Round 3

Here we are! The happiest family on earth, at the happiest place on Earth!

Again we all had an amazing time! I have had a hard time trying to readjust to "normal" life! I will cry if you mention the words Walt, or Disney, or even World for that matter! So tread lightly!

But alas there are memories, and here are some that we would like to share!

Characters were EVERYWHERE this year!

Here are the children with Wendy and Peter Pan, right after we took a fantastic Fireworks Cruise! We got to enjoy the Wishes fireworks at Magic Kingdom on Mr.Smee's boat with Wendy. Captain Hooks boat had Peter Pan, and when the fireworks were all done, we got to meet Peter! We also played games with Wendy on our boat, and received a sword, pirate necklace, a message in a bottle, and a hook!

We had a great night! It all ended perfectly with not being able to get back to our hotel! SO the hunt was on for a bus....we eventually made it, maybe an hour of so later...but a memory nonetheless, especially with the super helpful employee at the Contemporary Resort!

The children getting to meet Captain Hook and Mr. Smee!

Pluto!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse! The children LOVED their mouse ears that they received as part of a gift basket from Uncle Chuck and Auntie Barb! The ears have their names embroidered on the back!

This was earlier in the day when we happened upon Wendy. The children got to have fun telling jokes with her, since there were not many other kids around! The kids told Wendy that they thought Captain Hook smelled like a cookie, and Wendy thought it was more like a Codfish...They all had a good time!

Okay, I need to go wipe my eyes, and continue with my W.D.W. Depression.
Send help!

Round 2

Official Mickey endorsement! Mickey loved the shirts,
and HAD to have his picture taken with me!

Adam, Kristyn, and T bone at the Magic Kingdom.
It really is Magic!

Daddy and the Kiddos at Tom Sawyer Island in the Magic Kingdom! We had never been here before, and the kids loved running an exploring! There were some cool caves to go through too!

The kids loved meeting the different characters from the movies!
Here we have Jasmine, Aladdin, and Genie with the kids!

Happy kids, my favorite!

Round 1

We did it!
We made it to Disney World, and back!
Now we are working on getting all the photos on the computer, and ready to be displayed!


Below, we are on the bus with Grammy and Opa, getting ready for our exciting day!

Our first plane ride! We all loved it, and soon forgot that we were even on the plane.




MORE pictures to come!
Stay tuned!

O Christmas Tree...

The time had come once again to make our trip out to the tree farm...and it was COLD!
So we were pretty quick with the selection...and the kids had no problems enjoying themselves!

Decorating the tree was promptly started 3 days later,
and finished by the 5th day!

This ornament is one that I made in preschool.

Love the hand painted ornaments that FILL our tree!
We have several that were created by my grandmother, and Will's mother.

Take a look at last years trip to the farm!
http://coopd-up.blogspot.com/2007/12/o-christmas-tree.html

~Birthday Girl~

Today is our Grammy's birthday!

We love her because:
She is nice,
fun,
smart,
a snack giver,
beautiful (inside and out),
generous,
has a t.v. with cable,
has a contagious smile,
loves our Opa,
AND
because she raised our daddy,
and we think she did a great job!

HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMY!!!!
WE LOVE YOU!

Showering with love, Wedding edition

So in honor of my little brother's birthday today (he is 28), I will spend some time looking into his future!
A couple of months ago, we went all out and had a great time hosting a Wedding Shower for my Sister in Law to be...


There was cake!

Some FUN choc. covered strawberries

Great decor, to match their wedding colors!

A blushing bride (to-be)

Great conversation with family!

Oh and here is the groom!
LOOK how happy he is! He can hardly contain himself!

But the best part? In precisely 25 days this little girl will be making her debut! I have mixed emotions about this...since 1- She IS adorable... 2- She is unpredictable!

Happy Birthday to my FAVORITE lil Brother, from your FAVORITE sister! What an amazing journey we have been on together, and now I get to see you spread your wings and fly...here's hoping your children will be as CURIOUS as you were!

Father's Day (Other Great Dads)

Hey, we have a dad, but word is, there are some other dads that need a little recognition as well!

First Up:
OPA, (dad's dad)

This guy here...he is an AWESOME OPA! He is constantly giving us candy, taking us for boat rides on the mighty Mississippi--when it is not flooding--letting us drive motorized vehicles all over his driveway. He ALSO surprises us with ice cream trips...AND he OFTEN fixes our van!
OPA, we love you, and a have a great time with you!!!

NEXT:
UNCLE A (Dad's brother)

This Uncle A, is a pretty sweet deal! He has these tats so we thought he was tough...but he giggles like a girl, so we know he has a soft side! He loves to catch us off guard and wrestle us before we know what has hit us! The best thing Uncle A has done for us:
Mr.T, our cuz...he is even cooler! He likes to chase us around as well, and thinks we are all funny! Uncle A, you are a great uncle, but an AWESOME dad! We think you rock!

NNNEEEXXXTTTT:
Grandpa (Mom's Dad)
This guy...you GOTTA watch! He is quick...quick to take our things and hide them, quick to hide, then scare the *&$@! (read:stuff) out of us,
and quick to defend us if mom is too tough!
Grandpa, we love going for truck rides with you, and on special asparagus hunts! We do also like you teasing us, and love to play card games with you! You are an AWESOME grandpa, and we love spending time with you! He can also rip out our sink, and toilet...mom told him it was okay!
Just so you know: he can sleep anywhere, at any time!



Next up:
Uncle C a.k.a Uncle Donut
(mom's older brother)

SO really we aren't 100% sure how this one will turn out, since Uncle C and Aunt J are expecting their first, at the end of July...BUT we do know that this guy supplies us with endless amounts of donuts! What kid wouldn't love that?! We love to play games with you Uncle C, and he is always creating new and fun ways to get our brains going! He supplies us us with awesome and thoughtful gifts, and we cherish our time together! We KNOW that our little cousin has got it made! You are a compassionate, thoughtful, and creative uncle! Thanks for the donuts, and all the great memories! We love you, and your donuts...but mostly...you....

And then:
Uncle B: (mom's younger brother)

Okay, for those of you who know Uncle B, NO he is not a dad...YET! We have a little gut feeling that within a year and a half or so...that there will be a mini Uncle B in the works--GOD help us! :)
Uncle B has come a long way from his oil smearing on the floor (for skating, of course), kicking random people with cowboy boots, and lighting small fires in our backyard...really I am sure any child that he brings into this world...will...be .... fine...really...nothing....to .... worry .... about!
We LOVE kicking the soccer ball around with Uncle B; he doesn't take it easy on us though! We love wrestling with him as well; he is good at bodyslamming us! Truly, we do know that when the time comes, Uncle B is going to be an awesome dad! He is fun, and loving, and smart! We are trying to get him to teach us to play poker; I guess he thinks he's good!
Uncle B, thanks for keeping us on our toes when you're around and playing with us!
We love you, Uncle B!
Uncle B also gives great huge bars of chocolate!
He knows already, that you CAN buy love!

LAST, but not least!

Do we really need to say more?


HAPPY FATHER'S Day!!!
We appreciate all the love that you have given us and the wonderful impact you have made in our lives! You are all such great, strong role models...something our parents are proud to have in our family!
Happy Father's day,
We LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!


~yes, you too Sen. Obama!~
okay, mom added that part.

THANK YOU!!!!

Friday~March 28th~ was my birthday!
My husband surprised me with a "Get Away"!
He took Friday off of work, the kids went to the grandparents',
and we had 2 nights in Downtown Iowa City, and a very nice hotel!

We had an amazing time! It was so quiet! Well, aside from the college students heading back to their apartments after the bars let out!

We also went to see the Cowboy Junkies:
http://www.cowboyjunkies.com/
The opening act Mary Gauthier:
http://www.marygauthier.com/site.php?content=home
was really amazing! She had a beautiful voice, and some great QUIRKY-FUN lyrics!!!

We had Indian Food at Masala, I had some great Paella at Devotay, and great burritos at Chipotle.

We hit some local shops, read books, and TALKED! It was great!

SO....

THANK YOU!!!! To all involved, my great parents and in-laws whom all took in children willingly,
my cousin for helping set up the room,
and my WONDERFUL, AMAZING, THOUGHTFUL husband for the best gift ever!

(Good thing I never got that pony, like I always asked for...would it be inconsiderate to write:
Thanks for the 2nd best gift ever??)

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!

easter pictures...

The INFLUENZA B has left, and we are back into being human again!
That still does not explain WHY I still have my Christmas cards hanging in the window
(behind Will)...
*Note to self: Take down the Holiday cards....oh, and the Gingerbread Wreath on the basement door....that should be it!*

Look at the concentration!!!

They are so proud of their accomplishments!!

Easter morning brought out the best in our nutrition habits! Cadbury Eggs and Peeps for breakfast!

YUMMM!!!!
*Note to self: Trim Brandon's fingernails!*

On Saturday, we went to Grammy and Opa's with Uncle A, Aunt K and Mr. T....we got lots more candy and some really great FUN things ! We also had an Easter Egg Hunt in the lovely 30's...that we thought we were past!
On Sunday, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's with Uncle B, and soon to be Aunt J...and little Peanut! We ALL took nice long naps, slept like babies...it was so nice! OH! Wait, all the ADULTS - except Grandma-....oh, and my 4 children! That's right! I almost forgot!
Well that just means that I TRUST her enough, to LET her watch the children while I get some sleep. Isn't that thoughtful?? I am sure that she now feels special! :)

hee...hee...hee...

The following post was for ALL to read, but only for one to actually understand!
I do enjoy the Wii, but the pictures taken were of Will's Valentine's present.
I purchased Guitar Hero 3 for him, he seems to enjoy being a punk rocker!!!
The pictures are telling the story...not necessarily the words!!
Will did catch on to the post...all the more fun!

i LOVE my Wii!

I am not sure if I have told you BUT :
we just love our Wii!!

The games that are made for the Wii are made by trusted companies:

Wii rates the games, so you know what is appropriate for your family!

AND (daddy) they TradeMark their creations so no one can copy them!

One of the best things about the Wii, and it's games--they are wireless!! You don't have to be connected to some machine!!!I would love to hear my husbands thoughts on us owning a Wii, and the games that we enjoy!
I know he loves the Wii as well!!!