Best combo ever: Florida-Disney-Christmas

I never thought it could happen, but each year is better than the previous. However, each year we go is fabulously amazing. I really don't know how we outdo ourselves, but we do.

Because of aging children who play sports, we are having to sneak off to Florida whenever there is a break in the sporting routine and November it was. We had never been that time of year before, so we were pumped. We heard the weather was awesome and the crowds were zero and we heard right. (of course I have to say that when we go in January, the weather is usually awesome and the crowds are still zero...so we're good either way I guess)

Departure: 3:00 p.m Friday November 11th;




If you are a cop or a big time rule follower, skip the next picture cuz we drive all night long and we try to be as comfortable as possible when sleeping. Trust me, four dramatic daughters crabby from little sleep is NOT a good way to start the trip.






However, death isn't a good way to start the trip either. Yes, Sophie is on the floor. Let's just say we pray a whole lot during the night while driving.


Arrival: 9:30 a.m...Kissimmee. JUST in time for breakfast and some much deserved swimming.












Although tired and somewhat delirious from lack of sleep, our first night there was spent at Downtown Disney, one of our many favorite Florida places to go.






And this guy, well, the DeBacker girls have a little crush on him. I'm pretty sure Chris does too. He is Dominic Gaudious. He plays the electric guitar and the didjeridoo and he is AWESOME. We love him. I've posted about him before. The words Downtown Disney and Dominic Gaudious go hand-in-hand for us. Big time memory for the DeBackers. If he ever stops performing we might just cry. Check him out if you are ever visiting. You won't be disappointed. I spent all my birthday money on several of his cd's that night and let me just say it was worth every penny.









Moving right along...the next day was spent at Fun Spot. It was, well, a fun spot to be. Did this a couple of years ago at a similar place. We thought it was high time we do it again. You know, riding cheesy rides for 10 hours straight. That's always a good time.














Next ride: HOT SEAT. The biggest, scariest and highest ride there. Horribly scary.






Darby was tall enough to ride it too. Cool!




Darby didn't think it was cool. She was clearly having a hard time deciding.





But, in the end, we convinced her. She went two more times after this one. (no sissy girls in this family!)

Time for the good stuff:

Like I said before, each year gets just a little bit better than the previous and this year was no different. We did something brand new. Something we have always wanted to experience: Disney World and Christmas...a.k.a heaven. I am pretty sure life cannot get any better!

First in line, but you aren't surprised are you?


(boo-yah! Take THAT slowpokes!)














Main Street is a beautiful thing just by itself. But Main Street at Christmas? Be still my beating heart. A sight to be seen. I was like a kid in a candy shop when it all first came into view. Took my breath away. I never wanted to leave.







The rest of the day and into the evening was pure bliss. We were able to see brand new shows for this event only, a new parade, new fireworks and of course snow on Main Street. SNOW! I couldn't have been happier! It was, like the song says, "paradise."










Two days later we conquered Epcot. (again) What made this day extra special was that Darby was finally big enough to go on Mission Space. In previous years we could ride everything together, but this. Let me just say, the "green group" or "less intense" riders? My 6 year old kicked your booty. Went straight to the "intense" line. Loved it so much she rode it 5 more times that day!








I love Epcot.











Need a closer look at Darby? Enjoy the laugh you're about to have;


















Phenomenal trip yet again. We ended our week by going to Downtown Disney (for the 30th time) when what to our wondering eyes should appear? SANTA! It just keeps getting better! Santa at Downtown Disney!



We've done lots since I've last posted. I'm ok with not posting every second of our lives. We're busy enjoying this Christmas season and each other. So in case my "Christmas" post doesn't come till March....Merry Christmas! I hope yours was as incredible as ours!

First Day

I miss my kids.

After a wonderful LAZY summer, where we spent most days waking up at 10:30 a.m and having breakfast at lunchtime, we're back to the grueling routine of school. Lunches have to be made, backpacks have to be packed, new clothes on...going to bed at a certain time instead of "whenever" during the summer. (sigh)

I don't like the new routine.

It takes me about a month to feel ok about it.

Today I faked my way through being excited for them. When really I just wanted to hijack everyone and take them to some far away island where we could live like we lived all summer.

Anyways....I now have two..TWO middle schoolers!!




As I watched them walk off, I was so thankful for Crisilee, who took such good care of Sophie. I knew for a fact Crisilee would make sure she was comfortable before she left her. Two years ago, Crisilee had to do this all alone. Sophie has no idea how great she has it.



Mylie...now a big time 4th grader. Holding onto her a bit tighter lately, she's growing up. Lovin the way she rocks her new shoe-boots!



We are so blessed that her teacher is also a very good friend of the family;







Last but certainly not least...I have another little girl who started school today;




"Mommy School!" We are so blessed with what we like to call the "christian public" school around here, that there is really no reason at all for us to ever homeschool. Our children are thriving, have wonderful friends and surrounded by incredible teachers. However, the district decided to do away with half-day Kindergarten.


I think that is ridiculous. They are babies. They don't need to go to school for seven hours. My first three went for half-days and they are all A students, so I am pretty sure Darby will follow suit.


I decided I can do this. Besides, she is my last one, so why not? I get to have one extra year with my "baby"....and it's gonna be awesome!








So there ya have it; the latest and greatest in the DeBacker household. Already looking forward to our next break from school, which will be Florida in November!! Can't wait!

Niagara Falls, New York and No Pool...

Time for another trip! We had a very long, tiring, but super great week.

Chris had to go to Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York for a huge conference that was going on. We knew we would only see short glimpses of him throughout the week, but it was better then not seeing him at all. So we tagged along.

Chris decided to leave a bit early and stop to Niagara Falls since it was on the way to Rochester. The beauty of his job is that a lot of times, we get to do special things if we come with him. The girls had never seen the falls before, so it worked out perfectly...AND, we got dad all to ourselves for two days before the work started.




















Of course we did the "Maid of the Mist" (and made sure the girls watched Jim and Pam's wedding from The Office a million times before!)




(I especially like how my head looks the most cone-shaped out of everyone....)













The next part of the trip was scary for me. This was the part that was a vacation...but really it wasn't. This is the part where I grew up in a lot of ways. This is the part where I developed a very big bond with the GPS.

I depend on Chris for a lot. He is my "go to guy." When I am in trouble he fixes it. When I don't know the answer, he comes up with the right one. He always has a solution. When I don't know what to do next, Chris always does. I love him for that. I need that in a husband, and I can't say enough how grateful I am for a husband and father who takes care of us the way he does.

So you can imagine my surprise when he said to me, "I will have to work a lot during this trip. You and the girls will be alone most of the time. The hotel doesn't have a pool, so you are going to have to find stuff for you and the girls to do all day long, every day."

"Say what?"

He painstakingly googled everything thing there was to do in Rochester and surrounding cities for us before we left for this trip. He put all the destinations in the GPS, so all I had to do was hit was one button and voila...I would magically end up there. Each day I had a new adventure for the girls and I to do all by ourselves...and at the end of the day we'd show him pictures and tell him all about it.

We missed him though. There were days where I just wanted to go hijack him, so he could come play with us.

But, I did it! I was so proud of myself! And so our days went a little like this:



(Seneca Park Zoo)







(thank you Mylie for the use of your camera so I didn't have to lug around my huge one)


Another day was the county fair. Let me just say a few words about fair rides: I don't trust'em. I am sure I am ignorant when it comes to this, but knowing these rides travel from state to state, are put together and taken down in what seems a matter of minutes..I don't know, I feel a bolt could be missing somewhere during the putting together process.


So we rode no rides.

I know. Cruel. They really wanted to ride this;

and this;



and this;



But the answer was always something like, "well, you could be killed, so no."

So we focused more on the other fun things the fair had to offer like this;








this;







(pirate tatoo anyone?)




And, my personal favorite, who wouldn't want to watch "Robinson's Pig Paddling Porkers?" Heaven knows I sure did!




(thank you again to my 9 year old Mylie..whose camera ain't too shabby!)


Our last day there I think was my favorite. We found a sweet little town called Spencerport. Here in this town was a fountain park! We had a picnic lunch and played in the fountains for a good part of the afternoon.














It was a great week...a good time to just get away. I love my family, I love my life.