The Big Day!!

On Christmas Eve we left for Disney World. We checked into the Caribbean Beach Resort where I had stayed with Gail all those years ago on the holiday when Michael and I first met. As we checked in we tried to book a restaurant for that night in Downtime Disney. The House of Blues (where we actually met Michael) was booked as were most of the restaurants at the park so we decided on the Rainforest Cafe which takes walk-in traffic only. Going into a room identical to the one we had stayed in 8 years ago was really strange and brought back some really fond memories of my sister... There was quite a wait to eat at the Rainforest Cafe but the meal was fantastic. The restaurant has moving animals and simulates a tropical rainforest thunderstorm every 20 minutes. We sat by a tropical fishtank in the Gorrilla room and shared a famous 'Volcano' dessert which was impossible for the 3 of us to get through. After dinner we went back to the room and put out Maddy's stocking so that Santa could find us OK. Michael put out the usual carrot for the reindeers and hot cocoa for Santa and we went to sleep... In the morning Madison was thrilled that Santa had left 'too many' gifts!...a topsy turvy princess, cabbage patch pony and a whole lot more. We had got her a portable DVD player which she loved too. I was really happy to finally hold my new purse (of course no surprises here - I had gone to the store to make sure I got the right one...).
Michael was really happy with his Bon Jovi tickets...
After a few hours we headed off for the Magic Kingdom. When we arrived (at midday) we discovered that all of the major rides were down due to power failures and they had made an annoucement that we could use our tickets at any park that day. Since the smaller rides were still working, the lines were horrendous, an hour plus for most of them. It took over a half hour just to get popcorn - the whole park was heaving. Apparently Christmas Day is the busiest day at Disney World which we hadn't planned on at all. Maddy was miserable not being able to go on anything and it was really difficult just to get around with all of the crowds. We gave up and left at about 4pm. We did get to see the Christmas parade with Santa (who Maddy said should have been resting).

We got back to the room to find a bouquet of balloons and a Happy Anniversary card from Mickey Mouse which was really nice. (We had mentioned the fact that it was our anniversary when we were trying to book dinner).
We took a much needed family snooze and tried to go back to the park again at about 7pm. It was much better and we got to do the rides with very few lines and see the Spectromagic parade. Main Street USA had fake snow and really beautiful lights and decorations. The fireworks over the castle were absolutely amazing. They have had the whole castle redone and it lit up to coordinate with the music. Madison sang along through the Nutcracker songs and loved it when Tinkerbell flew across the park. After the fireworks the park really opened up since most people left. It closed at 3am but we were long gone at that point and sleeping off a really fun Christmas Day!

Christmas party at the Earlys

The day before Christmas Eve we had a family party with Jen, Rich and Mya, Richard, Sue and Sara, Nana, Lizzy and Matt. Mya came dressed to impress...
Nana cooked garlic shrimp with sugar snap peas (which was delicious). The girls watched Nestor the Long Eared Donkey and we all exchanged gifts. Lizzy and Matt got the '80s game...
Jen and Rich got their S'mards (!) maker...
Clare and Mike loved their sushi set...Richard and Sue got Nutcracker Christmas ornaments...

Maddy made jewelry in her new Kim Possible jim-jams and both girls got framed pictures of each other ...

Then the game of Guesstures began. Despite Richard's efforts...
And Mike and Rich's thoughtful approach...
and Sara's athletic display...

The girl's won!!

Merry Christmas!!

The Nutcracker

Madison's school put on their performance of the Nutcracker Suite on Thursday. Madison was in the choir and worked really hard to learn all of the words and actions for the performance. She was a little nervous as we arrived...

Mya and Jen came to the show and gave Madison flowers afterwards. Madison - we are so proud of you!

Christmas Shopping

The Christmas shopping is still not done but Maddy has her 'Simpsons'-style pajamas ready for the big morning...

Holiday Party

Today Bill, Lisa and Sami had their annual Christmas party. Face painting, scavenger hunting, Christmas craft-making, lots and lots of food and drink, football and friends. Maddy hit Santa up with her list (baby horse, snow globe, soft princess, something arts and crafts related, a musical instrument) and made sure that he knew how to get to DisneyWorld for the big day. Bossy and organized...wonder where she gets that from... Santa gave Madison an art set at the party and everyone had a great time!