Disney!

OK, so I'm a bit behind in posting but I'm going to try to get caught up tonight! We traveled to Orlando in January because Donald competed in a soccer tournament there. We decided to make it a family trip and visit Disney while we were there. We had SUCH a great trip. It was Emily's first trip to Disney and our first trip in many years. We were fortunate to be there along with the Zoellers, our good friends, and all the kids had a wonderful time visiting the Magic Kingdom together. Take a look at the pictures - I think you'll be able to tell how much fun we all had together! Don't worry...you don't have to tell me that there were loads of pictures in the post. Why do you think I've avoided posting for so long? I've been at it for an hour now!

A surprise in the room when we arrived...FINALLY!

Absolutely loving the teacups

This is what FUN looks like!
You all know I don't like to drive! What am I doing in the driver's seat?

Pumped up for the Runaway Mine Train

One of several trips on the carousel

Loved the Flying Dumbos, as well

Gavin was too pooped to make it through dinner!

Feeling sassy with Daisy

Posing with Lilly - our newly adopted friend from the Animal Kingdom

Beautiful Butterfly!

I would have driven this bus home, if possible. I LOVED going through Asia!

Checking out the wildlife

Rocking out on the bongos at Epcot

Little Bride and Groom - Not sure why Em's pulling her shirt down in this photo

Sweet little mice!

Waiting for the ferry

A subtle reminder that we need to write our dissertations!

Having a picnic in the sun. What a delicious day!

Fun in the fountain

Jacked up pants because she got wet in the aforementioned fountain

Now it's Em's turn to be too pooped to sit up

Breakfast with Minnie on our last day

I love this expression!

He was wearing jamz. Very reminiscent of middle school for me.

Posing with his namesake

Snow Day 2010

There's nothing as delicious as a snow day! Although I still had to get up early to call all the people on my phone list, we were able to snuggle back down under the covers for a few extra hours of stolen sleep. My favorite way to begin the day is with a hot cup of coffee, snuggled under a blanket with Emily on my lap in the recliner. I got that today, plus some time to read while Donald and Emily played tennis on the Wii. Nothing better! Finally, we couldn't hold Emily off any longer and had to bundle up to go outdoors and explore. Like Ralphie in The Christmas Story says...it was like getting ready for extended deep-sea diving. Layers and layers and layers! We're back inside now and Donald and Emily are making some hot chocolate to warm back up. I think it's time for some HGTV and a snack. Hope your day is wonderful!

All bundled up and ready to go!

I thought only little boys wrote their names in the snow.

Snowball fight!

Practicing her bearwalking

She had to work hard to make that snowball!

She begged to get to make a snow angel. This was good snow for it - too powdery to get her soaking wet!

Can you see the angel?
Fortunately, it wasn't yellow snow.
Nudie Cutie strikes again. Sometimes you have to take things off to warm up.

T.C. warms up in the bedroom. No pants for him, either.

Finally!

We've been waiting all day - and the snow finally arrived! As soon as Emily saw it falling, she insisted on getting dressed and going out for just a minute. Take note of the stylish "mix-match" pajamas, snow boots (purchased for just such an occasion for the bargain price of $1.00 at the neighborhood yard sale), and beautiful faux fur coat. She's such a fashionista. She's going to be really skeeved when she finds out I packed her matching pajamas to wear to pajama day at school tomorrow. That's if she gets to go....Still hoping for a fuzzy sock and PJ day tomorrow!

Big Sister/Little Sister

Emily and Abby tell everyone that they are sisters and these pictures certainly look like it! Mim bought them matching Hello Kitty sweatshirts this week and had a little modeling session with the two of them. They're not always this loving but we caught them in a good mood!

Super Cute

While Donald played cards the other night, Emily and I had some mommy-daughter time. She helped me make some pralines, which turned out to be a rousing failure. Those nice Junior League cookbook ladies said the recipe was "foolproof" but they just hadn't met me yet! At any rate, I snapped this cute picture of her sitting on the counter helping me to measure everything. Love the braids!

Painting the Bedroom

After nearly five years of white walls in our bedroom, we finally decided to paint! What's a holiday from school without a little home improvement project thrown in? Emily helped us pick out a color for the walls. She was originally skeptical of the green color because she really felt that purple would be the best choice. We eventually won her over and she admits that it looks good. She helped us out with painting in between giving me beauty treatments (yep, that's a nail brush wound up in my hair!) and was a big help in getting this project finished. And now on to painting the trim!