How to do a vacation more affordably- Sea World Pics

So Sea World in Orlando- is loads of fun....this is a show that is done with rescued animals like dogs, cats, mice, birds, a pig, a skunk, too cute & the kids love it!!
This is my favorite part- the smiles! Who could resist this? NOT ME!
Here are some cute penguins...
This look of - hey look at that! Is so fun.
Kraken ride- Yes that is Jason on the last row, and Abigail is right next to him.
Splashing into fun- (I thought you could all use some cheese)
This is what the kids are looking at in the following pic

Can't see it very well, but if you are waiting for people going on Atlantis- the water ride pictured above....there is a little shop of course, but next to the shop is this fun aquarium that has aquariums along the wall, under your feet, and over your head- Lots of fun!!!
I just couldn't get enough of this creature- I believe it is a dragon fish, but it just floated and looked so pretty. How could people think that happened by chance? I stand in awe of God's beauty! Daily!

Almost felt sorry for the other girl sitting in the middle of most of our kids. I am snapping pics and she is like- I don't know you!
Jonathan...
Elizabeth...and mommy - with my eyes closed (I have issues sometimes when it comes to pics and keeping my eyes open??)
Matthew & Abigail.......
Andrew.......
Joshua........
Sarah.......
A mommy & baby dolphin...the kids loved that!!!
Manatee- whenever I see them I think of the song from Veggie Tales (those moms out there that know it you will sing it in your head just like I do) Babara Manatee, manatee, you are the one for me, one for me, sent from up above, up above...you are the one I love, one I love............(Chances are if you can sing this song you have young children, or just like being a child!)
Not sure what happened to this pic, it cut off some? But you get the cute look from our little man!
Go Joshua- this was the hotel we stayed at in Orlando- great pools!!!!!
Look- a baby sea lion with mommy- nursing....so cute!!!! Anyone thinking of their future children like I am this can be very sentimental in a weird sort of way.
Loved this new aquarium area this year! It is behind the new flying coaster put in called "Manta". Which by the way - is a great ride!!!!! It tips you forward and then off you go, and gives the sensation of flying!!!! So this place has this tube of fish, and you can crawl up inside and watch the fish.....here is the result of letting your kids play in this area.............



Did you do a quick count like I did? Yep, just remembered our oldest is on the ride with one of us adults- which would explain why there are only 6 kids. Kind of funny how I count even in pictures taken...hmmmm
Ride called Ocean Commotion- the kids loved it!
The famous Shamu ride- of which we took up 4 shamus.....no pics Abigail?? What is that about?
Our 3 older boys.....Awww.........
Dolphin and whale show- look at them all....amazing & fun to watch!
Stingrays- to pet....feel slimmy on top, but underneath they suck on your hands....to fun!
So there we are studying them....having fun, and the kids love asking questions about them as well.....Loads of great memories.....

In addition to the last e-mail with tips that are very much money saving. We also try to stay with family (which we are lucky some happen to live in Florida) or rent a house. Have you ever done that? It is great. We have a lot of great experiences with that!
Bonuses with this- you can buy cheap breakfast things, and keep drinks cold, and have loads of space!!! Which is important with our crew. You can also have meals without eating out all the time- saves soooo much money!!!

We love theme parks- we buy season passes so we can feel like we can go more than one day....and the kids don't get as cranky if we leave before meltdowns happens! This year we bought a platinum pass- at Sea World San Antonio (not too bad in price), and are able to use it for 2 whole years, at ANY Busch theme park anywhere....you get discounts on food, you don't pay for preferred parking, and you get discounts on other stuff you buy as well. So for us it was a great deal.

This is how we can afford these things- we are by no means rich in money anyway. Spiritually we are Blessed and OVERflowing!!!!! Praise God!

On a side note......please pray as we have a major decision to make.......can't really give anything away unfortunately. Just know that we could use your prayers. Thanks!!!!

Tips for theme parks - Busch Gardens, FL

So I am going to write up some family tips for theme park family fun!
1) Do what you are most excited to do- FIRST! If you wait and you really wanted to do it.....the lines get longer as the day goes on, then animals aren't usually as interactive as well.
2) Get there when the park opens. I know I know....it is a pain, but it is less crowded! And if your munchkins are like ours they cope much better first thing in the morning than later in the day.
3) Take a few snacks in a bag/purse. If you have kids they are usually not worried about granola bars, twizzlers, gummy bears, raisins.....and they are a great way to keep the kids happy throughout the day without spending a fortune!
4) Eat Breakfast- a good one!!!!
5) If at all possible eat dinner late enough that you are ready to go home, and can go away from the park area to eat- way cheaper.
6) Get the plastic souvenir drink bottles- especially if you are going more than one day. You can refill as many times as needed! And the refill price is much much better. We share a few between our big family. Also, ask for ice in a separate cup. Fountain drinks come out cold anyway, and then you can throw in the ice after a few gulps - I know this is America, but why pay for half a cup of ice right???
7) Did you know you can get free water refills in your plastic cups at any concessions stand or restaurant? It is a BLESSING!!!!!!!! So that way for us we get a sugar drink at lunch, and the rest of they day get loads of water refills. Even if you don't have a souvenir cup they are obliged to give you tap water for free.
8) Bring water shoes for when your kids want to get wet. Hey, cooled off kids are happier kids!
9) If possible look at the park map ahead of time- to see what you want to do most. We let our kids pick their favorite. Makes everyone happy.
10) Share meals. We do this whenever we eat out anyway....otherwise we could NEVER eat out. When you have snacks anyway in the bag- you can always bulk it out....as well as have a treat later- to split.
11) Measure your kids ahead of time- so they aren't disappointed when they get there that they can't ride- or at least you are all prepared anyway.
12) If you are crazy like me you dress your kids in matching shirts- and if possible match yourself too. Easier to keep track. I know some think it is too crazy, but we like it. Our kids love wearing matching shirts!!!

Love those rides that splash water so everyone can cool off! Check out the video below:

Sheikra- vertical drop- 2 times! Abigail our oldest the only child that is tall enough to ride, but she gets to ride with daddy and with mommy- a bit spoiled I would say!
Scorpion- the only ride that goes upside down and our younger kids can ride- height restriction isn't too bad.
The fun jeep tour- not the one you pay for (too much for our size of family).
Rhino Rally is the name of the "jeep tour" ride thing. Pretty fun and you get to see a lot of animals.
Look at that cheeky face- totally the one we saw in the referral pics except he is growing!!!!
What a lovely bunch of kids- who do they belong to- oh yeah this Blessed MOM!
Montuuuuuuuu.................very fun and smooth!
Don't have to tell this girl twice to smile :)
Elizabeth- cutie pie!
Don't know where Matthew is looking, but Jonathan is happy to be here.
Oh yeah, that is my crew- the only ones on the train. Matthew believes he is really running the train ride- too cute!!!!
Joshua & Jonathan- flying around.
Matthew and Sarah....hello
OK so this was Jonathan's first ride without me...with him....next to him......so he was perfectly happy to go with Elizabeth, but I was afraid he would start the ride and start crying. Or is that my mommy mode of wanting him to need me??? Hmmmm.......probably.
Jungala area- loads of water fun stuff spread throughout the area- kids loved it. Me too, except one of the days some teens stopped by. Most of them just being refreshed, but we had to leave because I had - had enough of two of them - well let's just put it this way. I almost said (surprised I didn't- I am a bit outspoken) you know if you keep that up you end up with this- and pointed at our children. Which is great....if you are not 14-16 years old!


Our Beautiful babes!!! Love these shirts- The Busch Gardens there has an African theme- so these are shirts with an elephant on it- inside the shape of Africa. Love them!!!!!!!! Especially when Africa is sooo close to our hearts! I already got one for our future child (who may be already born......) so we can match as we step into the airport....oh yeah- I am full of fun cheese like that!
Good thing there is glass otherwise our beautiful daughter would be a few fingers short....
Always love watching the elephants...
Water rides are your friend- earlier in the day. Then you aren't soaked on the way home :)

So there you have it. I will post more pics later of Sea World...and any other tips I can think of..........Have a wonderful God Filled Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beach FUN!!!

Hello blog friends....ok so more pics already.....watch out for a lot of fun and cuteness happening! Can you find the crab up above????

So here is our day at the beach with family.......
It was a little cloudy- which was great because it wasn't too hot....
Pulling in the rest of the crew by wagon....... Did I mention that there was our family, my cousins family (except my cousin), my other 2 cousins, my aunt.......let's see altogether that is 6 adults, and oh yeah 14 children ages 11 and under! That is some severe cuteness going on!!!!!!!!!!
The "cousins" (like 3rd or 4th??) all digging together....
Aww....what a cutie
Catchin' the waves. Which later put Jonathan to sleep. Most of the crew had gone in for lunch, but my cousin's wife and I were talking about homeschooling, and life in general with a larger family (they have 6 kids). I was holding Jonathan and before I knew it he was sleeping. Too cute!!!
Jonathan really thought he was doing something on the boogie board? Cute.
Aww....my aunt and the littlest guy in the bunch!!!! Love that cupcake.
Jason digging in with the kids......hey big kids love sand too!

The last 2 pics may seem inappropriate, but funny in a weird way- what can I say he's all mine!
What a cute head she has! My cousin's daughter- look at that smile!
Abigail love the new hat!!!!
The kids running toward to ocean...and when it touched them.....ran away screaming!!!
Burying daddy is so much fun...let's all join in.
There....all done

Our day was soooo much fun. We haven't been together with that whole side of the family on an outing for a really long time! It was great! You might say.....how could you do it with so many kids, but they are all so well behaved it really was not a problem. We had a great day that has been etched in my memory forever!!!! Not to mention when you looked around you just thought to yourself- look at all these beautiful miracles! Makes you smile and THANK GOD!!!!!!!!

We're Back!!!

Hello Everyone.......it's been a while. I tried to post while away, but due to computer issues...couldn't. Sorry- but here are some pics of our first full day in Florida- Tampa area. We went to see my grandma. Lovingly called GG.


She is a great prayer warrior. I know that she really seeks the Lord. She and my grandfather served most of their married life in the Salvation Army. They did a lot with helping to heal alcoholics and drug users......just giving to anyone who has needs.
When I look at her I think of all of those families that she and my grandfather (who was promoted to Glory not quite 20 years ago) helped- gave out Christmas presents too, gave food to, counseled, how many bells they rang, how many tears they cried with them, how many sermons they preached...........
I think of all of those that have been touched - through her- by Christ!
What a treasure she is to our family. I know right now she struggles a lot with life. I know it can not be easy, but I pray that she knows how much we all truly love her!!!

Vacation & Thanks Everyone!!

Hello Everyone who stumbles onto our crazy blog.....

First I just wanted to say - Thanks sooo much for your encouragement, and Praise To God for my personal miracle story that I did about my Birthday. Give the Glory where it is due- Christ Alone! I dooo feel soooo Blessed though, and will share some other stories as we go along our journey.

I also wanted everyone to know that I have not fallen off the face of the Earth, but we are on vacation and my cousin's computer doesn't have an SD slot....so no pics?? Sad days soooo sorry. We have gotten to visit my grandma- GG as we all call her. She is doing well for a woman of her age. Have some great shots of the kids all with her...will post sometime.

Today we all went to the beach and when I say all....I mean our family- 9 people with 7 children 9 & under, my cousin and her daughter who is 7, and my other cousin's wife with their 6 children and their oldest is 11, my aunt, and my other cousin......

Let's see so that is 5 adults, and yes 14 children all 11 years and under!!! Oh yeah, we had the cuteness factor covered in the ocean. Swimming, picnicing, and of course playing in the sand, diving for sand dollars, digging for shells, found a crab, saw some dolphins swim by.......a beautiful day!!!!!!! So sorry there are no pics, but as soon as I can get to a computer that I can share from- I will!!!!