Who Needs Starbucks?

I received a cappuccino maker for Christmas this year. I have spent the last 5 days perfecting various espresso drinks and steamed hot chocolate. This is a Caramel Macchiatto I made myself this afternoon.

12/25/08

To Grandfather's House We Go.

Yes, I know it is a Thanksgiving song. We are truly blessed to have my father in law live on the street behind us. We walked over for Christmas dinner in the early afternoon and walked back afterwards. We loaded up the wagon so that we could bring our gifts to everyone and not have to drive. It was a beautiful Christmas spent with family and warm weather. Aubs got nearly everything she asked for and has started on her Birthday list.

12/24/08

Traditions are being turned on their ears in our house. For the second year in a row Aubs requested to read to us.

12/23/08

Steven Curtis Chapman singing Joy To The World.



A slow shutter experiment at the Light Arches.

12/22/08

Another ornament. I am not sure where these came from. I believe they were crocheted by my Mom, mom mom, or my Nana. The reason this ornament made the photo a day is because everytime Aubs walks by the tree she rings the bell. I keep thinking the line from It's A Wonderful Life.

12/21/08

Once again Shawn was the photographer for the day. Is it just me or do these three look like trouble?

12/20/08

Mommy and Aubs ballerina shadows.

12/19/08

We went out to dinner with our friends Dawn and Joshua. We went to the new restaurant at Downtown Disney the T-Rex Cafe. It is owned by the same people who own Rainforest Cafe. My last few experiences with Rainforest have kept me wondering why I keep going back so my hopes weren't high. I can tell you that we were pleasantly surprised and the food was quite good. We sat in the ice cave and had a great view of the meteor room.

12/18/08

Aubs had a Holiday Party at school. They made these little winter scenes. It appeared to be mostly edible but since she said they had used both glue and frosting we decided not to chance it.

12/17/08

I had asked Shawn to please take a picture of Aubrey signing the cards. She fell asleep before she could do anymore so this is the photo he took.

I Promise...

I will catch up on the photo a day. They are all still in my camera. I have taken them each day and today have tons of extras.

I just got back from watching Steven Curtis Chapman read the Christmas Story at Epcot's Candlelight Processional. It was amazing. To hear him speak those words, knowing all that he went through this year, and to see the joy in his face as he shared the story with thousands. It was indeed a special moment.

Photo Safari Four Park Challenge

I don't know what possessed me to try this. It was a very long day that consisted of the following:
3 Parking Lots
6 Trams
4 Monorails
4 Parks of Disney Magic
1 kajillion steps. I am sure this is what my pedometer would have said if I had remembered to wear it.
2 very tired legs

I have no idea how far I walked today. I decided before I started that I would walk every non attraction* section of each park. Between the walking, tramming, monorailing, and driving I am pretty sure I covered over 30 miles. I am basing this estimate on the fact that the Disney Marathon goes through and around all 4 parks without doubling back, like the trams and monorail trips.

I reached Animal Kingdom this morning at 10:30 this morning hence the safari title. I reached my fourth park at around 3:25 pm. Once I made it through the gate at Epcot, my last stop, I slowed down a bit. I no longer had to beat the sun for the perfect flashless photos. Once I got the additional challenge photos I tasked myself with I rewarded myself with a glass of Rosa Regale. Yum. The pictures below are some of my favorites. Once I realized that I would be able to make it through the park in record time since I was alone, I decided to up the difficulty. My three challenges were self portraits, trees, and Santa lookalikes.

I had so much fun I may come up with future Safari ideas if anyone else would like to play.

For a minute I forgot it was 80 degrees and thought I might be somewhere with real seasons. Our unseasonable weather has caused fall to come to Florida.

Me and Bill

Because during an escape to Disney one really needs to be reminded that they should have finished their Christmas shopping instead of a Photo Safari. I am just glad the Toy Soldier seems to agree. (At Epcot I managed to find a few gifts so that took the edge off a bit. Or maybe that was the alcohol.)

The Lilo and Stitch Tree. It was so cute. I had to have a picture. Okay, three.

*Animal Kingdom has some walking tours that I skipped. They do not usually decorate the animal enclosures. As I found out they also do not decorate Asia, Africa, Rockin' Rollercoaster, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, or Futureworld.

Challenge #1 Self Portraits

Animal Kingdom walking in.

Hollywood Studios at a window display on Hollywood and Vine.

Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland.

Epcot in American adventure in front of the Giant Gingerbread House.

Oh, did I mention that I have lost 20 pounds? :)

Challenge #2 Trees

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Each of the parks has a very large tree outside of or just inside the main entrance.

Challenge #3 Santa

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

After the first two parks had men that looked just like Santa I thought I should go for four. I am pretty sure the last one was the real deal. He was jolly, helpful, and wearing red.

I Am A Day Behind

I was unable to take a picture yesterday because I got up in the morning, got ready for work, worked all day, and went out with co-workers. So I decided to make it up with two pictures today. I will be having a marathon of sorts tomorrow. I am going to try to hit all four Disney parks and take pictures of the holiday decorations in each.

I have decided to take the ornaments on my tree and use them for a few of the Photo A Day. So many of them have great stories and I would like to turn them into a scrapbook at some point. Mom if you know more of the stories of some of the older ones can you help me out?

I believe the Santa ornament came from Avon. It is a scented ornament and around 20 years old. The reason I put this one on here is because when we pulled the ornaments out this year the whole box smelled like this ornament. I cannot believe that it has still held the scent.

I think the snowman toppers came from my Nana's house. If they did not they made their way to the house at the same time as the other Christmas items my father and his siblings thought I should have.

Saturday

Blogger has decided to post the pictures in the reverse of my choosing and also the reverse of how they happened. Today was an eventful day and we have not been home for too long. Aubs had ballet this morning and it was parent participation today. I asked Amanda if she would mind taking some pictures for us. Aubs and Jack are particularly close with two of the assistants and they played photographer for Mellie and me. Amanda may just be responsible for both the cutest and most embarrassing photos of Aubs and I ever taken.

We mailed a letter to Santa while we were at the mall with my cousin Danielle and her boyfriend. If you mail your Santa letter from Macy's they will donate $1 per letter up to 1 million to the Make A Wish Foundation.

We went to see the Nutcracker today. Don't worry photos were allowed. It was put on by a local company and was absolutely amazing. A coworkers daughter was Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy. They told us she had an off night this evening but I honestly couldn't tell. If this was a bad night for her I cannot wait to see her on a good day. She was breathtaking and definitely had a presence on the stage.

Should I Be Concerned...

That my daughter is already practicing forging a parent's signature?

Dr. Seuss Tree

We have this tree growing in the corner of the yard. I have no idea what it is. To me it looks like it should be in a Dr. Seuss book instead of my yard.

Moon

The moon is really beautiful here tonight. There is a giant ring around it tonight. I tried to capture it on film but the telephoto was too close and my 18-55mm didn't quite work out. I did however end up with a lovely picture of the moon. Unfortunately I hadn't grabbed the tripod on the first trip out so to keep myself from moving I laid on the ground and held my breath. The other unfortunate part was that the neighbors drove up as I was doing this and since he is a deputy his mind went to worst case scenario and he almost called 911. We had a good laugh about this. I did not realize that so many fun stories would be generated by the Photo A Day challenge.

Happy Birthday Jake

Happy Birthday Jake. We love you and miss you.

I wanted to get a Marines ornament for our tree but have not been able to find one. I thought Patriotic Mickey would work for now.

Snowman Tree Take 2

Here is the current version of the snowman tree. I guess it is more of a table. While there are a lot of ornaments she also has some other great pieces. I wish you could have seen the look on her face when we told her she got a Christmas tree all to herself. It did take a while to convince her that it could not go next to the big tree. Once we got the placement figured out she was very happy to decorate all by herself.

We Needed A Little Christmas

We have been in a decorating frenzy this weekend. Aubs and Shawn put up the outside lights yesterday. Today we put up the family tree as well as all of the candle holders and little counter/table top items. We have had some Rudolph figurines up on a display shelf for a few years. We had been keeping them in the boxes because they are collectibles. This year we decided to take them out and enjoy them. We now have a little Rudolph scene under the tree.

Aubs ended up with a 3 foot tree for the snowmen. When we tried to put the snowmen on the tree I had bought for them we realized that it was not nearly big enough. We had a spare tree in the garage and put that up for her. I ended up using the IKEA tree for our Irish ornament collection.

I couldn't figure out which photo to post so I put two.

Happy Thought Request

If anyone reading could please send happy thoughts to my friend Charissa, it would be greatly appreciated. Her beloved cat passed away yesterday. She is one of the best pet moms I know. If you would like to send her a note of encouragement and love click here. Thank you.

Pretty In Pink

Here is Aubs getting ready for ballet. If you look in the background it appears that she placed a pillow under the snowman tree in case he decides to jump off.

Please pretend not to notice that I need to vacuum. Thank you.

Aubs

I realized I hadn't posted a new pic of the girl in a while. This is from Thanksgiving so it doesn't count for Photo a Day. She did her hair all by herself.

Reason #67...

...That I love IKEA. These delicious little cinnamon rolls from their Swedish Grocery section. I am not a big fan of icing on my cinnamon rolls and was very excited to find these. They are delicious. Aubs loves them too. I also threw in my coffee because I found a very yummy Christmas Blend at Barney's Coffee and Tea. It is a cinnamon amaretto blend. I don't usually like the flavored coffees but this one is just right.

In case anyone is wondering I most certainly put the cinnamon rolls on that plate for the picture.

Snowman Tree

My parents started a snowman collection for Aubs right around her first Christmas. I am pretty sure this has something to do with her needing to board a plane in order to see the stuff. Her collection has grown considerably and I have been trying to find a proper way to display them at the holidays. I was at Ikea last week and found these fun tree things. I wasn't sure what I needed it for then but realized today it would be perfect to hang up a few snowmen. Unfortunately the tree with two snowmen didn't photograph well. The past few years it seems when someone new comes into our family it has been a good omen when they give Aubs a snowman. Usually they do not know of her collection when purchasing the item. This snowman is from Christine, my father-in-law's fiance. She has never met Aubs except over the phone and sent her not only an ornament but a stocking adorned with a giant snowman. Welcome to the family.

So Far So Good

Alternately titled: Why I Am Pretty Sure My House Will Not Get Cleaned Today.

Eight Years

Today is our eighth wedding anniversary. Shawn brought me these flowers last night since I have to work this evening. With all the preparations for Black Friday I forgot to put in a request for today. We usually wait until the weekend anyway and I have Sunday off. I guess this is my public apology to my husband.

I love you baby. I hope we are together for many more years.

Holiday Magic

Okay not exactly but maybe just a little. I have noticed lately that the leaves are changing. We have had a much cooler fall than I remember. I have been meaning to take my camera with me for the past couple of weeks. I finally had it with me on Thanksgiving and pulled off to the side of the road at dusk and snapped a few shots.

I have also been wanting to do a fun handmade Christmas project. I couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to make and today I decided to make another Advent Calendar. Aubs and I made one last year and had a ton of fun and ended up with a great keepsake. The numbers on the right side each contain a chipboard ornament that has been run through the Xyron sticker maker. I folded a tab so that Aubs can easily remove them from the pocket. I will try to take a picture on Christmas Eve so everyone can see the complete tree. I also added a picture of last years Advent Calendar.

I am also going to try to do a Photo A Day until Christmas. I have never done one of these before so we will see how it goes.