The Adventures of the Middaugh Family: December 2011

What a blessed Christmas season it has been! Jason, Audrey and I were able to celebrate Christmas a few times with family and friends. We had a great long weekend and Jason had a few days off as well.

Since I no longer have an office job I felt a little bummed when everyone was sharing their stories of office parties, half days in the office, and casual work weeks. That's when I decided that I could still have my own "office party". I mean, hey....Audrey and I do technically "work" all day since I'm teaching her and she's learning - it's tough work, seriously. So, Friday was our first annual holiday office party. We had appetizers, wine (for mommy), listened to Christmas music and had our very best friend Laura over. Oh, and Audrey even wore her tutu for the occasion!

First gift!

Christmas Eve was spent at the Middaugh's house with Audrey's Nana and PaPa. It was a full house and lots of things for Audrey to do, cousins to play with and family to love.

Playing on Aunt Mally's IPad

Tutu!!

Opening a gift with Nana

Ice cream!!!

Cousins in their jammies!

Candy Cane Martini's

Christmas morning came so quickly! Santa came and delivered so many toys, and we especially loved that he only wrapped one thing. He left toys, books, a chair, dolls and clothes!

Reading a new book on a her new chair

Breakfast Disney style!!

Chauncey even got a new coat!

My family came over Christmas Day, we watched the Disney Parade and had lunch.

Grammy and Audrey

Fake Mimosa's

Cheese!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Jason and I had been talking about taking Audrey to Disney for quite some time. This past summer, we decided that December would be a great time for us to go mainly due to the gorgeous weather and low crowds. I'm glad we picked last weekend to go because Disney was taping their Christmas Parade that airs on TV Christmas Day AND Justin Bieber was singing in the parade as well, so it made our trip a little extra special. Although we didn't get to physically see "JB" it was quite obvious he was there by all of the screaming girls wearing his T-shirt. The parade taping was a little hectic but we managed to get around with not many problems.

We spent time in Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studio's and Animal Kingdom and loved each of them. Audrey took to the characters immediately. Her first "meet and greet" was with Donald Duck in Epcot and it was a total hit. She liked to crouch down close to the ground and look up at them before she would walk up to them. And she especially loved to kiss their noses, not shy at all!

We stayed at the Dolphin Hotel and I would definitely stay there again. The room was great and it was walking distance to The Boardwalk and a short boat ride to Epcot and Hollywood Studio's.

We took over 600 pictures so it's very hard to choose which ones to post. Here are some of my favorites...

The Official 1st Visit Button

View from our room, watching the swan in the lake

Hello Donald!

Santa was on vacation too!!

Audrey's customized Tinker Bell Hat, this is the back of the hat

Audrey wanted to kiss me instead, so precious!!

Which one should we choose???

They said she was too cute to try out, bummer!!!

In her famous "crouch" pose before meeting, Love this picture!

Again, crouching down :)

Loves to kiss noses!

She really loved Mickey

She kissed his nose too, many times!

Kiss Kiss!

Waiting in line to meet Santa

Main Street decorated for Christmas, so cute

"Santa, cut the small talk and just bring me the toys"

She liked to kiss the stuffed animals too

ALL of the princesses loved Audrey's dress. It had mice on it. Thanks to her Nana for picking out such a great dress!

She fell asleep in line for Dumbo and slept through the entire ride

Sitting in Cinderella's chair was SO MUCH FUN!

Knocking on the Castle door then running away

Making a secret wish......

They say that Disney is the most magical place on earth. I certainly believe that we experienced the magic and joy. But our "magic" was experienced in the little "non-Disney" moments. Check it out....