Around the World . . . in 10 hours!

I was a little worried about our day at Epcot.  I really did not know how the kids would respond to it because it is such a different park.  However, it was one of their favorites - Carter will tell you it was his favorite!!  We did have a wonderful day!

Family Photo thanks to the Disney Photo Pass people, again!

One of my favorite pictures of the trip with characters

We had a little time to spend looking around the park before we headed to Norway to eat breakfast with the princesses.  It was wonderful!!! Belle met us as we came in and we were able to take pictures with her.  As part of our dinner, we were able to get a 5x7 and 4 - 4x6s with the family with Belle!!  As we ate, we were able to visit with Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel.

Since we were already in the countries, the kids wanted to stay there and do some of the activities there.  They were able to do a craft that they added to in each country.  They really liked that.  They even had their names written in Chinese which they thought was cool!  Their favorite thing was the Kim Possible missions.  They signed up and were given a cell phone.  From their phone they were to go to different countries to solve crimes.  It was awesome!!!!  We did one crime investigation in the United Kingdom and one in China.

Getting their next assignment.

I love these pics from Epcot that the Disney people took!

In China, as we waited to meet Mulan, LB met a little Chinese girl.  They could not communicate without the little girl's dad, but enjoyed looking at autograph books together.  We ran into these same people on Thursday.  Each girl's face lit up when they saw each other.

LOVE some Mulan!!!

For dinner, we left the park and headed to the Beach Resort where we ate at Cape May Cafe.  HIGHLY recommend this to anyone!!!!  Seafood and meat buffet for days!!!!! It was lovely!

Walking to Test Track at night . . . loved this pic!

We had a great day and loved just having fun together as a family.  We turned in before the night show because the next day was a BIG day!!!

Welcome to HOLLYWOOD!!!!

After church on Sunday, we braved the rain (although not as bad as Saturday's) and headed to Hollywood Studios.  After lunch it stopped raining and we never saw a drop again the rest of the week!! We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back to see things we did not get to this trip!

Thank you, Photo Pass people!
I was actually able to get in some pictures!

Buzz and Woody!!

Mike from Monsters Inc!

Carter wore his Dash shirt and Mr. Incredible LOVED it!!!
He even said Carter looked like Dash!

YAY for Mickey Mouse
(and another family picture!)

 We ate supper at the 50's Prime Time Cafe which I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone! It was great!

Thank you, Instagram, again!!!! This was our table at dinner.

After supper, LB went for Jedi training.  She learned her routine with the master . . ..

and then fought the one and only . . . DARTH VADER (and won!!!).  She was the only girl in her group! So proud of my little Padwan!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

During our Fall Break, we were blessed to be able to take the kids to Disney World for 6 days/5 nights.  What a time we had!!!! I won't bore you with all the pictures, but since this is my scrapbook, I want to share a few of them.  Sorry if it goes on and on . . . . but I just can't help myself!!!!

Taken with my Instagram app to show people that WE MADE IT!!!!

Carter was so excited that we got to stay in the Homerun Hotel.
We could walk out of our door and could see the Braves and Rangers right beside us!
PERFECT! (again, taken with Instagram)

It was pouring when we got there.  We had planned on spending the night at Downtown Disney, so we went ahead with the plans although we did not stay long.  We did hit Planet Hollywood for dinner which the kids loved!

Then it was off to the Lego store!!! You can tell how wet it really was just from looking at the kids.  I hate to say Disney was miserable but that night it was!!!!! So glad we were not at a park!

Book Review: To Have and To Hold

I just read Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller's newest book To Have and To Hold thanks to Bethany House Book Reviewers.  Let me just say I LOVED this book.  I would recommend it to anyone.  It had me from the beginning and I could not put it down once I started.

The book revolves around Audrey Cunningham and her father, Boyd, as they live on their home land in Bridal Veil Island, Georgia post Civil War.  Dealing with the more than one issue from their past, they come to Bridal Veil to get back some of what had been lost during the issues in their past.  To help with some of the problems that arise, contractors come to Bridal Veil in hopes of luring wealthy Northern families to the island for vacations.  When Marshall Graham steps on the island, Audrey begins to feel that the past will resurface.  However, when her life becomes endangered and the construction work is being sabotaged, she realizes that Marshall and God are the only ones she can trust.

This book has everything in it, romance, mystery, humor, etc.  These ladies did a wonderful job setting the stage for a future series that will take place on Bridal Veil Island and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

The Hundred Dresses

LB's book club met again on Saturday to discuss the book they read in September.  They read the book The Hundred Dresses and they all seemed to really like it.  It is an older book (the copyright is 1944), but received a Newberry Honor Award.  Therefore I felt like it was one of those classics every little girl should read.  Plus, it has AMAZING lessons for girls!!!  LB, Madlyn and I sat the table this morning for the girls to arrive.  It has been a week at our house (and next week looks no better) so I kept things VERY simple!!!

The place settings were just bright colors to brighten a dreary week!!!

We used LB's American Girl doll clothes with the rack Damon had found her as the centerpiece.  Everyone loved looking at all the different doll dresses and it just fit perfectly with the book!

Most of the girls wore their favorite dress to the book club meeting today.  

The girls who came to book club.

As was mentioned earlier, this book has some wonderful lessons our girls need to hear.

We had some great discussions about the book and how we can treat people 

today.  In the book, Wanda creates dresses for her friends.  So, we created dresses for our friends at 

book club. The girls loved designing the dresses and accessories to meet each girl's

personality!!!

Keeping a simple lunch, we had a sandwich bar that held different breads, cheeses and meats.

Other mothers brought cheese and crackers, vegetables and fruit to share.

We all enjoyed brownies for desserts.

Once we were done eating, the girls were so anxious to see what the book for October would be.

I loved seeing their excitement as they asked the whole meeting when they would

find out what we would be reading!!  I wrapped each one's book up in a Halloween treat bag. 

After they were all passed out, all the girls opened them at once to see that we are going to read . . . 

Trixie, the Halloween Fairy!!!

They were so excited and I can't wait to plan the next event in a few weeks!!!

My Firecracker

This soccer season FLEW by for me!!! I can't believe we are already done with it, but (to be honest) I am kind of glad!!! LB has a wonderful season - including her very first hat trick in one game (that would be scoring 3 goals in one game)!!!!!  I have very few pictures because I was coaching. I am hoping Greg gets me some!!!  Today, we were suppose to have our last game, but the other team had to cancel.  So we all got together for pictures and a party!!  Here are some of my favorites from the day!

I know you are all scared looking at this picture!!!!

Triple Threat right here!!!!

Way to go, Firecrackers!!!

You had a great season!

It' That Time of Year Again

when Henderson's population doubles!!!!!

It can only mean one of two things

and, since it is October and not February,

that means it is

Chester County BBQ Festival Time!!!

I love this weekend.  I love how our town looks it's best.

I love how everyone and their brother comes out for it.

The courthouse never looks so good!

It brings out the best in everyone.

Families get together to spend quality time together.

Lovely, honey!!!

Friends gather together 

and parents realize that kids are another year older

which means they can run around with friends

without your being there.

(sniff . . . sniff)

Smiles the whole time.

Until we have to leave

and we all realize that we will have to wait another year . . . 

Got to Love It

Before Carter's baseball game on Thursday . . .

No better way to start a game . . .