The Big Kiss

There is no introduction. This one speaks for itself. ;)

"We're going to Disney World!!!!!!"

We had a super, FABULOUS time at Disney World for Spring Break. You would think that after spending six days there that everyone would have been ready to go home, but we weren't! On the first day the kids were a little whiny, but they were angels after that. On our way out of town, we discovered that we had a flat tire. The kids were troopers, though, and we were back on the road soon. Monday--Hollywood Studios--We saw a bunch of cool shows and a parade. First was Disney Junior (in the picture above), and then Ariel's Voyage. We were about to see the Indiana Jones stunt show, when we got a disturbing phone call. "Mrs. May, this is ADT calling. The fire alarm is going off at your house and we are sending fire trucks now." Aaaaaah! Thankfully, there was no fire. And we did get to see Indiana Jones, which was a highlight for Nathaniel. Tuesday--Magic Kingdom--This was a big shock, because it was way more crowded than Hollywood Studios. It was swarming with people! Thanks to Fast Passes, though, we were able to do most of what we wanted to do. First we took the railroad. It wasn't until we passed the first stop that we realized it was the *only* stop because the entire Toon Town section was closed. So we rode around again to Frontierland because everyone (except me and the two little ones!) wanted to ride Splash Mountain. After that we went to Space Mountain. Michael went with the two big kids and I took the three little ones to the People Mover. Then, Andrew and I went on Space Mountain together. I really wasn't sure about it and I was terrified for him, but he really wanted to go. I sat behind him and put my hand on his shoulder for the entire ride. He loved it!! After that, we all went on the Teacups together. It's a family favorite!

Wednesday--Magic Kingdom

We got an earlier start this day, and our reward was to wait in a much longer line for the monorail. The kids wanted nothing to do with the ferry. Right away, we went to Pirates of the Caribbean (only a five minute wait--yay!) and the Haunted Mansion (just Michael and the three big kids went on that one). Then Michael, Nathaniel, and Emily went on Big Thunder Mountain. After that, we got some Fast Passes and headed back to the condo. It was a really awesome condo that sleeps ten and has a full kitchen. I had intended for Jonathan to take a good nap, but he wasn't interested. He was an angel and he took naps in our double stroller. On Wednesday afternoon, Dad and Debbie and Troy and TJ (my stepbrother and nephew) joined us at the condo and we headed back to Magic Kingdom. We went to Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and Big Thunder Mountain. Then we watched the light parade and fireworks.

Here are Andrew and Jonathan enjoying the light parade.

Thursday--Magic Kingdom

Our favorite picture spot.

Another crazy, crowded day, but we still got to do a lot of fun stuff. Besides riding on all of the "mountains" again, we went to Tom Sawyer's Island, It's a Small World, and Mickey's Philharmagic, and watched the afternoon parade.

This is at It's a Small World. Daniel wore that hat everywhere. It's a miracle we didn't lose it.

Friday--Animal Kingdom

This was a favorite for Papa. It was much less crowded and there was a lot of shade. The weather was nice during the whole week. I made sure everyone had sunscreen, and only Nathaniel got a little burned one day. There was a Fast Pass "error in our favor" and so we got to do all of the things we wanted to do that day. We were taking a break in a small cafe, and an African music group started performing. They were asking for volunteers, and so I told Emily that she should go. The guy motioned for me to go, though, and so we both went up and tried to follow the dancing. I will not be posting photos. I have no rhythm. Emily did great, though. We then watched a bird show and went on a safari. We all loved it! Then after lunch we went to Expedition Everest, which was a very exciting roller coaster. In Andrew's words, "That was so cool!" We also saw Nemo the Musical, played at the dinosaur playground, and rode the Triceratop Spin, which was the same thing as the Dumbo ride without the wait.

Saturday--last day--back to Magic Kingdom

We started out going to the Speedway. I saw a little girl in line who had the princess makeover and I decided I really wanted to have it done for Emily. I was afraid that the boys might be jealous, but they weren't. They loved it, too! They loved watching her have her hair and makeup and nails done, and she loved being treated like a princess. I think that was my favorite moment of the whole week, watching my boys supporting their sweet sister. I had told Nathaniel that he could go somewhere with Dad or Papa instead of watching her makeover, and he said, "No, Mom, I want to watch. She deserves this." Be still my heart!

My second favorite moment was when we met the princesses. Dad and I waited with Emily and the two little ones for an hour, but once it was done we knew it had been worth the wait. First, Emily met Cinderella. Then she met Princess Aurora. We asked the boys if they wanted their pictures taken, too, and the only one who did was Daniel. You can see he wasn't shy!

She gave him a big ol' kiss, and he loved it!

We had fun on Saturday letting the kids have one last time on their favorite rides. Nathaniel and Andrew chose Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, so they went to those with Daddy, Emily chose Big Thunder Mountain, so she went with Papa, and I took Daniel and Jonathan to Daniel's choice, the teacups.

I loved the shirt Papa chose for me. It has a picture of a glass slipper and it says, "And she lived happily ever after." Boy, isn't that the truth!

I don't think it could have been more perfect! Thank you, Papa and Nana!

Dad, I'm guessing you're the only one who will actually read this entire lengthy post. I love you!

Emily's 8th Birthday

Emily was so excited to celebrate with her friend, Regan. We all went to Pump it Up and then to Stevi B's for dinner.


I made a chocolate chip cookie cake, per Emily's request. Jonathan enjoyed snacking on some chocolate chips while the kids helped me make the dough.

She is growing up so fast!

She wanted a pink Wii remote sooo badly. Thanks Papa and Nana! I don't think the boys will want to use this one, which was her plan all along, I'm sure.

Emily will be baptized this Saturday!

Sleepy McSleeperson

Jonathan is my sleepiest baby. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but he still takes two naps a day and sleeps well at night. There are few things as sweet as the sight of a sleeping baby. Here he is in the car on a particularly crazy afternoon of taking kids to all of their activities:

Daniel needs a nap during the day, but he refuses to take one--at home, anyway. If he knows we are doing a lot of running around in the afternoon, he will insist on taking his pillow with him in the car because he intends to take a nap. It's pretty cute. This is a picture I took one evening after I laid him on the couch because he had fallen asleep in the car. I love those rosy cheeks!

Daddy-Daughter Date Night

Every February for the last three years, Michael has taken Emily to the Daddy-Daughter Dance at the YMCA. This year, however, Emily decided that she wanted to go to dinner and a movie with her Daddy. Michael was happy to oblige! They went to see Yogi Bear in 3D and then to a buffet for dinner. Emily calls it "the best night of the year!"

"Mom, take my picture"

Pure joy!

These were taken because Andrew brought me my camera and insisted I take his picture. Then everyone wanted to join in the fun.

I have no idea what he is doing in this picture.

Emily's Honors Program

All A's again!!!

New Years Eve

We had a wonderful time on New Years Eve!!!! I realized that it was our last chance to see the lights at the zoo, and even though it was supposed to rain we still went. It started to rain just as we were walking to the front gate, but we didn't let that stop us. I'm glad we didn't, because it really only drizzled and we had so much fun riding the train around the zoo and seeing all of the lights. I was so grateful to be there with my wonderful family and just enjoy spending time with them. After the zoo, we went to dinner--Mexican. Andrew kept asking me to take pictures, and here are a few of them. Next, we went to a dance at church. The kids had fun eating and watching a movie and eating and dancing and eating. I wondered why we even bothered to buy them dinner.



Andrew and Jonathan
Jonathan eats more than Daniel and Emily (combined!) on a regular basis.



Emily
She was the most excited for the dance. The boys didn't really want to go, but I think they still had fun.




Daniel
This child is a riot. When we were dancing, he realized that he was being watched by some teenage girls. So, what does he do? He turns around and shakes his little booty at them. They laughed and laughed. It was so funny!



Nathaniel and Andrew
They are always messing with each other.


Nathaniel and Emily had been planning all week to stay up until midnight. They were sound asleep on the couch by 11pm.