All Things Christmas

We got home from Disney LATE on the 23rd, so we had to finish Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve.  Yes, we were those people!  Then we went to Christmas Eve services.  

 And you'll notice in the background that our tree is still not decorated! Shameful, I know.  Between Drew's birthday, our anniversary, Andrew's birthday party, all the choir festivities at church, and our trip to Disney there was just NO time!  The tree was up...it just wasn't decorated.   We got to that around midnight!

Christmas morning came early for these tired and weary souls.  Normally we have to go wake Andrew up, but when Aubrey started fussing I could hear Andrew.  He was already in the living room checking out the loot! (Hey!  The tree has ornaments on it...but I confess, only 1/2 of them!) lol

Drew's goodies.  Andrew picked out the tie at his school's Santa Shop all by himself.  

 Aubrey's First Christmas

 Santa Baby

We had a couple of hours to enjoy Santa's delivery before it was time to hop in the car and drive to Albertville for Christmas dinner at Granna and Paw-Paw's.

 Aubrey!  Be a lady!

 Photo bomber x2

After 3 Christmases in Albertville, we left on the 28th to head straight to MS.  We also got a new (to us) vehicle on this trip after looking for a year.  But the joke is: We had to get one or else all of our Christmas stuff wouldn't fit in our explorer, which was true!  We stopped in Birmingham to pick up Adam's girlfriend, Kristen so she could spend Christmas with the Ladner's too.  When we got to Grammy and Granddad's house, Nanny Laura came over to give the kids their presents.

 And then after eating some yummy gumbo, we opened more presents!

The next day we went to City Park in New Orleans for "Celebration in the Oaks."  There are tons of beautiful lights.  City Park has the largest collection of live oaks in the world and they're all aglow at Christmas time.  The kids had fun playing in the Fairy Tale section.

 Andrew wanted to ride rides, so he rode by himself and this stranger. 

The best part of the night:  Adam proposed to Kristen!  I'll officially have a new sister-in-law on May 24!  Isn't she gorgeous?! 

We had a whirlwind Christmas but that's part of it when you live away from home.  We wouldn't trade our time with our families for the world, though.  

After Christmas it was rush rush rush back home.  We had 2 days before we left for Pasadena!

Christmas in Disney (Well, Almost)

'Twas the night before Disney, and all through the house.  Not a creature was stirring....well, except for Sumper and his new elf friend, Kitty!  My cousin's family came to the house before heading to DISNEY!  Raegan's elf, Kitty joined the party and Mickey and some of his friends waited on the mantel to say goodbye!

 While Andrew was at school, Aubrey and Raegan had a great time playing. 

We finally made it to Disney and after getting a good night's rest, we hit the Magic Kingdom bright and early.

You know our first ride HAS to be Dumbo!

 Aubrey slept through the whole thing!

We ate lunch at the castle with Cinderella and her princess friends.

You know Drew has to have his picture made with Snow White!

It's a small world

 My favorite part about Disney at Christmas?  The Castle!

 That night was Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  It had been a long day and the kids were tired.  Well, Aubrey and Raegan were fine.  

Both of the boys fell asleep waiting on the parade!

 We woke them up before show time.

 I finally got to eat the yummy fruit and nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow.  So this was my parade snack!

 Snowing on Main Street!

Our second day was spent at Epcot.  The kids were dressed for pictures with Santa.  They look happy right?

Sure...it's all smiles until you put Santa in the equation!

 Soarin'

 Trace Atkins did the narration at the Candlelight Processional.

 The highlight of my night:  Sweet potato casserole waffle and...

 turkey and dressing waffle!  They were both delicious!

hotel fun with her free Minnie (thanks to the cast member at Mouse Gear for Aubrey's first "Magical Moment")

Our next day was spent at Animal Kindgom and Hollywood Studios.  We FINALLY got Andrew to ride Expedition Everest.  He loved it, just like we knew he would.  

 We met up with our friends, the Pecina's.  The Skipper and Drew were picked as volunteers in the backlot tour show.  The kids loved it!

 After a long, but fun day Aubrey is still going strong as we're walking out the door at midnight!

We had a blast and we're so glad that Jason and Traci went with us.  Now since it's December 22nd, we'd better hurry home.  We have a CRAZY Christmas schedule ahead of us!