Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! This year we had so many fun things to do at Christmas time. We really focused this year on family and the anticipation (advent) of the season. It was really neat to try some new traditions. For Christmas Eve this year we spent it at Chris' parents' house (as usual). Chris dressed up as Santa Claus (Usually Kiley's job) but took it a step further. with the warm weather out, he got out on the roof and played games with the kids - Simon says, red light-green light, and maybe a few others. It was so funny - the kids knew it was Chris but still got a kick out of "Santa" on grandma and grandpa's roof. The joke turned out to be for everyone else too - lots of neighbors stopped by, random people came over and took pictures, cars slammed on their breaks to point out "Santa" and the little kids from across the street came over for some last Christmas wishes to tell Santa - and to let him know about the cookies they were making. It was hysterical. We spent some great time with family and had lots of laughs. On Christmas morning we had my mom, Rick, and Pa as well as Sharalee and Kiley and family over for Christmas Breakfast. We had a very relaxing morning and I made some last minute Gingerbread Lattes that turned out to be a hit and will probably be a new tradition! In the afternoon we headed back to mom & dad Roberts for some more hang out time! Merry Christmas everyone!

Check out our Christmas Season Pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had the opportunity this year with the new house to host our first family Thanksgiving. My side - the Martindales came in for this year! Samara and Brian and the kids came in and stayed with us. Shanna and dad did as well. We had a full house and were using every available space. It was great though. Mom, Rick and Pa and Kiley, Sharalee and their kids joined us on the big day as well as hung out for the next few days. It was a nice time of family. The food was great (as usual) with everyone contributing. The next day we decided to all start Christmas together since we wouldn't be together for Christmas. We all helped decorate the tree. Then we went across the street to a farm called Hunt Club and did their winter wonderland experience. We toured santa's worshop, met santa, went on a horse drawn carriage ride in an 1800s carriage, and then roasted marshmellows over an open fire. What a great family tradition! We hope it continues! To see more thanksgiving pictures - click here.

Walt Disney World!

We took our first family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL last week! The kids had a wonderful time. We spent 3 days in the parks. We were at Magic Kingdom for 2 days and Animal Kingdom for 1 (in the middle). Our first ride was the tea cups at Magic Kingdom and we also closed our time at Disney on the tea cups. The kids couldn't get enough of the ride. We went on vacation with Chris' sister, her husband and their son, Noah. We also took our niece Haley with us. If I went over everything we did, I think it would be a very long blog! We got to stay at the Old Key West Resort on Disney property. We got a 2 bedroom suit and it worked out wonderfully! Everyone keeps asking me what my favorite thing was. I think it was seeing the kids' faces with each "new thing" - first roller coaster, first time meeting each of the characters and just the first time experiencing the magic of Disney. I cried when Haley saw Sleeping Beauty (the princess she was dressed at and who she was most excited to see!) for the first time. It was so sweet. We were not without our obstacles (traveling with 2 four year olds and a 5 year old). Our nephew, Noah fell and got a big cut over his eye (ended up with the dermabond glue instead of stitches!). It was great to see "Disney in action" they turned everything around and made it still a wonderful experience. We had a great time and can't wait to go back. My sister in law Shannon and I took 1400 pictures:) I only uploaded approx. 300! Check out the pictures.

New House

Here are a few pictures of the new house. Still a work in progress!

Disney On Ice

I took Hannah to go see Disney on Ice with a with a bunch of girls from my church on Wednesday! Hannah and Haley (and just about every other little girl) dressed up like a princess to watch the show. The kids had a great time. It was a late show - from 7:30-9:30pm so by the end the kids were all really tired. Not a lot of fussing, just looked like they were going to pass out! Hannah fell asleep in the car before I even made it out of the parking lot. Lots of fun though. We can't wait for our first trip to Disney World in November! Here are pictures of the ice show: DISNEYONICE.

New Home

Of course the closing hasn't happened yet but we have a contact on a house that was accepted and have completed the home inspection today! Here is what we hope will be our new home! We'll post more on it later I'm sure!

Update: Our closing is set for October 16th! Packing and craziness has begun! We are looking forward to moving to our new house! We'll post more pictures soon I'm sure.

Moving!

So, we sold our house and we move out on Oct. 16th. We have put a contract on a house that is 10 minutes away and are waiting for the home inspection of that house to finalize the deal! More info to come but I've been slacking on blogging because my life/house has been flipped upside down. If you are reading this, you probably know me and know that when my house isn't organized, I feel crazy. So here is to crazy for the next 3 weeks!