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I remember the day when I laughed at bloggers who said they didn't have anything to write about! I never imagined I would eventually have similar feelings. The irony is that I'm busier then ever, yet I have less to say. Let me rephrase that...I think I just have less energy to say it, less time to write it, and less ability to make it all into a coherent thought.

Here is my other issue...I feel like I blog less because people comment less. This is a little like "which came first, the chicken or the egg?". That said, I never started blogging for comments. But the feedback, thoughts, encouragement is nice. Plus its motivating to know that my voice is being heard and someone is reading and considering my thoughts or sharing in my adventures. I know you're still out there...I can see my counter and apparently there are still 30-40 of you consistently checking in on my daily chaos. Some of you have questioned me on my lack of blogging, to which I probably questioned you in return to your lack of commenting!?

The original purpose behind this blog was a way to share my own thoughts truly with myself...in hopes that one day I would publish this blog and have it as a journal of sorts to pass on to the girls. It is also a great way to give family and friends a glimpse into the girl's lives despite being miles away. So...since it still serves that purpose, I will continue.

But please...don't complain that I don't post enough...unless you leave the complaint in comment form. Then its acceptable.

First Wagon Ride

"Hey...does this thing go anywhere? I'm bored!"
"Oh! My sister is going to pull me...I better say a prayer first for safety!"

"Bye! See you later...I'm going for my first wagon ride!"

"AHHH...this thing is so fast! Its messing up my hair!"

"Phew...its over. Hey, that was actually kind of fun! I think I like my wagon!"

Our Final Day

We returned to the Magic Kingdom for our final day of fun.
Buddies...Baileigh and Grace couldn't look any different, but they are so similar in every other way and got along great all week.

Having fun with my girls.

Sportin her Disney attitude as we finished our day.

Animal Kingdom

These two look like trouble! They were a funny duo and got along so well!
Having fun with Daddy...

Waiting to go on Safari

While we were there they started decorating for Christmas...it was fun to watch the transformation.

We hopped over to the Studio's in the evening and met up with a bunch of our NJ friends who are Disney regulars to watch Fantasmic

Magic Kingdom

We didn't go to Magic Kingdom until Wednesday...a little Disney strategy to avoid crowds, and it worked! All the kiddos, humoring mom for a picture before we get started.
As we walked in on Main Street we could hear a show at the Kingdom...we were just in time to see all the princesses dancing. The girls stopped walking and just stood there mesmerized.

Brooke and her favorite lady, Minnie...at Chef Mickey's dinner.

The fam...getting our monies worth from Chef Mickeys.

Closing down our full day at Magic Kingdom with fireworks...no better way to end a night.

Disney Hollywood Studios

Our second day was spent in Hollywood Studios...we were led by our young tour guide and map reader, Jackson!
This meeting with Mickey was awesome...we walked in and he was standing around waiting for people...we got our autographs and pictures and left just as the line was about 30 people deep after a show had let out.

Random picture because I liked the large coke bottles...

We finished up the day with a parade...as you can see from the picture all the kids joined in on the dancing and had a lot of fun!

Larger then life, Mckenna...in an appropriate picture!

Celebrating 8...Epcot Style

Our first day at Disney was also Baileigh's 8th birthday! I think a day in Disney World including a special luncheon with the princesses counts as a fun birthday! We started off the morning by arriving just prior to the Epcot entrance opening...which means the characters were standing there waiting to greet everyone. Baileigh's "Happy Birthday" got her a little extra attention throughout the day...like meeting Minnie first thing!
Making our trip even more fun and special was the fact that we spent the week with some great AF friends of ours. After a week of living together I'm thankful to report that we're all still friends! Baileigh and Grace are just 10 days apart and kindred spirits, and Mckenna and Jackson are about 6 months apart as well as Cole and Brooke. All the kids got along amazingly well and my kids are going through withdrawl missing the Maddox children.

We ate lunch in "Norway" at Epcot at a princess luncheon.

Cinderella and our gang...how she keeps from getting food smeared on her dress our little sticky hand prints all over her boggles my mind.

Baileigh got a card signed by all the princesses for her birthday and a special dessert...in case you can't tell by the picture, she was pretty excited!

Baileigh and her buddy , Grace...they were both due October 28, 2001...Grace came 6 days early and Baileigh was 5 days late. They haven't been able to spend a lot of time together in the past years but whenever they do they seem to pick right up where they left off. They both love to read, and do math problems...I don't think they had any conflict or issues with each other all week, despite being roommates and being together 24/7.

We returned to our rental house that night and had a birthday party...including cake and some swim time in our pool.Party time...

It was kinda hard to share Baileigh on her special day, but I'm glad she was having so much fun with friends and being in Disney. I don't usually have to compete for her attention so much, I guess this was good preparation for future birthday celebrations when she is more concerned with her friends then her mommy. Can she just stay 8 forever?!

Halloween 2009

I'm a week behind since we have been out of town in Disney...so before I show pictures of our trip I wanted to share our Halloween. The girls had a great time getting to trick or treat in North Carolina with friends and family. This year I encouraged the Disney theme since we were taking our costumes on our trip...I ended up with 3 princesses and one Minnie.
We participated in a trunk or treat at a local church...it was a day filled with scattered showers but it cleared up in time for the evenings festivities.

I thought that Morgan would resist her itchy costume...instead she seemed to enjoy eating it...I found sparkles on her face and tongue the next few days...and a few other places!

My little, little, little mermaid.

Twas the night before Disney...

Fall Photos

When the girls went outside to play today after school I decided to take my camera with us and see if I could get a few photos in the yard. Plus I'm in complete denial that I have to pack for 6 people to go to Disney in a few days so this was a great way to procrastinate...and update my blog!

My least compliant subject matter...so this is a very successful photo because she isn't running away from the camera.
The trees in our front yard...I can't believe the peak color is over and the leaves have begun to fall.
Not only another successful photo of Brooke...but a real smile too...not a "cheese" pose.

My beautiful 6 year old...so girly, yet notice the big knot on her forehead from a meeting with the pavement yesterday. She is the best of both worlds...loves her accessories but you'll see her necklace and earings blowing in the wind as she sails down our driveway on her scooter performing as many stunts as she can imagine!

Despite the fact this is a "posed" picture...I love it...especially all their exposed belly buttons.

Mckenna's smile in this picture just makes me smile, too!

Three of my 4 little princesses...number 4 was taking her afternoon nap and missed out on all the fun.

Double trouble!!!

Just one week shy of 8! She is so excited to celebrate her big day in style in Walt Disney World! Hope she doesn't expect this every year!

Too Cool

Preschool Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

On Wednesday Brooke's school went to a local pumpkin patch...this trip was rescheduled from last week when it was a high in the low 40's and rainy. Yesterday was upper 70's and beautiful!

One of her favorite activities were the big slides.
I struggled to find somewhere that was a good photo op combined with good lighting, somewhere to sit, etc... this still wasn't the best background. And I completely gave up on getting Morgan to look at the camera because she was pretty enthralled with all the pumpkins around her. Just seconds after taking this picture Brooke decided she was done and she jumped down and left her wobbly 7 month old sister sitting alone...I made a one handed catch of Morgan just seconds after taking this picture and seconds before she had a pumpkin stem in her face! I'm writing about it in a whimsical manner but it wasn't funny. At all!
Checking herself out in the fun house mirrors.

Of the 100 different fun things you could do at this pumpkin patch Brooke decided she loved this old, stiff, circa late 70's ride on skunk. There is no understanding this girl sometimes.

It was nice to have Nana with us...although I didn't get her in any good pictures...because it let me enjoy some time on the slides with Brooke while Nana watched Morgan.

We're hoping to go to a different pumpkin patch this weekend before Nana heads home but the weather for Saturday isn't looking too promising. Last Saturday it was a rainy mess, too...so that just means that Brooke may end up being the only lucky one who gets to go to a pumpkin patch this year!