Florida part 3-Most magical place

Thursday we hit up the most magical place on earth... and it was fantastic. The best part was that we didn't pay full price (makes you enjoy it that much more). I will give a $$ breakdown later. We were right on time to get to the park early before anything opened... until our tram broke down RIGHT outside the park. We sat there for 30 minutes while they figured out how to get it working again. The one big benefit is that we got a fastpass that we could use at any ride we wanted.  

Here are the kids at the entrance to the park

 I got each of the kids notebooks before hand for autographs. They loved running up to characters and getting them to sign their books- even Miles loved it!!

 Sorry it is sideways- here is Dad and Halle meeting Chip'n'Dale- we were actually on a different ride when they got this picture.

 Peter Pan ride...kids loved it!!

 And of course we watched the parade.

 Bennett got a nice big hug from Donald- and couldn't stop talking about it!

 Sideways again- but here are the girls in front of the castle.

Overall it was a fantastic day. We got there at about 9:30am (After the delay) and walked onto every single ride all day long. We only had to use our special fastpass 3 times, and only on the 3rd time did he take it away. By 4 in the afternoon we had gotten on every ride, and even let the kids ride their favorites again! It was SO worth pulling Halle out of school to go, to be able to walk onto everything...worth it. I hear in the summer you wait in lines for hours upon hours. 

Florida part 2

After Destin we drove to Orlando and celebrated Bennett's real birthday in style by checking out downtown Disney. We ate at the T-Rex for dinner (of course WAY overpriced but you pay for the expierence). Bennett wasn't a fan of sitting too close to the moving dinosaurs so we got to sit in the "icecave" that changed colors every 2-4 minutes. Very trippy. 

 We walked around- the kids got a kick that everything was made out of legos.

 Halle got some pixy dust sprinkled on her (which I think is still in her scalp).

 And took a pictures with Buzz.

IT was a great way to get out of the hotel and get the kids running around.

Our Trip to Florida- part 1

First off- I have to say that we just had the most wonderful vacation to Florida!! We were a little nervous due to Halle throwing up the day before we were suppose to leave, but it was just something that she ate. (Yes, I got to expierence the wonderful world of your child throwing up in the middle of church). ANYWAY- we ended up taking off a little later on Monday and drove to Destin Florida. It was SO BEAUTIFUL! We stayed Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday in Destin playing on the beach.

 Miles never liked the beach. He would rather sleep in the beach tent that we have.

 We walked around a downtown area later that  night-

 Ate dinner then went out to walk on the beach- so beautiful!!

 These next two are my favorite pictures-

 See that bump...yep this babe is growing. There is my 18 week bump, and no we still don't know what we are having. Our insurance makes us wait until 20 weeks.

 Enjoying some family time in bed watching cartoons- I talked the front desk into upgrading us to a two bedroom suite WITH kitchen.

Birthday Boy

Sweet Bennett- this little guy turned four on Sep. 7 but we actually celebrate a weekend early (he wasn't too upset). He actually sat in front of his present just looking at them for a good 20 minutes before we started opening...he was so excited!! 

 Showing off some of the goods he received-

 He had no problem just tearing into the presents. Miles had a hard time just sitting on the sidelines.

 He got a dumptruck...(thanks Grammy)

 And here is his cars cake- Have you seen the one that they sell at Williams & Sonoma...I wish i had the patience to do that one. I think this one was a major hit though.

 He was so excited to blow out his candles and make a wish.

 THe funniest thing was after he blew out his candles he didn't want a piece of cake- he wanted to go and play with his presents. Among those were a new Leapster (thanks Sugar and Pops), a stereo to play his own music (thanks Grandma and Grandpa) and lots of other goodies.

We were so grateful to have spent the time with Sugar, Pops, and Alex- and for all the presents sent by other family members!!

6 of 100 Things to do In Houston

My parents came in town this past weekend to help celebrate Bennett's birthday. We started off by going to the Butterfly museum downtown. Usually it is about $7 per child and $8 per adult. I got a groupon the week before for 4 people to get into the museum for $14 (mom, dad, sis and one of our kids) and since Dustin, Bennett and I have Rice ID's we got in for FREE. Worth every penny to visit. 

 You go to learn all about bugs-

 Look through a microscope at different types of things.

 And of course this little guy was just along for the ride...not really sure about anything.

 At the end of the tour they have a kids section the kids can play in- here the kids are in their own beehive. We thought about leaving them up there...but decided they would probably want to come home...eventually.

 They have puzzles-

 And stories that you can read. Miles is our little/big reader. He loves to read books.

 And Bennett realized that you could get a good amount of air while jumping off tall ledges.

Overall is was a wonderful museum- knowing that we get in for free we will have to go visit more often!! These Rice ID's are coming in handy!

My Birthday-

Hold on... I know you have been dieing to hear

 It was a wonderful birthday- filled with all the things a mom could wish for. The kids picked presents for me

 I got lots of kisses from everyone

 And to top it off, a delicious cheesecake. Yummy.

Poof

What a week.  Hard to update lately, school has started back up and things are going full swing around here. Had a couple kickers though that thought were share-worthy.
-Called in to my OB last week to double check my appointment- I knew it was this week. When I called the receptionist asked why I was calling after I gave her my name... I told her "because I am pregnant and need to see the Dr?" She told me that she had a question that she had to ask the nurse and would call me back as soon as she found out the answers. She called back about 5 minutes later and apologized then said she needed to reschedule all my appointments ( I pre-schedule my appointments...just easier to do) I pushed her a little bit until I found out that someone had accidentally put in my chart that I miscarried and had done a d&c. They had closed out this pregnancy and started filing on my insurance. NICE 
-Did finally got to my appointment and everything looks great- I am 16 weeks and starting to show (will have to post a pic). I get to finally go see around 20 weeks what this little munchkin will be. 
-Had a fabulous birthday this week- D-man spoiled me by bringing me my favorite donut (yep...not worried about the weight gain) an apple friter (yummy) then brought home some Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake for dessert. The kids got some lovely jewelry and I was all around spoiled...my mother-in-law got me the BEST gift...that will have to be another post too. I have to share this goody with everyone-best.kept. secret. EVER.
- My parents and sister are coming in town tomorrow for the weekend along with their trusty bug-eyed side kick (pug). I told my mom all I wanted for my birthday was a shopping trip with her...woohoo! We will also be celebrating Bennett's 4th birthday on Saturday night. He turns 4 next Wednesday but we will be out of town. 
-Yep, we are going on a vacation to Florida on Monday morning. We will spend 2 days in Destin, then spend 2 days at The Happiest Place on Earth-and the best part is the kids have no idea where we are going or what we are doing. Fantastic surprise. Did I mention I got our tickets to the aforementioned destination for free?? That makes it even better...right?