Family Reunion 2013

A couple of months ago we got an email from my brother who said that he had some time before he started his last year of residency, and he wanted to plan a family reunion.  We moved the date out by a week so it corresponded to our spring break.  The family decided that the Orlando would work well.  Everything fell into place and we had a reunion planned.

We all had a great time, even though we have a few bumpy times.  We thought we had planned enough time to get to the airport and make the plan, but the stroller got hung up at security (it wouldn't fit in the scanner, and they took 15 minutes to hand check it) and we made it to the gate 2 minutes late.  Unfortunately, the next plane to Atlanta was 7 hours later that evening.  They were able to get us on the plane.  It did turn our flight from arriving just after midnight to arrival the next day.  So for the next 6 hours, Gus circled the S terminal in the airport hundreds of time, running the whole way.  The rest of the flight was uneventful.

We arrived Sunday morning and got settled.  The girls only got a few hours of sleep on the plane so we all took long naps that day.  Everyone arrived by late Sunday and we started the fun.

Monday was a day at SeaWorld.  There weren't many crowds and we had great fun.  The girls loved to feed the sting rays with their hands.  Gus loved to see the dolphins jump and said "big mess, agua" when ever there was a big splash. Jess took Sarah and Gus home earlier for naps while I stayed will Lilly.  We had a fun day.

Dolphins during Feeding time

Brooklynn, Lilly and others watching the dolphins

Grandpa Butch, Hunter, Kim, Lilly pushing Emma

Monday night provided excitement as usually.  Sarah had been complaining since the plane about her ears and had asked for cotton balls to put in her ear.  Unfortunately, when I changed it on Monday evening, we noticed that it had colored fluid on it.  From previous experience, we knew that it meant that her ear drum has probably ruptured.  Jess took her to a children's hospital and got it confirmed.  She got some medicine and started feeling better a day or two later.

We spent Tuesday relaxing as a family and went to the pool together.  It was nice to have a relaxing day to get used to the heat of Florida.

Wednesday was our big day at Walt Disney World.  We decided to go to the Magic Kingdom.  My brother Aaron and his wife did a great job in the park of keeping us moving and hitting the most popular rides first so we didn't have many lines.  Jess took Gus back to the Condo in the afternoon for his nap and joined us for dinner and the fireworks.  Thursday was spent at the condos in the morning and then headed back to the Magic Kingdom for the afternoon and evening.  

Lilly excited at a ride

Sarah on the Merry go round

Mom and Gus

Gus having fun

Sarah and Lilly and Belle

Sarah tired at the end of the day

Shannon chilling at the condo

Friday was a family day.  We did some shopping and swimming and enjoying a lot of time together.  The week ended too early and we had an early morning flight home on Saturday.  It was a great trip and we are grateful to my brother for suggesting it and for all of my family making it happen.