Craig's 48th Birthday

Disney is now running a promotion that you get in free to one of their parks on your birthday. So Craig signed up. It was perfect because he also had the day off work. Craig and I went to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Craig had worked at this park 20 years ago. So he was very interested in what was the same and what was different.



This Dinosaur snack bar, was there when Craig worked there. He only worked in the dinosar when he was giving someone a break. It is a very small working space.

Or course, we had to see the exhibt about Walt Disney and how his dream became reality. Go see this when you come to Orlando. It is amazing the drive that this man had to make his dream a reality.

This is a backdrop used in a movie. I had to take Craig's picture by it. The backdrop is San Fransico. It brought back memories of my grandparents taking me and my sister to San Fransico. Good memories of great times.

We watched the parade. It was great. However we were glad we were watching and not performing!

Lights, Motors, Action - was an amazing show. Our boys would have loved to see this. It is all about how the movies film high speed chases. You learn how they drive cars backwards, split cars in two and many other aspects of the chase. Craig and I both enjoyed the show.

There is also what I would call a Props Graveyard. It was mostly closed the day we went. However I did get to see this "Herbie Car". I grew up watching the herbie movies and of course have bought them for my kids and I. So it was cool to see one of the cars that was used in the movies.

By the end of the day, Craig was relaxed and exhausted. As you can see, Craig took a little nap on my shoulder. This was while we waited to see the Beauty and the Beast.

We had a great day.

Learners Permits

That's right we have two children who have had their driving learners permits for a week. Morgan was happy to have her the day before Patrick, just because he is 6 months older than her! They are both excited and doing very well. Morgan is very nervous and stiff when she drives. Patrick is over confident. They both are doing well, but I must admit that having them drive me around feels a little strange!

Busch Gardens

The day after Christmas we took the family to Busch Gardens. The kids loaded up their MP3 players before we left. So on the way up, the kids put ear phones on listened to music and slept. Well, Raeleigh and Stuart just slept.

The park was busy. All of the kids but Morgan like roller coasters. So Patrick, Samantha and Jordan went on a coaster. The rest of us went on Rhino Rally. Which was fun, however the truck we were riding in got stuck, so we waited for 10 min. until the truck got unstuck and we could finish the ride. Oh well. So by the time we made it to the show that we were meeting the kids at, the show was half over. But the last half of the show was great. When that was over, we ate lunch.

From there we split up once more. This time all the kids but Morgan went on rides. Raeleigh is not tall enough for most of the rides. So after she got her fill of rides, we met again. Had dinner. Then Raeleigh hung out with Craig, Morgan and I. More rides for the other kids. And the four of us watched more shows and looked at all the shops.

We had a great day. I am glad that everyone got to do something that they enjoyed and also that we spent some time together as a family during the day. By the end of the day everyone was tired out. You will see in the pictures that I will post later, what I mean.

Christmas Evening

Christmas afternoon/evening we went to Grandma and Grandpap Smith's. This is the part of the day that Craig and I were really lookin forward to, because Tony was calling!!!!!!!!!

We ate a yummy dinner. Everyone talked to Tony. (This is when we saw the biggest smile out of Patrick all day - while he was on the phone. Of course, I didn't think to take a picture of that.)

Grandma, Grandpap, Joy and Austin spoiled the kids with presents. Morgan, Samantha and Jordan all got MP3 players. So of course they had to figure them out that night.

Christmas Morning

The kids were awake early. And came to wake us up. I was fast asleep when they came in. Craig heard them counting 1 - 2 - just before they said 3, Craig sat up and said "Merry Christmas". That is what woke me up. So downstairs we went,to wake Morgan up and open presents. Morgan was difficult to wake up as usual. She finally did wake up and was rather grumpy while we all open gifts.

I will post a few pictures later.

Christmas Eve

Pictures will be posted later!!!

Christmas Eve brought a new twist on reading of the Christmas story. Craig and Morgan had wanted to act out the story, including the quotes of Samuel the Lamanite. So we went with it. Patrick's baptist heritage come out as he read the part of Samuel the Lamanite. Patrick he made a great preacher.

Craig and I were Joseph and Mary. Raeleigh's doll was the baby Jesus.

Samantha was the angel that appeared to the Shepards, Morgan and Raeleigh, letting them know that the Savior was born.

Stuart and Raeleigh took turns holding the star above us so that the wisemen, Samantha and Jordan, could find us.

This was a memorable family time. I love to watch our kids have fun with each other. Sharing the gospel and our testimonies has become precious to me. I hope that our children will grow to have their own testimonies and rely on Jesus Christ for strength in their personal lives. I am grateful for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the time set aside each year to remember/focus on his birth.

Christmas Caroling

Each December we carol to Craig and Patrick's hometeaching families. It is something the families look forward and well as me. We also take them a plate of goodies. This year we also gave them an angel ornament that Craig's mother made. The first picture is our family with Beverly. Stuart wanted to be the "director" at each house, 2nd picture. As you can see in the second picture our nephew, Austin, came with us.