Adventures Aboard the Mickey Boat

We had such a fantastically fabulous time on our little cruise. We left little miss Lola at granny's and definitely missed her, but it was so nice to have one on one time to enjoy with the boys. Jacks and Miles loved, loved, loved everything about the 'Mickey Boat' as they referred to it.



I had a hard time choosing highlights, so please forgive me for the multitude of pictures on this post!

Jacks and Miles loved all the characters tooling around the ship. Jacks was so funny - he loved the princesses. . . he told me they were pretty. Don't worry, he loved Captain Hook, Mickey and Goofy too.





On Grand Cayman we went to the neatest turtle farm and butterfly reserve. It was like nothing we had ever seen and the boys couldn't get enough of it!



The butterfly's loved my boys hair. I think it was the hair gel that I use - it smells fantastic and for some reason the butterfly's loved it too! They swarmed Jacks and Miles - leaving pretty much everyone else alone. Jacks felt pretty important and they both held so still.





We loved being at the beach. I think Jacks and Miles would have been content spending the entire eight days playing in the ocean and the sand. The beaches were beautiful and it was so relaxing.





Jackson and Miles went crazy when we got to the Disney island in the Bahamas. Anyone who knows my boys knows that they are crazy obsessed with pirates, especially Pirates of the Caribbean. On the island, they had the actual Flying Dutchman from the movie and Captain Jack. They could have died and gone to heaven right then and there!



One of the nights aboard the ship they had a Pirates in the Caribbean deck party. Everyone dressed up like pirates, sang pirate chanteys, and danced around like crazy people. It was a bit humorous to see the full grown women decked out in hoochie pirate wear. I opted to just don the complimentary bandanna that they provided with dinner. Jacks was a little overwhelmed by the throngs of people, but Miles had the time of his life, dancing like mad and then watching fireworks from the top deck. The party started at 9:45 at night, so after dancing and dancing, cute little Miles just about crashed before we even reached our room. It was so fun to see him having that much fun.





One of the neatest things we did was swim with the dolphins in Cozumel. The boys were a bit nervous at first, but had such a great experience.



We all got plenty of chances to touch them as they swam around us, and everyone got to give them a kiss and a handshake. It was amazing being that close to those beautiful animals. . . something that none of us will forget for a long time.




It was such a great time. Mostly we just loved spending 8 days with the kids without any interruptions. . . no cleaning, cooking, young womens, laundry, etc. It was so good to spend time with grandma and grandpa, Katie and Trav and cousins.



Now if we could only do something about these horrid winter conditions back in Utah!

Vacation!

Off we go on an adventure in the Caribbean aboard a Disney cruise ship. We can't wait to leave this snowy wasteland behind to play in the sand and the sun!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Birthday Miles!

We had a rockin' John Deere birthday party for Miles last Friday! He loves, loves, loves tractors and has been 'planning' his tractor party since last year.

He had such a fun birthday. We went to the toy store during the day, had dinner at his favorite fine dining establishment (McDonalds), played on the germ-infested playland, and then went home for his party.

He had so much fun, loving every second of being the center of attention. He loved opening his gifts, and was the happiest kid on earth.

So far 3 has been a magical age for him, he has finally left those terrible-twos in the dust (well, most of the time at least) and has become such a fun little guy.

Happy birthday to my favorite little 3 year old!

Left Standing in the Snow

Today I put my barely 3 year old Miles on a bus. He started a new preschool at the elementary school to help with his speech. There I stood, snow swirling around me as watched it pull away with my little guy on board, holding back the tears.

I've always known the day would arrive, even looked forward to it just a bit, that I would send each one of my kids off into the big world on a school bus. I just didn't think it would come this fast. I didn't think I'd feel so sentimental, but I just want to keep my arms around him just a little longer. Hold on to him and protect him from the big scary things that might be waiting for him. I know this is a great opportunity for him and for us. . . I'm sure it will help him catch up in the words department, but just for today I'm a little sad and wanting to keep my little ones little forever!

Ski Day

We put Jacks in ski lessons this year. He hasn't loved it until this Saturday - we left Miles and Lola with grandma and grandpa and went up with my brother and Jacks had so much fun. I was on the lift heading up the bunny hill to meet Nate and Jacks, and I saw him, heading down the hill in his little snowplow screaming at the top of his lungs, "I'm doing it, dad!"

And she's off. . .

Lola finally got her wobbley little legs going. She's so proud of her new feat and spends her days toddling up and down our hallways enjoying her increase in freedom!

Teeth!

I never thought it would happen, but Lola finally sprouted her first teeth. She's definately doing it in style, growing not just one, but five. Better late than never, I guess. I love the way it changes her sweet little face and can't get enough of the toothy grin! I can't believe how fast she's grown up. . . it's gone faster with each one and I'm having a hard time letting go of my baby!