Jaws and Justin

I found this photo and had to post it too. Anyone who know Justin, know that it is never the sharks fault if it bites someone. They are just misunderstood animals. He really felt that Jaws got a bum rap and here he is crying over his "friend".

Isn't he funny!

Orlando/Bahama Cruise Vacation!

This trip to Orlando was all about the roller coasters, and to do that you have to go to Universals Islands of Adventure. We spent 3 days there going between Universal Studios proper and Islands.

Here is how the itin went:
Friday-Fly in
Sat-relax and pick up tickets for the week
Sun-Islands of Adventure
Mon-Wet and Wild Water Park
Tue-Sea World
Wed-Universal Studios
Thur-Islands of Adventure and Universal
Fri-High tail it down to Miami for Cruise
Sat-Bahamas-Justins Shark Dive
Sun-Fathers Day/ Day at Sea
Mon-Back to Miami/Drive back up to Orlando
Tue-Fly back home


We had fun playing in "cartoon land" at Islands with the funny clouds over our heads. There are just a few we did.

At Sea World they have a Shark encounter and at the end you can feed cut up squid to some of the sharks which are just the small cute ones, but the kids enjoyed it. That is a baluga whale behind the kids in the photo.

No we didn't let the kids go that wild, just a fun photo op at Universal.

Art said I had to get my photo with the Grinch since that is my nick name for him, especially during Christmas when he doesn't want to go shopping with me.
The coaster above is Dueling Dragons at Islands which was everyone favorite. It is 2 coaster that go at the same time, like a race. The Ice Dragon and Fire Dragon, and you meet in a head to head loop. Each coaster is going head on to the other and then you just fly up in the loop. AWESOME FUN!!

This was on the cruise, tiny cabins and the boys when we were waiting to get of the ship. They had fun but a 3 night cruise is too short to get to know alot of people their age and Justin was too old for the kids clubs and too young for the adult clubs, while Jason being 14 was in a weird place because the 12-14 club was "lame" and the 15-17 club was too....weird with the kids on board. Enough said about that :)

When Justin went shark diving we took Jason and went over to the big Atlantis resort there behind Art and I in the photo. I am sure you have seen it on TV and movies. It has an GREAT aquarium too. Those are my fat toes in the sand. I had to take it because sand on my feet makes me happy..... Jas had a blast playing in the waves. Can you believe how clear the water is there.

That is Jason parasailing on the Atlantis Beach. He had a blast being a "human kite".

For Fathers Day, since we were at sea all day we played on the ship. Art wanted us to enter the slots tournament and he qualified for the finals in 4th place. He ended up coming in 3rd over all! Not too bad, but it would have been better hand there been a CASH prize for it!

OK all you Moms out there. Hooters has been a running joke in my house since the kids were little and Art has loved to take them there, I am sure for a bonding thing so he says. Anyway, on our last night we found a Hooters and had to take a photo with the boys and "girls". Doesn't Justin look HAPPY!

It was a great trip. I seems like we were up against alot to get us there and we will probably be paying for it for a long time to come, but it was worth it. This is my family and these were memories I will always Cherish. I love them so much and I am so proud of the boys. They were very appreciative of everything we did on the trip and understood what we couldn't do. I think all of us know that we might not get this chance again with the age the kids are now and with Justin moving on in life with his choices. I will always be grateful we were able to make it work.

Jason's end of year Jazz band concert

Jason did Jazz Band this year at school and was excited when they got to play a fun piece like Ozzy's Crazy Train. Sounds pretty good. Jason is on Sax right in the middle.

Graduation

We....HE made it! Justin's last few weeks of high school was a busy time but he had a blast.

His 1st event was the Debate banquet. Justin was the team captain this year so this party was his and the other debate officers to put on and they did a good job. Justin earned his 2nd letter this year and made to the 3rd seal/level 4 for the NFL/National Forensic League. He is the 1st one from Cyprus to reach that level. For lettering his senior year he got red and gray ropes to wear on his graduation gown.

Next party was his SOT/School of Technology banquet. This was a 3 year program where he studied college level math and english along with advance computer classes. Justin choose to study multi Media/3D animation programs and learned some valuable skills as well as earn college credits. Out of all the kids who started this program their Sophomore year, less then 50% made it all the way through to their senior year. The teachers who worked with the kids over the year did a great job with them. Thanks teachers! You rock!

Just got blue and gold (school colors) robes for SOT also to wear on Graduation day.

The Cypress "C"

Justins last party was a BBQ we had for him the night before graduation with family and friends. Justin was supported, loved and encouraged by all of you and we can't thank you enough for what you have meant to him these last few years! Thank you for being there for our family.

We were so excited that Arts Mom/Joy from Southaven Mississippi could come out and be with Justin for his big day. It was a BIG choice for her to come because of her commitments back with Art's grandfather/her father being in a nursing home and Art's dad being ill. Big thanks have to go out to Arts brother Jeff and his wife Allison for taking care of their dad so Joy could come. It really meant alot to all of us. We love you guys and missed not having you here too.

The BIG day. We are so proud of you Justin. You have turned into such a wonderful man. We have so many wishes and dreams for your future and can't wait to watch what wonderful things you are going to do.

Justin and the Grandmas! So much love.

Graduation and Vacation

Hi everyone, we just got back from Florida on Tuesday and you know what it is like to come back after being gone for a while.....so I can't post everything now that has happened on the trip and Justin's graduation, BUT here is a photo Justin just sent me of his dive.

IT IS A REAL PHOTO, not photoshop! Yes, this is my baby!