Florida - Universal's Islands of Adventure

McKell entertained herself with a piece of gum while waiting for others to go on a ride she wasn't interested in. 

Entrance to Hogsmeade!

Honeyduke's sweet shop

Hogwarts Castle!!!

These Durmstrang boys were awesome.

Our four favorite "Things".

Russ and Ashlyn braved the crazy Hulk coaster.

And this is the line we waited in to go on the "Escape from Hogwarts" ride (which was really awesome).

Florida - Universal Studios

The Night Bus

First look at Diagon Alley, and the dragon atop Gringott's Bank.

Tales of Beedle the Bard

Doing some real magic with our wand.

Lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.

Two thumbs up for Butterbeer!!!

Caught the Despicable Me ride on our way out. 

McKell climbed on, over, around, and through every railing we encountered while waiting in lines.

And, another rainy end to our day.

Florida - Epcot

I really enjoyed Epcot. I would have loved to spend at least another day there. We didn't even last until dinner time though, because we were pretty worn out from the previous day at Magic Kingdom. We LOVED "Turtle Talk with Crush", and the ride "Soarin". 

At the aquarium area.

There were amazing topiaries all over the park.

The performances were really fun. This was a group of drummers in the Germany pavilion.

And this mime/acrobat in the France pavilion was unbelievable!

Another rainy day. We got dumped on every day but the last one.

Florida - Magic Kingdom

I'm not even going to try to give all the details from our epic Florida vacation, but I'll highlight a few things (baiscally what I've got pictures of).

I heard so much about the famous Dole Whips, that we had to try for ourselves. Two thumbs up!

Outside Prince Eric's castle. They even look like they are friends in this one!

Splash Mountain was the only ride I decreed to be mandatory for everyone.
Brenna resisted, but I held firm . . . and she hated it. :)

Brenna got to play the part of Mrs. Potts at Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Meeting Cinderella before we had dinner at her Royal Castle.

"Abra-cadabra, Ala-kazaam, Turn my Dad into a man!"

It was crowded and crazy, we got drenched in the rain, and we were too tired to stay for the fireworks show, but it was magical and unforgettable, too.

May 2018

We celebrated May the 4th with Han-burgers, Yoda Soda, and Jabba Jiggle.

 Ashlyn had her first swim meet and did awesome!

She has really enjoyed being on the city swim team this spring/summer.

 Brenna found a new medium for writing McKell's name.

School ended and McKell graduated from kindergarten with flying colors!

 And we went on a week long vacation to Orlando to visit Disneyworld and Universal Studios! 

(More info on our trip to come in subsequent posts.)

April 2018

Goodbye Rapunzel hair!

She got 2 haircuts out of the deal, because the hairdresser at the salon gave her a really uneven cut, so we had to call in a friend to fix it.

 First family campout - but only Russ, Ashlyn, and McKell spent the night because Kaylee had to be at school early the following morning to head off to Austin for State History Fair (and Brenna likes to go wherever I go.)

Brenna had a super fun tea party with her primary teacher and the other little girl in her class.

 Russ and I tried out an Escape Room with our friends and had a blast (plus, we escaped - with about 30 seconds to spare!)

I took Brenna to my friend's garden to do a little photo shoot in her baptism dress (because everything outside looked ugly in January when she was actually baptized).