Bahama Mama

I am now a converted cruise-aholic! We just got back from the Caribbean and before and after cruising, all of Florida's attractions. We had such an amazing time, words could never do justice, so I won't even try to describe my experience in that way, just a run down.
We got to Florida and went to Seaworld, which is always a treat! Brax insisted on sitting in the soak zone for the Shamu show, so we did indeed get soaked from that gigantic fin. Another favorite part was touching the sting rays, which Brax loved last year, but was not to fond of this time, however Jozalyn was all for it!
After a good nights rest, we then set sail out of Port Canaveral on the Disney Wonder! And the ship name says it all, it was indeed a wonder! The minute we got on the ship my eyes about popped out of my head with excitement! We had lunch and we all enjoyed a round of Bahama Mama's, an amazing tropical drink (unleaded of course). We visited the Bahamian islands, including Disney's own private island, Castaway Cay (where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed). And yes, it is exactly what you are picturing right now! We went jet skiing, and glass bottom boating, and visited Atlantis, and just played on the beach all day! Which the kids loved! They were completely exhausted most of the time, but it was so worth it! You can never go wrong with Disney, Brax loved all of the guys, as he calls them, on the ship. Mickey&Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald&Daisy, Chip&Dale, Lilo&Stich, all of the Toy Story characters, The Lion King gang, all of the Disney princess', you name it, they were all there and we got pictures with nearly all of them! Jozalyn was pretty hesitant, the furthest she got was giving Mickey and Belle high fives! Everyone says you have to take a cruise without your kids, but it was so incredible to have them with us. My parents were there so they volunteered to watch them a lot of the time. Big thanks to them for the wonderful memories they helped to create! The ship had explosive Broadway style productions every night, they are amazing! Let me tell you that the food was out of this world and I am not big on food, but man I was on this trip. It is non-stop eating, my favorite part was of course the dessert bar! Some nights were formal and some casual, so it made for a great mix. Kids loved the pool and the room with a view! After sadly saying bon voyage to our ship we went to Disney World's Hollywood studios where all of the Pixar characters live. So Brax got pictures with The incredibles, Bolt, and Lighting McQueen and Mator. We then went to Magic Kingdom and the next day to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure were the highlights were Brax getting a shot with Spiderman and Brett, myself and my Dad riding the insane Dueling dragons coaster, while my wonderful Mom watched my two kids while they slept soundly in their strollers, thanks Mom! We just did so much, and I have already said too much! It was beautiful each day and I am in sun depression now, because I am back to the miserable cold! I must admit I am already planning our next cruise, I am obsessed! Well I filled an entire 2GB memory card with pics so I will go through and pick our some favs!

Eating my words

Brax loves to teach Jozalyn any and every thing and this particular morning we were getting ready for a bath and Brax went pottie as usual before getting in and was just teaching/showing his sister how to do it. She is trying to imitate him, by sticking her belly out as if to pee (if she were a boy if you get my drift). He then gets into the tub and Jozalyn is not far behind. I proceed to explain to Brax that he is such a great teacher, but it will be awhile until she can be big and go on the toilet like he does...
Now she is seriously funny because whenever we are in the middle of a diaper change she escapes and runs around naked, laughing hysterically running away from me. It is cute for awhile, but when I see her squat, I leap to get her and put a diaper on. This is because every time she squats she goes pee-pee.
So back to the story we are in the process of getting into the tub, she squats and I know what is coming, so I decide (to amuse Braxton) to put her on the pottie and she goes sitting on the pottie! She was like what the heck are you doing Mom, (looking down), then she hears it hitting the water and starts to laugh. While Brax is witnessing this, we are all laughing and then he says to me, "see Mom she is a big girl, I taught her how to go pottie." Oh if I could count how many times I have eaten my words...this would most definitely be one of them.

Hearts

Happy Valentines day yesterday, ha! I was so busy with the sweet events of the day I forgot to post to wish everyone else a happy heart day! I am not sure why we have to have a designated day where we celebrate love and give gifts and do special things for each other because really that should be a an every day thing, not just this one day of the year. Are we really that lame that there had to be only one specific day for celebrating the most important and precious emotion? So Brett and I started this tradition where we would switch off Valentines and our anniversary, each taking one per year and totally go all out. So this was the first, conveniently for Brett (as he has been busy), that I took my turn. So everyday this week he got a special gift for being so great, not just one day. Then yesterday we had family in town so we got to go on a morning date (thanks Brad and Lael), then I had previously arranged for a sitter (thanks Erica), so that we could have an afternoon date, and we topped off the evening with a family dinner out. Brett is so wonderful, I love you so very much babe! My kids also fill my heart each day, so they got some fun Valentines stuff too. Brax was so very cute and grateful. He keeps saying, "that was so nice of ya Mom, I just love you so much." He is a keeper!

Happy 13-month old birthday Jozzie Wazzie!

So when your baby turns one it is a huge deal, but there is just something about 13 months that makes her seem so much older! I will have to switch computers to download new photos. I just wanted to wish her a Happy 13-month birthday today. You have to celebrate monthly birthdays! Love my baby girl and am so blessed to have her, oh I just love her so much and wanna squeeze her, sometimes I just cannot believe she is mine!

What is going on?

Oh what is a blog for if not to brag about your cute kids and wonderful family? Brax is starting to read and becoming very curious about some many things. He will always say, "what does this word say?" He proceeds to then sound it out, okay so he is a genius I've decided. He tries to read his books it is fun and he always licks his finger when he is about to turn the page, so funny! He is really doing well with his sister, now that she is getting bigger and they can play with the same things, it has been a hard transition, but he is such a great big brother and takes a lot of pride in it. I just cannot believe my baby boy is so big. He isn't one for coloring or crafts, he is more of a play kid. He is in sunbeams now which was rough at first, but now he really enjoys it. He is still heavy into KungFu Panda! I have been struggling to find him any sort of toy from the movie, but thanks to my awesome Mom she found Po and Tigress in Idaho and sent them to him, I wish I could describe his face when he opened that package! She is the best, thanks Mom!
Joz is growing like a weed. She is running everywhere and is starting to become quite the drama queen. She know all parts of the face and can show her first finger when you ask her, "how old are you?" She knows a couple of animal sounds when you ask her what they say. She can go up and down stairs, although we are still by her when she in on them. She loves to blow kisses and give fives. She is so funny with her facial expressions and loves her babies and especially giving them their, "ba ba's." She is in the stage where everything is absolutely amazing and she has such wonder in her eyes. She is really getting into books, she will just sit and turn the pages, I love to watch her.
As for Brett he is the best and with Valentines day coming around it just reinterates how much I love and adore him. How grateful I am to have such an outstanding eternal companion! He is doing well is school and had actually had a little bit of time at home lately, I love that, we all do! The kids just get so excited when Daddy comes home. Jozalyn just screams and keep repeating da da, da da! Of course Brax just tackles him!
As for me I am doing so good! Life is sweet. I am so busy some days and some I can just relax and unwind (yeah right). We joined a gym, so I have been filling my nights with a good workout. It is amazing what a good run and lift does for me, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, it is cleansing. I am trying to get ready for our CRUISE we are going on. I cannot even say how excited I am! It is a Caribbean cruise and we will also be doing our annual Disney World tour after we get back from the sea! Anyway, there is a little bit of what is going on with us!

Newest addition...it's a...

TURTLE named Oogway in honor of the master turtle on KungFu Panda of course. When Brett was a kid he had one of these turtles and loved it so much he had to have one for his son (mostly for himself). It is pretty cool, who needs TV just get a turtle because watching him or her eat goldfish is pretty entertaining. Anyway, it is Braxton's responsibility now, and at first he was pretty hesistant, but now he is his buddy.`

Dishes made fun!

Okay so while doing the dishes is one of my least favorite activities this particular morning made the task pretty fun..longer..but fun. Jozalyn can hear the dishwasher door open and comes running in an instant. She loves to crawl up on the door and get out all of the silverware (needless to say the knives are in the top shelf now). My Brax was being a great helper putting the dishes in the washer when I handed them to him, he is awesome, they both are! Now how can I get my husband interested in the dishwasher...hmmmm?