Cresses & Cripes Hit Miami

During our trip to Florida, we headed over to Miami with our friends the Cripes. We stopped in Alligator alley to take a few snapshots...hoping not to get "snapped at."

We stayed at Te Beacon Hotel and after arriving headed out to the front patio for drinks and food of course.
You can't go to Miami without having a Mojito or two!!!

We did a little shopping - Tim more than me believe it or not!

Before heading out for the evening we enjoyed a monstrous cocktail in our hotel...a margarita with two Coronas. :)
Lastly, we hit one of my faves...The Delano. The pool is surrounded by beds for guests to relax.
We had a great mini-trip with fantastic friends!

Water, Sand and Sunsets

We spent our post-Christmas vacation once again in Florida. I always look forward to our time there with my parents, siblings and friends. This 2010-2011 trip was a bit chillier than most. The first night we arrived it was in the 30's!!! Needless to say, we only went to the beach once or twice.
The girls had so much fun with their cousin Leighla - who always provides much entertainment!
Each year we head to The Cottage on the beach for New Year's. Our friends Eric and Rhonda are always there who sadly had to move away to Illinois...so it's one of the few times we get to see them. My sister and her husband go with too. Live music, drinks and good company!





PF Chang's is always scheduled into the trip as well. Love Chang's Spicy Chicken. :) Looking forward to many more trips down south.

Our In-House Breakfast Chef

I will give it to you straight. I'm not a huge fan of cooking such things as bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles, sausage, coffee cake, etc. I will EAT all of them, with the exception of the sausage, but don't really get pumped up about COOKING them.

So it is AWESOME that my husband feels that cooking a huge breakfast is an important part of the weekend! He enjoys it and so do Tay and Jayce. He really gets into it! When Tim is gone they get offered cereal, toast or Eggo waffles! Poor babies...he spoils them. :)

The Inconsistent Blogger...That's Me!

Yes it is May of 2011. And yes I have not blogged since December of 2010! What on Earth is going on? Well, let's make a list:

1. Swamped with work
2. Tim has a new job!
3. Swamped with work
4. Swamped with work
5. Swamped with work

There you have it. Although I love my job (being a Realtor) at times it can be very demanding... especially at the most inconvenient times. Lots of evenings during the week and it's not uncommon to work on the weekend as well. So when I am busy, I am trying to fit it all in. Sad to say, blogging hasn't made the priority list. Someday, I will be able to sit back and relax and blog leisurely. Until then, I will be blogging...just VERY inconsistently.

Christmas Program for Jaycie

In years past, Jaycie has been very shy during any public production. This year, she belted out "Away in a Manger" with a smile. We are very proud of you Jaycie!

Being lovey with her sister!

Her BFF Tatum

And now with their friend Payton!

IU Tailgating

We tailgated down at IU yet another time with friends. We had fun hanging out before the game, enjoyed great seats and the Hoosier Hundred room for the first time. This allowed us access to a large indoor area under the stadium with refreshments. Most importantly it allowed us to watch the second half of the game right on field level...AWESOME!

The new score board!

Amazing Acres

Another great time at Amazing Acres!

Pink Hair, Pumpkins & Olympia Candy

This October we headed to downtown Goshen for First Friday. They shut down part of the streets and have vendors, music and arts and crafts.

After walking around for awhile the girls wanted to get pink hair extensions. Then we headed over to the arts and crafts area and the girls decorated pumpkins.

Lastly we finished the evening off at Olympia for burgers, fries and candies of course.

It was a perfect evening with the family.

Juday Fall Party

Our friends the Judays recently had a fall party at their new home. We enjoyed good food and fun with friends and family.
They had games for the kids and Ryan loaded up the tractor for a HUGE hayride! The kids had a great time as did the adults. They had a country-style band play in the polebarn. We kept warm outside with a great bonfire.
Thanks for the great time Judays!

The Nickell ladies...minus a couple.

Taylin and the Miller boys

Hayride time!

A Magical Halloween

Walt Disney World...there are no words to completely describe this experience. For adults and kids alike. We visited for our second time this October...the last time we were there Jaycie was still tiny. We wanted to go again so that she could enjoy things that she couldn't last time and hopefully remember more.

Our first night in we went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party...
It was dark as we entered the park and so Cinderella's castle was lit up. As the tram neared the Magic Kingdom, Jaycie shouted, "Mommy, it's Cinderella's castle!" Listening to her excitement and complete belief in Cinderella's existence melted my heart and of course made me teary-eyed.

Some highlights of this year's trip were:

1. Bibbity Bobbity Boutique...where the girls were literally transformed into Tiana from "Princess and the Frog"
2. The Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade...with barrels and barrels and barrels of candy.
3. Meeting Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
4. Meeting Mickey, Minnie and all the characters. They LOVED the fairies...Tinkerbell and Vidia.
5. Tay's love for rollercoasters emerged for the first time...who knew?!? We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad twice. The first time we went Taylin screamed with excitement and put her hands in the air most of the ride, a smile plastered on her face...Jaycie cried at the end. Needless to say it was just Tay and her Momma the second time around. If Tay could have had her way we would have ridden it 10 more times!
6. Just hanging out at the hotel and relaxing. The girls really enjoyed the many pools and our weather was AWESOME!

Tim and I feel very blessed that we are able to give our children this unbelievable vacation experience. We wish that all kids had the means to do the same. It truly is a magical place.

Mom and Dad were able to join us for the trip...Dad for just a couple days.

Our very own Princess Tianas!

Dinner at Fulton's Crabhouse with my parents....very good!

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen

Our first meeting with Mickey at Hollywood Studios

Minnie was sooooo tiny! Adorable.

Princess Jasmine and Aladdin

My mom stayed back with the girls one night so Tim and I could have a night out!

Princess and the Frog!

And another...

My Prince Charming!