Disney Princess Lunch

I am not sure if I had more fun at the princess lunch or if Cadie did! Honestly, we were both freaking out a little. Grant did an amazing job researching the best ways to use our Disney Dining Plan and the princess lunch at Akershus in Epcot's Norway area blew me away. We saw ALL the princesses, had plenty of time to take pictures and even got a free, official picture with Belle - I will have to scan that one in and add it when we get home. The princesses were so sweet and patient with the little girls, and also with the crazy moms. Cadie turned into a bit of a princess stalker and at the end of the meal she spotted Ariel and quietly followed her around until she was between tables and convinced Ariel to give her one final hug. It was so sweet. I am not sure how many times today Cadie asked, "Are they real?" I typically answer, "Do you think they are real?" and she responds that she definitely thinks they are. Disney really is amazing and magical and we are having the best time. Thanks to my awesome husband for planning this trip and making it so special for his girls.

Our fun lunch ended with a birthday cupcake just for Cadie.

Scofield Birthday

I won a birthday party for Cadie from a Scofield fundraiser called the Sealed-Bid auction. We made it a little surprise party and they did such a good job! Miss Candi set up a party of goldfish chicks, rice krispy treats, a princess hat for Cadie and board book party favors.

 

I picked up Mimi and we went to the room before they brought the kids in and we all said surprise when Cadie and her class walked in the room. I think Cadie was a little shocked at first, but then she got excited that we were all there for her birthday party. The kids were really well behaved and we enjoyed getting to chat with them and also with their teacher, Miss Thurman.

 

Cadie and her teacher, Miss Thurman.

Family Birthday Party

PLACEHOLDER: I will have to come back and provide updates. We had a great party though!

Happy Birthday Cadie!

Cadie turned 4 last Friday! She is sweet, funny, precocious, observant, silly, imaginative and just plain adorable!

Flapping her fairy arms in her birthday costume.

With some of the amazing Chihuly art at the Dallas Arboretum.

At the Dallas Arboretum Pumpkin batch - so much fun with mom and Nina.

Our little pumpkin is 4!

Just a few last wedding pics

My brother and Anna visited us this past weekend in Dallas and they brought their wedding photos and I grabbed a few of my favorites!

The Wedding - Most Importantly Cadie the Flower Girl

The day of the wedding was incredibly beautiful. The fog cleared and everyone was recovered from the awesome rehearsal dinner at Silvara Vineyards. The wedding was at Ohme gardens and it was an oasis with an incredible view and beauty everywhere. It was absolutely perfect and so special and memorable. My Dad officiated the ceremony and between his sincere words, letters that the maid of honor and best man read that Anna and Eric had written to each other and Eric and Anna's inspiring personal vows - I am not sure there was a dry eye in the house/garden.

My mom and I decided that Anna reminded us a little of Rapunzel in the Disney movie. So sweet, sincere, spunky, cute, funny - you just can't help but love her. And my brother was handsome and authentic! Eric bawled at my wedding and I bawled at his. I bawled during the wedding and also during their first dance in which they tore it up.

Cadie took her job as flower girl so seriously! I can't wait to get the official photos, but here are a few from my camera and my Aunt Kathy's.

Cutest cousins EVER

Handsome boys

She was perfection

The flower crown was the perfect addition to her outfit.

Making sure her dress didn't get dirty - like I said she took her job very seriously.

Samuel and Cadie walked down the aisle together.

My babies - love you so much it hurts.

I just loved her expressions during the wedding. It was so clear how much she and Eric love each other.

A very long and romatic kiss.

So right together.

Seattle, WA

We took a trip to Seattle, Washington for my brother's Sept. 15 wedding to the lovely Anna and we had the BEST time. Grant and I and the kids left on Monday, Sept. 10 on a 7pm flight and we weren't settled in our hotel room until after midnight local time which meant 2am CT! The kids didn't rest a wink on the flight but fell sound asleep in the car on the way to the hotel. We stayed at the  Silver Cloud Inn Lake Union hotel and we were impressed. Free parking, free breakfast, nice suite with 2 rooms, free shuttle, in-door swimming pool, comfortable beds, etc.

On Tuesday morning we went to visit Eric and Anna in their sweet little guest house. The kids had a great time jumping on their neighbor's trampoline and then Eric took us to a beautiful park near their house. I can understand why they are sad to move! It was great to spent a little time with Eric and Anna before the wedding festivities began.

Due to moving and wedding prep there were lots of boxes at Eric and Anna's house.

On Tuesday evening we enjoyed free happy hour on the balcony at the hotel while friends and family started to collect at the hotel. Courtney and Ryan stayed in our room with us and Eric, Nathan and some of Eric's friends had a boys room. The guys hung out until late Tuesday night, but I was happy to head to bed early with the kiddos. Well, relatively early - we were at a late dinner and the kids and I got our food to go at around 8:30pm local time which felt late to us, especially after our long Monday travel.

 

On Wednesday the guys started bachelor party activities and Courtney and I took the kids to Pike's Market and browsing around town. The kids picked out snakes as their souvenirs and we enjoyed the nice weather and a carousel ride. We got some sourdough rolls and then Grant came and picked us up near the aquarium and gave us a lift back to the hotel.

With Ira the Snake and Blue Snake freshly purchased at Pike's Market.

Carousel ride on the pier with Aunt CJ.

 

The wedding was in a city about 2+ hours outside Seattle called Leavenworth. It was a bit complicated coordinating transportation for everyone to Leavenworth. When we got back to the hotel after our excursion around the city, my parents, grandma Margaret and Uncle Mike and Aunt Teresa had arrived from the airport. Dad and Courtney stayed back in Seattle and rode the train to meet Bethany and Samuel at the airport and ride with her to Leavenworth. Grant and I and the kids went in one car (Grant decided to hang with us instead of do the rest of the bachelor stuff) and Mom, Grandma Margaret and Uncle Mike and Aunt Teresa headed off in their car. Grant and I and the kids took our time and made 3 stops on the way. One included a rest stop with a red, caboose that JR loved.

 

Once we got to Leavenworth we stayed with my folks, the Chapman's and Uncle Mike and Aunt Teresa in a cabin (riversideproperties.org) that overlooked a river and was so beautiful. There were forest fires in the area which was causing some smoke, but it was still beautiful with lush green grass and huge salmon jumping in the river. The cousins loved playing together near the river, in the huge sandpit (aka sand volleyball court) and we also had a fun trip to a strange little fall festival at Smallwood's Fruit Stand. They had craziest kid's train ride ever.

It was so fun to be with family that I don't get to see as frequently as I wish we could! There was lots of hugging, catching up, eating and shopping in Leavenworth.

Cadie convinced Grandma Margaret to brave the stairs down into the basement where the Walsh clan setup camp. Cadie had a fun time showing Grandma all her things including her special little brown and pink blanket.

The cousin catching a flick under a table at the wedding. These boys are the cutest.

Cadie with Eric, Anna and Luna at the Thursday night BBQ.

Aunt Teresa, Uncle Mike, Aunt Kathy, cousin Brad and Uncle Mark.

Me with Dave and Tina who flew in from KC. They are some of my folks BFFs.

Bethany and I with Aunt Kathy.

My cousin Alan and his wife Shanna. He is in nursing school so they were only in town about 30 hours! They wanted to make sure they were there for Eric - so awesome of them.