sunset beach

Saturday, the kids wanted to take one last trip to the beach to try and catch the sunset.  

The following are the pictures that Sarah took with my camera.

She did a pretty good job.

houses & goodbye

For years we've done "gingerbread" houses over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I think we should officially change the name to "cracker" houses since we've yet to use one pinch of ginger.

I really was going to try real gingerbread this year,

but, as usual, I took the easy route.

The houses and the experience turned out great anyway.

Sadly we had to say our goodbyes today.

Abby had conversations with the girls on their hand phones.

I'm so grateful for the time we could spend together.  With the move and new life, I don't think I realized how much I missed having them around.  It was a true pleasure to have a house full again.  I know these opportunities will change over the years as they continue to build their own lives.  

I can only imagine the fun we will have then.

See you in a couple of weeks!

Love you guys bunches and bunches!!

The perfect day at Disneyland!!

A long time ago, we had promised our kids that we would take them to Disney World, FL.  Of course that was when we lived on the East Coast.  For various reasons, it never happened.  Now that the conditions are right, we can fulfill that promise at the original Disneyland in CA. 

 Yesterday was our perfect opportunity.

It was wonderful!

Princess heaven!

Cinderella is Abby's favorite.  She's Cinderella, I'm Aurora, Sarah's Ariel, Rachel's Belle, Bekah's Snow White, Esther's Jasmine.  It all started a couple of years ago when she was referring me to Ursula (the sea witch, really?)  I quickly corrected her that I was Aurora (my favorite).  Our alter egos have been established ever since.  Ursula has never been mentioned again.

 We got a private meeting with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider (after 40 min wait).  They both were very charming.  Flynn even gave the boys "smolder" lessons.

Sword or not, my boys are full of courage and the kings of my heart.

My all time favorite is "It's a Small World". 

 It's the only ride that made an impression on me at 5-yrs-old

 and is even more beautiful and inspiring today.

Esther was panicking about the roller coaster, but was all smiles as we left.

Abby was all smiles going up the kid's roller coaster, but all tears as we left.

No tears here, only funny faces.

The evening brought good food, an awe inspiring fireworks show including a little snow, and some very tired kids.

Although we waited, we loved experiencing it through the eyes of all the different ages.

The phrase we heard several times: "Thanks, this was a perfect day".

I agree.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today

sleeping in.  cooking, laughter. family. eating.  friends. laughter. more cooking. eating.

dancing. singing Christmas songs. dancing. laughter and more eating.

Gratitude to God for a good life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A full house rocks!

The day seems all the prettier with all my kids together.

We even have two extra shining faces to add to the crowd--the friends Kaytlyn.  

They were friends to my kids back in NC.

It's hilarious watching Abby try to figure out why they both have the same name

 and how to use that information.

Ta da!! That's all for today!