Had to snap some pictures of the girls before we went out tonight ... they looked so pretty!!! Amazing what a shower and a flat iron can do!!
Documenting the Adventures of My Fabulous Five!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year's
The Princess and the Frog
Had to post this cute pic of Jules and Will with their new hoodie towels from Santa!!! They want to take a bath 10 times a day just so they can wrap up in their towels and princess and frog. So cute!!!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Champs Sports Bowl
Sean took the boys and Andrew's friend Allen to the Champs Sports Bowl last night in Orlando. The Hurricanes played the Badgers. UM did not have a great game and they came up short. The boys are still fast asleep so I haven't gotten their feedback from the night ... I am sure it will be something like ... "It was so cold and the Hurricanes stunk!" Matthew will have taken it the hardest .... he wears his emotions on his sleeve!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
More Christmas Highlights
Just a few more pictures to illustrate our amazing Christmas ....
Ready for a Snuggie commercial!
Santa remembered the swimming doggie!!
Christmas is for Kids
Andrew loved all his gifts ... his approach ... open all the gifts first that look like video games!
Matthew the most entertaining gift opener ... many dance moves (including his own rendition of Thriller) and loud shouts of joy when opening every gift!
Julia ... "I love this gift ... this is what I have always wanted". Next gift .. "I love this gift ... this is exactly what I wanted!"
William ... "I am on the nice list ... not with Swiper on the naughty list". Opened about 3 gifts, then began playing with his cars and forgot about the rest. Siblings proceeded to open the rest for him. Asked on December 26th when he came downstairs, "Did Santa come again? I am still on the nice list!"
Family Christmas Pictures
We took some really nice family photos this Christmas Season ... and if you know me, I love pictures and especially pictures of all of us together. Here are some of my faves ...
A Dream Realized ....
Four and a half years ago Corpus Christi was established ... and this past week the dream of our own house of worship was realized. The first Mass was on Thursday, Dec 24th ... a daily mass. There was over 600 people at this first mass and it was a very emotional service. Julia woke up that morning and exclaimed, "I am so excited for today!". I replied, "I know ... Santa comes tonight" ... she replied, "No mama, today we get to go to our new church!". What a sweet tender moment for me. That evening, we celebrated the Christmas Mass at 5:00. Both Katie and Andrew served (see the pictures above). We had over 1200 people in the church ... what an amazing celebration of the greatest gift ever given to us ... the birth our our Savior, Jesus Christ. This was definitely our family's best Christmas ever ... much due to our new church!!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas at WPS
Julia had a Christmas performance at school last Friday. The PK4 kids sang a bunch of songs and were greeted by Santa and one of his helpers (the infamous Coach Ratt .. the kids PE teacher!). William got to come with me that day and he loved watching all the kids sing and dance. We are very lucky to have such wonderful PK4 teachers that give so much to these kids!!
After the show ... we went back to Jules' room for lunch and photo ops!! Look at her teacher, Mrs. V. She is so adorable (and young!) and wonderful with the kids. William loved checking out all the things in the kids classrooms. Matthew hanging out with Heather watching a movie!!
Travel Volleyball Here We Go
Last weekend Katie had her first volleyball tournament with her new travel team at OVA. Wow ... it was an intersquad tourney and there are over 500 girls that play in her club. She is really learning the nuances of volleyball and getting to know her coaches and teammates. Her BFF Casey is on the team with her so that is fun for them (and us since we are great friends with Casey's parents!). They have 9 tournaments this Spring Season. We even get to travel to Atlanta for a national tourney. So fun!!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Fun with Friends ....
At Last
We are so blessed to be part of a wonderful parish in Celebration ... Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Our parish was established in May 2005 (the month Julia was born) and we have been worshiping there every since. We began our parish in the middle school cafeteria and once we grew larger ... to the high school cafeteria. We are the biggest church in Celebration (by far!) and our family has celebrated both Julia and William's baptisms and Katie's first communion here. Matthew is preparing for his first communion in April and Andrew will make his confirmation next year.
Last November (yes only one year ago) we broke ground on our permanent Church. It is a beautiful, traditional church only about 1/2 mile from our house. We will be able to walk to Mass. God's hand must have been one this construction process ... we were able to raise the initial amount of money (3 1/2 M) to begin construction, the project was finished early, and we are celebrating our FIRST MASS on Christmas Eve. We pass the church everyday, walk, bike, run by it ... I can't imagine the emotion we will all feel on Thursday .... I am so proud to be part of Corpus Christi!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Osborne Lights
It wouldn't be Christmas in Orlando without a visit to Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) to see the magnifenct lights display. I opted not to take the big camera and just used my iphone, so the photo quality stinks, but all the smiley, happy faces are awesome!!! Andrew brought Jack and Allen ... they automatically took off for the roller coasters. Both Julia and William were overwhelmed with all the lights, the music, the snow. We had a great night ...
The Nutcracker
Julia and Mommy had a date morning at the Nutcracker at the Bob Carr Theater. They held a special kids version of the Nutcracker (around 45 minutes) and it was perfect for her to get the flavor of the ballet and the story but kept her interest!! We arrived early, had her picture taken with a real ballerina, did some coloring pages and then found our seats. Ashley and her girls, Kristen Tate and her family and many other Celebration Moms and girls were there. It was so nice to have some one on one time with my baby girl!!!
Ready to go!!
Super excited!!
Lauren and Jules right before it started!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Visit with Santa
William got to visit with Santa this morning at school. He was reluctant at first to go to see him but he did get on his lap. Didn't get a smile (but didn't get any crying!) so I will take that. Each child got a gift from Santa and William got a blue ball and 2 cars. Perfect .. he hasn't stopped talking about it all day. Very sweet!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)