Kori, you just won the Super Bowl? What are going to do next?!

DISNEY WORLD!!!

Most recently, we got back from a week long vacation in Florida. See itinerary listed below. Why not go to Florida a week before the Blanchard/Cromer wedding to indulge in some family fun. Thank you Dick and Barb for such a wonderful time. The two of you really went above and beyond. I really appreciate you giving me, my daughter, and our family our first Disney experience.

Sunday- SeaWorld

 

Monday- Magical Kingdom and Hollywood Studios

It’s a Small World…, Space Mountain, Mickey Ears, Star Wars, Parades, Light Shows, and much more.

Tuesday- Epcot
Soarin’, Finding Nemo, Mission: Space, Tour of the Countries, Electric Light Shows, and Fireworks.
Wednesday- Animal Kingdom
Safari, Tough to be a Bug, Mt. Everest, Petting Zoo, Train Ride, Rainforest Café, and Bachelor Party on Church Street (Orlando, FL)

Thursday- Melbourne, FL
BBQ/Meet and Greet at Tim and Sarah’s/Recover from Last Night.

First touch of the ocean

Some one must have gotten up very early to do this

Not really excited about the loud waves

Much happier on the blanket

Friday- Rehearsal Dinner, Mr. Mom, Day o’ Beach, Dinner at a Tennis Club, and Squidlibs.

Kori and Carter (Stacey's cousin Scott's son) becoming friends

Blanchard/Cromer siblings

Saturday- Tim and Sarah’s Special Day
Mr. Mom, Day o’ Beach, Wedding, and Frown cause it’s almost Over.

Party Animal

The happy couple...unfortunately this is the only pic I have of them :(

Sunday-Tulsa bound



 Carry 10 bags with 1 of them being mine.
Jealous?
Seriously, I could go on and on about this vacation. Kori was an absolute sweetheart. We couldn’t pass anyone without some kind of compliment. There was no amount of heat or crowd that could stop her. She was attentive, engaged, interested, and friendly to all. And I couldn’t be happier for Tim and Sarah. They put together a beautiful weekend, a beautiful day, and I hope that remains constant the rest of their lives. Kori is lucky to have them as a Aunt and Uncle.

So, Tom! What was your favorite part?

Well, Tom! Thanks for askingJ

I can honestly say that “It’s a Small World” ride was the my favorite. Let me explain! Yes, the jingle will remain with you the whole trip. Yes, it may seem a little over rated. Yes, it seems cliché. But, we just so happen to get the first row in the boat, and we just happen to be tall enough to hold on to the rail giving us just enough development to ride our own ride. Speaking for myself, I got a huge kick watching her get all worked up, jump around, and dance as we pass through all the different countries. It’s like I was living that ride through her and that sounds completely fake but…it’s the truth. Fun to be a dad at Disney World. I got to live my first time and her first time

 all in one trip. With all that said, I should be caught up but don’t go far cause….

SHE’S WALKING. DON’T CHANGE THE CHANNEL, FOLKS!!!

“Some people call me a salesman, I call myself a salesfriend, so obviously I need strangers to trust me. I don't take it kindly when someone Tom Sellecks my bus bench.”

~Phil Dunphy

Warning: Objects in rearview mirror are louder than they appear!

Next up on the Cowley itinerary, we are westbound 44 on to St. Louis for some grad parties, a wedding for a long time childhood friend, and grandma’s birthday. All of those take place in less than 48 hours mind you. Congrats to the all the seniors at Vianney baseball on a successful campaign this season (3^rd in state) and making it to graduation. We were fortunate enough to be in town for the Pfeiffer/Barnes/Lartonoix grad party. It was great seeing all the families again. Feels like yesterday we were fumbling through bunt coverage’s and team defense 3 years. Any who, I hope their baseball careers will bring them near Tulsa on occasion.
Our 3^rd wedding of the year took place at Busch Stadium which was pretty cool I must say. The ceremony took place right on top of home plate with the reception being held in the executive suites (I can’t place the actual name of the hall). I feel like it only took 30 minutes to get through the whole program which worked out real nice cause it did sprinkle almost the entire time we were in the green seats. It actually brought a nice feel to the wedding if you ask me. One hour into the whole production, my shirt and tie is mangled and damp from Kori using my chest as her own personal playground and I am drenched in cherry juice (red on yellow is not flattering). “Here Kori! Gnaw on this cherry and calm down a bit! The juice won‘t get all over me instantly” Really, Tom?!
At least the table of parents that watch me grow up got a huge kick out me struggling as a parent. Talk about stepping into a time machine. Aside from the bone head mistake to stray from the lemon wedge and give Kori a cherry to squeeze, the wedding was a lot of fun and so was she: flirting with all the little boys, meeting all my old friends and their parents, dancing till last call, etc. I can’t imagine taking a kid her age to a wedding that’s just awful. We’d probably RSVP no a little more often or one of us would have to fly solo but so far she has aced these late night weddings. Grandma was a big help though. She’ll take Kori sleeping, crabby, fussy, poopy, whatever. Hope you had a good birthday grandma! I know we were super glad to be in town for it.
Not to discredit the wedding, but my favorite part of the weekend was Sunday, the day before Memorial Day. I finally got to see my little bro and his family…most importantly his two kids, Brendan and Bailey. Moving to Tulsa has been tough but great at the same time. Leaving the kiddies has been the toughest part in my opinion: Matthew, Brendan, and Bailey. It would be nice to see them more often and watch Kori interact. So Sunday Fun Day was pretty typical: BBQ, some drinks, TLC, quality time, and several laughs. My mom thought it would be nice to open up the Cowley boy’s arts and crafts box from all the years past. Man, I really didn’t think the content of our cards/presents would be that entertaining. Between my brother’s penmanship/spelling and my desperate attempt to be the perfect son, I couldn’t tell what was more hilarious. One card read, “Dear Mom, I feel sorry for you!” …and that was it. What does that even mean?
Good time all around though. I wish everyone’s schedules would allow those moments to happen more often. Again, don’t go far. We got more comingJ

“I was gonna tell Claire about the dog. I was just waiting until she was in the right mood. Actually, I did get one right mood a couple nights ago... but I cashed that in for something else.”
~Phil Dunphy

'Tis the season…

It has come to my attention that I haven’t blogged since May 6^th and I am several entries behind so I hope all of you are extremely curious about the story of Kori. Since Easter, we’ve spent a few weekends at the lake, attended the Schmuhl/Walker wedding in Oklahoma City, road tripped to St. Louis for numerous events (Grad party, Williams Wedding, Grandma Cowley’s birthday, etc.), and set voyage to Florida for a week to terrorize Disney World and the Blanchard/Cromer wedding.

So…

Coming to you live from THE FIRST CHANCE I GOT SO BACK OFF, WIFEJ

Our time at the lake is a great break from reality. Kori has become quite fond of the boat, the golf cart, the water, and the unlimited attention. Most of the weekends play out the same but that’s the best part. Chores and obligations are almost non existent and the house there allows your mind to know that’s perfectly fine to NOT do anything. It’s such a reliable and peaceful get away. I can’t thank Dick and Barb enough for allowing Stacey, Kori, and I to visit so frequently.

Year to date, Kori has been to 4 weddings already and half of them have already been out of state. She was quite the handful at the Schmul/Walker wedding. With Stacey standing in as a bridesmaid, let’s just say I was ready for a drink when the ceremony was over. “Excuse me barkeep! Can I get a beer and uh…apple juice?” If you’re partial to the occasional rub down or hair tug, you’ll want to sit in the row directly in front of Kori and I. “No worries, ma’am. The orange cheese puff residue clashes well with that whole thing you have going on. Hahaha…Tide pen?” More importantly, the Schmul/Walker Wedding was beautiful and pretty hilarious. The speeches by the wedding party were very entertaining even with Chardonnay soaked slacks and a sticky baby. Seriously though, I’m not complaining. I think it’s fun to share. Thanks to Josh and Karen for letting us be a part of your special day. Your family seems like a lot of fun.

Roll pics! Don’t go far because I have few more to catch up on.

   Schmuhl/Walker Wedding.....Kori obviously wasn't in the mood for pictures

                                        Mother's Day Weekend at the Lake

“I'm cool dad, that's my thang. I'm hip, I surf the web, I text. LOL: laugh out loud, OMG: oh my god, WTF: why the face.”
~Phil Dunphy