the most wonderful time of the year...

Our December this year has been the best.  After Disney, we came home to finish things up for Christmas, a few birthday parties and now headed into the new year.

For Christmas Eve we went to Mom's for lunch and exchanged a few gifts with the family.

 

 

We did a group picture this year...something we try to do every year, but sometimes never happens.

life is way too short to always be serious...

Mom adds a little more to the store building every year.  Plans are already being made for next year ;)

That night we went to  Bruce and Marilyn's to see the cousins and Uncle Bobby and Aunt Harriet.

a little blurry..

Christmas morning, Stella woke up at 4am and couldn't get all the way back to sleep.  She woke me up every 10-15 minutes asking if it was time yet.  Sawyer came in at 6:30...they ganged up on us...so we all got up.

his big gun he asked for from Santa

Since we'd been up so early, we joined Mom and Dad at their house for biscuits and gravy, and all the works at 8:00. Nice!  After breakfast and gifts, we all went home and slept for 2 hours. :)

Daddy getting in on the fun with Stella's flying fairy.

The Nixon Christmas was the following Friday at Aunt Frances'.  I always love how the piano is a part of our get gatherings.  I'm going to do my best to make sure that never changes.

The grandkids minus Jacob

The cousins minus Chris- trying to hold it together here...

 

 Tyler and Stella- so sweet together.

the happiest place on earth... part 1

A few weeks back, we headed to Disney for the first time with the kids!!  I think I was excited just as much as they were.  Michael and I had both been, but of course, if was years ago and so much had changed.  We were so glad Mom was able to go along with us.

 

The first princess, well..mermaid, we met was Stella's favorite. Ariel! She was so good to talk to the kids and spend time talking about life under the sea. :)

 

This one is getting framed to go in her room, for sure.  The whole day she was beaming because Ariel told her they were best friends. :)

Under the Sea Journey ride

first Mickey ears ice cream! :)

Electric Parade- here's Tinkerbell...

The lights were gorgeous- going at Christmas was a treat, for sure.

Our first Mickey ears.

While we were there, we visited the Grand Floridian Resort. We've watched the guys on Food Network build the life size gingerbread houses, and promised ourselves that if we were ever in Disney at Christmas time, to go see.  It was something to see, for sure...but the hotel itself was amazing.

 

  We felt like the Hillbilly's on their marble floor and grand staircase :)

The ingredients it actually took to make the gingerbread house

They were selling treats from the inside- so neat.

 

We checked out Downtown Disney one morning. 

That evening we saw Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage.  It was wonderful!  Sawyer grabbed tight to Michael a little when the beast was angry, but we convinced him he was a nice guy.

Sawyer fell in LOVE with woody and Buzz Lightyear.  Woody signed Sawyer's doll for him :)

Here's a portion of the Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios.  I was so glad to see the manger scene and the 3 kings as the center of the lights.  Stella looked around and said, "Mommy, I know where we are...Bethlehem!!"  :)

Sawyer tried opening their doors to get in :)

On the Toy Story Mania ride- it was like a big video game...so fun!

 

more to come... this was only 2 days!