Pumpkin Patch 2012

Thanks to Gammy and Grin we were able to make our annual trip on the Pumpkin Patch Train.





Which, naturally, did not guarantee one good picture of everyone.  It is still fun to try.

My favorite is trying to get pictures of busy boys in direct sunlight when they would rather be doing anything else.


Painful looks from two and one in mommy's sunglasses, and by the time we got them all looking in the same direction Noah's adorable pumpkin bottom had made it in the shot. Perfect, there we are.


I love traditions.  It is fantastic to be able to watch them grow up through these experiences.

Eli and Gammy on the train in 2008


Walker and Gammy on the train in 2012.



Eli and I on the train in 2007


And in 2012


Time is chugging right along.

Celebrating Grandma

Grandma and Grandpa Hermie came to town to celebrate Grandma's birthday.  Each one of their visits is so special.  I love that my kids get to spend time with these people who are so precious to me.

We made a park visit, and Colin made sure Grandma didn't miss out on any of the playing fun.


Walker and Eli had fun too, but they were almost too fast to get a picture.






We took her to Jim and Nicks for her birthday dinner, complete with a free piece of pie (which grandpa and Jason ate).


We celebrated her birthday the next day complete with a visit from Uncle David, Aunt Carol and Little David from south Alabama.





Hannah and Leah are in every one of the group pictures, partially because they like being in pictures and partially because they didn't want to lose sight of the cake.



And it was a good cake.  I order the best cakes from Publix.

My favorites are moments like these, Walker and Grandpa solving the world's problems over dessert.


We are so blessed to be surrounded by our amazing family.  So glad to get to celebrate Grandma's happy day with her!

Disney Cruisin'

Our cruise was on the Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral.  We had two ports and one day at sea.

The first stop on the cruise was Nassau.

Rainbow over Nassau, what a welcome morning view.  Walker could not get enough of sitting out on the veranda.  He spent every moment he could out there watching the water.

After research and advice we decided to stay on the ship in that port.  The boys enjoyed the kids program. Jason and I enjoyed a few moments at the spa.  We had a great time at the pool and splash pad.  It was just what we needed after a week running around Disney World.

The second port is Castaway Cay, Disney's private island.  The cruise is worth it just for this stop.  It is the amazing Caribbean beaches done with the Disney flair.


Our boys in the Caribbean (and  few strangers).


This is serious relaxing.

Once Walker was good and rested he spent the remainder of the time chasing tropical fish up and down the shore and making friends with EVERYONE on the beach along the way.  He had the time of his life.

Eli collected beautiful shells and coral, but alas they are not permitted back on the ship, so they were left for the next explores.  He still had a blast finding all the treasures.


Colin was in the sand and water for the entire time we were there, save a few moments for lunch.


Well honestly, we all spent the entire time in the water.  Baby Noah did did take a rockin' nap shore side, but that works for beach relaxing too.


Look at that water.  We seriously contemplated what they could actually do to us if we didn't get back on the boat.


We did, eventually, return to the ship.  That evening was pirate night.  Everyone dresses up, dinner is pirate themed and there is a show on the pool deck with Jack Sparrow that ends in fireworks being shot off the ship.  So. Much. Fun.



We then all collapsed into bed like it was our jobs.

The third day was a our sea day to return to Florida.  The general tiredness of 2 weeks of travel had caught up with us all and we spent some time swimming, but really spent most of the day resting.  Walker and Eli got a stomach bug that night and while it was not the best way to end a vacation nothing could put a damper on the fun we had.

Praise Jesus for our quick responding doctor's office nurses and the Publix pharmacist in Port Orange, Florida.  They were able to get this guy the medicine he needed to make the long trip home.


These are memories frozen in time that we will savor for a lifetime.  So grateful.

Disney Extravaganza 2012

Last Christmas the great family surprise was when Gammy and Grin  (Jason's parents) gifted us all with a four day Disney cruise.  It was understood that there would be a Disney World trip involved, being that close to Orlando and all. :)  So the planning commenced, a week in Disney World and then four days on the Disney Dream.

After much anticipation the time to travel finally arrived and twelve McCays descended on the most magical place in all the world.



Even in October Disney is pretty hot. We made sure to get our quota of frozen treats.



We spent most of our time at the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  We barely touched Animal Kingdom and Epcot.  As they get older I'm sure this will change, but for now this is where they have the most fun.  We enjoyed being able to do things they really wanted to do.



During our brief visit to EPCOT there was train watching, of course.


Marshmallow roasting at Wilderness Lodge. Love those Disney extras.


The new Dumbo waiting area is pretty cool.  It is an inside, air condition play structure and they give you a beeper so the kids can play (and the parents can sit) until your turn.  It's quite a welcome relief from the heat.  Of course I didn't take a single picture of the play area, but here is proof we rode the ride.


Typhoon Lagoon is still one of the boys favorites.  They splashed, rode, played and enjoyed every moment of the day in the water.


For Hannah and Leah's big birthday number 5 we had breakfast with the princesses in Norway.  This is how the boys felt about it:

(picture of a picture, sorry)
Eli is truly scared of the characters, even the princesses. I think it has more to do with being shy around "strangers."  He wouldn't entertain the thought of standing next to Belle.  Colin followed his lead and lost his stuff, so Jason got to be the lone adult in the picture.  Walker agreed to be in the picture, but obviously was in charge of his own pose.  But my look how precious the girls look. :)

We ate dinner at Ohana on Hannah and Leah's birthday and it was a huge highlight.  The kids had an absolute blast.  Serious Walker even let down his guard and danced, played and giggled all night.  What a gift.


Oh, and grown men in pink leis.



Eli's predetermined favorite ride was Star Tours.  He loved it at Disneyland last year, and was looking forward to it the most.  He was able to ride it about ten times and see the Darth Vadar/Padawan show several times.  Everyone enjoyed the Star Wars areas (boys, I tell you).

Walker's favorite ride was Goofy's Barnstormer (the kids' roller coaster).  It was decidedly, not Colin's favorite. He will quickly tell you did not like the "plane ride" and he was pretty upset during the whole ride.

Colin's favorite was the Astro Orbiter with Buzz Lightyear being a close second.  He was just a bit to short to ride most of the rides the "big boys" could, but he really did well hanging back with mommy and watching.

The Magic Kingdom train is always a big hit with the boys.  You can ask to be a guest conductor and say "all aboard" for everyone on the train.  Walker did it when we went last time.    He absolutely loved it.  Colin, however, struggled a bit.



We practiced, but he still froze up.  So, now I can say I have been the guest conductor.

What a fun week.  Every visit to Disney with the boys is so different.  They are growing so fast and developing their own memories and favorites.  It is so fun to get to see it through their eyes.

*Cruise post coming.

We Can Still Be Shocked

And to say we are tickled pink is quite the understatement.

Coming this spring, a baby sister!



First we shared the news with the big brothers.


Then we traipsed around town with pink ballons and pink flowers to share our joy.

And now we are so happy to share this joy with all of you!

Feel free to share your favorite girly shopping sites, baby girl hair ideas, feminine nursery decorating ideas, and so forth as I currently live in the land of t-shirts and jeans.