Visit from Lysa & Laine - Dec 2011



We love it when Lysa & Laine come to play!  This time Aunt Lysa showed the kids one of her favorite "hiding" places as a kid - in the sofa.  Even though the older kids had long ago discovered it everyone enjoyed trying it out.  Unfortunately the space isn't as roomy for an adult as it is for children...so Lysa needed a little help escaping.

Dance Dancing the night away.  I love how we always have two dancers and a bunch of others dancing along for fun.  Even Amelia and Joshua were able to try it out.

We spent a day at the Sea World Christmas Celebration.  This collage is from the Sesame Street play area.  The kids watched the Elmo's Christmas Wish show and enjoyed some of the tamer rides.  This was Amelia's first time on a roller coaster - Katrina did a great job helping her feel like a big, brave girl.  Simon bounced between being Oliver's buddy on some smaller rides and going with the big kids on the big rides.  The only one he couldn't go on was the Great White roller coaster.  Simon had been growing bit by bit all year - getting closer to his "goal" of being tall enough.  Unfortunately he was still about 1-2 inches too short.

We caught the 4D Polar Express show.  It was pretty cold that day and I had no idea part of the "experience" was a burst of steam that sprayed the audience when the train rolled up...poor Katrina got more than steam...she got a nice spray of water all over her legs...made for a cold afternoon til she dried up.  The kids especially liked the "snow" at the end of the show.

Watching the Christmas dolphin show.  And braving the Rio Loco in 40 degree weather.  Some crazy family was there waiting to spray/soak the riders.  As my family went by I asked them to please not spray them.  They were nice about it but pretty disappointed as our group was the only one on the ride that late at night in that cold of weather.  Maybe we were the crazy ones...

In front of the Candy Cane Forest with Lysa & Laine.  It was getting a bit chilly by this time. 

Sea World did a great job decorating with tons of lights.  We liked the Frosty Forest with silly set ups of different snowmen - like this basketball and football scene.

Our traditional parting shot by the entrance with Lysa & Laine.  The kids were pretty cold and tired by this point.

One last parting shot with mom and Joshua.  Then off to fill our bellies at with terrible but strangely satisfying food at McD's before heading home to our warm beds.  Totally fun day!


We had such a great time with this visit - we can't wait until they come again!
This year we were able to bribe them with multiple trips to Sea World so they could get the most from their passes.  Next time maybe we can bribe them with more endless nights playing Zo-Mama and Lord of the Rings Risk.  Laine is an excellent gaming buddy!