Meet Simon

Thanks to Grandpa and Vera, Simon was welcomed into our home this holiday season.  Let me say, he was quite the hit with our girls and was one of their best friends during the month of December.  The girls loved looking for Simon every morning and would talk to him throughout the day and give him messages for Santa.  He was also good at making them behave and helped Ellie poop in the potty a bunch during his stay at our home.  Unfortunately, Simon has gone back to the North Pole and Ellie was pretty disappointed when she realized that on Christmas morning.  We look forward to seeing Simon again next year!

Simon holding one of Ellie's favorite foods, a breakfast bar!

Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  We missed seeing our family in CT but it was so nice to be able to spend Christmas morning at home with our own little family traditions.  It was especially a fun year because both girls were very excited about our elf Simon (picture to come) who visited during the month of December and Santa.  They were full of energy on Christmas Eve and couldn't wait until Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought for them.  On Christmas Eve, we went to the service at our church with Nana and Pop and my Aunt and Uncle also joined us.  Afterwards, everyone came over for dinner and we prepared for Santa's arrival with cookies and letters. 

On Christmas Eve during the night, we had a little bump in the road with Ellie waking up with a high fever.  The girls have been healthy since the beginning of September with not even a cold.  I kept telling myself, if we can make it through our Disney Trip and Christmas Day, we'll be golden and they can get sick but Ellie was one day short. Fortunately, with the help of Tylenol, Ellie pulled through and was able to enjoy all the Christmas Day festivities.

On Christmas Day, the girls slept in and were so excited to go down and see what Santa had brought.  They showed a ton of enthusiasm about their gifts this year which was fun to watch.  It's funny because I think they were more interested in each others gifts than their own and kept asking each other if they can share their present.  During the afternoon, we headed over to Nana and Pop's house for the annual Christmas Dinner (usually Christmas Eve but we changed it up this year) and presents.  My parents always makes our Christmas get together so special with lots of traditions and it's my favorite night of the year.  We were very blessed this holiday season!

Here are some photos from our Christmas:

The girls at mass in front of the nativity.  We really enjoyed going to church this year and it was a beautiful service even if we were there for over 2 hours so we could get a seat.  Ugh!

Heading to Church.  Wish I had gotten a picture of our family on Christmas Eve all dressed up but didn't even think about it!

Putting out the reindeer food on the deck!

Madelyn writing her letter to Santa!

Ellie writing her letter to Santa.  It was so funny to see how excited Ellie was for Christmas this year.  She told us a thousand times that "Santa is coming to Town!"

Ellie was excited to see a castle when they came down on Christmas morning! 

Bill reading them Santa's letter back to them.  Love Ellie's expression because she was really into it!

Madelyn wanted a Tiana Barbie so bad



Madelyn has wanted a Doodle Bear for a while and was so excited when she opened it.  Can't figure out why she likes it so much!



Another Barbie Movie!

Ellie got her Barbie Car like Madelyn's car!

More princess toys.  After this Christmas, we never need another Disney Princess item!

So excited about her Barbie with a Surfboard.  I have no idea where she got this gift idea!

Showing off their pink purses with charms from Santa

They love their bow holders from Nikki, Nick and Briley.  Too cute!

The girls made me plates for my plate rack. I look exhausted in this photo!

Bill with his Fenway Park gift from Grandpa!

We decided Bill needed some decoration in his new office so we got him a UR picture!

All ready for Nana and Pop's  house with her new scarf, pink purse and headband

Fun at Dinner

Ellie loved her Mickey and Minnie ornament from Nana and Pop

Santa's little helpers ready to hand out gifts

Best of Friends!

My sweet Ellie

Pop with his crew!

Madelyn and Cora were so excited they gave each other the same gift!

Waiting patiently for their turn!  It drives Bill crazy how we take turns opening gifts from younget to oldest in my family. 

Josh loved his new talking horse from us!

Favorite gift from Nana and Pop!



Looking at the calendar the girls made for her!

Meme loved her calendar of all the great grand kids!

Disney World - The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Bill and I surprised the girls with a trip to Walt Disney World last week.  It was an awesome trip and exceeded our expectations.  We stayed at Wilderness Lodge on the Magic Kingdom property which was so nice.  We only had a short boat ride and we were at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.  The service in Disney is outstanding and our resort and the parks were decorated beautifully for Christmas.  We decided to visit the beginning of December because it is supposed to be less crowded.  We really didn't wait long for any rides except the new Fantasyland area where we had some wait times  It was definitely a great time to go to Disney!

During our trip, we spent 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Animal Kingdom.  It was a perfect for our girls and their ages.  We were also lucky enough to get reservations at two very hard to get character dining facilities (have to book 6 months out).  We had breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle and dinner at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort.  They were both fantastic and the girls had a blast.

We had chilly and cloudy weather the first half of the trip but the second half was warm and sunny so we were able to make a trip to the resort pool which was so much fun.  The girls loved swimming in December with Christmas music playing in the background.  I was a little worried about Ellie during the trip with her naps but she did really well.  She was a trooper and did really well with no naps.  Ellie loved her first roller coaster and her favorite character was Pluto.  Madelyn loved Minnie Mouse and meeting Tinkerbell and her sister Periwinkle.  They both loved the parade in the Magic Kingdom and were able to stand right up front in front of the castle.    I've been to Disney World several times but it is completely different when you see it through the eyes of your children.  It really is a magical place!

I could go on forever about our trip to Disney, but I wanted to put some of our favorite pictures on the blog.  I'm actually going to make a separate photo album on our trip to capture all of our memories!

All ready to surprise the girls!

At the airport ready to go to Disney World!

Not the best photo but our hotel all decorated for Christmas!

The first night at the resort!

On the boat to have breakfast at the castle with the princesses!

We have arrived in the park.  We were so excited!

It was really early in the morning when we took this photo which was nice because we don't have the crowd in the background!

Snow White

Ariel

Madelyn was a horse in the play with Belle!

Rapunzel

In front of the tree at Animal Kingdom

Our fried Winnie or "Shampoo" which is what Ellie calls him



Tigger!

Ellie is still talking about Pluto putting her autograph book on his nose!

Ellie's favorite character, Pluto!

One of my favorite photos.  They were both glowing during this dinner!

Madelyn's favorite

"Sister photo" with Tinkerbell and Periwinkle

Madelyn loved the water slide at the resort

Mad Tea Party

Merida from Brave

The castle was beautiful at night all decorated for Christmas.  We took this photo as we were waiting for the fireworks to start.  It was magnificent!