*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.

*EPCOT*

We arrived a little late on our first day, so we decided to knock out Epcot. There are a few good rides, but not enough to do an entire day of it. We were able to hit the best ones like Nemo, Soarin' and Turtle Talk with Crush.

*GOING TO DISNEY*

Eddie the Elf surprised the girls one morning by arranging a trip to Disney! I had to go for the military, so Jay and I spoke to Santa to see if he could throw it in as a Christmas gift. It was on a Wednesday morning before school. When the girls came out of their room to find Eddie, they found him on the chair looking at the computer with pictures of Christmas Mickey and Minnie and a note from Santa telling them the good news. Alexa was confused at first because they had school and couldn't believe they would miss it. They were so excited!

*ALEXA'S PIANO RECITAL*

Alexa had her annual piano recital. She did an awesome job at playing Frosty the Snowman and . She always does so well, but this is the first year she seemed nervous. It's odd, because it seems as she gets older, she gets more anxiety before doing things. She pulled through it, went on and did great.

*MAREN IN THE NUTCRACKER*

Maren auditioned earlier in the year for the American Youth Ballet's Nutcracker. She went to ballet practice every week to prepare for her time on the stage. She had several rehearsals and 2 final shows at the Johnson County Community College's theatre. She did such a great job to go out on the stage and dance. Afterwards, she said she kept wanting to dance. However, a few days later she decided that she liked gymnastics better.

Several people came out to watcher her shows. Her first show had: Grandma Marilyn, Grandpa and Grandma Burhans, Aunt Rachel, Daddy, Alexa, Grandpa and Grandma Lisa. Her second show had: Grandma Hauk, Mom and Grandma Adams.

I was so proud how brave she was to do her part with the other cherubs.

*COOKIE TREE MAKING*

Grandma and Grandpa Hauk came over to make Christmas Trees with the girls. They had fun stacking cookies and spinkling the sprinkles all over the tree.