Grandma Awaits Their Arrival (Photostory)

Danielle's mom, Roberta is enjoying a cup of coffee with her neighbor, Tanya.  Tanya stops by a couple times a week to check on her.

"That was my daughter on the phone.  They should be here in a few hours."  (Roberta)

"How exciting.  I can't wait to meet her.  I feel like I know her and the boys already."  (Tanya)

"My grandsons are going to steal your heart.  Especially the oldest  boy, Julian.  He's a little charmer."  (Roberta)

 Roberta lives in a small Queen Anne style home in the Lake Cherokee Historical district of downtown Orlando.

This is a glimpse into her living room.  She says please forgive her pink walls.  She hasn't had time to get them painted.

 Meanwhile, back on the plane, the stewardess has just served lunch.

"Can I get you guys anything else?"  (Stewardess)

"No.  We're good." (Rod)

"Mom, do I have to eat the salad?"  (Julian)

"At least try it.  Then if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it."  (Danielle) 

"Your chicken looks good, Nicole."  (Danielle)

"Hey, you got salad, too."  (Julian)

"Dad, they forgot my drink." (Nicole)

"No they didn't.  You are going to split a drink with Julian."  (Rod)

"Wait a minute, Jacob.  I'm going to give you some."  (Danielle)

"Honey, did you want to try some of mine?"  (Rod)

"It looks good, but I'm going to pass."  (Danielle)

 An hour has passed.  The stewardess has retrieved the trays and they are approaching the Orlando airport.  Julian and Jacob have both fallen asleep.

"Ooh Daddy, look!"  (Nicole)

"I see."  (Rod)

Pretty soon they will be seeing grandma Roberta!

They're Headed to Florida! (Photostory)

It's the day after Christmas and Rod, Danielle, and the kids are headed to Orlando, Florida to visit Danielle's mom.  While there, they will pay a visit to DisneyWorld.

It's almost time to go.  The plane is taking off in 3 1/2 hours.  They've planned to get there at least 2 hours ahead to make sure there aren't any problems.

The bags are packed and sitting near the door.  There's Jacob in the background playing with one of his trucks he got for Christmas.

"Dad, have you ever been to DisneyWorld?"  (Nicole)

"No, but I've heard it's a wonderful place."  (Rod)

"Mom, are you almost ready?  I think it's time for us to leave."  (Julian)

"Almost, Julian.  I'm just making sure I didn't forget anything."  (Danielle)

"How about you guys help me take the bags to the car?"  (Rod)

"Then we're leaving?"  (Julian)

"Yes.  Then we're headed to the airport."  (Rod) 

"Yay."  (Julian)

"Before you do that, go to the bathroom, so you won't have to go on the way to the airport.  Nicole, you should go, too."  (Danielle)

"But I don't have to go."  (Julian)

"Go anyway."  (Danielle)

"Come on, Julian.  Let's go."  (Nicole)

"No-oh-oh.  I don't wanna go."  (Julian, laughing)

"Honey, I'm going to take the bags to the car."  (Rod)

"We should be ready when you return."  (Danielle)

The family arrived to the airport on schedule.  After a little over an hour in the terminal, they are now set to board the plane.

The stewardess is busy talking to the pilots.

"Ouch, Jacob.  That's my nose."  (Nicole)

Jacob starts giggling.

"Mom, I'm going to put my suitcase over there."  (Julian)

"You have to wait for the stewardess.  Here she comes."  (Danielle)

"Welcome aboard.  Sorry to keep you waiting."  (Stewardess)

"Come this way.  I'll show you to your seats.  You can leave the bags.  I will take care of them."  (Stewardess)

"Here you are."  (Stewardess)

"Oooh, I'm going to sit near the window."  (Julian)

"Nicole, you sit next to Julian."  (Danielle)

"Nicole, here's your backpack."  (Rod)

"Thanks, Dad."  (Nicole)

The Stewardess heads back to put the bags away.

"Alright, Jacob.  Let's get you out of this hat and sweater."  (Danielle)

"I need to call Mom.  I told her I would call when we were about to take off."  (Danielle)

"Call Mom."  (Danielle)

*Ringggg  Ringggg*

"Hello?"  (Danielle's mom)

"Hi, Mom.  We just got on the plane.  It should be taking off in the next ten minutes."  (Danielle)

"Mommy, I want to talk to Grandma."  (Julian)

"I think we are arriving at gate 42, but we'll meet you at baggage claim.  We can't wait to see you!  We'll see you in a couple hours."  (Danielle)

"Mom, why didn't you let me speak to her?"  (Julian)

"Because we are on the plane and we're not supposed to be on the phone.  You will see her real soon, and you can talk to her in person." (Danielle)

The Morning After at the Redmonds (Photostory)

The Redmonds are the first family to use to new Pink Dreamhouse.  For this first story, I left the walls as is.  I did have a problem with lighting.  I need to filter the light to avoid the spotlight.  I'll work on that next time.  In the meantime, it's the day after Christmas ......

"Good morning, honey.  The coffee is ready.  Have a seat.  I'll bring it over."  (Sylvia)

"Thanks"  (Christopher)

"Well another Christmas is gone.  Every year I say I'm going to get things done early, and I never do."  (Sylvia)

"But everything was great.  Just like it is every year.  Are we going out visiting today?"  (Christopher)

"I don't think so.  I promised Jessica she could have a couple of friends over later.  This morning she is making blueberry muffins for them."  (Sylvia)

Sylvia finishes her coffee and heads upstairs to check on the baby and then get dressed.  Christopher remains for awhile, then he too goes to get dressed.

After getting dressed, Sylvia checks in on Sophia, again.

She is still sound asleep.  All the Christmas festivities must have tuckered her out.

Sylvia heads downstairs to get things prepared for Jessica.  She has located the recipe for blueberry muffins.  

"Did you wash your face and hands?"  (Sylvia)

"Yep."  (Jessica)

"Mom, where's the box?"  (Jessica)

"What box?"  (Sylvia)

"The box of blueberry muffin mix."  (Jessica)

"Oh, that box.  I thought we would make them from scratch instead of using the box mix." (Sylvia)

"What is scratch?"  (Jessica)

"That's when you use the fresh ingredients.  It's much healthier for you.  I need to get another bowl and the measuring cups.  Pour the blueberries in that bowl."  (Sylvia)

"Okay.  The blueberries are in."  (Jessica)

"Good.  I have the measuring cups.  We will need those in a minute."  (Sylvia)

All of a sudden Sylvia can hear Sophia.  

"Honeeey?  Can you get Sophiaa?"  (Sylvia yells upstairs)

"Okay."  (Christopher)

Sophia is waiting for someone to come get her.

"Hey pretty girl.  You ready to get out of there?"  (Dad)

Meanwhile, Jessica has made a lot of progress with her homemade muffin mix.

"Should I add more blueberries, Mom?"  (Jessica)

"No.  I think you have enough."  (Sylvia)

"I think it's done."  (Jessica)

"Well grab your muffin pan.  I already sprayed it with cooking spray."  (Sylvia)

"Good morning, sweetie.  You slept a long time."  (Sylvia to Sophia)

"Come to Mommy."  (Sylvia)

"Dad look.  I'm making blueberry muffins without the box."  (Jessica)

"That's great.  What's next?"  (Dad)

"I have to put it in the muffin pan and then it goes in the oven."  (Jessica)

"I guess Mommy needs to get you some breakfast."  (Sylvia to Sophia)

We will check back on the Redmonds, later.  If all goes well, the muffins will be done when we get back.  I have to hop over to the Taylor's home now.  Today is the day Rod, Danielle, and the kids leave for Florida.