Walt Disney World

Here are some photos of our family vacation to Orlando at the end of May.  It was busy, busy with 4 days of driving and 6 days straight of theme parks.  It was Madeline's first time at a Disney park, and I thought we made it soon enough for her to have the magic Disney childhood moments with the princesses and Small World, but her favorite part by far was the roller coasters.  Once she had her first thrill ride, she wasn't very interested in anything else.  Sierra loved pretty much everything--the shows, flowers, roller   coasters-- except for meeting the characters, who it turns out really frightened her.  Caleb loved trying new foods at the countries in Epcot, the live digital puppetry  shows, and of course the roller coasters.  The first two times we went to Disney World I was pregnant and couldn't go on any roller coasters.  After six days of thrill rides with this wild bunch, I'm thinking that wasn't such a bad idea...

Epcot had many Disney characters in display through flowers and plants

We met Sleeping Beauty in France--Madeline was shy, Caleb embarrassed, and Sierra frightened

All the kids trying to make a call from the phone booth in England

Totem pole in Canada

Disney Gothic

Seeing the 3-D Bug's Life movie in Animal Kingdom

On our safari

The ride that was the biggest hit of the vacation was Everest Expedition. The kids went  on it 3 times in a row and would have gone again if we weren't worried their brains would be permanently damaged.  Here they are posing with the abominable snowman.

Everest Expedition--the kids rode up and down (backwards!) three times in 10 minutes 

Cinderella's castle at Magic Kingdom

Splash Mountain was another favorite

Madeline said Donald Duck was her favorite character because he makes her laugh

Hollywood Studios

Jennifer's visit

My sister Jennifer came from California.  Michelle and I enjoyed spending time with her.  We spent a lovely day at the Botanical Gardens and saw the musical Memphis with Ted and Danny.

Sierra turns 9

Sierra celebrated her 9th birthday with a puffle party.  Caleb and I enjoyed designing and making her cake.  It turned out pretty well, and the cotton candy hair was a big hit.

DI competition

This year I coached Caleb's DI team with another mom.  They did an improv challenge and came in 2nd place at the regional competition.  Sierra's team came in 4th place.  It was a great year!

2011 Year in Review

I decided to write the entire year at once since I missed doing it. Highlights include record snows with 4 days of cancelled school in once year (and lots of homemade cinnamon rolls), the Destination Imagination competition, adopting our adorable puppy Peaches,Caleb joined Boy Scouts, Sierra's ballet recital, Madeline started kindergarten, I started the occupational therapy Masters program at TWU, and holidays with family!