Decorating for Christmas

On Saturday, we started doing a little Christmas decorating. JM helped put up the outside decorations. I think this may have been the first year (since we moved to AL) that he has actually helped with outside decor. I pulled the "I am pregnant card" -- a card that I have rarely ever pulled in the last thirteen years while being pregnant six times. Quite honestly, I am older and this pregnancy eats up all my extra energy (the energy that is left after chasing around 4 other kids)! Anyway, he did a great job!

While JM and Tyler were gone hunting, the girls and I put up the trees in their rooms. Actually, this year they did all the decorating themselves. I was able to walk away knowing that the trees were not perfect and it was OK.

Lyndsey's room with her growing angel/fairy collection and my classic pooh ornaments.

Lauren's room has the snowflake and snowflake collection that I started for her and Corynne years ago.

Corynne has the neon teenager tree. It is really quite cute and I love the colors, but it is not a tree I would normally decorate in my house. It matches her room perfectly!

On Sunday after church, the kids help hang the ornaments on the family tree. Everyone was really excited. Even Tyler had fun!

After the tree was decorated, we had to pose for a few pics. Oh, mom...

And then the dancing around the Christmas tree began...literally! The carols had been playing in the background for quite awhile and the kids could not hold off any longer!!!

Another year of fun memories!

One eventful weekend!

We made it home safely and uneventfully from Disney World late Wednesday night. On Thanksgiving morning, the girls help me make a Chocolate Cake and Pecan pies to take over to Aunt Sheryl & Uncle Terry's for dinner. Dad had to go to work today, but he met us at the Treadwells' for dinner. The kids had a blast with their "cousins" as we call them! It was a FULL house of fun! Aunt Sheryl even put together a scavenger hunt which was a hit with the kids! Thank you, Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Terry for inviting us! We had a great time!

On Friday, we had our family Christmas photo taken. Hopefully, I will get the cards ordered soon!!! Then the kids and I went over to the "new" house to see what kind of destruction has happened while we where gone! WOW! WOW! WOW!

These pics are the backyard BEFORE. It was a cement paradise (ha!ha!) complete with a 3 car carport.

And this is the NOW. Oh yes, completely open to a major road. Our new neighbors are loving us right now (NOT)!!!!

This is Lauren & Lyndsey's room BEFORE. The bay window is actually the window you see in the backyard pic above on the left side of the house.

And this is their room right NOW.

Bad pic (sorry I did not realize the lens was dirty at the time). Yes, the room is a little smaller because this used to be the master bedroom and the bay window is going away in the next few days because the new master bedroom wall will be there.

Corynne got a peek at her new room. Before it was just open attic above the living/dining room. Today it was framed out so she could "see" her room.

The crews were hard at work today (Black Friday), so we did not hang around long. Guess they wanted to get their hours ($$) before Christmas!

Tyler and JM went hunting on Saturday. Tyler got his first deer.

Sunday topped off our weekend with Lauren learning how to ride a 2 wheeled bike. Yea!!!!

Disney Day 6

We are heading home today, but Dad planned one last surprise for his princesses. Dad signed the girls up for a magical Princess Tea Party. The party was hosted by the Rose Petal Fairy and the special guest was Sleeping Beauty. It was a morning of tea, sandwiches, storytime, and fancy fun!

Lyndsey's favorite part was pouring her own "tea" from her own ceramic tea pot. Yes, this made me very nervous, but she did great (and drank her whole pot plus some)!

Corynne was the perfect princess. I love seeing her enjoy these last few years of princess fun. I know the "big girl reality" is going to be just around the corner, and these sweet times with my precious Corynne will be little girl memories.

Oh, Lauren is our spoiled rotten princess. She loves the spot light, and the spot light loves her. She is growing up to fast, but she will always be my little princess.

Thank you, Daddy! We love you!

Disney Day 5

We got a slower start this morning. I got up and fixed breakfast, and then the kids were off for some Ft. Wilderness fun. Tyler went fishing. Corynne saddled up for a trail ride, and Lyndsey and Lauren hung around for a few pony rides. It was a wonderful "nature" morning, and one of the reasons we keep coming back to Ft. Wilderness. (Because it is surely not for the comfortable beds!!!!!)

Now this is one satisfied girl! Corynne LOVED the trail ride thru the woods. Next year I am going to go with her because trail rides are one of my favs (but not when I am pregnant!)

Next we jumped into the car to head over to Hollywood Studios for the afternoon and evening. Again, the plan was for JM to ride the BIG rides with the big kids while I entertain the little kids with the great shows and smaller rides. This plan of attack has worked for us the last few days. My group saw Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and the High School Musical show. Lauren was picked from the crowd to dance a little in the HSM3 street show. She was on cloud 9! We also played in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.

JMs group went to the Indiana Jones stunt show and Tower of Terror.

We met up for the Lights & Action car stunt show. We saw our neighbors from Lake Jordan who convinced Tyler to go back and ride the Aerosmith ride. It turned out to be his FAVORITE DISNEY RIDE.....thank you Mr. Golden!!!

What a great way to end our Disney Park vacation!

Disney Day 4

Today I cashed in on my one and only birthday present! I got up early and went for a massage and fascial at the Grand Floridian Spa. AWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! Relaxation at its best! Thank you, JM, for the best birthday present ever!

While I was at the spa, JM got the kids fed, dressed, and "delivered" to Animal Kingdom. We really did not plan on going to Animal Kingdom, because 3 years ago to kids really did not enjoy it. But Tyler has been watching the "Must Do" channel at Disney, and he discovered a few fun roller coasters and rapids that we had to go try! I met the family at Animal Kingdom. JM had already done the petting zoo and the Safari with the kids, so I was just in time for the Nemo Musical and to watch them try the great rides!

Tyler and Corynne loved Expedition Everest and the Rapids. Two kids were soaked after the rapids!!! I do not remember how many times they road Expedition Everest!

While the big people enjoyed the rides, the little ones found a great spot in Camp Mickey & Minnie to dance with a few woodlands characters. Then we heard a store by Pocahanas.

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe as we were leaving the Animal Kingdom. The kids were so hungry even though it feeling like al we do is eat on this Disney dining plan. Dad let the kids have their favorite dessert to end the day, but the kids were a little disappointed that it did not come out with the flaming sparkler!

It did not slow them down....they attacked!!!!

After we got back to the cabin, the kids put on their swim suits for a night at the pool. They swam and swam and swam.

Disney Day 3

Our third day at Disney began with a Princess Breakfast at Epcot. These early breakfasts are great because you get into the parks early, eat a great breakfast, and get to the rides while most people are just going thru the entrance gates! The down fall is getting up early on vacation!!!

The girls had a great time seeing a few more princesses, then we were off to explore Epcot. First stop was the character greeting station. We walked right up to all 4 characters without a wait! Awesome!

We all went on the Nemo ride and explored the "water area" together. The big kids and Dad love the Test track and Soaring.

We had a great day of rides and shows before we decided to leave Epcot. We returned to our little cabin in the woods (Ft. Wilderness). Everyone was exhausted, so we decided to get pizza and relax!

Disney Day 2

Our 2nd day at Disney started with breakfast at 1900 Town Fair (aka the Grand Floridian). We dined with a few characters and enjoyed the smells of the HUGE Gingerbread House.

Next stop was Downtown Disney for a little slow paced playing, shopping, and dining. First we rode the newest and highest Disney attraction. It was a tethered helium balloon.

The girls had appointments at the Bibbity-Bobbity Boutique for their Princess Makeovers! I have never seen kids sit so still without complaints or tears while someone tugged and pulled on their hair! The fairy godmothers do have a little bit of magic!!!!!

Tada.....presenting our princesses!

While the girls were being beautified, the boys rented a boat to play around in the water!