My Dear, Dear Friend Linda

Got to have coffee with her tonight.  Always a blessing.

Almost April...

In a surprise turn of events today, we left in the rain to take Hannah to art, and part way there everything turned to snow and sleet and slush!  Yuck!  Oh how I long for the Florida sunshine... especially after three days of rain.

Snow on the pansies

Snow on the road

And a creek swollen with rain

Curriculum fair

Here's my girl sweetly selling books to homeschool moms. She is a treasure beyond my wildest dreams... I am so blessed to be her mom. She is my helper, encourager, and friend.

Working with Hannah

Today Hannah and I worked all day sorting out our homeschool books to sell at the Homeschool Curriculum Fair tomorrow!!  What would I do without my Hannah?  While I would hang on to every single book I ever bought, (be it for my own kids or my currently non-existent grandkids) Hannah helped me to be practical and *strongly* encouraged me to get rid of them. ;)

Danny with reading glasses

Poor dear... Can't function without them anymore...

Jacob the dedicated scholar

Here is a typical day in the life of my high school senior. Surrounded by books...

And calculus formulas. I get a headache looking at it.

Navy Match 2014

On Saturday Jacob had his last, big match at the Naval Academy.  It was kind of sad as we drove off, so many things from his senior year are coming to an end. 

Team shot

Hanging out with friends, including Jordan (a midshipman at the academy)

Looking oh so tired yet handsome at the end of the day... notice the Air Force Academy hoodie.  Go Air Force Beat Navy!! haha

Disney Post 2

Today I discovered that Hannah had some pictures of our trip that I could use, so here is part 2 of our Disney vacation!

Since we drove, this is the view that Hannah had for about 16 hours.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

Following are all of our special memories of Downtown Disney.

Cannot make a trip without a stop at Ghirardelli

We went to a movie at a dine-in theatre - SO COOL!!!  Wish we had one around here...

Hannah went to this shop and designed a very special t-shirt.  Maybe someday I can get a picture of it to post...

We ate at the table right under this huge jellyfish at T-Rex restaurant.  The day after we ate there, one of the fish tanks sprung a leak and made national news!

We always stop in here and at least one person purchases some piece of special Disney art.  LOVE this store.

MAGIC KINGDOM

Definitely a place where memories are made!!

This year, Jacob, Hannah and I stayed extra long at Magic Kingdom and had a great time!  We stayed long enough to view the new Electrical Parade.  SO BEAUTIFUL!!

We saw the new portion of Fantasyland with Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite Disney movies.

We stopped for refreshments at Gaston's Tavern.

After watching Gaston perform his muscle poses and flirt with ALL the ladies, Jacob decided that Disney just might be the place for him to work after all!! haha

A trip is never complete without a ride in the Haunted Mansion...

 

And the fireworks!

We hung out at Tortuga Tavern after riding the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  ALSO one of my favorites at Disney.

You would swear that Jack Sparrow himself was sitting in this chair!

 

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

A park which I believe is Ryan and Jacob's favorite!!

Indiana Jones whip

Props from the Titanic movie

 EPCOT DINNER NIGHT

After many years of asking, even begging, if we could please eat at Mexico in the world showcase, we FINALLY ate there and loved it!  Everyone agreed we would DEFINITELY go back again!!

Pollo a la Rajas  (aka BEST FOOD EVER!)

Both shots of the restaurant

Disney 2014

New parade at Magic Kingdom!  Awesome!  

Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

The FUN person on the trip!  Hannah was so lively and full of life - she makes absolutely anything and everything fun!

Waiting for our reservations at T-Rex in Downtown Disney.  Love this shot of all four of my precious kids.  I bought a frame for this one...

There were St. Patricks Day celebrations going on all over the place.  This one was at Downtown Disney.

One of my most favorite memories of the entire trip was looking over and seeing these three looking at books together.  This was at Hollywood Studios - a favorite for us.  I bought my second edition Star Wars cookbook here!

These are the crushed remnants of the treat bags that Hannah put together for everybody for the long ride down.  Thank you Hannah.  You are going to be the worlds funnest mom!

Star Tours at Hollywood Studios!  Awesome Star Wars ride!

A ride we all went on together this time.  One we had never done before - so cute!!

Backlot Tour!

Our traditional, family-favorite vacation treat!!

A house that fit all seven of us comfortably.  A great find.