Halloween 2012

Another year and another fun Halloween.  This year was expecially great since we got started early and got back early.  The girls always love trick or treating with their cousins so we went around our circle with our own little pack of 6.

This was one of the best I got.  Its hard to get 6 kids to look at the camera at the same time.  Apparently Leah and Eli have a private joke, Colin is way more interested in the bushes, Walker did not feel like smiling much for the camera anyway, and thats Noah there in the tiger costume.  So we have the cutest train conductor ever, a storm trooper minus a helmet, 2 AU cheerleaders and a baby Aubie, and another storm trooper.  Quite the group.



Can I get a "war eagle"



No one needed help figuring out what to do this year.  They all had a goal and that was "get out with as much candy as possible" and judging from the 5 buckets they came home with the goal was accomplished.


I accidentally encouraged the girls to go after the good stuff (stuff they really like) i.e.: reeses, tootsie rolls, suckers, snickers.  Leah told one lady she just didnt like anything she had.  Oops.

This is basically what Noah did the whole time.  He was ok with not getting candy.


And Gabe, Angel, and Anahi came and joined us as we were finishing up so it was nice to get to trick or treat with them once again.


Another night of trick or treating done, lots of candy received (and later given away again), and a fun evening had by all.

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Every year we take a little train ride to the pumpkin patch in Calera.  And This year was no different.  I just like the many photo opportunities.  The girls take the entire time picking out that perfect pumpkin.



Unfortunately, Matt had the wrong setting on the camera, so the pics turned out blurry.  Live and Learn.






The girls did in fact pick out their perfect pumpkin, so the day ended fantastically.

Noah 1-6 month pics

Wow he has grown so much!

       

Noah 6 months

six months.  Thats half a year!!  I am pretty much in denial at this point that my baby boy is 6 months old.  It has completely flown by and I am actually missing the iddy bitty baby-ness of him, yet loving all the new things he accomplishes.  Being home all the time with Noah allow me to notice everything, and I realize how much I missed with the girls when they were this age.  He is such a good baby, only crying when really tired or hungry. He is still pretty laid back (lazy) which I love.  I have no interest in moving things any faster, so if he doesnt want to start crawling until he is 12 years old that is fine with me.

His doctors appointment went fine.  I had all 3 with me and tried to do the girls 5 year checkups at the same time as his.  This didnt go too well, especially since Leah was having an asthma attic at the office, but he did get weighed and measured at least.

Length : 27inches (75-90%)
Weight: 16lbs, 4.5oz (25-50%)
H.C. : 17inches (25-50%)

Getting his pictures for this month proved difficult.  He was way more into everything around him than the camera in front of him,  but I tried.

And my absolute favorite

Noah's Dedication

On October 21 we had the joy of dedicating our Little Man with our church family.  Our dear friend, Ben Wyrosdick led his dedication and it was so great to have someone we love so much pray over him and us for the congregation.  It was a special day for us that we were happy to share with so many friends and family.

Cruisin' with Mickey

After nine nights in Disney World we headed to Port Canaveral to board the Disney Dream for four nights.  It was a great idea to do a cruise AFTER a trip to Disney because we needed a rest, and we actually got one.  The food was amazing, the pools were amazing, and so were the shows.  And best of all, the CHILDCARE was incredible.  The girls actually begged to go to "Pixie Hollow" and when we would go to pick them up, they wanted to stay.  I can't blame them.  They did a talent show with Tinkerbell, danced with Lilo and Stitch, and Storytime with Snow White.  No other child care will ever compare.  We took Noah a few times but mainly to keep him out of the sun when we were on the pool deck.

And the girls had a blast on that pool deck.  Leah was amazed by the huge movie playing over the pool where she could swim and watch tv - her two favorite things.


But that pool water was cold, huh Dandy?


Noah enjoyed sitting with Mimi before he went to the nursery.


We also found them some swimsuits that have mermaid tail coverups.  I couldn't resist and had to buy these for my princesses.  Now maybe I don't have to make them a swimmable mermaid costume like Leah has been begging for.  :)


We stayed on the boat for our first day at port which was Nassau and loved that decision.  Pool time, adult time, and a lovely dinner was perfect.  Since we were eating in the Royal Palace restaurant the girls dressed up in their princess attire.


And got pictures with Princess Minnie


Our second port day was to Disneys private Island, Castaway Cay.

We enjoyed this day immensely.  A beautiful beach with turquoise water and no waves, umbrellas and chairs everywhere, and a lunch buffet made for a dream day.  Even Noah enjoyed a nice long nap under the umbrellas.  It was hard getting back on the ship, but we had to get ready for Pirate night!





With all crew members and most guests dressed as pirates, it was quite a fun evening.  After dinner we went up to the top deck for a pirate show and fireworks.  Disney is the only cruise line that can set off fireworks at sea.  And we loved it.



We spent our last day at sea playing on the ship and letting poor Noah take a nap.  Packing up was really hard this time.  4 nights is just not long enough.

We departed the ship bright and early.  Matt and I headed back to Disney World for one more night (stayed in the Little Mermaid room at the Art of Animation which the girls loved).  We got to enjoy Magic Kingdom once again and do all the things we didnt get a chance to do, see some characters we didnt get to see.



Magic Kingdom closed early that night, but it was a cool day, minimal crowd, and very little wait times if any.  It was a great way to end our trip.



And as we were headed out of the park we got one last frozen lemonade - our favorite Disney treat and said goodbye to Mickey.


We HAD to stop and take pictures with every Little Mermaid statue at the hotel, and finally crashed after a long day so we could be up at 445 to catch the shuttle to the airport.


It was a great trip.  And we are truly blessed to have wonderful parents who would treat their kids and grandkids to such an amazing experience.

The BIG Disney Trip

After a year and a half of planning, the BIG Disney Trip has come and gone.  We had a blast but part of me is a bit depressed about this.  Last Christmas Matts parents turned what we thought was going to be a long Disney World vacation into part Disney/ part Cruise.  Best gift ever.

We flew down this time around.  After our trip in May we decided we could not possibly drive down again with a newborn, even 4 months later and splurged on the flight.  Heaven.  The girls were almost as excited about flying as they were about Disney.  No clue why Hannahs smile is so weird here.

All ready for takeoff

Noah was a bit trickier this trip but still did great.  He did not fall asleep as readily in the baby carrier this time so I did walk around Disney holding a sleeping baby.  My arms are super strong now.

To cover some highlights...

On our first day in Magic Kingdom we got to go behind the wall of construction to see Belles Storytime, a new attraction not quite open in Fantasyland.  It is adorable.  All kids who want to participate (and a few adults who may not want to) can, as they help reenact the story of how Belle fell in love with Beast.  Leah played Phillipe, Belles horse, but really just wanted to give Belle the flower she picked for her outside the attraction.  Hannah was happy sitting by mommy.


 And of course we saw many other princesses and characters, gave kisses to some... even danced with a few.  And we got everyones autograph.  Again.  Some we got duplicates even.
                   

              

Yup... we stand in a lot of lines for those autographs. All worth it so the girls can see their "friends".

The girls celebrated their birthday while in Disney, and got to have breakfast with the princesses in Norway. I am glad that it was so early and we were rushed because I did not have very long to cry over the fact my babies are five years old.  But, for one that normally goes all out for a party every year, it was nice to just have breakfast with the family, and the princesses visit the table.  The girls got to do a princess parade around the restaurant.  Leah knows how to do it... she held Ariels hand the first time and Auroras flower basket the second.

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                   For their birthday dinner we ate at our all time favorite,
                                         Ohana's.  even the men wore their leis



















                                            One of the favorite rides...and another where I got soaked...

And a little cooling off...



So many wonderful moments and the week FLEW by... and then it was time to pack up.  Sad.  And get on the Disney Dream Cruise Ship.  Oh So Happy!