The Parker's Come To Visit

Julie (Dottie's sister) and her family came into town yesterday to visit for a week. The boys were so excited to see their cousins and that they are staying at our house for a week. Dottie is super excited that her sister is here. Last night the two of them went out shopping after the kids went to bed and they came back just a giggling. Dottie and both of her sister's (Julie and Myra) are best friends. When those three "Etherton's" get together it's trouble:)

Landon, Will, Sarah and Brian

Hollywood Studios

Saturday we took the boys to Hollywood Studios at Disney World. The weather was absolutely perfect and the boys had a blast as always.

For all you Cars movie lovers, Cars 2 is coming out in a year in a half.


In the middle of the afternoon everyday, they have a parade that is quite entertaining. We had great seats right up front on the curb. We didn't get a picture of it, but the boys mouths were opened in awe during the entire parade. It is actually pretty incredible all the props and costumes they use as you can see from some of the pictures.

Landon did amazing waiting in line for 60 minutes to ride a Buzz Lightyear ride as he usually can't be still for longer than a minute. The ride was actually pretty cool and worth waiting that long for. It wasn't that worth it later in the afternoon though when Landon was tired and Will wanted to ride it again and wait another 60 minutes. That is what is so wonderful about our passes. We can come back another day..... Will was okay with that and we ended up watching a 3D Muppet Show instead.

Enjoying The Florida Weather In January

The weather in Florida this time of year is so nice. We have been taking advantage of the outdoors as much as possible.

Will riding his new bike from Santa.

Okay, so we got a new camera for Christmas and we got a little carried away taking pictures. Mommy and daddy tried to see who could take the best picture of the boys.

Our Little Patriot

Will got a digital camera/video camera for Christmas that he absolutely loves. He has actually taken some pretty good pictures with it. The video feature he is still working on. The other day we caught him videoing himself singing the Star Spangled Banner. Will is probably not going to be real happy with us about 10 years from now for putting this on the blog for the world to hear, but it is sooooooo.... cute.

Will's First Basketball Game

Will started playing on a Basketball Team this past Saturday. He's playing for an organization called Upward, which is a Christian League used all over the world. It is actually held at a church we have been visiting, which also makes it a perk. His games are every Saturday morning for the next 7 weeks. The first 30 minutes they practice followed by a short 30 minute game.

We thought this would be a great way to help Will be a little more aggressive (not mean, but Will is very shy) and also for mommy and daddy to get out there and meet some people. All the coaches and parents were so nice and even after the game came up to us and introduced themselves. That so did not happen during soccer season. Landon had a Carolina sweatshirt on, which attracted even more people to come and talk to us.

This is Will's first time ever playing on a basketball team, so he was super excited. His team is called the Eagles (daddy was really excited about that, mommy not so much - ha,ha!!).

Will and Landon Skiing

While we were visiting North Carolina we got to go skiing up at Cataloochee, which is where Papaw (Chad's dad) is the Ski Patrol Director. Our boys are definitely learning from the best.

We were planning to take Will skiing and let Landon hang out at the bottom and play in the snow with Terri (Papaw's wife), but as you can see from the pictures that didn't exactly happen. Landon pitched a fit to put Will's ski's on, so Papaw got Landon some Ski's of his own and actually he did really well. Whoever says a 2 year old can't ski is wrong. Papaw skipped the bunny slope and took Landon straight to the chair lift, which he had no fear of, and up the mountain they went.

Here is Landon trying to push Will out of his ski's so he can get in them.

Will skiing with Papaw. He is the best teacher.

Aren't his skis and boots sooooooo..... cute?
Landon and daddy.

Landon and Papaw getting ready to get on the chair lift.

Whenever Landon would fall down he would make snow angels in the snow.

Videos of Will and Landon Skiing

Here are a couple videos we got of the boys skiing.

The blogger sight is having trouble with the video feature so we had to post the videos through You Tube. After the video plays, the pictures under the video are not ours, it is just part of You Tube. Hope you enjoy the videos!

Landon and Daddy

Will and Papaw

Landon and Papaw coming down the hill first followed by Will and Daddy.

Visit to North Carolina

After lunch on Christmas day, we loaded up the car and off to Hendersonville, North Carolina we went. After 9 hours and only 2 stops we finally made it to Nana and Pop's house (Dottie's Parents). We spent the first part of the week with Dottie's family and then we moved over to visit with Chad's family for the rest of the week. We were even able to catch up with a few friends, which was fun. For those of you who we didn't get to see, SORRY. Hopefully the next visit won't be quite as busy so we will have a little more time.

The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins.

Landon, Brian, Will and Sarah (Brian and Sarah are Julie's two kids)

Katie, Landon, Will and Abram (Katie and Abram are Mandi's two kids)

After a great week we loaded up the car, which required us to purchase a top carrier so we could get it all home. The ride back to Florida was dreadful. The boys, especially Landon, did not want to be in the car. After 12 hours and about 10 stops we finally made it home.

The cool mountain weather in North Carolina was nice for a few days, but it was really nice to get back to the 80 degree weather in Florida - flip flops and no jackets.

We've slowly started getting back into our routine this week. Chad went back to work on Monday. Will went back to school. Landon went to Gymboree today, which mommy was so looking forward to. Dottie replenished the cabinets and refrigerator with food and is still trying to unpack. Our house seriously looks like Toy's "R" Us now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Sorry we are a little behind on updating the blog, but we have been in North Carolina visiting our family. Check back in a couple days for updates on our trip.

Christmas morning was so much fun this year. The boys are at such cute ages. Will is really into Santa Claus and will believe anything you tell him. Landon just took it all in.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Christmas morning is such a magical time for both kids and parents. We (Chad and Dottie) had so much fun watching the boys as they opened up their gifts. Our boys are such a blessing to us and watching them open up each present with such excitement and joy was a gift in itself.

Will got this race track from Santa and of course Landon likes it too. This kept them entertained for a good hour so mommy and daddy could pack for North Carolina.

Will made a "beautiful" candle for mommy and daddy at school. He was so proud of it and had a hard time keeping it a secret until Christmas morning.

We hope everyone had a memorable Holiday Season. Best wishes for 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!