vacation-crafting-vacation

This week after getting home from our cruise I have been on the go. Laundry, commissary, lots of crafting and I have run everyday! These bags above I made for the snack to hand out at Madi's basketball game...I gave them to the coach at practice since she won't be at the game this Saturday. We are leaving tomorrow to go on another vacation with Steve's side of the family. The kids are stoked to be going away with their cousins.

Here are Ben's Valentine Cards.

This is what the kids are giving their teachers for Valentines Day. They read: You're the chocolate truffle in a chocolate bar world...we hung them on a yummy bag of Lindt truffles.

Earlier this week on our drive home from the cruise, we stopped off in Daytona Beach to show the kids the racetrack. The big race is there this coming weekend but you would not believe how many campers were already flooding the place almost a week early. Bet they are having a fun week with all fans gathering there.

In the Bahamas

Enjoying breakfast before heading out on Castaway Cay.

My kids were happy to play basketball and pool on the beach.

Yikes...we were right next to the Flying Dutchman.

Our family really enjoyed touring around the island on bikes.

Now this is a beach with a view. This at Family Beach on Castaway Cay.

We had to bribe Ben and Madi to get them off the basketball court, even while being in the Bahamas. Here we are docked in Nassau the capital city of the Bahamas. You can see the Atlantis resort in the background.

They said Oprah had a house around these parts...can you imagine. I sure enjoyed the beautiful Bahamas...I want to go back!!!

On board the Disney Wonder

It all started back in the beginning of December. Steve said 2009 would be a busy year for him...3 trips to Kuwait, survival training up at Fairchild and a 2 month trip to Egypt. Steve said he would like to plan a fun vacation around all his trips, so we did. The kids had been to Disney, last year we went to the beaches in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and a few others so we decided this year we wanted to head north. We both wanted to go to the Big Apple but thought that would be better to do in warmer weather so Steve came up with the idea of a Disney Cruise. I am so glad he did...it was PERFECT...A DREAM!

We were driving in the car and came over a bridge heading into Cape Canaveral and then all of a sudden we all squealed at the first sight of the ship. It's HUGE!

That is the Atrium on Deck 3 behind Ben and Madi. This is where you come on board. The crew group families together and when you enter this gorgeous area on the ship they announce "The Disney Wonder welcomes the Harmon Family aboard"...which makes you feel so cool and it looks like something from the movie The Titanic.

Here is deck 4...my favorite. It was a quiet place. It was 1/3 mile around the ship and this was the deck that was made for walking and running around. Steve and I came here a few times and at night we enjoyed sitting in those blue chairs.

One evening while the kids where having fun at the Oceaneer Lab, Steve and I went to the gym. Here is my treadmill...look at my view.

About 30 minutes before pulling out of Port Canaveral The Sail Away party started. Where all those people are standing is a pool but they cover it so people can stand there for all the big parties. All the fun Disney characters came to the party too. We just loved all the music and energy....everyone was so excited to start on our voyage.

Out of the three pools on deck 9 this one...Mickey's pool with the slide was their favorite. There is Madi jumping in. They love playing in the water.

There is Madi...she just slid down Mickey's slide.

The ship had the prettiest and cleanest bathrooms.

Our family spent a lot of time up on deck 10...that is where the basketball court was.

Madi looking out watching as we pulled out of Port Canaveral.

There are two theaters on the ship...the Buena Vista Movie Theatre and the Walt Disney Theatre which is used for the broadway style shows. Every night after dinner we saw a different broadway show...here is a picture of Toy Story The Musical...the kids and Steve's favorite one. They were outstanding performances!

I am so lucky to have married such a wonderful guy. I can't imagine the pride Steve feels having such a wonderful family and not only being able to provide us with all of our necessities, but a beautiful house and even taking his kids on such an extravagant fun vacation. I guess I should tell him thank you.

Year of The Military Family!

If you are a military family and have not been to Orlando this is the year!!! Disney's 5 day pass is FREE for the military member and only $99 for family members...plus they are good until 23 Dec. 09...you do not have to use them consecutively. Sea World lets military members in for FREE and also up to 3 family members in for FREE....a $300 savings for us. I think that this Hero Salute is wonderful. We thought we would take advantage and have fun in Orlando before we set sail.

Ben and I trying to pet a dolphin.

Ben watching the dolphins being fed.

We loved all the shows!!!

Tonight for dinner we went to Downtown Disney and ate at Planet Hollywood. We sat right next to Dorothy's dress from the Wizard of Oz. Outside they had 'Jenny' Forest Gumps shrimp boat...Ben and Madi like that movie....they had just seen part of it last night.

Ben and Madi 'driving' navy boats this morning at the Shades Of Green (a military resort on the grounds of The Magic Kingdom).

Tonight Madi and I stayed here in the suite to do laundry and have a movie night while the boys went downtown to see a basketball game....Orlando Magic vs. Los Angles Clippers...what else would you expect from our boys!

Tomorrow we go to Cape Canaveral to board our ship.

A day early

Santa brought us a dream vacation for Christmas and we weren't suppose to leave for it until tomorrow. But Steve was off work today so we thought what the heck. We picked the kids up from school...didn't even stop back at home, we surprised Ben and Madi by hitting the road a day early. Tonight we are enjoying ourselves in TLF at Moody AFB. My kids LOVE hotels!!! Now tomorrow we have a shorter drive to our destination. Guess where we are going. Hint: beaches, Bahamas and big boat. See you next week. :-)

60's and 2 1/2 years

Today February 1st marks our 2 1/2 year mark living here in Georgia. We have LOVED everyday!!! This afternoon the kids got out and enjoyed our temps that were in the 60's.

Simple tree

Here is one of my favorite Valentine's decorations...I did not make the ornies but you could.

Happy Heart's Day

This week is a crazy busy one for me. Today I went on a field trip with Madi's class the first half of the day and then was a substitute the second half for a 1st grade class. Plus I teach two more days this week...but did just finish these treats for Madi to hand out to her class for Valentines Day. I got the suckers at Michael's, they were only 39 cents each. I have not been struck yet with any ideas for Ben....I will be looking for some fun crafts around blogland!

Madi (Jordan)

Both Ben and Madi had basketball games this weekend. Here are a few shots from Madi's good game. She is the smallest and youngest on the team but that doesn't stop her! She was a beast on Saturday.

Just look at that jumpshot! She got all the way off the ground and made the shot! She cracks Steve up....I think she tickles his insides.

Madison Kate

Here is the stitchery I made for Madi's room this week. I also printed up her birth info and framed it...I found matching fabric and paper...how cool is that! Now I need to make something special for Ben's room.

Snicker Doodles and Ben

I loved when my mom made snicker doodles when I was a little girl. So today I made some for Ben and Madi...nice and warm right out of the oven for an after school treat....they sure enjoyed them.

Snicker Doodles

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp. cream of tarter

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Mix all together. Roll into 1 inch balls. Roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-14 minutes.

Ben and Madi enjoying their after school snack...fresh pears and snicker doodles.

Last week Ben was awarded for his perfect grades. That is Mrs. Hall our school principle whom we LOVE congratulating him.

Script Ohio...winter style!

My cousin sent me this link in an email. It sure gave us a good laugh...maybe some of you Buckeyes or just college sports fans will enjoy it too. Thanks for sharing Jenny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L-fVwcGBlU

Inauguration Concert

Tonight we watched the Inauguration Concert for the new President. It took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. To my surprise Ben and Madi sat and stayed tuned in for the whole concert. We reminisced over our trip there last year every time we saw some good shots of the sights on the TV.

I really enjoyed the concert...the music and seeing lots of celebrities taking part in something patriotic. My kids knew a few of the songs and actors and actresses. It cracks me up to see their faces when they see Tom Hanks...who is Forest Gump...the train conductor on The Polar Express...and an astronaut on Apollo 13...they get a little confused.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

This is one of my families favorites! I got this from my friend Bethany who was my neighbor while living at Wiesbaden, Germany. Two of my neighbors Bethany and Kelly both had husbands who were serving in Iraq for a year. Through it all they were so positive and stayed happy and really relied on each other too. They came up with this dinner plan of alternating which one would cook dinner for both families...Bethany had 2 kids and Kelly had 3 but it's hard to stay motivated and cook full dinners when your hubby is gone so this plan was perfect.

I am so lucky my husband is in the Air Force...when he has gone to Iraq or Afghanistan it's only for a few months not 12-15-18 like these Army families do like Kelly and Bethany had to do. Once when Steve had to go TDY for a week or two I could not believe Kelly and Bethany would have been thinking of me....they invited me for dinner so I would not be alone and could join in on their fun. Thank you guys!!!

Kelly is husbandless AGAIN right now. I think of her all the time with her three small girls. Well here is the yummy recipe Bethany shared with me...

Sweet and Sour Chicken

2 cups sugar

1 TBSP chicken bullion or 2 cubes

1 tsp. garlic salt

1 cup water

3/4 cup vinegar

1/2 cup ketchup

2 TBSP soy sauce

Whisk all together in a bowl.

Take 3 cut up chicken breasts and dip them into egg yolks

Dip in cornstarch (put in a large Ziploc and shake)

Brown on both sides in olive oil until crispy

Place in a 9x13 pan and cover with sauce.

Bake for 1 hour

Serve over rice

A pink princess room

Forever and a year I have been wanting beautiful furniture for Madi's room but just couldn't allow myself to spend hundreds to thousands for it. Well last week I hit the jackpot!!! I found all this beautiful white girls furniture...it was banged up a bit with some scratches here and there so the store had it marked 75% off!!!! Shoot and if you read below and saw about all our moving...our stuff gets banged up anyways. But now I want to save up for the matching bed that they didn't have a clearance. I had so much fun trying to make some homemade monogram stuff today. I printed out her name and put it in a diamond frame...very girly. I had some small frames I put some 'M's' in too. Plus I just started making her a new stitchery with her name...Madison Kate. It's been fun fun fun.

While I was printing out 'Madi' and some 'M's' for Madi's room I thought I should do something for Ben. I just printed out his name and stuck it in a dollar frame and I think it looks like a million bucks!