Ecstasy

Ecstasy, that would be the name of our ship! It was a five day cruise, which was enough for me. We both enjoyed it, but I also think we were both ready to come home. We made two stops, one in Progreso and one Cozumel. (I know what you're thinking...what is Progreso? Well, not much,but it did have an excursion to Chi Chen Itza, so that 's what we did.) Both stops we planned excursions which were fun, but we felt a little rushed. It was a very relaxing trip! We enjoyed just hanging out together on the boat watching the ocean, we were entertained by live music, karaoke, and some semi-funny comedy. We met several other great couples, one which just graduated from OC, and one that actually live in our area, small world! We were asked if we were on our honeymoon a couple of times, which was a compliment to me, and an insult to Kevin. (he's paranoid about people thinking he looks young.) I did learn that they do not like it when they come around asking if you want a drink and you order diet coke. I got a lot of annoyed looks, and it took them forever to get it to me. They definitely cater to the drinkers. Oh well, I just kept asking. I paid for that all you can drink soda card the first day, so I was determined to get my money's worth!

This picture should actually be second, but I accidentally deleted it and am too lazy to rewrite and upload everything and too dumb to figure out how to rearrange them. Anyway, from Progreso, we went to Chi Chen Itza. For those of you that don't know, it's apparently one of the seven wonders of the new world. (whatever that means) But as far as Mayan ruins go it is supposed to be the largest and best. So, here you have it...Chi Chen Itza. Our time was pretty limited considering we were two and half hours from the port, but I think we got to see most of it. I would say it was worth the experience.

This is us the first night on the boat. We pretty much just explored the ship and enjoyed the ocean view. Oh, and walked around taking pictures of ourselves. Yes, we're dorks. However, everyone else was doing it too, so that made it feel a little less weird.

On our Cozumel stop, we took a twister boat to Passion Island. A twister boat is just a speed type boat that does spins in the water and gets you soaking wet. It was a fun ride, and the island was beautiful. We enjoyed hanging out at the beach and a buffet lunch which I thought was a mexican buffet. Kevin said it qualified since it was a buffet in Mexico:) It consisted of fruit, spaghetti, chicken nuggets, tilapia and chips and salsa. The chips, salsa and guacomole were excellent. They should really stick to what they know.

This would be our self portrait collage. I have mentioned before that I hate asking someone else to take pictures for us, but I want to come home with some pictures. So, we took a few self portraits. I'm just glad that we have figured out how to actually get both of us in the photo. Again, more evidence of us being nerds, but you know you do it too! (Well, some of you)

And now, we are back home, in the real world, and staying for a while. I have to say, though sometimes I forget for all the craziness around me, it's my favorite place to be! Happy Summer!

Bon Voyage!

By the time you are reading this, I will be relaxing on something that resembles this.

Kevin and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year, so this is an early gift to ourselves. I can't wait, but am a little nervous as well. I'm a cruise virgin, so I really have no idea what to expect. I'll get back to posting when I return.

The Creek

While we were in Missouri, we took one morning to go exploring at the creek. What I had in mind and what the kids had in mind were a little different. I was thinking a few nice pictures, they were thinking catching minnows and splashing around. The girls are becoming quite the country girls as they have apparently even gone back to the creek in recent days to catch crawdads and minnows. Lincoln just walked right in, and so we just stripped him. You'll have to excuse the white trash baby hanging out in his diaper.

Lincoln and Malachi both love the water, and thankfully Malachi didn't mind Lincoln showing his love by continuously pouring a cup of water over his head.

The girls in action trying to come up with a good catch. I'm so glad they have opportunities to spend time at my parents and experience so many different things that I certainly wouldn't be able to expose them to, but I must say, I'm missing them!

St. Louis Zoo

One of our Missouri stops wast to the St. Louis Zoo, one of my favorites. It worked out that everyone was able to join us. All the kids were really good, and had fun seeing the animals and playing together. The greatest success of the day was actually getting all six grandkids in one spot and almost all of them looking in the same direction. It's probably as good as it's going to get for now considering their ages.

Lincoln and Malachi hanging out in the wagon sharing some snacks.

These two are like peas in a pod. When they are all together, these they seem to migrate to each other. It's super cute!

So, I just realized that I didn't actually post any animals from the zoo. Oops! Oh well, it was the usual animals. I was focused on the kids! I'm also in a bit of a hurry to get a few posts up and scheduled before we leave town...AGAIN! Have a great weekend!

Meramec Caverns and Cards Game

Following the 4th, we spent the week in Missouri. There are always more things on my to do list than I have time for, but we did manage to get in an excursion or two while we were visiting. Tuesday, we started the day off with a stop at Meramec Caverns. For those of you non Missourians, MO is also known as the cave state, and Meramec Caverns is supposedly one of Jesse James' hideouts. If you've traveled on 44 through MO, you couldn't have missed the signs. Kevin has driven past those signs for about 13 years now, but we've never visited, so this was his pick of destinations for the week. I did get a few pictures inside the cave, but I felt kind of rushed and didn't want to hold up the line. I'm just posting ones with people in them. (as if you aren't tired of seeing pictures of us!) The grandparents and the girls at the entrance

Our family pic inside the cave

Kev, Dad and Mom leaving the wine room (I think that's what it's called..)

After the cave tour, we took a little boat tour of the river. Overall, it was a pretty fun little outing. I thought it was a little overpriced, but interesting nonetheless.

Me forcing my dad to smile while taking a picture with me so I have a picture to post when father's day rolls around next year:)

After we went to the caverns, we sent Lincoln home with my parents and we headed to St. Louis for the Cardinals game. I am always terrible about knowing what to get Kevin for his birthday and father's day, but I wanted to surprise him with something. So, I got him tickets to the Cardinals game. Unfortunately, this was the best picture we came away with. Overall, a great day!

Fun on the Fourth!

Did we have fun on the fourth? You bet! It isn't all that often that we have all the Fredendall cousins together, and it still is nearly impossible to get a picture of them all together, but they did get to spend the better part of the fourth playing with each other. We spent the morning leisurely sitting on the porch and hanging around the yard at my Mom and Dad's.

As the temperature rose, the water was rather tempting, so we took advantage of the slip-n-slide. Londyn and Lincoln LOVED it! Skylar tolerated it and was a little awkward, and Malachi and Anastyn gave it their best shot, but it probably wasn't their favorite part of the day. After that we enjoyed my Dad's BBQ pork steaks before heading off to watch fireworks.

We spent the evening watching fireworks at the capital. My sister and her family and my dad weren't able to join us, but we tried to have a good time anyway!

It was a wonderfully filled day that included a few of my favorite things and a lot of my favorite people!

(Aren't you glad that I decided to create collages instead of making 18 posts over one day? You're welcome!)

Introducing...

Our beloved pets. Let me preface this post that we are not really pet people. I have put it off for a long time, but I do believe that every child should have a pet at some point in their life. I was ready to give in and let them get a dog. We had been planning to get a fence, and it would have worked out. However, in the presence of dogs, my children cling to the nearest adult or climb on countertops. Therefore, I decided this was bad decision. We were walking through the mall one day, and there was a little kiosk set up selling hermit crabs. My girls were intrigued, and I thought it may not be a bad idea. I mean, really, is there a lower maintenence pet? Anyway, I waited a few days and the girls were relentlessly begging to go buy the crabs. Finally we got them, and they were impressed for all of about 2 days. Londyn's interest has lasted a little longer, but Skylar is a little more like her mother. When we left for San Antonio, we forgot the crabs, and we forgot to leave food for them. (Again, we should not be allowed to have pets.) Anyway, we were coming home, and Londyn asks, "Do you think the crabs died?" Skylar responds "I don't know, but I hope so. They are a lot of work, and not really that much fun." I think she had been holding that thought in since the second day but held back knowing the wrath she may recieve after all the begging she did. Too bad for Shelly and Sebastion, they did survive and have the pleasure of being owned by such loving caretakers. (Both pets are currently thriving, and I promise we are doing our very best to take care of them!)

Dallas

Following our San Antonio visit, we had to stop in Dallas while Kevin attended a training. It was a pretty dreadful day, which was mostly my fault. I failed to plan the day, so we ended up doing a lot of wandering. It all worked out, but I was very ready for Kevin to meet back up with us and head for home. We had to be checked out of our hotel that morning, and we were limited to doing things that were walking distance from our hotel. The JFK museum was really close, so that was our first stop. Skylar was elated, but the other two were NOT impressed! As we arrived and we were waiting to start the tour Londyn says "After this can we please do something fun?" Skylar responds with "Londyn, there is nothing more fun than this!" Londyn and Lincoln humored us, but the tour would have been a little more beneficial had they stayed behind. I can't blame them though, it was an audio tour, and over their heads. All things considered their behavior was acceptable, but it was a little rough. Skylar thought it was great and was left with even more questions, so I supposed the mission was accomplished. This tour did only last a little over an hour, which left us with about 6 more hours to kill. Did I mention it was HOT, we were walking, and had no idea where we were going? The only thing I could find within walking distance to do was make a stop at the Dallas World Aquarium. I really didn't want to go because it was more than I wanted to spend, but we had to get out of the heat and off the street. So, we visited the aquarium. The kids had a good time, and it counted as a "fun" activity for Londyn, so I guess it worked out. Lincoln was way too tired though, so he was a bit difficult. He loved the animals, but wanted to run around and fussed quite a bit. But you better believe I made them pose for pictures anyway. I'll spare you and only post one, but they look like their having a great time, don't you think?

We still had a couple of hours before Kevin's training was supposed to be over, so we made stop at a self-serve yogurt bar that happened to be on our path and a visit to the scariest McDonald's I've ever stepped foot into. Once I realized the surroundings, I grabbed the food, grabbed the kids and made a run for it, attempting to be very nonchalant, of course. So much for a relaxing break and a cold drink. We did survive, but I was SO relieved to finally get in the car and head back to Tulsa. It was quite an exhausting day. I am however thankful for resilient kids that do a good job of making the best out of any situation. I'm thinking they probably didn't get that from me.

San Antonio-The End

It is time for these posts to come to an end. Our friends met us on our last evening there, and we had planned to meet for dinner and then go to Seaworld together the next day. They did make it there, but had a car accident after dropping half the crew off for dinner, and it just kind of went downhill from there. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and we did get to spend a little bit of time together. Gavin is quite the ladies man.

Lincoln just couldn't stay awake, even in good company.

And again, at the Shamu show, but this time with Gavin. We didn't get quite as wet the second time which was a huge disappointment for the kids, but a relief for the parents. And with that, I will close the San Antonio chapter of our summer. Missouri fun to come!

San Antonio-Yes,There's More..

You can't say I didn't warn you that there were going to be way too many posts about our San Antonio days. Please excuse, and I'm sure I'm boring you to death, but they make me happy, so they just keep coming. I spent the days that Kevin was working at the waterpark with the kids, and it was perfect. There was plenty to do for all of them, and it was easy to keep them in the same location. Kevin did manage to make it with us one morning, and so I used that opportunity to take a few pics of the kids doing what they love most. Water makes everyone happy, right?

Lincoln couldn't have been happier to slide down the slide and play with the big kids.

This is Lincoln heading to the line for the slide...AGAIN! He couldn't get enough, and he thought he was plenty big enough to go on his own. Silly boy!

San Antonio-Riverwalk

Just so you know, trying to keep track of three kids, find your way around an unfamiliar city in extreme heat, make sure everyone is having fun, decide on a place to eat and take pictures of the beautiful surroundings is near impossible. Therefore, I'm settling to be happy with what I got. We spent a couple of evenings at the Riverwalk eating dinner and wandering around a little. We stopped to eat at a great little restaurant and sat outside for dinner. The girls found this lizard like creature, and though very out of character, picked it up and played with it while we were waiting for food. (yes, I made them wash their hands before they ate) Lincoln was a little overly tired, so Kevin and I were pretty much trying to entertain him until the food came. We remembered why we don't like to leisurely go out to eat dinner as a family. Sad but true.

Skylar taking over the photography duties to snap a picture of me and Kevin.

Londyn not sure what to think about being serenaded by the mariachi band.

A quick stop in front of the Alamo while we were there.

A nice man stopped and asked if we wanted a family picture. Thank you nice man, it's the only one we got the whole trip!

Skylar and Londyn being goofy in the souvenir store.

Requesting me take their picture, goofy smiles and all. Overall, we had a great night out and enjoyed being together. It's so great to just get away from the everyday chores of home and just focus on having fun together.