Stoker Family Reunion Cruise Day 1-Univeral Studios Orlando

We have been back for over a week now and I realized I haven't posted about our wonderful trip. We went on a Caribbean cruise with all the Stoker family (ADULTS ONLY). My mom and sister came to watch over the kiddos while the rest of us took off for Florida and the Allure cruise ship.

We started in Florida at Universal studios Island Adventure and Harry Potter World. It was amazing!! I loved all the lands in Universal. It was raining almost the entire time but that didn't stop us from having fun.

The first thing we did was go on THE HULK rollercoaster. It was an incredible rush and the best way I can think of to start off the trip.

Then it was on to Harry Potter world. It was brillant. Everything was so authentic I can't believe how wonderfully imaginative the creaters at Universal were. Just like the books. My favorite part was the Harry Potter ride in the castle, I really felt like I was flying over Hogwarts. And the wait was super short, I was disappointed I didn't need to stand in line longer becauase there was so much to look at. The riders travel through the entire castle complete with a green house, a wall with moving pictures all the way up to the ceiling, the headmasters office, the dark arts room, and the dorms.  We also visited Hogsmade and ate lunch at the 3 broomsticks.

I kept thinking it would have been fun to have the kids with us especially in Olivander's wand shop where a wand presentation takes place just like the first time Harry visits Hogsmade. The frozen butterbeer was especially good too.

Even after Harry Potter world there was tons more to see. The rest of the day was spent fighting off dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, meeting super heroes including an especially flirty Captain America, and watching the battle of Sinbad.

 

 

It was a fantastic day and a great way to start off our 10 day vacation.

Christian 6 Months

I can't believe Christian has been in our lives for over 6 months now. Time is flying by. I feel like a blinked and he is already changing from my sweet little new born to a fully functioning baby with a lot of personality.

Here is what is new in his life:

-he started solid foods: not a big fan but will eat it. He likes squash and oatmeal not a fan of rice cereal. Also has tried: banana (yum), graham crackers (yum), veggie straws (double yum), carrots (ok), avacado (yum).
-he has been sitting up since he was about 5 1/2 months.
-rolls all over the house to get to whatever he wants. This has lead to some unusual hiding places including getting stuck under the couch and hiding behind the curtains.
-more baby talk, especially screeching just to hear his own voice. And he especially loves to talk loud during the music in church.
-he has 2 teeth on the bottom
-he loves his walker. By far his favorite toy and he knows how to manuer it. Think about that commercial of the baby in the walker running through the house.
-loves the remote to the TV
-hates being left by himself. He wants to be held all the time lately and he will throw a tantrum if he doesn't get his way. As soon as he is picked up the water works turn off and he is happy.
-sleeps through the night 9pm-7am and takes about 2 naps/day.
-loves the bathtub and the pool. I see lots of swimming in this little guy's future
-likes sitting in the sink while I get ready in the morning. He loves looking at himself and smiling his big open mouth smile.
-his skin looks better. Still some eczema but he seems to be growing out of it.
-he loves playing with Elizabeth and Jackson. Any time they pay attention to him, especially in the mornings he laughs and loves on them.
-He has a very smiley personality but doesn't laugh a lot unless he is being tickled or about to be tickled. Even then it is more of a machine gun laugh in short bursts then the belly splitting laugh.
-everything goes in his mouth. I am constantly on lego watch.

 

 

 

 

At his 6 month appointment he was 28" long (75%) and 18lbs (65%). I can't believe how much he has grown. My favorite parts are his chunky thighs and big brown eyes. And he still has a bald head, just like the other two.

Christian 6 months

Elizabeth 6 months

 Jackson 6 months

I have been blessed with the most beautiful babies and it seems like every baby gets more beautiful than the last. But that is just mom talking.

April Happenings, A busy life

Oh man, I just cannot keep up with this blog. I am taking plenty of pictures and living our lives but for some reason I can't seem to blog about it.

Anyways here is what happened this month:

-Jackson turned 5

-Christian turned 6 months

-we planted a garden
-Elizabeth is finally fully potty trained (night and day)
-family trips to the zoo

-swimming at Great Grandpa's pool

-a trip to Goldfield Ghost town. Elizabeth asked,"mom if this is a ghost town where are all the ghosts?" Good question Liz. Other than it being really windy outside we had a great time exploring the cowboy living.

-feeding the ducks at Papago park

-Enjoying the Mesa Art Festival. The kids partook in the festivities. Dressing up like the animals. Adding to the toliet paper roll city, and even wading in the water fountains. There were street characters dressed in all the same color and painted in that color as well. They looked like statues but when the kids got close the performers would move. Scared Liz half to death.

-Playing in the splash pads around the city. Perfect activity for warm weather.

-Mostly just spending time together as a family. I love how close my kids have become through this move. Elizabeth and Jackson are best friends and they have adopted Christian into their daily lives. Elizabeth loves being a big sister. She is always offering to help with Christian. The other day I went to get Jack from preschool and Elizabeth told me she would stay in the car and babysit Christian for me while I ran into the house. Jackson is very helpful as well. Singing and talking to Christian. He loves being around the kids and I can see it in his face how much he wants to get up and play with them.

 One of their favorite activities is pretend play. They love dressing up still but have evolved into actually coming up with things to do while they are dresses up. The other day they played Doc McStuffins. Jackson gave Elizabeth a full check up. I even let them use some ace bandages to make the visit seem more real. The whole time he was singing the Doc McStuffin theme song and reassuring Elizabeth that everything would be okay.

Liz is sure going to miss him when he goes to school next year. However she can't wait for fall to come because she gets to go to preschool and start dance classes. She reminds me about this nearly every day.

Life is busy but it is wonderful!