operation: happiest place on earth

When my parents suggested we meet them in Disneyland for Christmas, we simply could not say no. I was so nervous things would fall through or get hindered (for a million different reasons), but it turned out to be a simply wonderful week.

They aren't kidding when they call it the happiest place on earth!

My sister Cydney made these incredible Minnie hoodies

A highlight for me! We'd been waiting in line to meet Minnie, but suddenly she had to leave. They were escorting her away so I just planned to take a picture of Addy with Minnie in the background. Minnie was signing an autograph, noticed Addy standing 3 feet away, and seriously pulled Addy in. I thought Addy would burst!

My dad was the only adult among us that could handle the teacups. He did them twice! 

The Christmas decorations were incredible

The Christmas parade was delightful

 It was mega crowded, but the holiday decorations, amazing weather, and one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa made it all worth it!

december this and that

Meeting our friend Brant downtown

Sick day

Baking assistants

The ol' Cheerio-stuck-to-the-forehead routine

Pre-church and everyone's hair is done for once

Squinty-eyed presentation of a book she made (it was her idea to make it... so friggin' darling)

Mom's birthday ('twas a bit of a weird day and we all look a bit wiped out!)

cold snap

We had a cold stretch (for northwest standards, anyway), and it was actually pretty fun.

Addy suggested we eat dinner in beanies. Makes sense.
PS- Everybody puts their Christmas tree in the kitchen, right?

Home sick but coping with a movie, a lovey, and Mom's beanie

This snow was pretty epic for my girls. We still talk about the gigantic snowman we made!

tree time

Christmas tree shopping in Oregon is pretty dreamy. There are tree farms galore and you can walk away with an 8-foot-tree (oh yes we did!) for a steal. 

These outfits kill me

Admiring Dad's tree-cutting skills

Enjoying the hay ride back to the car

thanking it up

We thanked it up in Washington this year with Doug's family.

the sibs

Thanksgiving dinner aftermath

She was doing a Thanksgiving sashay

Cousins, costumes, stories

Cousins, coloring

She was QUITE proud to be a twinner with Aunt Kadi

It was wonderful!

stuff

Drive-in movie

Her favorite spot to chill

We said good night to her in her bed, but she had other plans

Cake for our 7-year anniversary (our "family's birthday")

preschool gratitude

Addy's joy school had a Thanksgiving par-tay.

We made apple turkeys and listened to a wee Thanksgiving performance (I love Robin's feather boa).

Addy free-styled some dancing during their turkey song

I wasn't sure how this whole joy school thing would go, but I really love it. And most importantly, Addy loves it too.