Santa

The girls with Santa

Doug and I picked up Riley one Tuesday and then went to get Kamryn from school so we could go and see Santa. When we got to Kamryn's school to pick her up she asked if her friend Taylor could come with us. We called Taylor's mom and she said OK so off we went. Luckily I had some extra clothes so Taylor could change out of her school uniform. We love going to see this Santa and have gone every year since the girls were little. It's fun to see how the kids progress. The girls enjoy giving Santa their lists.

Riley, Kamryn and Taylor with Santa

Kamryn giving Santa her list

Riley pleading with Santa and assuring him that she would be good The girls throwing coins in the fountain at the mall

20 Year Banquet

Doug and I at his 20 Year Banquet.

Every year Disney puts on banquets for the cast members who have hit milestones (10, 15, 20, 25, years etc). Doug had hit 20 years back in January so we were excited to go to his banquet. They had characters walking around and we got a special picture with Mickey. They also had a cocktail hour and then an awesome dinner with entertainment. We had a wonderful evening getting all dressed up and seeing people we both knew and had worked with over the years!

Our yummy dessert

Me and an old work buddy (Wendy) who hit her 20 years as well

Cupcakes

Riley had wanted me to make cupcakes that she could take to school for her birthday. Well, she got into trouble at school (talking) right before her birthday so I told her she had to go a whole week with green lights and then I would bring in cupcakes. It took her a month before that happened. She had initially wanted Halloween cupcakes but that holiday had passed. So, I decided to make turkey cupcakes and this is how they turned out. Riley was so excited when she woke up the next day and got to take these to class. From what I hear, the kids and teachers loved them!! Luckily, we were working the Book Fair that day so Doug was able to sneak in and grab one too. Riley gave mine to the principal so I guess I can't complain.

Riley and her cupcakes!!

Montverde Days

Not the best pic, but Riley is in the middle in the front with a mic in front of her.

A local town out here, Montverde, had a little festival. So, they asked the dance studio to be part of the entertainment. Riley got to perform a portion of her competition piece and several other classes got to perform. It was fun watching them and then walking around looking at the booths. The girls spent a lot of time playing the games the Girl Scouts were sponsoring. Kamryn even won a goldfish!

Corn Maze

The morning of Halloween we went to a local corn maze. I've taken the girls there before, but Doug had never been there. I also brought some of the Young Women for an activity. We had fun getting lost in the corn! The maze is like 7 acres or more and the maze always has a theme - this year it was weather. Inside the maze they have different stations where you can find answers to questions (weather related) and make rubs. You take a flag in with you in case you get hopelessly lost and need help getting out. We didn't need help, but we didn't find all the stations either. Oh well, it was fun.

A map of the maze and the colors of the tape used. We walked around in circles in the sunglasses, but that was our only problem.

Doug, Riley, Kamryn and I as we get ready to enter the maze. Doug went with our kids and took 2 others (Natalie and Becca) from the other leader (Wendy) that was with us. I don't know if he had as much fun as we did, but he was a trooper!!

Wendy and myself along with several of our Young Women from church - Shea, Alex, Ana, Olivia and Citra

The girls after we made it out. We had sung songs and learned some camp things as we walked. I'm sure others thought we were nuts, but fortunately we didn't see that many people.

The group (plus Riley) in the "wind tunnel" they had set up.

Fall Festival and Halloween

The girls were Pirates this year for both the Fall Festival and Halloween (usually they wear different costumes for each)
Is she looking for treasure?

I see you!!

The kids had two nights in a row of dress up fun - our church fall festival and trunk or treat and then Halloween and trick or treating. They had a great night on both days and got TONS of candy!! At the Fall Festival, we took a different approach and did a pot luck dinner and had the youth put on skits (the YW won best skit). Then there was the usual costume parade and trunk or treat. Riley won a prize for Best Piratess costume. They enjoyed spending time with their friends and getting candy. For Halloween, we went trick or treating with a neighbor and made it all the way around the neighborhood! It took two hours but the kids had a blast!

At the Fall Festival, the Young Women did a dance to a medley of songs. They did such an awesome job and everybody loved it!!

Getting ready to pillage and plunder on Halloween!!

Kamryn and Taylor at Disney

Ready to attack the day at the park and looking cool!!

Monday Riley was out of school and we went to Disney. Well, Thursday, October 29th, Kamryn was out of school so I took her to Disney too. The only difference was we took a friend of hers too - Taylor. Taylor is Kamryn's best friend and has been since last year. Infact, Taylo's parents decided to keep her in the school again basically due to Kamryn being there. They get along really well at school, but I knew this would be a test. The girls had so much fun!! We rode lots of rides (Buzz Lightyear, Speedway, Teacups, Carousel, Small World, Peter Pan, Magic Carpets, etc) and saw the Princesses! They could have stayed there forever playing, but we had to pick up Riley at school and both girls had dance. All in all it was an awesome day!!

Meeting Mickey and Minnie!!

Seeing one of their favorite princesses...Cinderella

Getting ready to spin in the teacups!!

Driving on the speedway -- they were both driving.

Friends from NC

On Tuesday, October 27th, we went and picked up some friends who were down here from NC. It was great to see Mike and Heidi and their adorable kids. We had hoped to meet up with them in the park, but that didn't work out. So, we went and picked them up from their hotel and took them to a non-Disney restaurant. The kids got along great and it was fun catching up with them. I've known Mike since my 4-H days and his sister Melissa has been down several times with her family, but this was Mike's first visit to Disney with his wife and kids. I think they had a fun time and were able to do some really cool things (lunch in the castle, other character meals, etc) but I think (and hope) they enjoyed their brief break we offered them. After dinner, we went back to their hotel and got some ice cream and hung out for a little bit. Our girls wanted to keep Lily here! It was fun watching them play.