Glory with gusto!

Disney World

While we were in Florida Alan's parents kept Laurel and we had a super fun day at the park with the big girls. Our two little Minnie's were most excited about meeting all the princess and other characters. By 4pm we were almost too exhausted to stay, but we ate and early dinner and caught a second wind to stay ride the tea cups a few more times and catch the fireworks show.

 We couldn't have ask for a more beautiful day. This picture looks like a postcard (except the crane on the right)

 This one got a much needed nap during the parade while we ate funnel cakes...sooooo delicious, but then you remember why you only eat those once every 3 years or so!

 The photographer was too chicken to ride the teacups. We ladies, however, could NOT get enough. The girls loved going as fast as possible and poor little Margot couldn't hold her self down as she whipped around the seats.

 another little nap on our 2nd or 3rd trip through "It's a Small World." This was Margot's favorite ride and fortunately (since it's such a thriller) didn't have such long lines.

 

Kissimmee

 We had the greatest week with GraMoM and Grandpa in Florida in the beginning of November. Here are some photos from a morning at Cocoa Beach. The weather was perfect, we got a few chances to swim in our complex too. The girls each got to go on a date with GraMoM and Grandpa for pancakes, play at the park, have tea parties, and basically loved all the extra attention!

 A very English tea party

 nice one, laurel

Eating worms in a bowl of dirt at the Rainforest Café....so exciting!!!

*so....Grandpa was actually there with us despite the lack of evidence here. We actually forgot our camera so all these pictures are from his camera, thus the missing photographer.

Playing a little catch up

Happy Halloween Y'all

 The big girls were Fancy Rainbow Butterflies per Eloise's request. Margot started with a ladybug costume and a bumble bee for Laurel, but Margot wanted to be the same as her big sister and I though the bee was too cold. And yes, Alan was named the Bug Catcher by Eloise too. We had so much fun and were totally pooped by the end of 1/3 mile circle. After every single house, Margot would turn around after receiving her candy and say, "Can we go to another house?" She thought it was the greatest thing ever!

 Their cute tops and skirts were made by my wonderful sister-in-law who is going to start and etsy shop soon. 

Fancy Nancy (my mom) and her dog "Frenchie" 

For those of you that aren't familiar with them....they are from a children's book that the girls adore.

one last hurrah in the sun

We have been meaning to get the girls' pictures taken by a professional all summer but didn't get around to it. So, we went to a nearby park after church a few weekends ago and got some really adorable pictures. I ordered a bunch of prints and will get them in the mail to all y'all in the family soon. 

 In college, I used to babysit a dear friend's girls, Morgan and Mary Bishop as babies and young toddlers. Laurel is wearing one of their outfits and sitting on a beautifully crochet blanket that Morgan (who is now in high school!!) made her. Thank you MJ, Mary Bishop and Morgan!

Laurel kicking

Everyday we notice more and more similarities between Laurel and Eloise as a baby. It baffles me that they can be so similar as little babies and nothing like Margot at all! Click here to see Eloise doing the same leg kicking.

Like a diamond ring...

we miss you grandpa

Happy 4th Birthday Eloise

  Really, is she already 4? only 4? It's weird how time passes. Here, I think she looks like a teenager. Her Daddy made her birthday pancakes to start the many many sugar highs that we had for the day.

Eloise had a great birthday gift of having "la la Grandpa" come visit for a long weekend. The girls call Alan's parents, "la la GraMoM and la la Grandpa" because of a song that Lisa made up to the tune of Fur Elise that starts "la la la la la la El-o-ise, oh El-o-ise, oh El-o-ise"

I think GraMoM tried to fight it, but now she embraces it and even signed a card that way!

 After breakfast we opened presents with GraMoM (via skype) and Grandpa. She loves her new bus and coloring book from London!

To celebrate the big event we met up with my family for our monthly concert in the park/picnic. The venue has a big open lawn and stage as well as 2 playgrounds and a sprayground. So much fun for all of us. We celebrated my niece, Madeline's, birthday too. She will become an official teenager later this month!

 Again, the girls are all dressed in coordinating, handmade dresses that Dawn made. So cute!

Yum!!

We love you so much, Eloise! 

We are captivated everyday by your beauty, love (for your sisters, God, puzzles and at the moment fancy horses), and your laughter. You are a blessing from God and our cup runneth over! 

Love, Mommy and Daddy