Pirate Day @ Disney

Riley won a Radio Disney contest where she and friend got to go to the new Disney Pirate experience. It's like the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique only in pirate form. Since the girls both had pirate dresses they decided to wear them to get the full experience! We walked around that afternoon until it was time to head over. Just in case you're wondering, you can find this right next to the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Riley before

Kamryn before

Riley getting her make-up done

Kamryn starting to look like a pirate

The girls in their pirate costumes looking like they are ready to plunder and pillage

We had so many people who stopped to say hi to them as we walked around the rest of the day. We ended up at Hollywood Studios to go and look at the lights. Well, we decided to take in the Indiana Jones show since the lines for the rides were too long. As we were walking up the girls were acting like pirates and the cast members had us wait to the side and then they escorted us to the bottom of the theater to the VIP section. We ended up sitting in the second row right next to the control booth (I've seen that show many times and have never sat that close). Kamryn didn't like that we were so close to the "action" especially when the fire was going, but it was a great experience. We ended our day walking through the lights and singing Christmas carols. A great day with our pirate princesses!!

Family Reunion x 2

In the span of about three weeks we had two reunions with Doug's family. The first was over Thanksgiving weekend. At Thanksgiving, his mom and her sister and brother got the family (or some of it anyway) together in The Villages. While not all of the cousins and there families could attend, I still met some family that I have never met before (and Doug and I have been married for 13 years). Due to our crazy schedules, we could only join them for the Saturday night dinner. We did get to spend some time with Desta and her girls on Friday. It was fun seeing everyone and catching up with them.

Doug, his sister Desta, his brother Vic, his mother Jeryl and her husband Al and our families
The Cousins!

Riley and her cousin Peyton - they love to hand out together

Kamryn, Piper, Riley and Peyton

The second time we all got together was closer to Christmas. Doug's brother Girard was coming in from Thailand so Desta and the girls came back to Florida. I'm sure they were happy to escape cold, windy Chicago. At least we weren't having our super cold weather yet. We took the whole group (Vic, Josie, Heather, Austin, Desta, Peyton, Piper, Riley, Kamryn, and Doug and I) to Disney on our annual Christmas outing. We always go with Vic's family, but we have never gone with this many people. It was CRAZY!! We hit the Magic Kingdom and surprisingly did a lot considering the size of our group. We wanted to go to Hollywood studios too, but dinner reservations at BOMA won out. It was very long and fun day! Then, the next evening we all got together and celebrated Christmas, not to mention Vic and Girard's birthdays. We had a lot of fun, but unfortunately Doug's mom was sick and could not join us. We've never been together this close to Christmas and that made it even more special.

Kamryn and Heather

Uncle Girard blowing out his candles with Kamryn and Piper watching

The cake for Vic and Girard

Girard's girlfriend crocheted this hat and scarf for Kamryn - too cute

Dance in December

The beginning of December was very busy for us. Not just because it's December and the holidays are coming, but because there were opportunities for Riley to dance in two parades and then at a local city event. The parades were awesome. The studio always does a great job. This year they were in two parades (on the same day) and they changed the song line-up so there were 6 and not 3. They also elected to have all the new dancers and any that needed to replace costumes to be snowmen rather than santas. It made for a very cute parade. During the daytime parade, Kamryn was able to walk and hand out candy canes. She had a lot of fun but would have preferred to dance. At the parade that night, we sat with another family who has a daughter Kamryn's age (her big sister is in Riley's class) and watched them as they danced by. It was great to see them and were the best of the night (we might be biased, but they won an award). In addition, the following weekend the studio was asked to dance at a "Snowday" event in a local city. So, Riley danced to a jazz piece and a hip hop piece that were to Christmas music. Several other classes danced too and all the kids had fun and did great.

Kamryn and one of her friends at the Snowday event
Riley and her class finishing up their hip hop number with their poses (and Kamryn running by to go somewhere)

A little hip hop

Practicing her extension and getting ready to go on stage for jazz
(she can do this and smile at the same time too)

The nighttime parade - Riley is the snowman in the front row (she wouldn't look so I could get her face)

Kamryn and Ella waiting for their sisters

Kamryn with some of her favorite people as we wait for the parade to start

Kamryn with her bucket ready to go
(she had to have makeup just like her sister)

Riley in her snowman outfit ready to go

Christmas Programs

Both girls were in Christmas programs at their schools during December. One night we were at Kamryn's school and the next night (literally) we were at Riley's. Both programs were wonderful.
I was actually surprised that Riley's school could do a program (2nd grade performed at PTO night) that had Christmas songs in it. They did sing a little about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but most was about Christmas and Santa getting amnesia and being lost at the South Pole. It was a very funny program and all the kids did great.

The stage full of second graders singing. Riley is up there somewhere, but she's in the back row so it's hard to see her.
Kamryn's class (k-4), the k-3 class and the kindergarten's waiting to go on

Kamryn and her friends Taylor and Peyton. They were both stars and Kamryn was one of the angels.

Kamryn after getting her halo

Kamryn's program is very Christ centered which makes since she goes to a private school at a Baptist church. We love this school for the girls when they are young (Riley went there too) as they learn so much about our Savior. They can both tell you more Bible stories than me probably. They did a good job learning all their parts and songs. I was excited because Kamryn learned several hymns and was then able to sing at church with us on Sundays. Usually she just pretends while we all sing since she can't read the words yet. We're very proud of the girls and the great job they did.

Santa

The girls with Santa

Doug and I picked up Riley one Tuesday and then went to get Kamryn from school so we could go and see Santa. When we got to Kamryn's school to pick her up she asked if her friend Taylor could come with us. We called Taylor's mom and she said OK so off we went. Luckily I had some extra clothes so Taylor could change out of her school uniform. We love going to see this Santa and have gone every year since the girls were little. It's fun to see how the kids progress. The girls enjoy giving Santa their lists.

Riley, Kamryn and Taylor with Santa

Kamryn giving Santa her list

Riley pleading with Santa and assuring him that she would be good The girls throwing coins in the fountain at the mall

20 Year Banquet

Doug and I at his 20 Year Banquet.

Every year Disney puts on banquets for the cast members who have hit milestones (10, 15, 20, 25, years etc). Doug had hit 20 years back in January so we were excited to go to his banquet. They had characters walking around and we got a special picture with Mickey. They also had a cocktail hour and then an awesome dinner with entertainment. We had a wonderful evening getting all dressed up and seeing people we both knew and had worked with over the years!

Our yummy dessert

Me and an old work buddy (Wendy) who hit her 20 years as well

Cupcakes

Riley had wanted me to make cupcakes that she could take to school for her birthday. Well, she got into trouble at school (talking) right before her birthday so I told her she had to go a whole week with green lights and then I would bring in cupcakes. It took her a month before that happened. She had initially wanted Halloween cupcakes but that holiday had passed. So, I decided to make turkey cupcakes and this is how they turned out. Riley was so excited when she woke up the next day and got to take these to class. From what I hear, the kids and teachers loved them!! Luckily, we were working the Book Fair that day so Doug was able to sneak in and grab one too. Riley gave mine to the principal so I guess I can't complain.

Riley and her cupcakes!!