Vacation

So, I know we just got back from vacation, but we decided to plan our beach trip for next year early, and I am perplexed. To rent a condo on the beach its like 1000 for the week. Then count on 75-100 a day for meals, two days in a hotel traveling and it adds up quickly. Then I found a carnival cruise for all of us for like 1700. all meals would be included, and a stop in cozumel mexico from mobile alabama. But we would still have 2 nights in a hotel and 3-5 meals out during traveling. Plus all the tips on a cruise (which we usually dont give as much as you are supposed to) So really it would be about the same, but I dont know what I want to do. At the beach, you go to the beach or the pool everyday, and its very relaxing. on a cruise it would be one day on a beach (but the kids dont get in it anyway) but the cruise has a kids club that they could go to to play if they wanted. Less boredom may be a good thing. I hope some of my 4 faithful followers have some good advice or opinions. btw, happy thanksgiving!

Christmas/dont let your kids read this!!!

So, our family is changing the way we celebrate Christmas this year. We will no longer be exchanging gifts between our immediate family (the 5 of us) I just think it gets a bit ridiculous considering how many other gifts the kids get and the fact that 2 of the 3 kids have a b-day within the next month. We run out of things for people to get them. And we are so lucky and thankful that we have a family that loves us and are very generous toward our kids. And Santa will still be coming of course. So we have come up with an alternative that I hope will be something our kids will always remember. We (I) picked three angels off of our churches angel tree, and are using the money that we would be spending on our kids to give gifts to those in need. We are hoping to make a big deal out of it, and let the kids each pick out their own gifts. This year we have a girl who want crafts (right up Grace's alley), a boy who want outdoor balls (we are planning on including an air pump), and a girl who wants preschool learning books. I am really excited about it, and hope it is something we will do forever.

Disney

So, Im sitting here feeding Jonah lunch upset that some of my friends haven't blogged in awhile when I thought, hey loser, why do you expect them to, when you dont? So here we go. My family took a big vacation to Disney last week. The week prior, I had been freaking out about any of us being sick on vaca. I was down to the last few days when Nathan started saying his leg hurt. Well, being the wonderful parent I am, I was like suck it up it's growing pains. Then Friday morning, 2 days before we fly out, he wakes up and can put no weight on it at all. NO walking, total pain, all concentrated in his hip joint. So, of course we call the dr and get in right away. My brother, who is a med tech heard about it said he vaguely recalled something about hip problems in young children. its called toxic synovitis, and is basically temporary arthritis in his hip joint. We will never know, but it may have been a complication from his H1N1 virus in Sept. SO, the dr says to get xrays, and take a stroller with us, but he is too big for any stroller. The xrays were fine, so it is just inflammation, nothing but ibuprofen. But what to do about Disney? He cant just limp around all day. So, we had to rent a WHEELCHAIR!!!! It was waiting for us at the hotel. What a pain!! But looking back now, I think it was a gift God gave us. He felt fine, but would never have made it walking around all day, so we had to push him.....straight to the front of the line!!! It was the best of both worlds, we got to the front of the lines, but when he wanted to he could get up and walk short distances at a time. It was wonderful. But no one was better than grace, she was a trooper. She is a kid that would have whined about being the only one walking, but we heard nothing. she was wonderful, and a joy to be around. We had a blast. Memories we will have forever. here are some highlights with pics if I can get them to work.

Nathans Pirates League- this is new thing you can do at the magic kingdom for boys to turn into pirates. I had researched it online, and told Ian to get him to not pick the "cursed" pirate, so of course he does. here is before and after.

Well, they are at the beginning of this post. sorry, i cant figure out how to move them. im an idiot

Graces Bibbiti Bobbitit Boutique- Grace got turned into Snow White on her special day, right before we ate lunch at the castle. she was beautiful!!! no telling where these pics will end up.

well, this is stupid, I need jaime to tell me how to do it