We Have Forgotten - Islam Is Here

One of my favorite quotes by any President in history is this:

"We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail."

Sadly it appears most in America have tired, faltered and are failing when it comes to remembering 911 and just what took place nearly 10 years ago.

Look at these photos and remember where you were that morning. While you stood there in shock, think about those kids, parents, and friends who haven't seen their loved one since then. What if that had been you that decided to jump knowing you would never see your child or spouse again? What if that had been your child or spouse jumping to the cement at 120mph.

Islam is not a peaceful religion. It's built on hate and fear. It teaches to kill anyone opposed and does not tolerate another way of thinking. It's goal is to infiltrate America and it is winning in doing so.

Next year we will be talking about the 10th anniversary of this crime and more than likely an Islamic mosque will be in the process of being built just a few feet away from where Islamic terrorist gave us the finger and killed thousands of people. What's next? Mosques near the Pentagon and out in the middle of a field in Pennsylvania?

I wouldn't doubt it.

As for me and my family, we will serve the true Lord and yes, Mr. President, we refuse to tire, to falter and we will not fail in remembering what these people did to our country.

Jesus is Lord in America. Not Muhammad.

And if they mess with my family, they better prepare to meet their Maker.

Bring On Some FOOTBALL!

Julie's favorite time of the year is here. The Fall, which means FOOTBALL is back and I am one happy dude.

Not sure what my boys will do this year with the 3rd hardest schedule in the NFL and a weak offensive line, BUT if they can get to the SuperBowl it would be right down the street!

Survey time....see the new survey. Who will win in the end?

50 Years of Cowboys football!

THANK GOD FOR THE PIGSKIN!

The Story Few Know About Chloe & Sidney

Today we are celebrating the 5th birthday of our identical twin girls, Chloe and Sidney. But our celebration is a little more meaningful than the normal birthday bash and few really know how bad it could have been.

Chloe and Sidney might not have lived to see their first.

Most people don’t know this, but Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) silently claims the lives of hundreds of identical twin babies each year. In simple terms, the blood and nutrients from the mother are shared unevenly between the babies. One umbilical chord is larger than the other and one baby usually out-grows the other. Eventually, one will starve to death and the other will simply drown in excess. By the time the mother notices a lack of movement in her belly it is usually too late. We personally know some people who had this exact thing happen recently. Nothing is sadder.

On Thursday, the 18th of August 2005, (week 33 of the pregnancy) we had a sonogram done with our incredible doctor who was concerned that one baby had been getting larger than the other over the course of the last two weekly visits. After taking more time than usual looking at the results, Dr. Neill quickly dispatched us to a specialist who had the equipment to look deeper into things. The next day we arrived for our appointment. A few hours later the doctor didn’t like what he was seeing and told us the girls needed to join our world quickly. Signs of TTTS were taking place and we could take no chances. The girls needed to be monitored 24/7 and Julie needed to be at the hospital so that if something happened the babies could be taken within minutes. He told us to proceed directly to the hospital.

Hearts racing we rushed home, grabbed our things and anxiously headed to Arlington Memorial. After two nights of starring at the heart monitors making sure the beeps never stopped, Sunday morning arrived and our girls were born. Dr. Neill grabbed Chloe (above picture girl#1) first at 8:58am weighing just 3lbs, 5oz and 18 seconds later Sidney came out weighing 4lbs, 11oz. Sidney immediately started crying and looked red and large. Dr. Neill even said “she is much bigger than we thought she was”. Chloe on the other hand was not even breathing; looked lifeless and pale. Dr. Neill looked over his shoulder very concerned. I was standing there watching it all and caring for Julie. My head was spinning trying to take in all the activity. Nurses began slapping Chloe to wake her up and get her going, while giving her oxygen. Seconds went by and soon a few minutes with nothing. Finally a small cry came out.

Our little fighter was alive.

Dr. Neill relaxed and I nearly fainted.

The girls were whisked out to NICU and I left the room while they cleaned up Julie. Poor wife had no idea all that was going on but it was hitting me at full throttle. I hugged my mom and cried. It was gonna be touch and go with our little Chloe.

After a few weeks of NICU care, both girls were able to go home. Chloe would likely be smaller than Sidney for a while, if not forever, but TTTS had been outsmarted which was a miracle.

Thank God for doctors.

And know you know why we call them our little miracles.

http://www.photodex.com/share/speers/7a796mg4

http://www.tttsfoundation.org/

Five Years Has Flown By

Our girls are suddenly five. Really? That's impossible.

Yet it is true - Chloe and Sidney are now F-I-V-E.

Our little babies are now little girls. Yet they will always be our babies.

Happy Birthday girls. You mean more to mom and I than you could ever imagine. You have brought us much laughter and joy.

(I'm sure I will look back at this post in another 5 years and say NO WAY once again. Our little girls will soon be little ladies...)

Psalm 23 Without Faith

I am my own shepherd. I am always in need.
I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it.
I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart.
I fear everything from pesticides to power lines and I’m starting to act like my mother.
I go down to the weekly staff meeting and am surrounded by enemies.
I go home and even the goldfish scowls at me.
I anoint my headache with extra-strength Tylenol.
My Jack Daniel’s runneth over.
Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of my lonely life.

Quinny Turns 3

Quinn Seong Wook turns three! Our little tyke is hitting true "boy stage" at this point - eating everything in sight, breaking tons of stuff and playing rough and tough....that is when he isn't playing "dress up" with his older sisters.

Happy birthday son! You are loved!

Life is good!

Galveston - Recovered from Ike, Spared from the Oil

Since I grew up just 20 minutes from the coast, I have to admit I am a little biased in my assessments. But considering the damage done by Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the fear of the BP oil disaster making its way to the Texas Coast, Galveston is alive and well!

All should take advantage and visit the Island soon!

This year we started a new tradition by staying at the Galvestonian Condominiums on the East Beach. For decades we have rented a beach house on the West Beach but it was time for a change. http://www.galvestonian.com/

The Galvestonian was incredible. We loved it and already have the same condos booked for our visit next summer. It's just 1 minute from Broadway, the Sewall, the Strand, the Ferry Landing and most importantly Marios Pizza. And with the new Pleasure Pier opening sometime in 2011 we will be just a few minutes away from even more fun.

Nothing is more enjoyable than fun time in the sand and surf surrounded by your kids and family. We ended each day with a clean swim in the huge pool and then rounded out the night with some movies, snacks and drinks.

If you haven't been to the Texas coast in while, get yourself down there and keep the Galvestonian in mind...just don't take our new spot!

What a Difference God Can Make In a Year

From our company blog:

One Year Later....a New Business with a New Plan

Last June began a trip to business hell we hope to never revisit. Actually, things started going south in the spring, but all hell broke lose in late May, early June, when we learned that key employees, friends and others were in the process of stealing our business ideas from under neath us in setting up a company called United Health & Life.

A year later UHL appears to be dead and out of busienss and EHL is in the process of a full recovery. All because of the grace of God and His favor and blessings. Period.

Twelve months ago we were wondering how to survive the next week. We were focused on trying to salvage what was left of a 9 year business that blew up in our faces. Today, our 10th year, we in a full recovery with a new exciting business plan that we believe can set us free.

God is good.

After our short stint trying to sell Google ads with AdzZoo, we decided to get back into healthcare sales and in February we connected with a huge brokerage firm out of Fort Worth. Our bond was almost instantaneous and since then we have become a powerful team with a big vision for the future.

Needless to say, summer of 2010 is already night and day from last year. Last year on my vacation these bad people did this to us ruining our family trip to the coast. Next week we go again this time with fun plans in hand! Though cash is still real tight, things are fun again, business is exciting and we can really see God's hand in it all. It has almost been too easy just letting Him lead us.

We have a future we would have never dreamed possible this time a year ago. We have a lot of work to do but with God's help all things are possible and we can't wait see what the next 12 months bring us.

Summer Time Brings Busy Fun

The reality is life is just ALWAYS busy. Any parent will tell you. Just when you think, "oh good. Summer is here!" life just keeps on trucking along at full speed.

Last summer my business was nearly taken out from under me by some former friends and close employees. It was NOT a good summer. Stress, worry, fear and lots of anger and confusion filled our minds.

But God has been beyond good the last 12 months as He has restored things, brought us new plans and visions and given us a total new focus on life, His work and His nature. The future could not look better! The return to a sense of normalcy being the biggest of all blessings for sure. So I welcome a packed calendar this go around!

This summer for us looks packed nearly each week from here until school starts back up too. VBS, family vacation (hopefully two), friends coming in town, trips to the zoo, church volunteering each Wed, soccer practice for Quinn, Hawaiian Falls trips, grandparent visits, gymnastics for the girls, various church events, 4th of July family fun, Tyler trips, home group meetings, our own summer party, business summer bash and other business activities.

At the same time, this is what makes life fun. In between all of those things there will be plenty of time for a few Rangers games, some small cookouts, swimming in the pool and spontaneous fun that should include some movies, Six Flags, shopping, time with friends, etc.

Summer is fun. But, it sure is busy. Hope yours is as good as ours looks to be!

The Floor Cracked Us Up

This will take some explaining, but it sure was funny.

Let me set the stage. In our home we have wood floors that run from the front door, down the hallway completely covering the kitchen and dining room ending at our bedroom. Over the last 8 years water from the dog bowl has basically ruined an area about the size of a door mat. It was only a natural move for us to cover this area with a rug in order to hide the ugliness until we redo the floors completely.

However, after Julie removed the mat the other day she immediately realized that was a “bad idea jeans” move; the floor looks way worse. It was wet, moldy looking in some spots and boards were sticking up or pealing back. It was an ugly, scary looking sight. In a last ditch effort we placed a box fan in the area to dry up the wetness with hopes we could avoid having to do major repair work right now. We will see.

Now, for the other part of this story.

Both of our 5 year old twin daughters have started having these “night terror” dreams. Not fun for anyone. They awaken in the middle of the night screaming bloody murder causing the entire southern region of Mansfield to bolt up out of their beds with personal protection devices armed and ready for action. Seriously. When I say scream I don’t mean a little “ahhhh!” We are talking Nightmare on Elm Street levels of fear bursting out of their throats.

Hearts pounding we both usually leap out of bed (and I do mean leap!) and run to the stairs where they are usually standing at the top screaming and crying saying “I had a bad dream!” Honestly it is kind of sad because we all have had those “bad dreams” but it’s just such a violent way to wake the family at 3am nearly every night.

But last night topped them all.

About 3am our night of deep sleep came to a crashing halt. Screaming was taking place within our very room! Hearts in throats we scrambled out of bed thinking we had just been raided by 3 foot curly blond home-invasion criminals. I was reeling with thoughts of getting my gun, or a knife, whatever thinking I was about to have to go into my powerful, much practiced, terminate the enemy, defend-the-family mode.

I had been in the middle of my own amazing dream - running on the beach with rock hard abs while bikini babes chased me, yelling my name, wanting me bad – when my mind made the realization that the screaming I was hearing was coming from the mouths of babes, just not on the beach! Julie’s intense dream of cooking me the best homemade pizza ever was interrupted too as the screaming filled our ears from just a few feet away.

Within seconds our arms were around them both. Chloe was the most upset.

“What is wrong!” I asked.

“I had a bad dream,” Chloe said sobbing and shaking like a leaf.

"You did?" I said. (Julie was consoling Sidney)

"It's ok baby. Calm down." Her intense shaking and crying continued. "It's gonna be alright."

"We all have bad dreams honey," I said. "It's ok. Mommy and daddy are right here."

We carried them into the living room, making our way to the couches, both still sobbing. It was obvious it was a bad one. This was going to take some time to get the place back in order. My own dream was on hold for at least another hour.

Wondering what her dream was about, I pressed her for details. It surely had to include some scary scene from a show we had watched, or a monster from one of their Disney DVDs. It was bad whatever it was. Might even include some Bigfoot fears passed down via my DNA.

"Chloe, what was your bad dream about," I asked.

She mumbled something between a sob.

"What?" I asked again.

"I had dreamed about (mumble)," she said unintelligibly.

Not wanting to get her fear activated again I gave it a few minutes.

Then finally I asked again and her answer was more clear though I was confused as to what it sounded like. I thought I heard what she said but I just had to clarify that I heard her right.

"Did you say you had a bad dream about the floor!?"

Shaking and sobbing still, she replied as serious as her little self could.

"Yea."

Need I say more. I am still laughing now.

*sigh* Another Great Show Is Gone

Sadly another one of our favorite shows came to an end tonight as "24" closed out with a bang. Sure the show had it's quirks and such, but it was a great series based on a cool, creative concept.

Few characters rise to the occasion like Jack Bauer did and we will surely miss his grit and ability to withstand torture, stabbings, gun shot wounds, poison, bombs and the likes all in a days work.

Let's face it, TV shows bite these days. Few make you laugh and it is reality and drama show overload.

I wish we could get one more season at out of Jack and CTU.....*sigh*.

Finally - a GetAway

The last time Julie and I snuck off for a few days was in the fall of 2008 with our visit to the Ozarks in Arkansas.

Yesterday we finally started another one in the great city of San Antonio. It's a whole new world down here without the kids too. We enjoyed some Hard Rock Cafe burgers for lunch yesterday on the River Walk. Then we checked in at the amazing Hyatt HillCountry Resort, and spent the evening at the Alamo Quarry Market - dinner at Canyon Cafe, a 7pm flick ("Date Night" - VERY funny!) and then some dessert at Amy's Ice Cream and ending the night with some wine here at Charlie's Long Bar.

Today we will bask in the sun around the pool, get a massage and I will work on my Club J story. We don't really plan to leave until maybe tonight. Who knows. We have no agenda and THAT is what we need.

Jealous?

You should be.

Boy how we needed this...sorry kiddos, see you Sunday.

Six Flags Then & Now

Tonight we randomly decided to make a family run to Six Flags. Sitting right across the street from my office I see the place all day long. Yet something is still magical about entering the park mid-afternoon on a sunny day and enjoying the sights, sounds, smells and rides.

Of course this time I wasn't 15 chasing 15 year old girls around either.

Rather, I'm 40 with a wife and three kiddos.

Walking around the place it really was weird. In all the years since those pimple-faced days of old the park really hasn't changed that much. Last time Julie and I went was 2001 when we were DATING. Yet, back in the 80s this was THE place to be. Such fun times.

Tonight was a blast too. Quinny fell in love with speed and his little Loony Toons land coaster. The girls jumped right in with most of their rides too. Julie and I could do nothing more than just look at our "adult" rides in the distance of course.

Maybe one day we'll go back, just the two of us, and finally ride Superman.

If not, until then we're happy taking the kids. It's just a fun place to go.

Three Under the Age of Five

For those of you without kids and for those of you beyond these days, enjoy.

This is our life:

"stop it...put that down...don't do that...what's in your mouth...where did you get that?!...what are you doing!?...stop running with that...wipe your own butt!....are you poopy or did you just tootoot?...get down...sit down...turn around...move...be quiet... please just...obey me now...really?!?!...oh my gosh!...tell me...put that away...let it go... give it to me... NO.... NOW!... one! two!.... I said yes... don't ask me again... get back in bed... what now!?...shut that door...yes I will put cream on it in a second!... get out of that...spit that out, don't eat that...eat another bite....where did you get that gum?... why are you crying...you don't need a bandaid...you don't need medicine... stop whining... can you whine a little more please...Quinn get your hand out of your pants!...stop fighting...we don't talk about our butts/poop/boobies or bobo...don't hit...say excuse me...can you whine a litle more?...apologize now...what do you say?... get in time out now...lay down!... stop singing Christmas songs... there's no need to yell... you already asked me that... where did he/she go?...where is he/she?...put down my phone...no, more Dora/Mickey/Handy Manny/etc..in a minute...where did you learn that?!"

(to ourselves and between us) "no more kids...kill me now...why did we want kids again?...it's gonna cost HOW MUCH?!...yes one day we will get to go on a trip alone again....you're lucky so-and-so is still alive...shoot me now...where's the wine?...go get more wine...we are out of wine...call your parents...who's crying?...when did he/she start doing that!?!?!"

End of the day:

"The kids are so funny!" I say smiling.

"Yes, they are...." Julie replies.

"What do you think about four?" I ask.

"Good night."

"Good night."

UPDATED REGULARLY

Sports Duldrum Begins

Thanks to my lame Mavs and Stars, the 2010 sports summer started early and is going to be ONE LONG BORING PHASE.

Let's face it...between NASCAR, golf and baseball, it's really a dead time for exciting sports activity. To top that off what shows during the summer really get your juices flowing? Yea, exactly,...nada.

I've been fortunate that usually I have someone to cheer on well into May and even early June shortening the time between then and August when football gets cranking. This year....oh man is it gonna be a bore.

Too bad I can't depend on my Astros or Rangers to do much for me.

Guess I'll just have to enjoy the sun, work my butt off and make some money and spend more time with the kiddos and wifey.

Seven Year Itch

Never have understood this "7 year itch" myth. I've had an itch since I was 3. Just ask my wife as I lay in bed scratching and driving her to new levels of insanity few have experienced.

Seven years ago had she known this realty, she just might have gotten an itch to say "c ya". But lucky for me, I got her locked in, haze-grey and under-way.

Hard to believe this weekend we will have been married for 7 years and known each other for close to a decade. Without getting t0o graphic, those early days sure were fun in the sun - if you get my drift - wink, wink. After all, we did produce identical twins...

This weekend we planned a little excursion of sorts to the W Hotel in Dallas. Been FOUR-EV-ER since we have had a real adult, party night out on the town. I was pumped. Even had a sexy new lingerie outfit picked out that I felt confident and sexy in. It was gonna be one fun evening....

Then Sidney vomited.

"Hello, W Hotel in Dallas? Hi....I need to cancel our reservations for tomorrow. My child just barfed and it looks like we are going to have yet another planned hot night at home. Yes....right...yes she will likely be wearing her baby blue M&M long t-shirt and I will be in boxers. The dogs? Yea, correct....they will either be in the bed or by it....one snoring louder than me."

Married with Children continues...

Drive-Thru Terror - Village Idiots Are On the Lose

Apparently even more villages than is usual have lost their idiots this week in the DFW area. And for me, they apparently find drive-thru lines a good place to accentuate their ignorance.

Case in point 1- we have a Chick Fi Lay right on the way from my home to my office. They know me by name. I visit nearly daily for tea or breakfast and sometimes lunch. They, like all fast food establishments, have a drive-thru line for autos.

They, like most fast food places we all frequent, have a parking lot with CLEARLY defined parking spaces at a obvious angle the place of business intends for cars to travel through said parking lot. In many cases they have separate entrance and exit points that also coincide with the direction of the parking space stripes I just mentioned. Usually these places also have at least one very visible NO ENTRANCE/EXIT ONLY sign sometimes accompanied with "guidance cones" helping out those that just can't figure it out. Anyone with a brain can easily see that entering the parking lot going the wrong way in a feeble attempt to circumvent the drive-thru line ahead of others or for the sake of being a lazy butt is simply not going to work with cars coming head on trying to leave through the EXIT!

So here I am pulling into the parking lot heading towards the drive thru while listening to "Fake Jerry" (Jerry Jones) on my favorite AM morning show. Coming at me is a lady GOING THE WRONG WAY via the EXIT ONLY entrance. On top of that guess what.....you guessed it....our little Missy is playing Chatty Katty on the flippin' phone.

I am forced to stop in my tracks and a quick game of chicken ensues. I just sit there and stare here down with my hands lifted off the steering wheel as if to say, "Really!? I mean seriously? Are we that stupid as a society now?"

Feeling four of my five of my fingers desperately wanting to curl up leaving one standing rigid for her view I fought back the flesh and just held my ground feeling my look of exasperation was enough for her this bright, glorious Monday morning.

Her response?

She stopped her car, looked at me angrily, raised her hands at me and mouthed a few choice words that I am sure included the likes of "Lord I pray this man is truly blessed today...may his children succeed in all they do and may his business flourish like no other in the future...Amen."

I refused to budge as I waited in line. So she spent the next 60 seconds slowly maneuvering her car between mine and the rest with just inches to spare. I have to admit I laughed out loud watching her respond to the other two cars that honked at her behind me and further relished her hilarious attempt at having to make an eight-point u-turn that took her forever and backed up the line even more.

Oh yea, she did all of this without ever putting down her phone.

Guess she was letting her village know just exactly where she was.

(case in point 2 coming soon)

Old Friend Is About to Be Blown to Shreds

Of course, most Texans all agree Texas Stadium is an icon most of us are likely to never forget. But the sad truth is she has been in a state of death and decay since the late 90's and throughout the first decade of the new millennium she degraded beyond salvation.

Small, cramped, dirty, stinky, cold and damp. It's over.

Bring on the dynamite. It's time she blows.

For me personally I am going to take it hard.

Growing up a huge Cowboys fan I got my first personal Texas Stadium experience in 1983 when dad took me to a Thanksgiving Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals. I was 14 and loved every second of the Cowboys victory that day. To see the Boys for real in that loud, fan crazed place was incredible. Not to mention how awestruck I was at seeing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in person too!

Just seven years later in 1990 I became an actual employee of the Dallas Cowboys as I landed a part time gig working Cowboys games as a stands attendant. (bet you didn't know that!). Yep, I had to help people find their seats and keep them out of the isles, but at halftime I got to sit wherever I wanted and watch the rest of the game. I made $25 a game and was allowed to bring my 35mm camera to the game too. It was fun watching Emmitt, Troy and Michael just getting their grove on. The playoff game against the Eagles that year was a highlight for sure!

In the 2000s, being much older and little more financially sound, I was fortunate enough to start attending more games. I was there when Troy Aikman played his last game in 1999 against the Redskins. He was pulled because of a huge hit to the head. I even told my girlfriend at the time he would never play again. I was right.

With the likes of Ebay and StubHub I found myself at many games from 2000 to 2003, many times alone, until 2004 when my business partner and I decided to buy season tickets and rent a suite to entertain our sales staff. What an experience! Friends, family, and business contacts alike shared in the fun too! Tailgating became the craze and we literally would hang out for hours before the game. Certainly more fun than watching the likes of Joey Galloway, Ryan Leaf, or Quincy Carter. Geez.

Our lease ended in 2006 and I returned to my personal season tickets for most home games. The company continued to buy seats for most home games too and the fun continued for the most part, though, until 2007, the team was terrible.

My last memory of Texas Stadium ended just like my first. With my dad at my side. The game was a cold one and the Cowboys finished the season with a terrible loss to the Baltimore Ravens, ending what should have been a promising year. It was an ironic twist of fate seeing the death of a season run along side the death of our beloved Texas Stadium.

Dad and I stood in the frozen wind and rain that night as we watched a parade of Cowboys stars take the field one last time. Dandy Don then sang "turn out the lights" and the Texas Stadium era came to an end.

The lights turned off and we headed home.

Thanks for all the memories Texas Stadium.

Boom goes the dynamite.

Breast Bombs

It's really no secret that this world would simply not be the same if not for breasts. Come on. Be real. Admit it. God knew what he was doing when he added that special feature to the woman's body. Large or small, they are special. Even David in Song of Solomon spoke of their precious beauty...

But now a new twist on these attributes is down right scary and appaling all in one.

Apparently terrorists are now training women to use explosive breast implants in order to avoid detection and blow up planes and the like.

Jesus please return soon.

I know the line of men will likely be out the door for the new security jobs certainly to become available to check for such explosive devises, but in all seriousness, is there any end to these maniacs?

I just wish they would leave our breasts and our planes alone.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=123758

Hope & Change is Just Turning Into Change

It is no secret after more than a year in office that President Obama is no different than all of those before him when it comes to breaking campaign promises and pursing his own agenda. He is a liar like most before him and he could careless what the majority think.

The problem is he makes Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter look like the founders of the conservative movement. Barack Obama is spending us into oblivion and it appears he will stop at nothing until every drop of ink is spent at the mints.

Yea, I know. We are the morons that fell for his "Hope & Change" campaign spin when in reality all he had in mind was "change". And boy, do we have change.

I fear for the society, values and debt Quinn, Chloe and Sidney will face when they are sitting here reading this entry in 25-30 years. Will America remain? Will "conservatism" be dead and gone? Will this be the time in which they will look back on as the date America turned into all the rest?

We have to work and pray to save our land between now and November. We can't stop him, but we can slow him down.

He now runs the banks, he runs student loans, he runs the auto industry, he runs the housing market, he controls the insurance companies, and he wants to run immigration and Wall Street next. Anyone out there think of some countries that run everything? You laugh, but are we any different now?

Let's just hope we can return the change.

Quinn Tries out Big Boy Bed

It's a sad yet exciting moment for the family. Our little Quinny has graduated (we think) from his crib to a "big boy" Tommy the Train bed.

After Julie put it together (yea, I was a slacker), he proudly took his first nap in it yesterday. Then that night he excitedly laid down and slept without a peep until 8am!

It's weird that all three of our kids are already no longer "babies". We are excited about it, yet somewhat scared about how fast it all is going.

Now, all we need to do is figure out how to get him to pee and poop in the "big boy potty".

Once in a Lifetime DFW Snow Storm

I am not sure how many times the word "unreal" was spoken either by me or Julie on Thursday and Friday when over 12inches of snow fell in the Dallas area, a record for the most snow to fall in one day in the entire state of Texas!

For just a few days it felt like we were transported to the mountains of Colorado or the fields of Wyoming as a soft, gentle snow storm wrapped its arms around the DFW area and covered us with a peaceful blanket of the good white stuff. It started snowing around midnight and did not let up or finish for over 24 hours. In the end we were left feeling somewhat like our national leaders in the DC area who have been snowed in for weeks now.

So much for "global warming" Al Gore. I think God himself had tired of your "science" and scheme. Apparently another record was set last week when snow was recorded on the ground in all 50 states at the same time.

The kids and the dogs loved playing out front with our neighbors, though most of us were fighting off colds and ear infections. I never thought I would have to get a ladder out and brush the snow off our satellite TV dish - much less three times in a day! Not to mention getting out the big shovel to clear off the 8 inches that had built up on the driveway. Truth be told, my neighbors and I did that mostly just to say we did and to empathize with our northern American comrades!

It was truly a once in a lifetime Valentine's weekend event. Not in my 40 years had I seen this kind of snow in Texas. It was a sight to behold; so soothing, beautiful and white.

Watch slideshow here:

Q-ster Peeing in Potty - Working on the Poopin'

Quinny is so proud of his new Buzz LightYear underwear. He won't even poop in them he is so excited.

Potty training a 2 year old boy is surely WAY different than the girls was. "Hold it down!" is often something heard broadcast throughout the house these days.

He is a peeing machine.

Now all we have to do is get him unafraid to poop!

Diapers, you are on the final count down! PRAISE GOD!

New Year Starting Well

Yea, it's way early, but still.

Business wise 2010 is looking good already!

Can't really breath easy just yet (never really can when you are in business for yourself) BUT if anything, I have learned over the last year to truly keep my faith in tact and trust God.

Things are looking up.

Now, all I have to do is keep it rolling...

Football Offseason Begins....a sad day

I love football. Specifically I love Dallas Cowboys football. Today I had the kids wave by to the animated Cowboys man we leave on the fireplace daily starting each August. Their Romo jerseys will be hung up. The tailgating gear was put away in the garage and most of my Cowboys hats will be put to rest until July.

It's a sad, sad day in the life of the Speers family.

Cowboys 3, Vikings 34. Not good. Not good at all.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Wade should come back - not because I like him, but because there are no other good ones to replace him with and any change now will set things back for 1-2 years.
2. We DID improve and we have a "team" now. It has been 13 years since we have had that chemistry.
3. We have young players to build around.
4. Our defense is much improved.
5. Romo looks like he can be a winner.
6. We need to focus on a kick returner, a kicker, secondary help (Newman is totally over-rated) and offensive line help.

Next year I at least wanna get to the NFC Championship!

For now, go Saints!

Speers World Ready for All 2010 Has to Offer

Rarely I have I looked forward to a new year more than I have 2010. For the Speers clan it was a tough one in all ways. As always, God was good during the tough days 2009 brought us, but hopefully the next year will bring some much needed change.

Now 2010 is here and we are expecting a year full of joy, peace, contentment, and success.

Quinn will be three and thank God his "terrible two days" should come to an end. If not, he might find himself in permanent time-out until then. Right now "no" means "yes" and never in my life have a seen a child get into more things so fast than him...

New business plans look promsing and our plan is to work toward debt freedom and taking the kids to Disney sometime soon!

Our girls will turn 5 and are sadly growing up way too fast. But they are a complete joy and world of entertainment. I never knew 4 year olds could be so funny. Just the other day Sidney told me "Chloe just went poop and it was huge!". Neato.

The Cowboys have started off the new year with a bang and regardless of what happens now have made the end of the football season acceptable for a change!

We can only pray Dora fades away into the forever forgotten past, but for now she remains a mainstay throughout each and every long, drawn out morning of our ever living lives...

Political winds are going to lead America back to conservative values in the November elections. Don't get me started...

These things and more are in the plans for the year. Now it's just a matter of getting us there!

Loud 'n' Clear

For a majority of my life, and for all of my adult years one musical act has always held a special place in my record, tape, CD and Itunes collection.

In 1984 a friend of mine introduced me to Stryper, the world's first long-haired, heavy metal, rock-n-roll, Christian glam-band! As a 14 year old trying to live for Christ, Stryper provided a powerful role model and social outlet for me and my friends. And from 1984-1989 we were not alone as Stryper literally rocked the world with number one hits on the radio and top videos on MTV. Stryper was a hit and for us in the Christian world, smiles of pride were permanent fixtures on our faces.

Yes, we were Soldiers Under Command and Stryper was our leading battalion.

Even though I'm not 40 I have to admit when I hop into my Z06 it only seems fitting to crank up the rock-n-roll and it has to be loud. Though nowadays I usually jam out to the likes of FooFighers, Nickleback or others, 80s heavy metal remains a mainstay and a Stryper CD is usually not far away.

In 2001 the band reunited for what we all thought would be their last concert as a group. Michael Sweet was off doing his own thing and having success and the rest of the band had moved on with wives and kids in tow. In the early 90s they made some bad choices and had some personal struggles as young men that had tarnished their reputation and it seemed it was all but over.

But God wasn't done with Stryper yet.

In 2003, the band released a compilation with a few new singles on it called Seven and in 2005 their first new complete album since 1990 was released called Reborn. It was crisp, bold, loud and modern. It was Stryper and it was good.

In 2009, the band released yet another album called Murder by Pride which is probably their best album since Soldiers Under Command in 1986.

Today, Stryper has a new base of young fans to go along with us grey-haired oldies. I recently took my 14 year old niece to see them live at the House of Blues in Dallas. The show was incredible and fittingly ended with a Stryperized heavy-metal rendition of "Winter Wonderland". We both banged our heads, shook our fists and sang our hearts out. For me it was like stepping back to the late 80s when as a youth Stryper was my musical drug.

A quarter of a century has gone by, but as I have told members of the band personally over the years in the few times I have had the chance to talk to them, God used Stryper in my young life as a source of identity and pride as a Believer. They played a large role in helping me realize Christians should stand up, be counted, and be bold. I only hope they can do the same for this new generation of Stryper fans because the Lord knows our worlds needs it!

For now, I think today would be a good day to hit the streets and crank it up just one more time!

Quinny Update

I am still blown away by our little Quinny. I got to spend some good one-on-one time with him last weekend as we had a few "daddy days" in a row since the girls were out of town and I truly enjoyed it.

Yes he is two in all sense of the word, and yes he is a boy which compounds his troubles. But, this little guy is a bundle full of joy too. He makes everyone around him smile (always has). Everywhere we went he was waving at people and saying all kinds of stuff. He is such a talker. He can say his ABCs, the pledge, his night time prayers, and tons of other stuff. Basically, at two, he can talk nearly as good as his sisters who are 4 and he says everything he hears too. He is one smart cookie though. Few things get past him and you can see his mind racing in his eyes when you try and fool him.

He is the only on in our famiyl who is a morning person. Most days I get him out of bed and the first thing he does is go in and wake up his sisters with a big happy "Good morning!". Then he quickly heads downstairs to climb into bed and bumps heads with mommy and pulls on her saying "time to get up!". Does it nearly every morning. LOL.

Soon it will almost be two years since we first saw his cute little smile and felt God's tug to add little Seong Wook to our family. I cannot even imagine had we not responded. Life just would not be the same - for all of us.

My favorite thing? The way he says "daddy". Nothing is cuter.

Over the Years

I was thinking the other day about how our family has grown and changed over the years. Started with just me and Max back in 1999. Then Julie came along and rocked my world and soon Sam came into the mix. It was just us and "the boys" (http://maxandsam.blogspot.com).

A few years later that all changed with Chloe and Sidney. Then all things were completed when Quinn made us a family of...well 7 when you count the boys, and yes, we have to count them!

There really isn't anything greater in life than family! See photos on facebook!

Quinn Reunited with Foster Mom

Last weekend, Julie and Quinn flew to Phoenix for a Korean festival/reunion with Dillon parents and families. His foster mom was one of the Korean women that flew in to the States to visit. It was a rare opportunity to see her again and though we could not all go, it was important for us that Quinn get to see her again.

She was very emotional in seeing him and gave our family plenty of Korean gifts we will cherish forever. She is truly an angel of God and has fostered over 25 little babies over the years.

I am sure she was shocked to see how big and active the little Seong Wook has become!

Weekend Full of Memories

This was one of "those weekends". One in which old memories were brought back to life and new ones were put into memory.

Julie took Quinn to Arizona to see his foster mom that had come to the States from Korea. I wanted all of us to go, but with today's travel expenses it was just not feasible right now for us.

So, I decided to take advantage of a weekend with the girls to myself and we headed out of town Friday afternoon to "stay at a hotel" and "see daddy's school" as they excitedly proclaimed. Yes, it was homecoming weekend in Brownwood, Texas, at good ol' HPU. It has been years since I have been and I really didn't want to miss another year. So glad I didn't too.

I decided we would stay just outside of Brownwood in Eastland at a new La Quinta. So we headed there Friday and boy were the girls psyched up. Along the way I made the decision to stop for dinner at the old "SmokeStack Cafe" just off I20 in Thurber - an old Ghost Town of sorts chopped full of big time Texas history. We admired the old smoke stack still standing but no longer in operation and enjoyed our dinner in the 100 year old building. All of these years driving down I20 I had seen this place but never stopped. Now the girls first memory of the smoke stack will also be mine. I love that.

A few miles later we pulled over to our hotel, headed to Walmart (sorry Clint) for some needed items and "surprises" and then back for a "stay up late fest" that included Disney Channel hits and more. Around 10 we hit that sack.

The next morning we arrived in Brownwood and promptly visited the fellas old friend "Achmed" and his donut shop. He was shocked to see me and nearly in tears to meet the girls too. His donuts were fresh and hot! AND GOOD. The fellas used to spend many a late night in his donut shop giving him a hard time and listening to him dish it right back to us.

The HPU parade followed that along with meet and greet with tons of old HPUers such as: Barry Carter, Shane Davidson, David Marsden, Brad Pletcher, Greg Bowman, David Curlee, Morgan Bush, and Steve Camfield - all with their respective wives and kiddos. Others were there as well, including a small, but vibrant group of current HPU DeltaPi members. After touring the campus and showing the girls the old hallways and classrooms, we headed over for lunch at Underwoods - which of course nearly made us all cry with joy (is anything better, really?). Then we toured the old Club J area and downtown (takes about 47 seconds) and headed over to Gordon Wood Stadium to watch the Yellow Jackets play.

The girls were fascinated with the band and "Buzzsaw" - the mascot - and had a smile on their face all day long. I did too. As we sat at lunch and talked about old times, shared funny stories and discussed old friends and current happenings, it just sank in that this was one of the times to relish and put away forever. Sure we talked about how we would all stay in touch via the wonder of Facebook, but nothing will ever replace the face-to-face experience of being together.

I love creating memories because they are there in tough times to recall for a little bit of joy. HPU still is a place I cherish and will always be blessed to have been a part of from 1990-1993.

And this weekend I think I planted that first HPU memory into the minds of the two things I love more than life itself.

If only Quinn and Julie had been there...

I'm 40

Yep. I'm old. Read my thoughts here:

http://nobonesaboutit.blogspot.com/2009/10/omgosh-im-40.html

Counting it down...

Less than 4 hours....

40th Bday Extravaganza Kicked Off

My 40th bday extravaganza week kicked off yesterday with a family day to the State Fair and then rounded off with a huge birthday party hosted by my wife at Splitsville in Arlington. In attendance were the Curlees, Greg H, Franklins, Harris, Shermans, Ruzekas, Irmish, Jensens, Novingers, and the Devlins – about 20 or so. Scott and Jen could not make it, but he dropped off an Obama chia-pet for my enjoyment so he was there in spirit. It was exactly what I wanted for a party – Julie did a great job and our amazing friends did the rest! I am truly amazed and blessed by our friends. You learn as you get older how important true friendships are….

Jam Out to Some Stryper/Boston

Happy Chuseok Day! (Korean Thanksgiving)

Today is one of the big annual Korean holidays - Chuseok. Essentially, they don't mess around with waiting until nearly December to have their Thanksgiving feasts and fun!

Being proud to share in the Korean way, our family will likely take some time out today to honor Quinn's homeland with a feast of our own!

For more you can read here: http://www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070921035

New Business Launched Today

My days of dealing with the headaches of selling health insurance are going on pause for a while - at least for the most part.

As of today, we launched a new division - EMI - that will offer small businesses advertising on Google at unreal rates. We have struck a deal with a company called AdzZoo and Chris and I are fortunate enough to know and have direct connections to the owners and executives involved in this new company. Thanks to a long-term business contact, this opportunity has been made to us just at the time when we were getting really tired of the healthcare rat-race.

We will still offer health and life plans, but it is now about 10% of our overall production strategy.

If anyone wants details on how you can use this service for your own business, OR want the opportunity to start a business with us, please see the link below and I will personally be glad to train and show you how. It is truly unlike anything I have ever seen!

New Income Opportunity

Quinn Loving MDO School

Our little Quinster is quickly coming into his own during his two days a week at our local Mother's Day Out program. It is so amazing to see him progress and jump into things, following his sisters every steps.

He is learning the songs, enjoying play time, making some new friends and really coming out of his shell - not that he was ever in one! LOL.

He had a few rough days in the begining but as long as his little "Howie" is with him, he just loves it!

Big Day for the Brady Bunch

Yep, it sure is going to be a big day!

1. Girls start school and will be separated for first time.
2. Quinn starts Mother's Day Out! Should be a little crazy but he will love hanging out with some boys for a change. Maybe it will get him away from those purses and high heels!
3. Julie starts PTA!
4. Brady's new office opens up - new era for Equal Health!
5. Brady and Julie get back to the gym! I need it way more than her!

Final Summertime Fun

Well, the summer is offically over now. It ended with a bang yesterday as we took the kids to Hawaiian Falls one final time. Such a great day outside too. Now for the next 9 months we will have to explain how the waterpark is closed every single time we drive by - which is alot since we live down the street!

Potty Training Isn't That Hard

Ok, so Quinn is a one of a kind child.

Two days ago, out of nowhere, he takes off his diaper and decides he wanted to go potty - in the potty. Julie rushed to get him his little toddler potty and sure enough, he sat down and went teetee all on his own according.

If I could bottle Quinn up I would be a zillionaire!

Now, let's see if he can figure out the "aiming" side of this thing once he learns he needs to pee standing up!

Fellas Entering Era of Turning 40

This fall the fellas will begin their collective decent "down the hill" as many begin turning 40. I of am now leading the pack, as Tercek is far ahead and left us in the dust, with Clint and RJ quickly behind. After that, the likes of Greg, Scott and Michael will soon follow.

I really cannot believe I will be 40 in just 60 days. But, trust me, I am already working on all I plan to say about that big day! For now, I have to get to bed. It's 10:22pm, WAY past my bedtime....

Quinn Becomes U.S. Citizen

Today our little Quinny became a real American as he was given his citizenship certificate via a neat ceremony in Irving. He was such a good boy too (compared to some others) and grinned from head to toe waving his little American flag while in the process of destroying it.

It was a wonderful moment to experience this process with him and now we can celebrate American with the rest of us!

The other great news - no more adoption paperwork! The 2 year process is complete!

(see our photos on facebook!)

Big is Not a Big Enough Word

Last weekend I attended my first game at the new Cowboys Stadium, the 1.2 billion dollar home financed by the city or Arlington, but mostly by owner Jerry Jones.

It took me thhhiiisss long to forget about my sentimental strongholds to Texas Stadium.

Wow!

Jerry did it. God has made many incredible things and He certainly gave Jerry (whether he knows it or not) the creative ability on this place too! It is unreal.

As long time season ticket holders I was somewhat nervous about what games would be like in this new JerryWorld. Much to my surprise, it was more than talked about. Sensory overload for sure. From the fun tailgating outside to the cushion seats, to the megaTVboard, to the concessions and bathrooms that were so numerous that there were still no lines even with 80,000 people there.

If you haven't gone yet, get a party pass at the least and test it out for yourself. All I can say is Go Cowboys!

Girls Turn 48 Months

Forty-eight short months ago our lives changed forever when our girls, Sidney and Chloe were born at Arlington Memorial Hospital. About this time in the morning we became parents of two incredible little (and I do mean little) beautiful girls!

Over the last 4 years life has been crazy yet fun all at the same time. The sad thing about having a baby is that one day the baby becomes a small child and gone are the days of telling people "she's 19 months" or he's about to be "6 months". For some reason, once they turn 2, we start reporting their ages in years.

Well, I am changing the tide. My little babies are going to be aged by months from now on. I want it back. It's just going too fast.

"How old are they?", I can see someone asking me down the road.

"Oh, they are 480 months," I answer as I stand and cheer on the Cowboys Cheerleader group they made at 20 years old during a game, "Good job Chloe! Good job Sid!"

In the mean time, we enjoy the moments of them turning our world upside down! 48 months later our world is still spinning!

For slide show click here: http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3123977&alb=117305

A 4 Year Old Trapped in a 2 Year Old Body

Ok, maybe I am just a tad one-sided in this affair, but I am not exaggerating (for real) when I say our little Quinners is one smart dude. I mean, the girls are smart too, but he is so far ahead of them at his age compared to when they were two it is not even funny. The day we first saw his photo we knew he was special. His attitude, personality and smile rival any I have ever seen.

Yet, little did we know, this little 4 year old trapped in a 2 year old body was created to soon rule our world

BEFORE he turned two he:

- could basically count to 10
- could sing parts to almost any song he heard (including many on the radio)
- studies how anyone does anything and attempts to duplicate the act and in most cases succeeds
- can play with the Iphone
- speaks in complete sentences (he can put words together better than they can pronounce them - his brain is ahead of his tongue)
- he comprehends EVERYTHING he hears (i.e. Julie and I could be having an adult conversation about going to the mall for some reason, he will hear us talking and then ask when we are going to the mall)
- he can nearly swim and willfully and happily goes under water holding his breath
- he was running way before 18 months
- he practices going potty (I swear if we took his diaper off he would plop down on the toilet, do number two, wipe his own rear, get up and wash his hands and come out saying "Do NOT go in there!")

- he takes off his own diaper (to mom's horror) and calls himself "Stinky McFly"

- he has been eating with a fork and a spoon since he was 12 months old (he is still a disaster when we eat however and it gets everywhere)

- he has never used a passi

- he drinks from an adult cup and has been now for months

- he has been sitting in an adult chair since 18 months old when we eat shocking many waitresses (he has never sat in a booster seat)

- he can nearly say all of his ABCs

- when I get home for the day and ask him what he did today he gives me a complete, honest run down of all of his activities and I understand them all (sometimes I get more from him than Julie)

Surely, he has two sisters to emulate and copy and he certainly does that, all day long. Yet, this child is amazing.

In more ways than one.

Q-ster Turns Two

Just a little over a year ago, Quinn Seong Wook joined our family as a cute little 9 month old.

Little did we know what this little ball of joy and energy would do to us all!

Quinn turns two today and his incredible personality and attitude still amazes everyone. An early start to life full of more turmoil than most every experience, our little boy is truly a shinning example of God's joy.

He keeps us on our toes every minute of the day too. He is "ALL BOY" as they say. One minute he is a one-man terrorist organization, the next he is cuddly and cuter than a bug.

Overall, now we know just how incomplete our family was before him. He is the caboose to our train....so we hope.

Happy 2nd birthday Quinny the Pooh!

Girls Complete Swimming Lessons

Two weeks ago the girls started swimming lessons. At the time, they were sort of warming up to the water at our pool at home.

Just 14 days and some major episodes of crying later, they don goggles and swim like Shamu!

They still have a ways to go before they are quite as good as their Sea World hero, but it won't be long. Their brother loves the water and nearly drowns himself trying to get in it, but considering where the girls were just a few weeks ago, we are more than thrilled.

We are finally getting our monies worth out of our own blue lagoon!

A $1 Billion Dollar Home

I love football season. Thank God the Rangers and Astros both are still in the baseball hunt or my sport world would be drier than a 100 degree day in Dallas, but still, nothing gets me more fired up than knowing football season is just around the corner.

And for those of us season ticket holders stupid enough to mortgage our great grandchildren's future, their new home in Arlington recently topped $1,000,000,000 to build.

My office sits on the 6th floor of a building just down the street so we have watched it go up daily now since 2007. I have been tracking this montser via photos for the last two years. Below are a few with a link to them all. Enjoy.

We take a tour next week - more photos of the incredible Jerry Jones world will be posted then.

For now let's hope it all pays off in the Boys actually winning a post season game...

http://www.thefamilypost.com/Speersfamily/album_view.php?album_id=800603

Girls Taking Swimming Lessons

Chloe and Sidney are learning to love the water.

The hard way.

They started taking official swimming lessons Monday and despite occurences of Julie having to chase them around the pool with them crying hysterically, they are getting better and better each day.

After the first lesson Chloe proclaimed, "We are not going back there." LOL.

Finally on day 4 they are both jumping off the side, swimming a little under water and getting more brave. Our little babies are growing up.

Their brother? Well, he might as well have been born in water with duck webbed feet. He LOVES the pool....

No More Bottles

My wife did it. She got Quinny off the bottle this week.

That ends a streak of nearly 4 years of dealing with and using bottles every on a daily basis for the two of us.

Well, we have paid our dues and we are finally beyond the bottle stage. Some say that is sad, but I say bring on potty training and learning how to buckle their own seat belts. Then we will finally be getting somewhere.

Meanwhile, out little boy is bottle free. He is truly a champion.

The King of Pop Is Dead

It was not a good day for entertainers.

Farrah Fawcet died earlier in the day of cancer. She was "the" supermodel many of us grew up with whose fame peaked with her role in Charlie's Angels.

Then, just hours later, Michael Jackson suddenly died of a massive heart attack. He was just 50. He was one crazy person, who had a tragic life yet brought us an entire new sound and style. there may never be another album ever produced as popular as Thriller was.

He was my geneation's "Elvis" and now he is gone.

The Q-ster Update

Quinny is one funny dude.

As he approaches turning 2, we have learned that he is far superior in abilities than his age!

He can repeat anything he hears - including "Oh Crap" which he said one day from the backseat with Daddy driving. He can say his ABCs perfectly. He says "Mommy" about 100 times a day and he says "No, no Daddy" while waving his hand and giggling when I come calling for him. He can climb anything and does so all the time. He eats with a fork or spoon while refusing a high chair our booster seat - he has to sit like an adult. He can sing most songs he hears - especially "Happy Birthday Dear Becky" (his aunt). He can open all doors, turn everything on or off that he wants and he can watch you do something one time and nearly figure out how to do it himself.

He is one smart little man.

It has been just over a year since we became a family of 5, but certainly he pulls his own weight equal or more than the girls do combined.

I have always thought there is something very special about this child. He has the brains, the personality and even the looks to set the world a blaze!

Father's Day was Rangers Game for Me

I still cannot believe I have been a "daddy" now for 4 years. On top of that, a "daddy" to three. Who would have thought....

This week was special as I took my girls together to a Rangers/Astros baseball game Thursday night. It was the twins night at the Ballpark in Arlington! It is something I do ever year now.

We made it through the 5th inning, even though we only sat down for about 3. The rest were spent playing in the kids areas out on homerun porch.

It was a big night including Pudge Rodriquez set the MLB record for games caught and President Bush was in attendance that night too which was special. Not often you get to be in the same building with a former President, especially one we now wish we had back in office!

It was a great time and next year my "daddy" date with Quinny at a Rangers game will be added to the mix!

For pictures click here:

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=af08d9dc5b0ba5762a944dfefaeb216b&sid=8QZtHLVy3bMO6

Annual Coastal Vacation - Corpus Christi

Usually the family heads down to the Galveston area each year, but this go around we decided Port Aransas would be our destination while Galveston continues to recover from Hurricane Ike.

Needless to say, we truly enjoyed the quick 5 day getaway while staying at a nice condo on Mustang Island. The beaches were incredible and the private pool sure made the ends of the days relaxing and clean. The Texas State Aquarium was also a hit with the kiddos.

Of course, nothing compares to the stop at Sea World on the way down. No one is bigger to them than Shamu....well, maybe Mickey.