Disney Christmas, Day 2 - Disney Commandos at the Magic Kingdom

Do these people look like they are ready for thirteen straight hours in the Magic Kingdom?

The tree on Main Street

In three years, this is the first time we rode on the Teacups together. And look who rode with us - Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter!

Almost as fun as the real thing.

This very sweet cast member picked Carrie up and let her key our lunch order into the computer. Another one of the small touches that made the kids feel special. She only made one mistake, but they let us fix that at the counter.

Heath has discovered the autograph book, so we greeted more of the characters on this trip. Stitch was relatively well behaved - he only tried to steal Heath's pen once!

Tinkerbell, Mickey face, and Superhero face paint. They even fixed Heath's when he rubbed half of it off. Only Quin's lasted until the next day, though.

I did not set up this shot. These children know who they are.

Quin's favorite - Donald Duck! He's number 1 - or at least he signs that way!

We were in line when Donald came back from a break, and my camera was off so I couldn't catch him in time. He walked up to Mom (who was sitting outside the queue), shook his tail in her face, and tried to sit in Quin's stroller before he came to the greeting area.

Twelve hours in and still going strong. Carrie has a soft spot for Pluto - she stands much closer to him than she does most of the characters.

Disney Christmas, Day 1 - Dining with the Princesses in Norway

Oh yeah, we love the cabins! Heath was begging for the key to get in when we first checked in. We were really lucky and were able to get into the cabin early in the day, so we had time to unload, grocery shop, and rest before getting ready to meet the princesses.

Who needs an amusement park when there are bunk beds? Heath and Carrie alternated nights on the coveted top bunk.

EPCOT!!!!!

We are the geeky family who loves Epcot most of all. We usually start there for a relaxing ease-in to the vacation, and this was no exception.

"Do you like my hat?"

"I do not like your hat."

"Goodbye, then."

"Goodbye."

(Apologies to Dr. Seuss)

Does the puppet you pick say something about your personality?

The first of many pictures of the back of Quin's head. Oh, she LOVES the princesses. And Carrie is finally over her fear of costumed beings. The professional shot of our meet and greet with Belle is much nicer than mine.

Not yet brave enough to get up and try the cold buffet. The Norwegian-style food was pretty good, actually. Not that the girls took the time to eat any.

Note Adam's arm on Quin's shoulder and how she is looking attentively at something just past him. Literally seconds later she eluded his grasp, was out of the high chair like a shot, and ran around the wall to smash hug Cinderella. In the middle of another girl's picture with her, no less. Fortuneately, they forgive this when you are only two, as I found out when I dragged her away apologizing. The other family was very gracious, and Cinderella took a minute to explain to Quin that she would be over to see her very soon.

Evidently if you want to be Jasmine, you spend a lot of time in the gym working your abs.

When you are the real Sleeping Beauty you don't have to wear a shirt underneath your dress because it itches too much. Poor Carrie was suffering before we pulled out the long-sleeved tee shirt.

And yes, Quin is pushing her face up against Aurora's - this was her way of giving a kiss when she was very small.

Quin was beyond happy for this entire event.

And this was worth the entire trip. Cinderella even made it personal - as soon as she saw Quin she told her she was happy to see her again and that she was coming back to see her as she had promised. I think the girls' body language in this shot says even more than the looks they had on their faces.

Before the fireworks, we do make it to the candlelight procession. A narrator tells the Christmas story with accompanying hymns and carols. There is a huge choir and a full orchestra. It was quite beautiful.

Traveling to Florida

Adam lets us sleep in a little longer than normal, so we don't leave until 3:30 A.M. Shouldn't somebody look the least little bit tired? Oh, maybe that's just us. . .

Driving through the mountains in West Virginia was absolutely stunning - every tree was blanketed in snow. None of the pictures I took did it justice.

We planned to stop overnight along the way, but Adam was on a roll and thought we should push through. I called Disney World to see if we could get into the cabin a day early, but none of the cabins were available on Saturday night. They were able to arrange a room for us in Port Orleans Riverside, however. Pictures below are for Beth I., who wants to stay at this hotel when she goes to Disney.

Rabbit Tracks

Last Sunday, Heath made it out the door so fast on the first snow of the season that we didn't get any pictures of him getting ready. This photo of him was taken through the family room window; I like the softening affect of the condensation, which makes it look like it was taken through a soft-focus lens.

Carrie takes more time getting ready than she spends outside. It's always a negotiation over which coat, hat, and mittens to wear. The results fall a little bit short of glamorous, but the kids had a great time forging new trails in the fresh snow. Next year we need to remember to decorate the playhouse for Christmas.

Quin flashes her big baby blues. Later her cheeks were as pink as her coat and hat.

Were there geese in Bethlehem?

Our neighbor's giant, light-up plastic Nativity by day. Complete with decoy geese as big as the camels. O, Holy Night!

Beth and Carol's Italian Cucina

Aileen, Beth I., Christine, and Lauren came over for a pizzelle/gnocchi/Italian rolled pizza party. I haven't had this much fun in the kitchen since my grandma and great aunts were alive! It feels like Christmas-time now!




Aileen rolls some dough while Beth I. does some hand modeling on the side. Carrie and Quin make a few mini pizzas of their own.



Mom teaching her Italian cooking class. Aileen adds spices and cheese while Lauren waits her turn.




I can't remember what we were laughing about here, but we laughed most of the afternoon and evening. Aileen rolls a pizza - I think this is the one we ate hot out of the oven.




Christine always seemed to have "help" whenever she was working.



Beth I. rolling, rolling, rolling. Beth wins our "trouper" award for the day, because she came over early to help with the sauce and the first batch of dough, so I think she passed the 12-hour point with us.



Christine surrounded by kids and kittens.



Kneading gnocchi for an eternity. Memories of Grandma Jenkins, who always told me to keep kneading every time I asked if we were done yet.



Gee, the flour here tastes delicious.

Even if you're only a little bit Italian, food = love. (kiss kiss)

Aileen, Beth I., and Lauren bake pizzelles around midnight. Look - they're still smiling!