Eight Months

Taking our monthly growth picture this month was not an easy task!  Between getting home from our trip, laundry, colds, and Thanksgiving, we had to find a time to squeeze it in before she turned nine months.  Of course, once the chalkboard and everything was set up, Olivia thought it was much more fun to sit until the camera was ready, and then take off towards the camera.  So we managed to get a couple pictures to mark this month and we'll try again next month!

Olivia is definitely crawling now.  She started crawling on our cruise and would go a few steps at a time.  She really took off last Monday, crawling fast and all the way across the room.  She loves to climb over any one who is sitting in the floor.

She is teething but none have pushed through just yet.  We started her on some table foods such as Cheerios and small pieces of bread.  She is still not too sure about them just yet and makes very funny faces!

Olivia has quite the personality and loves to make silly faces.  She has the sweetest grin, but will let you know (loudly!) when she is unhappy about something!

Disney's Castaway Cay

Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, is probably one of our favorite places in the world.  I think we would spend an entire week here if we could!  We decided to rent a family cabana for the day and enjoyed the peacefulness of the island.  We played in the sand, chilled in the hammock, enjoyed the island food, and just loved doing nothing for an entire day!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Hannah decided that she wanted to visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  The boutique is a mini-salon and spa for little girls (and boys, too).  There are two located in Walt Disney World, one in Disneyland, and now one on the Disney Fantasy.  

There are several packages to choose from.  Since this was Hannah's first time, we splurged and got the largest package.  It included the dress and shoes.  She chose to be First Mate Minnie, a dress only available on the ship.  The shoes are red glitter which made her VERY happy!  

Hannah also had her hair fixed, nails painted, and even a little bit of make-up.  Olivia spent the afternoon in the nursery, so this afternoon was all about Hannah.  She loved every minute of it!

The Reveal.  I just love her expression!

Longest Disney Trip Yet...

Twenty one days away from home.  Some of those days were driving days, but it is now our record for our longest Disney vacation yet.  Part of it was vacation and part of it was our annual meeting for Off to Neverland Travel.  Both parts were fantastic!

We started our trip off with a cruise on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy.  Seven days unplugged from the world and the agency.  No email, no phones... it was definitely a needed vacation.  So much of our time away is not really "away".  Our phones make it possible for us to travel the way that we do and still be connected to the agency and other obligations.  However, that blessing can also be a hinderance to much needed time away as family and from the stress of the world.  The cruise forces us to do just that!

We arrived in Orlando a night early to trick-or-treat at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party with two little Tinker Bell's.

It has become a tradition to eat with Mickey, Pluto, Lilo & Stitch at Disney's Polynesian Resort, the morning we head out on a cruise.

We always have a blast exploring the ship on the first day!

Olivia spent much of the trip in her Ergo Carrier, especially on the ship since we didn't take a stroller. I snapped this picture in the elevator mirror since it is a little difficult to take pictures of her when she is on my hip!

We spent a lot of time relaxing on our verandah.

And helped Mickey and Kermit solve mysteries on the ship with the Midship Detective Agency.  This is Pepe's (the King Prawn from the Muppets) room on the ship.

Sweet girls before dinner one night.

We also got to dress up for Halloween along with all of the characters!  

Both girls were Rapunzel on Halloween night.

Strategizing with Peter Pan on Pirate Night.

More pictures to come!