Alison and the Boys Come to Visit!

We always look forward to the summertime when Alison and the boys come to Florida from Shanghai.  Even though we saw them in Australia in December, we couldn't believe how much they had grown and changed.  The first thing we did was give Tyson his early birthday present--a bug catcher and habitat in which to keep the little critters he would catch.  He seemed pretty thrilled!

We then headed for Orlando for the 4th of July weekend.  Here is the condo we stayed at--it seems like lately we are always on the very highest floor!

Garrett and Isaac were so glad to have the cousins come.  They all had a great time at the pool - -

Most of the time, we ate in the condo, but occasionally we ate out--it took a pretty big table!

Lots of boys:  Bracken, Parker, Isaac, Preston, Tyson, and Garrett

Lola was the only girl--but she gets lots of attention that way!

Jeff and Amy--Amy's constant vigil at the pool with the kids is really showing in her tan!

Alison and Mom--John is still in China finishing up work in order to come to the U.S.

The kids always enjoy Disney Village!

The whole fam that went--plus a visitor!

We could spend hours in Lego Land!

Isaac's favorite character ever--Woody, all made out of Legos.

Parker helping Preston create something fun.

Even Lola got in to the fun!

But the place we stayed the longest and had to pull the kids away from was the new dinosaur pavilion.  Everyone loved it there!

These dinosaurs really move and with their real dinosaur sounds, they are very realistic!

Isaac digging for dinosaur bones.

Preston loved this, too!

There were lots of computer games about dinosaurs that the kids enjoyed, too.

Then Alison took a four-day little side-trip to Virginia to see some of her old friends there, plus go to a friend's baby shower.  Bracken went to Tampa to Especially for Youth, so she put Parker in charge of the two younger boys while she was gone.  He did such a tremendous job!  George and I were so impressed! 

He helped Preston in the pool.  We spent lots of time at Jeff and Amy's pool with the temperatures in the mid-90s every day!

But we really hit a ringer when we went to Spring Park, because not only did the kids have fun playing in the park - -

But the real fun began when we walked along the dock and the kids started looking at what some of the fishermen and women at caught.  They had never seen a catfish before, and Grandpa George had to show them how prickly they are and not to touch them.   

Then the kids spotted this kid who, I'm sure, was out for a quiet evening of shrimping by himself.  Well, that didn't last long.  As soon as the kids saw what he was doing, it was like Christmas every time he pulled the shrimp net up.  They all would squeal and start picking out the fish and the shrimp.  I don't know when I've seen kids have more fun!

Even Lola wasn't afraid to pick up the fish!

The kids made sure the little fish were thrown back in the river to grow a little.

The picture pretty much shows how much fun we all had.  Grandpa and I said, "Well, we have a net, too.  Let's try it ourselves tomorrow night!"  The kids were so excited and could hardly wait.  Next post:  We go solo and go shrimping ourselves!