Gran and Papa Christmas

This Christmas was extra special at Gran and Papa’s because it was the first one we got to celebrate with our newest nephews. It was a long hard road to get them to us and we are so thankful they are finally here.

Waiting patiently for the fun and excitement (or crazy fun) to begin!

After a small bike wreck, the helmet was needed and I think appreciated. =)

The one and only princess

The entire Jones clan.

Nommie and Gandie Christmas

After a sweet morning at church, we came home to celebrate Christmas with Nommie and Gandie. The kids are always spoiled rotten by their Nommie and Gandie. Nommie is very much a gift giver and always makes it extra special. They also make it very easy on us and come to us for Christmas. Instead of packing everything up and going to them, they are gracious enough to come to us… and it means a lot to me. Having Gandie around this Christmas was extra handy too since we had a trampoline to put together.

SANTA

Santa got all crazy on us this year and sent us a Trampoline!!! I have not seen them that excited in a while. Santa left each kid a balloon with 2 letters on it. The letters spelled out TR AM PO LI NE!!! It took a while to get it in their sleepy stupor, but the they took off running for the deck!

As you can see from the pics, stocking stuffers are always a hit. I think Cruz could have cared less about his Imaginext Aircraft Carrier… but bring on the Starburst and Push Pops!!!

Just ONE!

We started a new tradition years ago to open ONE present from Mom and Dad before bed on Christmas Eve. It is always fun to watch them enjoy just the one rather than jumping around to what is next. This year all the mom and dad gifts were a hit!

Christmas Eve

 

We have always celebrated Christmas at my Nanny’s house on Christmas Eve. In year’s past we have had to change that tradition, but this year we went back to it. We had a fabulous time with family.

KOTK Performance

The KOTK Preschool Performance is always fun to watch. Cruz beebopped right along with his songs making us giggle and we were so proud of Eliza singing a solo with her buddy Jacob. She belted out for all to hear “Go Tell It On The Mountain”. She sang so loud and so proud that my eyes got all teary!

Gingerbread Time

The kids always enjoy putting together a Gingerbread House. This year we met with our area Homeschool Families for our creations. There were a lot more candy options for our décor and they had lots of fun. Because it was real gingerbread (and not hot glued together like it normally is at home) I even let them try a bite or two after we got home and showed it off.

Eliza the Shepard

We came home from Disney ready to start Christmas in full force. First up, Eliza's Preschool Choir Performance. She was on the "Camel Caravan" for this trip to worship the King... Baa Baa Baby Jesus.

Hollywood Studios

After running straight to get our Fast Passes for the Toy Story ride we went over to the big rides. Once again, Bay, and Callan did not disappoint with their enjoyment of both the Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster. I was really surprised how much they loved all things roller coaster.


While they were getting their stomachs moved to their throats, I took the little kids to the Playhouse Disney area. Although Silas really struggled with wanting to be with the big kids, but not wanting to ride the big rides he enjoyed the little stuff too.

Eliza scored another signature in her book with Handy Manny!


Cruz finally found a character he did not mind standing with for a photo.


He also thought that the Disney Junior Show was FABULOUS!


The ONLY character Callan wanted a signature from was Green Army Guy. Thankfully we found him near Toy Story Mania. Cruz was still not wanting to get in there with him, but he was all about waching him as we walked away.

The parades were Cruz's favorites. The characters were at a safe distance and he loved the music.
 HI BUZZ!!!!

Animal Kingdom

 We hit Animal Kingdom full force on a cool morning. There was no amount of convincing Callan that riding the water ride at 9AM on a cool morning was a bad idea. So Brent accepted the challenge that mom was not willing to take and took Baylor and Callan on the Water Rapids ride. The first time through they did not get a drop on them, so the nice ride director sent them right on through again where they got so soaked that Callan cried... and cried... and cried. Luckily we had not yet made souviner purchases and went for some new Disney shirts that were DRY!

They also enjoyed Expedition Everest. They rode this ride until Dad could not do it anymore. The lines were so good that they rode it straight through about 5 times in a row. Luckily, I had taken the younger 3 off to watch Finding Nemo.

Cruz spent a lot of time covering his ears, not knowing what was coming next and Eliza always just went with the flow... as long as the ride was not scary or dark.

AND THEN WE HAPPENED UPON HER!!!! Eliza's favorite princess. The only one she truly cared to see. We were just walking along headed to the Lion King show and then she appeared at the edge of a forest... just standing there alone. We thought it was a miracle. No line, no people, we just RAN straight to her. She was full on in character because when I said to the lady" we were hoping we would see you but did not know where to find you", she told me she had been in the forest with her friends. The Lion King was amazing too, except for the part where I fell down a step onto some people who did not speak English.

Day 3 EPCOT… and lunch with the Princesses

Off to Epcot we went.  Of all the places to be the most crowded...  this one was it. The lines seemed the longest, but the kids acted like champs and rolled with the flow.

Cruz loved Nemo!

When I heard a group of older gentlemen come off this ride and claim that they "didn't know that they were going to make it" I was worried about the crew I had just sent on this ride. They all came off smiling and Silas still claims that this one was his most favorite.

Eliza, Cruz, and I hit the little character stop. We did it for Cruz and his love of "HOT DOG" but he would have nothing to do with the characters not even his beloved Donald. Eliza racked up the signatures and loved posing with each one.

The highlight of the day for our little princess was our Princess Luncheon in the Norway Pavillion. I had no idea that Disney goes to Norway to hire young people to work each country pavillion. I asked our server a lot of questions and learned quite a bit about the work Disney puts into making sure that the experience is authentic. Our server was on a year work visa and had been there 7 months. Her hope was to return home just to apply to come right back!


I was truly surprised how much attention each princess gave to each individual table. I was very impressed with their kindness (especially Cinderella). Eliza had princessed out with her makeover and being Cinderella all day the day before so she was not interested in dressing up. Not only did she get attention, but the boys got red faced a few times at the attention these princesses paid to the princes.


We did not get to spend as much time at the different country exhibits as I had hoped we would for educational purposes... but in the end... after a little Soarin' and Test Track we were all good to go.