Sunday in Orlando

While in Orlando we stayed at the frontier land camp grounds at Disney worlds fort wilderness.  On Sunday we were able to take a nice break from everything and attend a very large ward right across the street from the temple. That was a very nice experience.  Because Nathaniel had already returned the rental car we had to travel in shifts.  It was a very reflective day for me. June 12.  It marked the passing of ten years from when my brother Mark passed away. while I was missing family back home I was also reminded and filled with love for my new family too and how they love and take care of me. Thanks Cooks, you made my trip wonderful.

Someone got hold of our camera... I wonder who that could have been?

 Getting ready

 Adam seemed to do a lot of this

 Nathaniel and ... Jared... I think

 Camilla

 Emma

 Jared again, sleeping, a good Sunday activity

 Brianne

Mom... where is Dad I wonder?

Hollywood to Animal Kingdom

These two parks were cool and worth the one day we spent at each, though I don't have pics of Hollywood studios, highlights include rockin roller coaster (probably my favorite ride of all the parks) the tower of terror and  fantasmic the light and water show. We got to see this in the dark as the park was closing and it was awesome! Adam was asleep from the first cannon boom and didn't even wake up for all the fireworks.  Animal Kingdom was also fantastic and here I did get a lot of pictures

 We went on the safari ride and the whole day felt like an African safari. Disney sure knows how to exhibit animals in fun environments! 

 We took turns going on rides that Adam couldn't go on. he fell asleep waiting for us to finish the mount Everest ride.

 closer view, yes following after his mom, sometimes he does sleep with his eyes open :)

On this day we forgot his sun blanket so Mom and Dad bought a towel that worked great.

 Hippo and cranes

 Giraffe

 Rhino

And a very tired little monkey
while waiting in line for the river rapids ride, we watched a family of monkeys. there were at least a mom and dad and a little baby boy. the little one was so silly and crazy and totally reminded me of Adam. To remember, we got Adam stuffed monkeys big and small.

Magic Kingdom

The whole of Tuesday the 7th was spent driving up to Orlando. we stopped to eat Key lime pie (before it melted) and kept on going.  Adam was a trooper but by the end he sure wanted to get out of the car!

On Wednesday the 8th we took a boat to Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

Adam was having a difficult day so he wanted to be held most of the time, this was okay until he insisted on being held only by me. My back got sore quickly and then it went out! (at least I think that is what happened) any way it hurt a lot.  By around eight o'clock I wimped out for the rest of the evening and went home with Adam and Nathaniel. We got a rootbeer float on the way out and got to see a great view of the Castle... what a magical place!

Florida Keys

We flew into Miami late Friday Afternoon, rented a car, and then drove to Key Largo. I was a bit motion sick from an access of turbulence and from the new car smell of our rental car but we made it to the camp site before the family. The rest of the Cooks didn't show up until late so in the mean time we went to dinner at "the Marlin" a little sea food joint not far away. the clam chowder was super yummy and we all enjoyed Adam's fresh Mango shake!

the next day, the 4th, was a little too windy for our scheduled snorkeling trip so we stayed by shore and explored old ship ruins via snorkeling.

On Sunday we visited a Tiny branch on the Island Marathon.  I was asked to play the Piano and I also gave the Relief Society lesson. the rest of the family offered prayers and bore testimony seeing as though we literally tripled the congregation. They provided a delicious break the fast (amazing pecan rolls).

We spent the rest of the Sabbath on a little nature walk around our camp site on Bahia Honda key

Monday, the sixth of June we got on a boat and headed out to Looe Key (under water) there we went snorkeling for an hour and a half, it wasn't enough time!  seeing the reef and all the fishes and creatures was an indescribable experience and I would love to go back some day. It was so beautiful. We spent the rest of the day driving to Key west, seeing the Southernmost point of the continental US, relaxing on the beach, and driving back to our last key camp site.

 Our last camp site at long Key was right on the beach and had beautiful white sand (this picture is at low tide)

 Packing up the pop up camper (a very comfy way to camp) each site had water, electricity, and warm showers. we saw a huge crab on the way to the showers this morning (sorry no pics)

Adam and Aunt Milla

All packed up and ready to go!

Pudding!

I think we found a creative outlet for Adam. it is even on the wall!

the day before we left to go join Nathaniel's Family in Florida.

Y mount

instead of going for a long run the last Saturday in May we decided to go for a long hike. We recreated Nathaniel and my third date and made some new memories.

 eating a rock as we stopped for lunch

 headed back down

 Adam and Daddy, it was a bit chilly, especially for the end of May

Happy family at the Y

note to self

if Adam looks like he is about to sneeze, do not shove a spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth

 but still oh so cute :)

Tech savvy baby

in an effort to get Adam to stop trying to play with our computers, we gave him one of his own :)