DISNEY WORLD

We've been talking, researching, and planning a trip to Disney World for several months and we booked a trip in December for February.  We planned on telling the kids on Christmas, but there was already so much going on (and so many toys) we decided to keep the surprise for a bit longer.

I'd been gathering some little Disney things here and there for the kids to open, hoping it would clue Avery into where we were going (we knew Ben would be clueless).  And we had lots of Disney movie nights over the holiday break.

On the morning of New Year's Eve we gave them their boxes to open.

 

Avery got it right away.  Ben's ears perked up when we said we were going on an airplane.

The planning is starting to come together, finally.  I did not realize all the planning that this trip would require.  There are spreadsheets, itineraries, reservations, tickets, and more.  We are really hoping that the crowds are low (we are going during the lowest season).

This is the first trip for Rob and myself and I think we're as excited (or more) than the kids!

Snow Fun

We didn't have a white Christmas but we had a white weekend following Christmas.

She named him Snowy.

Christmas 2014

After the kiddos went to bed we set up the Santa gifts-a dollhouse for A and a bike and scooter for B.

Side note-Avery did not ask for a dollhouse. In fact, she didn't ask for anything.  Santa had to come up with his own ideas.

Because the living room is in between our room and the kids rooms, we covered the gifts with a sheet so Avery wouldn't see it when she got up (inevitably before we got up).  We had to wake Ben up and he wasn't too happy about it.  Once they were both up, we left them pull off the sheet-not ideal but it was the best solution we could come up with!

My favorite part is when Ben says "that is nice."

After we opened presents we headed over to Mimi's for brunch-and of course more presents.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening playing with new toys and sorting through the toy madness.

I would say the kids are more than fortunate.  They were showered with gifts and have been up to their ears in new things to play with ever since.  I think we all had a wonderful Christmas. Each year seems to be better than the last.

Christmas Eve

One of the best days of the year!   We baked some goodies the night before so we were all ready to go.

Of course I made the kids stop for pictures before we headed over to Gigi and Pepaw's house.  I like to think I've conditioned them to expect this by now.  Avery's got it down.

We're still working on her brother.  Bless his heart, he tries so hard.  This is his "cheese" face.  Unfortunately he's usually moving nonstop, or throwing his head back while saying it.  He's so adorable though, and nothing can detract from that.

 

This look says "you got the pic, lady?"

Hugs!

Kisses!

My beautiful girl

The kids scoped out the gifts right away, but had to wait until after we ate.  In the meantime, Avery helped Pepaw make "shrimp sauce."  And then she proceeded to eat 3 pounds of shrimp.

Ben and Gramper-the last two hanging around the table

Avery was ready to dive into the gifts.  

Dad and Pepaw trying to get in on Avery's new makeup

Wrecky

Testing out the makeup with Gigi

The kids (and adults) were all spoiled by Santa.  We had a lovely afternoon and evening, although we missed Memaw, who wasn't able to come.

We headed home before bedtime to get into our new pajamas left by Hank, set out the cookies and milk (and of course the carrots), and read a story.

And to all a good night...

Christmas Things Part 2

My mom made a neat gingerbread house for the kids to decorate.  She put it together and did the base icing and I helped the kids add all the candies.  Ben was more interested that I thought he would be.  He was quite literally taking bites off the roof, though. And he would place a candy on the house, then take it off and eat it.  I'm estimating 50% of the candy made it to the house and remained on the house...

We decided to make another attempt to see Santa, a different one this time.   Buuuuuuut Avery chickened out graciously declined.  So we went to dinner and downtown to Winterfest.  There wasn't much to see or do there, but we hopped on the trolley and rode around downtown and enjoyed the lights.  They thought riding on the trolley was pretty cool.  Much warmer (and cheaper) than the horse-drawn carriage rides!

On Sunday Avery and I saw Big Hero 6.

We had lunch with my coworkers and Avery and Ben picked up some cookies that had been sent to the office.  Ben spent the ride home licking his.

One a not-quite freezing day we went to the zoo just to ride the train.  We practically had the whole thing to ourselves!

We made How the Grinch Crinkled Christmas Cookies for Santa.  Of course Avery had to test them.  NO SWEETS go untested by this girl.