Our trip to Disney World 2006

We had a great time at Disney! It is so much fun to watch the wonder in the eyes of our children! After spending a lovely day at Mom and Dad Blanda's, we went to our Disney hotel, Allstar Movies, and checked in. We spent the rest of the evening at the hotel pool. It was great fun. The next morning we made our way to the front gates of the Magic Kingdom to meet our good friends, the Millwoods, donning our rain ponchos and umbrella. Yes, it poured! We were not about to let that small detail stop us. After a few calls to our friends, we found out they were delayed, so we made our way to Fantasy Land.

By the time we got there the rain had died down to a drizzle. For once, the rain was a blessing. We went on most of the rides in Fantasy Land in 40 minutes. The rain had stopped all together by now. We found our friends, who have two girls as well. The four of them were adorable little stair steps, ages 5,4,3, and 2, and were immediately best of friends. (Kids are so cool that way. Why can't grown-ups be the same?)

Steve got the girls some autograph books and Mickey pens and we spent the rest of the day riding rides, getting autographs - I counted 20, and soaking in all of the magic. We had a character lunch at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends. That was so worth it! The food and service was excellent and the best part was the personal attention the girls got from the characters. We ended our evening with the fireworks. I didn't watch much of them because I was too busy watching the expression on the girls' faces. Priceless! We said good bye to the Millwoods and left for the hotel for a good night's rest.

The next morning we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom. We had a character breakfast with Mickey and friends. (More autographs.) Then headed for Everest, the new roller coaster. Abigail rode it twice, once with me and once with Steve! She is so brave! We went on a safari and on several kid-friendly rides before it got scorching hot. That is when we headed for the river rapids. Twice. We ended the day with a great place on the parade route. The side we were on had a big space right before us where no crowd could stand, so our girls were the first kids the characters saw after a little break. Almost all of them came and hugged or high-fived Abigail and Olivia. They were in awe. And then we went home and crashed!

School Pictures and Random Update

~ Here are the girls' Spring school pictures.

~This past weekend mom and dad Blanda came for a visit. We had a great time. They got to see the girls play soccer. Well, Abigail anyway... Olivia got hit in the head with a ball and wouldn't play after that. I tried to tell her all the good soccer players hit the ball with their heads, but it didn't work! We drove around a cute neighborhood and looked at model homes (one of my fave pastimes),ate (of coarse) and played Rumikub a couple of nights. Dad and I share a love of Sudoku and he gave me a few pointers - thanks dad! I solved a difficult puzzle today in half the time I used to! I am really blessed to have such wonderful in-laws!

~My sister is probably moving to California (sniff sniff). Her boyfriend is out there interviewing for jobs right now. He's the #1 pick of 3 or 4 different companies, so it's pretty much going to happen. I am happy for them, but am sad for myself and my girls. We really like having Lindsey close by. I have really grown close to her and am afraid we'd almost never see them after they move. I'm going to miss my running partner and one of my best friends. (sniffle, sob).

~School is almost out for the year. Just over two weeks left! I'm not sure how the girls will take the change - being off for the whole summer. I can't believe Abigail will be in Kindergarten next year! Time flies by so fast!

~Abigail has a dance recital this weekend. She is very excited! Her ballet costume is so beautiful and her tap is adorable- it's a frog! The girls dance at a Christian dance studio. The theme this year is creation. Each class is a different animal for the tap, and each ballet dance and costume represents another aspect of creation. Abigail's is Earth. I'll try to get some pics of it up next week.

~We will be headed for Florida on Sunday, and then to Disney on Monday night. We'll visit the Magic Kingdom on Tues. and Animal Kingdom on Wed.! We are so excited! Again, I'll post pics when we get back!


Well, that's all for tonight. Buh-Bye!