The Nine Lives of Jackson

Our dog Jackson seems to be part cat. Here's a review of his nine lives:

1. fell in to a backyard pool and identified as a wild dog from the woods
2.  rescued from the woods of northern Georgia at 6 months old (2006)
3.  treated for heart worms
4. leash tied to tied to unstable post which bounced behind/chased him down Newbury Street in    Back Bay before being he was hit by a car and broke his leg
5. survived daily fright of city living *Boston*: buses, skateboards, strollers, loud trucks
6. survived fright of living near water *Charleston*: waves, ripples and splashing.
7. kidney failure, lost bladder control, breathing spasms mid-January 2018 *Virginia*
8. skipped an appointment to be put down last Wednesday because of #7. Jackson woke up that morning with his tail wagging and seems to be improving. We'll see how long Jackson holds out until his next life it up.
9. ????

He has survived moving to 5 states, international travel to Canada, long road trips, long walks in the woods, and outwitted numerous squirrels, possum, cats, etc.

FL Christmas at Disney Animal Kingdom (part 5)

evening water show spectacular "We Are One"

monkeys at play (in background!)

 Animal Kingdom was a new park for our family at Disney. The Finding Nemo show, safari and Mt Everest roller coaster ride were the big hits. I swear the roller coaster spun upside down while we were in the dark. I felt sick but the kids and Mark wanted to repeat! We felt like the park would be better for just half a day, but we were glad to see what we could while we were there. 

Sawyer was scared of the loud fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom used the amazing projector on water cannons to make a show. Beautiful!

can you see the kamodo dragon?

Lion King was okay, the Finding Nemo puppet musical was FANTASTIC

on safari

playing drums in Africa

FL Christmas at Disney Magic Kingdom (part 4)

Splash Mountain, we loved it as much as Thunder Mountain

 We started our day with Space Mountain (too scary for E & S), racing cars on the speedway, watching a parade, Barnstormer roller coaster (fun for all), then the kids made Mickey rice krispies, followed by "this. is. amazing." Thunder Mountain & Splash Mountain. Sawyer thought the Birds of Paradise were real :), Alice loved Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse. The Mexican food was good and the weather even better than the day before. We had a great day! We could keep coming back to this park time and time again.

The Electric Light Parade has retired, which initially made me sad. The new projector light show ON THE CASTLE after the fireworks is incredible. Beautiful. Amazing. 

cruisin' the speedway

FL Christmas at Universal Studios (part 3)

12/26 Universal Studios and Harry Potter World

Minion Mayhem!

 I was so impressed with how many rides at Universal were simulated 4D seats that left you feeling like you'd become a Minion, flown through NYC with Jimmy Fallon, seen Shrek, fought with MIB against space aliens and more. Alice and Mark are super-brave and road the "real" roller coasters while Sawyer and I took it easier on some occasions. 

on the streets of Diagon Alley

 Escape from Gringott's Bank ride was a little scary but a lot of fun! The details of Harry Potter World, Diagon Alley, Fred & George's Joke Shop, Ollivander's Wand Shop and the food at the Leaky Cauldron were excellent and thoughtfully rendered in amazing detail. It was great to see the kids have so much fun, living in the world of their stories, and trying new things with gusto. 

Butter Beer tastes like cream soda with a foam of egg nog. Yum!

Macy's Christmas Parade in Orlando

Atlanta Christmas (part 2)

Mellow Mushroom family dinner (YUM!)

Aunt Abby's store with beautiful children's clothes in Buckhead

celebrating the light of the world, Jesus' birthday

Gigi & Poppy with all the grandkids

insane inflatable overload (overkill)

Merry Christmas morning!
After diligently building Legos page-by-page on the floor Sawyer stood up and said, "I feel like an old person. My body hurts when I stand up." He's a funny one :)

SC Christmas (part 1)

tree walking in local neighborhood park

 

in SC for Christmas celebrations, meeting baby cousin and seeing Grandaddy too

Andrew & Sawyer are off to a great start!