The Magic Kingdom is more Magical with Family

What can I say, I love Disney. But Disney magic is far better with family.

Let's go to Disney in one car...Uncle Jim rode in the back with the stroller. He took a huge hit for the team with this one. I mean we're gonna have to go big at Christmas huge. 

The girls with Snow, popped toes and all. 

The gang with Snow White. Life does not get any better, it just doesn't. 

Four out of the six people were looking. Who knows what Vera was thinking here. 

Vera claimed Aunt Kathy as hers all weekend, and they were hand in hand. It made my  heart happy. Lucy was alright with this because she decided that Uncle Jim was hers and everything was right with the world. 

Just moments before an epic Lucy meltdown over Belle's checkerboard. 

We walked all over that park, literally from one end to the other and back. We almost pulled a true all dayer, but the adults in the group ran out of gas before the kids. I wish I had their energy, but alas. We did hit up all he key rides and characters. 

It's all business on Buzz Lightyear

Don't mess with us on Buzz. Our car had the highest average out of the group. 

Dumbo! poor Uncle Jim was stuck with me yet again.

I love living in Florida, but I miss family...a lot. It was so nice to spend time with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim at one of our favorite places. Until next time...

Science is Fun!

This past weekend Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim came to visit. It was lovely having them here, and hard to see them go. While they were here we decided to go to the science center after we picked Vera up from school. As always, I wish we would have taken more pictures. Alas, i guess we'll just have to talk them into coming back. 

Aunt Kathy and Vera working in the earthquake zone

Vera was sporting her new Clemson shirt from Uncle Jim and Aunt Kathy too. 

It appears that Vera talked Aunt Kathy into a plane ride. She's a better person then I am. 

I look over and Matthew, Aunt Kathy, and Vera have built a crazy tall tower. Future architect? 

Lucy coming in fast for the knock down. It was a great day learning and having fun with family. 

Walking a Mile

They say you never know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. Lucy insisted on wearing my flip flops the other day, and they were only about ten sizes to big at the moment. She was determined and refused to take them off.

It took her 5 minutes to walk down the walkway to our car

Dancing Darlings

Vera started her third year of dance the other week, and she loves it! Here's to another year of crazy Mondays at the dance studio, sweet friends, and tapping toes. 

Vera and Renee ready to dance the day away, along with their little sisters who desperately wish to dance too. 

Lucy runs to meet Vera as soon as she walks out of class

dancing is better with friends.

Keeping Lucy and her little buddy Emilie entertained for two hours while the older girls dance is a challenge, but letting them wear tutus helps. 

So does Playdough and princess clippers. 

Making a Splash in PreK

The other day Vera's PreK class had an after school pool party. It was awesome to see all these sweet kids playing together and having a good time. I am so happy Ve gets to be a party of such an awesome group of kiddos that will go from PreK to high school.  

Taking a popsicle break

Just chilling out poolside with the girls 

Even Lucy got in on the action. Great day, great kids. 

Movin On Up

Lucy finally climbed all the way up the rope contraption like the "big kids" do. She was so proud of herself and kept yelling "I did it!" She's growing up despite my best efforts. 

Night of Joy

The other night Matthew and I headed out on a date to Disney's Night of Joy. It was so amazing to see a the artists the girls and I listen to every day on the radio in person. There were fifteen different Christian artists on three different stages, AND at the happiest place on earth...sign me up. It also blew me away that the only music playing throughout the Magic Kingdom was contemporary Christian music instead of the catchy movie tunes. Don't get me wrong I adore Disney music, but there is something magical about 80,000 people crowded down Main Street, USA, singing Mercy Me's You Are I Am lyrics "Hallelujah He lives in Me"in unison. It was just a special night all around, but getting to see TobyMac take the stage at midnight was for real. 

I completely lost it when TobyMac took the stage. He kicked off his set with "Steal My Show" and I swear I cried, and sang loudly and off key, the entire time. Hard. At Disney. It still blows my mind that I have a nephew in Heaven. I hate that beyond words. I hate that I get to see his favorite artist sing his jam, and I can't call him to tell him about it. I hate that we are stuck with sweet memories instead of warm embraces and laughter. But as the song says, "my family...it's all yours God. Take it away". It was bittersweet reminder that this is not our home. I'd like to think God let Reece hear, or at least know that we were thinking of him, that night. Heavy sigh. TobyMac was fabulous and seeing him live confirmed the fact that his music is what I want the girls rocking out to. 

I also got pretty close for one of my favorites, Josh Wilson. The girls and I jam out to this song during bath time, and he was just as great live. If you ignore "tick-tock Joe" on the right, it was a pretty great seat and performance. 

We double-dated with my good friend Elisabeth and her husband; so much fun!

One more of Toby. We were so close it was unbelievable

SO thankful for Matthew; he is such a wonderful father and husband. God certainly knew what he was doing when He brought us together. It was a great night of music, faith, and family. 

Mommy and Daughter Day at MK

Vera and I got to take a on a mother/daughter date and it was so nice to spend time just the two of us. She opens up so much when we're one on one, and it's just so special. I sure do love her to pieces. 

My princess and me in front of the castle 

She was giving me a curtsy

We stopped for a lemonade at Gaston's Tavern and she had me cracking up because she was wiping my kisses off her cheeks. 

My sweet Veve

We even stopped to see a mermaid

We got a big surprise when we went to the Haunted Mansion...free ghost cotton candy! It was such a nice surprise and made Vera's day!

Vera even worked up the courage to finally meet Stitch and give him some Mickey stickers

She even gave him a hug!

She was so happy

After Vera declared that she "was out of gas", we headed to a special lunch at Panera. Vera was craving macaroni and cheese and it was only the best for our date. I had such a great day with her; I am so blessed to be her Mom. 

Daddy and Daughter Day at MK

Lucy and I went to Magic Kingdom to have a special day just me and her. I love taking both the girls at the same time, but it's harder to keep an eye on both of them when they are usually headed in different directions. I decided to let Lucy go with just me so she got to choose everything we did. Holly and Vera did the same thing so they could get some 1-on-1 time.

We went to see Belle's show and get a picture with her. The kids act out a story. Lucy kind of participated after a little pushing from the cast. 

Lucy's favorite place at Magic Kingdom is Dumbo's playground. She never gets to stay very long and there are usually too many big kids in the way for her to have fun on the top ropes. We went early and almost had the whole place to ourselves. She LOVED running around the big kid area and learning how to navigate all the rope walls. 

 

We rode Dumbo after we finally came out of the playground.

After a ride on the Buzz Light Year ride, Lucy got in the jail cell with Zurg. She wasn't scared.

Queen Elsa and Princess Lucy

Then I jumped in the picture with Elsa

Lucy and Princess Anna

We dropped by and gave Donald a hug

Lucy use to be a little scared of Goofy because he was so tall. She loves him now. 

We stopped by to see Daisy Duck also

Lucy and Minnie twirled their dresses together. Lucy had a blast

She didn't want to stop and take a picture. She wanted to keep playing with her favorite Disney character in the world. 

Here is my princess on her pony

Lucy was making funny faces while we wanted for the ride to start

We are so blessed to have two very beautiful children inside and out. 

Here is a copped version of one of our pictures. We had an absolute blast together