August 2021 - The Last of Summer

 

As summer winds down we got to enjoy so many peaches from our peach trees.  We seem to always have fresh peach pie in the fridge.  Lots of tomatoes and peppers make for delicious meals.  

We had a great time in Florida.  While we were gone Chad and Jeana and family left for Puerto Rico.  Little did they know they would be stuck there with COVID, quarantined in their AirBnB.  We got to enjoy Smokie for a day or two.  

Abby got to go to Cowabunga Bay with a friend.  We went to Savage Lagoon Day.  We also went to the cabin one day with Ely and Rachel.  Swimming in the river, rope swing and Ranger rides.  The next day we took them to Mona to paddle around and enjoy the rope swings.  

Florida Beach House

 We had a wonderful time at the Beach House. It was a total dream.  We had lots of space for everyone.  A private pool.  A short walk to a lovely beach. A huge kitchen gathering area.  Wow.  

Between Whitney and Nolan we had all the possible toys you could image at the beach.  Darren rented surf boards one day so people could practice.  Each night we would head down to the beach and play soccer or build sand castles.  We enjoyed a nice church meeting on Sunday.  We blessed Ranell and Jordans new baby Hadley.  I enjoyed walking the beach each day and listening to a book or a podcast.  

Florida Sea World and Disneyland

We got to divide up a few of the days.  Ranell and her family, Grandpa and Grandma, and Darren and I took Abby and Marshall to Sea World.  It was so fun to see Verena with cousins.  Abby and Marshall took her on some fun rides. We saw the dolphin show and played in Sesame Street Land.  It was the hottest day we had had yet.  All sun, no shade.  We stopped at Costco after to get groceries for the beach and enjoy a pizza in the air conditioned store.  

Tyler got to spend one day with Nolan, Grandpa and the boys at Disneyland.  Tyler really wanted to see the new Star Wars Land.  They got to go on one new ride but not the big new one.  He was bummed.  

 

Florida 2021- Universal Studios

The Balls Family reunion happened.  We weren't sure with some COVID concerns but we made it there.  

We had the most wonderful tickets to Universal.  Free tickets, Park hoppers, Fast pass.  It just doesn't get better than that.  We spent the first day with just our Darren and Amy Balls family.  We had some rain in the afternoon which made everything more enjoyable and less hot.  We loved Harry Potter World.  What a dream.  We read and watched all the books during quarantine.  Butter Beer was delicious.  The rides were amazing.  Velociraptor was wow! The Mummy was a favorite we did a bunch.   Hagrids ride was so fun.  

One day Tyler and Ella AND COUSIN JACK, went with Nolan and his boys to Universal.  They had a big kid day.  Jack, Tyler and Ella even stayed super late to soak in the teenage freedom of the park.