Our first big family vacation- part I

This truly was such a wonderful trip.  Everything about Disney was fabulous, and I'm so glad we went with the girls at their ages.  Reese could do most things, didn't have to stop and take a nap, loved every minute of it and will be able to remember things.

 The big girls loved every minute too (okay, there were a couple of roller coasters Laney wasn't fond of)!  I loved that Ashlyn could still enjoy this trip as a little girl even though she is definitely a tweener.  She whole-heartedly would love for this to be an annual trip (as would we all!!)!

 We got in Thursday early afternoon and had tickets for Christmas with Mickey.  We thought we wouldn't be able to get in until 7pm but found out we could get in with those tickets anytime after four.  So off to Magic Kingdom we went!!!

 First stop...Mickey, of course!!

 The girls loooooved the parades each day!

 I think I would choose to go this time of year (early December) every time!  The Christmas lights and decorations were incredible, the weather gorgeous, and the crowds very minimal.

 We didn't leave the park until almost 11 and so we rode tons of rides, saw fireworks, saw the parade...

 They make it "snow" on main street, and also gave out free hot chocolate and cookies for our

Christmas parade.  (Side note: the food is very reasonably priced at Disney...we were so surprised and thankful!)

It was an incredible start to an incredible vacation!  Magic Kingdom ended up being our favorite park.  It truly is magical just as its name says.

A Magical Surprise

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we had a surprise for the girls.  It's a surprise that Jason and I, and his parents had been dreaming about since the beginning of the year.  To help us spill the beans we recruited this guy...

 There were notecards that led the girls on a scavanger hunt around the house for clues. 

 The first clue was found in a Disney DVD case.

 Another clue was found in the hidey hole where it can feel like "a small world after all."

 They even got their Christmas pj's along with a clue, which included these fun little hats with Mickey Mouse ears.  This was clue 6 and was where they started figuring it out, which was perfect because there was only one clue left...

 The clues weren't in order.  They had to do that on their own.

 The final clue was in this big box that was hidden in the back of Papa D's truck.  Jason and his dad acted like it was extremely heavy when they lifted it out, but inside were these fun balloons.

 And the last clue attached to the balloons happened to say this...

 We videod their scavenger hunt and responses too which was priceless!  They were jumping up and down hugging each other.  It truly was a priceless moment I will never forget.

It was such a fun surprise for such a fun, magical, perfect trip.

  More pics coming soon of the actual trip, I promise!



Thanksgiving before Christmas

You know, since Christmas is less than a week away I thought it'd be appropriate to actually blog about Thanksgiving :).

 One of my favorite traditions that we started 4 or 5 years ago is our thankfulness tree.  Your heart can't help but be full when you begin to list all the blessings in your life.  Below is a leaf off our tree from each of my precious girls.

 One blessing was getting to spend Thanksgiving with this crew....my spunky and fun nephew and neice...oh yeah, and their mommy and daddy!

 One thing I consider such a gift is having family that are dear friends and dear friends who are like family.  Andy and Kelly are so fun to be around, are great parents, and even though I didn't choose them to be family...God did that...I am so thankful He did!

 As a belated birthday present, Andy took Jason to the TCU vs. UT football game Thanksgiving night.  Kelly and I held down the fort and yelled loudly at the TV!!  No worries, they still liked each other after the game.

 The greatest joys of my heart which bless my heart and make it so full of thankfulness each and everyday (even if they do create more laundry for me) are these people.  Ah, God has been so good to me!

 Very blessed indeed!

Happy "Whole Hand" Birthday

This precious girl stole my heart 5 years ago last month, and I just can't believe it.

She is every bit of sweet and spunky, silly and beautiful, loving, kind and smart as you can imagine.  She lights up any room and any heart she is in!

 More often than not, this how you will find her.

 She had decided a month ahead of time that a Build a Bear birthday party would be quite fun.  Yet, whenever anyone asked her what she was doing for her birthday she would always reply with "riding a horse or a pony."  If you don't remember, that is what she has requested for the past 3 years.  Thankfully, we were able to go to the square in downtown Bentonville for a pony ride a few days before her big day, and she was quite pleased.  This girl loves her horses...anyone want to buy her a pony?

 The official party did happen at Build a Bear, and she and her friends had a ball!  They really throw a fun party for the kids.

 The cutie-patootie and "Brownie."

 She truly is so loved by all of us, and we can't possibly begin to imagine our life or family without her.

Reese Ellery,  Happy 5th birthday, sweet girl!  You are a little miracle baby and we know the Lord has big plans for you.  Thank you for filling our home with more joy, laughter, hugs and cartwheels than we know what to do with.  We love how God's Word sticks in your head and heart, the way you continually pray for children without mommies and daddies, and even how you manage to sneak in bed with one of us most nights.  I wish I could keep you this size and age forever, Sweetpea, but can't wait to see what Jesus has in store for your future.  Love you "all the way to Texas and Oklahoma" !!!        Love, Mommy

Halloween 2012

If I were to be honest, Halloween just isn't my favorite day of the year.  In fact, I wouldn't mind skipping the day altogether.  But my girls enjoy it, so I will too...at least for another few years.

 

Here are my cuties...

 Even Jase gets in on the fun because of work. 

Here are the cutest teacher, pink poodle, 50's girl, and Duck Dynasty guy around.

I may not love the holiday, but I sure LOVE THEM!!!



A New School Year

 

It really is ridiculous how far behind on blogging I am.  The girls have been in school for over two months now.  No matter how late their momma is, they still deserve to have their first day of school pics posted.  Drum roll please...

 Our Ashlyn Jean is now in 5th grade.  It is her last year in elementary school.  I have to keep myself from crying over this fact at least once a week.  I feel like I am going to blink and she is going to be in college.  This year she has Mrs. Farley for her math and science and Mrs. Hamilton for her English and Literature.  It is a wonderfully challenging year.  She loves it!

 Sweet Laney Hope is in 2nd grade.  She has Mrs. Dake as her teacher.  The teachers have learned over the past 2 years to split up the 12 or so girls who like to chit chat so much :)...however, she will never be without several friends in class with her.  She is learning so much too this year and is doing great.  She even has a few days where things other than recess are her favorites from school.

 The big girls first day of school~ August 20, 2012.

 Precious Reese Ellery started school a couple of weeks later.  She is in pre-K this year.  More than once a week I have to keep myself from crying over the truth that she'll be in kindergarten next year.  She has been my little hang out buddy for 3 years and is my baby. 

 

I got a little overwhelmed at meet the teacher for the big girls because I realized that next year Ashlyn won't be there meeting her teachers and Reese will be.  So feel free to start praying now for this mom.

Reesie's best friend, Ella, and her on their first day of school.  Such a sweet friendship.  Their teachers are Miss Lezlie and Miss Noelle.  It's a sweet school where they not only learn letters and handwriting but how to love Jesus, worship Him, and learn more Bible.  We are thankful.

 

Well, hope to be back sooner than a couple of months from now, but no promises.

Until next time, my friends, be blessed!