Froeliche Weinachten

Day 1 of our advent was "Froeliche Weinachten". Since the advent is German in nature I do this the first day each year so that I can introduce the calendar. We also have an ornament that is a pickle that represents a German tradition. The story goes ... this ornament is the final ornament to be placed on the tree. On Christmas Day the child/person who is able to find the pickle hidden among the boughs will receive good fortune throughout the new year --- as well as a little special gift.

Sweet picture of Zaida ... followed by a picture of Zaida teasing her mom.

I had a whole dinner meal planned (weinerschnitzel & spaetzle), but I also had my neighborhood HOA board meeting that night. So, being a little lazy I didn't make it until the following night.

Meurer ADVENT-ure

This week our 2010 Advent Calendar has begun!

This years color theme is Red, White & Silver. It's not as creative (or as Corey called it "weird") as last years' theme, but it looks really pretty and festive.

Last year I was a little frantic to get all the blogs done immediately --- this year I think I will do them once or twice a week.

But as a taster, here are our first three days:

"Froeliche Weinachten", Festival of Trees & "Mele Kalikimaka"

PBR Vegas

After we left California we headed to my "favorite" place - Las Vegas. Fortunately for us we got the hook up and got a room at the Wynn. It was beautiful!

Here is the view from our room ...
Zaida loved the bathroom. The magnifying mirror was a favorite. She would pretend to do her make-up here. :)

Us at the PBR Finals - look at these awesome seats. :)

John came up to meet us for the second day of Vegas fun. We headed out to the mall where the kids had some fun on the rides. :)

Zaida taking some photos. She's a pretty good little photographer.

After night 2 at the finals. I am almost glad our seats weren't this close (the odor is not the most pleasant - I don't need to be that immersed in the experience).

On our way out I was able to annoy Proctor enough to get a picture with him.

Look how tiny she is in this bath! The funniest part of this picture is the multi-tasking - bath, brushing the teeth & watching a cartoon. I love this little munchkin!

We were checking out the hotel before we left and ran across this buffet. Look at all the gorgeous topiaries filled with real flowers. Fancy!

I have a bunch of other photos of the pool area, but they are pretty boring! Vegas is not my fave place, but staying in the Wynn was the way to do it! I just wish we had some sun - but seems like that was the running theme of our week.

Disneyland again!

Zaida just looking cute!

Zaida looking at the map. She just told me "I'm telling to the teacups - and it's pink!" It was amazing to me, because she really did find the pink teacup on the map.

And, yep, you guessed it - here we are on the pink teacups. Zaida says, "I go to the pink - I go pee pee on the teacup. --- Hey, STOP LAUGHING!"
Tann-o, Cara & Zaida having fun on the train. Z says, "Let's go to the dragons."
(which means the dinosaurs)

Zaida says, "Hey, that's Buzz ... no, he's Buddy."

"Lickin' lollypops" and waiting for the street celebration to start.

I don't know how Cara doesn't break her back holding up that little man!

Goodbye Disneyland - we love you!

California Adventure

This promised to be a good day ... look at my little princess! We are getting ready to go to Ariel's Grotto to go have lunch with the Disney Princesses.

The girls with Ariel (or mermaid, as Zaida calls her).
Here is our table of princesses ... Mia-maid & Cara
Carol & Connie

Shay & Zaida-Belle

Zaida with her pal Cinderella

Gals with their cousin Snow White

Zaida hired this chick to stand in for her. (Look at Zaida's pose. I love it!)

So glad Sleeping Beauty could take a break from her nap to come have lunch with us, too!

After lunch we were pushed out into the rain. Look at this sweet impromptu picture of my sweet guy & gal. Look at them rocking those ponchos too!

Cara's always picking her nose --- it's really embarrassing!

We only spent a couple of hours at the park & once it started to pour we took off and headed back to the hotel. We were all drenched! Especially Zaida because she wouldn't wear her poncho or keep the stroller visor over her head. Here is us wet & "happy" at the hotel.

This evening Corey headed back with the group to watch the water/light show. Zaida and I stayed snuggly & dry at the hotel. I love the sign behind Corey. I wonder why they even had those out - the whole park was a wet zone. :)

Zaida's first trip to Disneyland!

Just as we are going into Disneyland. I got the guys to stop from running just long enough to get the picture!

Zaida's first ride in Disneyland - DUMBO! She's sitting here with me while I blog I will write some of what she says about them too. (What's this guy going to walk for?)
We went with our buddies the Degns. Cute pic in the teacup guys!

Zaida picked out her ears. Of course she picked out the pink princess ones!

(Are these Zaida with her Minnie ears on? Yep, these are ears with the castle.)

I think this is an adorable picture of the kids. Disneyland truly is a magical place!

Z on her favorite ride ...

For the teacups.

On the parents "favorite" ride (It's a small world). It's a LONG ride with one continual song. Cara sure looks happy though. Maybe it's because she got some cute ears!

Tanner & Mia with Minnie! We got one of Zaida too, but it was all blurry. Maybe Corey jumping around in excitement while taking pictures was a bad idea. :)

Corey had finally settled down for this picture with Mickey. :)

Zaida says: They're taking a picture with Jasmine & Alladin.

Zaida says: Tigger-Pooh! A boingy guy!

Just to prove I was there too!

Yep, it was a long, FUN day!

Hey, did we miss the speaker box?!