The Things I'm Thankful For

I know I'm a day late, but thankfulness is something we should have all year, right? So here is a quick list of the things that I am thankful for. I'm sure I will forget something, as I have been very blessed.

- These guys. Not the best picture, but I figured since they are eating their Thanksgiving meal, it was most appropriate. Even though they both annoy me, for very different reasons, I can't imagine what I would do without either of them.

- My family. Aren't they cute? Everyone is better looking at Disney World. Even though we live 578 miles apart (according to Google Maps) I know I can always count on them for anything. And GiGi (that's my grandma, to those of you unschooled in toddler-to-adult nicknames) too of course, but I don't have a good picture of her.

- My friends. From the ones I've known since I was 10 (that'd be you Angie, if you ever read this) to my awesome IWU/AOII girls to the friends I can call family through that guy I married to Florida church friends who may have scattered to the four winds but still come together to the recent ones I've met through being a mom, I'm thankful for each and every one of you. Your picture may not be there, but know I love you and appreciate what you bring to my life.

- Entertainment in general. I'm a fan of it in all kinds and while the picture above is just books, trust me, I'm not above TV and movies and games, etc. Its always nice to find something fun in a piece of "entertainement fluff" that sparks thoughts or conversations or whatever it might be.

- That I have a place to live, a car that works (for the most part), and all the basic necessities of life. The last few years have been tough on a lot of people, us included, but I can't complain. Ok, let me say I shouldn't complain. My son is taken care of and I'm not suffering, which so many people in our world are. God has definitely blessed me.

- That I live in a country where I can say, believe, worship, and trust in the style I want. That I can vote, wear pants, change my haircolor, and walk next to my husband when we're out in public. People might think America is going down the tubes, and there are things I am unhappy with, but when you compare it to a lot of places, we really have it good. I'm so thankful for my many blessings, for God's love, and for grace. Where would I be without it?

Another Day, Another Disney

I'm attempting to get back on the blogging bandwagon. I reuploaded my pictures again, although I had a weird issue with my camera's software suite, but I'll make due for now. Anyway, Quinn and I had the pleasure of going to Disney today with Ross' cousin Pamela, her husband, and their daughter Audrey. We just went to the Magic Kingdom for a few hours, which was crazy crowded and hot. I don't think I've seen it that crowded in a long time. Anyway, even though we were only there for a few hours, we had a great time! We rode Dumbo and the People Mover and Winnie-the-Pooh and Goofy's Barnstormer. The park is decorated for Christmas, and although we didn't get to see the lights, it was still beautiful. I do love the Christmas season.

Here is Quinn and Audrey in front of the Christmas tree in Mickey's house. For a 4 and 2 year old, this is as good as it gets.
And here they are on the couch in Minnie's house with their lollies.

Even with the crowds and the heat, I am still very thankful to have a Disney season pass. It is a wonderful perk of living so close.

If its not one thing...

It's another. First Ross left my camera at his cousin's house on Halloween. Then we had yet another computer glitch, which at this time, is hopefully fixed. It always seems like my blogging gets interrupted. Oh well, I guess I'll keep it up while I can. I haven't moved my pictures back onto the computer, so I have nothing to share. Plus I haven't gotten my camera back yet. So there's that.

Not too much exciting is going on. Ross and I went to Food and Wine last weekend with our friends Elisa and Kevin, which was fun. My stomach illness reared its ugly head again on Monday, so I was out of it for a while. No fun there. Luckily Quinn and Ross didn't get anything. We are looking forward to the approaching holidays and I've even started Christmas shopping a little. Way to go me.

I guess that's it for now. Hopefully I'll get my picture situation sorted out so you can see Quinn smiling face again, which is the only important thing anyway.

Fun times with Family

Last Friday my parents and sister came to visit from TN. Even though we were missing GiGi, we had a lot of great stuff planned, and we ended up having a great time. It did get a little warm, but other than that, the weather was great. Here is a picture from later in our time to start you off, yay for Small World!

We spent two days at Disney, one at Animal Kingdom/Hollywood Studios and one at Magic Kingdom. I'll be honest and say I didn't take as many pictures as I probably should have, but sometimes when you're having fun, you just forget.

Quinn hugging his new pal Woody.

Quinn was so excited to "meet" Lightning McQueen and Mater. He was a bit disappointed when it was just a photo op and he couldn't ride them.

Quinn and Papa watching the Block Party Parade at Hollywood Studios. They were having a great time.

The next day, Sunday, was my mom's birthday. I made reservations at the tea room at the Grand Floridian for her, myself, and my sister. It was so fun and we had a great time together.

Mom and Mere

Me and Mom, good job Meredith!

The next day we went to the Magic Kingdom. It was hot but fun, as it always is. Since we had decided to go, Meredith had promised Quinn to go on Dumbo with him. He talked about it for days and was so excited to go. They had such a great time together!

Then they got to sit together on the carousel.

Quinn loves a good carousel.

We made reservations for "lunch" at 2:45 at Liberty Tree Tavern. While we were waiting, I snapped a few lovely photos.

Aw, aren't they cute!

You know Quinn is tired when he falls asleep in his stroller. That is quite a rarity.

I finally realized Quinn was tall enough to ride Goofy's Barnstormer, his first roller coaster. I was a little nervous he would freak out, but he loved it! I'm not a big roller coaster person, but I'm always happy to introduce him to new things. I hope he is adventuresome and (somewhat of) a thrill seeker someday.

Yay for Nana and Papa and Mere, come back soon!

What We've Been Up To...

We had a great weekend this past weekend. It was busy, but fun, just like I like it!

On Friday Ross and I went with some family members to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. As always, it was amazingly delicious and super fun. This is the time of year I love being a Disney passholder, because I know we can go back!! Below is a picture of the ladies and our Pomegranate Kir, which is a tradition. Yum!

On Saturday my lovely "Little Sister" Nicole came over to hang out. We had a great time, like always. Even though we did some pretty low-key stuff, it was still a lot of fun. I've known her since she was 7 and I can't believe she is 16. Time does fly. And I love that Quinn loves her too. Here he is trying to give a thumbs up.

Nana, Papa, and Aunt Mere are coming on Friday, so I'm sure we'll have a lot more adventures to share!

Back on the Blog train

Hopefully that is. A few days after we got our computer back it crapped out again. Computers make our lives easier in so many ways, and crappier in a lot of ways too. So now I'm working on making sure it is working right, getting pictures uploaded, etc. Not too much has been going on, this week anyway, which is kind of nice. The next few weeks should be pretty busy, and while I'm looking forward to it all, it has been nice to just hang out.

Its finally fall in Florida, or at least as fall as Florida gets. Growing up in Illinois, fall was colorful and cool and fun. And from birth to age 9 it meant pumpkins. During that time of my life, I lived in Morton, IL, home of the Libby's pumpkin canning plant (home of many exciting elementary field trips). There is a big pumpkin festival every year and there is so much pumpkin yumminess, its hard to stop yourself. Pie, cookies, ice cream, chili, ahhhh, I wish I could go! I still have a love of most things pumpkin, and that of course extends to the scrumptious Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. This year I've been trying to consume fewer of them, due to their probable high calorie count, but it was nice and cool this morning, so after I dropped Quinn off I went to Starbucks and sat outside with a lovely latte and read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (for probably the 5th time). It was divine.

School Time

We made the decision to send Quinn to 3 day preschool (9:30-1:30) this year, and let me say, it wasn't the easiest decision. I love spending time with him, but he needs to be around other kids, have a more structured learning environment, and learn about God. So off we sent him to Brandon Christian Academy at the First Baptist Church of Brandon. Lots of Ross' family members have sent their kids there, so we were confident it was a good place. And it definitely is, he loves it already!

But back to the beginning...I decided, in all my craftiness (haha, stop laughing people) to make him a countdown to school sign for his door. I attached some construction paper rings, like you probably used when counting down to Christmas. I can definitely get dorky sometimes. Anyway, here is him on the first day of the countdown.

And here he is on the night before school started. Notice the haircut. And no, he didn't wear those pjs every night between the first picture and this one.

Finally the first day of school arrived, and we were ready. Sort of. Quinn usually sleeps until about 8:30, so that was the first change that had to happen. School starts at 9, so we were up at about 7:30. Quinn was not too pleased, but he got over it. We ate, got dressed, and ready and were about to head out the door. But I had to take this picture. Not his best look, but it works.

I wanted to get a lot of cute first day of school pictures, but he really wasn't having it. Lately he has not wanted to look at my camera when asked, which I guess is part of being 2.5, which he turned on the first day of school. But the picture below is so cute and candid, it is better than any posed shot could be.

He did cry when I dropped him off that day, but ever since it has been smooth sailing. He seems to really like his teachers and the other kids in his class. And I love that he tells me about Jesus. Its a decision I'm glad we made.