Christmas Eve at Epcot

This year we spent Christmas Eve in Epcot at Disney World. It was a beautiful mild day. The park was busy, but not too bad. We had planned to explore the park and go for a late lunch at The Rose & Crown in Great Britain, followed by the Candlelight Processional. However, the kids were wanting to do more rides, so we opted to follow their lead after lunch an passed on the Processional. I was a little disappointed, but the trip was for the kids after all. The highlight for Ryan was riding the monorail to Magic Kingdom to see Cinderella's Castle! Sean and Daddy rode Soaring while we were gone. They enjoyed seeing some familiar sights during the 360 presentation at the Canada pavilion. Once we finished at the park we capped off the day with a swim. What a way to spend Christmas Eve!

We're finally here! Up to this point Ryan frequently asked "When the fun going to start?" Many times during the day, as Ryan was beaming, we asked him; "Ryan has the fun started yet?"

Ryan won the first "I want Papa to push me!!!" battle. There would be many more.

Everyone has their stroller... except me... hands free!

The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends

Brandon getting ready for his first ride at Disney

After the Nemo ride, we watched a SCUBA demonstration. Sean wanted to be picked as the helper, but he was beaten out by a boy from Toronto. They had been standing next to one another.

Bruce "Hey the Staab boys are friends NOT food!"

Love, Love, Love this picture! Brandon and I were hanging out... waiting for the ice cream to arrive.

Icon tree at Epcot... gigantic and beautiful

Maps at every park... always wanting to know which way we were going. This is in Great Britain at the World Showcase

Christmas Eve lunch at The Rose & Crown. Best potato leek soup ever! This by the way was the only time it rained all day (started after we sat down and ended before we left) and the only time Brandon slept all day. He smiled through it all, seeming to really enjoy it.

Sean, putting on a show!

Waiting in line for the Test Track

About 8:00 and still smiling!

Great way to end the day. Pool was warm even if the air was cool.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day at Our House

As we do every year, we celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the weekend before the actual day. Nana and Papa were here with us.

On Saturday night, we went to church, followed by the Chinese buffet. When we got home the boys were excited to leave a note, milk and cookies for Santa. Ryan wasn't thrilled about taking pictures, but I managed to get a couple. Sean is always ready to pose!

The boys received "Magic Christmas Dust" in their letters from Santa. It had very specific directions, which they followed to a tee. They bundled up to go outside, with the lights out, sprinkled the dust, yelled 'Merry Christmas' spun around 3 times and went in to turn on the light. If the dust was sparkling, Santa was on his way. Lucky for them, it did and he was!

With cookies and milk laid out, Twas the Night Before Christmas read, they were off to bed.

In the morning they were so excited to see what Santa brought. Sean wanted Lego.. LOTS of Lego and Ryan was certain Santa would bring his very own DS. Luckily, he didn't disappoint.

He came!!

Only crumbs left

He left a note on the back of Sean's picture

He brought the DS

Stanley knocked Papa over while playing with his new chew toy

It's got MY name on it

OOOh .. BIG Lego!

Sean helping Brandon with his first present

It's my 1st Christmas!

Opening the BIG (Disney) gift!

Sean was so excited... Ryan was a little unsure of the situation

Already to go!

Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy oh my!

Christmas At Grandma & Grandpa's

On Dec. 18th we celebrated Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We always celebrate early here as we go to Canada for the holidays. Nana and Papa joined us for this celebration as they had "surprised" us a day earlier with their arrival at our house. The boys were not suspicious at all.. in fact Sean was still certain that we would be leaving for Canada as soon as school was out. It was a wonderful evening with both sets of Grandparents, 2 Great- Grandmas, Uncle Nick, Aunt Jeannette and cousins Jake, Austin and Annika. The kids feasted on pizza while we enjoyed turkey.

L-R Jake, Ryan, Austin and Sean. Annika knew enough to stay away from here!

Grandma, Brandon and Annika

Brandon enjoying a book!

Mom, Dad and Brandon visiting with Norma (Granny) and Grandma Erm after dinner

The grand kids

Dad, Brandon and I . I think Sean took this one

Tony surprised Dad and Chuck with tickets to the practice round at the Masters in April. They couldn't believe their eyes!

Granny and Brandon

Grandma Erm and Brandon

Grandpa and Daddy helping the boys with their new toys

Grandma was on hand to help out too.

Christmas Goodies

Sean and Ryan helped Mommy bake gingerbread cookies and decorate them. They looked great and they were tasty too!

Ryan's 1st Visit to the Dentist

Christmas Past & Present

A little cold couldn't keep us away from our Christmas tradition! We enjoyed a frosty Sunday afternoon in Railroad Town celebrating Christmas they way they did in the late 1800's. The boys enjoyed making their own Christmas ornaments, meeting Father Christmas and eating frosted sugar cookies!