Haylee and Carter.
Trysten, Grace and Haylee.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Lainey's Baptism
Finally found a few minutes to post pictures from Lainey's baptism at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, TX. Many thanks to Ryan for his photography.
Before the ceremony, we attended the 8:30 service. Carter was chosen from Children's Church to help present the offering during mass. It was a very special privelege for him and us to watch!
Sweet Lainey. I wish I could put a bonnet on her everyday.
During the ceremony.
Carter is such a doting big brother. Immediately after the priest poured holy water on Lainey, he ran up to hug and congratulate her.
Pa (honorary Godfather and proxy for my brother, Chris), Caroline (Godmother), Blake and baby.
Caroline lighting the candle.
Lainey loved the flame of her baptism candle.
After the ceremony with the priest and Godparents.
More shots of Pa and Lainey standing.
Outside of the church.
Caroline, Brad, Trysten, Lainey, Carter, Blake, Terri, Casey, Jack and Steve.
Ryan and Caroline with Lainey. Such a great couple.
Caroline and Lainey. I think everyone knows by now how close Caroline and I are. It meant the world to me to finally have this special day with her present, holding our daughter and being the wonderful aunt she is. We are blessed!
Carter and Trysten.
Before the ceremony, we attended the 8:30 service. Carter was chosen from Children's Church to help present the offering during mass. It was a very special privelege for him and us to watch!
Sweet Lainey. I wish I could put a bonnet on her everyday.
During the ceremony.
Carter is such a doting big brother. Immediately after the priest poured holy water on Lainey, he ran up to hug and congratulate her.
Pa (honorary Godfather and proxy for my brother, Chris), Caroline (Godmother), Blake and baby.
Caroline lighting the candle.
Lainey loved the flame of her baptism candle.
After the ceremony with the priest and Godparents.
More shots of Pa and Lainey standing.
Outside of the church.
Caroline, Brad, Trysten, Lainey, Carter, Blake, Terri, Casey, Jack and Steve.
Ryan and Caroline with Lainey. Such a great couple.
Caroline and Lainey. I think everyone knows by now how close Caroline and I are. It meant the world to me to finally have this special day with her present, holding our daughter and being the wonderful aunt she is. We are blessed!
Carter and Trysten.
Disney World
In less than 3 months, we leave for Orlando and to the home of all things Mickey. To get things started, we watched the Vacation Planning DVD last night and WOW, we are in for a treat.
10+ days, 4 parks, the beach and all of the extras that Disney seems to sneak in to pull even more money from our kids' college funds......it's all very overwhelming. I'm late in my planning, as those who know what they're doing start 6 months or more in advance. Why? First, to drive my husband insane. Second, to secure reservations at meals with the characters, plan special events, create a detailed itinerary and more.
So, for the next 12 weeks, I will be studying the following sites in order to create the most magical experience for the fam.
http://www.mousesavers.com/
http://www.tourguidemike.com/
http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/home.aspx?CMP=OTC-DWMomVanityToMomsPanel
The hosts of these sites are Disney experts. They assure you no more than a 10-15 minute wait on any ride, even during the peak seasons. They have plans on how to navigate the parks in order to maximize your time there, prevent meltdowns with the little ones and more. For example, most people enter the park and stumble upon the first ride they see, wait 30 minutes for it, and then wander to the next. Insanity! Instead, cross the park to get started. Sounds simple, but not everyone follows these rules.
Blake and I learned a few tricks from the DVD last night, as well. For those of us crazy enough to bring babies on a week plus jaunt through fantasyland, we can take advantage of a pass that allows one parent to ride with Carter while the other waits with Jack and Lainey....then the parent keeping the babies jumps right on the ride instead of waiting in line again. Love it! Also, for guests staying at a Disney resort, why wait for luggage at the airport? Make arrangements to walk off the plane and get on the shuttle to the hotel. Forget baggage claim. Our bags will magically appear in our room shortly after we arrive. Brilliant!
So, as annoying as I will become over the next few months, my work should pay off. We've been to Disneyland twice now since having kids and I used none of these tactics. However, Disney World is a whole new ball game.
And, for those who believe you should wait until your kids can remember the trip? Yes, there is some truth to that. However, from our experience at Disneyland.....and Carter visiting at age 2 and then again at age 6.....I firmly believe there is nothing more magical than going when they're toddlers. Lots of challenges, but there is nothing sweeter than witnessing a child's face meeting Mickey for the first time. They believe the fairytale and become consumed by it. Carter enjoyed his trip at 6 and loved every minute, but there was a clear difference in his fascination level. It's a different experience all together. Luckily, Carter has just recently found a new interest in the "big" rides, so he will enjoy that part of the trip. And, yes, Mickey, too. But, it will be Jack and Lainey who really believe.
10+ days, 4 parks, the beach and all of the extras that Disney seems to sneak in to pull even more money from our kids' college funds......it's all very overwhelming. I'm late in my planning, as those who know what they're doing start 6 months or more in advance. Why? First, to drive my husband insane. Second, to secure reservations at meals with the characters, plan special events, create a detailed itinerary and more.
So, for the next 12 weeks, I will be studying the following sites in order to create the most magical experience for the fam.
http://www.mousesavers.com/
http://www.tourguidemike.com/
http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/home.aspx?CMP=OTC-DWMomVanityToMomsPanel
The hosts of these sites are Disney experts. They assure you no more than a 10-15 minute wait on any ride, even during the peak seasons. They have plans on how to navigate the parks in order to maximize your time there, prevent meltdowns with the little ones and more. For example, most people enter the park and stumble upon the first ride they see, wait 30 minutes for it, and then wander to the next. Insanity! Instead, cross the park to get started. Sounds simple, but not everyone follows these rules.
Blake and I learned a few tricks from the DVD last night, as well. For those of us crazy enough to bring babies on a week plus jaunt through fantasyland, we can take advantage of a pass that allows one parent to ride with Carter while the other waits with Jack and Lainey....then the parent keeping the babies jumps right on the ride instead of waiting in line again. Love it! Also, for guests staying at a Disney resort, why wait for luggage at the airport? Make arrangements to walk off the plane and get on the shuttle to the hotel. Forget baggage claim. Our bags will magically appear in our room shortly after we arrive. Brilliant!
So, as annoying as I will become over the next few months, my work should pay off. We've been to Disneyland twice now since having kids and I used none of these tactics. However, Disney World is a whole new ball game.
And, for those who believe you should wait until your kids can remember the trip? Yes, there is some truth to that. However, from our experience at Disneyland.....and Carter visiting at age 2 and then again at age 6.....I firmly believe there is nothing more magical than going when they're toddlers. Lots of challenges, but there is nothing sweeter than witnessing a child's face meeting Mickey for the first time. They believe the fairytale and become consumed by it. Carter enjoyed his trip at 6 and loved every minute, but there was a clear difference in his fascination level. It's a different experience all together. Luckily, Carter has just recently found a new interest in the "big" rides, so he will enjoy that part of the trip. And, yes, Mickey, too. But, it will be Jack and Lainey who really believe.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Mamma Mia!
I saw this movie in Dallas while in town last week and absolutely loved it. Caroline turned me on to it a couple of years ago after she saw it on Broadway in New York City. It's so much fun. I think I smiled from start to finish and can't wait to see it again.
Bought the soundtrack today and love it just as much. Of course, due credit has to go to Abba for the originals, but Meryl Streep holds her own. However, I think she could do just about anything and I would consider it brilliant.
Carter and I have found 2 different reasons to run errands just so we can sing and dance. Blake will be thoroughly annoyed for the next several months or until we "lose" the CD.
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