* OUR LIGHTS*

When Maren was really little she always asked why we didn't have lights. Last year I finally broke down and got some to hang on the house. It seemed to keep her happy for a year, because this year she asked Santa if we could have colorful lights. I really like how our house lights look, but maybe next year I can figure out how to work some color into the display.

*CHRISTMAS 2011*

The girls slept in more than usual and woke up at 7:50. We convinced them to snuggle in and sleep some more in our bed until we were ready to head down. They were so excited to see their stockings and presents. However, during it, Maren just seemed tired. Sure enough, once the presents were done she climbed on the couch and snuggled up with dad and took a nap. Once she woke up, she got into her presents a little bit. Of course Alexa had fun playing all morning with her new presents. Aunt Rachel came by and took Alexa with her to Grandpa and Grandma Burhans' since Maren was still sick. It turned out to be a good call that we stayed home, because Maren ended up being sick again and I ended up getting sick too later that day.

The girls coming down in the morning.

Checking out the note from Santa.

Finding the presents.













Poor sick Maren.

Maren missed to from going to grandma and grandpa Burhans' house, but enjoyed opening up presents from them when she felt a little better. Aunt Rachel brought them back for her when she dropped Alexa off.

*CHRISTMAS EVE*

We had so many plans today. We were going to go to Grandma Hauk's, church, Christmas Carol play and dinner. However, Maren is still getting sick. Jay was able to reschedule the play for Monday night and we decided to just stay home. I think it was a good thing, because Maren kept getting sick. We laid around all day and night and then got ready for Santa, by giving him some bread and milk. We also told Eddie the Elf goodbye and then we tucked the girls into bed. It's been a tradition to have the girls sleep in Maren's room on Christmas Eve. Maren usually climbs into the window seat to sleep.

Girls saying goodbye to Eddie the Elf.




Setting cookies and milk out for Santa. He actually got strawberry bread. I explained to the girls that would probably like something other then cookies for once.

The girls always sleep in Maren's room on Christmas Eve.

*CHRISTMAS PARTY*

We have a huge weekend ahead of us, but it looks like the girls planned something else.
First we headed to Grandma Marilyn's to open presents and then we headed to Angie's where all of the Adams' family was at. Halfway through the night, both girls got sick. At first Alexa complained of a stomach ache and then Maren said she felt like she was going to puke and instantly started. Then Alexa started. At one point Alexa had the toilet and Maren was puking in the sink. We quickly gathered our stuff and headed home, hoping to make it before the next round. I sat in the back seat with them with plastic bags just in case, which turned out to be a good thing. Those plastic bags got used!
Once home, we tucked the girls in on the couch and chair and I slept with them. We woke up throughout the night.

*SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG & PARTIES*

The girls made it back from Disney with one day left before vacation. Luckily it was the day of the all school sing-a-long and their class parties.

This is the first year that Maren got to go to the Sing-a-long as a student. She usually comes with me to watch Alexa. Basically, the whole school gets together and sings in the gym. Maren sat with me and Adrienne and Alexa chose to sit with her class this year for the first time.

Then I bounced back from party to party helping wherever I could and watching the girls have fun with their friends.

*HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS / MAGIC KINGDOM*

Unfortunately, I had to work at a conference for the military all day Saturday. Angie took the kids to Hollywood Studios for the day and I met up with them once I got off at 3:00pm. Once I got there, they all wanted to go back to the hotel to swim. I convinced them to stay and keep playing. I met up with them at Hollywood Studios, but then we decided to finish the day off at Magic Kingdom. Angie and the kids had to wake up at 6:00am to catch the plane, so we tried to get out of there pretty early. We ended up getting separated at the park, but we planned to meet at the bus. The girls and I ended up getting off of the monorail and running to our bus and catching it at the last second! Angie called for us to find it or we would have missed it. It was a close call.

*MICKEY'S MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / MAGIC KINGDOM*

We went today to the Magic Kingdom to play all day. We also had tickets to Mickey's Christmas Party for the evening which Disney closes the park to everyone, but ticket holders at 7:00pm. They have different characters out at that time and you can drink all the hot chocolate and eat all the cookies that you want.
Maren met Tiana, which is her favorite princess right when we got to Magic Kingdom. We hit all the main rides too. Luckily Michael and Maren can almost ride all the rides now. Michael kept wanted to ride Splash Mountain and of course the other big ones were Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain. I also got a picture of Maren's favorite "dirty foot" from the Pirate of the Carribbean.

*ANIMAL KINGDOM / HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS*

We went all day to Animal Kingdom. The first thing we hit was the Safari ride where we saw a ton of animals. Then the next ride was the Kali River Rapids. Angie ended up going on the ride with them. That was the last thing I wanted to do is to get wet the first thing in the morning. Which it looked like I was right. The kids were soaked. After the water ride we went to Expedition Everest. Maren finally got to ride this one. The first time we came to Disney, she was just a tad to short.
After a day at Animal Kingdom, we headed to Hollywood Studios to watch the Fantasmic show. Its supposed to be the best show at Disney.