Food, Family, Fun

The day after we returned from our trip we had a little get together at our house with Matt's brother, Aunt, Uncle, and Grandma Llama.  We always have the best time with them.  Matt's Uncle had prepared a Prime Rib dinner for all of us.  Talking about health, etc. Matt busted out the blood pressure cuffs before we ate...after seeing those numbers we all decided we should have waited until after dinner to look at some of those alarming numbers.

I'm not a huge fan of Prime Rib, but it was an amazing meal (Kelsey and I nuked our meat until it was showing no signs of mooing anymore).

Even though our kitchen is still under construction (unfinished floors, painting projects) we did get to use our new table fully extended and we all fit!  Can't think of a much better way to end the year.

A whirlwind of fun

We spent 3 fun filled days in Disneyland and California Adventure.  Uncle David joined us Christmas day.  Surprisingly the park wasn't too busy Christmas and we rode all the rides by late afternoon some of them twice.

There is something very magical about Disneyland, but even more so when it's decorated for the holidays.  I loved that Small world ride played Jingle Bells.

The amount of lights in this park at night was breathtaking.

One of Matt's favorite rides the Jungle cruise had been changed to the "Jingle Cruise".

The whole ride was decorated, including the elephants getting into the Christmas decorations.  I'm not sure I loved the part where the lions were eating reindeer though...too far I think.

This was Kelsey's first time visiting Radiator Springs in California.  It's funny how the park can transport you into the town and you feel like your in the movie.

Sadi was glued to Daddy most of the day, and so the rest of us had to find another ride partner.

We even got to meet lightning McQueen!

We spun until we were dizzy on the teacups.

Sadi was a bit braver this trip and tried out some new rides she hadn't before including Grizzly River run.  It was way too cold for me to even consider the rides that you could get wet on.

She did draw the line at getting on California screaming...I was more than happy to sit out with her.  Kelsey, Chase and Matt rode it several times.

We took many, many twirls on the Merry go round. 

Sadi loves the Ariel ride and since there is never really a line for it, we rode it more times than I cared too.

I think she rode it 10 times...switching it up with who she rode with :)

One of Chase's favorite rides is Splash Mt. and wished he could ride it multiple times.  He only convinced the others once to ride it...I opted to stay dry.  They were not convinced to ride it twice...Brrr!

That darn tooth fairy who didn't make it on Christmas morning finally made it for a visit a few days later and brought a little cash and a fairy pin! 

She spent her money wisely of course....

It was a whirlwind of rides, walking, laughing, and enjoying being together, and one of the best parts was this was the only snow we saw...(the Matterhorn).

Sadly our trip had come to an and end and it was time to head home.  I think this will be one of our most remembered Christmas' ever.  The trip ride home was pretty peaceful. I think this is how you know you did Disney right....

A Very Disney Christmas

We woke up early Christmas morning and found that Santa had made another stop in!  He had left each of us a Disney stocking full of all kinds of Disney themed surprises.

Each of the kids got a new Disney shirt and socks to wear, along with a Disney park gift card and all kinds of Disney snacks.

We had to leave pretty early to get to our special breakfast Santa had planned for us at Goofy's kitchen.

We got to meet Goofy as soon as we got there...such a silly guy!

We were in holiday heaven at this breakfast buffet.

They had everything you could want and more.  Mickey shaped pancakes, waffles, a made to order omelet bar, and so much more!  I tried to avoid the dessert bar but I could not pass up this yule log that I had read about online that was a must try....sooo good!

Besides the amazing food, the service here was fabulous....I mean look at our waiter!

All the characters came and visited us throughout our meal, and kept us laughing and smiling all morning.

Of course our wildlife biology girl was super excited to meet Chip n' Dale...and made sure to tell us what she had learned in her mammalogy class that they are not actually chipmunks...but squirrels!

It was fun to get in so many magical hugs throughout the morning.

Chase was playing it cool with Minnie and the others, but I think he was more excited than anyone to meet Pluto.

After we were all well fueled it was time to go walk off those calories.  It was a very merry Christmas at the most magical place on earth.

The Eves of Christmas

Christmas Eve Eve we hit the road with a pit stop at Uncle David's house for the night.  He has so many "toys" at his house it's almost like being at Santa's toy shop.  We had fun playing with his new train set that even emits syrup flavored steam.

Uncle David let the kids open their Christmas gifts.  Chase got a magic set and a build your own solar robot that he and Daddy got right to work building.

Sadi got a new art set which her and Kelsey both enjoyed using that evening.

Besides all the toys at David's house he also has bowls of candy EVERYWHERE.  He told the kids to help themselves to anything they wanted...which they were not shy about doing so our sugar level was pretty high that evening.

We all enjoyed playing/watching the pool tournaments in progress throughout the night.

CHRISTMAS EVE:  We left Uncle David's and headed to Anaheim which is just a few hours drive from his house.  We arrived too early to check into our hotel and so we headed to downtown Disney to window shop and to take in all the sights and smells of Christmas.  Such a magical feeling there, I love it!

We headed to our hotel later in the afternoon and checked out the "elf approved" hotel.

It had a good size living area with table and chairs, and we were surprised to find that it was a two room suite.  The kids had their own room and bathroom!  Sadi was in heaven...she may have been more excited that anyone. 

I was in love with this full size kitchen!  I almost wished we were there long enough to cook in it....almost.

We ordered pizza for dinner and then started our traditional Christmas eve games.  Each of us comes up with a Christmas themed game for the family to play.  Sadi had Christmas charades.  This has become one of her favorites that we have played the last few years.  She keeps us guessing a lot with her clues.

This year I came up with the Christmas wrap game.  You had to roll a certain number on the dice and then you got to unwrap the saran wrap ball.  If you were lucky you unraveled a little Christmas treat.

Chase made a game board of Don't eat Santa (played like the game of don't eat Pete).

Kelsey made a Christmas heads up version which was so fun. Matt pulled a last minute game...literally last minute.  He had to run down to the hotel gift shop to buy a deck of cards so we could play spoons.

The kids begged to give their gifts to each other.  I was a bit torn (it not really being Christmas officially) but we caved and decided to do gift exchange which in the morning I was so glad we had since we were rushed to get up and catch our bus.

I have to say the lighting in the hotel was terrible and made it difficult to get ANY pictures.  Chase was so excited to give Kelsey this gift he had picked out, gel pens and note cards.  It was funny because over Thanksgiving break she was debating buying note cards she needed but was feeling to poor.

Sadi gave Chase some new Pokemon cards.

Chase picked a gift he knew Sadi would love, her very own box of chocolates. 

Kelsey got a few surprises from Mom and Dad.: a new blanket, Starbucks card, and new down jacket which she enjoyed wearing over the next few chilly days in the park. 

Sadi got some new clothes, and more Shopkins! 

Chase got some new clothes, and more Pokemon cards than I'm sure he needs.

Matt received some new shirts from Kelsey, Chase bought him his own little stash of chips and nuts, and Sadi gave him this little bag of quarters with a 1 free car wash coupon.

I received some amazing gifts from everyone.  Kelsey gave me a new movie, chocolate, and bubble bath which we all enjoyed during the trip.  Matt bought me some new perfume I had mentioned I loved wearing.  Sadi made me this special coupon book full of all kinds of treats.  We all had to laugh when the last page coupon said 1 free wine pour...also included a hard soda made out of paper.

Chase made me a paper poinsettia, and 2 new ornaments for the tree.  I'm so excited to hang these up.

We tried to wrap up the night a bit early so we would be well rested for our Christmas in the park.  We were just about to drift off to sleep when Sadi burst into our room to announce she had lost a tooth....making it quite a bit later than planned before we were all fast asleep.