Warmer...finally!

The warm weather is finally starting to make some sporadic appearances. Today it was actually a nice day to be outside so we took advantage of it.

We chased some bubbles...

(There really were bubbles!)

We colored with some sidewalk chalk and played hopscotch.

Rosemary enjoyed some crafts.

Then we fingerpainted.

And this is why they're non-toxic

Messy kids...wow that was fun.

New to us clothes

I was sorting through some clothes that someone had given us for Ben earlier today and the kids decided to help. Rosemary threw on a Blue's Clues pajama shirt and some shiny shorts and Ben begged to wear two Thomas shirts that are two sizes too big over his current shirt. What a pair!

The massively long shirts on Ben make me think of Hurley from LOST.

He was so excited to wear his 'choo-choo' shirts. I've got to get him some that fit!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We're not big St. Patrick's Day celebrants. In fact, most years it's pretty much a miracle if I remember to wear green. This year, however, I did remember and rather than eating corned beef and cabbage in honor of the day, we had Green Eggs and Ham 'n Cheese omelets...with hashbrowns and green beans. Perhaps one of the strangest meals I've made, but it was good.

They tasted the same, but honestly, the bright green was a little bizarre for me.

Soaked

Last week, the kids and I emptied the porch to wash all the dust and pollen off the toys and furniture. Rosemary used the hose to spray her brother down too. Poor Ben was soaked to the bone...even his little socks were wet.

The little guy was drenched.

On his way in to get some dry clothes on. Rosemary had moved on to the tree. It didn't mind the water so much.

Orlando weekend with the Workmaster's

Jason and Nikki and the kids came down last week for a Disney vacation. They were all staying on property, so mom and dad got a condo nearby and we met up with them to spend a weekend all together. It was the first time since Christmas 2008 we'd all been together...and the first time that my dad, Jonathan, Rosemary, and Ben got to meet Catherine.

Charles, Schuyler, Emma, Rosemary, and mom all have birthdays within a two month time frame so we celebrated on Saturday night. Mom brought decorations so we made the condo all festive then feasted on Giordano's pizza and birthday cake.

Crowns for each of the kids.

Waiting for my brother and his family to arrive...Jonathan was doing homework (just like he is as I type this...I am so looking forward to August).

The kids watched Mermaidia while we got the food ready.

The birthday cake.

Singing 'happy birthday' to the Workmaster/Peine families. Rosemary was very concerned about the singing being too loud for her. :-)

We got mom Twilight. She's addicted.

The entire family. All 12 of us now.

The next morning we got ready and headed for Animal Kingdom. After missing a turn, we finally made it and met up with Jason's family in DinoLand.

The Tree of Life.

After riding the TriceraTop Spin, we headed over to see the Nemo show. Jonathan picked up some FastPasses to Expedition Everest so Jonathan, Nikki, Schuyler, and I rode that next.

We ate lunch then Jason's family and Jonathan and Rosemary headed for the Kali River Rapids ride. It took some convincing for Rosemary to ride it and I'm not entirely sure she liked it, but I was just proud of her for agreeing to go. Thankfully, everyone had ponchos and came off the ride relatively dry.

Jonathan's in the blue poncho on the left, Rosemary's there beside him.

They're on the right side now. She looks so little.

While the big kids braved the rapids, Ben and I stayed with my parents and Catherine. He just enjoyed wandering around and being free of the stroller for a bit.

Our happy boy with Grandma and Papa.

Jonathan and Rosemary did not ride the rapids a second time with the rest of the crew. He was kind enough to shake the excess water off the ponchos.

Our family.

Rosemary was so excited to meet baby Catherine that weekend.

The two youngest sharing an ET moment.

Once we all met up again we headed over to use our FastPasses to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Nikki, Jason, and Catherine.

Emma and Rosemary

Jonathan and Ben.

Seeing the animals.

Charles and Schuyler

Ben enjoyed bouncing along.

The oldest grandkids with their grandparents.

Rosemary loved this game. There were four holes in the log where kids could reach in a feel different natural artifacts. She just kept going back to the different holes.

Look who we saw fishing on our way to Festival of the Lion King. I've gotta say, the Lion King show is probably my favorite thing at this park.

We got a quick picture with Pocahontas.

My parents went to the front of the park with Catherine while the rest of us watched the parade.

We got another family shot on our way to meet our parents for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. The bag Rosemary's holding was the Princess Aurora that she bought with the money from her piggy bank (which broke on the floor about 10 minutes before we left for Orlando...oh, the drama). She was quite excited to pick this out and buy it.

Ben loved looking at the fish while we waited for our table.

Rosemary took a few photos during dinner too. Nice shoes, eh?

Did you know that Ben loves pasta and marinara sauce? You wouldn't know it to look at him, but he can pack it in.

After dinner we headed out to the car and said out goodbyes to Jason, Nikki, Charles, Schuyler, Emma, and Catherine. We had such a great time!

Bye! Can't wait to see you all at Thanksgiving!