USMC Ball at the Disneyland Hotel



When I found out that the Marine Corps Birthday Ball was going to be held at the Disneyland Hotel, I was beyond excited.  I'm a little bit of a Disney fanatic.  Our "family" away from home, Kelly and Mike and their crew had the kiddos over for a sleepover and Chris and I were off for the evening.

The hotel was so great.  Because we were V.I.P. they had someone from the hotel walk us to our room and check us in.  We had an amazing view of the pool and one of the hotel towers.

 



 

Here we are ready to head to dinner. I just love to see my man in his Blues.  So handsome.   Did I mention we had to sit at the head table yes, the table in the front of the ballroom of over 1,200 Marines and their dates.  Gulp.  And I had to sit by myself during the ceremony because Chris was head of the program. Double gulp. 

 

We were able to walk through Downtown Disney the next morning and have a nice breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe.  I felt a tad guilty enjoying Disney with out the kids, but I loved the time that I was able to spend with just Chris. 

We did spot the Lego Store and took this picture for Luke, our resident Lego Maniac!!!

 

When we came in from the ball we found this plate and note waiting for us.  Disney just knows how to do things right!

Our headboard was this awesome carving of Sleeping Beauty's castle.  When you turned out the lights, the headboard had lights that looked like fireworks in it and it played music.  Loved it!



 

Can't wait to take the kids VERY soon!!!!

HB Turns 3!!!

 

3 years have absolutely flown by before I could even blink.  I remember the 3 quiet days that Chris and I spent in the hospital with our new baby girl while the storm shut down the entire Hampton Roads area.  Due to flooding, we could not leave and had no visitors.  I cherish memory of those first few days with our 3rd baby. 

 

The look on Luke and Hayley's faces when we brought her home are burned into my brain forever.  They were both in awe of her.  So tiny and sweet.  They couldn't wait to hold her.  The best big brother and sister ever.

 

 

Fast forward and here we are 3 years later...

 

No more baby here at the Steele house.  We have a spunky, silly, feisty, and fierce 3 year old on our hands.  She brings us so much joy and we just love her to pieces. 

 

She loves to make people laugh and telling "jokes" is one of her favorite things right now. 

 

She is a girly girl just like her sister.  Everything princess and pink and purple.  If it sparkles and shines the better it must be.   Can't wait to take her to Disneyland soon and see her reaction to the princesses there.

 

 

We had close friends come over last weekend to celebrate with a fiesta party. 

 

 

Happy birthday to our big girl.  No matter how big you get, Hannah Beth, you will always be my baby. 

I love your little bear! 

Post Happy

Whew!
Six posts today to try and get caught up.  Hoping to really get back in the blog saddle these next few days. 
Happy reading!

 



We Are The Champions!!

 

Luke's football team, the Blue Devils, went undefeated 8-0 this season.  They played in tournament last weekend and won both of those game winning the title of Season Champs. 

So exciting to be on a winning team. 

He had some wonderful coaches this year and he really learned alot about the game and his position on defense. 

 

 

 

 

 

Way to go, Luke!

 

A Break from the Everyday...

 

So, last Thursday, I loaded up the kids after a morning of school for a "surprise" field trip.  We met our dear friends at the base bowling alley for a little math, lunch and a whole lot of fun.  They were so excited.  This day is one of the many reasons I LOVE LOVE LOVE homeschooling.

 

Luke looks like he is leaning a tad to try and get the ball to go right. So cute.

 

Hayley and Annaliese

 

Our resident princess.  She cracks me up wearing this tiara everywhere since Halloween.

 

Her first time bowling.  Absolutely loved it.  She kept trying to jump in line ahead of everyone and take their turn.

 

Watching and waiting to see just how many pins fall down.

Halloween 2012

 

Time for Trick or Treating again this year.  First up is the pumpkin carving.  I had all three kiddos draw the face that they wanted carved in the pumpkin and then I went to town.  Please do not laugh at my carving abilities.  They are a little weak, but the kids seemed please with the final result.

 

 

This year we had a Tim Tebow, Felicity-the American Girl, and Cinderella

 

Luke read Tebow's autobiography this past summer and LOVED IT!  So he knew exactly who he wanted to be when it was time to decide.  Thanks to Aunt Holly for coming through and finding a Tebow shirt in NYC for him.

 

 

Hannah chose Cinderella the day of Halloween.  Since she changed her mind every other day (cheerleader, ladybug, superhero...), I just let her pick an outfit from our dress up box and voila!  A princess!

 

Hayley's beautiful dress is one passed down to her from her cousins.  Their grandmother made this dress for them a few years ago and Hayley could not WAIT to dress up as her doll, Felicity.  I though she looked so precious.

 

Our motley crew

 

Chris made it home just in time to take them out to trick or treat.  Being back with an infantry battalion has been tough getting used to again for everyone.  Gone are the days of being home for dinner and free time on the weekends. We are back to unbelievable long hours, working most weekends, and on call 24hours a day.  Yikes.  Gotta love those 2 am phone calls.

  I was so happy that he was able to be home this night.  The next morning he left to go the field for 10 days.  Just a little "warm up" for us on what is to come with the work-ups and then actual deployment.

 

Enjoying the spoils...

Bates Nut Farm 2012

 

 

Well, we found our pumpkin farm while we are out in CA.  I always love heading to the pumpkin patch in the fall. A tradition we started when Luke was only 3 months old.  Although this fall day was not feeling like fall.  It was a warm 82 degrees, and let me tell you, the kids were so happy that I made them wear jeans!  Hehe!  This pumpkin farm has it all...the patch, a country store with yummy food, education center, petting zoo, maze, hayride, picnic area and pony rides.  We had a blast spending the day with some of our great friends.

 

I love this picture of Hannah.  Caught her in mid-giggle.

 

Listening intently to the life cycle of a pumpkin.

 

You can tell he was less than thrilled with the hat.  Such a good sport.  He made a very handsome Farmer Steele.

 

A female pumpkin flower!  Now, she was THRILLED with the hat.  Lookin good, Hayley Anne!

 

Hannah was the bee that pollinated the flowers. She loved the puppet and was a tad sad to have to give it back.

 

The maze!

 

Say "Yeehaw" for the hayride!

 

Can't wait to go back next year!