Gabe LOVES Karate!!

Gabe started Karate last week! For a few weeks, he had been begging to take Karate! When he would get out of the bath and put on his hooded buzz lightyear robe, he would go down the hall doing "karate chops" and kicks. So I asked some of my friends, and he started last week with some of his little buddies from preschool. He absolutely LOVES it. Our little boy is growing up! This is his first extracurricular activity and believe me, it is a big deal in our house! He is so proud of himself and looks forward to going (2 times a week). Check out his adorable pictures!

Baking Christmas Cookies!

On Saturday, we decided it was time to bake some Christmas cookies--so that's what we did! The weather was so nasty and cold outside, so what better way to spend the day!! Of course, there was a lot of taste testing going on, but we did manage to bake about 3 dozen Christmas tree sugar cookies.

Isn't she adorable? This was taken at my parents on Sunday. A quick Emma story--one day last week she came home from school and told me that they had "buddy reading" at school, and that her "buddy" was named Chase. After she told me that she only had to help Chase with a few words, I assumed he was in Kindergarten. NO--Chase is in the 4th grade!! They do buddy reading to partner the little ones with the older kids--Did I mention that our Emma is a gifted reader? :)

It's A Dickens of A Christmas!

'Tis the Season for Christmas Festivals! Last night, we went to Vine Grove's "Dickens of a Christmas"! It was so cute! The townspeople were dressed in "Dickens era" clothing. Christmas music was playing,and live Christmas Carolers were singing. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there for pictures with the kids. Emma and Gabe received "reindeer food" to spread across the lawn on Christmas Eve! And we went on a carriage ride! And there were marshmallows for roasting and hot apple cider and hot chocolate! The kids had a wonderful time!!

Hometown Christmas Parade...

The Christmas Parade is always the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and of course we go every year! The kids love looking at all of the floats, and the parade ends at the town square where Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the kids and the Mayor reads, "Twas the night before Christmas". It's always the "kickoff" to Christmas! Enjoy the pictures!

Family Vacation Part II--Disney Cruise--Nassau and Castaway Cay!

Emma and mommy at dinner the second night of the cruise!

At the Set Sail Party!! We are officially on VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!

All I can say is--cruising on the Disney Wonder was awesome! I will never forget our family walking onto the ship, and a cast member announced, "Welcome aboard Tharpe Family!" Everyone was clapping and shouting, and we knew that we were in for a wonderful adventure! The ship was beautiful and clean, the staff was so friendly and nice and lively (just like at Disney World). The food was amazing, and the musicals were fabulous! We saw Toy Story 3 and Disney Dreams, which was my favorite and left me teary-eyed! Clayton, the cruise director, was so funny and EVERYONE loved him! The set-sail party at Goofy's pool was so much fun--we were out partying by the pool as the ship left port for Nassau.The Pirates Party was a blast, and then afterward they had a dessert buffet. We watched movies out on the deck of the ship, under the stars. One night we watched fireworks, which were shot off of the ship, in the middle of the ocean! It was amazing! OH, and the Oceaneer Club and Lab were awesome, and inclusive! The kids LOVED going there! One night, we checked them in and then Mike and I went to "Adult Cove" (which was the adults only pool and spa). Simply fantastic! Our cruise was a 3-night--we set sail Thursday, October 7, arrived in Nassau, Bahamas on Friday. In the Bahamas, we toured Nassau and went to the world famous straw market. Then the kids wanted to go back to the ship to swim at the Mickey's pool. Saturday we arrived in beautiful, Disney's private-owned Castaway Cay! It was pristine! We walked from the ship to the Family Beach. It was immaculate!! The water was crystal clear! And the weather was absolutely beautiful! The restaurants on the island were inclusive too--and delicious! Everything was so clean, just like at Disney World Parks! We were very sad when it was time to get back on the ship! On Sunday we arrived back at Port Canaveral and then headed home. It was a fabulous cruise, and we decided that next time we want to do a longer one. We will never cruise anything but Disney, that's for sure!! And next year they brand new Disney Dream starts sailing--we plan on cruising again in the (near) future!!


Swimming at Castaway Cay!

Emma loved finding shells, (which we had to leave there)

Our handsome little guy

Gabe just couldn't wait!!

Our ship in the distance...the weather was perfect!

We were walking to Family Beach.

The Flying Dutchman (original one used on the Pirates movie)

Movie night under the stars

Gabe was singing, "It's a Pirate's Life for me!"

Midnight Buffet

Watching the Toy Story 3 Musical

The Disney Wonder

We literally ran into Donald and Daisy strolling the decks!

Minnie and Gabe

Minnie and Emma

Mickey's pool!

With Captain Mickey!

This was the first night after dinner--they just stood and looked out at the dark ocean!