14-Hours

That is how many hours we spent yesterday at Magic Kingdom. My girls did GREAT! It was 98 degrees, with a heat index of about 108. Oh man it was hot. I was sweaty from the time we got there until I crawled (almost literally) into the car. Alexis actually crashed in her stroller for about an hour and a half. I had two battery operated fans clipped to her stroller canopy and she slept really good. We were parked in the shade. I stayed with her while everyone else did some stuff. Kamryn dozed on my shoulder for a bit while we were waiting in line for Goofy's Barnstormer. They enjoyed their first roller coaster ride. They all asked to do it again.

In Mickey's Philharmagic Show I got a little teary when I looked to my left and my family and saw them enjoying the 3-D show so much. The little girls were grabbing at the things on the screen. Kori was singing along with the songs. I saw Cody even singing along to "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" from the Lion King. That brought back lots of memories as that was one of his favorite movies when he was much smaller. It just made me so grateful for the family I have left. It made me miss my sister, who loved all things Disney, especially Winnie The Pooh, and my Dad, who loved seeing his grand kids enjoying life.

The tears returned when the girls got to meet Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Belle. As soon as they saw Aurora they all stopped dead in their tracks. Their mouths were hanging open. They were in complete awe! Even Kori was enjoying the moment so much! The princesses were all so wonderful with the girls. Interacting with each of them and giving out lots of hugs. The girls were telling them how pretty they thought each princess was. It was too cute! It was, at the risk of sounding cliche, so magical! Jason stood with a big ol' smile on his face watching the girls all interact with a few of their favorite people. Even Cody said that moment was one of his favorites of the whole day. Just seeing the girls all enjoying the moment so much. I was so grateful for a husband who works so hard to allow us to do such great things as a family. For God for blessing me with such beautiful and healthy children. At that moment, even if it was hotter outside than possibly the surface of the Sun itself, all was right with the world.

The Spectro Magic parade was another high point. I had Kamryn and Alexis with me while the rest of the crew rode Splash Mountain. They got a kiss blown to them from the Genie from Aladdin. They returned and he caught it and acted like he was falling over. Ariel blew them kisses too. Peter Pan came over to shake their hands. Lots of waving and such from others too. Even Sleepy from Snow White came over and pointed to himself as he yawned. The girls thought that was funny. It was a gorgeous parade as usual. Kamryn and Alexis sat in their stroller with their ice cream shaped rice crispie treats waving and smiling. Once again...magical!

So we all piled in the van and headed for home. We got home at around 1am. After baths to wash the sweat and sunscreen off, the girls had a bit to eat and then went to bed. It was the easiest bedtime in the history of bedtimes. Even Morgan didn't make a peep. Maybe I should take them to Magic Kingdom every day for 14-hours. Jason and I joked that a day like that could possibly be considered as child abuse.

Today we slept in. I woke everyone up at 12:45!!! Yes you read that right. Alexis and I were the only two up for a while this morning. We finally started waking the others up. If we hadn't, no telling when they would have gotten up. We had a low key day today. I made bacon and scrambled eggs and toast today for brunch. Then we hit the pool at our house. It rained on us a bit but the pool is screened in so it was okay. We only got misted on. We had fun clowning around and acting like a bunch of loons.

I was doing a bit of laundry before we were going to head out for dinner. Kamryn came to me in the hall and told me her throat hurt. Weird I thought. Well then she told me that she swallowed a coin!!!! WHAT????? So I called our pediatricians office and had the nurse return my call since it was after hours there. She said to give her a piece of bread and some water to make sure things were moving along like they should. She said if there were no complaints of throat pain, stomach pain, fever, etc. everything would be fine. She was actually chuckling as her 3-year old had just done the same things. She said I could "look for it later, if you want, but it's not necessary". No thank you, raising three year old triplets is about as adventurous as I like to be. You'd think at three we'd be passed this kind of stuff, apparently the girls didn't get that memo. So we had a nice talk about not eating coins. So we finished getting cleaned up after that and headed out to the Crab House for dinner. Jason was in heaven with the All You Can Heat Hot/Cold Seafood Buffet. He ate a lot, especially the crab legs, he loves them. The food was delicious, dessert was even better and we all left full and happy.

So now everyone is snoring away and we are gearing up for Hollywood Studios. It's supposed to be about 5 degrees cooler than yesterday, but the humidity is going to be a bit less, so hopefully we won't sweat ourselves to death.

At any rate, vacation is going good and we are having fun, that's what matters right?

Whew!

Man oh man is it hot here! 97 today with a heat index of 107!!! Blah! After we all slept in ridiculously late, we slathered on the SPF 50 and hit the pool! We went to the big resort pool instead of the little one we have here at the house. It was a really great pool! Only 4 feet deep at the deepest part. It was zero entry, where it gets deeper the further you walk in. The girls had a blast! I put sun screen on them lots and am proud to report after about 3 hours, no sunburns for the clear kids, and their mom. Their dad is a bit more stubborn and decided he wanted to "tan". He's a bit red, not too bad, but that's his problem, not mine. :-)

We after we swam we showered and headed out for dinner. I made everyone suffer through at the Sizzler. I loved them as a kid and we don't have them in KC anymore. It was good and we all left full and happy.

We drove by the hotel where Jason and I stayed when we were here on our honeymoon. Just as fancy and lovely as I remember.

Then we headed out in search of mini-golf. We hit Congo Mini-Golf and had a blast! The little girls fed the alligators they have there. They thought that was cool! I had to be extra dilligent that no one snuck any of the 'gator morsels. They were cut up hot dogs, which is a fave of my girls! We finished without eating any and then hit the links. I am proud to report that the hole in one totals are as follows: Kori 2! Daddy 1. Cody none. Kori was so excited! Hers were back to back ones no less.

After golfing (and sweating our rear ends off) we headed back for home, where we bathed again and are now bedded down in anticipation of the Magic Kingdom tomorrow. I hope the girls enjoy it as much as I have pictured it all in my head. I know the heat will play a huge part in it. We're prepared to drink lots and hit as much of the air conditioned attractions during the hottest part of the day.

So Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Ariel, get ready! Your all my kids have talked about for a very long time! Be afraid be very afraid!

Better get to bed and rest up for a busy day!

P.S. Happy Father's Day!!!! I am really missing my dad today. I know he's looking over us, but sure wish I could give him a big ol' hug! He gave the best hugs. Love you Pop!

Greetings From...

Tennessee!!! The 2009 Rusley Family (and Cody!) Vacation is underway!!! The loaded to the gills van pulled out of KC this morning at 0800 hrs. After a stop to fill up we were on the road. (Can you hear Willie Nelson singing? On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again...).

After a potty stop just past Columbia (and also a slight DVD repair, I think some gunk from some donut stick hands was interfering with the sensor) we were back on the road.

It was a really nice 10-hour ride. The girls were exceptionally well behaved. I packed them some PB&J sandwiches, some ham and turkey and cheese ones for us, as well as LOTS of drinks and snacks. It was so enjoyable! Jason did all the driving today.

We are bedded down for the night at a Comfort Inn and Suites in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Oh the mountains of Tennessee are GORGEOUS!!!! We were all speecheless from it all! Cody summed it up perfectly, "Whoa, the best things in life are free". It was so beautiful!

So after some pizza and salads were delivered and eaten in our room, the girls and Cody and Jason hit the pool to burn off some energy from being in the car for so long. Everyone is now sleeping and I'm off to shower.

Breakfast in the morning and then we're headed back on the road for the 2nd leg of our journey. Hopefully it goes as smoothly as the 1st leg. Next stop Orlando!

A big thanks to Becky and her crew for taking care of Cuervo for us! I hope he's behaving like a good doggie.

On a sad note today, Pete Aretakis lost his battle with cancer today. Big prayers for his family, in the traditional sense, as well as his brothers/sisters in blue. Life can be so unfair sometimes!

Announcing the arrival of...

Gavin and Parker! My sweet nephew and niece were born on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 7:52 and 7:55 a.m. Gavin weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz., and Parker weighed in at a petite 6 lbs. 3 oz. They are both absolutely PERFECT!!! My sis is doing great as well! She did an awesome job growing them sweeties! We have a hard time getting pregnant but once we do, we can do a decent job!

So without further ado:

Parker:


Gavin:


They came home today and hopefully will have a great night back home as their family of five. I took them some dinner so they didn't have to worry about fixing or getting something, yet had something yummy to eat! Mallory is adjusting to life as a big sister very well!

That's about it for big news here. The girls and I went to some of Cody's games on Thursday and Friday but that's about it.

I will share pics of the girls holding their new cousins:

Another Year Older

Dang it's been a while since I posted. Sorry about that! In the meantime I have turned a year older. I am now 36. Yuck! It just doesn't sound good. **Sigh** Nothing I can do about it so I might as well embrace it.

Kori ended up getting sick a mere two days after finishing up school. The Sunday before Memorial Day she started complaining of a headache, achiness, a sore throat etc. By Sunday evening she was burning up with a fever. This pretty much continued all day and night Monday so Tuesday we headed off to the doctor. Strep test came back negative. Due to the size of her glands/tonsils they sent us for blood work. The next day we received word that she has mono. Oh joy! Tuesday night Alexis and Kamryn started fevering. By Wednesday Morgan had joined them. They lounged on the couch for the day on Wednesday and were feeling better by Thursday. I think theirs was just a cold. Kamryn and Alexis are now struggling with allergies. Kori is feeling better, but still gets very tired. Not uncommon to find her flopped on her bed or the couch watching TV.

Jason, my brother-in-law and a friend of theirs from work poured a concrete extension to our patio yesterday. It was hot and hard work, but it looks nice now. It makes us have more space, which is always good. When we get the pool up after vacation it can go there and not crowd the other patio.

We are on the count down to babies! My sister is set for a c-section on Wednesday morning. So baby Gavin and baby Parker will be here then! I'm excited! Ready for some babies to love. The best kind...the ones you can give back. :-) My sister is ready to be done being pregnant but it anxious about all that comes with two new babies.

Also only 14-days until the little girls turn 3. WHAT? How int he world did that happen?????

We are also on the count down to VACATION!!!! We leave for Disney World on June 19th. We're driving half way the first day and then getting there the following day. We've rented a great house with a pool and plan on having lots of fun! We're dragging my nephew with us too. The more the merrier right? My sister keeps threatening to stow away, I better check our luggage before we leave.

So in a nutshell that's it. We're enjoying summer break! Except for going through the drive-thru on Saturday for some lunc at McDonald's, I hadn't left the house until today. Jason took us to Red Lobster for a belated birthday dinner. Yummy!

So I vow to be a better blogger. And I'll post some pictures soon!