Disney Vacation 5-13-11

This past Friday, we took a quick, impromptu trip down to Disney World. We knew it would be a few years before we could get down this way again, so we made the short 4 hour drive to Orlando. This was Addie's expression when she saw the Disney World welcome sign...:)

Not sure who was more excited...me or her!

Getting all dressed up to meet the Princesses.

The Princesses were so sweet to Addie. In fact, Cinderella asked if she had been in her closet! Addie says that they are sisters now! Oh my!

Us with the main man.....err.... mouse! :)


Addie's first sight of the castle.

We loved the parade!

Addie just LOVES Buzz!

Standing in line for Small World...I just LOVE her hat!!

In fact, she was being so generous with it, she put it on me so I could wear it! That girl is funny!

Ready to ride!

She loved riding Dumbo!

We got a sweet treat before riding on the tea cups...she informed me we had to get a pink one!

Enjoying ourselves on the Magic Carpet Ride.

Getting ready to fly with Peter Pan.

Waiting so patiently in line for Pirates of the Caribbean.

We love Goofy! Addie spotted him first!

Around 5:00, Addie was purely exhausted from the heat and excitement of the day. She passed out in Daddy's arms, so we decided to do some indoor shows. She slept for nearly an hour in her stroller!

Eating dinner together after her nap.
Our sweet family before the fireworks show.

Trying on her ears as we waited for it to get dark.

This was Addie's expression when she saw Tinker Bell "fly" and touch the castle to begin the fireworks show.

We had a tiring day, but are so glad that Addie could experience the wonder that is Disney World.

Graduation Weekend 5-7-11

A few days before graduation, Justin's sisters flew in to spend some time with us. It has been since our wedding six years ago, that we've all been together! In fact, this was the first time Jen Jen met Addie in person! We had a wonderful time together and are looking forward to this being an annual trip! :) We took Erin to Hello There Cupcake in Macon in celebration of her birthday...YUMMY!

Addie was so spoiled with these two...after all, that's what aunts are for!

Graduation Day - AM practice. These four guys have helped each other throughout school.

The family...

all three rows full...Love our family! Some traveled by plane and some by car...some from the West Coast and some from the East Coast.


Getting ready for Daddy's "Gadulation"!

Being hooded...

So thankful and so proud! While Justin was receiving his diploma, I found myself overcome with tears of gratitude to our Lord for His seeing us through. He called us to something so daunting four years ago, and He saw us through! Thank you Jesus!

Dr. Justin David Mann and Family

The day after Graduation, we loaded up the house in Macon with the eventual destination of Baltimore, MD. This lone picture doesn't do it justice...this was the most difficult move we've ever made! Glad to be on this side of it.

Family Pictures

One of our friends here took these pictures for us at the Medical School...absolutely love them! Thank you Joy! :)

Check out our online album: http://www.joyfulportrait.com/Mann.html

Easter Egg Hunt and Last Day of School

Today was a bittersweet day for Addie and us...it was her final day at her preschool before our move. (We had to pull her out a bit early due to my traveling with work.) It also happened to be the Easter Egg Hunt! We were so excited and what made it even more special was that Daddy got to come! Yay!

Ready for the hunt...and she's off!"

Looking everywhere! This year she did a great job of looking for the eggs...she even found some I didn't see!

Daddy and his girl.

Our sweet family.

Love my girl!

Some of the girls in Addie's class decided to share their eggs...it was so sweet! Pretty girl!

Going to see the Easter bunny...last year she wouldn't even stand in front of him!

Our attempt at a class picture. Washing up before the party...Gigi would be proud! :)

That cupcake really did look good, however, I decided NOT to sneak a bite..you can probably guess why. We have thoroughly enjoyed every moment that Addie has attended LDBC preschool. They have always shown us so much love, and Addie has really grown and matured there. The Lord knew what we needed in a preschool when He sent us to Macon, and we will miss our friends there terribly.

April Showers...Bring Tornadoes!

Tuesday morning around 1:30 am, Justin and I awoke to the sound of rushing wind and debris hitting our bedroom windows. We jumped up, grabbed Addie, woke up Allison (who was staying with us for my Spring Break), and ran to the bathroom. I remember just sitting in the tub, holding my blanket-wrapped little girl, and just praying for our safety. I had never been through anything that sounded this bad! When the storm died down, Justin looked out the front windows and saw nothing but tree branches in between the flashes of lightening. Around 3:30, Justin ventured outside and met up with some of our neighbors that had gathered in the street. They too had noticed the damage and were trying to figure out what had happened. Upon closer inspection, we had so many oaks down around us that we, and our neighbors, were blocked in all sides. He started clearing our driveway with axe and chain saw, and by 6 am, the city had come with bulldozers to clear our road. As daylight hit, the destruction was amazing, not necessarily at our house, but with our neighbors. In fact, one of our neighbor's houses had been blown off its foundation and was held up only by the SUV under the carport! The Lord truly spared our house and we only had five to six oak trees down in the yard. They were blow down in the most perfect spot, and could have easily crushed our house while we slept. The only burden we had to bare besides getting our yard cleared up, was having to do without power for over 40 hours...a pain, but not nearly what it could have been without God's protection!

The "After" picture!

Several of our neighbors and men from our church came out on Friday and Saturday, and helped us clear the land! We put a sign for free firewood, and would you believe, we got rid of ALL that wood in 2 days?!! I am just amazed!

On a side note: after this week, I think I deserve another Spring Break! :)