Best and Worst

Seeger's worst - his fortune was the same one Nick had
Nick's worst - that it was so hot out
Mike's worst - that Natalie didn't get to go sightseeing with us
Natalie's worst - boring training
Seeger's best - getting ready to see ET
Nick's best - going to the Smithsonian
Mike's best - going up the clock tower
Natalie's best - family fun in DC

Flashback

I just came across this post from December 2008. It has a few videos of the boys and they are so darned cute! It's makes me miss those earlier years with them. I'm so glad I've recorded some of these treasured memories.

Florida 2013

Several months ago, Jake (my youngest of three brothers) suggested a family trip to Florida. We were able to identify a week that everyone could go so the Polack, the boys, my mom, my three brothers and my sister-in-law, convened in Melbourne Beach. The Kubatski's, along with my mom and oldest brother, Jon, drove. (The rest of our group flew.) It turned out that the IU baseball team was playing in their super regional at Florida State on the Saturday we planned to leave. Although Tallahassee wasn't exactly on our route, we decided to make a side trip to watch the game. It meant leaving at 6pm on Friday (instead of 6am on Saturday) but we decided it was worth it.

We arrived a few hours before the game so we did a quick tour of campus.

Florida State has a circus program!?

It was a long game - especially after our 12 hour drive - but it the Hoosiers won so that was good. 

After the game, we still had a five hour drive to Melbourne Beach. We arrived safe and sound. Jake's boss owns the house and he let Jake use the house for a small fee. It had three bedrooms and enough beds and couches for everyone. It was only a few blocks from the beach and it had it's own pool.

On Sunday, the Polack, the boys, and I drove about an hour away to visit with the Polack's cousins, Bob and Patty. They made us lunch and we hung out by the pool all day. We were able to watch IU play the second game of their Super Regional where they clinched the series and advanced to the College World Series. 

Bob and Patty's house is very close to the Sanford airport where Jake, Kathyrn, and Michael flew in to on Sunday night. We picked them up and headed back to Melbourne Beach. But first, we stopped in Melbourne for some dinner at an Irish Pub.

On Monday we were all finally together. We had a relaxing day at the house. We did some grocery shopping, hung out by the pool, and had a nice steak dinner.

That evening, we walked to the beach.

On Tuesday, everyone except Michael went to Magic Kingdom. It was crowded. Really, really crowded. But it was fun to ride some of the classic Disney rides. 

 The People Move in Tomorrowland. This used to be Seeger's favorite ride!

In line for the Buzz Lightyear ride.

 

 Spinning Teacups. I don't do this ride anymore...

Waiting for the show in the Hall of President's.

 

Jake was so excited about seeing the President's. It was at the top of his list of attractions to see.

 

This humidity did not treat us well that day but it rained in the afternoon so that helped cool things down at bit.

Seeger was a little nervous about the Haunted Mansion but he ended up loving the ride.

Waiting to watch Mickey's Philharmagic Show.

 

Not the greatest picture but Jake looks so focused. I wonder what he's looking at??

 

Oh yeah, it's Ariel the Little Mermaid!

 

Seeger read a shortened version of Swiss Family Robinson a few months ago and we also watched the movie together so he really wanted to visit their tree house.

 

I hadn't visiting the Swiss Family Robinson tree house since I was a kid; I didn't realize it afforded such great views of the park.

 

I think this was on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Dinner time; don't you love Kathryn's sparkly mouse ears?

The Electric Light Parade.

 

I know I'm in the minority but I LOVE the It's a Small World ride.

 

The Polack does NOT feel the same way about It's a Small World.

 Headed home - we had a full day at Magic Kingdom!

We spent Wednesday at the beach. The boys loved playing in the powerful Atlantic waves.

Wednesday was Michaels's birthday so we went out for a nice dinner.

On Thursday, the Polack, the boys, Mike, Jon, and I went to Universal Studios. Mike was really excited because he'd never been to Universal before. Of course, our first stop was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

We were able to snap some photos with Captain America.

Here is Nicklas and I after a water ride.

Jon has always loved roller coasters and thrill rides but like me, he has to have a break in between. Luckily we were able to ride everything we wanted to ride. Here's another visit to Hogsmeade.

Friday was our last day all together so we spent most of it in the pool at the house.

The Kubatski's had to leave everyone on Saturday. They were staying until Sunday but we had to return to Bloomington for Nick's baseball game. I wasn't sure how it would go - having all nine of us together. We represent different generations and have different ideas about how to enjoy vacation. But everyone had a great time and it was fun being able to spend so much time together.  This picture of Michael sums it up perfectly!