We're back!!!

Well, it's taken me a couple of days to let you all know, but we've made it home!!! I spent yesterday getting groceries, doing laundry, putting things away...you know, all those FUN things you have to do when you get home!! My hours flew by too quickly, that's for sure!

We had a wonderful time away. Even though there is always some sort of 'adventures' when you're travelling with children, it really was the first time I think we were relaxed having travelled with them! We ate at Cinderella's castle for breakfast the very first full day we were there (Kathy got to be a princess for the day as well since it was her birthday!!!) then spent the rest of the day at Magic Kingdom. The rest of the week was spent at Sea World, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and a quick trip to downtown Disney to do a little shopping. We spent the rest of our time relaxing - and that was WONDERFUL!!! I would totally suggest that anyone travelling in a group like we did seriously look at renting a home. Our house was a little further from Disney than I would have liked but it was so nice to have everyone in one place and having the space for us all to gather.

Our last evening there (Valentine's Day) we had reservations at Medieval Times. What a blast!! The kids absolutely loved it. Ana was even given a sash by the Knight we were cheering for that proclaimed her as the Queen of Beauty and Love!! She was so cute!!

While every trip is so nice to take - it is nice to be home, and we were so happy to come home to such nice weather. Although - Chad mumbled words I've never heard before..."I could have stayed a few extra days"!!!!! Next time, hon...I'm totally holding you to that!!!

(Kale protecting Belle)


(the very spot we had announced 5 yrs earlier that we were pregnant with Kale on our home video!!)


(Sunset at Epcot)


(Notice what it says on his shirt!!!!)


(The kids with the Red Knight at Medieval Times)

Frusterated

I tell ya, there is one thing I've learned from having kids and that is 'you never know what you're going to hear'!!! I am always so surprised by some of the things that Kale says - and the way he uses words that I didn't even know a 4 year old should know, let alone use correctly in a sentence!! He's been doing this ever since he was 2! This was our discussion the other day...he was upset with the girls and was yelling to them that they needed to let him play with a certain toy. He then turned to me and asked me to get him a drink and proceeded to tell me "if you don't do it, Mom, I'll get really frusterated (frustrated) with you too".

"Frustrated, really?", I said wondering how he had even learned that word (not to mention that he was awfully bossy to me). "How do you even know that word?"

"You, Mommy" to which I chuckled because I can't even remember when I would have said that word - although I must have at SOME point and he was listening!!

"So, do you know what it means?"

"Yes, to drive me crazy and make me upset"! (as he said very 'matter of factly')

I'd say he gets the jist of that word!!!! hahaha

No excuse at all.

I don't know what my problem has been lately!!! I have hardly taken any pictures at all and have not blogged about anything either! Absolutely terrible on my part and I promise I'll be better!

I realized how long it had been since I had blogged when I began to start looking back at photos. As most of you know, the Fank family is gearing up for another family trip to Disney World in a couple weeks. I know our family is looking forward to it greatly!!! During my search through my pictures I found pictures from our last venture to Disney World with the Fank clan. I just have to show you some pictures of the girls - so amazing how they have grown up so much in 5 years!!! Even more amazing - how our family has grown. Kale was in my tummy in these pictures!!!

The Nutcracker!!!

What a busy few months it has been! This past week was especially busy for us with dress rehearsals for The Nutcracker. But, for all of us, we wouldn't have changed a single thing. Don't get me wrong, I was exhausted so I can only imagine how my two little angels felt, but to see the joy and excitement on their faces, made it all worth while. The show was wonderful - even with a few glitches the first evening!!! This experience was definitely something they will never soon forget!!!

Merry Christmas to you all!!! Hope you all have a safe and wonderful Holiday!

Eight

Yep, eight candles on their cake this year!!! Can't believe these little girls are growing up so quickly. I can still remember almost every single detail of the day they were born as if it was just yesterday! This seemed to be the birthday of all birthday's for them as they got to do a lot of celebrating.

Their day consisted of us waking them up by singing "Happy Birthday", I then surprised them at school by being the secret reader for their class (I read Charlie The Caterpillar, their favorite book when they were little), then Kale and I ate lunch with them before we headed home. The evening brought their grandparents to our house where we enjoyed some supper and cake. Thank you again to everyone for your birthday gifts - it was the first year without toys and it took them until the next day to fully appreciate the things they were given, but they were very excited about them all!!! Handmade thank-you's will be in the mail soon!!!

Friday, right after school, we took off for Minneapolis - we stayed in Owatonna Friday night and took advantage of the wonderful outlet mall and, of course, Cabela's!! Saturday was the big day - after months of begging, we finally took them to eat at American Girl with their dolls. The rest of the day was spent riding rides - to which Ana finally was tall enough to ride one of the BIG rollercoasters - I've never seen a little girl so excited!!! Thankfully we made it home Saturday night before all of the ice moved in the area. I'd say it was a memorable 8th birthday.




(Kale's lego combine - he couldn't be any happier!!!!!)

The View From Our House

Oh, what a weekend!!! While I was lucky to get away and enjoy some wonderful time with friends, Chad was at home with the kids braving the snowstorm!! What the weatherman said would be 5-9 inches turned in to 14 inches - and while town was without power for 4-6 hours, we were without power for almost 48 hrs!! They were able to make some very fun memories in the snow though, and they had to call and tell me all about it!!!

Looks like winter might be here to stay!!!!!!

The Many Ways of Kale

For those of you who really know my son, you know that he has 3 staples in his wardrobe: 'work' jeans, hooded sweatshirts, and his camoflauge 'work' boots (aka, his Bog boots). If you see him in anything else, it was a hard fought win by mommy. I have always allowed my children to pick out their own clothes (although I admit, I try to sway them towards things that will look good together!) and have watched them walk out of the house wearing a variety of 'looks', all while I am biting my tongue!! Well, yesterday was one of those days with Kale. We finally got the kids' dvd player set up on the television in their t.v.room so Kale was finally allowed to watch "Bob The Builder" again (I started to refuse it on MY t.v. because I couldn't take it anymore!!). It obviously wore off on him!! God Love Him...this is what he wore to pick the girls up from school.........