Disney World

We had an unexpected change of plans with our highly anticipated and planned Disney trip/cruise.  In short, Jake was needed to present at an end of year meeting for one of the companies he works for.  So he ended up joining us a day later and leaving the ship mid-week.  It did make things tricky for me...managing four kids through an airport, on a plane, and at Disney World on my own.  But we were happy to have him for at least part of the time.

Luckily it was a short flight, and dinner went well...the bus to the hotel was a nightmare.

To save a little cash, I brought cereal and milk in my suitcase :)

We hit the ground running with 4 parks in 2 days.  All the kids did great with all the walking.

Animal Kingdom safari ride

Cousins reunited.  It is such a treat for us!  Definitely one of the hardest things living so far away :(

Mt. Everest ride.  Rachel and Tommy loved it.

Finding Nemo show

Navigating through the parks with a crowd of 16 (the first day, 20 the second) meant losing each other, waiting for each other, etc.  But the kids were just excited to be together and made the most of it.

Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania

Tommy's costume was better ;)

Tower of Terror.  Kate was brave enough to try, she didn't cry, but she was shaking hard with fright and did NOT want to go again.

Biggest highlight of the day...riding Star Tours over and over again.

My dad went to the churro stand and asked for 15 churros.  The kind workers said it was "on Mickey."  Woohoo!!!

Next day Magic Kingdom

She would not get on a horse

What are you eating?  I want some

Autopia

Nothing like a little sugar to keep you going

Small world

The new ride Seven Dwarf Mine ride.  This was Kate's favorite ride because it was "so awesome!"  It was cute to watch her wait so patiently in line her second time around.

Elsa and Anna froze the Cinderella castle.  It was beautiful!

Epcot.  WAY crowded, but we were happy to squeeze in Fish N Chips and Cruising over California

I think the clock says it's nearing 11pm.  Poor baby!

If there were meltdowns, I don't remember them.  It was a big success, we all had a great time!

Candy Spree

Our first event took place at Jake's work at their annual trick-or-treating.  They were really nice and made me feel good when they all raved about my homemade costumes.  I had the idea of making Lily a Cabbage Patch doll pretty last minute.  So I was proud of myself for putting it together so quickly.

The smile and the leg up.  So great!

All lined up

Rachel came to me several weeks before Halloween with a complete drawing of what she wanted to be for Halloween.  I had no clue how I would accomplish it.  Her enthusiasm and persistence pushed me to the fabric store.  I was not hopeful at all.  But we went together and found the "perfect" fabric and then found a pattern she liked.  I have never sewn from an actual pattern and it was a big learning curve for me.  About half way through I realized it was the wrong size.  Luckily it was pretty easy to fix by trimming it down and I barely had enough fabric left.  I was pretty proud of myself, especially with learning how to do an invisible zipper.  And how the hat turned out with the icicles (although I wish the brim was a bit stiffer).  The best part was how appreciative she was, because she knew how much work it was, and she loved the end result.  I wish I got better pictures, cause she did have a neat cape too.  Anyway, here she is "The Ice Wizard"

I got a lot of compliments of this one too.  This costume came together pretty easily with a trip to the dollar store and consignment store and the hardware store for the spray paint.

This one, easiest of all (thank goodness!) birthday gift from Grandma and she LOVED it!

Ringing the doorbell with his gun

Neighbor friend.  When Katelyn asked her what her name was last summer she said, "Suzanne of course!" in her little Indian accent.  And she since been known as "Zannacourse"

The little ones and I retired early to pass out candy and eat some too :)

The legs crossed...too funny

A sucker can solve any tear

Not bad

So proud of her new accomplishment of standing up!!

This girl loves baths

The following day we had a candy recycle.  Or at least that's what I called it.  Our ward trunk-or-treat.  Tommy won an award in the costume contest.

It was a lot of work, so I was glad when it was all over.  But I really enjoyed the process and seeing these kids in full character and seeing their excitement.  It was worth it!