Bahamas

Some kids ask for bikes for their birthday...our kids ask for Passports!  Kyle has been wanting to get a passport since he was 8.  In fact, at 8 he told me if he had a passport he would be off to Brazil.  Well, we wanted to give our kids an experience outside the United States, but were trying to figure out the best way to do that.  Then Monty figured out that we could take a cruise and the boys could visit another country without a passport.  It seemed like a good compromise.  I'm sure one day we will get them passports, but with 5 of them we'd rather spend that money on the actual vacation.  Monty booked us a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas.  Everyone was more than excited.  With the weather turning here from cold to COLDER the thought of tropical weather sounded divine!!  Our cruise left out of Miami and we visited three islands:  Stirrup Cay, Nassau, and Grand Bahamas. 


Kory and Kyle looking out into the port of Miami before leaving for the Bahamas

Monty sporting his Miami Dolphins shirt!  He loves being in a place that appreciates his Dolphins!

After the first night on the boat on our way to Stirrup Cay.



Trey being creative and building something...



Dad helping Kory get ready for a snorkeling adventure.



Kyle showing how big a fish was he and Tyler saw.



Makai--thinks he is as big as the other boys!

While leaving Stirrup Cay we were more than thankful that Kyle didn't get more injured when his arm got caught between a rope that attached our boat to the ship and the rail for the boat.  Monty was able to move the rope just enough for Kyle got get his arm out.  It was then that we knew we were being watched out for because the incident could have been a lot worse! 

Nassau, Bahamas is the capital of the Bahamas.  We found the color choices for the building rather...interesting!

Kyle--now you can't tell us we never took you out of the country!

Watching fish at the dock.

Sweet couple that took our picture after we took theirs.  Poor guy didn't know how to center a photo(thank heavens we have a crop feature to try and fix it), but we appreciated his kindness.

Tyler playing a Bahaman drum.  He was actually pretty good at it.

I just think this photo is too cute.  I love this kid!!

A teachers protest.  They want higher pay.  I was glad the boys got to see this.

The Bahamas don't have their own military, but I will say their police are HUGE!!  I wouldn't mess with this guy!!

Enough of the city for us.  Time for the beach!  Monty chillin'

Kory and Monty swam out to the buoys.  I was pretty impressed that Kory made the swim.  It was farther than it looks.  He did a great job and...

was pretty proud of himself.

 My favorite part of the trip was actually in this water.  It was so clear and warm enough to be enjoyed.  I swam out to the buoy too, but then just stayed out there enjoying the feel of the water.  Monty got worried and swam out to get me.  When he got there he said, "Are you okay?"  "Yes!" I told him.  I was in heaven and just don't want to leave the water.  He laughed!  The water felt like a massage as you swam.  Bliss. 

Makai is a beach bum for sure.

Brotherly love.

On our way to lunch at the Fish Fry.

Lucky for them I didn't want them to have any local water so they were enjoying some soda!

We like to try local food.  These were some conch fry balls.  They were pretty good.  Not our favorite.  The conch was pretty tough.  We were glad to try them though.  This was actually the only meal we ate off the boat.

Tyler enjoyed the fish much more. 

Our last and final stop was Freeport Harbour.

We took a taxi to a place called Paradise Cove.  We heard that was where the best snorkeling was.  Tyler was a pretty happy camper after snorkeling here.  Said it was by far the best snorkeling he had EVER done!

It was a pretty cold day and after a down poor this towel was completely wet, but Makai wouldn't take it off.  He insisted it was keeping him warm. 

When it didn't keep him warm he moved to more drastic measures. 

During the rain storm I got a little worried because I couldn't find Monty and Kyle.  I knew they were out snorkeling, but as I scanned the area I couldn't see them.  Tyler and I were both a little worried, but like little mermen they appeared and were never in any harm.  They were off enjoying their best snorkel of their lives behind the rock.

I wanted to go, but was a little worried about swimming out.  I think it's my medication but I get foot cramps when I swim now.  This makes me a little nervous to swim.  So, Monty took care of me and paid for me to take a boat out.  Tyler went with me.  We enjoyed a snorkel until I got too cold and had come in.  It really is amazing that under this water is an entire WORLD!!  I enjoyed snorkeling with Tyler.  And for the record my foot did cramp just as we were finishing so the boat was a good idea.

Two handsome dudes building Atlantis...(and notice Spiderman on the mountain.  This was Makai's buddy the ENTIRE trip.  He took him everywhere!!  In fact, in many pictures if you look close...you will see him.)

Trey--enough said!

Fire POWER!

We did have some fun on the boat as well.  Each night on the boat we went out as a family and did something fun.  We played shuffle board the first night.  That was pretty fun. I didn't even know how to play the game up until than. 

We did end up in the arcade a couple times 

Arcades are a boy haven I have decided.

The food was a hit the whole week.  We had no complaints in this area.  Well, I take that back...there were some complaints about being SO FULL!!

This is one of the pools.  Not the boys favorite, but one that Makai could play in.  Their favorite one was one that they swam in when it was dark.  The boat was kinda rocky that night and so the water was swishing like a wave pool.  That was their favorite night of swimming. 

Tyler is usually pretty serious, but he took all our towels one afternoon and made a robe.  I don't remember if he was trying to be an angel or an Israeli.  Either way it's always fun when he has some fun.

This was my favorite night.  We had just swam but then decided to play H-O-R-S-E.  Oh, and who won?  That would be MOM!!  For some reason I couldn't miss that night!  Not to brag, but I didn't even get an H!;) Maybe it was the rocky boat that just helped all my baskets to go in.  Dad got H-O-R-S-E first.  Sorry babe.  Then Kyle, then Tyler.  Kory and I were the last two, but I showed no mercy.  Heck, I gotta enjoy it while it lasts as I know this is only a temporary thing!! 

The boys tried their hand a ping pong.  Needless to say there was always something to do. 

The final day after we got off the boat Makai seemed to put it best. 

This kid cracks me up.  I have no idea how he didn't contract some crazy disease on this trip because he sat down anywhere.  If we were on an escalator he sat down.  If we were on a train he sad down.  If we stopped for a moment...he was on the floor.  It usually drives me nuts, but this time it was cute.

After we got off the boat he had a day and a half left in Florida.  It was a fun relaxing time to get a few more fun pictures and a few more rays of the sun!! 

Okay, so not everyone was having fun.  Trey was not having so much fun.  In fact, he got sent to time out for being super grumpy.  This boy is FULL of emotion.  He can be totally happy...and TOTALLY not!

Makai just kinda doing his own thing. 

I don't know who taught Trey to do this...you never know what you will get with this kid.  Love my 6 boys!!

Makai being a squirrel--at least that's what he says when he sees this picture.  I think he looks more like a MONKEY!

Even after a week on the beach the boys played till the last minute.  At this time they were pretending to be from the movie The Incredibles.  Kory was Dash, Trey-Violet and Kyle-Elastagirl.  They were reenacting the scene from the movie when they wash up on shore after being shot out of the sky. 

We had an awesome trip.  Goodbye Sunshine...Hello SNOW!

Tyler's Design

Tyler loves his WAVE class.  It is an aerospace class and they study all kinds of aircraft.  He likes it so much he stays after school twice a week for an after school WAVE club.  This week was their mission to the moon.  The fake astronauts get into the space shuttle simulator and begin their mission.  Along the way when they encounter problems they call back for support from the other kids who are in various groups like, electrical engineering group, communications group....

Well, last week Tyler informed me that the club made t-shirts for the launch.  Each kid had to submit a design for the t-shirt and then the class had a vote on who's design would go on the shirt.  The classes picked Tyler's design.  Pretty exciting!  He didn't design the front, but it is his picture on the back.  Great job Tyler!

Eggs

So, our chickens are keepers.  They are officially laying eggs!  Of course, now it is almost winter, so I am sure it will stop, but the boys were pretty excited the morning they found some eggs.  They even ate them for breakfast!  They all said they were delicious! 

 

So, about two nights ago Monty heard something strange coming from outside, so he went upstairs and on the porch was sitting a huge raccoon!  He was just looking in the screen glass door.  We realized that we had forgotten to lock up the chickens.  Tyler went out and found Madea and she was bleeding.  The raccoon got to her, but she was okay.  Bella was in the cage.  The boys were so concerned.  For days Kyle wanted us to take Madea to the Vet.  They would come in from outside and say, "Bella and Madea are just not acting right."  However, Tyler informed me this morning that Madea seems to be doing better.  The boys have enjoyed the chickens. 

Makai was due for a hair cut.

I went to give Makai a hair cut a few days ago.  I put it on video and thought it was cute.  Kids love looking in the mirror.  I thought his faces were cute.  I love this boy!!

Halloween 2013

Halloween this year was different.  The boys were not sure what they wanted to be.  In fact, Tyler decided not to dress up.  He said last year was awkward to dress up.  He still went around with us to trick or treat though. He stayed back with the adults.  Kyle dressed as a Hobbit and so did Kory.  Trey dressed as a Dwarf and Makai just used a power ranger costume all the boys have worn.  He's had a few costume parties in October, so he was everything from batman to spider man and a power ranger for trick or treating.  In this photo Tyler decided to be a photo bomber!  We had some friends over for dinner and went trick or treating with them.  That was fun.  I was proud of the boys.  They wanted weapons, but I was so busy that day I didn't have time to get them any, so I told them they should make some.  We got out some materials and they went to town!  They were pretty proud of their work and enjoyed them for the night. 

Kory turned 9!

How quickly the years are going.  Kory is officially 9!  He was super excited for his birthday this year.  This year was no exception.  He had to go to school on his birthday, but he had a 4 day weekend so, he was still pretty lucky.  His birthday fell on a Wednesday this year so it was kinda a mad rush as Tyler and I had mutual that night.  Kory LOVES Potatoes!  So, his dinner included mashed potatoes and tator tots.  We were all so full afterward that we had to save dessert for after Ty and I got home.  For weeks Kory had asked to have beignets instead of cake.  I must say...they were rather enjoyable. 


Kory enjoying his beignet!

Kory really wanted to have friends over this year for his birthday, so since he didn't have school Friday we decided to have a little get together.  He invited two of his best friends from school and they each made their own pizzas.  I've decided you can learn a lot about a person by what they put on their pizza.  I had to laugh when some kids only wanted cheese.  Some wanted everything....  Very telling. 

Kory, Nash and Seth!

Kory is a pretty amazing kid.  He is very easy going most of the time.  He is really into the Percy Jackson series as well as the Michael Vey series.  He loves to read.  He was pretty easy to shop for this year because the told me what he wanted.  That worked out well for him!  He asked for a leather jacket and a Halo Lego set.  He also got a Bronco hoodie with Bronco slippers, a new Bear book for scouts and I forget what else at the moment. 
Kory also has some talents.  He still loves and wants to be a chef(hence the make your own pizza party).  He makes the best lemonade in the house.  We all ask him how to make it if we try to make it.  He is the best finder in the house.  If something is lost I usually ask Kory to look for it and he almost always finds it(except my iPod...that is still missing!)  However, he isn't perfect...he does still like to stuff his clothes.  In fact, this is sometimes a major point of contention between us when I find his fresh pile stuffed in his closet, but you know...we all have our weaknesses!:)  He is doing really well in school this year.  He is the easiest to get up in the morning.  Although I know he hates it he does it without griping.  I have noticed he is really maturing this year.  I am so thankful he is my son!  He is a sweetheart.  Oh, and he LOVES video games.  I did get him a shirt that says, "I'm tired of playing video games. ~said NO ONE EVER!!"  He likes it and wears it often.  He still prefers wearing athletic pants over anything else, but is a trooper and wears jeans to school.  I love Kory with all my heart!  His smile is contagious!     

Aquarium

Monty's boss gave him a day off and passes to the Denver Aquarium as a reward for meeting all his goals for the year.  He did an awesome job actually blowing his goals out of the water.  He might not LOVE what he does, but he is good at it.  We decided to just take the kids out of school one day and go.  With the boys in two different districts they just don't have the same days off.  All our boys love nature, and love being taken out of school, so they were all smiles! 

I seriously think we have the best five boys in the world!

Not sure who taught Makai how to smile and look like his eyes are going to pop out of his head, but this is how he is smiling for pictures right now.  Can't fault the kid for being happy!

Maybe Kory taught him!:)

 

Kyle was so excited about this shark!

One of the highlights of the day was getting to feed crickets to the spitting fish.  These fish are pretty accurate and spit rather hard.  Of course, for a group of boys spitting fish would be a highlight.  They would spit water right at the cricket and out of your hand.  The funniest moment of the day was when Monty put his hand over the water thinking the fish could tell food from 'non-food' and they spit right on his hand.  Fast and HARD. At this moment I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head!

If you know Tyler, you know this is totally his cup of tea!  He loves hands on things like this.  I was glad he had something to do as the rest of the time he looked kind of well...not so impressed!

Makai couldn't get enough of this fake Orangutan.  He kept wandering back to it.  You could tell he was trying to figure out if it was real, or fake.  He loved it.  The next day when I was asking him about the Orangutan I asked him if he knew what it was and he said, "Yeah, it's like a monkey thing."

 

 I think they are ready to go!
Thanks for a fun day Dad.  On the way home we stopped by and had dinner at Cinzetti's.  An Italian all you can eat place.  Lets just say...these boys can seriously EAT!