Our digs...

And now for beach pictures.

We stayed in a condo on New Smyrna Beach.

And if it weren't for the piles of sand in everything we owned...I may never have left!

And if he weren't married to me, Jordan would have definetly stayed.

He is a beach bum if there ever was one.

It was a great time just relax, forget responsibility and

enjoy each other...and the amazing sand and sun!

Looking at the dining area and lvr from the kitchen.

The big girls bedroom. They loved having a tv in there.

And it reaffirmed that I will never let my kids have tv in their rooms!

The master suite.

And, the view from our patio.

Checking out the view.

Disney Dreams

After we saw the princesses we had a late supper and

started heading back for the lighted parade.

We had this perfect view of the castle.

And from beside me, Avery piped up,

"Mommy, look! The lights are on in the castle cause the princesses are in there

getting dressed for the parade!

And that precious/sweet/innocent comment right there made me really happy

we had come to Disney exactly when we did!

And this was how Tess and Sully watched part of the lighted parade. Completely unprompted.

(and to keep it real...they did this adorable unprompted thing after I had taken EACH of them to the bathroom TWICE in a 15 minute period...I think they knew they were wearing on me and that I needed to see something cute!)

Shortly after this Sully told me, "Mommy, this was the best day of my life!"

(That helped too!)

My 'big' girls.

As we walked into the park in the morning Avery said, "Mommy? Do dreams

really come true here?

And my answer, "Yes Avery, they most certainly do."

Good bye Disney!

And you knew there would be princesses...

Five years ago we took Avery (age 15 mo) and Lauren (almost 4) to Disney.

We waited in line for 1.5 hours to see 3 princesses.

And it was worth every. single. second.

And I think it was likely the most precious, special moment I've ever witnessed.

But this was a very close second.

And we waited in line 10 minutes!

The kids were in awe.

With the exception of Lauren they truly believed that the 'princesses' in front of them were the REAL princesses they read about and watch in movies.

And Tess.

Really, does it get sweeter than that?

These princesses NEVER break character. Never. Its quite amazing.

And the look on Avery's face in this picture brings tears to my

eyes every time I look at this picture.

I will never forget this moment...and I'm so happy its captured in picture.

And Sully was so sweet...they each had these autograph books.

Sully's had a strap on it that held it closed. He insisted that he be the one to take it off and hand it to Sleeping Beauty. But it was hard, and seriously, he was nervous and fumble fingers.

Cant wait to see how he acts on his first date!

Still working on it...She was so patient!

Ahhhh, dreams come true!

Toy Story!

Woody and Jessie have a special spot in our hearts.

Toy Story was the first movie that Lauren fell in love with at about age 18 months.

We are so excited for Toy Story THREE to come out soon.

Really, what kid doesn't love those movies?!

Parades and Shows

The parades at Disney are probably my favorite part.

They do it right and its awesome.

I was singing those songs all day.

We had front row seats for each parade...no small feat, but totally worth the effort.

(Lauren is old. Last time we were at Disney she was almost 4. Now look at her. ugh.)

Tess taking it all in...

Sully waving at a character...

The best part is how interactive the characters are with the crowd.

Wicked Step Sister Drizella came over to Lauren...took her bow out of her hair, and put it back in on the TOP of Lauren's head and said, "There, that's the right way for you to wear it, like me!" And she smugly stomped off like a wicked step sister would do. And thus making a little girl's day!

Avery was so into it all she didn't know where to look!

More character involvement...

This show at the castle was another of Avery's favorite parts.

And we were close enough to spit on the princesses...not that we'd do that! :)

Back to Reality

it seems that the children are having a tough time getting back into real life.

they seem to think that mom should focus 100% of her attention on them...like when we were on vacation.

and mom has so much to do that she cant even make a list...let alone try to play with them.

could be a tough few days.

Rides, Shows and Attractions Part 1

Here is Sully on Splash Mountain which is basically a suped up way better version of the log ride at Adventureland in Iowa...And all our kids loved it.

After I went on it I thought, Hm, I bet pregnant people aren't supposed to go on that!

Oops!

Pirates of the Caribbean...we thought Sully would love it...we were wrong.

By the end all 4 of the kids were in tears...seriously not scary...but it was to them!

Sully 'enjoying' the ride! See that leg next to him?

Lucky it was a nice stranger who let Sully cling to him!

Daddy and Tess waiting for Its a Small World. We were so lucky...our longest wait was probably 20 minutes. Jordan was a master at the 'Fast Passes'. We got to do every ride we wanted...some more than once. We hardly waited...and the park was at capacity.

Now, Its a Small World is truly a very lame ride. But kids love it!

Its this picture great? Everyone with huge eyes, looking and pointing in different directions.

And this is what it looked like...lots of this...weird.

Tess still in awe of it.

And then a little afraid of the noise!

The carousel...everyone's favorite I think...Jordan and

Tess rode on it 3 times in a row...no waiting.

And my favorite...the teacups...more like the tilt-a-whirl...much faster than normal teacups.

And yeah, I probably shouldn't have done that ride either!

Its Disney Time!

Our Disney adventure started the minute we stepped out of van at our hotel.

We stayed on Disney property this time...and it is the only way to go.

Hotel staff met us at our car doors asking what they could carry and how they could help.

And I swear to you, after that long in the car, I would have handed off some of my kids at that point if they had offered!

It was so late I somehow did not get a picture of the hotel lobby

which was a total thrill for the kids. Very pretty and Disney!

So Saturday morning we headed off to Magic Kingdom.

I was nervous I will admit.

Easter weekend is a nortoriously busy weekend for Disney.

And with what you pay to go...I wanted it all to be perfect.

I prayed before we got on the bus to go there for God to lower my expectations.

But, He came through and went above my expectations!

It was so awesome.

And really, you have to take a boat to Magic Kingdom.

The kids were thrilled just with that!

She had no idea what she was in for!

And there in the distance you can see Cinderella's castle...the excitement is just building!

And the kids are busting!

Hurry up already!

Once your in...you round the corner to Main Street and there is the castle.

And I swear to you...Avery could have gone home right then.

Dream #1 fulfilled.

Prenatal appt. #1

Today I had my first dr.'s appointment.

And I am pleased to report that there is just a #5 in there...not a #5 and a #6.

I had some serious concerns about that.

I have never had morning sickness.

Never.

Until this pregnancy.

And it stinks. I do not know how you ladies handle this.

I'm getting better but most days I'd still rather lay in the fetal

position and moan than clean the house or cook a meal.

But, I digress...back to the appt.

Everything is looking great. My 'official' due date is now November 3rd.

I had an ultrasound and after 5 times I think it is safe to say that

seeing your baby's head pop up on that screen will never get old.

I started crying and my dr. looked at me in total shock and said,

"You're not a weepy one! What's with you?"

I know.

But seeing that little head and those arms waving madly at me...it just comes crashing into your heart..."I am SO very blessed. So blessed beyond measure."

God has blessed Jordan and me with the family we always dreamed of.

And we couldn't be more thankful or humbled by it.

We are very aware of the fact that we are some of the lucky ones.

Now, for a little fun at my own expense. At the beginning of vacation these jeans fit normally.

On the last night I put them on and suddenly....a little bump appeared.

And now you have seen the last picture of me that you will likely see until after delivery!

Family Vacation 2010

Time to start recapping our trip.

So beware.

This is my online journal so if you dont want to see pictures of the happy family having a blast...sign off now.

I'll include a post or two about the downsides to a week and 1/2 vacation in the car with 4 kids too so that should keep you all entertained.

First I will just set the timeline:

We left on Wednesday the 31st after supper and traveled to Gatlinburg, TN - smack in the middle of the Smoky Mountain National Park. We arrived at 8 am.

Checked into our condo, got some groceries, ate breakfast and then went to sleep. All of us.

After the nap we headed to Ober-Gatlinburg -

which is a tram up the mountain to a family fun area.

Saturday morning we got up and drove to Orlando. 14 hours or something.

It was long. We arrived at our hotel at 10:30 PM.

And got up the next day and arrived at Disney at 9:00 AM.

Sunday we drove to New Smyrna Beach, FL and stayed in a condo right on the beach. It was awesome. And relaxing and wonderful.

We left there on Thursday morning and traveled back to Gatlinburg, TN. This time we met my oldest brother Jeff there and we went to an aquarium and then did some hiking in the mountains.

Then Saturday morning we headed back to GC and arrived home last night after 11.

So now a couple of pictures of an ADORABLE Contessa at one of the Disney parades.

This one is the perfect picture of 'Disney' to me.

Lots to see and constant awe.

I know a lot of people are not Disney fans. Its expensive, busy, touristy, loud, and somewhat sickening.

Yes, its all that.

But when you see your little girls' dreams come true before your eyes....

you fall in love with Disney. I cried during each parade and when we met with the princesses. I cried at Avery's adorable questions about the castle and where the princesses live.

I love Disney.

We had the most perfect Disney experience and a great vacation. The kids did unbelievably well in the car...truly if I had been told it would go that way I wouldn't have believed it.

And now I believe Jordan and I need a vacation, from the vacation!

This is how Tess sat for at least 20 min. during one of the parades, with her hand on my knee. SO sweet.

Alright, that should get the grandma's off my back for awhile. I'll detail each day more throughout the week...betcha cant wait! :)

More tomorrow...

Details...

We're still on vacation and have not had internet access...

BUT, my due date is November 1st.

Yes, we were trying. And we are extremely excited, to say the least. And yes, 5 will be it!

We just told the kids on Monday....they ALL want a boy.

More on Sunday when we get home.

Family Photo

The first picture of our family of seven all together.

And at Disney World even!

The Dirks' Take Disney

Our vacation is going wonderfully.

Today was Disney.

I'll post a lot more later. I took like over 400 pictures today - no exaggeration.

The kids did amazing. Now, Sully was still very Sully at times and Tess acted almost 2 quite a bit. But they are awesome kids and so grateful and loving.

And they had a blast.

And I was in tears at least 3 times during the day because it was just so so special.

And there were memories made that I know will last us a lifetime.

But these pictures pretty much sum up what almost 14 hours at Magic Kingdom will do to you.

Especially after arriving at the hotel at 10:30 the night before and going to bed at 11 pm.

Now good night.