Disney Surprise! and Day 1 and 2

After months of planning and secrets, it was reveal time!  We woke the kids early in the morning...like 4am!...and loaded them in the car in their pjs.  Each one got a goodie bag with Disney themed clues.  The excitement was huge!  There is a video...but it wouldn't load...I'll try later!  Because it is really worth it!

 

Waiting to hear the surprise!

At the airport...in jammies!

Changed into our Disney clothes and watching the luggage be loaded on our plane!

Breakfast in his stroller!

Airplane selfie with Mommy!

Daddy took the three youngest...since Mommy had an ear infection and we had no idea how painful this flight could be...and it was pretty bad on the way down :(

 

When we arrived at the airport, there was another surprise waiting!  The littles had no idea that Pop-Pop, Memaw, and their aunt, uncle, and cousins were waiting to join our week of fun!  It made an amazing surprise even more exciting!

We took over the back of the bus!

Shuttle bus selfie with Mommy!

Bubba on the shuttle bus!

We checked into Caribbean Beach and headed to Downtown Disney for lunch at the T-Rex!  Bruiser loved the dinosaurs but was overwhelmed by the noise...so we took a few breaks outside :) 

We spent the rest of the day at Hollywood Studios.  We loved the Great Movie Ride and Toy Story Mania!  We wrapped the night (before getting trapped in the Festival of Lights!!!!  Nightmare!!!) with the Frozen Sing-Along.  We had been since before 4 and had very tired children!  In spite of Sassy knowing every single word to every single song...Bruiser was the only one who sang along!!!!

Well, the long day #2...led to a rough start to Day #2,

Classic Disney pic :)

Magic Kingdom!!!

Ariel!!!

Sassy loved meeting the princesses!

Stroller nappin'

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique!

Tater loved the attention...Sassy took a vow of silence...ugh...

Highlight of Mommy's trip???

Managing to arrange this princess visit :)

See Sassy did smile!

And this waiting for us after we finally made it back to our room...after fighting parade crowds, losing the grandparents and Sassy, and battling the shuttle.  Oh, the shuttles and scooters!

Christmas 2014 Recap

Well, better late than never, right?  Our Christmas was a bit different this year...you know, a week in Disney the week before throws things off a bit :).  Disney post is next!

Miss Tater joined the chorus this year and sang her heart out at a very cute concert :).  She had a speaking part and I have video but do you think I can locate it right now????  Ugh!

Bubba spent a lot of time trying to convince us he was on the nice list :)...it's hard when you are almost 2!

 We left cookies and milk for Santa...

 and listened to Papa read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  

(Can you even stand Bubba's excitement???)

 In the morning we waited at the top of the steps while we waited for Mommy and Daddy to see if Santa came (code for getting coffee!)

And then the fun began!

Well, for those of us that aren't experimenting with having an attitude!

We spent a quiet day at home and then went to see Christmas lights.  Bright and early the next day we planned to head to Papa and Mimi's house but had a slight delay while we had to get this sick little one to the doctor.  A croup diagnosis and we were on our way!  

We visited with Papa and Mimi and had a great second Christmas with aunts and uncles and cousins. 

We returned with a very full car and many new things to keep us entertained!  The season seemed to fly by but we had so much fun making memories and being together as a family!

Welcome 2015

I can't believe a new year has started!  2014 was full of challenges, trial, and happy moments woven in.  We battled scary health issues in our immediate and extended families.  We watched our children grow developmentally and educationally...finding new and creative ways to help them succeed.  We worked hard professionally, making big changes and enjoying promotions as a result of our dedication. And through all this, we grew and lived as a family of six ;). It was challenging and rewarding ;)

For the past few years I have selected several verses and quotes that speak to me at the beginning of each new year and post them to guide our family through the year.  I feel strongly in choosing a bible verse that speaks to our season of life for that year and then inspirational quote(s) to support it and our daily life.

So here is 2015!  Please excuse the quality of the pictures :). Our schedule is insane with busy, social children and I'm spending way too much time in waiting rooms without wifi!  So phone pictures with reflections it is if I want to stay committed to my goal to blog more this year!

"Don't be afraid.  Just believe." Mark 5:36

So much truth needed in this season of our lives.

"Every day may not be good, but there is something good in everyday."

I need this reminder to find the positive!

In addition to these inspirations, I've given myself a few goals...

1.  Read 2 books each month.

I love to read...like several books A DAY when I was a teenager!  I need to bring back joy of escaping into the lives of the characters ;)

2.  Read to the kids EVERY night.

This came more from Daddy, even though I 100% support it!  I'm trying to overcome the bedtime craziness and find some peace before they snuggle in ;). It has worked best for us to divide and conquer!  Daddy reads to the girls while the little guy plays and I read to Bruiser upstairs.  Whatever it takes!

3. Meal Plan!

4.  Simplify!

Bring it on 2015!

Back to Blogging ;)

Happy 2015!

We've busy over the past year...growing as a family of 6, making some big life changes and plans, and having a bit of fun as time goes on!

One of my goals for this new year is to make more time to write, to document our life as a family, and to share our craziness!

Stay tuned!