Wilde Times

Each summer, we look forward to the Wildes coming to Florida.  Usually just Alison and the boys come, but this year we had the added good fortune of having John as well.  Some of the great Wilde adventures included:

Going to the Bouncy Houses

I don't remember exactly the place's name, but it had all kinds of bouncey objects which the kids loved!

I had to literally force them to sit down to get this picture--the cousins:  Garrett and Tyson.

I love Lola and Preston's age--they think they are playing the arcade games without money!

We actually went to this place a couple of times.  Parker came one of the times and helped me out with the kids.  I think he may have had a little fun, too!

How appropriate--all the grandkids in front of the gator.  They want to be true Gators, too! 

Celebrating Preston's Birthday - Although little Preston's birthday was the end of February, we weren't there to celebrate with him in Shanghai, so we had a mini birthday party for him here. 

He is such a fun little guy who always has a big smile!

He loves "Toy Story," so we got him all the figures to make his own story. 

A Weekend in Orlando - The Wildes, The Barlows, and George and I went to Orlando for some fun and to help Kyle and Kim get settled in their new home there.  We all had such a great time together.

The home where Kyle and Kim live.

There are deer strolling everywhere in their neighborhood!

Of course, the kids loved the pool.

These were some mighty happy little boys when they got to see their long awaited movie, "Transformers."

The bigger boys seemed to like it, too!  (George chose to go to the Tom Hanks movie, instead--all by himself!)  Jenna and I went to Selena Gomez's new movie.  It was actually very good and we had a great Grandma-Granddaughter time together!

Fun Times at the Condo - We, also, stayed at a condo in Orlando.  We always have to get a condo with a great pool because that's definitely what the kids look forward to the most!

Most of the meals were at the condo, but one night we splurged and went to one of John and Alison's favorite places. 

The best almond-crusted tilapia I have ever had!!!

Cousin memories are the best!

Fourth of July Celebration - We had our own celebration back at our home in Green Cove. 

This was such a great 4th of July celebration--Jeff and Amy announced they would be having a baby in February.  Sadly, a few weeks later (when she was three months along), she had a miscarriage.  Everyone was very sad, especially Amy who had been so good to go through all the sick and tired part and seemed to be getting to the next three easiest months.  We hope and pray they will still have the desires of their hearts to have another little one in the future. 

More cousin pictures having fun together. 

Something about Papa's truck just fascinates the kids.  They always want to get in the back. 

Chillin' time playing with Lincoln logs and blocks their parents played with!

Tyson is a master at the Lincoln logs!

Chuck-e-Cheese - No cousin visit is complete without going to Chuck-e-Cheese.

Don't you love the expressions of all three of them?!

Lola's favorite was definitely the merry-go-round.

Visiting Papa's Work - I had to put this picture in because Tyson was fascinated by how many things George has in his office from his visits to China and Australia, both places we went with their family--in addition to his Gator items, of course. 

An evening at Spring Park - Another favorite place of the grandkids.  Every time you go there, you will definitely have an adventure. 

A young man showing Preston and Tyson a shrimp he caught and how to get a hold of it. 

Some guy had caught a couple of crabs. 

Basketball and soccer at the church.  This was hysterical.  Both Parker and Tyson love basketball.  Parker thought he was going to school his old grandpa. 

Parker showed his grandpa exactly where he should be shooting from in "Horse."  Funny thing--as Parker would later say, "He's ____years old with a bad back, hasn't practiced in who knows how long, but he still whipped me!"  That had to be hard for Parker to say, but he indeed did say it. 

These three had the best time playing basketball together . . .

while my little buddy, Preston, and I played soccer.  He is so good!  I think I wore him out because he finally sat down.  Sorry no action pictures. 

Soon it was time for the Wildes to go back to Utah.  John and Alison had managed to make two trips while they were here, one to Dallas and one to San Francisco, for discussions with the Deloitte partners and checking the areas out for when they come back in a year from China.  They were meeting us in Utah.  George and I left at the same time with the kids, but George had to ride a different airline because we used frequent flyer points.  Long story short:  George's plane got out, ours was delayed because of weather (they were leaving 30 minutes apart!), making it so that we would miss our connecting flight, so we couldn't get out until the next morning.  

The kids and I went home with all our luggage, slept overnight, and went back to the airport the next morning.  How do things like that happen--I mean George was all by himself with one little carry-on bag!  Oh, well, we got to Utah safely the next morning while George got in the night before.  We loved the Wilde activities at our home.  Thanks for coming, Wildes!