Disney World 2018

Almost exactly 4 years after our first visit to Disney World, we were once again packing our bags for our big trip!

Our flight left from Omaha on Saturday, February 10th. The kids had their backpacks full of goodies and things to do on the plane. The flight went well and before we knew it we were waiting for our bus ride to the resort.

Our first evening was spent swimming in the resort pools and enjoying a poolside dinner.  We watched the Magic Kingdom Fireworks show from our window and got to bed so we could wake up bright and early for our first park day.

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Marie and I sprinted ahead to the "Rockin' RollerCoaster" while the boys met Daisy Duck and the Muppets.  Next we met Olaf together as a family before enjoying our first Star Wars Ride when Aunt Tina arrived at the park.

Bennett is really into Star Wars and so this was a highlight for him.  

Next we met Mickey, Minnie, Chewbacca, and a storm trooper even picked Bennett out of the crowd for a one-on-one photo op.

 

We also met Woody & Buzz Lightyear.

It was a hot day, so after our first (of many) ice cream treats, we headed back to the hotel for a dip in the pool.  After a shower, we went to dinner with Cinderella, Prince Charming, her evil step sisters, and her evil step mother.  A certain step sister found Bennett quite endearing...this made him giggle and blush quite a bit! 

After dinner we sprinted over to Magic Kingdom for a quick ride on the tea cups and dumbo before enjoying the fireworks show. 

Guys - let me get emotional for just a minute.  Those fireworks make me cry every time...seriously!

What happens is this: 

It's dark but the Disney trees are twinkling magically, you're holding your babies close, you're singing the Disney songs together, you start to remember cuddling on the couch with your babies while watching those movies, then you remember that they're growing up - some day they won't want to sing at the top of their lungs with you at the Magic Kingdom fireworks, and suddenly you're singing, crying, and literally squeezing your children so tight they can't breathe. 

So amazing. My favorite moments of the trip ever. 

On our first night of fireworks, Bennett remembered me singing a specific song to him when he was only 2. He recalled that I would sing that song to him before he went to bed, especially if he was scared. We continued singing the song together watching the fireworks.  This made me so thankful for those darn fireworks once again...

We walked back to the hotel, sleepy kids in tow, and went to bed excited for the next day!

Winter Wonderland

In between the oddly warm days and bitterly cold windy days we have found some good snow days too - Finally!

Our kids love the snow and this year it has been fun watching them explore more with even a few snowmobile rides from our nice neighbor.  

Even the dogs are getting in on the fun with hikes through the snow and walking across the frozen lakes. 

Van Beek Christmas

This year we were excited to host everyone at our home to celebrate Christmas over New Year's Weekend.  We had more than enough food and fun for the celebration.  Grandma's car was overloaded when she came and pretty bare when she left!

It was so cold outside that weekend so the original plan of playing in the snow was forgotten and instead we settled on an indoor no-holds-barred Nerf gun war. 

It ended with sweaty adults and children all nursing their wounds from those bullets. I'm STILL finding bullets in odd places over a month later!

Marie was so excited to receive an electronic puppy that she's had her eye on for some time. 

Bennett was pumped about his electric scooter.

Brooks received an entire tub of dinosaurs and a play mat that even has a tar trap!

The problem with so much fun is I often forget to take pictures!  Especially when I'm running from enemy fire...

These cousins are so much more than family, they are such good friends too. We are beyond blessed with this crew. 

Christmas Morning

Andy & I were so excited for the kids to open presents on Christmas morning.  

It started Christmas Eve with the annual writing letter to Santa and setting out cookies and carrots. 

Marie is becoming a little suspicious of all the Santa traditions but she is still taking charge with those traditions. 

We slipped into our matching pajamas, read a few stories and then hurried off to bed!

 Marie was the first one awake on Christmas morning, we kept her busy with some shoveling and other tasks to give the boys a few more minutes of sleep. 

Brooks was excited to see the cookie and carrots gone as well as the milk!

 Marie received a Gizmo-cell phone/watch that will give her some increased independence as she inches towards age 9! (insert parent panic here)

Brooks got a new bike and Bennett received his very own kicking bag to practice his Tae Kwon Do kicks. 

The BIG gift was of course the trip to Disney World! 
The kids were so excited to find out that they will be headed there in February!

Mueting Christmas

 We were blessed to have a chance to spend time with our family in Spencer over the holiday.  

It's safe to say that our gatherings have gotten much more rowdy and loud with the kids playing and having so much fun together.

 picture taking has also become a new challenge for us!

 Fun new games were played including an egg game where Papa was soaked with water and Marie received the "watch your mouth" game which is always good for a laugh.

 We enjoyed yummy food, cookies, hot cocoa, and so much playing!

Brooks, Ryan, and Allie had way too much fun chasing each other and teasing Papa one night. They were laughing so hard that Brooks had nearly lost his voice by the morning!

 Watching these kids play is so good for the soul - we love spending time with cousins and family!

St. Mary's Christmas Pageant

This was my first experience directing a Christmas Pageant at our parish...wow.

I knew it would take work and organization but I was still surprised at the amount. 

It wall paid off in the end and the kids did a fantastic job!

Marie was one of our narrators. She and two other boys were in charge of keeping the story going and they did a great job.  One of her talents is reading and I love that was able to use her talent 

for a good purpose. 

Nearly every child wanted a special part in the performance but there are only so many shepherds and sheep you can have.  Thankfully we had a choir of kids ready to sing the special and traditional Christmas songs for everyone to enjoy!

Brooks is 3!

How can it be?  Our little Brooks Richard is 3!

This guy...he is absolutely, 100% way too smart for us. 

He is witty, sneaky, silly, inquisitive, social, helpful, loving, playful, and so much more. 

Brooks surprises us all the time with what he understands and overcomes. 

I can't help but get emotional every time I see him experience another milestone. I am always taken back to those frightening days in the hospital when we were so close to losing him -

Absolutely a life-changing experience.

One of those first nights in the hospital, I listened to a message from one of my favorite ministers. In that message, while holding Brooks' tiny hand and watching all the tubes and monitors around him, I truly felt God say to me that He had a purpose for this boy and this experience. It wasn't for me to know or understand yet, but someday it will be clear to me. 

For now,  we are thankful every moment of every day for this boy who is FULL of life and ours. 

At age 3, Brooks is:

Potty trained - what a champ!

Talking - all the time!

Playful - with his brother, sister, dogs, and many friends. He loves to play with animals, dinosaurs, and any kind of sport. 

Reading - he tries to hold books and read like his older siblings.

Helpful - he will try to load the dishwasher and sweep, put his clothes away and help fold laundry.

Independent - "I can do it myself" is heard many times throughout the day.

Happy Birthday, Brooksy- you are spunky big blessing and we love you so much!