Addie's Trip To Disney

Addie was given an amazing 4th Birthday gift- a week at Disney World with her MarMar and PopPop! She called me during the various days to tell me about what character she had just hugged, what show she had just seen, what treat she had just eaten, etc. She had the time of her life! Since she has been home, she has been playing "parade", "show", "meeting the characters" with Alden and he is happy to play along!

These pics are all out of order, but I don't remember what events happened on what days!

A highlight- having breakfast with Cinderella! Notice she even put Dottie in a Cinderella outfit!


All the Princesses were at the breakfast- here is Snow White- Addie was a bit concerned that she had left the dwarf's at home alone...


Blowing out her special birthday cake candle- since she went the actual week of her birthday, this happened a lot!


Meeting her favorites- Goofy, Mickey and Minnie! She was a bit confused as to why Mickey talks on TV and at the shows they saw there, but he didn't talk to her when she met him in the parks... She's a smart one!

Swimming in December- only in FL!

Visiting the HUGE Gingerbread House!

Chef Mickey helped her blow out her candle!

Lovin' her some Minnie Mouse!

Getting a hug from Tinkerbell!

Modeling the special Birthday Hat

Enjoying the traditional birthday donut on her birthday!

Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus- she LOVED them!

Loving her Mickey time!

The fireworks- she enjoyed them and the fact that the castle was all lit-up!

Taking after her Dad- driving race cars!

Finding Pluto pretty spectacular!

More Mickey!

The teacups- her favorite ride!

Her 2nd favorite ride- Cinderella's Carousel

Dumbo was also a favorite!

Her face says it all- she had a fantastic time!!

New Niece!

Today, Rudowashe Hannah was born! She weighs in at a daunting 6lbs and is 18.75" long. Addie is thrilled to finally have a girl cousin! Congrats Big Brothers Kuda and Anesu! We know you will take good care of Rudo and we can't wait to meet her!

Addie's 4 Year Stats

Addie was able to have her 4 yr old check-up with our old and much beloved Pediatrician, Dr. Cantor. She was as good as gold- answering all the Dr's questions, sitting still to have her ears looked in (this is what she remember doing here before, poor thing), and she only cried a little when she got her 4, yes, 4, shots. She actually made the nurse laugh a little- she cried, "Ouchies! Ouchies!" as she got her shots and the nurse said it was the sweetest thing she had ever heard- and she gives shots all day long! After this appointment, we went to McDonald's and she got an icecream cone. What a sweet girl- I am so blessed!

As of turning 4- Addie is 31.6 lbs (20%) and 37.5" tall (7%)- both of which her Dr is thrilled with! Hopefully she will get her picture taken soon and I will post that here then!

Until then, I love you Sweet Adeline!

We're Movin', Movin', Movin- Rawhide!

Yup- we have moved! In a span of 3 weeks- Al was offered a promotion at Lowe's, in VA, and we moved to it. Whew! It was crazy busy, but we could never have done it without our amazing friends and family. Here is our amazing story that only God could have written!

Saturday after Thanksgiving- Al is offered the job of Zone 2 Manager in the Prince George, VA store. He accepts. The following day Addie leaves DE to go spend a week at Disney World.

The following Saturday, Al and I are in Richmond, VA house hunting (thank you Mike and Karen for not only a place to stay, but for watching Alden). We look and look, and finally find a house that is actually owned by a man that Al had worked with when we previously lived here! He offers to let us move in asap! The house is wonderful- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large storage shed, excellent schools, and SO close to everything!

6 days after looking at the house, we are unloading the moving truck there. During this week, Al has worked Inventory at his store in DE (meaning 11-12 hour days), packing at night, while Lisa and Alden were in NY "babysitting" the Great Grandparents while MarMar and PopPop are at Disney. Wed the Vactioners are picked up at the airport by me. Thur at 4am, I leave Addie, Alden and Kierke with the inlaws, drive to DE, and pack for the next 12 hours- finishing up the house. We load the moving truck Friday morning (in record time- less then 4 hours!) and then drive to VA. Our good friends, Steve and Jeanette helped us- what amazing friends! We unload Sat morning and that evening, Mrs. Wasch (who had been in NJ and met-up with the inlaws) arrives in VA and returns our kids and dog to us.

Sunday- 1 week after looking at "our" house- we are mostly unpacked, and together. On Sunday the heavens opened and it RAINED! We were so thankful to not have needed to unload the moving truck or drive hours and hours to pick-up the kids and dog!

Never would we have dreamed that 1)Al would get this promotion so quickly, 2)we would be coming back to Richmond- an area we love and know, 3)we could pack, move, and unpack in less than 1 week, 4)that we would have our children and dog brought to us from NY, 5)that we would have perfect (albeit cold) moving weather- everything fell into place to clearly and in only a manner that can be explained as God. We love that God is a God of details and are exciting to see what the future holds for us!

Happy 4th Birthday Addie!

Here's a trip down Memory Lane- Addie's 3rd year! Happy 4th Birthday Sweeeeet Girl!!
(yes, I realize this is a tad early, but she is with her Grandparents in Florida, visiting Mickey Mouse for the week- that's an amazing birthday gift!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, we had lots of fun with our friends, the Hunts. The morning started out with everyone having brunch at our house while we all watched The Thanksgiving Parade.



After the Parade and naptime, the kids got to work on making some Christmas ornaments.



For dinner, Mr. Jeremy carved the perfect turkey!


The Little Turkeys waiting for dinner to start!

Dessert was a huge hit!

Finger lickin' good

Getting into the holiday spirit- Addie is playing Santa....

Addie's Home 4th Birthday Party

Because Addie is going to be at Disney World for her actual birthday, we decided to celebrate a bit early. We totally embraced today as her birthday!

We started off the day with the traditional Dunkin Donuts!


Then we had a Disney themed party- Tinkerbell, Lightning McQueen, and Mickey Mouse cupcakes, served on Tinkerbell and Lightening plates!



Most of the crew that came to celebrate- only 3 kids didn't want to sit on the stairs!


Playing Pin The Bow on Minnie Mouse for the girls, and Pin "95" on Lightening. We skipped the blindfold- just taping itself was challenging for this group of 2 and 3 yr olds!

Showing off her Tinkerbell napkin while munching on PB&Js, strawberries, and grapes.

Loving everyone singing to her!

Gifts Galore! She got so many great gifts- and notice all the friends ready to jump in and help!

Elijah was jumping her was so excited for her!