Another Disney Trip?

After living in Florida for three years and visiting Disney World 45 days. We feel most are tired of hearing about "Another Disney Trip." So this time we thought we would spare you. But after requests and inquires about our last trip, we felt we better just post our story for those who want to hear it. If you are not interested, we will not be offended if you skip this post. For those who want to hear about our trip, find a seat, we have quite a story.

The reason for our trip was quite simply our great friends, the Linn Family, wanted to come for a Christmas trip. We jumped at the chance to meet up with them again. We have had a total of four Disney Trips with Milt and Devon and this one was the best one yet.

Each time we meet up with them, we seem to have acquired two or three more children between our families and each time we also acquire many more adventures that typically come with large amounts of children.

This time there was a total of 7 in tow, though it didn't seem like quite so many. They all got along wonderfully!

Especially the oldest three. Emma has ALWAYS been an extra wheel when it comes to Jacob and his friends, but not this time. She was right in the middle of EVERYTHING and McKinley, bless her heart, was such a good example to Emma. We have never seen Emma so mature and in control of her emotions.

Jacob and McKinley have been betrothed since they were born and so they naturally get along. As for the youngest four, they all kept us young this trip.

We rejoiced the day we had all four asleep at the same time. Devon and Robin just had to celebrate.

We love all the rides, but this trip found us with some new favorite memories.

Benjamin is finally tall enough for a roller coaster. Finally! Okay it is just the kiddie coaster, Goofy's Barnstormer, but considering Benjamin was born while we have been stationed here it is amazing to think that he could possibly get to ride something "Big." He loved every moment.

Each time he rode it!

Having siblings helps kids conquer their fears. For example Jacob does not care for Hollywood Tower of Terror. But after watching Emma and McKinley ride it several times he decided to go again on it the last day of the trip. Emma is not afraid of the Tower of Terror. In fact she loves to "scream like a little girl!"

But Emma does not care to meet characters. Okay she is terrified of them. Especially the ones in masks, but after watching Benjamin's fearless love of meeting them

she had no problem giving Woody a hug. Benjamin, lets just say he seems to have no fear of anything. Not even the Haunted Mansion. Of course none of our children are afraid of the Haunted Mansion, but dare taker Kennedy sure was. She is two and so cute it is hard to giggle when you see her scared. Some how we found a way.

The best and newest ride would have to be Toy Story Mania. It is a lot like the popular Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, but with a 3D twist.

Everyone loved it and it was worth every wait we had for it. And trust me, we had to wait for it! There were lines just to get fast passes!

Basically we did everything, and had a blast doing it all. I would say the company really made the trip though. Milt and Devon are saints and we all took turns at everything. Watching kids, riding rides and after the kids went to bed each night we spent hours playing Domino's. It really took us back to our College days and the glories of BYU.

Some of the highlights that must be touched on are:

Nato, Emma, Milt and McKinley winning Dream Fastpasses while riding Tower of Terror. We are sure this will always be Emma's favorite now.

Benjamin meeting the characters and getting kissed by Mulan.

Philip's willingness to sleep anywhere!

The memories our children will always carry!

And of course we cannot forget the seagull that swooped down and snatched a chirro off the table during dinner one night. Devon held on with all her might, but lost the tug of war. Milt on the other hand didn't give up so easily, but missed the bird completely with the bottle of water he chucked at it. Animal kindness aside, that was his chirro and he planned to keep it. If only we were the type of tourists that video EVERYTHING. (Including but not limited to: Standing in line, walking down the street, people preparing your food, ect.)

There are so many memories and so many little stories, we could never cover then all. Thankfully we intend to repeat this trip with the Linns. They have a standing invite, even after we leaved Florida. We are definitely willing to return for a trip!

December 26th - Boxing Day

Canadians consider December 26th Boxing Day. This year we were going to observe this obscure holiday by cleaning out the house and boxing up old things to donate in preparation for our forth coming move to Louisiana. But after receiving 17 board games Christmas morning we decided on a new twist to Boxing Day. (Yes 17! We ourselves bought only4 of them, and not a duplicate among them.)

We spent the majority of the day opening up the boxes to these board games and trying them out. We played and played and played. Jacob declared it was as though Christmas was still today! It is especially fun when the kids can play too!

(Emma in another dress from her new dress-up trunk)

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas was definitely our best! We stared the morning with everyone coming down stairs at 7:30 am. We all opened our stockings!

Note: When we open gifts on Christmas morning we don't just unwrap them. We open the present COMPLETELY. If it is a doll, it comes out of the box, if it is lego the receiver may choose to actually build the set or they may wait if they would like, but we take turns and watch each other or play with something we have already received until it is our turn again.

With that much understood, we finished stockings and had some breakfast. (Just cold cereal, we are dealing with children after all!)

After breakfast we continued the gifts. Benjamin was the best to watch open gifts. He would tear the paper just a little at a time. It came off in shreds, but he wouldn't even let someone touch his lovely pile of garbage he was making until the whole thing was unwrapped.

Emma was really excited about the gift she received from her brothers. They had picked out a trunk of dress-up dresses and she is definitely a princess now.

Jacob was amazed that Santa actually gave him a subscription to Lego Brick Master. It is a bimonthly magazine that actually has a new lego set with each issue! He knows this must be "Very expensive" and can't believe Santa would be so generous. (We love when they are easily impressed) Philip received a German Steiff Bear that we found out later was actually made in China (is anything sacred anymore?)

But we would have to say that Robin was the most surprised and excited to find that Santa had filled our stockings with Big Turks! Yes that is right! For those not into the Canadian candy lingo, Big Turks are a candy bar from Canada that Robin remembers eating as a child and her whole family loves. Right up there with Canadian Smarties and Macintosh Toffee. Some how Santa knew!

This year we also tried a lesson in sharing. The kids each received individual gifts from Santa, but all the gifts Nato and Robin gave to the kids were group gifts for ALL of them. Toys, games, books. It has been awesome to see each one of them sharing! "This is everyone's" has been music to our ears! It is much better than, "No! That's mine!" They are even sharing their individual gifts they received from Santa without too much prodding.

To capture the true magic of the day we are including this video of Emma. Somehow it is just easier to see how wonderful Christmas was this year through her eyes!

We hope your Christmas was just as wonderful!

A New Record

I finished Philip's stocking! Yea! This is his first Christmas and he will actually have a stocking! Each of our other children did not have theirs for their first Christmases and Nato was placing money that I would be AGAIN loaning my stocking to the youngest child of the family, but not this year! (Actually one year BOTH Nato and I had to loan out our stockings.) It might be Christmas Eve, probably Christmas day by now, but Santa has not stopped here yet and so I have nothing to fear. Philip will get to be a real part of Christmas and I can enjoy the day feeling good and accomplished!

Christmas Eve

What a day! We spent the day cooking and cleaning and getting ready for Christmas. Boy how this year has sped past us. Nato is used to a traditional Christmas Eve feast. So this year I finally gave in and gave him one, it is basically a repeat meal from Thanksgiving with a couple Christmas additions. Traditionally his mother made this meal and then on Christmas his family used to go to his grandmothers for dinner. Since he is so very sentimental and we all love him we thought we would try to make both for him this year. In the past I have only ever done Christmas day dinner. Now I see why. It was a lot of work! Plus the idea of cooking a big traditional meal tomorrow(not Thanksgiving stuff, but other specific foods) just made me tired today. It didn't help that Nato was feeling under the weather and so I think we will try something different next year. My side of the family orders pizza on Christmas Eve and I am starting to push for that no hassle meal for 2009.

After the wonderful food was consumed we did start to feel better and we found a rather enjoyable evening with the kids. We put on a small version of the nativity story. It was so very cute we had to work hard to be serious and not laugh when we saw some of the costumes the kids came up with.

This is Mary "great with child."

Benjamin INSISTED the baby Jesus HAD to be his plush Mickey Mouse. This made Mary's tummy very GREAT!

Benjamin was our Shepard when we could get him to hold still.

Jacob took on the duo roll of Joseph and a Wiseman.

We really wanted the children to feel the spirit of Jesus birth and the real reason for the gifts, food and all the fun. We feel it ended well.

Here is everyone in their new Christmas PJ's!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The Big Birthday Girl!

Emma is four! My how time flies! It seems only yesterday. . . and yet here we are. She is the fabulous four and we were in four a fabulous time. She actually requested a day in Disney World four her birthday, but we just came back and this week will be packed. Her final decision was not easy to make, however we think it filled the bill just fine.

We started with a morning full of presents. After all no birthday is complete without presents!

She has really become a girl and quite the little mommy. She was excited to wear her new apron as she played with HER Tupperware. All the kids wanted to start baking four real in the kitchen with Mommy. It will have to wait until tomorrow.

After presents we moved outside four a little pinata time. Everyone got to try.

First the birthday girl.

Benjamin was either scared it would swing back to get him or he was trying to increase the difficulty because "easy is just not fun."

Jacob of course finished off the poor thing, this is why he went last.

The awesome prizes!

Actually this is the last pinata I will EVER do! Jacob had one this last June and so Emma REALLY wanted one, but finding candy that will fit and that my children will eat has proven harder than it is worth. This time I tried ring shaped lollipops and "lik-a-stick" both are favorite treats in our house and both had terrible effects. Sure they fit in the hole, but the candy on the rings shattered and the "lik-a-stick" sticks broke into little pieces either from the fall or from Jacob's handy work.

After all the candy was collected and inspected we set out four the day. Lunch at Macaroni Grill (Macaroni and Cheese is Emma's FAVORITE food!) followed by games at Chuck E. Cheese, and a movie at the local theater (The Tale of Despereaux).

Finally we headed home four a light dinner followed by cake and ice cream.

I'll admit I almost had to talk Emma into this cake. She wanted Minnie Mouse, but I was having a hard time finding a pattern or receiving any inspiration.

When I happened upon this idea a loved it and in the end Emma was happy with her Florida birthday cake.

Flip Flops are always in style in Florida.

It was a great day and I believe Emma was truly happy. She declared it her, "best birthday ever!" I would agree. It was a great birthday, four years ago and today!

Emma in her new nightgown with her new best friend.

Philip is 6 months now!

Okay so he was really 6 months a few weeks ago. In all the Christmas posting I forgot to post about him. He is growing bigger and bigger which makes Robin and the doctor very happy. He now weighs in at a hefty 12 pounds, 12 ounces and is 26 1/4 inches long. As you can see his cheeks are filling out too. He is rolling over a little and eating solids very well. He still prefers to be held by Mom or Dad to anything else and we have to admit it is one of our favorite past times. He is growing up so fast and soon he won't be our little baby. So for now we take any chance we have to snuggle. We are usually joined by one or more of his siblings when we snuggle which makes it that much nicer for everyone. Yes our house is not the cleanest and yes the laundry is usually not folded, but babies just don't last forever! Besides. . .

could you resist that smile?

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Santa Clause is coming and Emma has proof. On Friday she received a letter from Santa in the mail. She was so excited to learn that she is on the nice list and he is excited for her to see her gifts on Christmas morning. What a fun treat. We are not sure who Santa's secretary is but we are grateful for the kind thoughts from Santa's Workshop. Unfortunately Jacob didn't receive a letter, YET. We keep reassuring him that his is probably just lost in the mail somewhere. He is awfully worried this is a sign he is on the naughty list. Poor kid, he is honestly very worried about it, but Nato is good at this type of parenting and will make sure it all works our for the boy. We have a feeling Christmas morning will change Jacob's mind.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

With the Holidays comes our traditional cookie making. Each year we make sugar cookies and decorate them for the Holidays. Then we deliver some to the children's primary teachers and other friends we feel might be a little lonely during this season.

We picked out Holiday shapes and colors and everyone had fun making a mess.

This year we found a penguin shaped cutter in our collection and we had to make penguins. You see, ever since we saw real live penguins at Sea World last month Benjamin has been very found of the little animals. He calls them "Waddles" because that is what they do. It is amazing how many places penguins can be found in our everyday lives especially because we have never considered ourselves penguin people. But Benjamin has found them all!

Nato decorated this special penguin. This one will probably be left for Santa from Benjamin. Emma wants to leave a Red Angel cookie for him that is COVERED in red sugar sprinkles and Jacob is still indecisive. This is mostly from the fact that each cookie he made, and is fond of, he wants to eat himself. Oh, the mind of a six year old!

When all was done we each enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Benjamin had to have a penguin. Can you tell it had lots of dark blue icing on it?