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

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Rockin' Around

The new look

As you can see from this series of pics, our little Teyah is not so little anymore. She is developing her own mind, temper and sense of style!

I've actually stopped taking pictures of her with marker all over her body. It's not funny when that's what she does all day long! Thankfully, they are only washable markers that she is getting into (for now!).

Black teeth ... yummy!

This photo makes her look like her belly is huge, and proportionally it probably is, but it would help if I bought her some pajamas that weren't size 6 months (did I mention she's 18 months?).


When she saw these pictures of herself, she started to cry! I suppose maybe all I need to buy her is a mirror and she would realize black marker lipstick is just not so pretty.

Name Change

We are going to be changing our blog name this week, so if you are a reader, please email us (tbirddave@gmail.com) so we can tell you our new URL. Otherwise, you won't be able to find us after the switch. We thought it would be safer this way!

Thanks!
"The Management"

Christmas pictures

Oh what a lovely picture. But, wait, somebody is missing?


Try to stop the little miscreant wearing her witch slippers.


"But I don't want my picture taken, so I am going to throw myself on the ground and hide my face!"


And she'll kick her feet and pound the floor.


Daddy, has a genius idea.


Then, he got even trickier! Now that's better!

California Sledding

This kids enjoyed this homemade fun at Thanksgiving...

Thanks for all the giving

Once upon a time, there were two loving sisters who were grateful to their parents and their extended family for a wonderful vacation and visit to California. They were grateful for the sunshine and warm weather.


They were VERY grateful for cousins, giggles, and an aunt and uncle who were willing to host.


And to those hosts to allow for some wild times, 'sledding' down the stairs.


They were grateful for a warm jacuzzi under the stars.


They were grateful for a loving, fun, hardworking, silly, and patient Daddy.


They were grateful for hugs. They were grateful to a special cousin who became a new 'best friend' and welcomed into her house a party of five.


One of them, Ellie, was grateful for the chance to take pictures on her own.


They were grateful for delicious food that others purchased and prepared.


They were grateful for toys, and babies to nurture and love.


And, then came an unexpected twist in the story. On the way home, the flight was late, a plane was missed, and the airline provided another chapter to the story of Thanksgiving. Their vacation was extended overnight in another warm land, where some of their other favorite people happen to live.


The sisters were happy to see Christmas lights at a special temple in AZ.


The girls were grateful for family, a warm night, and beauty.


They were grateful Aunt Natalie drove them around Phoenix, even in her tiny Civic!


And that is the end of this thankful story.

THE Worst day of my whole life!

We found this video treasure from months back. Enjoy!

Pre-School Musical

Our girls have been obsessed with this video over the past few days so we had to share it with the world. There was a little fight over who got to be Gabriella so, we have two versions posted. Sorry Teyah, you got stuck with the boy part. Enjoy!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

My smart American Girl

After waiting an hour to enter the new American Girl Doll store this morning, the highlight for me was watching Ellie do this craft that was supposed to be for girls ages 8 and up. She was given a large square paper for the base and 18 triangles that were two sided (each side either had the greenish design or the yellowish design). On her own, she figured out which side to put the glue on and how to make a pattern perfectly (there was no model). I was going to help her with it, but was distracted and when I finally looked down to help her she was half way finished! Wow! I was impressed for a 3-year-old.

We are thrilled to have an American Girl doll store here, but we're looking forward to going back when it's not so crazy! It's a FUN place.

Reunited with destiny

I thought destiny was not on my side. I thought I was never going to see 'Wicked.' After four separate attempts to get tickets (over a course of 18 months) at various locations, I was frustrated! But then, Sunday, destiny and I became friends. I happened to check Ticketmaster again, and I must have checked right when they released a few more seats for Tuesday's show (touring production). I felt like I won the lottery!

My friend Necia and I were giddy. My expectations were high, and I was not let down. It was the best play I've seen, and I had the best seats! I admit. I cried at the end.

Savings on Target

Look closely at our savings on this receipt! Have I ever mentioned that Target and I have a love affair? Nothing's better than 90% off Halloween sales at Target ... new costumes for dress-ups and lots of new "inventory" for Dave's Ebay business.

A few impressive numbers

"Mom, so what do you think the actual temperature is out here. I mean what's the number?" questions Aubrie as we walked from door to door.

"It's 59 degrees," I respond.

"I really like 59 degrees."

"Yes, I love 59 degrees for Halloween too!"

That is the best summary of our Halloween. No Mall of America Trick or Treating this year. Not only did we stay in our neighborhood, but we joined our neighbors for a bonfire afterward. It was a mighty rare treat to spend Halloween like that in Minnesota. Hooray for 59 degrees!


We grew all three pumpkins in our garden: a big, medium and small. Just perfect for us!


Aubrie counted all three kids' candy and came up with a grand total of 243 pieces. Not bad! Now, let's hope that doesn't equal the amount of pounds added to Mommy's backside.


Teyah started a fever on Halloween, and this morning I measured it to be 106.1. What!!? Have any of you even heard of anyone having such a high temperature? After two trips to the doctor and many horrible tests, apparently it's viral. Poor, poor little pumpkin. She hasn't left my lap in two days.


Ellie is growing up. Our little snow princess received her first haircut from a salon this week which included bangs. She was the most excited to realize that she has bangs like her doll "Sophie."

"Mom, now Sophie looks exactly like me!"

Now for Ellie's impressive number. I was pleasantly surprised she wasn't shy at all while she did her little Halloween dance performance or her Joy School songs. Hooray Ellie!