And Christmas is......over!

Well as fast as it comes it seems to go. We actually had Christmas at our house for the first time since Japan. It was a bit lonely without all the family but we were so busy that the day passed in a blur. Tristan was up at 6, Jack at 630 and Jaesen and I finally got out of bed at 715 followed by Savannah at 725. Before we really did anything Jack wanted to ride his new bike from Santa. Always a bit concerned with that since the brakes are no longer on the pedals and I really didn't want to be visiting the ER so early on Christmas morning. But, he took to it great and rode up and down, up and down the street with no problems. Tristan received an iTouch from Santa and pretty much was glued to all the cool apps that Santa applied to it, man that Santa is a rockstar. Savannah only wanted Dora videos from the man in red and she was granted her wish too. I figure it's close to the last year that Santa will get off so easy for her. I went above and beyond in the food department and cooked for an army, 20 lb. turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and key lime pies for dessert. It was all so good and I think I will run to the fridge to make myself a turkey sandwich (my favorite part of Christmas, the leftovers!!!!).

We Like to Move It, Move it!

Miss Savannah requests this song constantly and dances in the kitchen. She likes to "move it!"

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Happy Birthday to you my big 3 year old girl!!!!! From Japan to Jacksonville you have blessed our lives and we will never be the same because of you! We are better and more fulfilled. Happy Birthday beautiful girl. Love Mom, Dad, Tristan and Jack

Our Weekend in Orlando

Well we travelled back to Orlando for another weekend and although we did use our passes to hit Disney once more the big draw this trip was the ICE Festival. It is 2 million pounds of Ice carved by a team from China. They create different scenes every year and this years theme was the North Pole. We stayed at the hotel where it is located and they really put on a good show. There were musical events several times a day, huge decorated trees, dozens and dozens of pointsettias, a hidden gnome hunt. Tristan loved running around pen and paper in hand to search for these hidden gnomes-20 of them. We ended up finding a total of 12 I believe so not too bad. Our balcony opened up into their atrium where the Christmas Tree and daily shows were conducted so we sat on our balcony and enjoyed. All in all it was a great weekend, I had been dying to see the ICE for the last couple of years and figured we had better do it or it wouldn't happen. The kids favorite part was the ice slides. I personally liked the nativity scene and the 30 foot tall frozen Santa.

A Visit With St. Nick

The kids finally got to visit with Santa Claus and ask him for all those things that they want. Tristan of course took his list which consisted of mostly Harry Potter items, Santa commented that he must indeed like Harry Potter. Jack didn't ask him for fairy dust (thank goodness) which is what he had been wanting for the last two months and instead asked for things like a mechanical dog and cat, a certain Transformer and a Nerf sword. Savannah surprised us all first off by sitting in his lap. She insisted that she would not but as soon as she saw him, that magic overcame her and she just crawled right up. Secondly, she didn't ask for the pink skateboard (another thank goodness) that she has been talking about for a month. Instead she asked for Dora movies. I think old Santa can handle that request no problem. And although they are all dressed in sweaters it was almost 80 degrees out and they were all sweating! What they have to do for Mom and her Christmas moments. Merry Christmas to all of you and to all a good night!