The Carolinas

They were all so excited.  Quinton and Lucas were running through the airport and jumping on every escalator they came across. 

We got all our crap to fit!  Just barely.

Seeing Dietra was the highlight of the whole trip.  She was amazing!  She told us about how she went to school with Michael Jordan.  She road the elevator with him once.  She also took one of his napkins.  He asked her out and she denied him!  We were all impressed. And jealous.  She also told us how all the girls in her family ran track and were track stars.  She has the same bubbly personality as Jessa.  And they definitely look alike!

WE went to the arcade, the park, to dinner, and to a museum with her.  It was so amazing!

This is where Jelisa works.

And this is where she got married.  She came out those doors.

Jessa's Aunt.

We headed off the Murtle Beach afterwards.  We had two balcony rooms on the ocean.  It was amazing!  The kids would go swim in the coldish water and then come back and get in the hottub.  They collected a bunch of shells that we had to bring back.

 

I went running on the beach.  My calves were so sore the next day.  I guess that sand makes a difference.

Funnies

 April 2025 Quotes from our trip.

We took a 8 hour drive from North Carolina down to Florida.  We had to shove all 4 boys int he back seat together because it was so much cheaper than renting a suburban.  Quinton, "Lucas, you can't move your head.  I make the rules."

Lucas, "stop I hate that smell.  Put your shoes back on Quinton."

(Lucas getting off the teacups at Universal Studios) "It's a good thing my head didn't pop off."

Quinton when we arrived to Coco cay. "I'm excited to shake my thingies outside."  We hope he was referring to his Maracas.

Kellan: "I'm going to try to beat my record in ice cream cones from the last cruise."

Jayla: "I'm definitely taking my kids on a cruise."

Jessa:  "Who wants to be my snack buddy?"  Lucas, "MEEE!"

Quinton:  "I can't decide between you Momma and the Kid's club.

(Mikey at Universal Studios) "MOM! My phone isn't in my pocket anymore."

Lucas had to always order exactly what Quinton got each night at dinner and lunch and then Quinton would cry and cry.

During the plane ride over we hit some crazy turbulence that dropped the plane a few times.  Women were screaming and a few kids were crying, then I look over at Jayla, Jessa and they are laughing.  Then I look over at Quinton and Lucas and they are laughing.  Lucas says, "wheeeee."  One lady thanked me for bringing the cute kids that just laughed during the scary turbulence.  They even managed to charm the flight attendants into some extra snacks.

Universal Studios

Volcano Bay

Instead of doing the water slides on Coco Cay we decided to do universal studios water park and I'm so glad we decided to do it that way.  This water park was amazing and we didn't have to wait in lines.  You had a watch that would tell you when it was your turn.  It was fabulous.  Mom made everyone get there a half hour before opening so we were practically the first ones in line.  We were able to snag a nice cabana for us all.  It was a perfect day.

Love these four boys!  And I love this picture of all 4 of them!

The bestest friends ever.  Lucas can't sleep without Quinton.  They are the best Frenemies. 

Yup!  I made them get a picture and don't they all look so happy about it!?

Man I had a blast with these kids!  I love looking at all these pictures.

Resort Swimming

We didn't research this place very well, but it ended up being way better than the pictures.  We were pleasantly surprised and it was even better because we got these nights for free with our points.  Our villa was very nice with two bedrooms and a living room and a porch.

Island of Adventure and Universal Studios

Jayla took one for the team and took Lucas on the tea cups.  Lucas says as they get off after the 4th time, "well I sure am glad my head didn't pop of!"

Yeah I think we made the right choice to come here instead of Disney Land.  It was perfect.  And it wasn't crowed at all.  The kids got to ride all the major roller coasters as much as they wanted.  We got 2.5 days here and saw it all multiple times.  It ended up being the perfect time to go during spring break.  It wasn't crowed because Universal was opening another park in just a month.  Worked out so perfect.

These boys had to pose at every photo opportunity and made us take a million pictures of them.

I can't remember how many times we walked past this motorcycle and the boys had to get on it and get a picture every single time!  It was ridiculous.  LOL.

This is the first picture.

This is the second picture. LOL.

I totally remember riding this ride with my family as a kid, so I made everyone go on Jungle Cruise like 15 times.  It was so fun being there with my own kids this time.

It was a good first day.  And they weren't even that tired.

 

We splurged and got Butter Beer in Harry Potter Land and it was as good as I imagined it would be.  This was also where Mikey lost his phone.  On the way home we started pinging his phone for when the workers walk the tracks that they can find it.  Well, it worked and we got his phone a few weeks later.  Only the screen protector was broken on it.

Jessa carried Quinton to the parking lot the last day.  I have pictures of Michael pushing two kids in a stroller and carrying two kids on his shoulders going home from Disney Land.  Look how the tables have turned.  LOL.

At the end of the day they were still best friends!  Glad when at the end of the trip the kids are fighting a lot less and being better friends finally.