Disney, Disney, Disney and more Disney!

Here you go...your daily dose of Disney...and more to come (since I had WAY too much fun taking pictures while we were there :)










I LOVE the joy on Krista and Erik's faces when they met Dale (or is it Chip?!). Meeting their favorite characters was such a big thing for them. It REALLY was one of the highlights of their Disney adventure...just being able to hug and talk to their favorite Disney characters brought them so much joy!

More Disney Photos

More pictures anyone???? I have a TON of them...and clips too!!! I know the grandparents (and Alex) won't tire of these :) There was just SO much to see. The kids just couldn't get enough!

I WISH I could remember what Disneyworld was like in Florida. I was there when I was about Erik's age. I am pretty sure that the parks are almost identical within....with the exception of being in either Florida or France!!

Mikey spoke a few words in ENGLISH on the float...with his classic Mikey voice. I was afraid of hearing him speak French! I'm so glad he kept his image. Of course all the of snacks on the grounds were very typically "French"---sugared popcorn instead of salted, crepes, waffles--not a lot of French Fries!

I'll be back with MORE pictures....

Disneyland Paris Trip!!!

Disneyland Paris Resort

WOW is all I can say. What a FUN place to go! We had an absolute BLAST on our big trip to Disneyland Paris Resort. It was OVER THE TOP! We arrived after an easy 4.5 hour drive on Sunday (arriving at about 1:oo pm) in Paris. The kids did great in the car. Not a peep from any of them. We did stop once to get gas about 1.5 hour away.

Next we arrived at our hotel only to be greeted by Pluto and Goofy at the door. What a FUN entrance that was! The kids still talk about how we arrived at our FANCY 4 star hotel and got to immediately meet 2 of their favorite characters! The hotel was in a great location---just 1 minute away from the Disneyland Village, and about 5 minutes from the park entrance itself. It was perfect for our needs--everything by foot. We had 2 large beds and Kaitlyn slept in a pack and play crib. It was an air conditioned hotel too---which is NOT often the case in European hotels (even 3 star hotels).

We had a WONDERFUL 3 days in the park. For the kids, the MOST fun by far was in meeting the Disney characters. They also LOVED the parade each night and the fireworks and light show at the castle. We only went to the light show and firework display one night because it only started at 10:45 pm. Fortunately we brought the big comfy stroller and Kaitlyn slept through it all. Krista was a little worried about the fireworks (they usually scare her) but she LOVED these and it was a highlight for her.

The parade was at 7:15 every night (we went 2x) and was a thrill for the kids. The characters are on floats and there is music and dancing. This was really a fun time for the kids!

We thought that with the age differences in the kids that we would have trouble finding activities suitable for all, but boy was I wrong! Kaitlyn LOVED all of the rides that Krista and Erik went on. She was one brave little girl and did practically everything--even the Casey Jr RollerCoaster! Surprisingly Krista is still not interested in the fast rides. Everything we did was suitable for the whole family. I think the FAVORITE of favorites was the old standby---"Its a Small World". What a fun ride that is!!! We did it once each of the days we were there! The wait for that ride was surprisingly very short because the boats go every few seconds. That was a wonderful ride.

This was by far a family vacation to remember! The Disney grounds were just magical...the castle, the decorations. It was so beautiful. The weather was just ideal too.. It was around 23 or so each day which means not too hot and not too cold, but just right!!! The kids just had the time of their lives---Disney shopping, rides, parades and dinners out on the town...how could it have been better?! Oh and one GREAT spot we found was called the Mickey Cafe. It was the COOLEST diner ever! There was music and the Disney characters came around throughout the evening for picture ops with the kids! They LOVED that. I'm so glad we found this restaurant. It was so wonderful! I will try to post a little clip.

I have a TON of photos and video clips. I will post a few each day so check back and ENJOY!!!

Disneyland Paris and summer update

Well the kids are just COUNTING the days until their Disneyland Paris trip. We leave on Sunday, bright and early and we'll be there for 3 days! It will be a wonderful get-away for us. Even Kaitlyn is excited about seeing Mickey! The weather looks like it will be just IDEAL for our trip too. It will be in the mid/low 70's and sunny which is really the perfect weather for walking around (21 ish).

Today is the kids last day of summer camp for a week. They have already gone 2 weeks in a row now (4 day weeks) which has allowed me to get a lot of things organized and cleaned up around here! They have more or less enjoyed their time, but they don't like the cafeteria food! Other than that they are having fun. I got a lot accomplished this week. I sorted through all of their school affairs and arranged them in large ziplock bags in the basement. I have a bag for each year so far. I also oranized all the drawings that they have been doing this year into various folders for them. I spent a lot of time in the yard this week too because the grass was in need of my attention!

I won't forget to take a picture of Krista's winning drawing. It is just super. For now here are a few random photos of the summer so far...One from last night with Krista's craft from camp. It was a cardboard painted flag of England that she cut into puzzle pieces. The theme is European culture this week so they were able to pick and focus on a country. I also took a shot of one of Erik's masterpieces too. This week's theme for them is Magicians, Fairies and Trolls. I must say that Kaitlyn is bit bored without the kids, especially when I am doing something. Disneyland will be GREAT for her and everyone.

Our New Guardrail

FINALLY! We did it! We had the guarrail installed the on the back staircase to the basement. We have been meaning to do this for a long while, but we were having issues with all of the French companies we called. Either it would take them AGES to come to finally give us an estimate, or they would tell us the wait for installation would be 3-4 months! Finally after telling our landscaper about this, he said he knew a wonderful German company that could do it in stainless steel for the SAME price as the painted aluminum that the French companies proposed. Stainless steel is very much the "look" here and is also the top of the line material. The French companies (for the SAME price) were proposing aluminum that was merely painted! The stainless is beautiful and harmonizes well with our grey granite rocks and stainless steel light fixtures outside. Now we just have to finish the painting of the lower part of the house when the front landscaping and driveway are complete! It is exciting to think that the exterior is finally coming together! I LOVE the yard...and the kids do too! I feel so much better having that rail back there now!!!!!

My 35th Birthday!!!

Well it came and went... the BIG 3-5!! I don't feel an ounce different or older. Still me, still the same. Strange to think that I'm rounding the hill now towards 40 though! It was a wonderful day and I was very spoiled by my family!! Here's the recap:

When I woke up I went downstairs (I was the first one down), and to my great surprise I found the family room decked out with flowers, balloons and streamers! WONDERFUL, SWEET Toomas had surprised me and got up in the middle of the night to decorate!!!! It was SUCH a big surprise! The boquet of flowers was magnificant! The HUGE 3 -5 on the windows was such a neat idea too!

Since it was Wednesday there was no school, but Krista had a trip to go on with her fellow altar girls and boys. They went for an ALL day excursion to a huge amusement park in Germany (called Europapark). It was a thank you gift from the Church for their service during the year. So I spent the morning with just Kaitlyn and Erik after Toomas went to work.

Erik and I started the day by cleaning and organizing the house. Erik was a big help, even doing the vacuum while I cleaned the kitchen! At noon Toomas came home for the day. He took a 1/2 day vacation so I could have a FREE afternoon! It was wonderful gift to me! He said I could do WHATEVER I wanted with my afternoon. When he came home we chatted a bit and then I put Kaitlyn down for her nap. I decided that it would be fun to go to Ikea for the afternoon by myself. It is easy to spend 2-3 hours there and always a nice way to pass the time (in air conditioning to boot)! It was in the high 90's here yesterday (35 C) so it was wonderful to spend the afternoon strolling leisurely around IKEA, with noone asking to go home! :)

For dinner we decided that instead of going out to dinner, we'd just order pizza. It can be a battle with Kaitlyn at a restaurant and I wasn't up for it. She really doesn't sit still for very long and food is NOT a source of pleasure for her, so she can not be "bribed" by food like many kids are in resturants (so that they will sit the 2 hours necessary to complete the meal). We decided it would just be fun to have dinner on the terrace chez nous!

After dinner I was SPOILED by gifts and cake! Toomas got me my FAVORITE "Foret Noire" cake that I love so much. It is a chocolate and cherry delight! He also got me blueberry pie, which I'll have to savor tonight!

Erik was the official photographer for the gift opening ceremony...Toomas' Mom sent me my FAVORITE chocolates--a huge box of various delicious Estonian pralines! Yummy!!! Next up were the lovely cards---Krista and Erik's handmade cards, vanaema's and one from Mom!! Those are always my favorite gifts! Toomas gave me a BEAUTIFUL silver necklace and earing set (my favorite brand 'Altesse'), a music cd and a book! I was very spoiled indeed! I also received phonecalls from Vanaema and Onu Jaan who called from Estonia to wish me a Happy Birthday! I enjoyed so much all of my emails and e-cards (Mom, Mike, Carrie) THANKS!!!

All in all, it was just a wonderful 35th Birthday!!! I am so thankful for the special blessings I have received in my 35 years of life. And a very SPECIAL thanks to my dearest husband for making my day(s) so wonderful!!! XO