Saturday Road Trip

On Saturday, 7/18, my parents, Buddy, Tyler, Jilli and I went for a little road trip. Our first stop was the Homosassa Butterfly Attraction. What a neat experience that was. After a brief movie explaining the life cycle of a butterfly, they walk you around and show you live caterpillars, eggs, crysalis's and butterflies. Then, you get to go out in to the live habitat, where they give you a butterfly to let free. It's amazing how you can pick up the butterflies ever so gently by the wings and then just hold them in your hand (or shirt or head as you'll see in the pics) It is such a beautiful experience. I highly recommend it to everyone.



(caterpillar on my Dad's finger)

After the Butterfly Attraction we headed over to Rainbow Springs. The waterfalls were so beautiful to look at and relaxing to listen to. After we walked around a bit to see the sights, including an outdoor butterfly garden, my Dad, Buddy, Tyler and Jilli all went swimming in the springs for a bit.

Hot Summer Nights at Busch Gardens

Hula Hoop fun...even the DJ was impressed...

uh... ??? (those darn camera angles)

Get your groove on, Mom

you too, Buddy & Jilli

(Yes, in hindsight I am so grateful to be the one TAKING the pics this night!) ;-)

Jilli with the bird keeper

Tyler wasn't with us this day as he was in St Augustine Beach with a friend of his for the week, where he learned how to surf and went to the Daytona 250 on 7/3.

Planet Jump

Jilli enjoying a few hours of fun at Planet Jump with cousins Nathan (not pictured due to he was hanging with the big kids), Alex & Jalyssa who were down visiting from North Carolina

It's hard to get a real good pic in this place as the kids are bouncing around all the time!! :)

Happy #15!!

Happy 15th Birthday Tyler!!!

We are so, so proud of the young man you have become. You are every parent's wish of what a son should be and you are the best big brother any little sister could ask for.

I can still remember June 23, 1994 as if it were yesterday. It is one of the happiest days of my life.

It is so hard to believe that you are 15 already. Don't be in a rush to grow up...enjoy this time in your life.

We love you so very much,
Mom, Dad & Jillian

Vasilis

Here is a link to a cute video of Vasilis, Lori and David's Grandson. (Tamar and Aris's, son)

http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt149/tbarron85/Vasilis%203-4%20months/videos/?action=view&current=Vasilis.flv

And here are some pics...

He sure is a cutie - and a even 50/50 of Mommy and Daddy!!!!

Get down tonight...

Here's some pics from our day of fun at the Taste of Pinellas-an event that helps raise money for the hospital I work at, All Children's. From fun on the slides with Jilli, a dog/frisbee demonstration, the drum circle (which was an AWESOME time - but I don't have any pics because I was playing the drums and tamborine, but my moms blog might have some),to the grand finale of the day, a most excellent concert by KC and the Sunshine Band.

Dog doing back flip off trainers chest to catch frisbee:

Me and Jilli on slide:

Jilli at the "lunchables" pizza fun area

Just clownin' around:

A quiet moment by the water looking for fishies:

Daddy's turn with Jilli on the slide:

Grandma Terri and Tyler:

Terri and Renee

Mom and Dad

\

OK, well not everyone was impressed by KC as I was:

KC!!!(Who told all the kids in the crowd, "I was your mom's NSync. Get a close look, this is

what Justin Timberlake will look like in 30 years!") too, too funny!!

It's over???

For Tyler, the school year is over!! Due to his excellent grades and no absences, he was able to exempt all his exams. So, today was his last day. I cannot believe our young man has completed his first year of high school. Where does the time go?

This summer he'll be volunteering 6 days month at the children's hospital I work at, practicing baseball and he also turns 15 in just over 3 weeks, so I'm sure we'll be practicing driving as well. (yikes - prayers please) ;-)

Awesome year Tyler...we are SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!