Welcome to our World

We had an amazing vacation in Walt Disney World the last week of January.  We learned a lot from our first trip in 2011 and reaped the benefits and only could have asked for one thing more:  less rain! Let me start from the beginning and be as thorough as possible, mostly because I've had a lot of questions about the details.  Please be aware that one of my grandmother's admonishments was to travel while we were young.  She told us that by the time you are old enough to retire chances are traveling will be uncomfortable or later, in my grandparent's case, my grandfather got Alzheimer's. Preparations In October we got a Disney Visa and made reservations at the Art of Animation Resort , complete with the medium level dinning plan.  As soon as I could I reserved all our sit down ("table service") meals and used the new Fast Pass+ service on the My Disney Experience app.  I did a ton of research, mostly while feeding the baby, trying to memorize the ma...

With the help of our wonderful new neighbors, we got to ring in the new year family style and still got to bed before midnight.  I keep telling myself that if my children would just sleep through the night I could stay up that late.... In January Michelle graduated from nursery and became a Sunbeam at church.  My visiting teaching companion, Katie T. and her husband are the team teachers and they are doing an amazing job.  I can't imagine a better fit to help Michelle adjust.  She is so proud that she can be in sharing time with her big brother and big sister now and does a marvelous job.  M has always been my calmest child, so I'm really not surprised.  This is a picture of her her last day in nursery, blowing bubbles.  I got all sentimental because this is the first time in 5 years I haven't had a child in the nursery.  Feels strange. Of course, with how active Natalie has been lately, I think I will be chomping at the bit for her to turn ...

It was a crazy year and our diy photo shoot for our 2013 Christmas cards when right along with that theme.   Hubby changed jobs, K & D skied for the first time, new baby was born, moved into a new house for the first time since having children, began attending a new ward in a new church building, our oldest started kindergarten, our son started playing soccer... many wonderful things but lots of adjusting too.   Turns out I shouldn't have worried so much because the USPS lost the cards between Shutterfly and here.  Also turns out the family photo was a pretty big hit on Facebook so I added some of my oldest 3 to go along. Merry Christmas a couple months late!  Our attempt at a sibling photo.  Yes, one child is missing and boy is not smiling (to say the least). I don't want to type what I'm thinking about this one, even though K thinks potty humor is in vogue.  This is lol-tastic.  Photo bombed by one of her brother's Ch...

After a great trip it was great waking up in our own beds on Christmas morning.  Even though I try my best to instill in my children that this holiday is about the Savior of the world, not presents -- it's still their favorite part.  My parents joined us but somehow managed to avoid the camera pretty well.  I did get this shot of children opening their presents from Dan's parents they sent money for while still on their mission in Bonaire.  Between their parents, two sets of Grandparents and my Aunt Hope and our former neighbor, Marshon, I felt like these were some very spoiled children! And for you dog lovers out there, Meigo did not get forgotten in the present department.  She was happy as a clam with the stuffed toy we got her.  Still going strong at almost 10 years old. Two days after Christmas we were happy to have a party while the G. family was in town from CA to celebrate Christmas with their families.  My favorite part (aside from ch...

 With all the festivities like watching D and M perform a program,   making Christmas crafts,  attending the city's light festival, and delivering gifts, we decided all that was missing was some time with extended family.  So, at rather the last moment, we packed up and hit the road and had a wonderful little trip.  We attended the annual Christmas party at Dan's great grandmother's house and had a blast.  It is so easy to enjoy Dan's family.  Just look at this picture of K & N with their great grandmother.  What's not to love? I don't know how she does it, but Gma W can pick great gifs.  This trio of glasses wearing cousins sure were thrilled with their Frozen books, complete with stickers. Mark & Kendra were magnificent hosts.  We got to spend lots of time with their family and their son is one lovable guy.  Natalie was in love with his helmet -- she seems to like any type of head gear. A...

I picked out these pictures on December 10.  This might let you know how crazy I feel like my life has been lately.  I apologize to our birth mothers.  I am sure you would have liked to know about Christmas a long time ago.  I think of you often and probably wouldn't have the heart to put time into the blog at all (since moving) if it wasn't for you both. These 4 loved the Christmas season.  The tree, the lights, spending time with family and dreaming of the gifts they would give and receive.  One thing about moving to a house that is twice as big -- seems like you only have half the decorations you used to.  He he.  Dan did a great job making our porch look wonderful with what we already owned.  To me, he's a genius. Kaelah says Christmas was really fun and she liked the presents she got.  According to this certificate, she deserved them.  She was recognized as showing the trait of responsible at school and got to be on ...