DisneyWorld: Part One

The kids and I joined my family in Disneyworld for a week right before Christmas. Bryan had to work so we left him home alone, but we couldn't pass up the chance to go to the Happiest Place On Earth! My mom got there the same day as us and then everyone else got there the next day. We got to go to Animal Kingdom with just my mom, and boy did we have fun! It was a beautiful day and the park wasn't that crowded. Chloe saw the face painting booth and just had to have her face painted like Tinkerbell. (that's her favorite character!) She sat up in the chair and was so relaxed while they made her beautiful. My mom and I got the giggles watching her. It looked like she was asleep in the chair!

My pictures are out of order for some reason so this is Chloe admiring the finished product in the mirror. Doesn't she look gorgeous?!

Here are the kids at the entrance to Animal Kingdom. Every park had a HUGE Christmas tree all fancied up to the theme of the park. Disneyworld was amazing at Christmas time.

Chloe looks like she is asleep, doesn't she?!

She couldn't stop looking at herself in the mirror. She also couldn't wipe the grin off her face.




We got to meet lots of characters. Chloe is meeting Terk. The kids were a little nervous with the first few characters, but by the end they were giving them big hugs.

Bennett liked Terk's mohawk!

Bennett liked the characters from a distance. If we got too close he made sure to have one arm touching me and then he would reach his other arm out to touch the character.

And if the character tried to touch Bennett, he would get nervous and want me to hold him!

"This is too close, Mom. Too close!" is probably what Benny was thinking here.

Pluto and Goofy were a big hit with the girls. They were pretty funny characters and the girls got a kick out of them! Again, Benny is trying to push Goofy away so that they aren't touching! So funny.

Dinoland was a hit with Bennett. We went on the Dino ride (it's like the Dumbo ride, but with dinosaurs instead) and when we got off he threw a huge tantrum because he didn't want the ride to end. So, thankfully, there were no lines. We got right back on and rode again which led to another tantrum when it ended!

The girls did not like the show "It's Tough To Be a Bug!" It scared them pretty bad and as Chloe buried her face in my Mom's neck she yelled out, "I want to go home!!" My mom and I were cracking up.

The safari was awesome this time around. So many animals were out. Every time we'd see an animal Bennett would wave and then clap. He loved it.


I loved seeing the kids' reaction to the park and all the characters. They make it so much fun!

Stay tuned for Disneyworld: Part Two. I have a lot of pictures.

Eight Years

Bryan and I have been married for eight years, today. It's hard for me to believe it's been that long. Our wedding day seems like just yesterday. We have had our share of struggles but we've also experienced many, many joys.

I love Bryan for the wonderful husband he is.



I love him for being such a hard worker and accomplishing his goals.



I love hime for always putting his family first and for being a fantastic Daddy.

The last eight years have been the best ever! I love you B. I feel like one lucky girl to have you as my husband. I can't wait to see what the next eight years bring.

Christmas 2010

This Christmas came and went so quickly! We had a quiet Christmas at home with just the five of us. Bryan was on call Christmas day, but was able to stay and open presents with the kids- thanks to a co-worker of his. I got a little bored during the day since Bryan had to work, but the kids had so much fun opening presents and playing all day. Here's a few pictures from our day.

The kids posing in their new Christmas pjs.

Here we are on Christmas Eve. Everyone's looking at the camera- miracle!

Niah got a good shot of Bryan and I.

Bennett got cars, trucks, and more cars! He loves all of them. He loves his race track that Santa brought him. He claps when all the cars finish at the bottom.

Chloe asked for a Baby Alive Bouncin' Babbles doll and a grocery cart. She got both of those along with a zhu-zhu pet, a movie, dress-ups and a puzzle.

Niah asked for a Cabbage Patch doll with brown skin, (both my girls wanted brown skin dolls! So cute!) walkie talkies, and an American Girl Doll. She got all but the American Doll. Santa couldn't afford it! :) She also got a zhu-zhu pet, a movie, and The Velveteen Rabbit story on cd.

The kids had a great day! They have had so much fun playing together. It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone. Last night when Niah was laying in bed she asked me, "Mom, when will it be Christmas again?" She's already counting down!

Merry Christmas

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I've Been Thinking

I've been thinking lately about a lot of things. Mostly I've been thinking about my Grandma Saundra. She was killed two and half years ago in a sudden accident. She was 64. My grandma was a huge part of my life. She was there for everything and always cared about what I was doing.

My thinking started when we were decorating our tree last week. My grandma gave us a new ornament every year for Christmas. This angel was the one she gave me the Christmas before she died. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I wonder, did she have any idea that she was going to be my angel very soon? And why is it, that ever since she died that when I see a bird it reminds me of her? I think it's strange that the angel is holding a bird in each hand.

I miss my grandma lately. Maybe it's because I've been feeling a little lonely and I wish she was here so I could call her on the phone and chat or get her latest recipe.

It seems like such a small thing, but I'm grateful for this ornament that my grandma gave me. It serves as a reminder that she is still with me and that I will see her again someday.

O Christmas Tree

Since we have a little more room now in our house, and growing up we could never have a real tree because my brother was allergic to them, we decided we needed a live tree this year. I found this great tree farm where you can cut down your own tree. It was so much fun. When we pulled in and I saw all the people, Santa, and the trees, I felt giddy!

The kids got to meet Santa. Surprisingly, they walked right up to him and talked to him and told him what they want for Christmas. Even Bennett was not afraid. He was a nice, jolly Santa.

The atmosphere at this farm was like the places you see in the Christmas movies. They had horses, goats, llamas, and even a reindeer (actually it was just a white tail deer) the kids could pet.

It was so much fun trying to find a tree. I think we found the perfect one! I'll post pictures later when I get lights on it and maybe a star.

Bryan's mom and dad came for the weekend. It was great to have them along with us for this fun outing. I love visitors!

Bennett was trying to figure out what Bryan was doing under the tree. When we got home and got the tree set up, Benny laid under the tree on his back to check things out- just like Daddy!

Chloe was a good helper and held the tree up with Grandpa Ferald.

I wanted a cute picturesque photo of the kids by all the trees. This was the best I could get. Chloe forcing a smile, Bennett just wanted to wander on his own and Niah is trying to be a big helper. :)

I definitely caught the Christmas spirit yesterday. I loved spending time with Bryan's parents and also with my cute family. I think this will be a day I will remember for a long time.

Birthday and Thanksgiving Celebration

Last week was one to remember! My WHOLE family came for the holiday and we had so much fun together. We started off with a big birthday party for me! We went to Hana Yori Hibachi Grill for dinner.

The girls did not like the big flames at all. Look at Chloe's face!! She was so scared.

My mom provided the cake and candles. I think there are too many candles on that cake! I didn't think I could blow them all out in one breath, but I did. My sister made me that cute hat and my parents gave me a Cricut Expression!!! I have been playing with it and making Christmas decorations. I love it.

We went swimming at the hotel. The kids got to have a sleepover with Grams and Gramps that included popcorn and a movie in the hotel theater. They were in heaven.

Ash gave all five of us a haircut. Benny liked his first real haircut. He just sat and played with some blocks and was so great while Ashley was cutting. I feel like a new woman with my new haircut and color! Thanks Ash!

Thanksgiving day was wonderful! I was so happy to have everyone at my house to celebrate. I had fun hosting at our new home. I always miss my grandma on Thanksgiving because it was 'her holiday', but I think she was there with us.

I made place cards for all of the adults with a picture of them when they were little. Then I helped the girls write why they were thankful for that person on the back of the card. It turned out pretty cute!

We set up a photo shoot in the front room since it was soooo cold outside. We couldn't pass up the picture moment when we were all together. My mom and dad are such good grandparents. My kids just love them to death. We'll have to get a new picture when Colin and Ashley's little girl arrives, this one is already outdated!

Here's the five grandkids. They were being so silly. Chloe was not in the mood to cooperate for this one.

Here's the whole family. It's amazing how it's grown over the past few years. I love it.

I am so grateful for my family. I love them so much! They are awesome. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do for us. You truly are the best parents a girl could ask for. To all my siblings (including Ashley :): thanks for making me laugh and for being so much fun to hang out with! I miss you all when we aren't together.

It's a good thing we will all be together again in just a few weeks. I hope you are ready to party it up in Disneyworld!!