marcus, what???

Marcus....

what were you doing with that pen!?

I was giving myself a beard mommy, see?

...you know, like Grammy Pammy gave me that one time...

Ah yes.

If Grammy did it once, it can't be a bad idea.

where he gets it from...

Emily and Pooh

a couple years ago

new tradition: a pajama walk!

There is just something about the air at night in the summer, or in Florida, that I have always loved.  What a great time for a walk.

So tonight I started a new tradition: A pajama walk!  We walked around the resort- not quietely.

We ran around the tennis courts - again, not quietly.

We sat by the channel and watched a ferry go by. (While they SHOUTED about the FUN we had at the POOL and the COYOTES that MIGHT be in the WOODS!!!)

Now they are in bed. And quiet.

The brave ones on the big slide!

Just a few of my favorite moments today!

We went to Magic Kingdom today! It was magical, of course! :)

Here are just a few of my favorite magical moments:

Eldon was a bit hesitant, being new to this whole thing.  The big kids have been prepping him and coaching him ever since we got in the car on friday. "Now Eldon, we're going to have to wait in line when we get there." "If it gets really busy you'll have to hold mommy's hand, or my hand." "Don't worry Eldon, you will see pirates, but the pirates aren't real!" and so forth.  My little experts.

Small world:

"There's so much to look at I don't know where to look!"

It was a favorite for everyone. 

And if I actually turned my head every time one of them yelled "Mommy, LOOK!" 

I would have had whiplash!

He did ask "How did they DO that?" 800 times like I knew he would, but still,

Mr. Serious absolutely got into the magic! He even SKIPPED with the rest of us yesterday!
(Don't tell him I told you!)

And, much to my surprise, he LOVED Splash Mountain. 

"It made my heart jump mommy! That was so cool!"

What can I say? Marcus makes every moment look cool.

He has a runny nose and a chapped upper lip,

but it just looks like he has a mustache.

Even a cold looks cool on this one.

This guy.

Yep, I remember falling in love with him in this place. 

Lorraine was hesitant to go in the Haunted House.

Aggie was trying to help her "put on her brave face."

Eldon. 

Wide-eyed and in love with everything. 

Even the rock wall.

It was all one big adventure for him.

But I think this was my favorite moment.....

Peter was tired, 

and he found the perfect place to lay.

He hugged Pooh...

and he wouldn't get up!

He melted right into him!

When the other kids made him move along, 

he snuggled into Tigger!

Hey, you make a great pillow!

Can I keep you?

We made  a scene everywhere we went.

A colorful scene.

It was wonderful! :)

By about 5, Lorraine was looking a little green.

And gray.

We were pretty sure the stomach flu was coming her way, so we went back before the rest.

Lorraine was pretty bummed. 

On the way out, a random stranger lady gave her this flower balloon:

I think God must have known she needed a little extra cheering up.

Yep, it was a magical day!

Waiting for the bus !

Everybody is healthy and a are heading downtown tonight!

Away we go!

The were completely clueless!

They at all very excited.of course when we stopped for gas eldon said, " we're here!" I forgot he has no concept of the length of this trip!

little girls!!!!

Today, I get to play dress up with two sweet little Vanderkids!

So fun!

I love that they love "buddies..."

and they DON'T just use them to whack each other...

and they love to pose for pictures!

Deandra is always smiling!

This is Enola's "cheese" face. Hilarious!

It was so nice to relive some of those little-girl photo-shoot days!

Aw, Aggie.

She always had that big smile too.

Lorraine.

She mothered her stuffed animals even before she had siblings!

Aggie today

Aggie's new haircut! I love it!

Today's memory verse:

I have called you by name, you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1

And God has. I remember that day.

Great is His faithfulness.

(Have you ordered your copy of her story yet?)

hi- lar-i - ous

it is a stick-a-straw-in-the-coffee-pot kind of day!

Peter seems to be doing better. His fever has been gone for 2 days now, but he's still not 100%. We were up at 3 yesterday, 5am today for the day.  Hoping for 6 tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I am wasting time at the computer, putting off the moment when I have to take THIS guy,and his brothers to the grocery store!

"When country comes to town..."

Just one more cup of coffee...

finally!

A little dusting of snow! :)

(Pete is much better today, too.)

baby's first book review!

She  DID hang it on her fridge!  :) So sweet!

(If you haven't read it yet, read the review here or buy the book here!)

Fever :(

Morning snuggles

Lorraine is one much-loved  big sister.

The little ones sure miss her when she goes to school. (They miss Seth and Aggie too, but in a different way.)

Today Pete has a fever and only wanted mama.... or little-mama :) He was so happy to snuggle Lorraine until she had to leave.

Eldon begged to get on his coat and shoes and sit on the porch with his sisters while they watched for their ride.  "Go school!" he begs!
No honey, not for 3 more years, sorry!
An eternity! Poor kiddo!

is this really January?

The kids and I got out their bikes again yesterday, and today too!

I actually laid in the grass in the sunshine! 

(Until the dog jumped on me. Let's just not talk about that DOG.)

We have even tasted some of the freedom of no-coat playing!

This guy doesn't mind his coat though, 

and I like it too, for extra padding.

They've been in the tree, in the the tree-house, by the pond, at the park, and in the mud today!

spunky Pete

he teases me all day long, about a million things.

He refuses to say "mama" on demand and thinks it is hilarious when I ask him and he refuses:




I dare you not to smile :)

little brothers

"Mommy come see!"

""Lorraine has Petie and he's falling asleep on her!"

Get your camera!"

(They know me so well!)

"Mommy, Aggie and me were singing him a lullaby and he started snuggling."

"We sang 'the hills are alive with the sound of music.'"

Upstairs, it was Edelweess that did him in.

I love that my first baby can know the joy of rocking a baby to sleep at age 8.

passing it on...

The joy of writing.

blogging.

If you want an invite to her blog and you haven't gotten one yet, please email me! :)

Zzzz

The kitchen floor is an odd place for a nap!

doctor kids!

El and Enola trust each other, but they were pretty unsure about Marcus....

Would you trust this guy?!?!

He really likes giving shots.

wii bowl

Aggie knows how to bowl like a pro!

Step 1: fling the ball

Step 2:

Steer with your body!

Strike!

One of those moments....

When I am so thankful for brain surgeons.

Seizures, we do not miss you.