Disney weekend

We spent a wonderful weekend in Orlando. We went down Friday late afternoon and checked into the hotel. Then we went out for something to eat and to Downtown Disney and walked around. It was a lot of fun. The LEGO store alone is worth the visit. It is really amazing what they have built with Legos. There are some REALLY cool toy stores there too, where the kids can play with some of the toys. Angel enjoyed making a Mister Potato Head at one of the stores.


Saturday was spent at Magic Kingdom. We got there around 9:30 and started riding rides and seeing shows. We were able to get into most attractions in about 10 minutes, which was great. Our friends, Peter and Susan, and their kids and additional family, showed up at Magic Kingdom for a show so we spent some time with them. We stayed pretty much the whole day, not getting back to the room until 9:30 that night. Angel is a die hard Mickey fan now. She was so cute at the parade, waving like crazy to Mickey. She kept asking (before she saw him) is we were going to see the "moving" Mickey.

























Sunday we slept in a bit and checked out of our hotel. We went to the Gaylord Palms to see ICE. If you haven't heard of this, it is spectacular. It is about 3 million pounds of ice carved into various winter/Christmas scenes by 30 residents of China. This is truly worth the visit. The hotel itself is also beautifully decorated for Christmas - we spent some time looking around at all of the beautiful decorations and taking pictures.

Thanksgiving

Today we spent Thanksgiving with our good friends Barb, her girls Emma and Ellie, and Barb's sister(Josh was with his dad today). We traveled with them to be with their extended family in Georgia. We had a great time, enjoyed good food and great fellowship. I am so thankful for my kids, Josh and Angel. And for my family and friends (who treat us like family).


Angel, Emma and Ellie chowing down



We stopped by the cotton field so the girls could see how cotton grows.

She is not even a teenager yet but already wants poster on her walls!! At least they are pretty tame - of course she wanted Spiderman!!

Thanksgiving Feast

Today was Angel's Thanksgiving Feast at school. It was done right outside their classroom in the common area, with three classrooms participating. During the morning, they had "centers" in the classroom, where they made crafts and learned about Thanksgiving. I arrived early to help set up the lunch plates. Before sitting down to eat, they sang two songs. It was so cute and Angel was so excited. I am so thankful for her and Josh everyday. And I am thankful that I can be involved in her school activities.

Angel checking out a cool educational website - doesn't take them long to catch on to electronics!

Fun at the Park

We met C and K at the park today. The weather was beautiful, just cold enough to be comfortable. The girls had a great time running around, jumping, climbing, burning up all that energy!! Makes me tired thinking about it!

Angel loves to swing.





















Angel and Kimberly entertain us!!

We got together with Emma and Ellie at the park for some fun!!

Fall Festival

Our church had a Fall Festival this weekend so we enjoyed some of the activities.
Face Painting

Riding the roller coaster

Fishing

Angel got a new tube

Angel went for her new ear tubes today and it turns out she only needed one - the other ear was ok. She is doing fine tonight and is up and playing!! We were also able to visit little Spencer. Our friends Susan and Peter adopted Spencer in August and their twin girls are from China also. Little Spencer, we hope you feel better soon.



Angel in recovery


Angel with a hospital gown on checking out the JCPenney toy catalog (she recovers quickly Thank God)

Josh ROTC

Saturday we were up bright and early to take Josh to meet the bus at his school. He had an ROTC competition. It was at a school close by so we went to it too. I just have to say, he did great as did his whole unit. He is on the Expedition team, there are about 12 on the team and they all have to march and do all the moves together. The drill routine they did was quite complicated with no two moves the same. He will be traveling at least once a month for competition throughout the school year so we will be going to as many of the meets as we can, which I am sure will be all of them. (Josh is in the second row from the left behind the shorter girl)
The rest of the weekend was spent laying around for me since I had a bad cold. Josh went to his Homecoming dance Saturday night but we didn't leave the house Sunday.


Josh and Angel - Josh dressed for his dance