Day 2 Activities

Sunday:

We woke up and went to church this morning. Then, we headed north to the huge flea market called -- Flea World! Courtney read 75,000 people visit this place (per year? per weekend?). They must have all been frozen this weekend, because it was not very busy. The kids' rides were shut down too. But, we had fun cruising up and down the aisles of bargains. But, to warm up, we visited a Starbucks and had some hot chocolate and cookies. Once we made it home, it was bedtime for the girls, run time for Mark and Courtney, and football watching for Grandma Donner. A good time was had by all!

Monday's Plans:

Ikea, shopping, movie? We'll see.

Day 1

Day 1 Activities

Woke up and ate breakfast.
Snacked around 10:00 a.m.
Ate Arby's for lunch
Snacked around 3:00 p.m.
Ate pizza for dinner while watching Sleeping Beauty.
Ate poppy seed bread for dessert.
Ate caramel covered popcorn for dessert dessert.
Snacked before bedtime.

When it's 35 degrees outside, you have to store up a good layer of fat to keep warm!!!

The Wooded Eagle Has Landed

Although she has had a flying phobia for over 30 years, the power of grandchildren is breaking that anxiety. Grandma Donner braved the skies last year and made it to Guam. Evidently, the non-eventful flight created enough confidence for her to try a continental flight from Missouri to Florida. Success again! She was amazed to be in Florida in only 2 hours.

Obviously, the kids were excited to see Grandma Donner. They all piled into Katelee's room last night, and this morning they were caught drinking coffee in bed! I'm not sure why the kids are excited now -- the Grandma effect or Coffee overdose???

Easy like Sunday Evening

2010 Jan 003
Originally uploaded by counsel14

Morning church. CiCi's Pizza buffet for lunch. Long afternoon naps. Cereal for dinner. Caramel popcorn for dessert. Sleeping Beauty for entertainment. Snuggling with girls in comfy chair. Does it get better than that?

Oh be careful little hands . . .

2010 Jan 001
Originally uploaded by counsel14

We seemed to be a bit short on our final inventory.

Welcome 2010

2010 is here. I can't really say we welcomed in the New Year with a bang. However, we did have a very enjoyable finale to 2009. We went to the Kissimmee park, packed a lunch of PB&J and pretzels, and enjoyed the sunset. We were attacked by the local birds -- especially once we started feeding them bread crust.





The girls were in bed by 7:00, and Mark & Courtney managed to stay up until 10:30. In Mark's defense, he was sick. In Courtney's defense, who wants to stay up alone?

She did make up a story about waking up at 12:03 a.m. She said she rolled over, looked at the clock, and said Happy New Year. Mark (who remembers nothing) evidently gently took her hand and caressed it. What a sweetie (when asleep).

2010 has been colder. We have managed to survive the frigid 50s of Florida the last few days. Actually, it has been in the 30s the last few nights. We have also been able to kick start Courtney's Half Marathon training. She has a couple runs under her belt, and she is on track to participate in Disney's Princess Half Marathon in March. I think the caramel corn she just made is part of the training program.

We look forward to a new year at Orlando Baptist Church. Currently, they are challenging each person to find a word that is the focus of 2010 -- Courage, Wisdom, Encouragement, Doubt, etc. Courtney is leaning toward Outreach or Community. Mark is leaning toward Encouragement. Your word?

Here's to 2010! Here we come!!!

Minnie Me!

2009 Dec 899 edit
Originally uploaded by counsel14

Happy as a big mouse!

Sweet Music

2009 Dec 830 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Katelee enjoyed the wonderful sound of the symbols. They went nicely with the trumpet and drum. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Crazy Chipmunks vs Cuddly Kids

It was a clear day with a gentle breeze kissing her cheek. She spotted her prey -- two bigger-than-life chipmunks. She waited patiently in a line of people, trying to blend with her surroundings. Then, spotting her moment, she pounced on them. At first, she was very tentative in her movements, assessing her competition to see if they would nibble off her arm with those huge white teeth that looked like chainsaws. Then, reaching out to feel the soft fur, she was lured into a false sense of security.

The more sinister of the two rodents reached out and grabbed the little girl, placed her in its lap, and put the Chip Zone of Tranquility around her. After several moments, she was able to whip around, administer the behind-the-ear hypnosis scratch, and charm the wild beast into submission.

As a final show of dominance, both rodents were placed in bear hug constrictions and told never to speak of this encounter again.

Or, something like that.

Mamas Don't Let Your Daughters be Cowgirls

You try to raise your kids right, teach them well, provide food and a roof over their head, guide them in the right direction . . . . Yet, they still can end up a cowgirl and sleeping in a box!

Excited to sleep in a box tonight!

Sporting her new pink cowgirl boots, hat, and BROWN shirt
(had to be brown since that is what cowboys wear -- a particular point)

Icing Time

Tonight was about icing the those cookies who had not fallen victim to the munchies over the last couple of days. We had five fun colors to drizzle all over the cookies, and we ended up with some great pieces of art! Enjoy!!!

Gingerbread House

Courtney got into the Christmas Spirit last night at a social making Gingerbread houses! Surprisingly, she made it home without eating any of it.

Cooking (and consuming) Christmas Cookies

So far, sugar cookies and chocolate-covered pretzels have been created. Unfortunately, half of the sweets made are gone already! Oh well, we can just make more.

Guess how many times I can ask "can I eat this piece?"

Just add flour

Courtney teaching the girls the best part of cooking -- licking the beaters!

Daughter Date Day Delights

Mark and Olivia enjoyed "The Princess and the Frog" at the movie theater in Celebration City last week. The movie was fun, especially combined with a cinnamon pretzel, large popcorn, and a large coke!!! After the movie, they snagged a couple "wicked apples" from The Candy Cauldron and enjoyed them at home.

This is nuts!

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

This will be the first Christmas in two years with all of the Taylor clan together. Friday was spent putting the final touches on the tree and decorations around the house. Combine the low illumination of lights with the "cold" temperature today (57 degrees) and you get a recipe for that holiday spirit.

The Final Touch

Admiring her Handiwork

Little Decorator

The Mighty Mile-er

2009 Dec 009, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Olivia showed everyone up two nights ago when she ran non-stop for one mile (around the block). She was a bit flushed afterwards, and she said her legs were sore the next morning. But, she ran another non-stop mile again tonight! Way to go!!!

Family Time Again

After 9 weeks of training and being away from family, Mark has enjoyed his girls and his family once again. We made it to Missouri and have bounced between families for vacation time. We have enjoyed hiking through the woods, watching Waltzing Waters, going to Fantastic Caverns, attending a birthday celebration, putting up Christmas decorations, and eating and eating and eating and eating. We are almost ready to return to Florida and prepare the house for everyone coming down for Christmas! Woo hoo!

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

LaDonna enjoys her Grandkids

Fun Family Reunited

Happy Birthday #2

Happy Birthday to Katelee! She celebrated in style a little early while in MO with family and friends. She definitely did not like the focused attention on her while everyone sang Happy Birthday. In fact, she cried. However, once she learned presents in the wrapped boxes were hers to keep, she warmed up to this birthday idea. Once she arrived in Orlando, she was treated to a day of doughnuts, a shopping spree, and Steak-n-Shake. What more could a girl ask for?

Halloween Happiness

The girls enjoyed a fun time in Missouri over the last two weeks. They have enjoyed grandparent time, as well as playing with their cousins. They also enjoyed Halloween, dressing up as Sleeping Beauty (Olivia) and a fairy (Katelee). Enjoy the pics!

What to wear for Halloween

Mark has been gone for nearly a month now. Unfortunately, it will be another month before he sees his girls again. In the meantime, life moves on, and the girls are doing well. Olivia has been attending school three times per week, and she really enjoys it. Her teacher praised her for being really bright. Katelee is finally making the potty connection (it must have been her own IKEA potty chair). She was quite proud when she told her daddy on the phone, "I potty."

While Mark is finishing up training (and preparing for some more), Courtney and the girls are preparing to see Fall. Orlando's benefit is the warm weather allows the girls to play in the pool still. However, Courtney is ready to see the trees change color and feel the cool October air of Missouri. So, they are preparing to head North while the owners of our house take their furniture. Of course, Halloween will happen while they are in Missouri.

Olivia has decided (over the last few months) she would like to be: a butterfly, Tinkerbell, an angel, and a few other characters. However, she has finally landed on a costume (for now) -- Sleeping Beauty. This was probably solidified when she saw her at Disney. We'll see if that changes though. As for Katelee, I'm not sure she cares . . . as long as she keeps getting chocolate for going potty. She'll think she hit the jackpot for Halloween!

Fun Pics

In this first shot, Katelee is showing off both her talent of putting on Mama's shoes and her new pink panties. She is pretty proud of herself for both feats. So is Mama.

Here, Liv joins her in showing off. She is also sporting her new princess tiara.


Here is this years first attempt at pumkin carving. Actually, it is Mama's first attempt ever. Definately room to improve.

Sand here is so much nicer than Guam sand. Powder white. Ah. On a Friday visit with Aunt Vjay, Liv and distant cousin Miranda made fast friends. There is nothing better than a day of friends, family, food, swimming, and sand!

Family Photo

Are we there yet?

Since moving to Orlando, when we drive by a nearby entertainment park (a few small rides), Olivia keeps asking, "Is that Disney World?" Well, today she learned what Disney is really like! We spent a full day at the park and managed to ride a lot of rides (although Space Mountain was shut down), meet Mickey & Minnie, and meet three Princesses (the one in the pink dress, the one in the blue dress, and the one in the yellow dress). Katelee was a bit on the shy side with all the characters, but she loved the rides (even the Haunted House). Olivia was a bit shy on some of the rides, but she loved the characters.

There are some great shots of the girls meeting the characters here.

Or, enjoy all our pics by clicking on the link to the right (Photos).

Filling Momma's Shoes

It is definitely tough trying to fill momma's shoes.

Part of the battle is finding the right shoes though!

Perfect Timing

Well, it has been a ride, and I think we have finally started getting settled. We looked and looked and looked for a rental house (mainly on the East side of town), and then one popped up (on the South side of town). We finally signed a lease 1 week ago on a house that fits our needs, wants, and indulgences perfectly. There are plenty of rooms (for visitors), plenty of space (for energetic kids), a pool (for hot days), a spa (for cool nights), a breakfast nook (for nice meals), a dining room (for larger meals), a garden tub (for soaking), and a nice neighborhood (for running). It is also located near all the fun tourist activities, so we have started making a list of fun things to do (airboat rides, Disney, Universal Studios, etc.). All in all, the year will go quickly, but it should be fun!

Interesting enough, our stuff is still on a boat somewhere between here and Guam. However, the people who own the house allowed us to go ahead and move into the completely furnished place until they have time to move it out (late October). It worked out for both of us!

Needless to say, the girls are becoming quite acclimated to their new environment! Enjoy the pics!