Our fun winter vacation continued when we got to FLORIDA! We went to my Aunt Debbie & Uncle Rich's house for a few days and spent some time with them. The kids got to meet their new dog, Molly! We met up with grandma Neville one day and the kids went to McDonald's and bowling! They loved it!
Saturday we made our way to the Bonnet Creek Resort (Wyndham Vacation Club)! It is always a fun and great place to spend some time...we were bummed with the cold weather. It wasn't warm enough for shorts or swimsuits, but that didn't stop the kids and Uncle Robby from going swimming (in the heated pool)!
Sunday we had Breakfast with Chef Mickey at the Contemporary Hotel! Yummy food and fun times with the characters visiting each table! Levi wasn't so sure about all the characters! After our lunch we went to Downtown Disney in search of toys!!! Alex & Drew both got LEGOS from the Lego store...no surprise there! Autumn went with her cousins (Emily & Hannah) and they picked out princess gloves with a little purse and a stuffed animal (Pooh Bear)! Levi got his first Mickey Mouse! The ladies once again made a trip to Wal-Mart for the groceries.
Monday was a relaxing day...we drove about a half hour to see Grandma Neville's new house in Florida. She made us lunch and we got to drive around and see her new community. It looked like a great place for her and Molly! When we got back from there the kids went swimming and we got ready for Tuesday's day at Magic Kingdom!
Tuesday at Magic Kingdom!!! We left the resort around 8am! After we parked, walked to the gate, redeemed our "Give a Day, Get a Day" vouchers, took the boat to the island, and went through security...we were all set for our day. First stop was the Buzz Lightyear ride! I stayed with Levi & Grace while everyone else went on the ride. Levi slept for about 3 hours that morning and I was glad since it was cold and he stayed warm in his carseat/stroller! It was a long day of rides and lines and potty breaks and diaper changes, but we had a great time! I couldn't believe how much the kids loved the roller coasters. Space Mountain was a little scary to me, but Drew & Autumn LOVED it! They couldn't wait to go again!
Wednesday was another day at the resort. The ladies went to the outlets for a little bit to help my mom pick out clothes for all the spring birthday's. My dad and Rob took the kids on a scavenger hunt the resort was hosting. They had fun! Mom & I drove down to my aunts house to pick up my grandma Donor for dinner. It was a great night...we had dinner and celebrated mine & Colin's birthday a little early since my parents are still in Florida for the month of March!
Thursday was another day at the Magic Kingdom. My mom was super tired and decided to stay at the resort and get much needed rest. The rest of us headed out again at 8am and were home by 9pm...my dad left around 4pm to meet up with my mom for my Aunt Debbie's surprise 50th b-day party! My uncle Rich had flown in their best friends and grandkids the Vitarelli's!
Friday was pack up day and one last day to swim and relax! That night our 3 bedroom condo was filled with: 10 kids (age 10 to 3), 4 babies and 13 adults...yes, 27 people! It was packed, chaotic and loud, but a lot of fun! We had dinner to celebrate Aunt Debbie's birthday!
Saturday we packed up and headed north...Craig & I drove to his parents in Marietta, GA for the night. We got there around 3pm and had some time with his 2 nieces (Ariel & Amber) and his aunts and uncle. We went to bed early to wake up at 3am and head home to Michigan.
Wow...a busy 2 weeks for sure! It was good to be home and sleep in our own beds! Drew was so excited to go to bed that night! The kids were excited to go to school (well, Drew & Autumn were). The next morning we woke up to 6 inches of snow and "No School...Snow Day!" We stayed in our pj's all day and I caught up on laundry and did some unpacking...
Great memories once again of Winter Vacation :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Winter Vacation...Part 1
We packed up on Thursday, February 4th and at 3:00am on Friday the 5th we set out for our drive to Atlanta. We made it to Craig's parents house by evening with only 4 stops on the way. Levi and the kids did great! We did have some van problems going through Tennessee. We could smell some fluid and pulled over at a gas station in the rain. Once we got to Atlanta Craig took it in and it was the heater coil (don't ask me what that is)! 3 days and $500 later we got our van back.
Friday night we were exhausted so spent a few minutes visiting with Ryan then we all went to bed. Saturday morning it was fun to see Ryan and Levi together and the other kids too! Some of Craig's family came over for a visit in the afternoon for lunch. Once everyone left, it was time to head out to the American Girl store. Memaw (Craig's mom), Autumn, Levi and I went to the store so Autumn could buy Lanie the new doll that she has been saving her money for! She was so excited! We went on the carousel at the mall and had dinner in the food court. It was a fun evening out for us girls (and Levi of course) !!!
Sunday we had family pictures scheduled at 10:00am so the morning was bust getting everyone ready...they turned out great! The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent relaxing and playing. Grandpa took the boys and me to Target so they could pick out their special toy since Autumn got an extra outfit for her doll at American Girl. The boys both got 3 little LEGO sets so the were busy when we got home.
Monday was a low key day just hanging around. Autumn and Drew came to Atlanta fighting a cold and Memaw and Craig ended up with it so with everyone not feeling the best, it was good to just relax some. Craig made a big breakfast and I slept in some! For dinner, Craig and I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese! They had fun and we ate yummy pizza!!!
Tuesday...today we are just hanging out again. Trying to get everyone healthy. We are thinking about some roller skating later this afternoon or something fun for the kids to release some energy. It's a little chilly here and raining today so not a great time to play outside. Tomorrow morning we are headed down to Florida. The plan is to stay at my Aunt Debbie's until Saturday. The kids will have some time to see their grandma Neville since she moved down here near Orlando. Hopefully the weather will be a little warmer so we can take some walks and enjoy some fresh air. I am thankful we are down south and not home for the 10 inches of snow that is supposed to fall today!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Project Linus Blanket...
Today was a fun day at our house...
Through Disney's Give-A-Day, Get-A-Day...we did Project Linus Blankets. We made no-sew blankets to give to this charity that takes the blankets to babies and kids in the hospital...it was a great opportunity for our kids to be involved in giving to someone else (especially after the holidays and all the stuff they were given)!!! You sign up for a charity and then Disney sends you a voucher for a free ticket into one of the parks once you have completed your project. Sounded easy and would save LOTS of money when we go in February!
My parents came over around noon, we picked up Ellen and the ladies went to Wal-Mart to buy the fleece and some snacks...we were making 10 blankets total. We got back to my house where all the kids were waiting and started cutting and tying knots! The kids did great! They got the hang of it and went to town...
After we finished the 10 blankets we needed to make, we took the leftover material and made each of the girls a Bitty Baby blanket and then the 6 kids got a little blanket for their Webkinz, dolls...etc... and Ellen and I made little ones for Grace & Levi too!
Such a great way to give back to others...we all decided even if we weren't getting something in return...we want to do it again next year or later on this year. The blankets really are simple to make and with the assembly line we had going, it went smoothly!
Enjoy the pictures...
Through Disney's Give-A-Day, Get-A-Day...we did Project Linus Blankets. We made no-sew blankets to give to this charity that takes the blankets to babies and kids in the hospital...it was a great opportunity for our kids to be involved in giving to someone else (especially after the holidays and all the stuff they were given)!!! You sign up for a charity and then Disney sends you a voucher for a free ticket into one of the parks once you have completed your project. Sounded easy and would save LOTS of money when we go in February!
My parents came over around noon, we picked up Ellen and the ladies went to Wal-Mart to buy the fleece and some snacks...we were making 10 blankets total. We got back to my house where all the kids were waiting and started cutting and tying knots! The kids did great! They got the hang of it and went to town...
After we finished the 10 blankets we needed to make, we took the leftover material and made each of the girls a Bitty Baby blanket and then the 6 kids got a little blanket for their Webkinz, dolls...etc... and Ellen and I made little ones for Grace & Levi too!
Such a great way to give back to others...we all decided even if we weren't getting something in return...we want to do it again next year or later on this year. The blankets really are simple to make and with the assembly line we had going, it went smoothly!
Enjoy the pictures...
Ellen and mom cutting the fleece and nana teaching the girls how to tie the knots.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The end of 2009...
It is December 31st...the day people look back on the last year and think about the changes they want to make for the new year or the memories good and bad from last year...
Our November flew by with birthday's and visitors to meet Levi. Drew & Autumn turned 6 years old on the 16th. I can't believe they are 6 years old already. I know every parent says that every year another birthday comes for one of their kids...it's amazing how much they have grown over the last year. They are both doing excellent in school and love Kindergarten. I am so proud of them both! Memaw and Grandpa Pritchett came on the 18th and stayed until the 23rd...it was so fun to have them around to meet their new grandson and spend time with ALL of us! My grandma came for the Thanksgiving weekend and we had a great time with her. On the 28th we had a family party to celebrate all the November birthdays...Craig, Drew, Autumn & my mom! Busy month!!!
December came and flew by too with all the holiday activities! The kids had concerts at school, Drew & Autumn sang at church while Alex and Levi played a wise man and baby Jesus on stage for a special song, our Ring family Christmas, Christmas with their dad & grandpa, grandma & Uncle Jeff, a trip to Erie to see our family on both the Donor & Ring sides, papa's birthday...wow, it has been busy. To top it off...Levi is already 2 months old and growing so much. He is now 12 lbs and 11 oz and in the 75th percentile!!! My big chubby bubby!
I am looking forward to what God has for our family in 2010...there were some really great moments from 2009 and some hardships and not so great moments. The one thing I know is that God is my strength and the one that gets us ALL through the hard times. I am determined to look at the positive happy moments of 2009 and leave behind the hard ones...
January...A new year!
February...Winter vacation to Atlanta, the beach in Fort Myers and of course to Disney!!!
March...my birthday and finding out I was pregnant!
April...Easter and celebrating Jesus' resurrection and the birth of my nephew...Eli Daniel Ring!
May...Spring after a long winter!
June...Ryan's visit to Michigan and our family trip to Tennessee!
July...Camping with Bella & her boys, soccer camp for Alex and a trip to Erie for a family wedding!
August...a trip to Chicago with Autumn and my niece's birth...Grace Anne Phail!
September...kids starting school and our Anniversary trip to Mackinac Island!
October...the birth of my baby boy...Levi Isom!!!
November...visits from family, birthday parties and being THANKFUL for everything we have!
December...celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!
Wow...actually writing it all out...I am truly blessed and have so many great memories from 2009!
Our November flew by with birthday's and visitors to meet Levi. Drew & Autumn turned 6 years old on the 16th. I can't believe they are 6 years old already. I know every parent says that every year another birthday comes for one of their kids...it's amazing how much they have grown over the last year. They are both doing excellent in school and love Kindergarten. I am so proud of them both! Memaw and Grandpa Pritchett came on the 18th and stayed until the 23rd...it was so fun to have them around to meet their new grandson and spend time with ALL of us! My grandma came for the Thanksgiving weekend and we had a great time with her. On the 28th we had a family party to celebrate all the November birthdays...Craig, Drew, Autumn & my mom! Busy month!!!
December came and flew by too with all the holiday activities! The kids had concerts at school, Drew & Autumn sang at church while Alex and Levi played a wise man and baby Jesus on stage for a special song, our Ring family Christmas, Christmas with their dad & grandpa, grandma & Uncle Jeff, a trip to Erie to see our family on both the Donor & Ring sides, papa's birthday...wow, it has been busy. To top it off...Levi is already 2 months old and growing so much. He is now 12 lbs and 11 oz and in the 75th percentile!!! My big chubby bubby!
I am looking forward to what God has for our family in 2010...there were some really great moments from 2009 and some hardships and not so great moments. The one thing I know is that God is my strength and the one that gets us ALL through the hard times. I am determined to look at the positive happy moments of 2009 and leave behind the hard ones...
January...A new year!
February...Winter vacation to Atlanta, the beach in Fort Myers and of course to Disney!!!
March...my birthday and finding out I was pregnant!
April...Easter and celebrating Jesus' resurrection and the birth of my nephew...Eli Daniel Ring!
May...Spring after a long winter!
June...Ryan's visit to Michigan and our family trip to Tennessee!
July...Camping with Bella & her boys, soccer camp for Alex and a trip to Erie for a family wedding!
August...a trip to Chicago with Autumn and my niece's birth...Grace Anne Phail!
September...kids starting school and our Anniversary trip to Mackinac Island!
October...the birth of my baby boy...Levi Isom!!!
November...visits from family, birthday parties and being THANKFUL for everything we have!
December...celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!
Wow...actually writing it all out...I am truly blessed and have so many great memories from 2009!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Craig's Birthday!
On Saturday, November 7th Craig turned 43!
Our day started with my dad picking up the 3 big kids to take them out for the day. After they left, I fed the baby, Craig and I got ready and we went out for a bit. We stopped at a few stores to pick up a few things Craig was wanting with his birthday money! It was such a beautiful day here in Michigan that we stopped at our favorite park in Northville, put Levi in the stroller and went for a little walk and sat on a bench by our favorite stream. After a little bit in the park we headed home. We enjoyed the quiet afternoon with Levi and then my parents brought the kids back and we all had some Rice Krispie Treats (Craig's favorite) and hung out for a little bit.
Overall...a great day to celebrate an incredible man, husband, and dad! I am so blessed to have found a man of God who loves me and takes care of me like he does. He stepped into this family as the head of the house and took on 3 little kids! That is amazing right there!!! Now I get to watch him take care and love our sweet baby boy! God is good!
A few pictures from our day:
Levi in his "Daddy's Champ" outfit!
Our day started with my dad picking up the 3 big kids to take them out for the day. After they left, I fed the baby, Craig and I got ready and we went out for a bit. We stopped at a few stores to pick up a few things Craig was wanting with his birthday money! It was such a beautiful day here in Michigan that we stopped at our favorite park in Northville, put Levi in the stroller and went for a little walk and sat on a bench by our favorite stream. After a little bit in the park we headed home. We enjoyed the quiet afternoon with Levi and then my parents brought the kids back and we all had some Rice Krispie Treats (Craig's favorite) and hung out for a little bit.
Overall...a great day to celebrate an incredible man, husband, and dad! I am so blessed to have found a man of God who loves me and takes care of me like he does. He stepped into this family as the head of the house and took on 3 little kids! That is amazing right there!!! Now I get to watch him take care and love our sweet baby boy! God is good!
A few pictures from our day:
Levi in his "Daddy's Champ" outfit!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Introducing...Levi Isom Pritchett!
Wow...what a busy few weeks we have had...
On Monday, October 26th I started having some regular contractions that weren't super strong. Tuesday evening they were really strong but not very consistent...very confusing! By Wednesday morning, they stopped all together (after keeping me up most of the night with some strong pains). By 4pm when I was picking up the kids from school the contractions came back and I called the doctor so I could see what they thought before the office closed for the day. The doctor on call at the hospital said to come on in! Craig and I got our stuff ready and dropped off the kids at Ellen's house on our way to the hospital. We checked in and my contractions were really strong and only 3 to 4 minutes apart. My parents met us at the hospital. The nurse checked me and said I was already dilated to 4 or 5 and we would be prepping for the c-section within the hour! Everything went really fast....Craig and my parents prayed for the delivery and off I went to the O.R.
I was back in my hospital room fairly quickly and the Proud Daddy, Nana & Papa all took turns holding Levi!
Soon after, my dad went to my house to re-leave Rob who had taken the kids home and put them to bed for school the next day. Dad stayed at my house and mom went home to get a good nights sleep! On Thursday we had some friends and family visit to meet Levi! Bella, Robyn, and Salena all came. Nana and Aunt Ellen came too. After school the kids came to meet their baby brother! They stayed at Nana & Papa's house for a few days until we came home from the hospital...what a blessing it was to know that my other 3 kids were well taken care of so I could concentrate on Levi and healing myself. THANKS mom & dad!!!
By Saturday, October 31st...we were ready to go home and get settled in!
We have had some sleepless nights and some nights where Levi has amazed us and done really well...we are working a schedule that will help the whole family especially when Craig goes back to work at the end of the month....we are blessed beyond measure that Craig can be home until the 24th of November. We have had many visitors dropping off meals and coming to meet Levi since we came home... The Phail family came over on Sunday to meet the newest member of the family! It was funny to see just how big Grace (the little one) was next to the new little one, Levi!
On the 18th Grandpa & Memaw Pritchett are arriving from Atlanta to meet their new grandson and they will be with us for a few days! Big brother Ryan is planning to come in December for a week during his Christmas break! We can't wait!
What a miracle and blessing a new baby is to a family! God is so good and faithful!
On Monday, October 26th I started having some regular contractions that weren't super strong. Tuesday evening they were really strong but not very consistent...very confusing! By Wednesday morning, they stopped all together (after keeping me up most of the night with some strong pains). By 4pm when I was picking up the kids from school the contractions came back and I called the doctor so I could see what they thought before the office closed for the day. The doctor on call at the hospital said to come on in! Craig and I got our stuff ready and dropped off the kids at Ellen's house on our way to the hospital. We checked in and my contractions were really strong and only 3 to 4 minutes apart. My parents met us at the hospital. The nurse checked me and said I was already dilated to 4 or 5 and we would be prepping for the c-section within the hour! Everything went really fast....Craig and my parents prayed for the delivery and off I went to the O.R.
By 8:54pm Levi Isom Pritchett was born!
He weighed 7 pounds and measured 20 inches!
What a joy and blessing!!!
He weighed 7 pounds and measured 20 inches!
What a joy and blessing!!!
I was back in my hospital room fairly quickly and the Proud Daddy, Nana & Papa all took turns holding Levi!
Soon after, my dad went to my house to re-leave Rob who had taken the kids home and put them to bed for school the next day. Dad stayed at my house and mom went home to get a good nights sleep! On Thursday we had some friends and family visit to meet Levi! Bella, Robyn, and Salena all came. Nana and Aunt Ellen came too. After school the kids came to meet their baby brother! They stayed at Nana & Papa's house for a few days until we came home from the hospital...what a blessing it was to know that my other 3 kids were well taken care of so I could concentrate on Levi and healing myself. THANKS mom & dad!!!
By Saturday, October 31st...we were ready to go home and get settled in!
We have had some sleepless nights and some nights where Levi has amazed us and done really well...we are working a schedule that will help the whole family especially when Craig goes back to work at the end of the month....we are blessed beyond measure that Craig can be home until the 24th of November. We have had many visitors dropping off meals and coming to meet Levi since we came home... The Phail family came over on Sunday to meet the newest member of the family! It was funny to see just how big Grace (the little one) was next to the new little one, Levi!
What a miracle and blessing a new baby is to a family! God is so good and faithful!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
This time next week...
Let's see...this time next week I will be relaxing some in between last minute preparations. It is a weird feeling knowing that next Monday (Nov 2nd) I will be going to the hospital to have my little baby boy! I can't wait! Part of me would love to go into labor early and have him sooner...I am a bit uncomfortable and getting anxious to finally meet him. The other part of me likes the fact that it's scheduled and all planned out...my parents are set to be here to help with the kids, I already made lists and notes to make things run smoother for my parents and Craig once we get home from the hospital.
BUT, God has His own timeline for things and I am ready for whatever He has for us. We will see what this week and the weeks to come bring for our family. It will be a busy end of the year for sure. Craig is planning to take off the first 3 weeks of November to help me out with the kids and be here with the baby. Drew & Autumn have their 6th birthday on the 16th. His parents are flying in the 18th to 23rd to meet their new grandson. Then there is Thanksgiving weekend and the Ring family November birthday party! My grandma Donor will be here that busy weekend. Then we are into December with Christmas Concerts at school, Autumn's cheer-leading competition, Ryan coming for a visit the 19th until Christmas, and all the Christmas celebrations......what a great way to end the year...surrounded by family!
BUT, God has His own timeline for things and I am ready for whatever He has for us. We will see what this week and the weeks to come bring for our family. It will be a busy end of the year for sure. Craig is planning to take off the first 3 weeks of November to help me out with the kids and be here with the baby. Drew & Autumn have their 6th birthday on the 16th. His parents are flying in the 18th to 23rd to meet their new grandson. Then there is Thanksgiving weekend and the Ring family November birthday party! My grandma Donor will be here that busy weekend. Then we are into December with Christmas Concerts at school, Autumn's cheer-leading competition, Ryan coming for a visit the 19th until Christmas, and all the Christmas celebrations......what a great way to end the year...surrounded by family!
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