Ahoy, Mickey Mouse!

In March of 2014, Papa and Grandma Tait made it possible for us to travel to Florida and take a memorable Bahamian Cruise.  All of us Utah Taits flew to Orlando.  We stayed at Kerry and Stacy's home before hopping aboard the Disney Magic Cruise Ship.

Salt Lake International Airport
These girls were so excited.  And notice Jody, in the background, being the workaholic on the phone.  

We had a full day of sunshine in Orlando - before heading to the Cruise Line Terminal.  The guys went to the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Jody really liked being at a major PGA event with his brothers, brother-in-law and dad.  The rest of us bounced over to the pool where Kylene and Greg were staying.

Nahla pushed Sienna in the water swing. Both girls were giggling - having the best time!  There were plenty of water slides to keep the kids happy and busy.  

 

After the pool, we met up with the boys for some pizza and walked around Downtown Disney.  We danced our hearts out on the outside plaza.  Kerry and Jody put Lindsey and Sienna on their shoulders - while rocking out to the music.  

Baby Summer enjoying the Disney Gift Shop

 

Cruise - Day 1

As we were driving to the Cruise Ship, the song 'Best Day of My Life' by American Authors came on the radio.  The kids were singing at the top of their lungs, and they all started squealing when they saw the ship.  

Sienna found some dress-up princess shoes at Kerry and Stacy's house.  She insisted on wearing them as we boarded the ship.  One pink.  One blue.  She's so fancy.  

Sienna and Lindsey - Both age 3

After checking in and making sure the kids had their ID bracelets on, we finally entered the ship.  As we did, a Crew Member announced our family name and welcomed us, while cruise employees clapped.  Those smiles aren't forced or canned - not one bit.  These kids look ready to burst with excitement.  Look at Gracie.  Wow.  She is excited!  

We all enjoyed a Welcome Party with the Disney Characters and plenty of streamers and dancing on the upper deck.  Then the ship started sailing.  The first day was REALLY rocky...and I felt sick from the sea motion.  The movement during the remainder of the cruise didn't bother me.  The food was AmAZinG!  Wow.  The buffet was incredible.  So good.  I still have dreams about the food.  No. Really.  I am not joking.

All the cousins were excited to see their rooms.  Gracie and Sienna were thrilled to sleep in bunk beds.
(Although it was a struggle each night deciding on who would get the top bunk.)

After participating in a Safety Drill (which Gracie was quite upset about) we were able to tour the Children's Oceaneer Club.   Here Sienna found endless dress-ups.  She immediately put on a Tiana Dress from The Princess and the Frog.  

After dinner, we saw "Twice Charmed" - a live show in the Buena Vista Theater.  After the performance, Gracie and Lauren went up to the top deck to get some Hot Chocolate.

What a fun first day!  The cousins all looked disney-licious with their mouse ears, and Stacy had ironed on their names on their shirts. The night ended with a visit from Cinderella; perfectly magical in every way.  

Tagging Along to Phoenix

February 26, 2014

The last week in February I joined Jody in Arizona, on his monthly Business Trip.  I met many of his clients, and I was able to see how great Jody is at his job.  Since it was still cold in Utah, it was the perfect time to travel with him to sunny Arizona.  While we were there, we saw the Gilbert, Arizona  LDS Temple - which was set to be dedicated the following week.  It was beautiful!

We stayed at the Clarendon Hotel.  It had an Old Hollywood feel to it.  And best of all, the pool had a bright tiled runway.  I had my gold stilettos, sun hat and beaded cover up...it would have been crazy to NOT channel my inner "America's Next Top Model"!  So, I'm a dork.  I love it.  Look at the girl in the background, thinking I am a weirdo.  Ha ha!  I don't have time to worry about that...this was WAY too fun.  Jody and I had a blast.  We ate at Joe's Farm Grill and browsed Scottsdale Fashion Square.

16 weeks pregnant with Adalynn

Photographers in the Making...

February 16, 2014
14 Weeks Pregnant with Adalynn 

We came home from church in mid-February, and Gracie and Sienna wanted to take pictures of us.  Gracie was telling us to pose...and then she and Sienna snapped a few without us knowing.  Ha ha!

Ringing in 2014

Ringing in 2014 was memorable!  We stayed at a cabin in Alpine, Wyoming with Grandpa and Grandma Wiscombe and Michael.  New Years is one of those holidays that, especially with little ones, can be underwhelming.  So much hype....and then....yay....drink my sprite and go to bed after midnight.  And if you are me, you are up past midnight EVERY night - so New Years is not that different.  So to welcome 2014, we went snowmobiling, sledding and visited Jackson Hole, WY.  

The girls had a fun time playing in the white powder.  Gracie got in a snowball fight with Jody - it looks like she was winning.  

Jody was the major photobomber during this trip...I mean, really...the Big Foot Pose.

Sienna's smooshy face...

While Jody and my dad were snowmobiling, I managed to cut open my finger while sitting in the truck.   Typical Brittany mishap.  

We drove into Jackson Hole one day.  On our way, we saw dozens of mountain goats on the hillside.  

 

Jackson Hole was fun, but super COLD!  We visited the National Elk Refuge and took a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the refuge, to get a close look at the elk.  

Sienna and her giant hands...

After playing in the winter wonderland, it was nice to come in and snuggle up.  The girls slept in these little beds in the upstairs loft.  

We enjoyed hot chocolate every night, as we cozied up to the fire.  

On New Year's Eve at 9:00 pm...the owners of a nearby cabin set off fireworks.  We watched out the giant windows of the cabin where we were staying.  The girls were mesmerized.  The fireworks were big and bright, and they looked spectacular against the falling snow.  But it wasn't a professional show by any means, so the delay in between each firework was longer than usual.  The girls kept saying..."Oh, it's over.  How sad!!"  Then another firework would light up the sky, and they would get SO excited.  "Hooray!!!  More fireworks"  Clapping and Squealing would follow.  This went on for 10 minutes.  It was really funny.  

Grandma W. made some delicious homemade soup to help us warm up when we were done playing outside.  Being pregnant - everything tasted different, and I felt quite nauseated the whole trip.  However, it was nice to get out of the Salt Lake Valley inversion and enjoy the beautiful blue skies.   

The cabin had a sledding hill, right out the back door.  Gracie had the time of her life on the tube.  My mom decided she wanted to join in on the fun.  This is not a surprise...she likes to be in on the party.  So off she went, down the hill....and she kept going across the road.  

Hold on for dear life, mom!

Papa made sure Gracie stopped at the bottom of the hill.  Good Times!

Christmas Day 2013

Christmas morning was a success!  The girls were really excited to see if Santa Claus had visited our house.  They were happy to see the Big Guy in the Red Suit enjoyed the cookies they left out for him.  Santa Claus left Gracie the ever popular 'Rainbow Dash' Costume - made custom by Mrs. Claus.  Gracie put the costume on and didn't take it off for days.  Come July - she still wore it occasionally.  And in October 2014 - she chose to wear it as her Halloween Costume.  It was a big hit.  Santa also left Gracie a Rainbow Dash Equestrian Girl Doll and a kid snow shovel.

Santa brought Sienna lots of My Little Pony toys including Princess Celestia who talks and a Fluttershy Equestrian Girl.
Santa Claus brought mom and dad a nice print of an oil painting, which we hung in our living room.
 

True JOY!  Gracie loves her Rainbow Dash Costume.

Santa brought Jody some Jazz tickets to watch the team play against Blake Griffin and the Clippers.  

After the Christmas Morning Rush, the girls played with their new toys.  Grandpa & Grandma Wiscombe & Michael came over and brought gifts.  Then we took a housewarming gift to Jeff and Lacey at their new home in Lehi.  Grandpa & Grandma Tait were there, and we enjoyed some soup together.

And then, just like that, it is all over.  And what?!?!?  We have to wait until next year for Christmas to come again? 

It's so easy for me to get lost in the craziness and commotion of Christmas.  Children make the season more magical...but they can also get caught up on what they are getting for Christmas.  And as parents, it's hard to not shower them with the toys they want.   Because you know they will be so excited in that moment.

We participate in Sub for Santa each year - this year we had the girls pick children, who were their same ages, off of the Angel Tree.  We took a special night in December to shop for these children and talk about them.  We hope it makes our kids think of others and the season, which is truly all about giving.  

I think many of us are like the Innkeeper in the story of the First Christmas.  Although we don't know specifics about the Innkeeper because the Bible doesn't say anything about him.....we do know that he turned away Mary and Joseph in their time of need.  I do not think the Innkeeper was necessarily hostile or cruel - but I do believe - he was busy.  Too busy to recognize the most incredible event was knocking at his door.

His inn was full because a census was being held in Bethlehem. The city was bulging with people whose ancestors came from there. Since Bethlehem was the city of David, all those who were in the line of David were there, including Joseph and Mary.  Many people are like the innkeeper.  The chambers of their souls are filled with needless things--with stuff that doesn't matter. As a result, they miss Christ. Our society is filled with the unnecessary, the insignificant, and the meaningless. We spend a fortune to amass things so we can let our children fight over them when we die. And our time is eaten away by the demands our things place on us.  -- John MacArthur, "Grace to You"

So hold your loved ones closely.  Embrace your family - not things - not stuff.  Let Christ in.  In every aspect of your life - Let Him In.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ came into this world in the humblest of circumstances.  

He is the perfect example.  He Lives....and He Loves Us.