Sea World

Why most people know better than to go anywhere near Orlando during Christmas!

This was an absolutely wonderful show and they make it look so easy and

not at all dangerous, which we all now know is not the case.

Magical Memories!

Jacksonville Zoo

On Christmas day, after the presents had all been opened and the omlets had been made, we kissed Grammy and Grampy goodbye and embarked on a very long journey. We packed the car from floor to roof with every electronic entertainment device known to man and drove straight through to Florida. (Dan and I are VERY thankful for good audio books!)

We arrived at Grammie and Papa's house a mere 19.5 hours later, bone tired and sore, but surprised at how easy most of the trip was. Blessing us with a dip in the hot tub and a good cup of coffee, we actually went back to feeling human amazingly quick!

One of the first items on the girl's wish list was a visit to the Jacksonville Zoo...

Thankful

2009 was year of job loss and major pay cuts in our home. It was a humble year of savings depletion and cutting corners. It was stressful and worrisome. It was and still is scary.

Thankfully we weren't alone. Our parents were there with a helping hand, just when we really needed them. Again and again. Their love and support for our family is a lifesaver and is something we can only hope we'll be able to do for our children when they're on their own.

The magic and wonder of Christmas as seen from a child's eyes!

In the end, we only bought presents for the girls and frugally collected and added the gifts mailed to us from out of area family. On Christmas Eve, Grammy and Grampy added their presents and it was perfect!

'Tis the Season...

...For An Elementary School Christmas Concert!

Katie's Birthday

Our Katelyn

Katelyn, the youngest of our three daughters,

celebrated her 3rd birthday on November 8th.

She is a lover of all things Disney from Tinkerbell to Mr. Incredible.

She defines the terrible twos by her frequent habit of being whiny and demanding.

She is her happiest snuggled in Mommy and Daddy's bed watching a movie hidden deep in the blankets.


Refusing to be left behind, she consistently shadows her big sisters. Often to their dismay.

She is the most girly - girl of the three, donning tippy tap shoes, dresses, painted nails and barrettes daily.


The light of our lives, one of the three reasons for our premature graying, our Katie!

Ghosting

This year, the girls and I discovered the fun and thrills of ghosting. Ghosting is a fun way to spread the Halloween spirit amongst friends and neighbors. Simply gather a little bag of treats, a picture of a ghost and a copy of the ghosting letter. Then, you sneak over to your neighbor's house, leave the treats on their front porch, ring the door bell and run for your life! The trick (and the fun) is to not get caught!!!

The girls and I had a blast being all sneaky and stealth-like! As if taking a walk in the dark wasn't fun enough, add a little "ding-dong ditch" to make it a memory of a lifetime!!!

You've Been Ghosted!!

Late last night, we left you a treat.
The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.

Take the ghost and pin it on your door,
to let others know, you need ghosting no more.

Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise,
to two more families, we must advise.

Gather some treats and deliver them soon,
within two nights, under the light of the moon.

Include a ghost with each package you give,
along with this poem for the tradition to live.

Our First Born

Our first-born: Confident and able, often independent thinking. Extremely kind and sensitive, often allowing her emotions to get the best of her. Organized and crafty like her mother and stubborn and fun loving like her father. Mature and caring, often disruptive and loud. Dependable and trustworthy.

Megan, our first-born daughter.