Pittsburgh Zoo (September, 2007)

Sawyer and Savannah having lunch in "the beast".

Heath, David, and Eliza taking a break from the stroller pushing.

Checking out the grizzly bear.

Emily (Eliza's sister), J.R., Savannah, and Maddox Pudder and Heath and David Haws (Eliza's younger brothers) joined us for a Saturday at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Eliza's youngest brother, Heath, was temporarily sent home from his mission in Atlanta, Georgia to recover from mononucleosis. The kids enjoyed being together and seeing the animals.

Vacation to Disney World and Sea World (September, 2007)

Daddy with kids at Swiss Family tree house.


Cody and kids with Shamu.

Shamu show.

Shamu show.

Cody and Ryder at hotel pool.

Eliza and kids with Tigger and Pooh.

Mickey Mouse!

Goofy.

Pluto.

Eliza at Swiss Family tree house.



Meeting Minnie Mouse.

Ryder, hanging out in Winnie the Pooh's tree.

Entrance to the Magic Kingdom.

Sawyer, playing in the pool.

The carousel at Sea World.

The underwater dolphins exhibit at Sea World.

On our first day, we went to Cocoa Beach, built some sand castles, collected seashells, chased the birds around, and played in the waves.

The next day, we spent all day at the Magic Kingdom. We were able to go on just about every ride (with the exception of Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and the others that the kids were too small to ride), meet every Disney character, and experience every show. We were there when the park opened and were still there when it closed.

The kids loved the Buzz Lightyear, Dumbo, Aladdin, Winnie the Pooh, ET, Small World, and Pirates of the Carribbean rides, but their favorite is still the carousel. The highlight of the day was probably the "Mickey's Philharmagic" Show, which is a show where you wear 3-D glasses and you pretty much become a part of all of the Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, etc.). It was amazing for the kids and for Eliza and me as well. We had goosebumps when it was over.

Sawyer was a little disappointed when we met Cindarella, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast because she thought they were going to be cartoon characters, not real people. Ryder loved meeting the Disney characters in "Toontown" and took the opportunity to kiss and slobber all over Donald Duck's beak.

We also went to Sea World. We saw the Shamu "Believe" show, the dolphin show, the underwater circus show, and the Pet's Ahoy show. Eliza and I enjoyed the shows, but the kids were a little restless. We spent a lot of time in the kid's play area on all of the rides and in the small water park. They let Ryder on all of the rides, despite his size, and he appreciated it greatly.