The Brinks II

I HATE bugs...ALL bugs (except for fireflies. Those are cool) Anyways, this next posting really sounds like something out of a horror movie but its true. A couple days ago the state of Illinois was overrun by a bug called a Cicada. Scientists have predicted that there will be over a million Cicadas per acre. Anyways, despite how DISGUSTING this is, it is a very interesting story.

Cicada's, like the one pictured here, is a sick sick bug. This particular kind of Cicada is a magicicada, and magicicada's have a 17 year life cycle. They begin as a nymph that lives underground for 17 years, feeding on the juice of plant roots. In the spring of its 17th year, it begins digging its way up to the surface of the ground and eventually breaks through. From there the actual insect cracks out of it nymph shell, waits a few days for their adult cicada bodies to harden and then they head for the trees to mate. Their mating call is EXTREMELY loud, and since they all emerge at once you can imagine how loud this could be. One newspaper article I read says the cicada chorus can reach 100 decibals, which could be compared to a jackhammer or a chain saw. I've read from people who were here 17 years ago when the last emergence happened that if you're outside near to where the cicadas are you will have difficulty hearing the person standing next to you. Okay, so they let out this mating call, they mate, the males die shortly after that and then the females lay eggs on the leaves and branches of old oak and maple trees. The females then die and 6-10 weeks later, the eggs hatch, the baby nymphs fall to the ground, burrow down and thus begins a new 17 year cycle. We are then left with millions of dead cicada's that will eventually decompose.

So this is all really creepy and gross and arachnaphobia-esque, but there are a few good things about it. First of all, I live in a newer part of town with young trees. They don't love young trees so it is highly unlikely that I will see or hear any cicada's by my house. I will probably hear them and see them at Natalie's soccer games and Jack's baseball games, but I'm pretty sure I don't need to worry about them flying into my house or bothering my kids when they play outside. Second, their actual insect life span is only 5-6 week, so by July they should all be dead. And that's pretty much it. Other then those 2 good things its all very freaky!

I apologize for the picture that I took off the internet but there is no way I'm going Cicada hunting just to find a picture for the blog...eeeeeeewwwwww! And quite frankly, this picture doesn't even give the narsty thing justice! They are much uglier then this picture depicts!

First off is my 30 weeks pregnant picture. For all who requested it, here it is. EXCITING HUH???

I've been home from Florida now for a week and I finally got on the ball (sort of) and got the motivation to Blog. So here I am!

We had an AWESOME time in Orlando with the Christofferson's. (That is my sister's family, for those who don't know) We arrived there on a Sunday night and were greeted by Marille, Adam, Spencer, Annie, Garret, Logan and Britnee, the babysitter, who had arrived earlier in the day. We were all matching in our "I Can't Wait" T-shirts, which Mar had given us all for Christmas and it was very cute if I do say so myself. We got the kids un-packed and settled down and we all went to bed to wake up for the beginning of our week 'o fun!

Monday morning was Magic Kingdom day. We started by going to a Character Breakfast and then headed on over to the park. It was such a great day filled with rides, food, characters, parades, more rides, more food and more fun. We stayed pretty late to see the SpectroMagic parade and then went home for some much needed sleep.

Tuesday we went to MGM Studios. That was a big day since no one had ever been on the Rockin Roller Coaster yet. All who were tall enough, and not an expectant mother, went on that and had a fun time Rockin out to Aerosmith singing "Love on a RollerCoaster" Of course Tower of Terror was another big hit, followed by a parade, the Indiana Jones show and an awesome Stunt Show. Then it was Fantasmic, which was really cool, except for Brady FREAKING out and telling me, "I all done, I all done. I no ree yike it" the whole time.

Wednesday was water park day at Blizzard Beach. Marilee and I left Logan and Brady with Britnee (the babysitter) at the kiddie pool and went with all the bigger kids to do big slides. I of course did not slide but waited at the bottom and took a few pictures. All the kids had an absolute BLAST. Natalie was so cute coming off of all the slides with a big smile on her face. The best part of that day was when Jackson went on Summit Plummit. Its one of those slides that is STRAIGHT down, and if I'm not mistaken the one at Blizzard Beach is the tallest in the country at 120 feet. So Jack, Spencer, Mar and TJ all went down it and LOVED it. Adam wanted to but wasn't sure how his broken ribs would do so he painfully sat it out. I may have been more nervous for Jackson then he was for himself. There's a picture in the montage where Natalie is looking WORKED. That picture was taken at the end of the day at the water park. Also, if I could just mention that Logan, who is Brady's age, was absolutely FEARLESS at Blizzrd Beach. He absolutely loved the waterslides that he was big enough to go on and probably would've gone on Summit Plummit without a second though in his little mind if he was able to. As for Brady, he spent the day telling me "I no ree yike it" unless of course we were in the little tike area or he was sitting in his stroller watching everyone else.

Thursday was Animal Kingdom day and probably the hottest day of the week. We headed off to that park with matching T-shirts, cause you've gotta match when there's 12 of you. That was a fun day for Brady because of the African Safari, which was great, and all the dinosaur stuff that is there. It was a great day for everyone else because of the newest roller coaster at Disneyworld, Everest. We had to bribe both Jackson and Natalie to go on it but for both of them it turned out to be their favorite ride of the week. The picture of the Roller Coaster in the montage is the picture of Everest. That is the actual train that Adam, Spencer, Annie, Marilee, Britnee, Natalie, Jackson and TJ were on. I stayed off with Brady, Logan and Garret but after another parental bribe, Garret gave in and went on it. That night Britnee stayed home with the 2 year olds and the rest of us headed to the "Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue." That was a most hysterical dinner show, and TJ was picked to be an Indian in part of the show. All I have to say is I wish I'd had my camcorder because he was hilarious.

Friday was a half day at Epcot. The highlights of that day were Turtle Talk with Crush, my personal favorite, and the Space Mission ride. TJ bought Brady some Mickey Mouse ears and then the other kids got picked to play a mass video game and were given "dreams do come true" Mickey Mouse ears. We were going to stay for the fireworks show but opted instead to go back to the hotel and take the kids swimming. Oddly enough Epcot was the busiest day. Random since its not the funnest park.

Saturday we went back to the Magic Kingdom to finish up our week. We did favorites like Space, Splash and Thunder Mountain again and the little kids got their chance on the carosel and Dumbo Rides. We all finished up our souvenir shopping and then headed home to pack : (

We left on Sunday morning and the last picture in the montage is of Jackson and Natalie at the airport. Needless to say they weren't too thrilled about coming home. I don't think a 7:20 a.m. flight helped much either.

All in all it was such a fantastic vacation. We had such a great time and felt like we were able to do everything that we wanted to do. We feel so grateful for the times we have to be together as a family and it was so fun to be with the Christofferson's and made us miss them even more, now that our trip is over. I must give a shout out to Britnee who was a great "Dumbo Duty" partner and an awesome babysitter. I also need to give honorable mention to a great picture of Jackson in the montage. Earl Hickey is all I have to say about it. (Those who watch "My Name is Earl" will know exactly what picture I'm referring to) And of course a GIGANTIC shout out to Don and Janet who once again allowed us to use their Disney Time Share. Thanks Mom and Dad. To the C's...thanks for all the fun. WE MISS YOU!