a Splishin and a Splashin...

One of the many things on our summer to-do list was to visit the splash fountains at a nearby park. Courtney and her little man Jacob tagged along with us. I was able to snag TWO photos of the three of them together. They were too busy having a blast to smile for pics.


Little Miss taking a rest like the "big girls"...
Jacob funny: Jacob celebrated a birthday over the weekend. He is now the ripe old age of six. For as long as I can remember I have called him "little man". Why? I guess because I tend to call all little people something endearing like that. Today at lunch Jacob quickly informed me he was no longer a little man. He is six years old! Then Wild Man jumped on the bandwagon and both chastised me for calling them "little". Too funny! Our boys are growing up!

VBS Family Night...

All aboard the Boomerang Express--it all comes back to Jesus!

Play Ball...

Like mother like daughter...Little Miss practicing her "googly eyes".

Happy Mother's Day

Breakfast in bed. A beautiful corsage. Worshiping the Creator of motherhood. A yummy lunch with my Mom. An afternoon nap-HALLELUJAH! A dinner prepared for the queen (that's me). My hubs and my babies (even the one I know in pictures). Happy Mother's Day to me!

The United Tour...

How awesome to see both of these guys share the stage. You may have no idea who they are but I have loved both of them for years. Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W Smith...Most know the Chapman family has had a very difficult year after losing their daughter Maria last May. The entire venue was in tears as he shared his heart about the road his family has walked through. Yet even in the midst of his own tragedy and physical heartbreak he wholeheartedly claimed the name of Jesus. I am certain the death of Maria is not the testimony he would have signed up but He is handling it with such grace. In so many ways, this family is a shining example to the world. Back to the concert. They played until their fingers must of ached. They sang their hearts out. They poked fun at each other. They sang the others music from back in the day. I have loved Michael W. Smith since I was in middle school. Enough so that some of the girls in my class decided we should all sing "Friends are Friends Forever" at 8th grade graduation. Thankfully Mrs. Fisher saw the writing on the wall and saved us all from the humiliation. Let's face it. None of us went on to Celine Dion status if you know what I mean. Even if I'm only shower soloist status I can still love the man, can't I?Too bad it took them 20 years to do this. I hope they do not want 20 more to do it again. What an amazing night of fun and worship.

Day 6--Home Sweet Home (for 12 hours)...

We made it home this afternoon after six glorious days at Disney. Plane ride home was brutal but we survived. Suffice it to say MG was NOT happy and she let everyone know it. One of the flight attendants was a real jerk making fun of "the children's choir" over the intercom the last half of the flight. Right before landing, he asked the passengers to "give a round of applause to our children's choir for making our flight so pleasant". (insert googly eyes here) If I could have hit the guy without being thrown into prison for a federal offense, I would have. Of course, as SOON as our plane hit the ground she fell fast asleep (if only she could have done that an hour before). We looked completely ridiculous trying to get carry-ons, backpacks, toys, souvenirs, a very energetic five year old and 30 pounds of dead weight off that plane! I saw more than one person giving us the "glad I'm not you right now" smile. Home Sweet Home (or so we thought)...

Day 5--One Last Disney Hoorah...

Our one (and only) family picture in front of the castle...

One last Carousel ride...One last view of beautiful flowers in November...One last visit to Minnie Mouse's house (again)...
They LOVED playing in her kitchen...Can you tell J was THRILLED to be standing inside a heart ("Hearts are for girls")...
Waiting to enter "Laugh Floor" in Tomorrowland. MG was on camera as Boo (the cute little girl from Monsters, Inc.). J was interviewed by Mike Wazowski during the show. When asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" he answered "Batman". HA!
Oh, come on J! One more picture for the camera? November was the perfect time to visit. Early fall-like weather (high 60's/low 70's/breezy), low crowd level, minimal to nonexistent lines...
How much do we love Disney? TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
Our Disney vacation grand finale: The lighting of the castle, Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks Spectacular. We saw a combination of the three every night of our vacation but tonight we saw all three. They were just as magical each and every time.After watching the fireworks from the beach at our hotel, it was time to pack up and get ready to go home. I am always a little sad to leave this place. I know J and MG were disappointed too. I think MG has caught the Disney bug (like the rest of her family). We CANNOT WAIT to go back (hopefully next time as a party of 5)!

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may I wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight
We'll make a wish, and do as dreamers do
And all our wishes (all our wishes)
all our wishes
will come true

Day 5--a Morning with "Royalty"...

Ahhhh...Cinderella's Castle!What little girl (or any girl) wouldn't LOVE to have breakfast in Cinderella's Castle with all of her favorite Princesses?
What girl wouldn't save Disney reservations on speed dial and call almost daily (for four weeks) in the off chance of a last minute cancellation?
What kind of Mommy would yell at the cast member who found a cancellation on Saturday at 9 am "GET IT--QUICK--BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES" and squeal with delight when he jokingly said "by golly I've got it"...
What girl wouldn't be excited about going INSIDE the castle for the first time...What Mommy wouldn't be thrilled to help her baby girl don her favorite "spark-a-wee dress" and "spark-a-wee shoes" for a special morning here...Even the fairy godmother was waiting outside to greet us before the royal breakfast was served. MG asked her twice "Are you WEAWWY da fai-wee godmudder?"
Then she proceeded to "Bippitti-Boppiti-Boo" both the fairy godmother and everyone in line behind her. She had the entire line laughing at her silliness.
Once they announced the seating of "the Royal Womble Family", we were ushered in to the Gathering Room to meet none other than Cinderella herself. MG held her hand, stroked her face, asked a few questions and shared an "I wuv you" moment with her beloved Cinderella.
Then it was off to the Royal Dining Room for a delicious breakfast and character meal with the rest of Cinderella's Princess pals.

"Belle in the blue dress"..."Aurora Sleeping Beauty"...Jasmine (admiring MG's "gypsy tail")...The birthday button strikes again...can you believe they give birthday desserts after breakfast..."Snow White with the pitty wed hay-bow an wipstick"...
"You have a pitty wed hay-bow jus wike me!""I wuv you wipstick. Can I hav some?"..."Oh, tank you!"...
"Wook Mommy! Snow White's wipstick!"...
Too precious for words...
MG, what did you think about your breakfast with the Princesses?