Disney and Doyle's

We are home from Florida! Our "vacation" was wonderful, enjoyable, not relaxing, and we have made memories to last a lifetime. The purpose of the vacation was to meet little Layla. While doing so, we figured we would add some time with the Disney folks, since Reagan is now into the whole Princess thing. While both Reagan and Evie were a little on the "young-side" for taking on Disney, we only did 3 days and all were shortened and we knew not to try and do too many things. We did 2 short days at the Magic Kingdom, one full day at Animal Kingdom and a day at SeaWorld. Awesomeness all around! Considering how ridiculously hot it was, both girls did great. Evie only had a few meltdowns and Ben and I are getting better about not being 100% humiliated when she takes off on one. Reagan had a handful of temper tantrums as well. But, she saved those for the company of Doyles. Nice. Danielle and Layla met us for a day of swimming at our hotel. We then met up with them at SeaWorld - total awesomeness! Then off to their home for some R&R.

Favorite quotes from Reagan:

-While driving at the tail end of our first 13 hour day, we shared with Reagan that we would soon be at our first hotel and that tomorrow we would drive a short bit and then we would arrive at DISNEY WORLD!!! She replied, "WOOOOOOO-HOOOOO! I LOVE HOTELS!!!!!!" :-)

-The cast members at Disney all referred to Reagan as "Princess". Finally, after 2 full days of being called "Princess" Reagan tells an unsuspecting cast member, "I am NOT a PRINCESS. I am a HUMAN!" :-)

-We went to have dinner at the Grand Floridian, a character meet-and-greet. Cinderella and her step-sisters were there. Once Cinderella was in our section of the restaurant, Reagan was too enamoured to eat. She just stared at Cinderella, as she was greeting the other children. When Cinderella finally made her way to our table, Reagan began stuffing her face with macaroni and cheese and wouldn't stop eating. I suppose Emily Post would have been mortified at the rudeness on Reagan's part but she was just sooooo very shy, she couldn't make eye-contact. It was hilarious. She was pretty much frightened of the step-sisters and step-mother. You can see the pictures below. Evie was pitching a fit by the time Anastasia arrived. Anastasia would have made the best babysitter; she got right up in Evie's face and told her to knock it off, "Nobody cries here, it is the most MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH!" Evie hushed immediately!

Sewing 101

I did it! I finally took a sewing class! I had great fun and learned quite a bit about my machine and basic sewing skills. I made a pillowcase! I found some fun Angelina Ballerina material and turned it into the most fabulous pillowcase ever! Reagan loves it and I am now hot on the trail to make many, many more. Choosing my fabrics for my solo mission was a mess. I was so excited to find several remnants for super cheap - but I failed to note the size of remnant cuts. I bought matching thread to all remnants AND they are final sale only. SO (SEW!), I was forced to figure out a solution. I managed to figure out a way to use most of the fabrics by combining the materials. Not the prettiest color combos, but the purpose is practice. My first solo case ended in disaster. While I didn't sew the case shut, I did managed to sew the pieces together upside down. Ugh. In my defense, the right and wrong side of the chosen fabric were identical. I kept at it and have now finished Evie's first pillowcase. She doesn't use a pillow yet, but I wanted to make one especially for her. I know she'll just love it! Ben had an awesome idea for my next Evie project. I'll keep that idea to myself, just in case I need to set up a patent! ;-) Ben's pillowcase is next. His fabric is yet to be determined. I am turning into the Crazy Pillowcase Lady. Once I feel more comfortable with my machine, I will take the next class - Sewing 201, Skirts and Shorts. Stay tuned - it should be very interesting.

Brown Trout Strikes Again!

Need I say more? She sure is cute - but (butt) there is just something about bathtime that gets her system going.

Ooops, two months have passed.

Once again, 2 months have passed and I have failed to update our family shenanigans. I really am contemplating "quitting". I enjoy blogging in spurts. Now that it is spring/summer, we are so busy and I just don't have the interest level to keep the stories up. The girls continue to do amazing things, making us laugh early and often. I just am so tired by days end that I don't feel like keeping track of anything. Here is a quick update of what is up with us - just for record keeping sake.

Reagan has officially "graduated" from her first year of preschool. We attended a graduation ceremony and it was hilarious - HILARIOUS! Reagan was so overwhelmed by the experience that she had difficulty participating in the songs, until the last few. It was adorable. Who would have ever thought that ever-animated Reagan would clam up on stage. Thank goodness we opted out of the dance recital! She has been giving us challenges and has become our little "sassbox" and we continue to be amused by her antics. She will throw these temper tantrums and Ben and I will remove ourselves and be laughing silently but yet hysterically in the next room. As long as she doesn't hurt herself, we feel she needs to learn to calm down before we will respond to her. Who knows. Seriously - WHO KNOWS what to do with this parenting stuff. Really. I mean it - who knows!?!?! :-)

Evelyn is speeding around the house now. She tries to run and isn't quite light footed yet. You hear her thumping around and giggling as she picks up speed. Inevitably, she falls and she has become tougher as a result. She is thrilled to wrestle with her sister and we rarely have to caution Reagan about her sisters small size and age. They can almost go head to head these days. She is an awesome little baby. She'll be 18 months in July and I cannot believe how the time has flown. She is a little jabber box too. Favorite words: Mommy (always), Daddy, nana (banana), cracker, cookie, juice, doggie/puppy, cat, doll, Barbie, outside, OUCH, I want, all done and so many more. It amazes us daily her ability to understand our directions and words. Watching her grow up is truly so much fun.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the past few months. Jana and Brayden came for a long weekend and it did all of our hearts good to be with them. I cannot believe that little Brayden has grown up and is now 2!! I found myself marveling at the conversations that I was having with him. The last time I saw him, he was just a baby. I need to start gearing up my "auntie-talks" about life's important decisions. :-) He and Kai turn 2 this week. It tears me up that we are missing, yet again, another birthday(s). Thankfully, we were able to have our time with them and we will be spending a week at the beach with Joel, Heidi, the boys and Mom and Dad. We can celebrate Kai-Kai's birthday then.

Gram Pam and Big Guy came for a visit as well. We simply had a blast! Gary was given a few projects, and we managed to squeeze in some fun family time as well. They are just so very cool, kind, considerate, and loving. How did we get so lucky? The girls had so much fun with them. Evie has even realized that Gram can cuddle her just like Mommy can. Pam was given a special shout out at Reagan's graduation for "furthest traveler". We hope she will shoot for that title again next year! We also had friends over for Memorial Day. I always enjoy when Pam and Gary can be with our friends. Having our worlds combined always makes our home here feel more like HOME.

We have been very fortunate to have Benny home for June. Finally. The man has vacation! It has been a long year for him, as well as the ladies at home. We made it. To celebrate, we are traveling to Florida where we will take on Disney for a bit and spend quality time with Danielle, Quinn and Layla. Then home and off to a week at the beach with the Wessman's.

And other news - Benny matched! We will be staying put for 3 more years. Bittersweet but the right choice for us (I think). I guess it is like anything, some days it feels like a great decision. On other, far more rare days, I am convinced we are crazy and clueless. ;-)

It felt good to blog again. Maybe I won't quit. We will have to see.