Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 30, 2012

A Little More Christmas...

We have really been relaxing this Christmas break (well, ever since we returned home from Disney).  We went to Mass yesterday, and today we went down to Cincinnati to visit with my aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandma before she leaves for South America.  Go Bears!


The girls before Mass...


The girls and Great-Grandma T...


Cousins...


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!

We are having a very Merry Christmas, and hope you are too!  Yesterday we went to Mass and then opened presents from each other.  This morning the girls were thrilled with everything Santa had left them...apparently he hasn't been paying close attention to their behavior, because they got way too much!  But we love them, and are so thankful to spend another Christmas together!


Merry Christmas from our family to yours...


The girls ready for Christmas Eve Mass...


Christmas morning...



 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas in Indiana...

We drove to Indiana to celebrate Christmas with Daddy's family!  The girls had a great time playing with all their cousins (except Tommy who was sick).  So nice that there are so many little ones around the same age. 


                                                                       Cousins!









Friday, December 21, 2012

Happiest Place on Earth...

We just had one of these best trips to Disney World...EVER!  While this trip had been planned and discussed well in advance, we left out one small detail to the girls...our friends were going with us.  They were so surprised, confused, and super excited when we got to our gate and saw them already there.  It was so fun!  We knew it was going to be happy vacation when the girls even had a great time on the plane and the Disney bus to the hotel. 

What?! No First Class seats?!


We stayed at the new Art of Animation Resort, with rooms right next door.  It was perfect for us...a private bedroom with its own bathroom, a living area with two pull-out beds, a kitchenette, and a second bathroom.  Sunday morning we got ready for our first day.  We decided to start at Magic Kingdom...it's a classic!  

Our hotel...



Let's go!


Happiest Place on Earth...

 

Main Street, USA...



 


 


Thunder Mountain...


Space Mountain first-timers...

 


After we had our fill of the Magic Kingdom, we headed over to Hollywood Studios.  We wanted to ride Toy Story Mania.  We also took the big girls (Logan, Lilli, and Carsyn) on Rockin' Roller Coaster.  So fun!
Hollywood Studios...





On Monday we started out our day at Hollywood Studios so the girls could see Beauty and the Beast (we were hoping to see their dance teacher's son who is in the cast).  I also took Carsyn and Logan on the Tower of Terror.  Afterward we went to Epcot.  Daddy, Drew, and Tony went fishing, and Kirstin and Lilli hung back at the room.  Daddy met us in Mexico for lunch...empanadas were delicious!  A little later Kirstin and Lilli found us.  We had so much fun walking around World Showcase, getting pictures with the characters, and riding Soarin'! 

Maren...


Carsyn...


Logan...


Love them...


Just the girls...


Epcot at night...


Tuesday morning we started the day at Animal Kingdom.  We went on the Safari ride and Expedition Everest before going to Dinoland and the Festival of the Lion King.  The big girls LOVED Expedition Everest, and Maren got picked for the parade during the Lion King...so fun!

Tree of life...


Expedition Everest...



Maren stole the show...


We went back to our hotel rooms after Animal Kingdom to rest a bit and change for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom.  We were so excited.  I had been waiting all day for the free cookies, cocoa, and cider!  The kids got to meet Merida from Brave, and we got to ride any ride we wanted with practically NO waiting!  And it snowed!

All ready for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party...


Family photo...

 

Matching Merida...

Dumbo!


 

Tired, but ready for the parade...



Wednesday was our last day at the parks.  We decided to start at Hollywood Studios (so we could make Drew ride the Rockin' Roller Coaster) and ride Toy Story again.  We had so much fun!

Cute girls...


Rock'n'roll...



After Hollywood Studios we took a boat ride over to Epcot.  We ate fish'n'chips for lunch, got pictures with some characters, and rode Soarin' again!  Oh, and we also saw Santa!  We ended the night in Germany eating dinner at the Biergarten.  It was so fun...all you can eat buffet and watching the girls dance the Polka!  Great end to a great trip.



Santa and Mrs. Claus...


Eeyore...NOT impressed...
 
 

Guten tag...





On our last day, we checked out of our rooms and went to Downtown Disney.  We were all bummed to be leaving!  The truly was one of our best Disney trips ever!  We are so glad that our friends came and shared the experience!

We heart Disney!


Friday, December 14, 2012

Christmas Party at School...

What a horribly tragic day!  As soon as I returned home from my morning walk, I turned on MSNBC like I always do.  The breaking news was something no parent ever wants to see...a school shooting.  I went into school to deliver Christmas gifts to the girls' teachers and for Logan's Christmas party, with just a vague understanding of the story in Connecticut.  As the story became clear that 20 parents lost their little children, along with six adults...I just felt sick!  I was never so happy to see my girls get off the school bus this afternoon.  I am definitely going to be giving them extra hugs and kisses tonight!
 
The girls before school this morning...


Logan and her friends at their Christmas party...


Monday, December 10, 2012

School Christmas Programs...

All three girls had their school Christmas programs tonight.  Usually they would be on two different nights, but this year they were back to back...first Maren's, then Carsyn and Logan's.  While it was uncomfortable to sit in the bleachers that long, it was nice to only have to get them ready one night.  Everything went well, and the girls enjoyed seeing their friends all dressed up. 

 Maren and her bestie...


Maren and Max...


1st grade...


Hanging out in between shows...


3rd grade...


5th grade...


Carsyn and Rois...


Logan and her friends...


Fun bunch...