Disneyland at Christmastime is the best time!

Late November we woke up one Saturday and realized we had NOTHING planned for the day(this never happens) so Daddy(being his spontaneous awesome self) whispered "lets surprise the kids and take them to Disney".  We called up Nana and asked if she'd like to join us for the day and we headed off to the park! It's funny how the kids evolve with their likes and dislikes of rides but for the past year the consensus has been Phia and Presto mutually dislike Pirates(devastating for mommy and daddy).  Preston even refused to go on Winnie the Pooh this time but after much twisting of the arm went on and wanted to go on again(duh! It's like the best non scary ride there!).  Presto was also terrified of the Tiki Room and his younger brother was in heaven bopping his head the entire time and singing "Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" at the top of his lungs.  Preston's favorite is the teacups so of course we went on those.  He'd go on them all day if we let him. It was such a fun day.  As we were leaving the parking lot we got  a good view of the fireworks!! And of course the park was decked out for the holidays...absolute perfection:)

Advent Program 2014!

This was by far our most favorite Advent program yet! We had 3 kids performing, we had front row seats(thanks to us being the highest bidders at Casino Night...wohooo!), and this was Phia's 4th and last performance at St. Peter Claver.  Sophia got an amazing role as the angel Gabriel.  It was a speaking role and she was up on a podium with huge angel wings.  Preston was one of the Wise Men.  He carried in presents and he stood right under Phia.  The program was so thoughtfully planned! They had our 2 kids right next to each other(so perfect for pictures).  Phia was beaming! Preston's king hat was too big so it kept falling but he didn't skip a beat.  They sang "Happy Birthday Jesus"(makes mama cry every time).  Bentley was literally in a class of his very own.  The second the music started his hips started swaying Elvis style and never stopped through "Feliz Navidad" and "Soon and Very Soon"(mommy's absolute favorite!).  He knew every word and was right in the from hips shaking non stop! We loved every minute...so sad it's over.  After, we celebrated by stuffing our faces with pizza at Topper's and driving to our favorite house to look at Christmas lights.  Preston said "can we eat pizza and see Christmas lights after our Advent Program every year mama?"...answer OF COURSE!!!

Picture with Santa and Christmas lists

 We took pictures with Santa today.  NO tears this year but Olivia was VERY unsure and refused to smile.  Our kiddies are all super smiley so it's ok for Liv to be unsure of the big man in red!  Sophia lost her 2nd tooth last night so she brought her tooth to show Santa and as of this week, her new obsession is getting a puppy for Christmas.  Santa made sure to tell her that he has to ask our permission before delivering one so he wasn't sure if she'd get one this year.  She wrote the note below to Santa and Preston also wrote his own letter.  He asked for  the following: A Scooter, A remote control car, and Superheroes.  He was very proud of his letter.  Bentley is very curious this year about everything and is very excited about all our decorations, our tree, and our Elf named Snack:) We are definitely in the spirit!!

Random fun photos!

This time of year is always so busy for us(but it's our absolute favorite so we wouldn't change a thing).  Mama is the queen of decorating and of course I go all out with decorating the house and the kids enjoy it more and more each year.  Phia got her dance competition costume for "Rockin' Robin" and it's beyond beyond adorable.  She has to wear special tap shoes(Sansha's) and all the dance mama's are getting together to spray paint them glitter red to match their costumes and of course we've already spent time rhinestoning...I can't figure out if I love that part of it's the bane of my existence.  Such a special time of year.  Next on the agenda is planning Presto's 5th birthday party...still cannot believe our sweet boy is going to be 5.  So very bittler sweet...mostly sweet but so hard to see them getting big and (somewhat) independent.  He definitely doesn't look like a toddler anymore.  His legs have gotten so long and he's lost all his baby fat.  He also is very bashful about mommy kissing him in front of his friends...it's starting already sigh...