A Mississippi Christmas

This year we spent the Christmas Holidays in Mississippi.  This meant that we did not have time with extended family, which we truly missed, but we did have a great time together.  We did enjoy the warmer weather and the relaxed atmosphere.

Zachary and Eric wrote a thank-you note to Santa for the gift we had already received, Disney World.  Wendy and Hyrum drew a picture for him.

Christmas Eve in front of the stockings.  Santa we are ready!

 Here we are opening presents.  This year we had a present opening station that everyone went to when it was their turn.  It seemed to work well.  Everyone got wonderful gifts and also had a great time giving to others.  It was a fun morning and then a fun filled day playing with what we got.  That evening we got to talk with Grandmas and Grandpas which made the day more complete.

Quotes about our Christmas:  Zachary = "I like all, all, all of them."   Eric = "I like my bike and I like my switch and go Dino from Elden.  "I like my Spiderman thing, and I like my airplanes that I could make from Wendy. I like to celebrate Jesus' birthday"  Wendy = "There is Christmas trees around.  I liked the picture and all my kinds of presents, they were kind of good and I liked them alot."  Hyrum = "Go presents, a long thing and tree."

As you can see we had a good low key Christmas.  It was nice to be with one another and we had fun!

Christmas Programs and Parties

Wendy did a great job in her preschool Christmas program.  The music teach told me she put her front and center because she was so cute.  I agree!!  

 Eric did a great job in his program.  I was able to go to the practice and Kyle saw the actual performance. He was outstanding in both.

Wendy, Eric, and Zachary had Christmas Parties.  I was able to attend Wendy and Zachary's.  Eric reported his was fun and he had Santa and Rudolf painted on his cheeks to prove it.  Zachary and Eric got to wear PJs to school the day of their parties as well.

Playing in the leaves after getting home from school.

Santa Zachary and Mom at his party.

Wendy and Hyrum building a Gingerbread House

Our Christmas Tree

 We decorated our tree the Tuesday after we returned from our trip.  It was a fun family experience and the tree turned out beautiful.  The kids also got into decorating their own little trees and helping make the house Christmasy.

Orlando Vacation Part V

December 5th

 We went to Epcot on thursday.  It was a fun, full day, we stayed until the fireworks at 9:30pm.  We were able to go on rides, help Perry the Platypus solve a mystery, eat and participate in a program at the Biergarten restaurant, watch the Christmas Candlelight Processional, meet a few characters, and watch the fireworks.

 Here we are waiting for the Candlelight Processional.  It was a wonderful program focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  The music was wonderful, and I enjoyed it, the kids sat through it :)

December 6th

 Happy Birthday to me.  I had a pin that announced to the park that it was my birthday, and each of the kids got a pin that said they were celebrating with me.  Kyle bought me a tiara which I was able to wear.  We spent the day at the Magic Kingdom, Jenifer and Joey met us for the afternoon.  We then went back to the resort and swam, had cake, and I was sung to.  It was a fun day.  After the kids went to bed, I went down to the pool and lounged.  It was wonderful!!!  

December 7th

Kyle forgot his wallet, with the tickets, in the car, so we took pictures while we waited for him to go back.  

Funny Faces :~)

The kids were able to finish earning all their Wilderness Explorer Badges.  They were very proud of their accomplishment.

We spent the morning packing up and leaving the resort.  We then spent the next few hours at Animal Kingdom.  We then got in the car for the long drive home.  Kyle drove for hours making it to Mobile, AL.  We found a hotel and then attended church in the morning and finished our drive home.

 

Orlando Vacation Part IV

December 4th

We spent the day at Islands of Adventure, this time focusing mainly on Harry Potter, and just hitting a few other rides that we enjoyed earlier.

The Seussical Carousel was a hit.  Hyrum and Wendy also loved the "Fishy Ride" One Fish Two Fish.  they went on it multiple (4) times.  They loved getting Mom and Dad wet.

Zachary absolutely loved the World of Harry Potter.  The other kids and parents enjoyed it as well.  Zachary got his own wand, patterned after Harry's wand.  

 Riding Hippogriff Roller Coaster 

Orlando Vacation Part III

December 1st - 2nd

We had a relaxing Sabbath Day.  We went to church at 11, and felt very welcome.  The kids got to see the Orlando Temple which was across the street from the chapel.  That evening we took a walk, and went swimming.  There was a group of 3 grandmas there, Zachary started playing with them.  It was funny to see them get as excited and involved in squirting one another with water noodles as were the kids.

We went to Hollywood Studios on Monday.  The boys did the Jedi Academy again, and this time Wendy was old enough to join them.  Below are videos of each of them fighting Darth Vader.  We did not go on many rides, but enjoyed numerous shows, including:  Disney Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Motor Stunts, and Fantasmic.  It was a longer day, but enjoyable.

December 3rd

 We visited Animal Kingdom on Tuesday.  The kids joined the Wilderness Explorers and got 19 of 31 badges.  They loved getting them and it kept them very involved in the day.  We also saw a lot of animals, the Lion King Show, and the Jingle Jungle Parade.  We did not stay late, but headed back for a relaxing swim before bed.

 The Petting Zoo

  The Jingle Jungle Parade

The Safari