that's it. Oh almost.. Baby Alex can now go from laying on her stomach to sitting up like it's nothing. That's pretty cool. Cya!!