Saturday, March 3, 2012

Highlights of Christmas 2011

Making Christmas Cookies with our cousins.

Looking at Christmas Lights on Peacock Lane, and around the neighborhood.

Working on last year's Christmas album... so I guess the Advent card should say, "Look at Christmas albums from the past".

Christmas Eve - Brunch on the Columbia River for Greg's Birthday.

Christmas Eve at Aunt Jamie and Uncle Kurt's. They gave the girls Pillow Pets... how did they know? :)

Setting out cookies and carrots for Santa and his crew.

Matching jammies on Christmas morning.

Kicking back enjoying all of the new toys!

Merry Christmas!

Still Catching Up

Breakfast with Santa

This was our second year attending the benefit show for Cystic Fibrosis. They always do such a good job; the girls love watching the dancers and the show. And, of course, chatting with Santa is always a highlight! Ali asked for a blue cover for her DS and Merilyn asked for baby doll that poops and potties. (Check with me first, Santa!)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Rewind: Disneyland...A Very Long Post :)

Whew! I've been MIA lately... life has been busy; lots going on with our family! So, now I'm backing up and catching up...

Thanks to budget cuts... we now have a Thanksgiving Break. (Fortunately or unfortunately?) We decided to take advantage of the time and take the girls to Disneyland. Merilyn was the perfect age for the adventure! Everything was so magical - it was delightful watching her.

Flying to California - That was a big part of the adventure! Especially since Trav forgot to take his pocket knives (yes... more than one!) out of his backpack...

Day 1: We actually didn't go to Disney this day. It was raining, so we walked down to a theater near our condo. We watched Puss in Boots in 3D. Later that night we made a spaghetti dinner and had everyone join us in our room.

Day 2: We hit the park today! It was a beautiful, sunny day.

Ali and Natalie needed a little convincing that they weren't too old, nor too cool, to get on the carousel ride. Thank you, Gramma, for that little nudge. I'm sure they ended up enjoying it after all... :)

After lunch, Ali and Natalie went with the Daddies on the "big kid" rides, while Casey and I took Meri and Johnna on Dumbo, the Casey Jr. train, and more carousel time.

That night we came back for the Holiday parade. So cool!

The next day we took a break from the park and went putt putt golfing. It was another beautiful day! We enjoyed playing, and pizza after. Then it was back to the room for naps before hitting the park for the evening.


Disney California
One of the days (I've lost track of which one) we spent time over on the California side. We took the girls on the Tower of Terror... Ali loved it, (which makes Travis happy!) however, Merilyn asked if we could go home as soon as we got off... and please promise that we won't be doing it again!

Here I am showing Mer how much "fun" we were having!

We stood in line for.ever for the new Buzz and Woody 3D lazer-blaster ride. The girls loved it though, so I guess it was worth the wait.

Thanksgiving Day
Our family went into the park early hoping to get on The Pirates of the Caribbean ride. (It still wasn't open!) But, we got to meet Minnie Mouse and Pinocchio, so the girls were happy. :)

From there we met everyone over at Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast. It was such good food! :) Although, the girls were more interested in meeting all of the characters.

After breakfast, we went back in and hit Autotopia. Ali was thrilled to have her own license! :) I rode with Mer... and I think I still have a little whiplash!


We went to Mike's daughter's house for Thanksgiving dinner and football, of course! We had a great time. Thank you, Helen!

After dinner we went back to Disney - again. We were set to make the most out of our 3-day pass! We took several more turns on the rides, and snuggled in for the Fantasia water+lazer-light show. It was awesome! By this time The Pirates ride was finally open, so we jumped on that! Then on to the Jungle Cruise, (at night, all by ourselves... it was so cool!) and finally to the Tiki Room. We closed down the park! :)

It was an amazing, fun... memorable trip.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Bring on Christmas!

A Christmas story for each night of December.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

Gifts are made for IAs and parent helpers.

Cookies and treats are made for the girls' teachers.

We are ready!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas Programs

Ali had her program first... it was actually still November when her class performed. In fact... it completely snuck up on me! (So, thank you Gramma, for helping her get a beautiful dress... the night before... oops!)
By the time I got there (early, even!) the auditorium was packed. Our seats weren't too close to the stage, therefore, the pictures of the performance were not great.

Merilyn's program came next. She was right in the front row, and our seats were closer, so the photos for her performance are much better! She was a bit of a cheeseball... whenever she saw the camera, she either smiled, posed, or hammed it up.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Fashion Sense?

Or not...? Merilyn likes to change her outfit several times a day. Two things never change, however, lipstick and hair bows. It seems her new favorite accessory - that seems to go with everything - her cowgirl vest (from Halloween).