A Very Mickey Christmas

4 Years, 34 Weeks.


Christmas came a little bit early for us this year.

In the shape of a mouse.

We decided to treat the kids this year and get annual passes to Walt Disney World, with access to any of their 4 parks at any day, and at any time.  We figured the twins were old enough to really get into it, and remember the things they saw.  Plus they needed to be able to walk around on their own, as we've outgrown strollers and Disney does not allow wagons on their properties, for safety reasons.  And the fact that we live roughly 20 minutes from our driveway to the welcome gate, it seemed fairly close enough to make several trips out there a month, perhaps even a week!  We've done annual passes to Sea World, the Central Florida Zoo, and the Orlando Science Center, so we thought we'd give Disney a try.

The smiles on their faces was totally worth it.

First day as Disney Annual Passholders!

Here was our week:

Giving.

Light up Winter Garden.

With a couple of snow fairies.

ELSA!!!!

The Christmas tree in Old Winter Garden.

At Sea World courtesy of the United Way through Mommy's work.

Didn't look quite like Olaf.

Kohlden enjoyed touching the stingrays.

Now we know a great white can fit 4 people in its mouth!

Penguin encounter.  Brrr!

Festival of trees.

Riding the ferry to the Magic Kingdom.

Kohl enjoyed the flying Dumbo ride.

Maddy and Mommy riding the carousel.

Let's race!

Wait, you two are twins?  

Meeting Princess Aurora a.k.a.  Sleeping Beauty.

Brae showing her hoola hoop skills.

Twins happy they found Rapunzel's tower in the background.

Cheesy pose Mr.!

Evening snowflake painting session.

Kohl got his haircut this week!

Delivering Christmas cheer and gifts to our neighborhood friends.

Braelyn and her 2nd grade class took a field trip to the corn maze on Wednesday.

Took the kids to EPCOT after school for a few hours.  Met up with Pluto.

At Finding Nemo, the ride.

Fish are friends, not food!

Watching the dancing water jump over their heads.

Excited to be out on a school night, what a treat!

At the Mexico pavilion with a bunch of Mexicans.

When we got back home.

Finishing up their art project with their morning coffee…just kidding, it was hot chocolate!

Randoms:

Holy rims Batman!

Yes, even the Amish get to go to Sea World.

Maddy spotted these two buzzards on top of our roof just seconds before I took this picture.
The one on the left was on top of the one on the right; they were copulating.
Get a room!

Purple skies.

Quotes:  

• We were about to go pick Braelyn up from school, so I told the twins to go potty before we headed out.  Maddy said that she didn't have to go.  So Kohlden told her:  "You better go.  Don't save the pee pee in your bottom.  It might trip you."

• I was inquiring about a mark on the wall made by a marker, and was asking the twins who did it:

          Maddy:  "It wasn't me."

          Me:  "Kohlden, did you do it?" 

          Kohl:  "Um…let me think."  [pause]  "Um…I think I didn't do it because

                     I didn't see me do it…"

          Yeah.  Nice try buddy.

Have a great weekend!

Mary Did You Know?

4 Years, 33 Weeks.


We all know who Jesus's parents were.

But the Bible never mentions anything about their parents.

Who were Jesus's grandparents?  How did they feel about Mary and Joseph's interesting situation, betrothed and then pregnant before getting married?  How did they react to the news of Holy conception?  And how did they deal with having a grandson that was Divine and proclaimed as the Son of God?

Just a few random thoughts that crossed my mind as I watched OJA's annual Christmas program on Thursday evening.  Braelyn portrayed Mary in the manger scene, and I couldn't help but think that the real Mary was probably around 8 years or so older than the seven year old sitting up there on stage.  Nevertheless, it was a proud parent moment, watching her sit silently as shepherd and wise men came to give homage to her baby boy, which she refused to pick up during the program because, in her words, "I was shy."

I'm sure the real Mary was probably shy too.

Great job Braelyn!  So very proud of you!

Here was our week:

Mommy creating a new bow for our very tall tree!

Standing up for opening hymn at church.

The kids waving to their friends from the balcony after the service.

With friends during Sabbath School.  Once a quarter they combine classes and have a nice celebration!

Brae and I doing the wishbone from Thanksgiving's turkey.  She won!

Maddy helping Mommy make some holiday mint bars.

We joined the Bergs and Grodacks at the Z's house for supper and fellowship Sabbath evening.

Double cuteness, Addison and Maddy ride together in the sports car.

The adults lounge around and catch up.

Time to put the toys away Karis!  Um...

The kids having dessert.  Maybe not a good thing!

Kohl helping out with some cleanup Sunday morning.

Helping Mommy continue decorating the tree.

Crashed a different subdivision and enjoyed their playground...

including a nice 50 foot swing...

and some small hills made for jumping across!

Group shot.

Mommy was in Pensacola for 2 nights, so Lolo and Lala came to help out
and to attend Brae's Christmas program.

Lolo helping Brae with her math activity on the computer.

Lala and the twins potting some poinsettias for the pergola.

Back to the park, they love this place!

So did Lala, who joined them on the big swing!

Daddy daughter date to Winter Garden for an ice cream cone after school.

Dropping Mary off for the Christmas program, getting photo bombed by the two Alyssas.

Waiting for the program to begin, trying to keep the twins entertained.

Great job Mary!!

The family with Braelyn afterwards.

Randoms:

Helping Duncan make a table out of concrete using the pine box we put together last week.

Best screen shot on SportsCenter Sunday.  I'm talking about the score on the upper left, and not
Tom Brady upset about losing to the Packers.  Sorry Corey!  ;)

A trio of googly eyes.

Our finished Christmas tree!

Holiday centerpiece.

Quote:

• Maddy was doing her homework and noticed the house she was coloring had a chimney:

          Maddy:  "Daddy, why we don't have a chimney?"

          Me:  "They didn't put one in when they built the house."

          Maddy:  "But…what about Santa?"

          Me:  "Oh…um…well, we have a small chimney in the fireplace 

                   under the pergola!"

          Kohl:  "But...he'll still be outside when he goes in it!"  

          Silly me.  Oh dear, these two are too smart!!  

Have a great weekend!