Disney World!

Living so close to Disney World we had to sneak over for a few days during Christmas break. We had a wonderful time! Clara loved seeing all the Disney characters, especially Mickey, Minnie,Goofy, Pluto, & Donald. Alex was all about the ride where he got to drive a car. And Sammy discovered roller coasters and loved them. Here are a few highlights minus the last day. We left our camera in the hotel :(

At the end of the first day. All were very sleepy, but I couldn't get enough of that purple castle.

Sammy was very excited to meet a few of the princesses. Clara, on the other hand, could have cared less. But she went along with it anyways.

I know you can't tell from the picture, but this was Clara's favorite part. She didn't want to leave Minnie's lap. She also loved seeing them in the parades.

Sammy just had to have her face painted.

Getting ready for all the spinning on the tea cup ride.

Alex giving Clara some loves. A few minutes later he was passed out on my lap and slept during the whole parade.

Clara catching what little sleep she could while waiting for the Pirate of the Caribbean ride. Daddy sure has a comfy shoulder.

Clara turned 2!

My sweet little baby...well she is definitely not a baby...turned 2 the beginning of December. She was so lucky to have cousins visiting to help celebrate during a family birthday party and then had a great time with her friends a few days later. All she wanted was cupcakes and that is all she ate for dinner. She certainly was saving room for dessert. :) Clara is such a joy to have in the family. She talks like crazy, is always willing to give a big hug and kiss, loves to follow her older brother and sister around, & has us all wrapped around her little finger.

So excited to have all the attention as we sing happy birthday!

To Clara a party is not complete without cupcakes.

She was so excited to get her bike. Her mom was really excited too...now my back won't hurt from having to bend over as I push her on one of Alex's or Sammy's bikes.

Playing dress-up is at the top of her list of favorite things to do. Isn't she a doll?! She clanks around the house in those fancy shoes.

Getting ready for a fun friend party. She had a dog themed birthday...she loves dogs. Why do all my children love dogs and I can't stand them?

Grandma Hobbs' Visit-Thanksgiving 2009!

We were so lucky to have Grandma Hobbs come visit us! We had such a blast! Here are some of the highlights.
Beaches...we went to the beach two days while she was here; Deerfield Beach & South Beach. We played in the sand, buggie-boarded, collected shells, & soaked up some sun.

My mom and I went snorkeling down in Key Largo. My mom loved snorkeling in the open sea. Me on the other hand, I got a little disoriented and froze my buns off. It was only in the upper 70s, which is cold for this Florida girl.

You can't come to Florida with out seeing some alligators. Notice how much Alex is actually touching the gator.

My mom has no fear and would try almost anything!

Thanksgiving dinner. It was so helpful having my mom there to help prepare it. Could have never done it without her. I don't have a picture of one of my favorite things we did...Black Friday shopping...Thanks mom! You are a great sport!

Family Photo Shoot-November 2009

As a fundraiser for Young Women our ward offered a family photo shoot. I wasn't in love with the family shots, but there were some really cute ones of the kids...and of course a great Christmas card photo. Here are some of my favorites.
What a handsome boy!

Amazing to catch brother-sister love on camera.

Sammy is all grown up.

Clara had blast posing for these pictures.

My sweet hubby and I. Still in love after 9 years.

One big happy family...at least for this one picture :)

Halloween

We had a great Halloween! With Trunk-or-treating, class parties, trick-or-treating, & the Sugar Fairy everyone was happy.

Clara was our sweet ballerina. She kept pointing our her ballet shoes to everyone.

Samantha picked her costume according to what she thought was the most fancy...the spanish princess won.

Alex was Speed Racer. I bought the costume a size too big, but that didn't stop him from running from house to house.

We went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. The kids received way too much candy, so the Sugar showed up the next morning took it all and left a wonderful toy in it's place. Happy ending for both parent and child.