Welcome to SeaWorld Entertainment!

Indeed it's happening... The Roddy family is embarking on a new adventure! After four years here in Ohio, Jack has accepted a new role with SeaWorld Entertainment in Orlando. I don't think either of us imagined the path we'd embark on throughout his professional career which has included stops in NY, NJ, WA, CA (briefly), back to WA, OH, and now FL. But between the work experience he's received and the amazing collection of friends we've accumulated along the way it's all been worth it! What again started as a random call from a headhunter back in February has turned into a new and exciting opportunity that we are all looking forward to. Most the time when Jack gets a call about a job, I don't worry. I know he'll usually decline but I have learned over the years that for the few he entertains, I better brace myself as change is usually on the horizon! Sure enough, by mid June the family was on a flight out to Orlando for our first house hunting trip and Jack would begin work the following week! In hopes of making the transition easier on the kids, SeaWorld was kind enough to plan a couple park visit days for the family so the kids could have an idea of what a random weekend day could look like for them! They totally spoiled us and thankfully it worked because after spending almost a week in Orlando, the kids are sold...

Sadly the timing of this first house hunting trip was terrible as the week before there had been a couple tragic and very deadly shootings and the morning we flew out news broke that a poor toddler had been snatched by an alligator at one of the Disney Resorts. Although we were reminded each night of the tragic nightclub shooting out our window, we tried to not let that sour our visit. But I can't lie that every time we looked at a lake front house, alligators weren't on my mind...



We were so proud of the kids for being such troopers during our days out with the realtor. Unfortunately even though we kept increasing our budget, we just weren't finding homes we felt could qualify as "the one". We all agreed though that we were going to love the area and the proximity we had to all sorts of great beaches and activities but just needed to be patient in finding the perfect house. So to break up the house hunting for the kids we spent two fabulous days at the parks. They truly rolled out the red carpet for Jack giving us a personal tour guide who introduced us to everyone from marine biologists to personal animal trainers. We rode the roller coasters and watched the orca and dolphin shows. By far the part that touched us the most was seeing first hand all the good that SeaWorld does for the animals they rescue and care for. Truly remarkable. Sage couldn't get enough photos of the sweet turtles that had been rescued. Some had been hit by boats with messed up shells or missing flippers while others had gone blind and need help being fed. I think Sage has figured out what she wants to be when she gets older...



As it turned out we'd be in Orlando during Father's Day and what not a more perfect place to spend Jack's special day than at Discovery Cove. We had never heard of Discovery Cove until the interview process when Jack was getting himself familiar with all the SeaWorld parks. There is a reason Trip Advisor rates Discovery Cove as the #2 thing to do in all of Orlando, even beating out all the Disney Parks. It is fabulous!!! If SeaWorld could figure out a way to bring this park to every large city in America they'd be golden! It's basically an all inclusive beach resort situated in the middle of Orlando. You truly feel like you are on some isolated caribbean island when you walk through those gates!



After our guide got us fitted in wetsuits and situated in the cabana we were whisked off to our Sea Venture. This was a first for us!





After a fabulous time doing Sea Venture it was time to have a dolphin interaction...




After a yummy lunch we had a surprise visit with an armadillo, fed some birds in the bird aviary, got educated on sharks, and enjoyed a float around the lazy river...





Moving and transitioning into a new job is as stressful as it is exciting but these park visits sure made our introduction to Orlando a lot nicer. A shout out to SeaWorld for really making the week a special one. Although on this trip we didn't find that perfect house, I'm happy to report that on our second trip we found a great lot and a builder willing to get something built on it! So we are very happy about that!

It's hard to believe our time in Mason is coming to an end. Although Ohio was a difficult move for me originally, it has proven to be a fabulous place for our kids. They have thrived in the schools and only because of our move here did they become interested in swim and water polo. Jack was fortunate enough to be able to recruit several colleagues from prior jobs to come join us here in OH so we had an instant network of friends. Although we will miss them dearly we know that our paths will cross again. Aside from the friendships we established here, the one thing we will miss most is Jack's ten minute commute to work. It's not often you get to work in the same city you live in... But like all our previous moves, as difficult as the change has initially felt, the adventurous side of us looks forward to new opportunities, new friends, and new adventures! So Florida here we come...well...at least Florida, here Jack comes but the rest of us will be there in May and you can bet we'll be counting down each and every day until then!

"We've got singles in our britches yes we do..."

What do we remember most about Sage's softball season? Well, I don't know that it was all the "singles" she hoped to hit but I can say we will definitely remember all the cheers she led in the dugout! So much so that I'd wake up in the middle of the night with the tunes going through my mind. I'm pretty certain this cheer leading was what also earned her a spot on the League's all star game for the second year in a row! Each year, near the end of the season, they ask all the girls on the team to submit three names of team mates they feel have earned a spot on the all star team. One would normally think the girls chosen would be selected because of their skill and for the most part that was the case but once again even sweet Sage was surprised when the email came indicating she had been chosen for this year's all star team! It was very sweet though and she was honored to have been selected. This season she again played catcher but I'm pretty certain next year she may take a pass on catcher as she got a bit burnt out of it this year...literally because on certain days it was so hot out and to have to put all that gear on was dreadful but to her credit she never complained but she really enjoyed her other two positions of short stop and third base!

Team Purple Power!!!



Sage and Reece during their All Star game!

Youth Conference 2016: Palmyra

How fun it was for the boys to turn fourteen the year that our stake organized a youth conference up to Palmyra for four days! As nervous as I get sending my kids off for a few days, I was excited for them and knew they were in good hands. They stayed in cabins and were able to see Hill Cummorah, the Palmyra Temple, the Sacred Grove, Smith Farm among other places! The leaders requested that the kids not bring cell phones on the trip as a way to keep them from becoming distracted but encouraged them to bring cameras. Well, what happens when you send a bunch of teenagers on a trip with cameras? Apparently they come back with a ton of selfies... In amongst all the selfies I was able to attempt to piece together their trip which began with me dropping them off at the church bright and early and them jumping on buses for the twelve hour trip to upstate NY!



They had separated the kids into groups. Although Ty and Spencer were in a different group than Connor and Mylo, they still got to hang out plenty together!



Photo op with their assigned groups in front of the Palmyra Temple!



Before the kids left for the conference each parent was asked to prepare a letter to their child that would be handed to them during their time in the Sacred Grove. In the letter we were asked to share anything we wanted so Jack and I focused our letters on all the things we admired about our boys and our love for them. I loved that when I was searching through all Ty's photos he had thought to take one of his opened envelope.



Here are some random photos I was able to grab from both of their cameras!





Of course the majority of the photos that came back were along these lines... haha!




I loved that Ty asked this sweet old lady to have his photo taken with her after he bought some of her home made chocolates. I did not love that Ty didn't think to save a piece for me...haha!



Apparently half the excitement from the trip occurred on the bus ride home when a work truck sped past one of the buses ripping off it's side view mirror. When the bus driver could see that the driver of the work truck had no intention of pulling over to apologize or take care of it, the bus driver radioed to the other buses in the group and they apparently trapped the work truck in until they could get a hold of the highway patrol... hahaha!



No doubt the boys had a great time but the highlight of the trip for me had to be at pick up, and hearing about what a great time they had and how their love of the gospel grew. Many thanks to all the wonderful leaders who made this event possible!

Not quite a half century...but almost...

Indeed this handsome man turned 49 this year! I think he would tell you it was the perfect day! Golfing, time with family and friends and a secret visit to the gun shop... Happy Birthday Jack! xo