Disney Dreams

We had our first official vacation as a family in April this year to Disneyworld! And what a vacation it was, perfect! We had the best time ever. The girls loved all of the characters (although Audrey would only get close to the characters without masks on), dreaming of all the princesses they got to meet! The weather was perfect, although a little cool in the mornings, we didn't care. By the afternoon we had mid-70's temperatures which was absolutely beautiful! We stayed at the Disney's All-Star Movies resort and lucked out by getting a room in the Sheriff Woody building. The girls loved the pool with Mickey looking over them while they swam. What fun it was to be greeted with balloons and new Minnie Mouse stuffed animals while we waiting on our room to be cleaned...customer service was awesome here! Not one complaint from us...

Our first full day was at Animal Kingdom which was great for getting the girls used to being there. Spencer was such a great planner that we got to ride all the rides we wanted and still have time left over to see the great parade. The parades were our favorite! They had such fun waving to the characters as they walked by. The joy in their faces made us want to never leave!

The second and third day of our trip was at Magic Kingdom, every little kids dream place! We had such fun riding all the rides like It's a Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, The People Mover...and Spencer had fun on Space Mountain while the girls and I had our picture taken with Chip and Dale.

The last day we headed to Epcot...by this time we were all a little tired but still had a blast. This was the big finale...our dinner with severl of the princesses at Akershus in Norway. The girls thought they had gone to heaven, they didn't know what to think or do. Spencer and I got them outfits to match their favorite princesses so when they actually got to meet their favorite princess in matching dresses they thought they were big stuff!

Needless to say, we already know that we want to go back sometime soon! We are all HUGE Disney fans now. We cannot wait!!! Can we leave tomorrow???

The famous Dumbo ride

Peter Pan & Captain Hook in the garden behind he girls

Princess Natalie & Audrey

Magic Kingdom

One of our favorite princesses...Cinderella!

Birthday, Birthday, Christmas, New Year...

We went to Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights with Emma and Jack this year too!

Hello crazy life of twin girls! Sorry for waiting so long between posts, I just haven't had the time or energy to write anything lately. Ever since winter hit, we've been plagued with sickness after sickness and are finally, hopefully, praying finally getting better.

Audrey and Natalie's 3rd Birthday Party at The Little Gym

So December is by far our craziest, busiest, most fun time of the year. Three of our four birthdays fall in December of course with Christmas not far behind and then New Years. The girls had their 3rd birthday at The Little Gym this year and had an absolute blast with their friends. Natalie was personally fond of the "Party Cakes" aka cupcakes they ate after we sang Happy Birthday to them. She ate her cupcake and her sisters while Audrey ate her fruit and Natalie's...very typical of them right now. Audrey loves fruits and veggies and Natalie likes all things outside of fruits and veggies. Making dinner to please everyone is not easy these days HAHA.

Christmas was especially fun this year...the girls learned their first Christmas songs. Their favorites are Jingle Bells and Rudolph. We met up with Spencer's brother and family on Christmas Eve for Church and the girls, with their cousin Emma, got to go up on stage during the nativity story and be angles...they loved it! Audrey cried when we had to take the angel wings off when they were done. I was sure if they would go up by themselves on the stage but they did great! Our favorite toys this year have been our doll accessories (strollers, high chairs...bottles, etc.) that they push around the house all night. They also love their new microwave and toaster that they cook food in for us all day to eat.

They also love their new leap pads and think they are teenagers on their ipads. They already think they are so grown up! It is so fun to hear them communicate in sentences with each other now...Spencer and I both wish they would stay this age forever (well...after being potty trained all the way first). We definitely had a blast and can't wait for next year to come. Everything just seems so blah after the holidays are over...glad to get a little break though (if that's what you want to call it). :)Audrey helping Paps open a Christmas gift~

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas...we love and miss you all and thanks to everyone who sent beautiful Christmas cards...they always fill our home with "family and friends" each year! Love you all!

Audrey, Katie Mae, Natalie & Emma - Christmas 2011 @ Papaw Sponbergers

There could never be a more beautiful you...

To my beautiful daughters...when you read this one day I hope you remember that God made you to fill a purpose in life that only you can do and that is special! God made you beautiful and no matter what others might say to you one day, remember that there could never be a more beautiful you! You are the light of your dad and I's life and everyone you meet falls in love with you! You both have a sweet spirit and kindness in you that already has touched so many! We love you so much...always remember that beauty is not external but within your heart!

July 14th, 2011

Ernie R. Crane, Jr.

April 22, 1955 - July 14, 2011

We miss and love you!

Words wouldn't come to me to explain how we've been feeling since the passing of Spencer's dad...I heard this song on the radio and decided it said what we felt perfectly!

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long I must wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways

The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know

But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same

Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heard is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it though somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Mercy Me - Homesick

Mexico Beach 2011

We just got back from vacation to Mexico Beach, Florida! What a great time we had...and thanks for Denise and Michael for allowing us to stay in their beautiful condo!

To sum up the trip this year:

• Audrey did NOT like the beach that much...she very much dislikes sand (as does her mom).



• Natalie LOVED the beach...sand and water. There isn't much this girl doesn't love.



• Toucans is definitely the spot for a beach dinner/lunch! We went 3 times.



• We can drive the roads to Panama City Beach with our eyes closed...traveled to Gulf World and Pier Park! Had a great time at both.



• The girls saw their first live alligator in the water near the condo swimming around.



• Natalie got to pet a stingray, Audrey was ok just looking at it.



• Being able to do laundry before arriving back at home is a dream come true! Did we say we liked the condo??



• We can't wait to do it again soon!