Disney Vacation! (Day 1)

So, Mommy and Dadoo had been planning a DisneyWorld vacation since last summer! We decided that we wanted to keep it a secret from the kids until THE MORNING WE LEFT! It was SOOOO hard, but SOOOO worth it!

We set up a little scavenger hunt to find Mickey's clues, which were 1) backpack filled with fun airplane things to do 2) Autograph book/pen for each kid 3) plush Mickey and Minnie. Then the kids watched a video that Mommy and Dadoo had recorded, and we told them we were going to Disney World!

Here the kids with their Mickey and Minnie balloons right before we left for our vacation!! (This is what was at the front door when the doorbell rang. Attached to one of the balloons was Mickey's scavenger hunt game instructions)

Anniston at the airport!
T-Man at the airport!
Dadoo gave us a REALLY BIG surprise! He arranged for a limo to pick us up at the airport and take us to our Disney Hotel. There was a DVD playing with a cartoon, and it was stocked with yummy drinks!
We checked into our Hotel, got cleaned up, and headed out for a short day at Epcot.
Mommy loved this waterfall!
Looking at some sharks after doing the NEMO ride.

Anniston directing music at an Imagination area.
Dadoo and Treyson directing music!
Anniston and Treyson playing in another area of the Innovations play place!
Family picture in front of the "big ball"!

We went to dinner in Norway at Akerhaus, a princess dinner! The kids LOVED it! They got to meet several princesses, and even walked around the restaurant during the Royal Parade!





The parade....

Mommy made Dadoo's day by making him wear his "Happy Birthday" pin...his birthday was just 2 days before our trip. People told him Happy Birthday everywhere we went, and he even got special desserts everywhere we ate!
The kids pooped out as we were leaving the park!
Mommy and Dadoo definitely will not be winning "Parents of the Year" award with this! The back of each side of the stroller velcro's so it can be up or fully recline....well, obviously the velcro came loose! HA!
Our first day was amazing! There is so much we did that we did not take pictures of (since we were riding!). We did Test Track (twice), Soarin, Nemo, Spaceship Earth, and several hands on areas at Epcot. We didn't even make it to the "countries" (well, besides Norway since we ate dinner there) since we didn't get to the park until 4 PM. There was a fantastic Illuminations show with lasers and fireworks that the kids loved.

New Fun Game!

So Anniston went to the Silver Belle clinic and learned a new "get to know people" game. She "taught" it to us, and now she wants to play every evening.....and we have played it 3 times I can think of! It is precious, and I love how the boys get into it as well!!

....it's amazing how watching Jerry play with our kids can make me love him even more. He is such a hands on, loving father. I am so lucky to call him my husband!

Happy 1/2 birthday Anniston!

This was Anniston Wednesday morning before we started singing to her!Look at the difference!! Somebody was VERY happy to have us singing "Happy 1/2 Birthday" to her!!
This 5 1/2 year old got dressed, brushing her hair and teeth, made her bed, then came downstairs asking to be measured....she just knew she was taller now that she is 5 1/2!!
Fast forward to dinner. The 1/2 Birthday girl requested pancakes with cinnamon on top!
Of course we sang to her again....
and she made a sweet 5 1/2 year old wish....
Then we made cupcakes. Anniston and Treyson sure enjoyed licking the extra batter out of the bowl!
White cupcakes....

....with pink icing!
It is so much fun to recognize the kids' 1/2 birthdays. We sing to them and have a fun baking project (either cookies/cake/cupcakes--kids' choice) in the evenings. Not too big of a deal, but something they absolutely LOVE!
Happy 1/2 Birthday Anniston! You are such a beautiful little girl--inside and out. We love you so much! Love, Mommy and Dadoo

Outside Fun!

We have been LOVING this 60 degree winter days! The kids had fun being silly on the teeter-totter we have in our backyard play area.


Please stay here mild winter!!! We love playing outside :)

Anniston lost a tooth!!

Anniston pulled out her own first tooth on Saturday, January 21, 2012. She had been working that tooth over for a few days. When I told her it was getting awfully close, it was like a challenge to her to make it happen!

I told her I thought she had less than 2 weeks. She asked me if it will hurt?, will it bleed?, etc. I answered honestly, and then she asked if she could try to pull it right then. She was nervous about swallowing it because her friend, Jack, had accidentally swallowed his first tooth and she was trying to avoid that.

She grabbed a square of toilet paper from the bathroom, and in less than 2 minutes that tooth was out!
Here she is posing with the "tooth fairy pillow" that her tooth slid into
Here it is!!
Anniston, we are so excited for you losing your first tooth. You are such a big girl now! We love you sweet pea! Love, Mommy and Dadoo

Drill Team Clinic

Anniston attended her first Drill Team little girl clinic. She went by herself, but quickly found some friends from church who were there as well!


They actually did a kick line!....but the blondie in blue was blocking Anniston, and by the time I slid over to grab a pic, they were done! :(

Can't get this turned right, but Anniston was so excited to get a pic of herself with "real" Silver Stars"!!