The many days of "decorating" for Christmas

First off, a little warning for yall...we do a lot of things shirtless around here when it comes to the girls...so watch out;)

It has taken us several days weeks to prepare for Christmas. Normally we are pretty much on the ball and have one huge event baking, decorating and preparing, but this year...things were a little crazy! Sooo, we started getting ready the few days before Thanksgiving (don't judge!).

One afternoon right before Thanksgiving, we decided to get out our tree and decorate it. We normally do the "tree thing" right after Thanksgiving, but since we were going to be in Disney, we figured we should get it out beforehand and make it special. So after naps, we made some cookies then painted them. this is a tradition we've been doing for years and years at Mimi and Papas...the girls LOVE painting their cookies! 

Shirtless, yes....but having fun none-the-less;)

pausing to take a group shot

 After making our wonderful Christmas cookies, we got out all the Christmas books and decorations. The girls loved looking at all the books. Here they are holding up "their favorite books"

Later on after Andy got home from work, we set up the tree. Kendall putting on her first ornament

I realized only Kendall had Christmas jammies...I guess I'm going to have to remedy that...

About 2 weeks (or so) later, we decided to make Christmas trees using ice cream cones and frosting. The girls LOVED doing this. This is the first year we've done this and I think we're going ot keep this tradition going:)

The girls each decorating their own tree

The finished trees (round one of the trees...oh, we kept making them!)

So excited about all this forced family fun;)

Since we had left over decorations,we made sugar cookies and then decorated them as well...we were all on a sugar high...can you tell Andy was gone;)

Then, this past weekend we received a Gingerbread house form Granny. So, we spent Sunday, after naps, decorating the house. I think I spent more time policing Kendall...she is definitely a candy stealer;)

having fun decorating

all smiles (or just on a sugar high...you decide!)

inspecting their work and trying to decide where to put the next candy...

 MC and daddy...she spent her time eating an apple...she doesn't need any more sugar;)

the finished project with the landscaping;) 

Alley and Kendall had a little "program" at school for Christmas. they sang several songs and got to see Santa (that went over well with Kendall!). I had a little trouble with my camera settings...so these aren't the best shots. 

Alley and Kendall before the "show"

Kendall singing and clapping a long...she did GREAT! what a cutie:) She spent most of the time waving like the queen and with a huge grin on her face. Adorable:)

 I had a hard time getting a picture of Alley since she was in the back and the kids in front of her always managed to be in the way:) Here she is with her friendLucas. 

I think we are now ready for Christmas:) But I can't promise you we wont be in the kitchen again creating new yummy treats...or just painting more cookies;) Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Disney extravaganza

We had a very different Thanksgiving experience this year. We spent our Thanksgiving in Disney World:) The basketball team had a tournament in Orlando, so they made it possible for all the families to celebrate the Thanksgiving weekend with the husbands and dads. The trip started off a little rocky, (Alley was sick all of Thanksgiving day) but it ended with a bang...Magic Kingdom!!

Little miss K patiently hanging around the hotel room on TG. Good thing we were in Disney because they had cartoons on ALL day...life saver when one child is sick

the happy energizer bunny...she wore me out...

I did make Alley get out of bed because I felt she needed some fresh air...

Alley and K in front of a carousel that was made out of chocolate

getting ready for her photo shoot...she's a mess..

she wouldn't stay still long enough for a picture...so here's her action shot;)

Alley enjoying the sun and warmth 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

the back of our hotel

daddy before the big game (which was at 9pm on TG night - I need to start getting used to the late night games!)

Andy's mom and her husband joined us in Disney and we had a great time with them!!

The girls and g'ma riding the bus over to Downtown Disney

Oh we are so "Princess-obsessed"...good thing they were ok with us not buying things:) They were just thrilled to get pictures taken with the statue!

Kendall's absolute favorite Disney princess...Sleeping Beauty. I'm still trying to figure this one out...she's never seen the movie, read the book or anything...but she is crazy about sleeping beauty. I told her sleeping beauty's name was Aurora and she said "no it's not, it's sweeping beauty". Okay, there you have it folks...

the Lego store, sigh, we could have spent hours there

the girls loved creating things on the lego tables...I see some lego fun in the future:)

For lunch we headed to the rainforest cafe. I had never been to one, but had heard how great it was. It definitely did not disappoint:) Every 15min the animals would come alive and then every 30min there would be a storm. After the initial freak-out, the girls loved it:)

yeah for fun times and great food:)

getting close to nap time...she had her hand up my sleeve trying to find soft skin she could caress while sucking her thumb...I think I need to go to the gym more often;)

On Saturday, the team had a day off, so we all headed over for a day at the Magic Kingdom. All I can say is wow...

the girls all ready for their day at the "princess castle"

Walt and the castle in the background

checking out "her" castle

these were the happy faces before they went on Ariel's ride...bad mom moment...Ursala and her eels freaked the girls out...yeah. I still haven't heard the end of it..."mommy, remember the bad lady Ursala, she scares me, I don't like her"...good times;)

We found our home...the circus...yes, we totally fit in;)

taking a train ride around the whole park

flying with Dumbo

MC waiting patiently while we waited to see Tinkerbell and her sister Periwinkle. 

Tinkerbell! The girls loooove Tinkerbell...look at Alley's excitement:)

THEN, they got to meet her sister, Periwinkle...the girls haven't stopped talking about that either:) Good mom moment...

 We got to enjoy Disney's Street Dance Party as well. It was loads of fun and dancing. The girls loved it (minus Alley being freaked about everyone with masks on...)

cheering and clapping along with everyone

dancing "with" Donald

Aren't we all so happy!;) We can't end on such a sour note or face...let's get some ice cream! I guess missing naps just didn't cut it for little miss sassy pants

Alley and g'ma

ah, we are happy again;) 

MC didn't want to miss out on the action

As we were leaving we saw Goofy...can't leave the park without a picture with our relative;)

We had a wonderful time! It was something new and different and we really appreciate the gift that was given our family. We are so thankful for wonderful and supportive family, Andy's job at Clemson and what a great transition this has been.
We can now check the Disney box off, and I've got pictures to prove it ;)