The Johnstons Do Disney

I think it safe to assume that Disney has now become an official annual event for the us. We had a few weekends with no plans this month, so we took advantage of it and planned a quick trip to see Mickey and friends!

We drove to Orlando on Friday afternoon and went straight to Downtown Disney (or as Bridget calls it, "Little Disney World"), just like we have always done on Disney trips in the past. A few little rides, lots of shops and just a fun place to walk around. We had our first visit to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. In true Disney fashion, the kids were mesmerized by their surroundings and we almost forgot how expensive our dinner was:)

Holding hands while waiting in line for the merry-go-round at Downtown Disney

Hello, Hippo

Rossy loves a good kid cup with a straw. Always the highlight of eating out!

Ready to call it a night and get ready for Disney World!

I'll spare you the details of how horribly Ross-and therefore the rest of us-slept in the hotel and move on to the good stuff...

I jumped the Christmas gun this year myself and have already gotten a few decorations out, so I was more than happy to see the park decorated for Christmas too!

The big surprise of the day was CAROLINE! She wanted to surprise the kids, so we planned to meet on Main Street first thing in the morning. Bridget was sooooo excited to see her and pretty much clung to her all day long!

On to the rides! We made a point to hit a few of the rides that we hadn't made it to in past trips. First up was the Buzz Lightyear ride, which the kids could give or take, but Todd loved it! He beat us all with his final score of 27,000 points!

Also new to this trip was the Snow White ride, which lives up to its reputation as being one of the scarier rides. Bridget loved it though, and I think since she knows the movie so well she knew there would be a happy ending.

Pirates of the Caribbean was a favorite for everyone and no trip is complete for us without some of the most simple rides in the park...The Carousel and Dumbo's Flight.

Ross loved the Pirate dungeons

Dumbo line and ride...always such a long line, but Bridget insisted it was worth wait.

One way to pass the time while waiting in long lines? Take lots of pictures!

This trip Bridget got to meet Ariel and Prince Eric. The lines to meet the characters are often longer than most line rides, so we usually just get to meet one per day. She loved meeting them and didn't stop smiling while they talked to her!

At 2:15 on the dot we head back to Main Street to get a good spot for the parade. We stake our spot for the 3:00 parade and pass the time by eating ice cream, playing in the street and buying balloons...(did I really fall for this balloon trap again?? Yes.) I never thought the parade would be one of our favorites parts of the day, but it is. I swear we saw Bridget wipe away some happy tears as the princesses waved and blew kisses to her. And Ross was completely mesmerized by it all. Even though he's not a TV watcher and doesn't really know Mickey from Goofy, he loved the larger than life characters coming up to him and giving him high 5's. Yep, it will be a sad day when our kids outgrow the parade!

Such a happy day and again SO thankful we can do this for our kids as often as once a year. What a life!

Til next time, Disney...

Hanging at Home

This month is all about being thankful and thankful we are! Daylight Savings was rough on the littlest Johnston, but I'm thankful that today was a much better day and maybe he's finally got it all figured out now! Also thankful for all the funny things Bridget says. She told me she learned about the "May Boat" and pilgrims at school. She may not have all the details straight, but we know exactly what she means and we're so thankful for the enthusiasm she has for school and learning right now.

We have been hanging at at home and enjoying the calm before the Christmas storm-a storm we welcome with open arms, of course! While we work on Christmas lists for Santa, we are also working on clearing out some old toys we don't really need anymore. Bridget is loving this little game and I'm hoping we can head to my old school next month and drop off these toys to their annual Toys for Tots drive.

Last week we got a little crafty and made some turkey cookies. Sugar on top of sugar on top of sugar...

Late last week a nice cool front swept through just in time for some late afternoon backyard fun. As if they're not cute enough, something about the little hoodies makes them so much cuter!

Playing games of Pat-A-Cake and Ring Around the Rosy

Happy Birthday to my brother, Drew! The kids love Drew to pieces and ask to see him everyday. Bridget is still waiting for an invitation to his dorm room!

Working on a Christmas craft this morning, so I guess it's only fair to let Ross have his way the paint and paint brush for a few minutes. Game over after he tried to paint my car.

Even after only 5 minutes of paint, a bath was needed pronto!

Daytime bath pictures are my favorite!

B thought she wanted to swim today...she jumped in and jumped right back out. It's officially a little too chilly to swim!

All I see here is a big boy! (...as Todd and I sit here and talk about whether we'll send him to preschool next year!?!?)

Thankful.

Happy Halloween!

Our fun and festive week leading up to Halloween was a bit dampered due some sniffles, little fevers and some rainy days, but...we made up for it with some pumpkin carving and trick or treating this weekend!

We picked out some perfectly round pumpkins and we (Todd) got to work on carving them just how Bridget wanted. A scary face, a haunted house and a kitty bat!

She made a yucky face as fished out the pumpkin guts, but still went back in for more!

Ta-Da! Nice carving, Todd!

One of our creepy outdoor spiders. These spiders are all the rage in our neighborhood. Everyone has them in their yard and on their house. We had to add a few more to our collection this year too!

Halloween fell on a school day for Bridget this year, so the fun started bright and early in the morning. Ross can't WAIT to be a big school kid like his sister!

Dressing up for school

Bridget and a few of her school friends

At her school party we decorated cookies to look like pumpkins. Pretty good, B...

Most of the kids ate just the icing, but no cookie...or all the little chocolate chips, but no icing...or peeled off the candy corn and nibbled on the cookie. Bridget ate every last morsel:)

Finally time to trick or treat! There was NO keeping Ross out of the candy. He stole a bag of M&M's from our basket before we even left!

Everyone in the neighborhood loved our little pumpkin and spider!

{sweet}

Blurry, but happy picture of the 4 of us:)

It was a happy night with a lot of sweet little, "Trick or Treats" and "Thank You's". Bridget was the big sister who led the way, while Ross happily followed behind. It doesn't get any better than that!