Mad Hatter's Tea Party: Family

Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Florida

So - our trip to Florida was a lot of fun. It was a bit warmer there too. So much so that my chronically cold husband often mentions moving there. Ah well, I really didn't want to live in Australia anyway. However, we did an amazing thing in Florida. We took the camera, removed it from the case and actually took pictures. I know - SHOCKER for us too. Here are some of the best as we have about 150 - at least. If anyone wants more, let me know.

Dominique really got into the spirit of the Animal Kingdom.

She learned tons about safety and prevention at innovations in EPCOT. Does anyone know what EPCOT stands for?

Every Person Comes Out Tired

Just Kidding, but it is seriously a lot of walking in EPCOT that you notice your are doing.

As ironic as it sounds, despite the walking and all the interesting sites, the simplest thing kept everyone interested. The magic screen at innovations where you could make water ripple and move leaves around. It was the highlight of the day.

And fish in the tank took a very close second.

Who knew holding still could be so much fun!!!

Hollywood Studio boasts millions of Christmas lights for the Osborne Light Spectacular. A man used to put all the lights you see here and more that we didn't get pictures of for his daughter who was dying of cancer. Now, Hollywood Studios carries on the tradition in their back lot streets. Pretty cool and they dance to music.

If you ever book a Disney package, book the one that comes with a character breakfast. It is awesome to watch the kids hang out with their favorite characters.

Xander was desperately trying to figure out who was inside that big head. We had our at the Hollywood Studios. It was great - in case you ever visit the Hollywood Studios, eat at the Sci-Fi Diner but don't forget to go for lunch and make your reservations early.

We all had a good time on vacation.

There are some very interesting architectural details in all the buildings at Disney World.

The kids met a lot of characters. Minquers got a lot of autographs in her book. We look forward to future trips.

They got to see and do a lot from different cultures and countries.

The view from our room was awesome! We stayed right on the Savannah at the Animal Kingdom. Animals walked right up to your room.

More of the kids just having a blast.

Dancing to the High School Musical 3 Live Show.

However, no matter how many Santa hats and lights you splash around, it just doesn't feel like Christmas time without the snow - or that's my opinion.

And a familiar sight that you can't miss.

And a little more for the boys - test track and their cars.

And there is one more picture -

In an attempt to catch Minquers performing the hula at the Ohana restaurant (highly recommended if you have the chance on a night the Magic Kingdom does fireworks)....

Yes there is a photo coming -

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And only Jon's family will get the joke.....

But really, it is funny
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I made a tribute to Jason's montage of Thanksgiving.

My how it flies when your having fun!

WOW - November is disappearing quicker than I thought. We have had our bout with the flu and now the last of us is getting over it - THANK GOODNESS. There are only two weeks to Thanksgiving and three weeks before we will be on a plane to Florida. My how the tine goes!!

We are working on getting a more permanent residence. We will have more information on that as it comes. We are excited and nervous, but ready to take it on. Right now, we are redoing some work in the current place to unload it onto someone else and then I imagine, we will be outta here!!!!

There isn't a whole lot more going on around here for now. I'll talk to you all again later.

I actually have pictures!!! I know - shocker!

I completely forgot that I actually have photos. They are from our family session at the beginning of August.

Heaven's where does the time go??????

I can't believe that I haven't posted anything for over six months. Well, I've been busy. I got let go from my job at the school. About five weeks ago, I found a job at a day care taking care of the older school children. I LOVE it now that I have my own classroom. I have completed my first set of classes and I am half way through my second set. Jon has become a party animal, suggesting that we attend and actually attending our old friend's Talk Like a Pirate Party!!! It was soooo much fun!

We arranged to have our dog bordered for our trip to Florida and are looking forward to a long vacation. The Lancer is paid off - a full seven months early opening up some money in the budget. The house hunt is halted because we can't seem to unload this stupid trailer!!!

Dominique has passed off her soft shoe steps and moved into the advanced beginner class. Her first feis (competition) is October 10 in Provo. We are all very excited although she claims to be more nervous than excited. If you want details, let me know. I am soooooo hoping that she does awesome! I promise to take pictures this time - I swear!!
We also had the investiture and rededication for Girl Scouts on the 30th of September and she is now officially a Brownie girl scout. I am not sure if we can put anything more on her plate.

Xander is finally walking with persistence and shoes. He is so cute - military walker just like he crawled. He says "We did it!" when he claps his hands and is becoming more vocal everyday. He absolutely refuses to being helped when eating and has an increasing interest in utensils. Kinda crazy!!! It just took him seeing a lot of other kids walking around and talking before he bothered to become interested. But it worked!!

Being Pretty Lazy

So, Jon has unfortunately deemed this week the week of death. To go along with the death of the Utah icon Larry Miller, his uncle Lloyd's funeral was Thursday and apparently his step-mom's brother died this last week in a freak camping incident when there was an unexpected flood over night at his camping spot. Who knows why but is seems to be a dismal week. So I decided to write a little about the goings on here.

Xander now has his bottom two teeth completely in. Dominique is enjoying her dance class so much that when they offered an adult class, I signed up and have been attempting to get in shape that way. Science fair craziness is over since the district fair was last Wednesday. We had eight of twelve kids go onto the next round of competition. Jon is doing well working on his portfolio and renderings. He is also working with a local stake to design a float for the Days of 47 parade. So keep your eyes open when you watch because you'll see his art in motion coming down the road.

With the economy in a little bit of a downturn, we have discovered a very effective shopping method - local food co-ops. The best part is that they don't charge you sales tax!!! If you haven't heard of them, e-mail me for more info.

Wish I had pictures, but you know me and cameras. We're always in the same place at the same time, but we are rarely operating together for the common good. That's all for now.

Girls Scouts

THE TROOP IS ALMOST UP AND RUNNING. We plan on meeting Thursdays at 4pm for right now. This may change. But as of right now, we are all officially girl scouts at any rate. Hopefully we will be ready to take a field trip for uniforms and books within the next few weeks. I added the link to the blog should anyone else want to participate. It's ten bucks and you just need to get me your stuff.

Anyhow - that's all for now!!!

Back Again

I really need to open this up more often. Minquers dance classes are going well. So well, that I have decided to take a class as well. I figure it will help me get into shape.

The school science fair has somehow kept me busy crazy even though it's not my project this year. All's well that ends well. In the end, it turned out great and now we have the district fair.

Xander is doing well. He is working on solid foods. I suppose we will keep trying even though he now thinks it's hilarious to blow bubbles at you with a mouth full of food. Really son - it just makes a sticky situation for all of us.

Crazy Busy

I haven't updated anything for a long time and that's because things have been crazy around here. So I'll sum up in a few short paragraphs.

Thanksgiving was as always, a day where we overstuff ourselves and come home to sleep. We didn't have Minquers for part of the day and that was kind of a bummer. But Xander did sit at the table and expressed that he felt very left out of the festivities. He wasn't sure why he couldn't eat the solid food yet, but he didn't like to lick it either. He looked at us like we were going to kill him. Someone else may have pictures, but I don't. I have a camera toting disfunction. I bring it with me and never use it for the important cute stuff - go figure.

Onto the other stuff - school was crazy as we got ready to release for winter break causing added stress to my all ready busy schedule. But in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the school saw fit to give our family an extremely nice gift. Along with all the other cute and tasty things I received from my students, out counter has still got a pile of stuff on it.

We were planning Xander's blessing and naming ceremony at the same time. We really wanted to do it in a Celtic-type tradition and we did. There are pictures of it on other blohs, but again, my camera disfuntion took over and I didn't take any pictures of my own. Thank you to all who came, especially my parents. You all helped make this day very special.

And the text rolls on - we took personal pictures of our family for presents. I haven't downloaded the CD yet, but I'll actually update this post with pictures when I have the time. Christmas was another crazy day. We managed to see everyone who wanted to see us. We hung out with Jon's family on Christmas Eve and Dominique and Xander received some very nice gifts from their Aunt Jamie and Uncle Shane. Christmas we went to the traditional breakfast at my mom's house where she presented Dominique and the family with the generous gift of a Wii.

Tuesday before New Year's, I took some of Minquer's friends to the children's museum again. And with camera in tow, didn't manage to get a single picture taken. What are the odds? They had a lot of fun eating pizza from the California Pizza Kitchen and running around the museum for a few hours. Then we came back to our house where they played a little more.

New Year's was pretty simple and boring. We spent it at my parents house and Xander was determined to stay up with the rest of us and he managed to do so. He was so cute and tired. We were all tired. Being a parent kills your energy reserve sometimes.

Last, but certainly not least - Dominique is starting dance lessons on Monday. Which type of dance did she pick after numerous free lessons and trials????? Irish Step Dancing!!! Jon couldn't be more proud.

That's all for now from us. I will actually try and get pictures of her first dance class, but I make absolutely no guarantees.

X-man's Surgery

The boy's surgery went well, but if you ask me - he knew something was coming. You can see it in the eyes!!! ;)

And you thought you had trouble keeping your behind hidden in this gown. It doesn't even cover his, but he looks happy as ever anyway!!

AHHHH - the blissful sleep brought on by anesthesia - the only good thing about the entire experience.

Halloween!!!!

We dressed up the pumpkins!!

And you may recognize this costume, but we had three Halloween events that we celebrated. She was a witch for one and a snow princess for the other. Then, of course, there was her dress up birthday!!