Vacation Part 2, The Disney Magic, first stop Key West

Here we are at the Port terminal, waiting to board the Disney Magic.  They sent out Minny Mouse to help the kids with the waiting process.

One of the things that I love most about my children, is how much they absolutely LOVE each other.  They do fight, like any siblings do, but they are so incredibly close.

Our first day on the ship was Jaylee's 5th Birthday!  The attention that she received from the crew was amazing.  They fussed over her like crazy!  She was sang to, given free pins and buttons.  She even had a birthday cake brought to her at dinner.  What a way to turn 5 years old!

Marshall and I waiting for the Disney show to start

We spent our first day exploring the ship waiting for our arrival in Key West, Florida.  The ship was so beautiful and there were all sorts of fun rooms and restaurants.  It was so clean and spotless, they had everyone wipe down their hands with a sanitary wipe before entering any eating areas.

The first stop was Key West.  Loved it there!

Beautiful Jaylee

We stopped in a shop and found Marshall the PERFECT hat!  It looked like a little pimp hat, and he totally pulled it off.  The ladies LOVED it!  We taught him to tip his hat, so when the ladies were fussing over him he would tip his hat to them.  It was hilarious!

Jaylee posing like the manikins, we are so in trouble when she turns 16!

Look at that DIMPLE

Sunset in Key West

Key West had the strangest street performers I have ever seen!  This guy was hilarious.  He called himself "CAT MAN"  He had all of these cats that would jump through hoops and not obey his commands.  The greatest was when one of his cats just sat there grooming himself while ignoring his commands.

I felt bad for the cats, but they definitely looked plump and "well fed"  When his act was over, you could tell that he really loves them.  He was petting them and treating them well.  The cats looked to be in better shape then him, to be honest.

Posing with the crazy CAT MAN

I think she's a fan!

The day is almost over, it's almost time to get back on the ship.  What a perfect first day of exploration!  The kids behaved themselves, the weather was perfect.  

Only 6 more days of fun on the Disney Magic.

Peace and love........

The best vacation ever part 1

This is the first part of the best vacation ever!!!  We took the Auto Train from Virginia to Florida.

The kids loved it!

So much to see....

 Once we got to Florida, we spent two wonderful days with Russ's family.

Jaylee took full advantage of the 85 degree weather!!  It was beautiful.

Marshall and his Aunt Cathy

It was a perfect day!  85 and sunny.  We saw a dolphin or two, and stopped for a nice lunch.

Marshall and his Uncle Glenn, letting him drive the boat

Can you tell that Marshall is really getting into driving the boat!!

I think he's a natural....

Jaylee and her Great Grandpa Nichols

Marshall, Russ and Grandpa Nichols

It was so wonderful spending time with family that we haven't seen in a few years.  It was the perfect start to a perfect vacation.  It was just what we needed, it was fun and refreshing.  Even though some of our family lives so far away, we want the kids to know them and for them to know our kids.

Part 2 of our vacation will be coming very soon, so stay tuned!!

Peace and love.......

The Big Birthday Bash

Since Jaylee and Marshall's birthday's are only a month apart, we decided to have a combined birthday bash for them this year.  It worked out so well, I think it was one of the best birthday parties yet!

Marshall and his balloon Mickey Mouse ears.

The theme was Mickey and Minnie Mouse this year.  Marshall chose Mickey Mouse again as his party theme, since that is his favorite thing in the whole wide world.  We had a couple do the party that do balloon animals, comedy magic and face painting.

 

 It is really hard to believe that my first born is going to be 5 years old in a little over a week.  She isn't a baby anymore, she is a little girl.

The kids have no idea that they are in for a surprise of a lifetime!  In one week we will be taking a train to Florida to head out on a Disney Cruise.  So if you see them, shhhhhh it's a surprise!!  They still don't know.  :)

A good friend of ours made and designed the birthday cakes for us this year.

 

Marshall helping the magician do a magic trick.

Jaylee's turn to help out.

I think this was one of my favorite parts.  Look at their faces..... I can remember this feeling when I was little and everyone was singing happy birthday to me.  Their faces tell it all. 

I was a little concerned that having their parties combined would take away from each other.  That they wouldn't feel as special on their "special day", but they loved sharing a party.  They are so close, that it didn't matter.  

I don't think that they make smiles any bigger then this......

Time to make a wish!!!!

Ok, this was my other favorite moment!!  They handed Marshall his candle, and told him to lick the frosting off.  He thought it was a piece of candy and he took a bite out of his wax candle!!
YUCK!!!

Present time!  The boys huddled around Marshall and the girls huddled around Jaylee.

It was a perfect day.  All of our family and friends were there and we all had so much fun.  I still can't believe that Marshall is 3 and Jaylee will be 5.  Life is going too fast lately. 

We are so blessed to have two amazing children, and to have the family and friends in our life to join in celebrating our children.

Peace and love..........

Will this be the end of the terrible 2's?????

 I tucked Marshall in last night and gave him a kiss.  I told him this "Tonight you go sleep being 2, tomorrow you will wake up being 3"

It's been wonderful watching him grow and teaching him.  It's also been a challenge over the past 6 months, with him being 2 years old and being a BOY!!  He can be a little stinker, a little wild man.  He's been known to ride our dog Woody around the kitchen like a horse.  He likes to steal the toliet paper off of the bathroom sink while his Daddy sits on the comode, leaving him sitting there helpless while we all LAUGH!!  He chases the cat, and pinches his sister.  Last week he took a container of baby powder and sprinkled it over EVERYTHING in sight, he said "Look Mommy snow"

Will this be the end of the terrible 2's?  Maybe, but I will miss that stage.  What happened to my baby boy?  My baby boy is using the potty (sometimes).... and talking in sentences.  Yes he is full of mischief, but he is an amazing child.

He is smart and loving.  He protects his big sister, when he's not beating her up......  He takes care of his Mommy, and he likes helping Daddy with things.  Sometimes he seems bothered when I smother him with kisses, but I think he secretly likes it.  He still likes Mommy and Marshall snuggle Fridays, where we both go back to bed and snuggle when Jaylee leaves for school.

When we pass a man we don't know on the street, Marshall will say "Hi Guy" and wave, which always makes people laugh.

He is still the little comedian where he makes us all bust out laughing on a daily basis with all of his antics and just being Marshall.  I asked him today if he kissed any girls on Valentines Day and he replied, "No just boys and chairs"

I stopped in with him at work today, our friend Melony asked him if he was ready for his birthday spankens.  He made a face, turned around and left.  Didn't say a word, and he didn't return.   I guess he doesn't relize that tradition quite yet.  He wasn't into it, that is for sure.

It's amazing how fast it has gone by.  It seems like just yesterday he was just a little baby.  Now he is a little boy.  I am so proud and happy of the little man he is becoming.  Good, bad and indifferent he has a personality all of his own.  We love every part of him.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Marshall, we love you so very much, always and forever.

Peace and love........

Marshall's First Trip to The Dentist

Today was Marshall's first ever dentist visit.  He wasn't too sure about it at first, as you can see by the

first picture, but he did great.  The hygienist had him smiling and giggling.

Say "AHHHHHHHH"

Jaylee is an expert at the dentist, she's been there, done that.  She was a trooper getting her first dental x-rays today.  

The day was a complete success....no cavities, no tears.

Peace and love............