Spring Break 2013, Day 2

Day two of our Spring Break was spent at the National Zoo. We braved the metro with all five kiddos and successfully made it to our destination!

Kathryn couldn't pass up getting her picture made in front of the dolphin mural.  That girl loves her some dolphins!

 

And I have to say Walker was quite the trooper to hang out with four girls all day long!

 



 

 

Ice cream was always their favorite part of the day:)

Here we are heading home on the metro! It really was quite a spectacle getting all of us down the escalator, through the turn stile and onto the metro.  And let's not even talk about trying to corral the kids while we waited on the trains!

We might look tired, but don't be fooled!  We bounced back the next day for our busiest day of touring/site seeing yet!

Spring Break 2013, Day 1

On our first day in D.C., Aunt Amy offered to watch the kiddos while Matt and I went into the city. Wow! What a treat!

We made the most of our time by visiting the museums and buildings we didn't think we could/would do with the little ones. This days sites included walking the mall, the National Archives, the Capitol, the House Office Buildings and the Natural History Museum.

That's a lot of walking my friends, but a lot of fun too!

 I loved all of the taxidermy animals at the Natural History Museum! Just a few favs...

 

So, what did the kiddos and Aunt Amy do while we were gone? They packed a picnic lunch and headed to the local park!

                                    

Oh, and a little Wii playing sure made Walker's day!

Spring Break 2013: Washington DC

Spring Break has come and gone, and, boy, did we make some good memories! Like Frances' first plane ride! She did really well. A bit fussy at first, but with the help of the pacifier we brought "just in case" she was asleep in no time. Did I mention she hasn't had a paci in almost two years?!? Desperate times call for desperate measures!

And the twins were old pros putting their second plane trip under their belts. How would you like to have set in front of these two. They only kicked the seat in front of them about two dozen times;)

I've got lots more pictures to come, so stay tuned!

Hippity Hoppity 2013

Here's hoping everyone had an awesome Easter!  We sure did!

This year, I especially enjoyed the little one's enthusiasm and appreciation for the true meaning of Easter.  There is something so special about their childlike faith.  I pray the Lord will continue to grow and mature them in the truth of His word. 

We had fun putting our Easter Pinterest board to work!  I don't know what we would have eaten for breakfast throughout the month of March without it;)

We barely squeezed in dying Easter eggs this year.  Thankfully, Good Friday evening we enjoyed some down time and some egg-coloring!

I even brought a bunny home from school one day:)

 

Easter morning began especially early for my two oldest chicks who were up by 6:30 to check out their baskets!

 

 

  

This little chick preferred to sleep in!  

All dressed up and ready for church!

WDW, Part 3 (The Wrap Up)

Pardon the randomness of this post, but I did have a few more thoughts I wanted to pass along! 

We highly recommend participating in the Jedi Training School.  Walker and Kathryn loved it! It was definitely a highlight of this trip.  After all, where else can you challenge Darth Vader! 

VIDEOS that have proven helpful in our trip preparation...

I love a nice, neat organized hotel room.  If you do too, here are some great tips!

I especially loved the retractable sharpie suggestion, and lots of her other tips! Watch here!

WEBSITES that have proven invaluable include: 

Walt Disney World Prep School

All Ears 

Disney Food Blog 

The Handmade Home 

Dixie Delights

ETSY finds for the trip!

Cinderella A-Line dress from The Sew Princess 

 

Princess hair clips from ARTsenal  

Minnie Mouse ribbon from Ribbon Collections

 A few final photo favorites...