Aprons

Annie and Charlie worked so hard today to get the upstairs in order. Our New Year's Resolution is to get rid of the piles. Annie was a trooper and well Charlie helped a little. We cleared out the old toys to make room for all the awesome stuff that the kids got this Christmas. We are going to label so the kids can clean up afterwards. I have high hopes that this will work.......................................................................................................................................................................................................for at least the next month. Then if it is chaotic again, we will reevaluate and try again. Thank you to Aunt Angela and Uncle Joe for giving us a hand to make this possible. Annie's incentive was a special craft if she cleaned today. She asked Angela, "Even if it is dark from ALL THIS CLEANING, can we still do the craft when we're done." Aunt Angela assured her that the craft would happen tonight. The kids made clay art this evening. See below for the final products.

Christmas Recital 2011

Annie came for the first time this year and was very well-behaved. She is posing with her buddy Stephen.

5 Months Old

Maggie is 5 months old and just darlin!

The Polar Express Comes to Town

Here are four videos to capture our exciting trip on the Polar Express!

The Excitement as They Hold Their Golden Tickets
(Annie, Charlie, and Annie's Buddy Adam) A special thanks to Ms. Renee who made sure we knew that the Polar Express was in town.

When I called to get tickets, they said that there wouldn't be enough room for the adults to sit on the train but that we could take pictures from the front of the train or through the windows. I didn't know if Charlie was going to be too little for the event if he had to get on the train by himself. This video proves that I was wrong. Notice my son cutting off the other children to be sure he secures a seat on the train.



The Conductor Instructing the Children (Annie, Charlie, and Annie's Buddy Ayden)

I love love love Annie's rendition of the story. Enjoy!

The Grocery Store

Well I attempted the grocery store this morning. I suppose by the word attempted you realize that it didn't go as planned. I was going through Publix this morning, two kids in the cart and Annie walking along the side, when a couple we know from church came over to talk to us. They were commenting on how well-behaved the kids were being. We proceeded down the aisle to get to the checkout counter. As I was unloading the groceries from the cart, Charlie dumped the whole carton of blueberries. Everyone behind starts warning passers by to "WATCH OUT FOR THE BLUEBERRIES." I guess pride cometh before the fall. I was a proud mom with my kids receiving compliments while out in public. Yet before I could make it to the car, I was humbled. But now it is the evening and I can look back to earlier events of the day and kind of chuckle at my toddlers, especially my son, because there would be way less excitement in my life without them. They do bring me so much joy, even if I cannot appreciate it until after they are all in bed for the night.

A Wonderful Evening

We enjoyed some hot cocoa and Christmas music by the tree.

Preparing the Way

We're beginning to prepare the way for Jesus to come. We've been decorating a little each evening and it has been fun to see the kids eyes light up each evening.

The kids colored as they waited for the stringing of the lights.

Listen to the excitement in Charlie Bear's voice.

Our Christmas Tree

We had a wonderful Christmas tree excursion. We have been trying to keep the spirit of Advent so we had only pulled out the Advent Wreath so far. It has been nice to see the kids celebrate the prayers and the candles. But as we were helping the Roses rearrange for their Christmas tree and decorating cookies yesterday, I suddenly got into the holiday spirit. I was really glad we were able to go out tonight as a family and pick out our Christmas tree.

Our Computer is Back

Right before Thanksgiving we got a virus that killed our harddrive. We would like to hope that it wasn't some corporation trying to kill our laptop so we would just so happen to have to buy a new computer on Black Friday. We bought a new harddrive but it really has been a task trying to run the recovery and backups from our external harddrive. We hope that it is finally working for good now. However we are still trying to recover our pictures and videos form back ups. Thus the lack of posts for a month.

This note is blogworthy though. For our first post back in awhile I'd like to let everyone know that Maggie slept from 10-5:30 last night which is 7 and 1/2 hours. Her parents are so proud and grateful. Much better than the up every hour the previous nights. John and I will be much nicer people if Maggie keeps up the 7 hour sleeping for the next few nights.

Oh Did I Mention That We Saw Princesses?

Tiana in Her Glen
(Annie kept saying, "Mommy how is she real?" It was really special for her.)





I love love loved seeing Annie's face with each princess

Our Prince Loved the Princesses

"Oh Cinderella I only have eyes for you," thought Charlie. (He sprinted to Cinderella! He was so excited!)



Belle and the Kids

Annie's face is so priceless here. She was grinning from ear to ear like this the whole time.

I guess that Belle got jealous that Charlie ran to Cinderella so she stole a kiss.

Even the Food is a Delight

Breakfast by the Water at the Resort

Uncle Philip Helping Charlie Feed the Birds




Mickey Mouse Waffles



My Dessert at Tony's Resteraunt (Lady and the Tramp)
~ The picture is made with chocolate shavings~
The Kids' Mickey Mouse Sundaes


Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwiches

To Infinity and Beyond

The kids got to see Buzz and Woody. Unfortunately Buzz was called by Star Command on a mission before he could take a picture with the kids. Charlie was ecstatic to get to take a picture with Woody. They also got to ride Toy Story Midway Media which had to be the most popular ride at MGM because the line had a 70-80 minute wait time the entire time we were there. Towards the evening we thought the line looked shorter but it was only because they shut down the regular line because there were so many fast pass holders. As we were trying to figure out the line situation a woman handed us fast passes for that time. It was truly a blessing since the kids love love loved it!