Where Everything is Magical

The Jorgensen family went on the most amazing vacation in September. We live several states away from our extended family and most of our vacation time is usually spent visiting them. We were just home for Christmas last year so we decided to plan an all out family vacation.

What better way to go than a Disney cruise? We left straight from Galveston, a daunting 45 minute drive from our house. We had all been excited for months and the day had finally come. This vacation did not disappoint!

We love cruises because they are so relaxing. Ian and I are planners. We like to plan our time to the max, even on vacation but on a cruise, you have to relax! Even little Austin found a good resting place.

We celebrated Ian’s birthday on the cruise and formal night made it even more special. The boys look so handsome in this photo but if only I had a video for the waterworks that came on when they had to button up shirts and put ties on!

For our first port adventure, we stopped at Key West. While it was fun to get off the boat for the day, Key West was not the most family friendly of places. Still, we enjoyed the day together and took the walking tour. Nathan and Austin wanted to take this silly picture (on the right) and title it “Crushed by Love”.

Our second stop was by far our favorite destination, EVER! Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island. The whole place was reserved for us and it was amazing. Even the sand seemed magical. The water was perfect and we found ourselves a nice shady spot under a palm tree to park all day.

We introduced the boys to snorkeling here and it was AMAZING! The water was so clear and the beach was setup and marked with buoys that located buried treasure hidden beneath. We found sunken submarines and ships and even a Mickey Mouse statue. The boys loved the schools of fish that swam around us.

There was so much to do, we didn’t want to leave. There were water playgrounds built into the shallow beach water, food, water sports and so much more! Ian, Jacob and Austin rested and Nathan and I took off for a bicycle ride around the island. It was so fun to explore with him on bike. I wish I had brought my camera with me for the ride.

Even though we were exhausted from such a fun day, we got back on board and dressed for pirate night! The boys loved seeing all the costumes and being able to say “Rrrrr” so much.

Our third and final stop was at Nassau in the Bahamas. We were excited as we had planned another snorkeling excursion but this one would be in the open water having been transported there by catamaran. This too was an awesome experience with the boys. Jacob was so lost in exploring, we had to keep looking for him because he would get lost in all the beauty he was finding.

 

Aside from the fun excursions, the onboard activities were out of this world. We saw movies that were still in the theatre, productions that were as good as you’d expect from Disney, super-fun kids club activities and special late night adults activities.

Let me just say out loud, this was hands down the best vacation a family with multiple age groups like our could plan. I would look across the faces of my husband, 10 year old, 7 year old and 4 year old and see them beaming from ear to ear with smiles. Each of us, so perfectly enjoying our time even though we enjoy different things. Disney had nailed the idea of a perfect family getaway with its cruise line.

 

Our last day onboard was sad, only because we knew it was coming to an end. The character meet and greets were so much fun and I have some many pictures of all the characters my boys enjoyed meeting. One of the more special moments was the character breakfast when the favorites would come and visit with you at breakfast. Jacob and Nathan were most excited to meet Stitch, Chip and Dale but Austin was all about Mickey!

It was amazing. We left our little one at home with his fabulous Grammy who loved and spoiled him while we were gone, but we look forward to our next Disney cruise when we bring him with us. I have my eye on the European Disney cruise, but that might be a little out of our price range

Playing Catch Up

Hello dear old blog.

How I’ve missed you! Life has been as busy as ever and I’m sorry I’ve neglected you. It’s time to catch you up on life in the precious moments.

We had a fun season with both boys playing basketball. They enjoyed their teams and learning that sport. Jacob started soccer with a new, more competitive league, and is being challenged as he grows in his love of soccer. We took the big boys to their first college basketball game. They enjoyed seeing a full game, now that they understand the concept more. As always, there were sweet baby snuggles and I’ll take them while they last!

We spent spring break at our favorite retreat center, Camp Tejas. We were thrilled to have two families join us for fun in the mud, on the trails and at the bonfire. We made so many great memories, it was a real joy! Grammy came to visit us and that was a special treat. She hasn’t been to Houston for over 2 years and we were privileged to have her with us for 2 weeks. We went to the Museum of Natural Science and Butterfly House with friends in our homeschool group. The butterflies are always a favorite but this year, the show stopper was the dinosaur exhibit. And Evan is as adorable as ever.

 

We inherited a new pet, Speedy the turtle. He is adored by all the boys in this house. Sadly, I lost two special people this month. My grandpa passed away. He was a big part of my childhood. My sister and I spent many summers in Nebraska with him camping, gardening and adventuring. He was a kind man who was always a soft place to land. He is loved and missed by many. I flew back to Nebraska for the funeral and enjoyed lots of time with family and seeing people who knew me when I was only a little girl. For the first time, in too many years, all the Ehlers cousins were together at my Grandma Ehlers house. It was a treat to see them again! One week after the funeral, my sister and her family moved in with us here in Pearland. We are elated to have them here and can’t wait for the adventures to begin. One week after my sister moved in, my Grandma Bev passed away. She was a special lady in my life. She treated my sister and I (and our children) as her own. Her kindness and love knew no limits. I am sad that with the combination of events, I could not attend her funeral in Montana but she will forever be in my heart!

A few fun notes from this month were trips to the library, harvests of brussel sprouts from my garden and training for a 5K with friends (The Digital Run).

With the good and the bad, this I call to mind,

“My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:20-24

The Truest Friend-A Tribute to Mom

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

 

When I was young, my Mom was my lifeline. She did everything for me. Once I could do everything for myself, her role changed. Somewhere through that awkward phase, she became my friend. Then I had children, and she became a grandma. And that’s when I learned to appreciate her like never before. The extension of her love for me, given to my children is priceless and beautiful.

She really loves my children so well, and equally, she still makes the effort to spend girly time with me! Such as…

pedicures and coffee!

Whether you call her Mom or Grandma. She’s one awesome lady!

Happy Mothers Day!!! I love you Mom.

This one's for the Grandma's and Grammy's

This post goes out to the proud and loving Grandma's and Grammy's to the J family!  We love you and miss you. (((hugs)))

The newest addition of pictures...

enjoying nature at Camp Tejas

What do Captain America, a monkey and Jengo Fett have in common? A cat for a mother...

Baby J, first time riding facing forward!

The two boys headed out for a day at their classes

Not the best picture but you can see HE'S WALKING!!!!

COUSIN time!

Here we are. All 12 of us in our two families! We were so honored to welcome Ian's brother Phil, his wife Leilani and their 5 children to visit us here in our part of Texas.  They left their beautiful home state of Hawaii to come and visit us.  Both of our oldest children share a special bond as they spent their early days as a baby together traipsing around Europe.  We once spent lots of time together since then, different positions and jobs have brought our families into separate parts of the world but alas, back together again!  The cousins didn't miss a beat.

Affectionately known as "the big kids"

The Dudes (with new shirts thanks to Uncle Phil)

All Together

Found these two 4 year olds up first one morning, working on a Batman sticker book together while everyone else slept in.

Threw this in because he's so STINKIN cute!