Surprise!

I'm back.

So here it goes... an attempt to get back to blogging!

Over the past few months I've lost my "blogging momentum." Every time I think about how far behind I am, it only makes it harder to sit down and get started, but here it goes! Below are a few pictures from the past week. At some point I hope to blog our Disney trip and our 8 wonderful days in Orlando, but this is a start.

We've had quite a bit of rain here lately. Since I usually send the boys outside after school, I've really been challenged keeping the boys occupied inside during Gabby's naps.

Anyone who has spent 5 minutes at my house can attest that my boys are very loud and their energy is endless.

On Wednesday Gabby went to her early learning program. It's so sweet seeing her on this same little carousel that the boys enjoyed.

Afterwards we headed over to Zach's preschool for the annual Circus Production.

Zach's class dressed as acrobats.

On Thursday Kelli drove here to see us during her vacation to Florida. She picked up Justin on her way and the boys couldn't have been happier.

Kelli played children's music for them and they even sung along to "It's a Small World."

I'm quite certain that Kelli was worn out by the time she left because there was never a quiet or dull moment.

On Friday Kelli and I left for a memorial service and I didn't return until Sunday.

Sam survived three days with the kids although rumor has it that they ate a lot of McDonald's.

My dad drove me home from Jacksonville and when we walked in the door

we found Gavin wearing Gabby's fairy princess gear.

One day he's going to hate this picture!

Today we decided to take Grandpa to our local science center.

The kids had a great time although we did have to leave sooner than planned because the boys started fighting.

We decided to go to the park next door to let the kids run off some steam.

Gabby enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa and even shared some of her snack with him.

She's very protective of her food and wouldn't share with the rest of us. Apparently Grandpa rates higher than we do.

When we came home the boys played outside while Gabby napped.

I used my Nikon zoom lens for the first time and was pleased with the results.

The pictures of Gavin in the tree were taken from my deck approximately 30 feet away.

Finally...a picture of Zachary (my little comedian). He's always entertaining me with his silly faces.

Our Final Disney Day...

We decided to spend our last day at Magic Kingdom.

However the crowds were so crazy that we decided to go to Tom Sawyer's Island, do a little "pin-trading" and then head back to the resort pool area.

Thankfully we didn't experience these crowds during the previous days.

We asked the monerail driver if the boys could ride up front.

We usually try to squeeze this in at least once each trip.

The boys getting handed their co-pilot's licenses.

It was a perfect day for the pool area.

I didn't have Gabby's swimsuit, but she was just as happy to play in her clothes.

I changed Gabby into some dry clothes and we were ready to get on the road back home.

Gabby didn't want to get in the van so she decided to take a seat on the curb with her new little Eoyore. I could totally relate to how she was feeling. I'm rarely ready to leave the magic of Disney

Hollywood Studios

Saturday we went to Hollywood Studios.

The adults took turns watching the kids so we all had the chance to ride the Rock 'n Roller Coaster.
We also made time for plenty of kids shows and activities and overall it was a very relaxing day at the park.

The boys favorite exhibit is the Power Rangers meet and greet.

It's so sweet to see how excited they get.

We had lunch at Hollywood and Vine.

In a few years it won't be so cool to dine with Jo Jo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins so we'll enjoy it while we can.

Gabby slept through nearly the entire lunch. It was actually quite a nice break for me and I still managed to get her pictures with characters while she was sleeping.

The boys also enjoyed seeing the Incredibles at one of the greeting areas.

My favorite exhibit was the new American Idol show.

Zach voted for this sweet little teenage girl from Mississippi.

I didn't think she was the best of the three contestants, but she was cute and her name was Gabby.

After the show Zach spotted her outside and wanted to talk to her.

I thought it was adorable and so did her mom so we both took pictures.