MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas seems busier than ever this year....but in all the hustle and bustle we will be missing a very special person this year. For the first time in my life Christmas day not be spent at my Grandparent's house. since my Grandfather passed My Aunt is taking over the dinner this year. Grandpop will be there celebrating with us in our hearts :(

Downtown Disney's Tribute to the real meaning of Christmas

This was neat to see in Downtown Disney. With all the public places not wanting to say or write the word Christmas because it has "Christ" in it or display a manger this seems to be a rarity at public places these days!

Well, I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I will finish my short blogs of our trip when everything slows down!

Monday night sleigh ride...

Yes I know real sleighs do not have wheels...but it was as close as you could get in FL

Monday at the boardwalk

We had a great time walking the boardwalk.... No crowds perfect weather!

Playing on the beach was fun, but we didn't have buckets because we didn't know we were going to end up there!

This was a pretty cool water slide.

Just a picture from Sea World!

Sunday was off to Sea World

Kara loves her baby sister....

The girls loved to watch the playful dolphins at the dolphin nursery!

Their favorite rides are the merry-go-rounds...even if they have to ride sea creatures!

Kaylin must be telling Daddy something important!

Kara was facinated by Shamu!

Saturday night we went to a local parade in Kissimmee

After we were settled in and wanting to get some of our vacation started we went to a local parade and saw Mickey and Minnie! This was supposed to be at the big Holiday Extravaganza; that was posted online. Apparently every year they do a huge Frosty's play ground and fireworks at night. They have things going on all day long crafts and food vender's and live music. This year after we watched that parade we asked someone what directions to the fireworks. Dissapointingly they told us this year there would be no fireworks or snow for Frosty's play ground.

oh well we watched the parade and then left to go get something to eat, besides all the candy the girls collected at the parade.

but not before seeing Peter pan, and Captin Hook.

and the Sweet little Angels that were riding on the float!

On the first day of Florida.....

After driving so far for two day we finally arrived at our resort in Orlando. The resort was really nice. I always go and check out the rooms we are assigned when we go on vacation. This time I took one suit case with me to check it out instead of going empty handed. The room was great! I so I called my hubby and said it was safe to bring the girls up. Why he took the time to get them out of the car and come to the room. I took all the presents that were pre wrapped (Thanks to my cousin) in special paper and hid them around the room.



My 4 year old was so excited...she came up with a whole story about how Santa must have came and left them there for her and Kaylin. She had a blast going around and finding the gifts and opening them.
Most of the gift were clothes for the trip. It just so happen that Kara's clothes ended up being too big. Kaylin's clothes fit Kara fine though. So most of the trip my 4 year old had to wear my one year old's clothes....lol When it comes to summer clothes where the length doesn't always matter it worked. Kaylin's pants were Kara's capri's. Thank goodness we had a washer and dryer in the room.
This shaw was one of the gifts that they both loved. This was a last minute gift Mrs. Claus just had to get. She saw them 50% off when she was doing some last minute shopping before the trip. They each got one of these to wear to their special dinner that was scheduled for later in the trip! It was too warm for them to wear them that night though. Kaylin was bringing it to me all week to put it on her why she was playing in the room at different times!

Roudolph's nose isn't shining anymore

Well, after I finished painting we had to decorate for Christmas a little more. This has rejoined the livingroom after a year in hiding, so I had to make him festive!

Are you ready for the show?

My daughter Kara is very into dressing up, acting and telling stories that she has learned.

This is a mixed up story of Alice (From Alice in wonderland) and the three little bears!

We took her to a play in the summer called the trial of Goldielocks...she learned a lot about performing...LOL

Some of the spectaters don't know how to keep their Children off the stage, but as any good actor, Kara did some ad lib and made that little gal part of the show...

Part two was a musical!

Painting the Living room

My living room hasn't been painted since we moved in. So on a whim on day after about 3 years I started painting it with some donated paint. I took everything down and put it back as it dried.

Even though it was not that dramatic of a difference in color...it made a world of difference to me in freshing up the living room!

a little paint goes a long way!

It was a mess having to take everything down and paint as far as I could why the kids were sleeping. Then putting it away until they went down again. I like to set up finish the project and then clean up....oh well, intervals worked!

My Last living Grandfather.....

I know you haven't heard from me in a while and I am unfortunately returning with bad news.

My last living Grandfather was diagnosed with bone cancer on Monday. He is 91 years old and everyone says what a great life he has had over the years and think positive. It doesn't make hearing the bad news any easier. I have so many memories of my Grandfather. He is probably the only person in my family that I have never been mad at or upset with at some point in time.

He is a well known and respected man. He is living a remarkable life and for selfish reasons I don't want to face that it may be ending soon. Most of my childhood memories revolve around the farm he worked so hard to run. He has been married to my Grandmother for 63 years and in love with her longer!

They raised 4 children, that multiplied into a dozen Grandchildren, which has then grown into 9 Great-grandchildren! He has been involved in each and everyone of their lives in a positive way even if it is through someone else's life he touched. Everyone of these children have brought a smile to his face at some point. My Grandfather is not a man of many words...but when he says something...it means something to you. He has always made what he says count. You don't really hear much negative from my Grandfather under any circumstance except politics. I have only seen this wonderful strong man ever have a tear in his eye once, when the doctors told my Grandmother she would have to under go a major back surgery. I happen to be at the appointment with them. I saw touching tears fill up in his eyes and one trickle down his cheek. He was feeling her pain. The love they have built is so admirable. Then he got strong for her. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her; then he told her it's going to be fine.

There have been soooo many wonderful times with him to remember! Which is one of the reasons it makes it so hard to hear such awful news. My Grandfather said to my Grandmother to tell all the kids how it is, because we have to face this. I know he is right. It isn't going to be easy but it is reality.

Just a couple of weeks ago my cousin and I were attending a great Aunt's (my Grandfather's sister-in-law) funeral services who lost her battle against cancer. It is hard to see what this does to a person, and we know all to well from all to recently.

So life isn't always so simple, but I love when it is! I just have to remember the verse

Jeremiah 29:11. I know that I will find peace through all this and that it is more likely to get worse before it gets better!

I am so blessed that both of my girls have gotten to meet him. I know some don't have that opportunity and I am grateful!

Putting together the Christmas tree...

Here are the pictures I promised about the Christmas tree!

Lauren decided to wear the Christmas Tree Skirt as her own....

Kaylin was a little leary of the big tree when she woke up.. but she eventually became adjusted! My fearless one (scared of the Christmas Tree...)

What did you think you were going to get to see the finished product?