Day One

For months and months we have been keeping this secret. It was hard and there were times that we almost blew it! Despite our almost slip ups, we did surprise them! We woke them up at 4:30am last Monday and sprung it on them. I was awake however at 2am, unable to sleep because I was sooooo excited! After the news sunk in, we were on the road and soon on a plane to LA. From there we took a bus to our hotel that was right across the street from Disney. 

We were in the park early that afternoon.

We headed straight for Fantasyland and Mickey's Toon Town.

This is the first ride we did.

We then packed as many rides in as we could before it closed at 6pm.

We went into Downtown Disney to grab dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, the kids loved it!

By the end of day one we were exhausted! Tired, but thrilled to be living the dream we had kept a secret for months! We were there for 5 days, there are so many more pictures and videos to share. Stay tuned!

Here is a video of some of our fun on the Island a few weekends ago.

Birds of a Feather

What are my girls doing???

Being scarecrows of course! 

But, these little birds were looking for some food and we didn't look too scary, so we got up close and personal with LOTS of little birds!

We spent almost a half and hour having these little birds come and greet us. Then some kind person with actual seeds gave us some and then the feast began! Cici even had a very interested squirrel come and nearly climb up her!

J Man was a little unsure of all this but soon he was brave enough to feed some too!

It always happens, the day you don't bring your 'real' camera some amazing things happen. Good thing we have our iPhones. The best camera is the one you have with you!

Cookie Sale

This past Sunday our daughters were challenged to raise money for a girl in Africa so she can go to school. The organization is the Hear Africa Foundation which was founded by someone who went to our church. Cici had a playdate yesterday and over the past weeks they had been begging to do a lemonade stand. I thought instead of lemonade, on a sunny fall day perhaps halloween cookies would be in order. Then Cici suggested instead of keeping the money they could donate it to the girl they are raising money for! Just what I was hoping she'd say! They set up right after school and with way more enthusiasm than I could imagine they let the neighbourhood know what they were selling. Soon, kids came with pennies in hand and then parents started coming too. They even stopped cars that drove by and they donated money without even having a cookie. My expectations were blown out of the water as they counted their 26 dollar profit! I am very proud of them, and they were pretty proud of themselves too. 

I'm In Pictures

This weekend the sun was out, it was warm and the beach was calling. We meet family down there and before we enjoyed the best fish and chips ever, we had a family photo shoot. I turned my camera over to my brother and bravely stepped in front with my family. It is nice to have pictures with me in it! I have a lot to learn about photography and being in front of the camera has shown me a whole new side of photography that I need to learn! It was tons of fun though and my brother, and even his wife, captured some great moments of my family!

Catch Up

This describes how I have been feeling. A bit excited. Excited that we had a great week last week celebrating our second born's birthday, Thanksgiving, seeing friends and taking a trip to the Island. I am also getting real excited about what is going to come! Of course that is under wraps for now!

We had 4 birthday's for this special girl. It all started with a special trip to the Aquarium. There was face painting, bat watching, frog spotting, a concert and the highlight, a 4D Dora and Diego movie!

There was also some creature holding.

We had a family party for B the next day with cake and gifts, then we headed out for the weekend. We can't go to the Island without taking a trip to "the statues" at Coombs. Paul and I are always a little creeped out by them but the kids love them!

We also went to the beach on the one day that perhaps was the windiest on record. 

Some loved it.

Some didn't.

Others were prepared to have some fun in it.

We also can't go to the Island without going to the old growth forest that is down the street from Grandma and Grandpa's. It is one of my favourite places to walk. It is soooo quiet in there, except for our loud kids and it is beautiful. 

Ok, I swear that us girl's didn't plan this. Honest. What are the chances that we would all wake up and meet for breakfast looking like this! It is almost like we are related or something!

Tired, So Very Tired

I am tired. Tired from 4 birthday parties for a certain 7 yr old. Seeing amazing friends who I miss. 2 Thanksgiving dinners. A much needed trip for a few days to the Island. Taking the train downtown early in the morning and getting my kids back on a school routine. I so much want to share pictures and video from all our fun but... I. Am. Tired.

Twinkle Twinkle

Give this a try, sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to the tune of Man of Sorrows, you'll be surprised. I give credit for this discovery to my hubby who apparently can't remember the tune for Twinkle Twinkle and it came out as Man of Sorrows!

Fa la la la la....

Is it too early for this?

Nope!

Apple Barn

This is how we spent our day today....



We have been going to this place even before they had all this fun stuff to do. We have pictures of all our kids as babies being held by their daddy in the apple orchard. B's picture was taken when she was only 1 week old, why I was at the apple barn with a one week old and a two year old is still a mystery to me! We had another memorable time, perhaps we could borrow a baby for another photo in the orchard, I think I know where I can get one!