Hello Again

Well it seems like it has been forever since I've updated about what is going on around our household. The summer started out pretty busy around here, but has finally slowed down some. I just love summer. No schedules to follow, sleeping in a little and no homework to help with. On the down side the noise can get pretty loud around here....especially when Charlie and Ashley start getting on each others nerves. That is when I wanna jump in the car and head to work. HAHA We started our summer off with a long anticipated family Vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando. We had a wonderful time. It was hot and humid, very crowded but so much fun. We saw lots of fun stuff and had 7 full days of sun and fun, but were ready to come home to our own beds and less humidity.
This little guy had a tough time in the heat...he just turned beet red and his little head would sweat, but that didn't keep him down. He wanted in on all the action for sure. Here he is at Ridemakerz in Downtown Disney. This was a fun place that you get to build a custom remote control car. He got a little blue hot rod and loves to crash it all over the place. Ashley also built one...hers is a pink hot rod with custom wheels and lights. They really had a lot of fun doing this, and I gave us a break from the Florida sun for a little while.

Another first for this trip was Charlie's first airplane ride...let's just say it was an experience that I'm not ready to do again for a while! Look how beautiful this is. I love all the landscaping around there.

Another milestone that kicked off our summer was Conner's graduation. Oh goodness I just cant believe he has grown up so fast. I was 18 when he was born and now he is about to embark on a new chapter in his life! I love this kid so much, and it was a bit hard watching him walk across that stage to receive his high school diploma! I know great things are in store for him. He is a great young man! Congratulations Conner, we are so proud of you!

On This Day...

...three short years ago I finally got to meet this little boy, and what a great time we have had. He is so funny with a pretty laid back personality, but he can have a little temper if you make him mad. He is truly a little blessing to get to hug and kiss everyday.Charlie on his new 4 wheeler he got for his 3rd birthday from Mommy and Daddy. Gosh he loves this thing sooooo much.
Here he is on his 2nd birthday riding a much smaller version of 4 wheeler. (I think I can see a pattern here?) Look at that sweet face.

Charlie on his 1st birthday....what a happy boy he was this day.

His smile just warms my heart.

Our sweet boy they day after he was born...what a sight for us to walk into this day. It is still very emotional to see your little bundle of joy like this. when most parents get to bring their babies home the day after they are born, we had a long 3 week road ahead of us. Lots of ups and downs during this time and the year or so following, but what a great young man he is becoming.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET, SWEET BOY.

Oh how the time flies........

This was FUN!

Last time we went to Disney World, the big thing was getting autographs from the characters. There were kids everywhere with their generic blue books and pens waiting in line to get a picture taken and have their favorite celebrity sign their book. I have been searching the web for something a little bit different to take this year. I finally decided to try and make our own personalized books.

Charlie loves anything really....he watches Disney every morning. I couldn't decide on to do a generic MICKEY MOUSE or to do a more "boy" themed book for him. I held up these stickers and he grabbed them and put them in the cart. WOW that was easy!
Now the girls were a little harder....they are a little to "old" for princesses. I could do a mickey mouse traditional black, red, and white? HUMMM...what to choose? After standing in front of numerous mouse ear stickers, I decided to just forgo the traditional mickey mouse and focus on girly!
I thought this was fitting for Ashley...and it matched her room!

I had thought about doing them the same colors, but then decided to change the look all together for Katie. Her favorite color is blue, but sadly they didn't have a blue book. I opted to get her a purple book instead and the ribbons looked so good with this bright paper.

It felt really good to have a project to "work" on today, and now that they are finished I can put them in my suitcase. One less thing I'll have to pack in a few weeks! (not looking forward to packing for 4!)

How sweet!

Ashley went outside to swing last night, and while she was gone Charlie did this!When she came back in, he was excited to show her that he moved his chair to be next to hers! He sure can be a sweet little toot. They have a "love/hate" relationship!

just for fun

I already posted one time today, but I decided to post this just for fun. We are really looking forward to our vacation coming up. Here is a sneak peek at what fun we will have.....Magic Kingdom...Cinderella's castle. I love how Disney shapes its plants into animals and Disney characters. It is soooo much fun to look at.
This is Expedition Everest....a roller coaster at Animal Kingdom. It was being built last time we were there. Can not wait to ride this! Look how cool it looks at night! Love it.

This is a "famous" kitchen sink sundae at Disney's beach club resort. It is 8 scoops of ice cream, all the toppings, oreos, pound cake, brownie, milky way bar, angle food cake, marshmallow cream, a whole can of whipped cream all served in a huge bowl that looks like a kitchen sink. The lights flash when they bring it to your table. We are going to order one this time. Good thing I'm dieting now! Yummy!

Probably the most BEAUTIFUL places on earth in my opinion is Epcot. Look at all the beautiful flowers they have. This park is the first one we will visit this year. Can not wait!

Love the signs on the highway to the resorts....so cool and really get you excited to get to "the World".

More plants from Epcot. These are everywhere in Disney parks. They are amazing. The gardeners do a lot of work behind the scenes to make this place soooo clean and beautiful....

No wonder it is considered the Happiest place on earth!

The night time firework display at Magic Kingdom....they do this every single night. It is so awesome. The best fireworks display I have ever seen!