Its a Wonderful Life!

We're back from our adventure in Disney World. Once again we were blessed to head south and enjoy ourselves in the happiest place on earth! And at Christmas time no less, talk about a wonderful time of year to visit! It snows at night, Santa visits and all the parks are decked out in holiday splendor.

I am still sorting pictures and memories, we have so many to enjoy. We were lucky to have my parents and Scott's parents along with us, so we had quite the family adventure!

Here are a few shots from our trip.

Opening the Magic Kingdom - Addy's waving at Mickey as he opens the park.

The first view of the castle coming into the park on our first morning! Oh, the joy.

Addy's choice for first ride - Small World with Grandma and Grandpa. Perfect!

Loved our resort, here is Addy and Scott taking a stroll.

Taking in the sights on the Disney train with Grammy.

Addy was so into the characters this trip. Last year she was afraid of the them, this year she was all about waiting in line to give them hugs.

Lucky girl - both Grammy and Grandma to keep her company at Animal Kingdom!

Thank goodness for Daddy and Plumbly - Addy got to do the teacups two times in a row.

One of Addy's favorites - the Nemo ride.

We did some mini-golfing while there - there are 4 Disney courses to choose from. Scott got the low score of the day. (Ask me who got the high scores on Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania!)



Addy was all about riding the train by herself.

One morning we went out to Celebration - a town dreamed about by Walt Disney. It became a true town in the 1990's. It is an amazing and beautiful town to visit.

In recent months Addy has developed a love of all things Disney princess. She was so excited to meet Ariel and Snow White. She even got to wear her Ariel costume one day and Ariel was pretty impressed with it.

Have I mentioned I heart my iphone? Oh, let me show you one reason: (Yup, that is Addy watching Scooby Doo while waiting in line.)

My favorite - Goofy and Pluto!

Dumbo - we had just introduced Addy to the story before we left, so she was so excited to ride.

Probably the best reason to go to Walt Disney World at Christmas time - the Osborne Spectacle of Lights. 5 million+ lights, Christmas music, and snow. It is pure magic!

Every 10 minutes they have the lights do a "dance" to a great song, and here is Addy dancing in the streets, along with everyone else.

On my must do list - a parade!

Seeing a few more friends!

The family at Animal Kingdom.

What happens when you give a 3 year old one of those giant lollipops?

Even a couple of rainy days didn't stop us.



Addy and Plumbly playing the washboard at Nancy and Frank's 41st wedding anniversary dinner show.


Sigh of pleasure - the Magic Kingdom at Christmas!


Now it is back home, enjoying getting ready for the holidays and catching up on laundry!

Holiday Weekend Bliss

What a wonderful holiday weekend. Great food and wonderful family on Thanksgiving.



Poor little Addy Bear has a cold but she still managed to have some fun!


Then on to my favorite morning of the year - Black Friday! Of course we got the traditional Christmas pajamas.


And the sun was shining . . . what better time to hang up the lights! And ride a bike.

How festive:



Topped the day with some decorating inside . . . everything but the main tree. We'll save that for tomorrow.

I know its not even Thanksgiving . . .

. . . but we are within 24 hours. I heart Christmas!

Now I am going to change my page to a wonderful Christmas theme! Big smile.

PB

Peanut butter is awesome! It is one of those perfect foods . . . it goes with everything. Addy has developed quite a fondness for it, and not just for eating it, playing with it is super fun too!

Every time we give her PB it turns sticky real quick. Just talking about PB makes me want to have some. Yum!

Speling - I mean Spelling

For months Addy "spells" her name . . . and you look and its scribbles. So, imagine my surprise when BAM . . . out comes this one day:


And then this:

A few days letter she's got my name down . . .

Now for TODOROVICH . . . she can say it - yea! - we'll work on the spelling a little later. :)

C-U-T-E

Is it wrong to be jealous of Addy's new shoes? They are stinkin' adorable. I need to get a picture with her in them. Anyway, had to share . . . I heart Addy's pink sparkle converse!

Thanks!

I can't recall who posted this idea on their blog last year - Tara maybe? Anyway, I remembered the thankful tree idea and Addy and I enjoyed putting it together over the course of a few days. We cut out the tree and leaves, colored them and then Addy recorded all the many things she is thankful for on them. She took her placement and leaf design very seriously.

Family members, Scooby Doo, grapes, classmates and snuggles all made the list. :)

Howl at the Moon

I love this time of year. Its dark in the evenings with spooky fog . . . and check out the moon. The other night Addy and I were watching Scooby Doo ( of course) and I looked up and out our big window and saw this:


I don't know about you but it makes me think of werewolves and vampires . . .

Ballerina

Addy got some ballerina outfits for her birthday - we tried all of them out this weekend. She is now taking ballet at school, so she likes to show off her new moves. (Thanks for the great outfits! She loves the leg warmers - doesn't she look like a flashdance diva?)

Halloween

Still playing catch up on postings. Scott, Addy and I had a marvelous Halloween! Halloween party and trick or treating with friends - how much better can it get?

Fire and Ice (or in the Wendy's girl on a bad night):

Finally getting around to carving our pumpkin - day of . . .

Cool pumpkin:


Trick or treating (warning: Gracie's witch is pretty scary):

Our Ariel:
Even at the most frightening houses with skeletons screaming, fog, people jumping out, heading coming off bodies - Addy wasn't fazed. she loved it and cried out "look Mommy look!" Whatever takes for candy!

My favorite moment was after I was sure she was going to be totally frightened by this life size skeleton that ripped its head off and screamed at us, Addy watched it carefully a couple of times (after getting her candy of course) and then proceeded to try and scare the rest of us by pulling her head off her neck (or trying to at least). She giggled the whole time. :)