Disney Vacation over Christmas Break 2012

Wow did we have a fantastic Christmas Break! We had our normal Christmas present opening here at home and then went to Anderson to be with my side of the family. We opened gifts, hung out, and ate dinner. On the 26th we didn't do much at all, but it was a relaxing day. Then on the 27th Jarred, me, my dad, my mom, and my three little kids left four our journey to Florida at 3am. It was such a long trip. We started out with the boys with us and Kenzi with my parents in the van. We drove until we got to Louisville, KY and then stopped to eat breakfast at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. It was a neat looking place. We then left and continued our journey south towards Orlando, Florida.

We stopped in Georgia and stayed in a hotel room for the night. On the 28th we got up and continued our journey to Florida. We finally arrived around 6pm and was able to check in quickly at the La Quinta Hotel in Orlando, FL. It was a very nice hotel. We went to bed and got up at 6am the next day to begin our Disney World Vacation!!!

On Dec. 29th, Jarred 29th Birthday, we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom. We got there around 8am and was there until around 3:30pm. There was quite a bit to do also. The neat thing was the Tree of Life in the middle of the grounds. The neatest ride was the Animal Safari where we got to see all these animals roaming around the grounds, not in cages. We had a good time there. We got to see a Lion King show also. Both Devin and Landon were asked to go out on the floor and got to dance with the actresses and actors in the musical on the floor. It was so cute to see them there. We also went to see the Nemo Musical and sat in the bubble area.

On Dec. 30th we went to Epcot to see Skyler march with the band. We arrived a little late because my mom wanted a hot breakfast. We stayed and watched the band, but we also visited many different characters throughout the park. The first character was Goofy. Then we saw Daisy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Pluto. The kids loved seeing the different characters and even taking pictures with them. We went on the ride inside the ball and a few others also. Then we went around the world exhibit areas. They were neat, but not much to do for the kids. We left around 2:30 or so.

On New Year's Eve Dec. 31st we got up early again and arrived at Disney's Hollywood Studios around 8am. The first thing we did was go to the Tower of Terror ride. Devin and Kenzi were tall enough to ride so Jarred, Devin, Kenzi, and I wanted in line for the ride. Once we were on it we had a blast. Devin was so scarred and Kenzi enjoyed it. The picture is priceless. We then went around and got to see many more characters and rode more rides. One thing that the kids enjoyed was the Honey I Shrunk the Kids area. It was basically a playground area and everything looked like it was dirt, corn, and other things in the grass. It was neat. We also watched the stunt show where the kids got to see Lightning McQueen come out. It was a great day.

On New Year's Day Jan. 1, 2013 we got up the earliest that we had so that we could get to Disney's Magic Kingdom really early. We ended up arriving before it even opened and got to see some dancing and Mickey Mouse. Once we got in we just started going around to the different rides and started in Tomorrowland. It was really neat. One of the neatest rides was the People Mover because you got to see all rides in the area you were in. The kids also got to see the inside of Space Mountain, since they are to small to actually ride it. We went to Fantasyland next and did some things there. We went all around the park and even had a chance to enjoy the parade. This was the best park and we did so much here that it is hard to tell you everything we did.

On Jan. 2, 2013, Landon turned four and we decided to go to the beach and celebrate his birthday with a picnic and playing in the water. Landon loved the sand, but was a little afraid of the water and waves.He chose McDonalds for dinner so we ate at this neat McDonalds. It had a game room upstairs and a huge playground inside also. It was neat and he had a lot of fun. We had fun and he got cupcakes and to open presents later.

On Jan. 3, 2013 we took Landon on a ride in a helicopter for his birthday. He LOVED it!!!! We then went to the Ripley's Believe it Or Not museum there in Orlando. That was a neat place to see and the kids even enjoyed it.

On Jan. 4, 2013 we left to head home. After all of the stuff we did we were all so tired!!!! It was a great vacation, but we were so tired when we finally got home. It's almost as if we needed a vacation from the vacation.

Silly Devin

Today Devin decided to stick his finger into his booster seat. It has a small hole on each side and he stuck his middle fingers through them. I still don't know how he did it, but they got stuck and he couldn't get them out. I finally went to get them out and had to yank pretty hard. I was afraid that his fingers would break. Luckily they didn't break, but a bunch of skin was torn off of each finger both sides. They were bleeding also. Once they were out he said "thank you mommy, but they hurt, and look I'M BLEEDING." Then he went crazy because of the blood.

After getting him bandaged up it was time for him to eat dinner. It is so funny to watch kids eat after putting bandages on. Have you noticed how little kids won't use the finger with a band aid? It is so funny and was funny, to watch him try to eat. Devin we love you, but man are you SILLY!

Early Nov. Happenings

Well today was the first day that Kenzi missed of school. She got sick during Devin's 5th birthday party and has had a fever since. Finally today it started dropping and looks a lot better also.

On Saturday Nov. 10th we had Devin's 5th birthday party. The theme was a Pizza Party. Each little kid got to make their own pizza with whatever toppings they wanted on it. Then I made big pizza's with toppings on it that I wanted or others did also. Some made their own pizzas and there were some interesting ones. Most of the time the kids were all playing outside in our backyard. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun and my kids were tired by the end of the day. Devin got a lot of stuff and loves all of it. We are so thankful for those who were here for his birthday party.

Since I had to stay home today with Kenzi I was able to get a lot of things done. We have Thanksgiving coming up soon and that will be here at my house. My family comes and cooks and enjoys a dinner for everyone. After thanksgiving we have Christmas and after Christmas we are going to be going to Disney World for a week. I was able to get our tickets ordered today. The hotel is booked, the rental car is booked, and we are excited and ready to go. The kids don't fully understand what the trip is about, but once we get there I think they will be so excited and hopefully worn out each day.

Skyler has joined many different clubs this year. He finished with spell bowl and did a good job. Now he is in speech club and pep band. I think later in the year he is going to join a few others, one being academic bowl.

Oh yea, I forgot to mention the new addition to our family. Sweetie is our lab/boxer mix that we added to our family about four weeks ago. She is a cute dog who is being a pain when it comes to potty training. She has been able to catch on to tricks like sit, lay down, shake, roll over, high five, and dance. She has gotten pretty big in the last few weeks and I can't wait to see how big she actually gets.

First Day's

Well this past Thursday August 16th, 2012 we started a new school year. My daughter Kenzi is now in kindergarten. She was excited, nervous, and a little shy that first day of school, but she loves it. Everyday she gets off the bus and I ask her questions and she loves to talk about it. She looks so cute wearing that backpack of hers!

Skyler started 8th grade this year. He wasn't excited at all about going back to school, but once it started he enjoyed it. Now I am hoping that he starts to get involved and socializes a little more with those students at school.

Jarred and I both had a good first day of school. I have only 6 students this year in my classroom and a full schedule for us each day. Jarred has a lot of good classes this year and he seems to be excited about this new school year. Devin and Landon went back to preschool also. Devin was super excited about going back and has been a great kid so far. We did end up starting ADHD medicine and it seems to be helping him a lot. Landon, however, has been a hand full. He is 3 and I can't tell if it is his normal 3 year old behavior or  if it is because he is being mean. He has temper tantrums a lot and just seems to be angry sometimes. However, he can be the cutest kid. So far our year back has been full of excitement and we have had full schedules each day.

As school really gets started I guess we will know more about how the year is going to go, but I think that it is going to be great.

Crazy Week

Monday my sister went into labor and Jayisha was born at 6:48pm weighing 7lbs 8ounces and was 18.5 inches long.  Jayisha is such a cute baby. She was considered to be premature and has immature lungs so she is in NICU getting help with her lungs.

Today, Thursday, was a great day. Yesterday we were called about finalizing the adoption of our two other kids that moved in. So today at 2:45pm we went to Indianapolis and had our adoption hearing for Skyler and Kenzi. They are now our kids and have been welcomed into the family. It was a fantastic day!

Tomorrow I will be registering my daughter for kindergarten. It will be a new experience and will be fantastic once she starts. Hopefully she loves it!

Daidra

Summer of 2012 so far

all my kids

Well, it has been a long time since I have actually posted anything. I don't remember the last time, but know that I have a lot more to share. I know that I posted about the two new kids in my last post. They moved in with us in December 2011 and shared Christmas with us. We have been very involved and been doing a lot together.  The oldest boy is a great students and does a lot to help out around the house. He has started making some good friends and has started to feel like he belongs. He also has his first crush!

Let's

New Playset with my niece and two kids!

Since February we have bought a swing set for the three little ones, in June we finally got our fence put up, a patio down, and finally had the swing set installed. The kids love having the area in the back for them to play without having to worry about going outside only when mom and dad are going outside. The whole month of June I was teaching summer school and made good money. Jarred did some substituting for summer school. We have some great plans for this month of July so that the kids can actually have some fun. We are holding a rummage sale and have so much stuff for it that I just don't know what to do with all of it. Then at the beginning of next week we are heading off to the hotel water park where we are spending two nights. On Monday we are hopefully going to be enjoying Connor Prairie and on Tuesday the Zoo. This week we did go to the Children's Museum and have some fun. We have actually started doing stuff for the summer. Soon we will be heading to Fort Wayne to spend some time with our family there.

We have also got to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary.  The oldest boy just turned 13 years old on July 1st and we had a swimming party for him. I think he ended up having a fantastic time and everyone that came seemed to enjoy it also. Thanks for coming and helping us to celebrate his birthday. Jarred and I also celebrated our anniversary which was on July 1st. To celebrate both his birthday and our anniversary we went out to eat at Olive Garden on the way home from Anderson. We had a great dinner.

Hopefully this post updates you a little about what we have been up too. The last thing I would like to let everyone know is that the two who moved in with us should be adopted within the next two weeks. We are excited about this and ready to finally have them as our own.

Daidra

How things change!

Well there are six of us now, we have a lot of fun. We were just on spring break, but we didn't do much at all. On Tuesday we did go see a lawyer and start the adoption process for S and K. We even got to go ahead and sign the petition for adoption, which was really fast considering we didn't get that for at least four months after starting with Devin and Landon. Jarred and I were also able to have a date night. We went and ate at Spageddies with Allie and then Jarred and I went to see The Hunger Games. It was a great time.

The end of our spring break was crazy. We went to see Yogi Bear on Saturday morning. Afterwards we decided to go to the park. We were there for about ten minutes and then had to go to ER because Landon's foot got stuck in the slide. He ended up having a hairline fracture in his leg.

Jarred and I have been working with Devin on riding a bike. We have a little red bike that he has been using and we started working with him on Saturday afternoon. He was able to catch on and we would push him a little. He would then pedal for a little bit but fall after a few minutes.  On Sunday we worked for a little longer and Devin finally caught on. Jarred was working with him at that time and it was neat to see. I then started working with him and teaching him how to do it on his own. I showed him how to put one pedal down and push with his other foot. He then he started pedaling on his own. It was so neat to see. Today I was working with him again and he was actually able to ride for a while. 

Today I took Landon to the doctor to get his cast. Out of all of the colors he chose red. Today was also the first day back after spring break, but I wasn't able to go because of taking Landon to the doctor. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day.

Well I guess I have updated everyone enough for today. Write to you later!