Magical

The World of Disney

Our plan to get a break from the MN winter, worked perfectly! It was amazing how refreshing it was to touchdown in Orlando and see unfrozen lakes, green grass, and green trees! Yeah! We were euphoric!


We spent one night at the Pop Century hotel at Disney World, and the rest of the time at a Marriott Timeshare Condo. But with a seven-day Disney pass, we didn't do much other than Disney. The amazing part to me is that we still didn't see it all!


We met up with Dave's Aunt Debbie and cousins Jenny and Kelly and hit all four parks in the first four days. It was so nice having them there. We enjoyed their company and their extra hands! Five adults to three kids was a great ratio! After they left, we realized how much more work it was for us!


Aubrie said her favorite part was meeting the princesses. Ellie says hers was meeting "Cinderllella" and also talking to Crush from 'Finding Nemo.'


My favorite part was the many Broadway-style performances in the parks ('Nemo the Musical,' 'Lion King,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' and also 'American Idol Experience').


Dave's favorite part was the rides: Kilamanjaro Safari, Tower of Terror, Everest, etc.


Teyah enjoyed it all except being in the stroller.


Disney was so fun because there was something fun for everyone!


One cool thing is that Aubrie ended up only missing one day because her four-day weekend turned into a six-day weekend because school was canceled twice due to the -20 temps and -37 wind chill at home!


This picture cracks me up because Ellie did not like the 4D movies where things "popped out" at her. So, on everything we went on after the 4D show, she put her hand up protecting herself from anything that might possibly invade her space!


Dave and I both enjoyed watching the kids enjoy the magic of Disney for the first time.


Even though it definitely wore us all out!

Ketchup

For those of you keeping close track of our blog, we did indeed celebrate Christmas this year! I realize it was a month ago, but for the purposes of my own records, I'm posting a couple pics. The above picture was the only thing Teyah took the least bit of interest: her blankie made by Grandma T. She didn't want to open presents until she got to this one. It surged her interest in the next few until she realized they were not also blankets. It was pretty cute to see her cuddling and holding it all morning.


Well, I guess she did also like the remnants of food that Santa left!


On Christmas day, all my family began to join us. Eventually, we had 15 people staying at our house! The kids had great fun with their cousins.


I had fun playing host.


Grandpa joined us and even gave us each a special, memorable present.


The girls worked hard to earn a movie with Grandma (by being obedient and earning coins for the jar).


Grandma treated the cousins to a special trip to the American Girl Doll store where they all got to choose a new outfit.


And we welcomed the news that my brother Spencer will be adding a baby boy to our family! This is good news to my nephew Spencer, so he won't be the lone boy cousin!

It was fun. Way fun. Well, until the stomach flu hit. And, I mean hit! I think very few of the 15 people escaped the horrible bug. Hopefully, the memories of being so sick won't cloud the memories of such a fun week.

Walking away from a winter wonderland

After 3 years of living here, we finally realized how to survive the winter season.
Here is the weather in Minn. last week...


Here is the weather in Orlando...

That 82 degree difference on the first day sure felt nice. Aubrie's school was canceled Thursday and Friday because of the -20 air temperature (-40 windchill or something). Details and pics of Disney World to come...

The Fabulous Dancin' Elves

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