School Auction...

After working on the auction committee all school year, I was super-excited for the event. A lot of work goes into putting together our annual auction--I found that out first-hand this year. And I was just a committee member, not a chairperson. They do TONS of work. But, it was a lot of fun, and hopefully raised lots of money for the girls' school.

Mary, Jill, Debi, and I...

Build-A-Bear with Girl Scouts...

Today after school Carsyn's Daisy troop went to Build-A-Bear for a field trip. They were able to use their cookie money to get each of the girls a new bear. All the girls just had a blast. Carsyn has really enjoyed all the stuff her troop has done this year.

The Daisies and their new animals...

It's May...

Growing up in Speedway, May was always our favorite month. And while I still love it, it's definitely not the same when you don't live there and get to hear the race cars from your backyard. Oh well, we still get to spend race weekend there...only four more weeks--can't wait! At least we had nice weather to begin this month. Here are a couple of pictures of the girls after Mass this morning...

Spring Break...

Only second to Summer Vacation, Spring Break is everybody's favorite time of year. This year it was so late because Easter was so late, but that just means only a few more weeks of school before SUMMER! Saturday (April 16) we boarded our flight to Tampa, FL. We arrived around 8PM, got our rental car, and headed to the beach. The girls couldn't wait for the fun to start.

The next morning after breakfast we went to Palm Sunday Mass at the Catholic Church in St. Pete Beach. It was a packed service, but the girls were well-behaved. But, right before communion the priest announced that the fire department was evacuating the church because of a gas leak. It was all over the local news that evening too. So weird! After church we spent the day at the beach and pool. That night I went grocery shopping and we ordered some take out a pizza for dinner.

1, 2, 3...POSE!

Getting sunscreen on for the beach...

Beach girls...

So sweet...

Cleaned up and ready to go...

On Monday we enjoyed another gorgeous day at the beach and pool. The girls certainly hadn't forgotten how much they LOVE collecting seashells. We found some good ones! That night we had dinner in our room and then walked down the street for some ice cream.

Soaking up the sun (and sand)...

Found one (and another, and another...)

A little posing at the beach...

Just floating around...

Yum...

Sunset...

Tuesday morning we drove down to Siesta Key to visit some of the girls' friends from school who were spring breaking down there. The had so much fun, but we all got a little too much sun that day. We spent the entire day outside, and apparently we didn't re-apply the sunscreen enough times ; (. The girls were so worn out on the drive back to our hotel.

Girl time...

Logan...

The Spring Break crew: Will, Joey, Maren, Meghan, Logan, and Carsyn...

Passed out in the backseat...

Wednesday we made sure to really lay the SPF on thick and keep the girls covered. It was also daddy's birthday...the big 30! We went out to Bubba Gump's for dinner to celebrate.

Only picture of these swimsuits,

because they wore beach covers the rest of the day...

"Happy Birthday, Daddy!"

What did you find?

Girls, leave those birds alone...

Ready to for a happy birthday dinner...

Daddy's girls...

Thursday was another beautiful day--we could really get use to this. The girls had a blast playing at the beach and swimming, again! We ate dinner in the room and then walked around some of the gift shops.

Maren...

Splashin' good time...

Carsyn...

Modeling this her spring break style...

Sisters at sunset...

Friday was our last day full day at the beach. It's kind of sad. We had had the most perfect weather--seriously, I've never had a Spring Break with nothing but sunshine! We got so spoiled. The girls soaked it up for sure. That night we drove up to Indian Rocks Beach to eat at a seafood grill that we saw on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives". It was delicious! Although, only daddy actually ate seafood ; ). But, the homemade sangria was yummy!

Lovin' it...

Putting on their Friday best...

Saturday we had to check out of beach hotel and drive to Orlando where Nana was waiting for us. But, the girls wanted to take just one more walk on the beach to look for shells. Once we got to our hotel by Disney World the girls jumped into the pool with Nana while mom and dad unloaded the luggage into the room. After we got our fill of the pool and laying out we headed to Downtown Disney for dinner. The girls loved it and were so looking forward to going to the parks the next few days.

So hard to say goodbye to the beach...

Downtown Disney...

We woke up early Easter Sunday to get breakfast at the hotel before going to Mass. The girls looked so cute in their matching dresses (even if Logan hated them). The church was packed--of course--but we were hoping that Disney wouldn't be. We ended up going to Epcot, and it wasn't too crowded. The girls got to see the Easter Bunny and go on and egg hunt. It was pretty cool. We were also super-excited because Maren was finally tall enough to ride Soarin'. She LOVED it! For dinner we got the girls pizza in Italy, while mommy and daddy enjoyed Moroccan food. What a fun day!

Sunday best...

Outside of church...

Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot...

Happy Easter!

In the butterfly house...

The girls with "Duffy" (Mickey's bear)...

Goodnight...

Monday morning we started at Animal Kingdom--daddy loves the Lion King show. We also took Logan on Expedition Everest--her first time. She was a little scared, but it was fun. Then we hopped over to Hollywood Studios so we could go on the Toy Story ride and see "Beauty and the Beast" live--Carsyn's fave. Daddy also chose the Sci-Fi Drive-In for dinner...for some reason he really likes that place. We had a really fun day, but it sure was HOT!

The girls with Donald...

Carsyn...

Expedition Everest...

Hollywood Studios...

Tuesday we finally went to the Magic Kingdom. Logan was so anxious to go on Thunder Mountain. Maren was tall enough this time, but didn't really want to go--but, I made her anyway. Poor thing...she was pretty scared. Afterward, Barry and I took Logan and Carsyn on Splash Mountain (Maren absolutely refused to go), while Nana took Maren to Fantasyland. However, the ride stopped while we were up on top of the mountain, out in the sun--for an hour and a half. After sitting in our log for that long--girls complaining the whole time--we finally were told to climb out. People were not very happy. But, we ended up getting a few Fastpasses out of it. Later that day we did get to ride again...with no wait. Carsyn also rode Space Mountain for the first time--oops, I made another one of my kids cry ; ). For dinner we at Tony's on Main Street while watching the Electric Parade. The highlight of the day was getting to see the newest princess, Rapunzel. Overall, it was a super-fun day!

Thunder Mountain (look at Maren)...

Finally getting off Splash Mountain--we got a behind-the-scenes tour...

Tangled...

Happiest place on earth...

Mickey and Minnie...

Wednesday morning we rushed to pack up all our stuff, load it in the car, and check out of the hotel so we could enjoy one more day at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It was another hot day, and no less crowded. But, the girls had a blast. We went on all their favorite rides one last time. Before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport for our 7 o'clock flight. What a super-fun trip, but after 12 days away from home--I need a vacation ; ).

Epcot...

Magic Kingdom...