Disney World

LOVE in the Magic Kingdom

Isaiah, Samm, and Ike go into Space!

Gary, Joel, and Josiah-TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!

TIGGER and Friends

Isaac and Isaiah SAVE the Universe on Buzz Lightyear!! Good Job Boys!

We were able to venture South to Orlando, Florida and experience the "happiest place on Earth". It was a wonderful trip. With our Keys to the Kingdom we toured Disney's Magic Kingdom first. We spent 15 hours in the park and saw IT ALL! The crowds were light and the weather was nice so with 6 strong bodies we conquered the park. The boys LOVED the "crazy train" and Space Mountain.

Day 2 we wandered the Lands of Epcot. It was very educational in both the scientific area and the culture. We opened that park at 8am and saw and rode all the great rides. The boys were feeling ill so they headed back to the cabin while Gary and I stayed to see the closing fireworks. It was a magnificent display of lights and explosions. Gary the "pyro" Loved it!

Day 3 we experienced MGM Hollywood Studios. They had some awesome shows. It was neat seeing the stunts and behind the scenes of Indiana Jones. The stunt show with racing cars, motorcycles, and seadoos was wonderful. They had the stunt cars driving around like a synchronized dance. It was very impressive. We all survived the Tower of Terror and the AeroSmith Roller Coaster. After one trip on each though, Gary and I could just wait and watch while the boys went on 3 and 4 times.

Day 4 was at the Disney Wild Animal Park. Much to our surprise the boys liked that park the most. It had beautiful creatures, big and small. It rained this day so we were able to enjoy all the indoor shows. Since it was raining we rode the water rapid ride and we all were able to avoid the waves, except Isaiah. But we were prepared with ponchos so it wasn't too troubling.

Before we headed home we drove East to spend a day at the Kennedy Space Center. It was so impressive what mankind has done to get himself into outer space. We saw life size models of the International Space Station and a Space Shuttle. It was a great learning experience.

So now we return to Atlanta to prepare for Christmas. We have decorated with a few Nativity Scenes. We plan on going North to visit the Weavers in North Carolina and then the much anticipated to trip home to California.

May you all have a wonderful CHRISTmas and a very Happy New Year. You are loved and appreciated. Blessings and Joy to you and yours!!

Thanksgiving Road Trip

MLK Museum....so moving.

The Family with "Marshmellow" the alligator....so sweet!

On the muddy Mississippi...in "Nawlins"

The Boys on the Beach in Panama City, Florida

So we conquered 6 states in 7 days. We headed South on Sunday before Thanksgiving and drove through Alabama and into Florida. We stayed in Panama City Beach for 2 nights and enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL white sandy beaches. The water was cool but not too swimmable. The boys are tougher and they got in. I never thought I would miss that "sea" smell but I sure do. It was neat hearing the waves crash again.

From Panama City we headed west and hit Alabama again, Mississippi, and Louisiana. We stayed in New Orleans for 2 nights in the French Quarters. It was a neat town but very risque. We walked down Bourbon St and got off it after a few blocks. It was not impressive just oppressive with the drinking and all. Joel said, "Now I know why a hurricane came through here, to clean it up."

We also saw the Mississippi River, and Ward 9 where Hurricane Katrina did the most damage. After 5 years only 20% of the homes have been repaired. It is quite sad. We also went on a Air Boat ride through the marshes and bayous of Louisiana. We got to hold an alligator and even see a HUGE one on the banks. We learned about how the water is rising and causing ecological damage. It was enlightening and educational.

From New Orleans we went North to Mississippi to visit the Johnson family. We got to see Liz, Aymar, Kathy, Frank, Jason, Mike, Mark, JW, Patty Kay, and all the kids. It was fun catching up and laughing and eating. We played football in the front yard. The boys had a great time.

After Mississippi we headed North to Memphis, Tennessee. That was an interesting city. It too is on the Mississippi river and has so much history. We toured a Slave Haven home. It was so informative about the slaves and how they were treated and how they went about escaping. From there we went over to the Lorraine Motel. This is were Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. The museum there is well done and so informational. It is so sad that a man who loved so much and had so much to offer ALL of society was terminated. It just seems so sad. Why can't we all just get along?

From Memphis we went East to Nashville, Tennessee. OpryLand was beautiful and impressive. We got to see a LIVE XM radio show at the original Opry House. There was a line up of about 12 performers and at least 8 were Opry Members. Our favorite was Jimmy Waynne. He sings great and has a wonderful testimony. Brad Paisely was the high light of the night.

From Nashville we headed South back "home" to Marietta, GA. It was a great trip and wonderful memories. This land of ours is so gorgeous. We are blessed to be able to see so much of it.