Disney World Pt 1 - How We Surprised Our Kids with the Trip

I know, I know. Yes - we went to Disney in December! But what the what? --- It's almost June! How is that possible?? So, Yes, I totally need to get around to posting about Disney huh? It was magic, pure magic. I was in in heaven. I am a total Disney girl, through and through, so you KNOW I was stoked. And it was just the best time to go. The crowds were super low, we were still in shorts (and swam one day!), and it was beautifully decorated for Christmas. It even snowed during the main street parade!

I'm going to break down parts of our trip to avoid a super long post. Part one is how we told the kids. We decided not to tell them until the morning of. We kept mentioning it from time to time on "Oh, how I wish Mickey would invite us to Disney!" "I wonder when he will?" "I bet if we keep dreaming about it and being really good he will invite us!" We made it known that Mickey only invites good boys and good girls and he notices. And when you're really good, then he will send you an invite to come visit.

The good thing is we were in the midst of Elf on the Shelf, so we just had Sylvester bring their "Invite" as a present from Santa AND Mickey.

box with tshirts and Sylvester the Elf. 

Then, we had two monogrammed tshirts sitting on top of a wrapped box. When they opened the box out popped balloons. I went to Party City and got some Mickey and Minnie Mouse balloons, so when they opened the box the helium balloons popped out. The "invite" said to watch a person video on Daddy's ipad.

And here's where I totally go over the top lol. It took me an entire day, but I looked all over Youtube for some video of the real Mickey Mouse and Minnie addressing the camera, without other kids in it. (hard to do trust me!!)

Then I dubbed my voice over it, and pretended I was Mickey and Minnie inviting them to Disney (yes - thats really me as Mickey and Minnie, lol!!) Don't I sound like the real thing? (not!)

Baseball Boy

Apparently baseball starts pretty young here - haha! And that's ok, the younger they are, the cuter they are trying to bat, run, catch, and all of the above. To say he was excited when he found out he was going to be a Pirate was an understatement. (Although a wee disappointed to discover he wasn't getting an eyepatch). He chose #6, the beloved number of Predator Shea Weber (the boy is OBSESSED with hockey, wrong sport huh).

All in all it was a fun season of boys learning the sport Jake and I both played (see below). He was destined to be a baseball "boy of summer" :)

Jake, front row center :)

Me, in the monogrammed hat third from the right (my sister is on the end)

Jules mostly played in the dirt. And even though asked a million times, she had no desire to play. 

Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!
We're born again, there's new grass on the field.
A-roundin' third, and headed for home, it's a brown-eyed handsome man;
Anyone can understand the way I feel.

Showing his teammates his "muscles"

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield.

Gideon, Ryder, Josh

He turned big overnight :(

Well, I spent some time in the Mudville Nine, watchin' it from the bench;
You know I took some lumps when the Mighty Casey struck out.
So Say Hey Willie, tell Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio;
Don't say "it ain't so", you know the time is now.

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield.

Running as fast as he can, even though there is no score, and no outs, even if the boys knew how to get someone out - ha!

Typical

Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes;
You know I think it's time to give this game a ride.
Just to hit the ball and touch 'em all - a moment in the sun;
(pop) It's gone and you can tell that one goodbye!

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield.

Mother's Day 2014

I am usually not a fan of Mother's Day. It's odd I guess. I loathed it during those years I was trying to have a baby then couldn't. Then when Mother's Day occurred when I finally had my babies, I think I wanted it to be this huge eventful special day, which usually lies on the hands of the dad. Granted, he's a good one, he just has not, nor ever will think celebrations are special or eventful. He doesn't like birthdays, and thinks people are silly for celebrating them. That's just him. I am the opposite, but that's ok, lol. So Mother's Day isn't usually a big deal around here. 

This year was a little different. Jake's family didn't plan a big to-do down there. They decided to go a little lower key and go out to lunch. It happened to be during nap time anyway, so we just hung back. The day wasn't eventful, or over the top, but it was PERFECT. The kids were great, they were so sweet and well behaved all day. Jake didn't play golf and was present with me and with them ALL DAY. woohoo. Like I said, we didn't do much. We went on a family walk, ate lunch on our deck outside, and went and rode around on the golf course (while yes, you laugh - this was my idea! The weather was just so perfect!) and let the kids hit a few balls. It's wasn't eventful, but it was quaint and special, and PERFECT. Sweet little family day. I love being a Mommy.

Baby Sutton

I was given the honor of taking pictures of my new niece, Sutton. She is my younger sister's new daughter. Although born early and a NICU baby to start, she is a ball of cuteness. My brother-in-law is a pianist, so it made perfect sense to also bring Sutton's piano along for photos. Here are some of my favorites. They were taken at UT botanical gardens in Knoxville :)

Had to take advantage of the pretty flowers and take some pics of Josh and Jules :)

Easter 2014