Wednesday, December 26, 2012

PUMPKIN PATCH


This year's trip to the Pumpkin Patch marked a first.  No Dade.  Since we home-schooled last year I was able to still take him, but not so this year.  Which he reminded me of several times this past fall.
Grayer though was fully aware of the fun and joy this place can bring.


We were joined by beloved cousin RoRo and sister Eva, along with Aunt Stacy and Oma.
I will forever remember the way these two talked and played with each other.  Precious.


No Pumpkin Patch is complete without a hayride...


bounce house...


bounce house...


and screaming.  Seriously screaming.  We quickly figured out that the best way to get them to all look was to have them scream.


Souvenirs to take home (one for Daddy, Mommy, Dade, Aislyn, Grayer and baby girl). 


This will be Asilyn's last year.  I'm still dying inside when I think about her going to Kindergarten next year.  She has become my little companion.  Always willing to help me with anything, especially if it has to do Grayer.  What will I do without her?


This little guy is going to be beside himself without his built in playmate.


Two peas in a pod.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

DISNEY WORLD PART III


Okay, here it is.  The final installment of the Disney World pics.
Do you remember these days?  The magic of fountains.  It was so hot while we were there that the kids took every chance they could to cool off.


This was a first and we are so glad it worked out.
Grayer loves Playhouse Disney, so this was all for him.  He got to meet June from Little Einsteins.


Jake from Jake and the Never Land Pirates.


Eat some yummy food.
Yes, that is a bowl of peas.


Dade was a sport.  Playhouse Disney is no longer his "cup of tea".


They also met Handy Manny.


Agent OSO.


Then on to Dade's favorite part...
look carefully.
Yes, Jedi Training.


Az shared in the experience.


Dade had this look on his face the whole time.  I asked him after what was wrong and he had no idea what I was talking about.  Here you go bud, does that look like a happy face to you?


Now that looks a little better.
I didn't get a picture of the best part.  Right after he finished fighting Darth Vader, he was asked to use the force to push the storm troopers back.  Yep, it worked.


Az was so cute. No fear.


So after spending the first part of the day at Hollywood Studios we moved on over to Epcot...only Grayer was a little too tired to stay awake.


It started pouring rain, so the only thing I had with me was my changing pad.  It worked out pretty great.  He was dry as a bone.


I can't say the same for the other two.
Sometimes you just have to embrace the childhood fantasies.


Once everyone warmed up and dried up we went to eat at the Coral Reef Restaurant.  The kids loved looking for fish, sharks and sting rays in the enormous fish tank.


The last day was spent first at Animal Kingdom digging for dinosaur bones,


then on to Magic Kingdom


Yep, that's a baby bump.  Baby Girl Brinkerhoff due the end of January made the trip with us.  Can't wait to take her next time.

Friday, December 14, 2012

DISNEY WORLD PART II


We are going to call this post...
A Day at Disney World.


Magic Kingdom added a water fountain portion since our last visit.


Do you think it was a hit?


This might have been the kids favorite part...


We found a new goodies shop and each kid picked out their own treat.


Look at the goodness.


After cleaning up we hit some more rides.
"Mean Mom made me look into the sun for this one".


Az and Dade found these in the colonial part.


Dade wanted to know all about what they were used for, when did we stop using them, why, etc.?  Who says you can't make education fun?


He never stood a chance.  We had such a go, go, go pace that he had to nap whenever, wherever he could.  Even on the monorail.


After a full day at the park we headed to a character dinner.


This was our first time doing the Cinderella dinner.


Aislyn was in HEAVEN.


She barely ate.  She was too worried she was going to miss seeing someone.


Hey there CUTIES!


Even the wicked step mother was awesome.


Hands down favorite...


Anastasia was so funny.  She was the best.
*Next Post*
Disney World Part III

Thursday, December 13, 2012

DISNEY WORLD 2012 PART I


This year our Annual Trip to Disney took place the end of September/beginning of October.


We tried several times during the trip to get a good picture of the whole family, but as you will see it turned out to be too much to ask for.


This was Grayer's first trip...and boy did he LOVE it.  This kid loves anything Mickey Mouse (Meeshka, as he likes to call it)


The safari ride was one of the first rides and these two were pros.


Grayer on the other hand was a little bit unsure.  He held on tight to Momma the whole time.


*This one is for me*
The "Tour Guide" told us the bridge might give out, so we had better cross our fingers.  Do you think Dade believed her?


Disney is so amazing.  Not only are there amazing rides to ride, but then they even have cute stuff like this.  This little coloring table in the middle of nowhere.
The kids each took turns getting bracelets made right after this.


Growing, growing, growing!


The next day we went to Epcot for lunch at Teppan Edo.  Grayer thought the hibachi was a little loud.  He spent the whole meal like this...note the chopstick in hand, and the bracelet from the day before.


Self taken picture.  This kid loves hibachi.


Tour Guide #1


Tour Guide #2


Tour Guide #3


Each morning as we waited for the bus the kids got to go and watch the horses...


play on the rocks...


just play.  
It was so humid that almost all of pictures we took in the morning turned out like this.


Hollywood Studios.
Favorite Ride.
Toy Story.


Yeah, we rock in 3D glasses.


Silly.


Silly.


Captivated.


I love these cute little people.


He was happy to just be there and look around at the people and attractions.

*Next Post*
Disney World Part II