Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

Christmas is so fun with a 6 and 8 year old!!!! The anticipation is almost more than they can bear! This working mom stuff is not good as far as my planning and shopping ahead for Christmas! The Sunday before the BIG day I did a marathon shopping trip to the west side of Springfield, and I didn't come home until I was VERY close to being done! This was the first year that I closed the bedroom door and wrapped presents while Lydia and Drew were playing in the family room. OF COURSE, they knew what was going on, but the fear of Christmas elves watching EVERYTHING was put in them, and they didn't peek. There was, however, much giggling heard through the closed door, with an occasional, "Are you wrapping one for me, Mommy?"

Christmas morning came, and Lydia was the first one up at 6:10am. (that's late for us!) She woke Drew up, and out they went! Santa brought Lydia a big girl bike and a replacement Pocahontas doll (the first one was chewed up by the mower, and we couldn't fine one ANYWHERE in WDW!!). Santa knew, though, and he took care of Lydia!!


Drew got an electric train from Santa and a remote control monster truck! He is THRILLED with his train, and was building tunnels for the train to go through with his legos today. He is so careful with it - it is very fun to watch when he lines up all the cars so carefully on the track.


We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Christmas day was full of fun, joy, and special times.

Of course we have spent a lot of time this past month on the story of the birth of Jesus with our kids...... Here is a little excerpt from a lunch conversation with Lydia several days ago:

Lydia: “So what’s this thing about everyone going to where they were born to be counted? Is that going to happen again?”
Sarah: “No, that happened a long time ago – there was a mean ruler in charge.”
Lydia: “Oh....... Was Great-Gram alive then?”
Sarah: “No...... It happened way way before Great Gram was born.”
Lydia: “Whoa!” “That sure was a long time ago!”

Many blessings to you and yours for a Happy 2010!

More from Walt Disney World!!!

Swimming at the hotel, before it got chilly!

Lydia and Drew had to bundle up while waiting for the Spectromagic night parade! The temperature dropped into the 40's and almost set a record low!!! Sweatshirts and jackets were flying off the shelves from the stores at Disney!!!

Pictures from the outside the Lego Store - Yes - these structures are made out of Legos!!! - And yes - Drew LOVED that store!!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is so much fun around here! We made a huge pot of chili (my uncle's recipe), and enjoyed the evening with friends and family.
Lydia as a Spring Fairy.

Drew as an Astronaut.

My two happy kids!

The Pehlman Family Does Disney

We had an AMAZING time at Walt Disney World earlier this month! It is true that it is truly a magical place! First of all, we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and had a multitude of animals outside our balcony every morning. Lydia and Drew loved the giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and other animals - it was a truly wonderful trip!

The kids loved the Magic Kingdom the most - what a wonderful, happy place! October definitely is a great time to go - the longest we had to wait for a ride was 15 minutes! Don't get me wrong - there were still a LOT of people there! I can't even imagine what it would be like at peak times! Here are a few pictures from the Magic Kingdom.


On Thursday evening, we went to "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" It was an incredible night! All I can say is, "WOW!!!"

Our Spring Fairy and our Astronaut:


The Halloween Parade was so fun! Lots of villians, but all the favorite characters, too! .... And here is Jasmine, Lydia's favorite!


... and characters from the Haunted Mansion.....

...and Goofy's Candy Machine!.......


....and towards the end of the night.....Derrick doing what Daddies do - carrying all the stuff!

Boo to you and you and you, and
Boo too you, and you and you and you!!!!

Here we Go!

Welcome to our blog! This is a new undertaking for our family (read Sarah)! Hopefully, I will remember to post pictures on a regular basis...... hmmmm maybe this will help me to actually remember to download pictures!!!

Anyways, glad you are here, and have fun seeing the Pehlman Family!