Easter 2016

Easter 2016 passed in a flash, but it was a wonderful weekend spent with Marmee and Grampy here in Richmond. We spent our time together baking for Easter, dying eggs, enjoying fun holiday events, and working on a special project in the backyard.

Let the record show that the girls' first-ever trip to Costco was (appropriately)with Grampy.

2016 is the year of our first backyard garden! Thanks to Daddy and Grampy, our garden box is built and ready for planting later this month.

Egg dying time! 

Marmee and Julia 

We had breakfast with the Easter bunny at the Commonwealth Club.

The girls were thrilled to see a real bunny (brought by Johnathon the Juggler).

Margaret, in heaven with her doughnut.

The girls got to decorate enormous egg cookies.

Julia putting her special touch on her cookie.

After breakfast, it was on to church for the Easter egg hunt and craft time.

Julia on the hunt for a coveted polka dot Easter egg.

Margaret cleaned up!

The girls after their favorite Easter activity: making the bunny cake!

Easter morning! 

Julia and her Easter basket stash.

Our beautiful girls in their Easter dresses...thanks, Grandma!! 

Yay for a decent family picture on Easter morning!

Double yay...two great family pictures! 

It's Easter brunch time!!

Disney World 2016

Two weeks ago, we went to Disney World for our Spring Break trip. It was tons of fun for the kids and the adults. The girls rode just about every ride possible, met (what seemed like) a million and one characters, and soaked up the warm Florida sunshine.

Off we went, on an early morning flight to Orlando! 

My seat mate was an excellent traveller.

We loved the warm temperatures in Florida!

We first met Tinkerbell when we got inside the Magic Kingdom. Some of us were a little slow to warm up...

...some of us were not.

Let's do this!

The Heppers at Disney World!!

The spinning tea cups were our first ride.

Ready, set,...

...go!!!

Daddy and Princess Julia.

Ariel's Under the Sea ride

Dessert at our first lunch

Heading back to our hotel after a great first day! 

Bubble baths at the hotel were a nightly favorite.

We had room service for dinner our first night. Mickey Mouse shaped brownies were a big hit!

The next morning, we had breakfast at Cinderella's Palace.

There we met a ton of princesses! Here's Snow White...

...and Sleeping Beauty...

...and Ariel...

...and Jasmine.

The girls each got a wand and a wishing star.

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Did Julia's wish come true??

Julia and Margaret on Aladdin's Flying Carpet ride.

Caroline and Daddy, ready fly high! 

Caroline and Mommy at lunch.

Look at these two cuties flying with Dumbo!

Margaret sitting pretty in her shades.

Caroline loved nearly ever ride that she rode. Everest at Animal Kingdom was not a winner for her.

The highlight at the end of the 2nd day was meeting Mickey Mouse.

Of course, we had to get a family shot!

Then Grandpa and Grandma came to join in on the fun!

Grandpa and Caroline at dinner in Epcot.

Margaret's dessert was (literally!) the size of her face.

Check out sweet Caroline's gap toothed grin! 

Epcot family picture and...

...fireworks!

The next day, we hit the Magic Kingdom again. The roller coasters were a huge hit!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Splash Mountain

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

                                       Grandpa and Grandma with the girls at Magic Kingdom.

Some of Epcot's beautiful flowers.

More princess fun at lunch at Epcot.

Sleeping Beauty

Snow White

Ariel

Daisy 

Julia checking out the aquarium at Epcot.

Eek! The girls got eaten by a shark! 

We ran into Pluto on our way out of Epcot.

Family dinner to meet Mickey and all his friends.

Donald Duck

Minnie Mouse

Goofy

Julia got Mickey Mouse's autograph!

Mickey Mouse

Margaret was too busy finishing dessert to take a picture with Mickey Mouse.

We hit up the arcade at night. Caroline was impressive at Skee Ball!

Did you see my score??!!

Margaret had a unique form.

                                          Daddy and Julia really enjoyed the ride-on games.

Next up was Animal Kingdom! All the girls wanted to pose on the waterfall outside Rainforest Cafe. 

Julia

Margaret

Family picture while waiting for the Lion King show. 

We went on a safari ride. Can you spot the lazy lion? 

Rhino and ostrich crossing the safari trail

We hit the hotel pool every afternoon!

Julia and Caroline loved the water slide.

Poolside snack time!

The girls had a lot of fun with Grandpa in the pool!

We had a great dinner our last night at the California Grill.

Caroline especially loved her Rice Krispie sushi dessert.

It was a spectacular vacation.