Disney World

Magical! In the weeks leading up to our trip Luke and I made fun of Disney World and its obsession with the adjective "magical." We ate our words! It is magical, it really is! :) Watching Grace's face light up in amazement (like every ten minutes) was the highlight of the trip! I will warn you: you will most definitely need a vacation to recover from this vacation! We opened the park in the morning, went swimming in the afternoon, and closed the park in the evening...all five days. We had a blast; all three of us! And Wade had a great time at Aunt Marilyn's! We missed him like crazy, but cherished our time with Grace. Our better photos were captured with our photo pass but here are a few of our own.
Grace's first plane trip. We were held up on the runway and she got a little aggravated. "When is this thing going to blast off anyway?"
We ate lunch in Cinderella's castle. She was chosen to be the princess of the day.

She took making a wish very seriously.

The parades were her favorite!

A luau at Ohana's. (It is 11:00 pm!)

We hunted for Mary Poppins. Grace thought she must be tending to Jane and Michael.

I honestly did not think this was possible. This girl can go all day and night and we managed to knock her out two nights in a row!

The weather was beautiful! Grace and I were just a little chilly because we got SOAKED on the rapid ride. Lucky seats!

We stayed at Disney's Port Orleans and we loved it!

Grace made a ton of friends on this trip. Luke said I should have made a scrapbook of all the people Grace met on the bus. This sweet little girl watched the fireworks with Grace. After they started, she looked at Grace and exclaimed, "Isn't this the best day of your life!"
We missed you bubba!

April Happenings

First haircut, First sucker

Feeding the ducks

These geese can get pretty mean!

Papa and Tee-Ta spent Easter weekend with us!

Wade, like his sister, was obsessed with the Easter bunny. He was trying to push Grace out of the picture. I think he would have gone home with him!

Tee-Ta took Grace (and me) Easter dress shopping. After trying on literally twenty dresses Grace finally found the perfect twirly, beautiful dress. Of course she had to have a hat and a purse and Tee-Ta isn't one to say no.


My little girl is five! Even though she was a bit disappointed that she wasn't visibly taller, she was busting at the seams to be five.

Beaver Creek!

What a blast! Snow skiing at Beaver Creek was incredible! Our amazing dear friends invited us to stay with them in their parents' condo at the bottom of the lifts! Breathtaking scenery, immense amounts of snow, super convenient, and in the best company (The Kerrs have two precious boys, Ty (4) and Bo (9 months); we couldn't have wished for a better time.

We spent a lot of time getting dressed! (Thank you to our friends who loaned us ski clothes!)


Grace and Ty had so much fun at ski school. Amy and I spied on them often!

Ski school had face painting and Grace opted for a butterfly.

Gorgeous mountain, gorgeous hubby!

Wade jumped on the bed....

while Ty and Grace enjoyed the jacuzzi! (Courtesy of tired parents making the condo jacuzzi sound way more enticing than a boring swimming pool.)

Sweet beautiful Amy. We always have such a good time!

Much to everyone's surprise, our usually cautious children wanted to try the trampoline bungee. They loved it! Grace was doing flips and all.

Up...

Up...

And away!!!

Wade and Bo enjoying the sunshine!

"Hey, is that rice cake better than mine?"

Snow Angels

Snow wrestling! Luke did not win!

The Kerrs and Grace

The Lumpkins and Ty

Wade loved the snow!

February 27th

My big brown eyed chunky monkey is one! Wade's first year has flown by! It truly feels more like six months. We have had a fun but sleepless first year. In the past week, Wade has finally been waking only once a night. Other than his lack of sleep, he has been a fairly easy baby. His personality has really emerged. He loves to play peek-a-boo, wave, clap, blow kisses and give kisses, and dance. When you ask how old he is, he holds up one finger. He loves to yell! And he loves to try and mess up sis's doll house. Recently, he has developed separation anxiety. When we walk up to the church nursery door, he starts sobbing these huge alligator tears. He has been taking a few steps for several weeks, but officially started walking Sunday. He is saying "mama" and "dada" and a slew of other words only he knows. Climbing everything in sight, he definitely keeps us on our toes. He is so much fun! Luke and I feel so blessed!

Just reclining watching some tv.


Morning of his birthday. He loves his red car!



Time to turn the car seat forward. He loves making silly faces at us and trying to get me to turn around. (while I'm the passenger of course)

We had a small family party with grandparents and aunts and Uncle Jonny. The birthday cake was a hit.

The aftermath.

Wade loves Aunt Jenny!

Papa Curtis and Tita "I'm one!"

Aunt Sis and Uncle Jonny "Hey, I'm down here!"

Papa Mark and Grandma Brenda drove 3 1/2 hours for Wade's party and then Papa Mark had to make a long trip the very next morning! Wade is so loved!

Grace

While I was getting ready, Grace was laying on my bed thumbing through the Bible. "I can't believe my eyes! This is the goodest day of my life!" She brought the Bible to me and proudly pointed out her name. "I knew God put me in the Bible." She took the Bible to Luke and showed off her discovery. He gave her a quite impressive child version of the definition of grace. She then proceeded to look for Steve Irwin's name and was less than thrilled when I finally convinced her she would not find it. Not giving up, she pointed to the word, grace. "So, is that really my name?" Trying to let her down gently, I explained , "so that particular grace is speaking of God's grace." She ended the conversation, "Well, I am God's Grace."

February 13th

I have always loved Valentines Day. The reasons why have changed over the years, but I love it all the same. In my younger days it was exciting to get a Valentine from someone unexpected or from my current crush. The most exciting Valentine's was when Luke showed up, from out of town, waiting outside my work with a rose. It is a long story but I knew at that instance that he would be my husband. These days Luke and I are not really into Valentine's Day. He believes it is a Hallmark holiday and I must concur. This might be bothersome if he didn't do romantic things for me all year round which means more than doing something because it is Valentines Day and he must to keep the little wife happy. And I have to admit, roses seem like a waste of money. (I know, I know, but it is just the way I feel.) However, I still get to join in the Valentine's craze. (I mean fun!) We made Valentines for Grace's class and went to her school party. We gave the kids little Valentine presents this morning. Then Grace added, "Don't you give people sugary things when you want them to know you love them?" So, of course we went to the donut shop. All fun! (Grandparents, did I mention Grace got a "bob"?)




Lots of candy!!!

Wade's first wagon ride