Disney World 2009

We have now been home for a few weeks...it is about time I blog about our trip. I just have to start by saying we had a wonderful time. As far as family vacations go we just couldn't ask for more. The kids were all very well behaved., we ate great (and I didn't even gain weight), we slept okay, and we created many fantastic family memories. We spent 8 fabulous days in the park (that is 2 days per park, and although it was long, it also felt like just about the right amount of time). Here are some pictures of the whole fam.

Tanner

Tanner loves going to Disney. He is not afraid of anything. He will ride all the rides and get excited about it. This trip he was finally tall enough to ride Rockin Rollercoaster, that ended up being is favorite ride. He decided to start collecting keys while he was there, he got one at every park, so that is how he spent his Disney Dollars (also grandma helped a bit). It is nice that he is 7 now, not only can he ride ALL the rides, but he is also well behaved.

Isaac

Isaac overcame some fears on this trip. He is no longer afraid to ride Tower of Terror, as a matter of fact it has now become a favorite. He was also tall enough to ride Expedition Everest and Mission Space, which also ranked really high on his favorite list. Isaac celebrated his 6th birthday while we were there. For his b-day he wanted to start collecting and trading pins. He was so cute looking all around for cast members to trade with.

Noah

Noah was interesting on this trip...he did not smile as much as usual, but he was still having a good time and still talks about it a lot. He had to share the stroller with Sydney and she would always try to grab is sucker or cookie or whatever he was eating, so unfortunatly he picked up his habit of hitting again and again we are trying to remedy that. I asked him what his favorite ride was and he said Winnie the Pooh. He loved seeing the characters. Other then the hitting and often wanting to be held, he was very pleasant to have around.

Sydney
She was a doll on the trip. So smiley the entire time. Just happy to be outside, happy to have people paying attention to her, just down right HAPPY. She loved meeting all the characters and they all loved her. She got a lot of attention from everyone, every where we turned people were commenting on her outfit, her bow or big huge smile. Of course mommy was so excited to finally have a girl at Disney and I get more excited for when she is old enough to enjoy all the princess stuff. Just a few more years.

Kevin

Of course Kevin loved being there, what a proud papa to have all his of his kiddos there. Kev and the older boys would go off and ride the big rides and that is always a bonding moment. We were fortunate to have Kev's parent's there with us for part of the time. They were able to stay with the babies so we could ride together. Kevin also got to be a part of a street performance in France at Epcot. Kevin really works hard to make these vacations possible for us. So thanks hun.

Audrey
People always ask me why we like Disney so much? I would have to say it is Magical. Just to see how much the kids love it and to see there joy, it is priceless and that is why we keep going back. While we were there I got to meet up with a friend from my mission and her fantastic little family, Kami it is always good to see you.

Until next time...which for me, Kevin and Sydney it will be in January. Kev has to go for work so we decided to make it our "anniversary trip".

Just so you all know, I HATE blogger for how difficult it is to post, maybe part of it is user error but wow it is ridiculous.

Trick or Treat 2009

So every year our neighborhood does a Treats on the Street thing, you just come with your bowl of candy and sit out at the road. The kids come walk up and down the road and get lots of candy, it is kind of nice because it doesn't take long, they don't have to walk long, and they get more candy then these little ones would ever need. Here are some pictures from the night.

I am a bad mom and totally forgot to take a picture of Isaac in his costume...o-well maybe tommorrow I'll dress him up again and snap a picture.

Isaac Birthday Party

Isaac will be turning 6 while we are on our trip to Disney World, so we decided to have his party before we left. This year the theme was Star Wars. We did a Jedi Training Academy. The kids came and we dressed them in their Jedi attire (cheap fabric from Walmart, no sew just cut and tie). Then as we waited for everyone to show we had them color a picture. Then we gave them their lightsabers and we had lightsaber training (my hubby showed them how to attack adn defend). Next they had to bounce a balloon on the lightsaber without letting it touch the ground. After that they used the force (we had a remote control light) this was probably the most impressive to the kids, they had no clue how they did it. Next up was the jedi obstacle course...we set up tunnels, balance beam, they had to climb over, under, through and across. Then they had to save princess Leia (pop balloons and find the one with Leia inside. After that we defeated Darth Vadar (pinata). Sang Happy Birthday, ate cake and ice cream, Drank Yoda Soda or Darth Malt, opened presents, presented the kids with a medal of honor for defeating Darth and saving the princess, gave the academy graduation certificates, fought the evil Darth Sidius. What a fun filled hour and a half with 13 little Jedi running around. Sorry for the very undetailed description, but this girl has got to pack and get ready for Disney World, we leave in less then 2 days.

Halloween Party

Last night we had a Halloween costume party. We had 10 families come with over 30 total kids. It was super fun. We ate, we talked and of course we played some Rock Band. We had some crafts for the kids (magic wands and popcorn hands-thanks Kris for putting that together). We also had a pinata for the kiddos. I have parties rather often at my house, but I think in all honesty that is the messiest it has ever gotten....popcorn ALL over the floor, cupcake crumbs on the couch, frosting on the walls, spilled drinks on the floors. Although it was chaotic it was totally worth it, especially because many friends stayed to sweep, vacuum, pick up, wipe down and throw away.

Here is a picture of our family in our Star Wars costumes. I love dressing up!!!!!

Witch Convention

So yesterday was Bunco and the gal in charge decided that we should all dress as witches. It was really fun to dress up and most people really got into it. I ordered my costume from ebay, thinking I had plenty of time for it to get here...well it did not, so I had to improvise. My friend Kelli lent me a few things and the rest of the stuff I already had.

Family Fall Photos

So the other day we went for family pictures at JC Pennys (I am so cheap and rarely spring for real photographers, maybe next time...) I think they turned out pretty good.

We also got one of just the kids.

Isaac was due for his 6 year old pictures.

Sydney had her 6 month pictures as well.

Audrey goes to Time Out

So after my catering job last Thursday I took a red eye flight to Virginia...I had a layover in the worst airport ever ATLANTA. We got in a little late leaving me only 30 minutes to get to my next gate. I ran like a crazy lady through the airport(it is a big airport with a train system that was broken) I get to my gate with 10 minutes to spare only to find out that they have switched my gate, so I start running again (and crying) to the opposite end of the airport. Keep in mind that I am exhausted from catering a dinner for 75 then not sleeping and eating much. I honestly did not have the energy to run anymore, but I tried and alas I made it to my gate and collapsed into my seat. Lesson learned: always check for gate changes even if you are limited on time.
I got to Baltimore and waited for my sis-in-law Tara to arrive from NY and then my mom picked us up. We drove and met up with my sis Andrea and then drove to Richmond for Time Out for Women. We had a great time being spititually uplifted and sometimes not (sorry Michael McLean I don't always think a pill is the answer). We had a lot of bad luck at resturaunts with bad food or bad service. All and all it was a fantastic time.
Andrea and I had an intersting experience on our last night there...at 3:30 AM we were awaken by obnoxious knocking at the door. We looked out the peep hole to see who it was, it was a drunk man. We called down to the front desk and they immediatly called security. He started to get a bit more aggresive with his knocking so we called the desk again to tell them to hurry. Andrea and I just sat on the bed holding hands hoping the locks kept on working. Security came, we were too hyped up to sleep and my mom score herself some extra Marriot points.
I will have to add pictures later I forgot they are not on the new laptop.