Disney

I know it has been almost two months since our family vacation to Florida and I finally sharing some of our wonderful time.  We had an amazing time and even got in a few days with my aunt and uncle and cousins!
The adventure began way before we left NJ. I decided to create a count down to Disney for the kids...saw some great ones on Pinterest, of course.

Each day the kids got to take a clothes pin off the chart. I used my Cricut cutting machine, a sheet of red and black mickey mouse paper, and a good amount of stickers! I will post a tutorial soon but it wasn't difficult at all!

But here are a few pictures of our trip...

 We got to spend some time with friends!!

 Yea, I made that! Tutorial coming soon!

 just  a little proof that I was actually on the trip

 Her favorite non-human

 

 

Highlights...from Jake, The Pirates of the Caribbean ride and becoming a pirate for the day.

From Lizzy, The new Ariel ride in the new section of Fantasyland.

Mommy (that's me), while watching the Electric Parade on Main Street USA in Cinderella blew a kiss to Lizzy and without hesitation Lizzy blew one right back to her. Even the strangers sitting next to us said that was cool. And it was Valentine's week so we got to see the Princesses with their Princes!

Daddy (the hubby), taking Jake on Thunder Mountain Railroad. And watching Jake having the most intriguing conversation with Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty...we still don't know what they were talking about but it just went on and on.

 

We ended our trip with a few days with my aunt and uncle on Marriet Island...the uncle works at Disney and nothing could be cooler! We spent time splashing in their pool with my two cousins and even saw a dolphin swimming through their canal. Great way to end a vacation to Florida!

 

We are already planning our next trip! 

OBX 2012

Now as many of you know, I am a born and breed Jersey Girl! This includes a deep love of the Jersey shore...not the MTV one {YUCK!!!!} the real one!
I love the sand, the ocean, and the boardwalk! Johnson's Popcorn, Kohr's brothers ice cream, and Shiver's candies!
But finding a place near the beach with a family of 12 is difficult in NJ.
So we decided to go south!
This past week my family and the rest of the Holland clan took a vacation to The Outer Banks...our first time.
I thought I would share some pictures of our week!

 We spent a lot of time in the pool! Lizzy and Jake just loved it! By the end our week Jake was swimming without his vest...he was very excited.

 The beaches are beautiful...but very different than the ones at home. Lots of dunes which makes it challenging to get on and off the beach. But that didn't stop the kids from having a great time. Between the sand playing and the waves and the really cool pelicans diving for fish just a few yards from us, we had a great time!

 One evening had just the perfect light for a photo shoot on the beach...we told the kids to not get wet, that didn't last long!

I even got in a picture!

 On the 4th of July we spent the morning at the North Carolina State Aquarium in Roanoke. Honestly, it was just too hot to go to the beach. We burned our feet the first day getting off the beach it was so hot and this day was even hotter. So off to the air conditioned Aquarium!

 The only thing Lizzy wanted to see were turtles...and she got them.

 These were just what Jake wanted!

 My sister-in-law set up a sweet candy hunt to help us celebrate the holiday

We were able to watch fireworks right from our top deck

 time to throw some snapps...remember those. You just throw them on the ground and they pop. It was a big hit with all the kids!

 Did I mention how hot it was??? Just check these pictures out!

 Jake and Jeff spent a lot of time in the game room...with Foosball and a few arcade games they were in their glory!

 One quick family picture before bedtime!

And our time has come to an end...it was fun filled and fast.

We can't wait to return and see more of what OBX has to offer!

There was just too much to do in one visit.