Grand Prix

Lillian's Monkey Car "Shelby" won 1st place for design at the Awanna Grand Prix.

Birthday trip

For the past 9 years (since we were dating) Rob and I have traveled in the month of November to celebrate our birthdays. Some big trips and some small, some times near and some times far but always together.

This year he surprised me with a trip to a place I love- all arrangements made by him in secret!

For two weeks leading up to our trip, Rob gave me clues to our destination. (I make a horrible detective).

And then the day of our trip finally arrived...
Cheers to our our next adventure.

 One happy Lady.... I am going to Disney World!

 First stop, Epcot

and a meet and greet with the characters :)

 A HUGE highlight for me... Goofy hugging Rob
(Meeting characters is definitely more a me thing then a Rob thing.... marriage the art of compromise)

 A quick game of Rock Paper Scissors

 Before heading over to meet Minnie

 We enjoyed lunch in China (Pot Stickers, Spring Rolls and Honey Sesame Chicken @ Nine Dragons Restaurant) and wandering around the world. We rode several rides including Figments World of Imagination (not nearly as cool as when I was six but a fun trip down memory lane), Soaring (Rob's favorite), Mission to Space and the Test Track.
Then we shared a beer in Morocco on our way to Japan for sushi.

Returning to Epcot together was fun- walking around the world and visiting the different countries that we have actually been to was awesome- a live stroll down memory lane.

We finished at the park and  decided to head to Giodannos for pizza (yum yum) before heading back to our hotel.

 It was an early morning start on our second day as we headed to Hollywood Studios. We enjoyed riding Rockin' Roller Coaster, Star Tours, and Tower of Terror. Plus seeing shows like Beauty and the Beast. It was fun to amble around to the different rides and shows, enjoying one another's company and the time together.

The last surprise of the trip (and there were several) was attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. 

 We watched the castle change to a frozen wonderland by Elsa and Olaf.

 Attended the evening parade (Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade)

And met a few characters too.

Checkout the newest Dwarf...

 The real Grumpy was not too thrilled with his replacement.

It was a magical, fantastic, awesome birthday trip.
I am blessed to have a husband that knows me so well and makes my dreams come true.

Boy and His Toys

Cooper is becoming quite the big boy... he is starting to enjoy going up to his room to play on his own.

 He loves his R2D2

 And playing picnic with his Rescue Bots

 There is always time for a juice break

Kitchen Stories and Picnics

Just a normal Monday night at Casa de Sparkman.

Rescue Bot Picnic sandwiches

 and reading homework while cooking dinner

Halloween

It was a very cold and rainy night on Halloween (even a few snow flurries too).
But the two little Sparkles headed out in the cold for trick or treating with Daddy.

Here is our little Fire Chief and our very own bag of Jelly Beans :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you, the Sparkles

Breakfast and Balloons

The Sparkles