WDW 2012, Part 1

Ahhhh….Disney!  It only took one trip with the twins for us to become,well, let’s admit it, a bit coo coo for all things Mouse!  It’s amazing that we were able to wait an entire year to go back.  But what can I say, we fell in love with the “in between Thanksgiving and Christmas” scheduling of our previous trip (light crowds, fabulous weather, all of the holiday decorations!!!), that we couldn’t help but go back at the same time this year!

 

Differences between last year’s trip (2011) and this year’s trip (2102):

·       We stayed at the Grand Floridian.

·       We opted for a less indulgent meal plan.

·       We took Frances with us!

·        We stayed longer.

·        We drove.

·        We visited Animal Kingdom.

·         We used/purchased Disney photo pass pictures.

·         Walker and Kathryn participated in Jedi Training at Hollywood Studios.

 

Similarities between the trips: 

·         We booked the trip approximately 3 months in advance.

·         We booked all food reservations in advance.

·         We woke up extra early to enjoy extra magic hours.

·         We utilized hotel pool, but only once each time.

·         We did not use a stroller for the twins, but we did for Frances.

·         We made great use of the Fast Pass. Yea! Fast Pass!

Things we would do differently:

·         Stay fewer days/visit fewer parks.  We were in all 4 parks over the span of 5.5 days.  Next time we will focus on Magic Kingdom and Hollywood.  We probably won’t even go to Animal Kingdom and reserve Epcot for dinner.  

·         Stay at Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower.  Although we had monorail and boat access at the Grand Floridian, we missed the convenience of walking to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary.

I

  There's lots more to share, so I'll be back with the good, the bad and everything in between!

Some recipe favs + a tease

I wanted to share some recipes I've made recently than have been real crowd pleasers.  To me, there is nothing better than stumbling upon a good recipe, so get ready!

Mom introduced me to this yummy casserole.  It's perfect for New Years, but great all year round.  I served it recently with pork tenderloin and a salad.  I love it because it's a veggie and starch all rolled into one!

 Turnip Green Cornbread Casserole

1 box cornbread, prepared
2 cans of turnip greens, reserve liquid
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 lg. onion
1 stick of butter, melted

Crumble 1/2 cornbread in casserole dish, spread drained turnip greens on cornbread.  Sprinkle onions on top of greens. Top with remaining cornbread.  Whisk together turnip green liquid, cream of chicken soup and melted butter.  Pour over cornbread.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbly and brown.

Next, Nana passed this dessert recipe along to me, and it is delish!  Not too sweet and perfect with a cup of afternoon coffee!

Swedish Pineapple Cake

Cake:
2 cup sugar
2 cup plain flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
20 oz. can of crushed pineapple, undrained
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts

 Mix all ingredients together and pour into an ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min.

Icing:

1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Melt butter and sugar in saucepan.  Add cream cheese and chopped nuts and beat all ingredients together.
Pour over cooled cake.

And last but not least this absolutely fabulous dip...

Swiss Bacon Dip

8 oz. bacon, chopped
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup swiss cheese, shredded
3 green onion, chopped
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Mix all ingredients (except almonds and crackers) and place in greased baking dish.  Top with almonds and crackers.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. 

Now for the tease part of this post.  Disney 2012 posts are coming soon!  I was worried that we couldn't top the fabulous time we had at Disney in 2011, but let's just say, twice is just as nice if not better!!!

Family Time

We had so much fun visiting with family over the Christmas break. Aunt Cori and the boys made a trip down South to visit, and we loved having them here! It was cold, but that didn't stop us from venturing outdoors. We didn't really have an option with a house full of five little ones:)

Uncle Brad, Aunt Mak, Addi and Baby Bradley were also in town after Christmas, so the fun continued!

We were also blessed to have Nana and Papa visit.  They came bearing loads of gifts for some very eager little ones!

And that wraps up our very Merry Christmas 2012!  Happy New Year!

Better Late Than Never

I seemed to have forgotten about a "little" holiday we celebrated less than a month ago. I guess it's better late than never!

Stockings hung by the chimney with care...

Lots of late night movie watching over the break...

We must have had some good little girls and boy because Santa made his appearance!

Rapunzel, I mean Kathryn, and her Princess Dream Castle!

Angry Bird shirt for our resident Angry Bird Pro!

They Dynamic Duo! As a side note, the hair had us in stitches, but it was a much better alternative to the multiple yards of yellow ribbon she had been clipping in her hair to play:)

The breakfast table where we dined on grits casserole, waffles, bacon, eggs, 5 cup salad, cheese and fruit. 

And lest I forget Little Miss, aka Tinker Bell....

We were blessed to have visits from our cousins too! So stay tuned for Part 2!

Merry Christmas Eve

It's hard to believe Christmas Eve is already here! We've had a fun filled Christmas season kicked off by our trip to Disney World. Disney posts will come after the New Year, but I wanted to capture some of the highlights of the last few weeks now!

We hosted a Polar Express style party with our friends.  The girls in their pajamas!

Simple Snowmen S'mores were passed out at school followed by some Grinchy snacks for the twins' class parties.

Another Polar Express style party at school had Miss Kathryn donning her Santa nightgown!

Little sister joined in on the fun in her nightgown too!  Here we are in Walker's class.

 

A little cookie decorating and ornament making with neighborhood friends!

No bake Santa and reindeer cookies...a family favorite!

And finally a picture with the jolly old elf himself!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Matching Littles

I couldn't help but take a few pictures after church on Sunday.  My three littles were all coordinated in their Sunday clothes, and that doesn't always happen!

I can't say they (or the weather for that matter) were truly cooperating, but I love the various expressions on their faces nonetheless.

See what I mean!

To the 'Ham and Back

Last weekend, Kathryn and I had the privilege of traveling to Birmingham with Tula and Pops! We hit the road so we could witness sweet cousin Bradley's baby dedication.

Timing was just right to also celebrate Mom and Dad's 39th wedding anniversary with a yummy dinner at Hot & Hot without the little ones (thanks Aunt Mak for sharing your sitter!)

Bradley's dedication and the entire church service was such a special time. Plus it was followed by a delicious lunch provided by Aunt Mak! A perfect Sunday if you ask me!

The trip was quick but the memories will last a lifetime!

Some pictures for your enjoyment...