It's About Time!

You are seeing correctly!

I have finally updated my blog!

:)

Well, since I am finally back , I thought it might be time to post

about our New Year's trip to Walt Disney World.

Better late than never right?

We had a great time at Disney World.

It was a last minute decision to go,

and despite the huge crowds and long lines, I am so glad that we went.

We were suppose to go a year ago,

but had to cancel our the trip the week before

because Don's back started hurting again.

Well a lot has happened in a year.

Don had two more back surgeries during 2010, and even though

he is still recovering, with the help of a motorized scooter, he was finally able to go to Disney.

Whatever it takes...right?

We only went to the Disney for two days.

The first day we went to the Magic Kingdom.

It was a beautiful day.

The sun was shining, and it was really warm.

We enjoyed riding several of the rides even if some of the wait times were over one hour!

It's a Small World was one of our favorite rides.

Jake loved Pirates of the Caribbean!

The kids loved the Dumbo ride!

Cinderella's Carousel

Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride

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The next day we decided to get up early and arrive at the park when it opened. Good move! There were not a lot of people there,and we were able to ride several rides with little to no wait!

My little sister and her family were there also so we were able to enjoy the Magic Kingdom with them for a few hours!

Me and Lisa in front of Cinderella's castle.

Lisa and her boys on the teacups!

I love that Nolan is barely able to peek over the edge of the cup! :)

Nicholas, Nolan, Cole, Jake, and Scout waiting "patiently" in line!

Scout finally got to see the princesses!

My favorite "princess"!

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After lunch, Don, the kids, and I headed over to Disney's Animal Kingdom!

My wild little animals!

This was my favorite park!

We watched the best parade!

There were some great floats, and we were able to see all of the characters!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the parade.

Cole was so funny during the parade. He had gotten a pair

of binoculars at the gift shop and looked through them the entire time

even though we were right up front.

We also went on the animal safari while we were there.

The animal safari was by far our favorite ride!

We saw so many different animals. Most were just walking

right by our bus. It was really a neat experience.

This was Jake's favorite animal on the safari. He had to buy a stuffed one at the gift shop before we left.

We planned to return to the Magic Kingdom to see the New Year's Eve fireworks show,

but this is the sign we saw as we left Animal Kingdom...

so we returned to the hotel and went swimming and rented a movie!

It was a great way to ring in the new year!

Oh My!

So I am WAY behind on my blog. To catch up, I am going to try and squeeze all of our Christmas happenings into one post. Warning - This will probably be the longest post ever, and there are tons of pictures!

First, we had lots of fun with our elves that visit us each year after Thanksgiving. They are a lot of fun, a little mischievous, and even leave little surprises from the North Pole, but best of all they update Santa Claus nightly so the kids try to be extra sweet!

We have Fred, Ted, and Red, and this year Santa sent a special girl elf for Scout,

her name was Merry Mable Mistletoe!

We celebrated Christmas with parties and special programs at the kids' schools. First was Scout's class party on Friday followed by the K-4 Christmas program at her school Monday night.

All ready to go to her Christmas Program!

Scout played the hand bells and did an awesome job.

Then Cole had his Christmas Angel party Tuesday morning with his class, followed the same afternoon with Jake's 1st grade Christmas program at his school!

Jake's class dressed as lambs. They were so cute.

Jake had a speaking part in the play and did an amazing job.

Then on Friday of that same week, Jake's class had their Christmas party!

They each made reindeer food to take home.

This is a picture of the gift Jake gave to his classmates.

They have been working so hard learning to read.

I love listening to Jake read. He reads bedtime stories to Scout and Cole---so sweet!

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OK - fast forward one week and that brings us up to Christmas Eve!

But first, the day before Christmas Eve, Don and I surprised the kids with an early Christmas present!

A Trampoline!

OK - Back to Christmas Eve! :)

First, we had fun baking cookies at Grandmama and Granddaddy's for Santa Claus!

Then we went home and got ready to go to Christmas Eve church with my mom.

All dressed up ready for church.

Grandmama, Jake, Scout, and Cole before church.

After church, we hurried home to get ready for Santa. We read lots of Christmas books including The Night Before Christmas. Then we tucked all of the kids into bed.

And in the morning...

Santa had come!

We opened presents...

and then headed to Don's parents for Christmas brunch and more presents!

Nanny, Y-Daddy, and most of the grand kids!

The day after Christmas we celebrated Christmas with my parents and sisters.

Granddaddy, Grandmama, and all of the grand kids!

Wow! Now, that I am trying to blog about Christmas, I see why I didn't get to it sooner.

We were BUSY!

We had a wonderful Christmas.

It just came and went too quickly!

Just had to include this picture. Cole got a paper jam guitar for Christmas that plays Sweet Home Alabama. Too Cute! I just might have a future rock star in the family!