Every day after school these two hang out in our room...

 entertaining each other...

 don't ask...I was just snapping the picture...

 It is constant noise and motion and comedy...

 of the 5th grade variety.

 Somethings with seal noises...

 which make them laugh...hard.

Oh....boys....it is time to go home!  Let's go home and be cooped up inside with all this extra energy!  You need a break from each other...to re-charge for tomorrow! 

He just makes me laugh!

 "Mom, tonight is Occupation Night at Truth Trackers...I don't know what to do.  Got any ideas?"  I scanned through pinterest for something easy.  We checked off a few things we had already done.  A couple suggestions were not cool.  "Hey, how about being a tourist...you have your new hat and shirt...add some black socks with your crocs, sunglasses..."  He went for it!  And then embellished it some more...pins, belt, old camera, and his sister's new bag...even hiked his pants up higher than normal...till there was a little wedgie problem.

"Now, Mom, am I a character or is this an occupation?"  Oh, honey, you are a character whose occupation will be a tourist!

Remember when we were so excited for the first snowfall of this season...

and how pretty it was?!  Isn't it interesting how the months change your perspective?!  We are so ready for temps to be above the 5 degrees we had again this morning!  We are watching eagerly as the piles of snow melt.  We have counted several robins who are back...or who have stayed around and lost some of their fluffy feathers.  We are looking forward to the forecasted "warmer temps this weekend".  It has been a looong winter spent indoors...our little preschool friends keep reminding us of that fact with every argument, fight, and disobedient choice.  We're trying hard to find and keep control.  Mrs. K said today, "Ok, y'all are just too squiggly.  Everybody up..."

Coming clean...

sometimes...I don't share with our children!  And sometimes...I don't feel guilty about it...because a bag can last a nice long time that way!

Still mesmerizing...

to look at, touch, sort, play with, and wonder about the shells.  We had to rinse and soak in bleach again once we got home.  The closed up bags during the flight home released strong fishy, sea odors when we opened them at home.  We have since put the shells in jars on the mantel...I still have an idea or two for them.  We need to figure out something cool to do with the shark teeth too.  With the temps in the teens again and talk of snow, sifting through the shells and pictures brings the trip memories back quickly!

Double-date night

 and the girls ate deep-fried pickles!!!  Maybe we should go again and take another picture...where you aren't posing and talking at the same time?!  Love you, sissy!  Thanks for spending time with us!

On Ted's iphone

 We were using my phone for a gps, so I grabbed Ted's phone to snap a picture of the neat bridge we had to cross to get to Bradenton.  We were in awe of the beautiful, sunny day after flying in from snowy Michigan.

 Ted was drooling and trying his best to watch where he was driving...so many boats, so much water, and the fishing piers!!!!

 Buddies at the get go...and ready for adventure!

 Forgot that we did get a picture driving in...thank you, honey!

 And guess who got zoomed in on at the Monsters Laugh Floor..."Yeah, that lady, the one who doesn't know how to wear her sweater!"

 "Put your goggles on."  I did.  "Oh, she actually did.  Now put up your antennas so I can read your mind. Raise your right one.  Ok, now raise your left one, no lower, lower."

 Riding the Buzz Lightyear Ride...who won again?

 NOT Mom!

 Teddy was excited for this ride...I mean, drive!  "I am big enough to drive my own car!  I'm going by myself!"

 Ted rode with Ashlynn.  I rode with Alisa...who kept crashing into the rail...I'm not looking forward to driver's training with her.  Yikes!

 Ready to go hit a couple rides before the night time spectacular.  Ted and I got coffees and enjoyed sitting and watching people...getting our spots to watch the parade.  It was such a beautiful night...and nice to sit down!

 In the morning light...so peaceful!

 Do we look like we are forcing the grins?!

 Our thrill rider!

 Happy here...we can see the end of the line...so to speak.  We all decided 75 minutes would go by faster with more interactive things to do...or at least clips of the movie showing...Toy Story Ride.

 Found a place to enjoy the Fantasmic Show...and look, Mari, a picture of my Mickey treat!

It is amazing what they do with water, lighting, fire, steam, and fireworks! 

"We are going home with a sunburn today!!!"

 All packed up and loaded up...now we can enjoy the poolside till late afternoon!  What a wonderful way to end our trip!

 Enjoyed the warm waters and the sunshine...we found chairs that were in the shade for awhile...and then the sun came!  Relaxing with my refillable cup...a little extra fun to use when staying at the resort.

 The band-aid evidence of my nasty blister.

 Showered up and heading for a late lunch/early supper at 4:30pm so we can get on the road by 5:15pm to head back to Tampa for our 9:50pm flight.

 Enjoying the walk over the bridge and the pretty flowers...soaking it in since we are heading back to cold and snow!

 The yummiest sandwich and house-made chips ever!

 Sure did enjoy our time away!  "It sure is going to be hard to go back home to cold weather!  Everyone at home has pale faces...and we are the red necks!  Ba da boom." chuckled Teddy.  He has been doing that when he thinks he says something funny.  Our little comedian!

 "This is cool!  This cookie is as big as my face!"

 Ohhhh...spring will come, spring will come, spring will come....

 Leaving Disney property...

 Ashlynn snapped this for me as we left...since I wasn't fast enough on our way in on Tuesday.

 And then the car got really quiet...for an hour and a half.  Ashlynn passed out shortly after this picture.

 Ted and I watched the scenery and traffic...and said goodbye to all things green!  We dropped off the rental car and were shuttled to the airport in plenty of time.  Our driver even took "the scenic route since you have plenty of time to get checked in!"  We saw the Tampa Bay Bucs stadium and the spring training field for the New York Yankees.

 Hey...look at me...your sunburn is showing!!!  Ready to go through airport security and head to our gate?

 Southwest terminal...ahead!  The tram that takes you from the Main Building of the airport to the security check points and the terminals.

 We watched the sunset as we waited for our boarding time.  I like flying out at night!  We enjoyed all day in the sun and now we can just sit back and rest.

  We landed at 12:30am...got our luggage (all of it arrived again!) and waited for Dad to pull the car around.  Thankfully, the temp was about 40 degrees and the snow that had fallen while we were gone had melted!  No digging out required!

 We got home about 1:45am and headed to bed...and slept and slept and slept.  So thankful for a safe trip home and wonderful memories made!  We all agreed as we sat at supper on Thursday night...the first part of our trip...spent in Bradenton area...was our favorite!

We came home to our souvenirs...that showed up in our mailbox...while we were gone.  Up to 50% cheaper buying from Amazon...and the same thing in the shops at Disney. The kiddos shirts came in before we left and they had them to wear before Wednesday.  Just a little frugal tip from our resident lean manager!  Well played, honey!!!  I most likely would not have worn it while at the parks...that would make me look like a tourist! Ha ha ha!