Honk If You're Happy That We're Going to Disney

We didn't imagine we'd ever take another real vacation since becoming farmers but the Lord worked out all the details for us to spend ten days in California having fun and making memories at a family wedding and then at Disney, Legoland, and the beach.

The younger kids enjoyed the flights as much as some of the Disney rides.

We flew into Los Angeles and drove to Santa Maria where Taylor (my nephew - named after the ship that brought my mother to America) was being married to his college sweetheart, Sarah.

My sister, Teresa (named after my aunt who died as an infant), and my brother-in-law, Dan.
Sheridan and her cousin, Tucker, decided the occasion called for some fancy dancing.

Elliott and Oliver were groomsmen

With guitars, back packs, luggage, and a 50 pound suitcase filled with food, we headed to Anaheim, CA after the wedding to enjoy a great vacation.

We feared we were headed into the belly of the beast leaving our conservative, southern town in Virginia for carefree California but we were pleasantly surprised to see the places we visited were no different than our hometown in the south.

Disney always impresses us with their first class service, impeccable facilities, and family-friendly atmosphere.

During the evening turn-down service the housekeeping staff prepares your bed for the night and leaves a treat on the pillow. Our first night they surprised us with rice crispy Mickey Mouse treats with the ears dipped in dark chocolate. Yum!

One of our first stops was to the Lego store in Downtown Disney.
Stephen was never more than a phone call away - which Meredith really looked forward to each day.
Meredith looks so good expecting. Although little Maggie is measuring right on schedule, Meredith has the smallest tummy.
Welcome to Disneyland!

Meredith spent most of her ride time on the carousels in the parks.

Hey Oliver, there may have been a height restriction on walking through Mickey's miniature house.

Elliott and Oliver took Sullivan and Harrison to Legoland one day. They had so much fun!

Tim and the girls all went to enjoy a day in the sun while the boys were at Legoland.
Tim and Sheridan heading out to ride some waves. The California water was so cold that Meredith and I were quite content staying on the shore.
Sullivan celebrated his 12th birthday while we were at Disney
Happy birthday, sweet Sullivan. You bring so much happiness and laughter into our lives. We love you so much!
We made a make-shift birthday cake out of Little Debbie brownies and candles.
Sheridan never left the hotel without speaking to Goofy in the lobby.
The hotel had a movie theater where children could watch Disney movies.
The parks had great fireworks or light shows each evening.
That's one mighty nice big brother to hold a big 10 year old on his shoulders during an entire show so the younger brother could see.
Being an Alexander means that most nights have to conclude with a bowl of ice cream.
The hotel has an all Disney TV channel where bedtime stories are read to the children each night.
It sure made going to bed a lot more fun for Sheridan.

Raw milk can be purchased in the stores in CA. We loaded up when we arrived so we'd have milk to go on the many boxes of coupon bargain cereal we brought in our suitcase.
We cooked out for most of our meals. What great memories we made working together to fix meals each day.

We had so much fun swimming in the pools at the resort.

The older guys enjoyed 5am swims, some of us waited for the heat of the day and best sun, and Timmy and I looked forward to the hot tub at night.

Meredith and Maggie soaking in the warm California sun.
Everyone loved the wet rides.
Sheridan rode the "Tower of Terror", a fast-dropping elevator ride. It starts with scary Twilight Zone music so Sheridan would close her ears and eyes.
A trip to an amusement park has no shortage of waiting in lines.
We love those silly pictures they take while you're on the rides.
Meredith took Sheridan to the Princess Breakfast one morning.
Sheridan loved meeting all the princesses.



We are blessed to have some adoring princes and our very own little princess in our family.
At Sheridan's request, Elliott sweetly agreed to help her practice her fancy dancing.
On our last night in Disney, we enjoyed the big parade.
Oliver and I went to the parade area long before it began to save seats so we'd be able to see everything. We were very close!
Mary Poppins
After a fun-filled vacation, we headed home with many happy memories filling our thoughts. We are so thankful that the Lord allowed us to enjoy such a wonderful time together.

The Message of the Box

We have an old, wooden box in our family room that serves as a coffee table but more importantly - a reminder of where we came from and how we want to live. The box is very special to me because it once contained every single earthly possession that my mother, aunt, and grandparents owned when they came to the United States as immigrants from Hungary.

They had endured much turmoil as their country was torn apart in World War II and they were displaced and living as refugees prior to coming to America. It was during this time that my grandparents faced the sorrow of burying their four month old baby girl, my Aunt Theresia, who died from starvation. My mother remembers her parents going from one farmer to the next begging for milk for her little sister whom my grandmother was too malnourished to nurse. As refugees, they did not receive any compassion so the baby did not survive.

Thankful for the offer to work for a Norfolk, VA businessman in exchange for travel expenses aboard the U.S.S. General Taylor, my grandfather gathered up his wife and two daughters and headed to the land of opportunity. Every possession needed for a family of four to begin a new life was neatly placed in the single box.

One might assume that my mother and aunt, in an effort to never again face such poverty, would have become intent on amassing material possessions and large bank account balances. However, they have lived their entire adult lives in complete agreement with the message of the box: Live simple, be grateful for what you have, and value family over possessions.

It was in this spirit that my aunt called me a couple of months ago to discuss my sister's son's upcoming wedding in California. She said that she knew how difficult it would be for my family to make a road trip across the country. She explained that she had accumulated more money than she needed and wanted to bless my family with airfare to California. And not only my family, but also my sister's family living in Florida, and my mom living in North Carolina.

At first thought, it seemed unconscionable to accept such an extravagant gift. But as I began to reflect on the kind and selfless traits that have always characterized my aunt, it seemed only prideful to decline her offer. So because of Nana's generosity, we were able to fly to my nephew's wedding and then even enjoy a vacation afterward!

How very blessed I am to have an aunt who, through her example, comes alongside my family and permeates my children's lives with her testimony of simplicity and generosity.

In Nana's desire to live simple and value family over possessions she whispers the message of the box. How blessed my family is to be part of her life.

Nana with the kids

Thank you, Nana, for flying all of us to California!
(My sister's family, my mom, and my family)

Fun-Filled Weekend

Free Food at Chick-fil-A

We were excited to hear about the free Chick-fil-A day last Friday. If you dressed like a cow, you got a free meal.

As exciting as it sounded, I didn't figure that cow costume-making would fit into my day after taking the younger children for a play date at the lake with friends and then rushing home to put the first coat of paint on our newly sanded kitchen floor.

However, Tim and Oliver showed their hidden costume-creating talent as they gathered feed bags, spray paint, duct tape, and old clothes and outfitted the whole bunch of us. They even made a costume for Jason, our farm intern.

We didn't put too much pressure on Zach, our other intern, to dress for the occasion since he's a vegetarian but we enjoyed taking him along for ice cream and french fries.

A fun night and another adventure in the Alexander quest to find free food!

A Day at Polyface Farm

We were excited to be among the nearly 2000 people from all over the U.S. who attended Polyface Farm's big tour that is held only once every three years.

Joel Salatin
(The farmer we're all trying to copy!)

The kids loved seeing so many of their farming friends there. I can't describe the feeling of hope I have for this country when I'm around these outstanding young adults. They're the best.

Sheridan, like Meredith at the same age, loves making new friends everywhere she goes.

Sam, Lucy, and Sheridan

We came home from the farm day challenged, inspired, and encouraged. What a great day.


Family Economics Conference Reunion

On Sunday afternoon we hosted a fellowship for new friends we met at the Family Economics Conference in Raleigh last March.


What a wonderful afternoon spent under the shade trees, chatting with new friends, while all the children enjoyed swinging, roasting marshmallows, and making memories.


With a weekend this fun, our summer is off to a great start.
Ah - we can't wait to share the details of the wonderful and unexpected blessing the Lord has arranged for our family to make some incredible memories together...

Till then.....