For Uncle Steve

 Recently I was home very unexpectedly.  While there I got to have a conversation with my Uncle Steve, my mom's brother.  It was so great to catch up with him.  In the conversation, he told me that his morning routine includes checking my blog.

Every single morning.

Just imagine how horrible I felt that this thing is almost a year behind.  It also was such an incredible feeling that he takes times out of his day to see what we are up to.

Bravo, Uncle Steve!

You were just what I needed to get motivated!
(I can imagine that you have almost spit your coffee on the computer screen reading your name as my title.)

This one's for you.

What a difference a year makes!!  (remember we are still in 2013) OUI!!!

We spent much of December in the doctor's office.  They look real sick, don't ya think?

 How the situation started.

........and the progression

I love that MP was so concerned about her sweet sister being alone.

 Audrey's chorus performance.

I was so excited to share the big surprise with the girls and capture their reactions.

(yes, MP is wearing a swimsuit in December)

I spent several hours searching and creating the perfect teacher gifts.  All I can say is thank goodness for creative IG friends!

 Last day of school before break and ready for Texas!

Christmas cards

 Family pictures are something I wish we could have taken at least once a month.

Let's just be realistic.

This year, we killed two birds with one stone.  We decided to have our pictures taken at the Christmas tree farm we get our tree from.  It was a great day, with some great results!

Double Digits

Ten years ago.

I don't even know how it has been ten years.

The most beautiful baby girl made me a mother for the very first time.

Since the day she was born she has been nothing but a blessing, the greatest blessing.

I really never could have enough words to describe the things this girl has taught me.

She is the kindest, most helpful, beautiful, giving girl you will ever meet.  She's a blessing to everyone she comes in contact with.

Thank you Lord, for such a gift!

November 2013

November was obviously so busy, I have no pictures!

AK dressed as an explorer and gave a great presentation.

HG got impetigo.

Thankful to be out of the house.

MP got the tummy bug.

This Thanksgiving was definitely very different for us.  Mike had to work, and Jen and Jake moved to the other side of the country.  We had no traditonal food, or special traditions.  Instead, we went to see Frozen and stuffed our faces with popcorn.  It was a great day! 

That night, at midnight, Marissa and I braved the crowds and the cold to sell gift cards.  I must really love my job!

Like I said, crazy month!

Halloween 2013

Everett James McCoy

 The only thing that really even mattered in October.

I got a new nephew.

My SIL is nothing short of incredible.

Our family is so blessed.

God is so good!

 My baby brother is a daddy.

Nothing better.

October

 I feel like every post for forever has been about our crazy life everywhere but home.  I promise, we do stay home occasionally.  Life just seems to get busier every day.  For that very reason, I'm gonna have to blog by the month if I ever wanna get got up. So, back in October..................

We participated in a Halloween Pajama Party and never got it posted.

I found this precious, patriotic, angel facing the flag during retreat.  Makes this mama so incredibly proud.

I was asked to read scripture at a precious friend's wedding.  I never realized how much something like that would mean to me.

The crazy girls I get to work with.

the beautiful bride

My car, after school.  Just because I want you to see real life. 

One more shot in their Halloween P.j.'s because I love it.

See ya real soon

Is it crazy that it makes me sad to post our final day ay DW?  It's like it really ended or something.  Our final day we spent at Magic Kingdom.

Favorite picture round 2, day version

So here's the story on this.  When I was younger, my parents had our silhouettes done at Disney, and I love to see them hanging in their home still today.  It was one of my biggest priorities on our visit to have the girls done.  Now just imagine HG sitting, having her silhouette cut out. Also, see second picture.

We are so excited about the new Snow White ride opening, actually this month!  From what my mom says, the original Snow White ride was very scary.  This one is gonna be a mine train, and we can't wait to get back and ride it.

Waiting on princesses

 Excited much?

I chose this picture to show you even though HG is not looking.  I love how excited she looks that her "best friend" is holding her hand.

 I knew when we booked our trip, Bippity Boppity Boutique was a must.  Nothing crazy, just the basic package.  It was perfect, more than perfect!

As soon as we were done with BBB, the heavens opened and it started pouring.  I'm talking buckets.  If you know anything about the way I was raised, you know that didn't change a thing.  We bought overpriced ponchos, and continued like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Since we were some of the only people that decided to be completely ridiculous and stay, we rode everything.  Hadlee Grace rode Dumbo 4x, in a row, without getting up.  Can you think of anything better?!?!?

This was the point of the day where Mike took a soaking 2 yo who was freezing, to put dry clothes on and hustle back for dinner.

This was also something that was very important to me for us to see.  I love that DW is all about fun, but also remembers our country with daily retreat. 

Let's just say the next couple of hours was super stressful.  When you depend on DW transport, you almost miss dinner reservations.  Thank goodness for a husband who is strong and fast, and will run from from the entrance to the castle carrying a tiny princess.

 These are some of my very favorite pictures from the entire trip.  I loved to see the girls faces when the princesses began walking in.

This is what it looks like when Snow White walks through the door.  Forget about the 4 times we had already seen her.

 This mama had to get in the picture.  Snow White is also my very favorite.

 This was a brand new dress for Ariel. 

 First time to see Jasmine. 

 Can you imagine having to suck in like that all day, every day?!

The girls dessert.  

Every single thing on the plate is edible, minus the clear stand, holder thing.  

Sticker and all!

 Just some proof that we were actually there.

Our dessert.

Just like the girls, everything was edible.  Even the writing!

 One last firework show (the light parade was cancelled because of rain), and a treat.

There are really no words to describe how magical our trip was.  I imagined that we would visit every few years while we live this close.  We decided after the first day, it was an every year kind of experience.  Until next time.