Bon Voyage !!

Brian and I went on a 4 night cruise with some friends from home. We left Jan 10. I am a believer in vacationing in Jan now!! It was so nice after the rush of Christmas to go on a little vacation. We left from Tampa and cruised to Cozumel Mexico and enjoyed the warm weather on the beach. Brian was mostly the entertainment on the ship but everyone contributed with stories we will talk about for a long time.

Good Times, Good Friends

Formal Night

Getting dressed up doesn't happen much, we enjoyed it very much

Christina, Jill, and myself. Carla send me some pictures with all 4 of us...

There were several hot tubs on the ship and this one looks like the water came from the river. Brian said he was making "Brian Soup" so we'll call this Kentucky Soup...

This was Brian's idea of a morning coffee run!!

The beach was great and equipped with adult size water toys.

The guys jumped and climbed the iceburg and the girls went out and jumped. We got in trouble by the Mexican Beach Police (Ha Ha) because we didn't pay for the $10 bracelet for the water sports! We did however boost the economy for the next couple years in beer sales!!

Myself, Jill and Christina

Well Christmas is over and it is chilly in NC!!

Emma and Taylor didn't like to see the Christmas tree taken down but are ready for Valentine's Day and then their Birthday!! It is pretty cold here now and we are ready for Spring.. We are planning to move out to Monterey California in May. We are looking forward to having 65-70 degrees year round and lots of visitors!!!!!!

Emma

Taylor

We went to the Decker's first for Christmas and had a great time. Emma and Taylor had fun playing with Ashleigh and Reagan and seeing everyone else. We then headed up to the Wietholter's and had our 3rd Christmas. Emma and Taylor never got tired of opening presents or visiting everyone. It was a great Christmas, next year we will be living in California and will be having Christmas at our house!!!

Emma, Taylor, Matthew, and Mason

Emma, Taylor, Ashleigh, and Reagan

We took the girls to ride the Polar Express this year. We drove 4 1/2 hrs (kinda on the way home) and got there at about 6:30pm. I read about this online and it seemed like a really fun thing to do. All the kids wore their PJ's and we got knew slippers for the occassion. Emma was most excited to wear the slippers because the little boys feet didn't get wet in the snow in the movie! There was alot of anticipation as we waited for the train to arrive. Emma and Taylor had their Golden tickets in hand. Finally we heard the steam engine and saw the light coming. After we were on board we got Hot Chocolate and a snack, the music from the movie was playing and we were anxious to see what the North Pole would look like. The ride was 30 minutes up and 30 minutes back. The North Pole was a little dissapointing, at least to Brian and I. It was basically 3-4 houses with Christmas lights on them. They told the kids that Santa lived there and the elves next door. They also told them that the giant propane tank sitting there was where they made and stored all the Hot Chocolate. Santa was waiting on his sleigh in the middle of the ROAD and he hopped on for the ride back. I guess our expectations were high considering what it cost!! Emma and Taylor enjoyed it and are proud to say they rode the Polar Express!!

They do this in several states and d0 different themes for the Holidays, like Charlie Brown at Halloween and Thomas the train. Maybe it would be better elsewhere. We went to the one just outside of Gatlinburg TN. The website is www.gsmr.com

Hot Chocolate!!

Emma and Taylor were very excited to get Hot Chocolate like the Polar Express Movie. Neither if them actually drank it. Here is Emma not feeling so hot. The next morning she had a 103 fever later to find to find out it was Strept throat. Thanks aunt Misty for the diagnosis and antibiotics.

Dad and his girls on the "Polar Express" The tune is infectious. If you havent seen the movie it is a must see....

Out of the 3 Santa's we saw this was the best!!

After the train made it to the North Pole we saw Santa get on the train for the ride back. It seemed like forever before he made it to our car. The Jingle Bells were wortht the wait.

Wow, a Jingle Bell from Santa! (Taylor)

Emma and her Jingle Bell

Santa comes a little early in NC since we leave before Christmas to head to Ky.

Try explaining to your kids that one random Wed night that Santa may come while we are out to Dinner?? Anyway, they don't care and are still young enough to pull it off. We baked cookies and left them just as we did lastyear. Santa came and made another mess. Their favorite gifts were the Growing Puppy that they told everyone they wanted. Littlest pet shop stuff and a riding horse on a stick. They also liked the Tail game. Lots of fun this year.

Santa Santa Santa!! We saw Santa a few times this year. Maybe that won't be such a good idea in the future of "BELIEVING" they all 3 looked very different. The first picture is from a tree festival in Pinehurst. The last 2 were from their school party. Myself and a couple other moms did the party and rented a Santa. It was alot of fun, he read a story (that I had to bring), he gave each child a bag of goodies with their names on it (that I made) and he had to leave his bag at home because it had a hole in it.. All this for $75. Not bad for 40 minutes!! I am considering being Mrs Claus next year. Seriously, the kids loved it and got to spend more then usual time with Santa. Worth every penny.

Another show.. The Big Christmas Program at school!

I tried to make sure Emma and Taylor actually sang during the show. We practiced at home and sang VERY loud. They assured us we would hear them sing. During the show Emma yawned and pulled her shirt up and occassionally her pants to show us her knees. Taylor stood like a deer in headlights with her hands in her mouth, entire fist at one point. Oh well we won't be running off to Hollywood yet..

Emma and Taylor had a little Thanksgiving dinner at school.

The kids made the soup, turkey of course, and had a little skit to perform. The 3 yr olds were Indians and the outfits were cute and recycleable!! The coffee can drums were perfect, not too loud....

We went out on the trails here to to catch the last bit of fall color.

Emma and Taylor of course took their animals along for the ride and decided to hang them in a tree. It was quite entertaining for them. All animals can fly!

(Taylor below)

Emma

The animal tree.

Taylor feeding her alligator.

Emma..

Emma

Emma.

Taylor..