Disney Cruisin'

Disney Cruise 2017 is in the books and what vacation it was.  Last spring, Sandee texted me and asked what I thought about taking a Disney cruise.  I, of course, said.. uh, yes.  

We have been anxiously counting down the days until we left on December 14th and drove the long drive to Florida.  We left on the 15th on the Disney Dream and sailed to the Bahamas.  We got back to Florida on the 18th.  We left feeling pretty refreshed, very full, and content.

*** Warning- if you know me at all, then you know this is going to picture HEAVY!  So brace yourself.   Also, I will caption the pictures later... after loading all these on our slow internet connection, I am taking a break! 

Some of the things we did...

1- Watched the new Star Wars movie with a bunch of Star Wars fanatics and/or Disney fanatics.  Let's just say it was an interesting mix of people.

2- The boys lived in the pool or the water slides.  

3- Watched 3 live performances.  They were amazing and in my mind, competed with mini Broadway performances.  Maybe it was because we were so close but the technicians and actors were very good.  We watched Disney Believe (so good- lots of throw back songs from my era) and Beauty and Beast (watched it twice and I have been singing the songs non-stop).

4- Got off the ship in the Bahamas and swam in the most beautiful ocean.  Seriously, it is amazing.  The water was practically freezing- like, really really cold.  But, everyone got in just because (except for Ashton- poor skinny kid couldnt go in past his knees without freezing.).  Most of us did the big water slide.

5- We ate and ate and ate.  People were not kidding when they said the food was good.  It is endless and delicious.  Thankfully, I only gained a couple pounds but that is probably do to the amount of walking and steps you have to do while on the ship.

6- Watched a couple deck shows... from the welcome aboard to the fireworks

7- Enjoyed the view.... stunning, beautiful, and at times, breathtaking.

8- Because Ashton is a huge Gator fan- we stopped by the Swamp and visited the U of Florida campus.  When people ask Ashton how the trip was, he tells them about visiting the Gator stadium. haha... what Cruise?

 

 

 It was such a fun trip.... Everyone said that you hardly have to even watch your kids because the kids love the kid's room and the Disney crew is so hands on.  In truth, that was not my experience.  I, honestly, expected a bit of a relaxing vacation but since our kids to not go into the kid's room.  The adults were pretty much on duty the whole time.  Once I realized that was what this vacation would entail- I was prepared... haha... Relaxing and vacation dont go together when you have kids.  :)

Thanks to Papa and Grandma for paying for a quarter of our trip and for letting Ashton and Hunter stay in their rooms (a room for 6 people apparently is SUPER expensive) #largefamilyproblems (though I still refuse to view us as a large family.)

We are all glad to be home, off for 2 weeks from school, and most importantly gearing up to celebrate sweet Jesus!

Hunter Bug is 12

My Dear Hunter,

Your birthday always catching me by surprise.  I don’t know if it is because it is so close to Christmas or you are sandwiched between a load of other birthdays or this year planning our Christmas get away or maybe even a bit of denial on my part… not wanting to believe that you are have aged me yet another year!  Regardless of the reason, this year was no different.  Your birthday caught me by surprise. 

I sure do love this kid.

Singing Happy Birthday!

Hunter, you are about as easy as easy can get. You have moments of frustration with your brothers, namely Ashton, when you just storm off.   But, besides that, you are petty chill. 

You are deeply troubled by the injustices of the world. 

Watching Justice League this past Sunday with the whole family... this is really all you wanted for your birthday

You are full of random facts and love to let me know every little things you learn. 

You still need time to yourself to pretend- I can relate as I was the same way.  

Loves some Clemson!

You are a pleaser- but remember that you only need to please One.  Line up with Him and you will be fine. 

You are smart and kind and brave. 

Just hanging out

You are an amazing son, awesome brother, and truly one of my best friends.  I pray for you Hunter that you are wise beyond your years, that you have discernment enveloped in grace, that you will lead when it is time, that you will trust that your way has been mapped out by our Creator who knew you before the first breath.

Birthday crackle cookies

You have done such a good job at middle school holding onto all A’s and most super high A’s.  But, more importantly, I see that God is giving you a sound radar of who to hang with and who to step back from- that is a skill that will take you so far in life.  Surround yourself with those who will build you up and build others up.  Many people say that in a year or two you will be embarrassed of me and not give me a side hug when you see me at your school, however, I cant even imagine it.  I really don’t think you will do that.  I think this is where I mention that one of your class mates thought I was your sister.  J

Stay wise kiddo.   Have a happy 12^th birthday.  Enjoy this last year before you are officially a teenager.

Since we have grand plans this weekend, we decided to celebrate your birthday early.  You got a lot of grown up gifts... North Face winter jacket, boots, clothes (you loved your Big Bang Theory tshirt- rock paper scissors, spock lizard), and some other fun stuff.  I made crackle brownie cookies.  You are so content and told me over and over again not to buy you anything.  

Fall Sports Round-Up

So, working full-time plus having 3 of the 4 kids participating in sports = very little time at home!

This past fall was a whirlwind- seriously, like the first 9 weeks of school was over in a blink and we are already at the 1/2 way point for the second 9 weeks.

Football was a bust... both with Chad's team and with Hunter's 1st season of playing football.   Chad and I agreed that our boys could play football, if they wanted, in 7th grade/ middle school.  Somehow, Hunter was signed up for 6th grade/ rec ball and I was left thinking, "oh whatever."   For the record, he hated it.

Hunter's team was, well, imagine awful and then multiply it.  haha.  They did win 1 game but it was a long season.  Thankfully, my father-in- law, enjoyed taking Hunter to practice so I didn't have to endure the practices as well.  Hunt was pretty discouraged by the end of the season and has not yet decided if he will try again.  I stress to him often that it is his choice!

Hunter's team playing at the stadium- no idea which one he is.

Some blurry, camera phone action shots.  I think he is the skinny kid on the left side

I need to figure out why my phone is taking such blurry pictures... I think Hunter is right in the middle (skinny kid, blue pants, blocking)

Soccer, on the hand, went much better.  Ashton and Shepherd were apart of an inaugural Pickens United travel team.  Ashton did a great job and was a huge contributor to the team.  Shepherd improved drastically!  Everything just started clicking for him.  He doesnt have speed but he is starting to understand the game.
***Pictures are awful, as mentioned, when you coach you forget to take pictures until the last game and then still get distracted.  :(

Heading up the field

Fighting for position of the ball.

Ashton was on the U11 team and Shepherd was U9.  I don't know their records but they finished somewhere in the middle of the pack.  At the tournament a few weeks ago, Ashton's team finished 3rd and Shepherd's finished 1st. 

Shepherd running up the field (not with ball.)

Dribbling up the field

And Bennett, well he loved practices and games and ran wild.  He has requested, without ANY prompting from me as I am busy enough, that he wants to play soccer this spring.

I mean, of course he loves going to practices, Madi (on Shepherd's team) "fixes" his hair after every event!  And he Loves it and her.

We are now in basketball season with only Ashton and Shepherd playing.  Hunter has decided basketball is not his thing and is enjoying an off season.

My Doodle is 8 with a free Clemson party

From the first time I saw your chubby little face and chunky legs, I was in love.

Eight years ago, almost to the hour, I met you and I loved you right then. You have a smile that lights up a room.

He has always had me.

Shepherd, you are pretty amazing.  I love how you are a mystery to people who dont know you well.  You are not an open book.  Often when you are sad, you disappear.  You dont easily open up, but when its just you and me, you will tell me about your life.  And, boy, you can make me laugh.  You have an adult's sense of humor which ironically many adults dont quite understand. 

You still love to play with toys.  You love legos, Minecraft, Pokemon (yuk), Power Rangers.  But, the thing you spend the most time doing is arts and crafts- from coloring to writing to drawing, you can spend hours at the kitchen table or at your desk lost in your creative world.  It makes me smile.

You are sooo smart.  I fear you are not being challenged this year but I am not quite sure what to do about that. 

You are pretty laid back unless Ashton is around and he has way of pressing your buttons (he has the effect on all of us :)  You bellow STOP at him and it drives us all crazy.  Besides the whines with Ashton, you are easy.

You had a great soccer season.  Everyone saw a drastic improvement in your play and confidence.  You are excited to play basketball this season as well.  Though you are not fast, you are started to use your mind to  make up for it (which will definitely serve you better in the long run (no pun intended))

For your birthday...
One of your buddies, Connor, spent the night last night.  You, Connor, and Ashton had a quite time. 

These three have been friends since Shepherd was 6 months old

Even though you are not a football fan at this point in your life, we all went to the Clemson football game today.  I convinced you, we were not going to watch a football game as much as we were going to hang out with Owen, Caelum. and Connor.  We had a great of 9 kids (and 6 adults) and conquered the Clemson game and ate at yummy lunch/ dinner at Joe's Pizza!

So proud of these boys.  The minute the National Anthem started, they all immediately stopped playing football (without being told) and put their hand to their hearts.  Unfortunately, I snapped the picture right when Connor dropped the ball but I was proud of them

Bennett and Caelum exploring a helicopter - It was military appreciation day

Great crew of boys 

Love this picture- Connor is literally in mid air while clapping along with the band

No words for this crazy kid

Listening to the Tiger band

Just call them photogenic

Parachutes coming into stadium

Watching the balloons and parachuters

Mantis photo bombs the kid picture with bunny ears 

Queenie in her element!

Love this funny ornery little thing!

This is trouble though really cute trouble

Pretty Miss Eva

These guys would play football all day!

________________________________________________________________________

Party 1- Last weekend, you spent the night (by yourself) with Mantis and Queenie.  You had your annual shopping/ eating trip.  When I came to pick you up, you had made yourself a birthday cake with Queenie so we started celebrating a week early.

Happy Birthday to you!

Party 2- you opened all your presents and blew out candles the day before your birthday

Power Ranger cupcakes that may or may not have looked like power rangers :/ 

Presents... we got a lot of fun stuff... Kid is wearing a size 6 shoe!

Party 3- When we got back from the game, we did a quick Happy Birthday song and cupcakes again because it was your actual birthday!

My big 8 year old!

9 kids enjoying cupcakes

I think you had a really fun day.  You have spent the last hour coloring with metallic markers (in the Ridiculous coloring book) that Aunt Anna got for you. 

Shepherd, shine on kid.  You have so much change this year.  For a introvert, that can be hard, but you have handled it all beautifully.  I am so proud of you and thankful to call you my kid!  We are reading the Prince Warriors/ Armor of God books and you LOVE them.  Remember to equip yourself daily with these pieces of armor.  Stand firm!

I love you with all my heart!
~Mom

PS- Just one example of Shep's random funniness.  While I am doing this blog, he is coloring behind me and says.... "You know how Moses and I are the same?  We both are competitive, like to be scratched, and we LOVE butter."  haha- If only I could spend a few hours inside his head, I bet it would hysterical!

Happy 8th Birthday Shep-a-doodle!

Halloween a tad late

Yes, I still despise Halloween but we did the whole Halloween thing this year.

The crew--- Bennett as a dinosaur.  Hunter as Harry Potter.  Ashton as Draco Malfoy (he just finished book 5), and Shepherd as one of 5 million red Power Rangers.  

Silliness

My wonderful friend Jodi invited us ( and some of our other friends) over to her house to eat and then trick or treat around her neighbor.

Some of my people.  Sarah, Jessica, and Jodi.  (Missing Leah as her oldest son had an allergic reaction to peanut butter at school on Halloween).
So glad Jodi insisted we snap a picture, we never do this.

The boys had a great time.  Karson drove around in the golf cart with my kids. 

Some of the kids in the group we trick or treated with (Sarah and her kids were not here yet)

Jodi, as always, thank you for opening your home to us and for forcing me to allow my kids to Halloween.... haha.