Year in Review: 2013

I know it's a little past the New Year, but I wanted to post some highlights from 2013:

• We finally had some family photos taken as a family of 4. These were also Lucas' first professional photos (at 13 months.)
• We found out we would be moving in the summer, and that Steve would eventually teach at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
• We took one last trip to Disney World before our move.
• Steve turned the big 3-0!
• We found out we would be moving home to Colorado and Steve would be a student at Colorado State University once again!
• We announced that we were pregnant with Baby #3 due in October.
• We all safely arrived in Colorado in June.
• Steve and I celebrated our 7th anniversary with our first getaway in 4 years.
• Christian turned 4.
• We sold our beautiful home in South Carolina. (No blog post- it was very bittersweet and under rough circumstances.)
• We welcomed Noah Levi to the family October 9, becoming a party of 5!
• A new decade for me, I turned 30 as well.
• We celebrated Christmas 3 times! (1, 2, and 3)
• Lucas turned 2.

2013 was a very busy year indeed! Lots of blessings, some hardships, but overall a wonderful year! Can't wait to see what 2014 holds for us.

Disney World Vacay

Last week we took a fun family vacation to Disney World! We have been promising Christian for awhile now that we would take him. We wanted to go in November (one of the best times to go crowd-wise,) but it didn't work out, so this was our last opportunity especially with a summer move quickly approaching. It has been so convenient to only have a 7 1/2 hour drive to Disney, and to not have to pay for plane tickets. :o) Plus the military tickets are currently deeply discounted. It will most likely be a long time until we get a chance to go again.

We turned Lucas' seat forward-facing for the first time for our drive down. The boys did great on the way, Lucas not as much on the way home. I guess the novelty of facing forward was over.

We're here! Christian was very excited. Lucas fell asleep 45 minutes before the arrival on Disney property.

This was Lucas' first Disney experience, and the first time the four of us have stayed in a hotel room together. Overall it worked out well, we all went to bed at the same time, and were always eager to get out of the room to explore "Mickey Mouse Disney World Yay!"

We went to our favorite parks: the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT and spent two evenings at Downtown Disney. (The LEGO store, Ghirardelli's, and Earl of Sandwich!)

Christian's favorite rides included the "Many Adventure's of Winnie the Pooh," "the Seas with Nemo and Friends," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid" in the new Fantasy Land. He was also really into the monorail, the bamboo plants at the Polynesian Resort Hotel, and the fireworks.

Lucas enjoyed the rides, despised the what was supposed to be 20 minute and became 55 minute wait at the "Peter Pan's Flight" ride (as did Mommy and Daddy,) and missed a few naps, but loved the food, especially Disney's mac n' cheese.

Our biggest regret on this trip was only bringing a single stroller. Not sure what we were thinking, but needless to say, Steve's shoulders are still sore. We walked everywhere on this trip from our hotel at the Shades of Green to the Polynesian, and then from there to the monorail either in the Polynesian or the one at the Tickets and Transportation Center. Definitely an exhausting trip, but always worth the memories.

Our Last Hurrah

...for a little while. This week we spent a few days at Disney World! It was kind of a spur of the moment trip. Steve had just finished a month-long conference and we had wanted to get one last little trip in before baby #2 arrives. Also, Monday was my birthday AND we got a great last-minute deal at Shades of Green, so it all worked out fabulously. :) This week in November is supposedly one of their least busiest times of the year, and really the wait times were pretty good. The weather was beautiful in the low-80's, however, we were totally unprepared and had packed winter-like clothing. We had even checked the weather throughout the week, but I guess we should have checked the weather the day of. Needless to say, we had to do a little summer clothing shopping. Wouldn't you know...they don't sell maternity clothes! Oh well, I managed to get by in the 3 days we were at the parks.

This was the 3rd time Christian has been to Disney World (he also went to Disneyland at 2 months!) It becomes more and more fun each time we bring him. This time he was walking more and we were able to do and see more things. He especially enjoyed the miniature trains and "the Seas with Nemo and Friends" at EPCOT, and "It's a Small World," "the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," and "the Buzz Lightyear" ride at the Magic Kingdom. He repeatedly said, "adain (again)" and "ride" and "go" on this trip. So fun to see the wonder through his eyes.

Overall, we had a great family time. Lots of walking as expected and somehow at 32 weeks I survived the heat and exhaustion. We are really glad that we took advantage of the opportunity since we are unsure of when the next time we will travel.

Disney Magic

Our final trip during Steve's R & R after his deployment was to...you guessed it...Disney World! If you know us well, you know that we (especially Steve) love Disney World and Disneyland. We had season passes to Disneyland the majority of the time while we were stationed at Edwards AFB in California. It was always fun being able to take the 1.5-2 hour (once 6 due to a wildfire) drive to Disneyland for a little getaway from the desert. Christian is almost 18 months and has already been to Disneyland and Disney World 2 times now! What a spoiled little boy. :o) Anyway, back to our trip....

We had a wonderful time! We stayed at the Shades of Green military resort, which was quite a bargain for being so nice and also within walking distance to Disney's Polynesian Hotel and the transportation center. We went to EPCOT 2 days (because it is our favorite park) and the Magic Kingdom 1 day, and of course, Downtown Disney because I needed to get my Ghirardelli hot chocolate. :o)

Christian loved any chance that he could walk around, explore, and help Disney with their gardening needs. (Spending so much time at our house doing yard work lately has translated into Christian wanting to dig in the dirt and rearrange the mulch.)

It was fun to see C's face light up and he especially seemed to enjoy "Its a Small World" and "The Seas with Nemo and Friends" aquarium at EPCOT. Each morning Christian was excited for another day and would actually want to be in his stroller (temporarily) ready to head out from our hotel room.

EPCOT was having their "International Flower and Garden Festival" which was really neat to see the Disney character topiaries and beautiful gardens. I especially liked the butterfly garden.

Other than Christian having a stomach bug on the way home and enduring a very smelly 7.5 hour drive (we had to pull over to change his clothes 3 times) we had an excellent Disney World vacation. I am sure that future Disney plans will be in order soon. But now, after 3 weeks of fun together, today it is back to reality.

Weekend in Orlando

"Oh Daddy, how I've missed you."

All bundled up, glad I brought his hat and some warmer clothes.

This past holiday weekend we visited Steve in Orlando. Steve drove 7 hours from Hurlburt Field and we flew in Thursday afternoon and left early Monday morning. Christian had a few outbursts on the plane ride there and it certainly was difficult trying to manage a large car seat, suitcase, stroller, and baby, but we made it to the hotel. The weather was cold and rainy but it became warmer each day that we were there. On Sunday we even got to take off our jackets and get a little sun. We went to EPCOT twice (my favorite of the Disney World parks,) the Magic Kingdom, and Downtown Disney every night...Ghirardelli hot cocoa anyone? Simply Amazing. Steve held Christian or had him in the baby carrier majority of the trip, as expected. :o) On our flight home we had a stop in Chicago which made for a VERY long day, but Christian was wonderful and slept on my shoulder during both flights. What a good little traveler. The weekend really flew by as they always do when you are having a good time. It was so nice to be able to spend some time together again as a family in between Steve's trainings. A little refresher and encouragement to keep going. We cannot wait to see Steve in 4 weeks when we meet up again at our new base and home in South Carolina. A whole new adventure awaits us!

Less than 2 Days!

Thursday morning Christian and I will embark on our plane trip to Florida to visit Steve. We are SOOO excited! I don't think Steve will be able to share Christian during the 4 days...except maybe for feedings ;)

13 Days!

We are SO excited! Christian and I get to visit Steve in Florida over Valentine's/President's Day weekend which falls about halfway through Steve's trainings at Hurlburt Field. Little C and I will be flying into Orlando and will meet Daddy at our hotel. Guess where we will be going? Disney World! ** Surprise! ** Well, those of you who know us, know this is not a BIG surprise....At any rate, we are really looking forward to seeing Steve and getting a few days to spend together before meeting up again at our new base in South Carolina mid-March.