Some Pics!

[kv0925]

As promised, some photos from the past couple weeks!


Weekend before last, I took Hallie to Disney's Hollywood Studios for the Indiana Jones stunt show. We'd gone to it once before, and they only did half of it because it was rainy. Plus there's a rumor that Disney is going to close the show soon to make room for an expanded Star Wars area, so we wanted to make sure we saw it before that happens. I like the show a lot, I think Hallie did too. Being such a fan, how could she not?




Fun stuff. :)


After the show, we even had the chance to meet Indy and Marian! Knowing that she's shy, I asked Hallie if she wanted to go say hello, and she said she didn't know. Figuring her excitement might overcome her shyness, I said what the heck. The actors were incredibly nice and patient, but (as you can see) Hallie just wasn't having it. Oh well, all things in time, I guess.


That Sunday morning I loaded up my kayak and went to Wekiwa Springs again. I didn't want to do another Paddling Diaries entry since this is my usual spot and I know it's getting boring. But it's just the closest, easiest spot, and always a very nice paddle. Especially this time, when I had the river completely to myself--usually I meet some folks coming upstream as I head out, or at least some heading out as I go back upstream myself. This time I saw no one until I got back to the launch, which was awesome. It was also the first time I was brave enough to take a better lens--I'm still not brave enough to take my best camera and top-shelf gear, but maybe someday. :)


The gator up above was a big one, I'd say 7 or 8 feet. I also saw an otter or two, which is always fun. This is a green heron.


Pied-billed grebe, cute little guys.


Red-shouldered hawk and the moon.


Belted kingfisher, one of my favorite birds.


After I got home from kayaking, we headed out for lunch (Fuddrucker's, mmmm) and to Bass Pro Shop for their Santa thing.


Amy's not shy at all when it comes to this stuff!




And after that we were feeling brave so we headed to the Magic Kingdom for a bit. Tom Sawyer Island is always fun.






And Hallie got to drive!


At Fun Spot.




And that's it for now. Thanks for looking!

Comments

[girlguitarist.livejournal.com]

Old style Autopia cars! Those were so much better than the ones they have at Disneyland now :)

[cp.livejournal.com]

I can't help but wonder how much pollution those things put out, you know? Same thing at Fun Spot--they have several cool go-kart courses, but they must be an environmental nightmare, at least on some scale. :) Still fun though!

[scriptdelalune.livejournal.com]

Aww, you always have so much fun with your girls :) You go to such effort to do all those kinds of things with them that they'll always fondly remember.

Seriously love all their adorable outfits, too (especially the red christmas dresses - I'm assuming your talented wife made those?).

[cp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we definitely spoil them with this stuff. :) I hope it does make for some great memories!

I actually think those dresses were store-bought, since they're kinda velvety and I know the wife doesn't often work with that sort of material. :) They're even a few years old now, since we got them for the older two and now they fit the younger two. But they were a big hit at the store, some random lady (who spoke zero English) even wanted to get a picture taken with the two in their dresses!

[invincible.livejournal.com]

Your girls are just lovely.

[cp.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We are certainly proud of them. :)

[re-vised.livejournal.com]

I miss Fuddruckers! We don't have them out here. :(

Hawk and the moon make for a really nice photo! The gator one (is that steam rising?) is nice, too. Kind of eerie, as well.

Poor Hallie! I didn't realize she was so shy.

[cp.livejournal.com]

We're long-time Fudds fans! Glad to have them around here. If only Schlotzsky's and Fazoli's would come back to town...

Thanks! I didn't get the moon quite where I wanted it in the frame, but I was drifting and it was difficult! :) Yep, since I was there nice and early and was the first one out on the river, there was still that nice fog right over the surface of the water. I liked the eerie feel too. :)

Yeah, both of our older two are very shy--liquidmistletoe can attest to that! They'll talk to people they don't know, sometimes, but not often. Heck, it took them years to even start talking to my own Mom and Dad, though we don't see them all that often. My wife isn't too concerned because she was a really shy kid too and of course she's fine now (though she still strongly identifies as an introvert), and I suppose I could say I was a shy and quiet kid too. I'm sure they will get bolder as they grow up. But I hate it now, when their timidity keeps them from getting out there and enjoying life, or keeps them from trying something I feel sure they'd enjoy, or turns what should be a fun moment into some sort of trauma like the Indy thing here. Amy, on the other hand, has no such issues!

[re-vised.livejournal.com]

We have Schlotzsky's, but I have to admit I haven't been there in quite some time. (But it sounds good right now! Will have to go soon.)

Amy seems like she could take on the world! She's so bold. I think the older girls will gain confidence as they go through life, and even if they stay somewhat shy, will be able to enjoy stuff/try new things. Hell, sometimes as an adult I don't want to try something new because I'm a little nervous about it.

[cp.livejournal.com]

I actually went to Schlotzsky's twice on my recent trip to Birmingham! It is yummy. Not that it's all THAT special, but it's different than most fast-food places, you know? I always liked it.

I kinda hope Amy rubs off on them, if they see her getting out there and doing things they want to do but find themselves too fearful. I try to tell them that almost everything exciting and worthwhile in life will occur outside of their comfort zone, you know? Gotta push the envelope now and then! :)

[re-vised.livejournal.com]

You have an excellent point - most things that are worthwhile/fun push personal comfort zones! Yep. Gotta push that envelope!

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

Your girls are so cute! I remember wanting very badly to go on that teacup ride...well, a teacup ride, the one in Disney World proper, I think...and being told that we'd come back to it, only we never did. My stomach wouldn't even be able to handle it now. But it looks like they're having a good time!

[cp.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, I know what you mean--I can't seem to handle spinning rides and roller coasters as well as I could when I was younger. I can still do the teacups, but I'm careful to switch the direction of spin regularly so we don't get too dizzy. The girls had no problem spinning in one direction as fast as they could the whole time, though!