Spring Break

We had such a fun Spring Break this year. The highlights were a trip to the beach, a visit to the waterparks and the girls spending the night at grandma's while Doug and I spent a night out.

playing in the sand

We went to New Smyrna Beach (on the east side of FL) with some friends. I had never been to this particular beach, but we had a blast. The girls all played well together and got into he water a little bit. This meant us moms could just hang out and relax and read and talk. I guess we're lucky that it wasn't really hot yet (it was actually really pleasant that day which is unusual for FL in the spring) so we didn't have to get in the water.

For our waterpark we chose Typhoon Lagoon. Again, it wasn't overly warm outside which is why we went there (the water is warmer there). We hadn't been there in awhile so we had fun riding rides and riding the waves in the pool. It was just the girls and I because Doug was working, but we still had fun.

Then, the girls got to spend the night at Grandma Jeryl's house. They got to eat junk food - Johnny Rockets, pizza, etc - and do all kinds of fun things like miniature golf and stuff. While they wer having fun, Doug and I went to Disney for the day and night. We didn't go to the park, but instead hung out at the hotel pool and actually relaxed. Then, we went to dinner and a movie. It was so fun not worrying about getting home to pay the babysitter,etc.

Our Spring Break was great, but the kids were excited to get back to school!!

Fort Wilderness

As Young Woman President at church (for those not of our faith, I work with the girls ages 12-18) I try and find fun things to do with the girls. We use a system where they can 'earn' beads for bringing their scriptures, giving talks, being prepared, etc. When our jar is full, we then try and plan an activity that they want to do. So far we have only gotten two in, but have another coming up very soon. They usually earn them about once a quarter. The first time we went to a corn maze. This time we went to Fort Wilderness to the campfire sing-a-long and movie. We roasted marshmallows and made smores, sang a few songs, and then watched Wall-E. It was a fun relaxing night!

Shea and Ana on the bus ride from the parking lot
Citra and Isabel enjoying the ride
Citra and Ana roasting marshmallows - Ana had never had smores before so it was quite the experience for her

Shea getting her marshmallows just right

Our wonderful YW after a fun night!!

Citra's mom, LeShan, one of my counselors was there too. Plus, due to needing babysitters a lot that week/weekend, my girls came too. They thought they were special because they got to be with the "big girls." I have no idea what the next event will be, but I know we will have fun because these girls are awesome!! I only hope next time more of them can join us!!

The resulting hairstyles

After scrounging around my house to find green ribbon, I got lucky. The girls knew what they wanted to do and these were the resulting hairstyles. They both looked cute, had green in their hair, and could wear these styles to dance. It was great! We didn't' do anything else to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but at least we all had green on that day.

Kamryn wanted her hair braided with this ribbon weave. It looked way cute in her hair and it was super easy!

Riley wanted more of a 'tween' do so we just did a small braid with a green patterned ribbon and then swept it all into a side pony. Again, cute and super easy!

I forgot to include a picture of me, but I even find a simple hairstyle I could do on myself and then attached a small green ribbon at the bottom. Lots of family hair fun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

So, the girls and I were talking tonight about St. Patty's Day. I still don't think they get the holiday, but they know they need to wear green. So, we decided to try and do something cool with their hair tomorrow. Well, we started looking about 7:30pm, just before they should be heading off to bed. We found a style for each of them but they both require ribbon. So, I started looking around and couldn't find any green ribbon. I started to panic thinking I would have to head to the store with both of my girls right then or go when Doug got home from work around 11pm. I kept searching and found something that would work for Riley. I still needed a thin green ribbon for Kamryn but couldn't find any in the house. I knew I had some so I checked the guest room and all of our gift wrap/box/bow places. I checked my bedroom and the craft supply in the closet. I even checked in the garage. I knew I had seen some around the holidays but couldn't figure out where it was. Then, I come into the office to sit down at the computer and look at the bookcase and see lots of stuff, but no ribbon. I scan the top two shelves and then ...voila...there is is on the third shelf. Yea!! I'm saved. So tomorrow both of the girls should have fun St.Patty's Day hairstyles. Stay tuned!!

Catching Up

OK. I have been neglectful of my blog (as my mom and others remind me). So, I'm really far behind. I'm going to do my best not to let that happen again...AND to remember to take pictures so I can put them on here. I have started going back through and blogging about the events that happened through December and into January and February. So, you'll probably see different things pop up from time to time as I get around to completely catching up. Enjoy and sorry for the wait.

Pirate Day @ Disney

Riley won a Radio Disney contest where she and friend got to go to the new Disney Pirate experience. It's like the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique only in pirate form. Since the girls both had pirate dresses they decided to wear them to get the full experience! We walked around that afternoon until it was time to head over. Just in case you're wondering, you can find this right next to the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Riley before

Kamryn before

Riley getting her make-up done

Kamryn starting to look like a pirate

The girls in their pirate costumes looking like they are ready to plunder and pillage

We had so many people who stopped to say hi to them as we walked around the rest of the day. We ended up at Hollywood Studios to go and look at the lights. Well, we decided to take in the Indiana Jones show since the lines for the rides were too long. As we were walking up the girls were acting like pirates and the cast members had us wait to the side and then they escorted us to the bottom of the theater to the VIP section. We ended up sitting in the second row right next to the control booth (I've seen that show many times and have never sat that close). Kamryn didn't like that we were so close to the "action" especially when the fire was going, but it was a great experience. We ended our day walking through the lights and singing Christmas carols. A great day with our pirate princesses!!

Family Reunion x 2

In the span of about three weeks we had two reunions with Doug's family. The first was over Thanksgiving weekend. At Thanksgiving, his mom and her sister and brother got the family (or some of it anyway) together in The Villages. While not all of the cousins and there families could attend, I still met some family that I have never met before (and Doug and I have been married for 13 years). Due to our crazy schedules, we could only join them for the Saturday night dinner. We did get to spend some time with Desta and her girls on Friday. It was fun seeing everyone and catching up with them.

Doug, his sister Desta, his brother Vic, his mother Jeryl and her husband Al and our families
The Cousins!

Riley and her cousin Peyton - they love to hand out together

Kamryn, Piper, Riley and Peyton

The second time we all got together was closer to Christmas. Doug's brother Girard was coming in from Thailand so Desta and the girls came back to Florida. I'm sure they were happy to escape cold, windy Chicago. At least we weren't having our super cold weather yet. We took the whole group (Vic, Josie, Heather, Austin, Desta, Peyton, Piper, Riley, Kamryn, and Doug and I) to Disney on our annual Christmas outing. We always go with Vic's family, but we have never gone with this many people. It was CRAZY!! We hit the Magic Kingdom and surprisingly did a lot considering the size of our group. We wanted to go to Hollywood studios too, but dinner reservations at BOMA won out. It was very long and fun day! Then, the next evening we all got together and celebrated Christmas, not to mention Vic and Girard's birthdays. We had a lot of fun, but unfortunately Doug's mom was sick and could not join us. We've never been together this close to Christmas and that made it even more special.

Kamryn and Heather

Uncle Girard blowing out his candles with Kamryn and Piper watching

The cake for Vic and Girard

Girard's girlfriend crocheted this hat and scarf for Kamryn - too cute

Dance in December

The beginning of December was very busy for us. Not just because it's December and the holidays are coming, but because there were opportunities for Riley to dance in two parades and then at a local city event. The parades were awesome. The studio always does a great job. This year they were in two parades (on the same day) and they changed the song line-up so there were 6 and not 3. They also elected to have all the new dancers and any that needed to replace costumes to be snowmen rather than santas. It made for a very cute parade. During the daytime parade, Kamryn was able to walk and hand out candy canes. She had a lot of fun but would have preferred to dance. At the parade that night, we sat with another family who has a daughter Kamryn's age (her big sister is in Riley's class) and watched them as they danced by. It was great to see them and were the best of the night (we might be biased, but they won an award). In addition, the following weekend the studio was asked to dance at a "Snowday" event in a local city. So, Riley danced to a jazz piece and a hip hop piece that were to Christmas music. Several other classes danced too and all the kids had fun and did great.

Kamryn and one of her friends at the Snowday event
Riley and her class finishing up their hip hop number with their poses (and Kamryn running by to go somewhere)

A little hip hop

Practicing her extension and getting ready to go on stage for jazz
(she can do this and smile at the same time too)

The nighttime parade - Riley is the snowman in the front row (she wouldn't look so I could get her face)

Kamryn and Ella waiting for their sisters

Kamryn with some of her favorite people as we wait for the parade to start

Kamryn with her bucket ready to go
(she had to have makeup just like her sister)

Riley in her snowman outfit ready to go

Christmas Programs

Both girls were in Christmas programs at their schools during December. One night we were at Kamryn's school and the next night (literally) we were at Riley's. Both programs were wonderful.
I was actually surprised that Riley's school could do a program (2nd grade performed at PTO night) that had Christmas songs in it. They did sing a little about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but most was about Christmas and Santa getting amnesia and being lost at the South Pole. It was a very funny program and all the kids did great.

The stage full of second graders singing. Riley is up there somewhere, but she's in the back row so it's hard to see her.
Kamryn's class (k-4), the k-3 class and the kindergarten's waiting to go on

Kamryn and her friends Taylor and Peyton. They were both stars and Kamryn was one of the angels.

Kamryn after getting her halo

Kamryn's program is very Christ centered which makes since she goes to a private school at a Baptist church. We love this school for the girls when they are young (Riley went there too) as they learn so much about our Savior. They can both tell you more Bible stories than me probably. They did a good job learning all their parts and songs. I was excited because Kamryn learned several hymns and was then able to sing at church with us on Sundays. Usually she just pretends while we all sing since she can't read the words yet. We're very proud of the girls and the great job they did.