Cold, In Florida?

Lots to catch up on, but first things first...Cold weather here in the "sunny" state? Yep, that's what we thought too! We had unusual cold weather for a couple of weeks. During the day time, it was only 40 and the low hit below 30. We snuggled the girls up and even had to dig out the footed pajamas...The girls were excited to be so bundled up and thought that it was fun, for a few days at least. There's only so much being cooped up inside they can take. And, most importantly, there is only SO much this mamma can take, too. So, we headed to one of our favorite new spots, the Orlando Science Museum! It's fantastic and full of fun. The girls have a blast and can stay there all day if I let them! Bonus points in that our McWane Museum annual pass is a national museum pass, so we can go as often as we like. Let the fun begin!

(trying out the plane in the Motions section of the museum)

(playing in the miniature cars...in the Motions section)

(And, what museum would be complete without a water table, complete with water slide for boats. BIG hit with the girls...)

There are orange trees that the kids can pick the fruit from, put them in carts and then put them on the conveyor belt for processing. Then they can pretend that they are juicing the oranges by pedaling. SO cute!

(Sofia, looking at the oranges going up the conveyor belt)

(playing in the kitchen area of the museum)

Thanksgiving - 2

Here are more pictures from today. What fun with Grandma and Grandpa Gray! We had SO much food, family walks, play, etc. We love them SO much and are grateful that we live close to them now!

(me with Giuliana) (Simon and his Dad) (the girls and I with Grandma Gray)
(being entertained by Grandpa Gray tonight)

Thankful Hearts - Happy Thanksgiving!

LOVE this time of year, the weather, the leaves changing, the feeling of it all! I look around and am amazed of the bounty that is mine. Family, home, job, church, etc. Hope that each of you have experienced the beautiful reason for the season of Thanksgiving!

Fall Festivals

Well, it's been fall here in Florida, but the weather has been really warm still. So, it doesn't feel like the fall season at all! Fall season is my favorite one and it's really different to not see the leaves change here and have the cooler temps. But, we still are enjoying our time here and the people we have met are already dear friends! Fall season to me just means that Christmas is just around the corner. Can't wait!
The girls and I have enjoyed going to local festivals and the petting zoo this past week. Here are a few pictures of our fall season thus far.

(on the train...Sofia gets SO excited and kept saying, "all aboard, choo choo!")

(enjoying the hay ride)
(Giuliana a little cautious with the ducks...)

(Our little sweetheart...)
(Sofia, amazed at how big the ostrich are...)

(the girls, loving playing with the goats...)
(their favorite of all the animals, the pigs!)

Time Out for Women - Atlanta

A couple of weekends ago, I got to go to Time Out for Women in Atlanta. It was wonderful! I left the girls with Simon and Grandma Gray and drove from here to Atlanta. I got a couple of books on tape from the library but didn't listen to any! It was just so peaceful and relaxing, being in the car all by myself, without having to look in the rear view mirror to check on kids or pass back sippy cups/snacks or having to stop for potty breaks. I listened to all of my favorite music; Jim Brickman, Hillary Weeks, Paul Cardall, Eva Cassidy, etc. I even brought out the old NSynch CD, "No Strings Attached" and rocked out to that one for about an hour. It was fabulous! I got to the hotel and met up with my good friend Lisa Pulsipher. Not only is she pregnant (8 months at the time), but she is a girl that ROCKS pregnancy! She looks great. Only wish that I look like that when I'm pregnant!

One of the best seminars there was done by Mark Mabry. He is a photographer who recreated the Savior's visit to the America's, "Another Testament of Christ-The Book of Mormon". It was VERY powerful and I got us the book and DVD to remember it all from. Simon and I just watched it a couple of nights ago and just cried together, watching the images. It is an absolute beautiful visual of what it was like for those that visited with the Savior and a heartfelt longing to one day be worthy to stand at His feet! Here is a portion of the DVD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgjzpn4fMBY&feature=related One of my most favorite people Hilary Weeks was there! She is an LDS singer. I love her music and so does Simon. When Simon and I were dating, her music was always in the background. We like to think that she had a little hand in our courtship. I told her this and she hugged me. Hilary was nice enough to allow me to take a picture with her. Isn't she beautiful? All in all it was a great trip, spent with a good friend! Thanks for staying up late with my Lisa! I definitely don't get ANY time away these days, so it was nice to have such a special trip. I came home inspired to be a better mother, wife and friend. It's amazing that that feeling is still present today!

Happy Halloween from Snow White and a Cute Fairy!