Evie's 4th birthday

What she wanted most for her birthday was a party at the local 'mouse house'. (aka Chuck E. Cheese) Having done a large birthday party at Chuck's for Gabby a few years back, the memories still make me cringe a bit. So, instead, we opted for family and one friend. Owen. Wouldn't you know it, Owen wasn't in the mood for photos that day, so I don't have any of them playing. but I assure you--they had fun. and it was the most stress-free party yet! yay!!!

(oh, and for those of you wondering...she is completely obsessed with Minnie Mouse--wants to wear the red and white polka-dot dress and mouse ears EVERYWHERE and introduces herself as 'minnie mouse')

Happy Birthday, Big 4-year-old! I love you so much :)

Tyrone Wells Concert

I must first preface this by saying that this concert totally rocked!. We had so much fun, and were so uplifted by the music that it is almost frustrating that everyone we know did not go. --because it is impossible to relay just how great it was :) (kind of a 'you had to be there--wish you had been' kind of a thing)
We are big Tyrone fans to begin with ~ not that we had really followed his music all that closely lately (although we have now remedied that and have 2 of his CDs...and will assuredly get more!) ~ we are just fans of TYRONE! You see, we went to college with him, and Jeff's brother actually played with him in a band for a number of years before he went solo. He is a great guy: a sincere, Godly man that has an amazing voice and passion for music. So, next time he is in your town, grab the chance ~ and go!!

Definitely one of the best date nights we have had in a while :)

Walt Disney World

This is what 3am looks like:

But the gorgeous view from our room made that late night arrival all worth it...

don't they look thrilled to see Walt Disney World?!

these crocs were not real--unlike the ones we saw later in Animal Kingdom!

ooooh...that Jungle Cruise is one serious ride...(I think they are trying to figure out the corny jokes!)

riding all together...

with mom and dad right behind!

even the quick thunder showers couldn't dampen our fun--we just tossed on ponchos!

Evie, especially, enjoyed the wet times :)

and what a treat it was to get to see Evie's roommate from China, Sage! (we also got to meet Sage's new sister from China, Mavery!)

AND we got to see one of Evie's other roommates, Rebeka, again! we had not seen her since China! the three girls (well, actually four, including Mavery) had such a great time together :)

Ian enjoys a swim in one of the gorgeous pools at the resort.

Evie with her new best friend, Minnie Mouse :)




night view of the Epcot ball. 'spaceship earth' (the ride inside the ball) was one of our favorites!

High School Musical 3 dances down the streets of Hollywood Studios...

and, to her delight, Gabby is chosen to dance with them!

what fun! an English phone booth in Epcot to squish in to!!

Ian and Gabby are swallowed by Bruce!
So glad we got to see your 2nd park, Uncle Walt :) We still love Disneyland the best, but WDW is certainly incredible!

Six Years Old

For his 6th birthday this year, Ian wanted a Lego party. No big surprise there, as he has been very into Legos for the past year, building new creations every day.



Well, not only did he get that Lego party, filled with all things Lego for he and his friends...

(yup--that's the cake! one of the most fun I've made so far!)

handsome birthday boy waiting to welcome his guests

punch with Lego ice cubes :)

lego train game

...but he also got the ultimate Lego-lover's dream trip...




LegoLand, CA!!! (with the added bonus of it being a 'guy trip' with just daddy)


another bonus! getting to see CA cousins, AJ and Julianna!

I love you, Ian! it is a joy and privilege to be your mom :)

Oh My! Two to school!

Gabby's first day back to classes was actually yesterday, so she got pictures taken two mornings in a row.

The gang. Evie is not actually headed off to school, but she insisted on dressing up and getting her backpack ready, as well.

My big kindergartener!

Yes, he picked Sponge Bob.

3rd grader and excited to show her brother the ropes at school.

Evie and I walked Gabby and Ian in to their class (yes, they are both in the same morning class--it is a 3 hour art class for grades K-4) but wasn't really needed, as Gabby showed Ian around the room and where to put his backpack and where to sit. I did manage to get a hug from them both, but they were brief and it was clear I was not needed (a good thing!).

I did tear up a bit in the car, and called Jeff to let him know what a sap I was (as if he needed more evidence!) and then Evie and I headed home. She asked immediately when Gabby and Ian were coming home, and then if she could watch Wall-E. I said, "How about we play a game? I will play Pretty, Pretty Princess with you!" her response? --"No, thanks, I will play that with Gabby." *sigh* I'd better finish up here and get back to Wall-E...I'm feeling the need to be needed --if only as a movie watching partner right now.

First Day of Homeschooling x 2

because you can never have enough bling...

Well, I made it through my first day of homeschooling two kiddos! Ian began his kindergarten studies with gusto, determined to be reading by the end of the week (he gets his patience from me) and Gabby completed all of her first day of 3rd grade assignments with a smile on her face! (and that is quite an accomplishment--there is a big jump from 2nd to 3rd grade...!) Evie got bored with workbook pages in about 3 minutes, so she watched a video for the first hour of our schooling and then we waited until she went down for her nap this afternoon to finish up the rest of the schoolwork for the other two.



This was an unexpectedly quick start to our school year (we had been planning on next Tuesday, the 8th) because of an opportunity our family has to go to Walt Disney World the end of next month! yay! ~ we are so excited to get to go, but I didn't want to start off the school year already a week behind---and there is NO WAY I am taking school work to WDW! :p



I am sighing with relief *sigh* and trying to stay focused on one day at a time right now.



Tomorrow begins the busiest/craziest month our family has ever purposely planned. (and, of course, it will get busier and crazier when the unexpected happens ~ please pray that I am flexible and will meet the inevitable changes gracefully!)



I will attempt to keep up with posts ~ but if I don't see you all again until October, well, know that I am still here...just may not be able to fit blogging into the equation. ;)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I'm not saying how many candles were on the cake...but it was a milestone birthday :) So glad we were able to celebrate it with you, Mom!

~ I love you and wish you a blessed year ~