Sledding, daddy's style

It's mid-January and we finally had a decent snowfall where the kids could go sledding. Aaron's style is to attach a piece of plywood behind a tractor. The kids have such a blast. Even Kyra was bound and determined to hang on as long as she could.

Drew at 8 months. He's beginning to look more and more like my dad with a slight reddish tinge to his hair. It'll be interesting to see what color of hair he will have! He finally got his first tooth too (late like my other ones). Drew is becoming accustomed to using his thumb when he's thirsty or upset and sticks his tongue out consistently (we think because he's feeling his tooth with it).

Disneyworld 2012

This winter we took the three older children to DisneyWorld for a family vacation. We had such a WONDERFUL time. We all cannot wait to go back again! Here we are, ready for our first plane to take off!

Here we are loading our bus that took us to our resort.


The beautiful Magic Kingdom's castle. Of the entire trip, my favorite part was the light show done with music on the castle (after the light parade and before the fireworks). I thought it was truly amazing and beautiful.


Kyra on the carousel.

Kyra had been waiting to see Mickey and Minnie as soon as we arrived. This was her expression when she saw them for the first time.

Our first character dining was at the Crystal Palace. Pooh and friends joined us for breakfast!

This was Nick, Aaron, and Kadence's favorite ride...Splash Mountain. Kyra was too small to ride, so I hung out with her while the other 3 went on the ride time and time again.

Nick was pretty pumped when he saw Lightning McQueen and Mater.

Kadence and Kyra both waved frantically at Cinderella the first time they saw her. After meeting her for the fourth time, however, they weren't quite as enthused. :-)

Nick and Kadence on one of the rides. Believe it or not, but we actually saw Kadence's old preschool teacher at Disneyworld...not once, but twice!

It was so funny watching Kyra in the 3D movies. She kept reaching for the items that were coming towards her.

Here is one of the Christmas trees they had decorated while we were there. This one was at Hollywood Studios.

It was pretty cute when the Toy Story gang came down the street at Hollywood Studios. Nick said, "Mom! It's Woody!" Kadence waved at Woody and yelled, "Hi Woody! Hey! It's Nick!" as she pointed at Nick (like he was supposed to know Nick).

We had supper with Cinderella and her step sisters one night. As you will see later, one of the ugly stepsisters picked Nick and Kadence to dance with her out of the entire restaurant. Kyra stuck out her bottom lip because she had only picked Nick and Kadence. Sure enough, guess who walked by and picked Kyra...Cinderella.

Here is Drizella dancing with Nick and Kadence. A lot of the kids lined up behind Nick and Kadence, wanting a chance to dance with her, but she didn't let go of their hands. She just kept dancing and dancing and dancing. Nick was laughing hysterically at how she danced.

Each of the kids picked different items out for souveniers. This is what Kyra wanted (and the ONLY thing she wanted).

The beautiful Belle and the kiddos at Askerhaus. This is also the place where Kyra decided to through a fit by throwing her pop on the floor after Ariel stood behind her for the picture (Kyra wanted her to stand NEXT to her).

Cinderella and the kids.

I got Nick and Kadence to go on the Expedition Everest roller coaster ride with me. We had a BLAST! Kadence wasn't nervous at all but Nick was!

Minnie Mouse and the kids enjoying breakfast!

Kyra and Nick on the bus going back to the resort. The last night we were there, Kyra had had enough of the bus rides. She wanted to "stay here" which meant the resort. So Aaron took the older two back to Magic Kingdom (where they wanted to go) and I stayed at the resort with Kyra. The nice thing is that they had an outdoor movie playing (Finding Nemo), so we went and ate pizza on their lounge chairs while we watched the movie. It was a great time to spend with Kyra.

Aaron and Kadence

Mickey Mouse at Chef Mickey's!

We stayed at the Carribean Resort. AWESOME place!

Although the weather was pretty chilly the first few days we were there, it turned out to be absolutely beautiful the last couple of days. Here is Nick swimming in their pool. Kadence and Kyra are to the right of the camera shot.

Nick was tuckered out when we got home. I had to take this picture. He didn't even have a chance to say his prayers...he just layed down and fell asleep in this position.

Christmas 2011

The kids had specific items on their Christmas lists this year. We told them our trip to DisneyWorld was the "big" gift and to not ask for other items, even though we had something else planned! :-) Santa decided to come and bring a few larger gifts as well, telling the kids that they were very good this year, especially helping mom and being so good to Drew. The picture below is Kyra receiving a Play with me Elmo and Nick and Kadence both receiving i-pods. Drew was more interested in the tissue paper than anything else and was always "on the go" for it.

The next few pictures are taken at Dale and Charleen's house where we celebrated Christmas with them and Jodi and Chris and kids.

Gingerbread Houses

Aaron helped the kids make their gingerbread houses again this year. I think he finally caught on that this is "his" event with the kids each Christmas.

Ice Skating

Nick and Kadence decided to try ice skating this winter. Kadence was a pro and had no problem staying up without her walker, although she still liked to " have it around". Nick had some difficulties at first with his balance, but after a short time he was skating around like a pro as well. They both had an enjoyable time and have gone a few more times. I'm guessing basketball and football will be more of Nick's forte's, probably not hockey at this point in time.

Drew 7 months old

Here are few snapshots of Drew at 7 months. He is such a happy and cuddly baby. As you tell in the picture below, he is also patient with his older siblings, allowing them to "play" with him.