Christmas with Mickey

This year for Christmas we were lucky enough to spend it at Disneyland.  The trip has been planned since this last summer.  It was really hard because I so wanted to tell the kids so they could get excited, but I knew if I did, I would hear 20 times a day, "When are we going to Disneyland".  You know what I mean don't you?  No thanks. 

We thought it would be fun to do a surprise for them a few days before we left, so I just had to not think about Disneyland at all because I knew I would spill the beans.  We went with all of the Palmer family.  We were missing a few, but it was a great time!  Dave and Melissa drove down from up north, and we all drove together in 2 cars.  Melissa and I with the little kids, and Dave and Chris with the bigger kids.  We got off a bit later then we had hoped, and 10.5 hours later, yes 10.5 we got to the hotel!  The traffic between Vegas and Barstow was awful!  Considering we have never taken a trip before with all 4 kids, they couldn't have been better!  I don't think Cohlee cried even once!  It made it so the 10.5 hours was bearable.  We had lots of fun.  The kids did great at the hotel.  We were kinda goin nuts the first night in the hotel room, but we got somewhat used to it.  Hopefully now that we have been once, we will make it back again.  The only bad thing about the trip:  Apparently, Christmas day is the BUSIEST day of the year at Disneyland.  Of course!  Luckily we had the park hopper, so we got to go to California Adventure which wasn't as busy.

The big group shot 

{My favorite part of this picture: Chris's mom giving herself bunny ears }

Click here to view all of the pictures

Wheel of Fortune...Palmer style

I have had the biggest secret in my head forever (Since Augustish). I had to make myself completely forget about it or I knew I would go crazy not being able to tell my kids. So last night, we played a game. I know it doesn't look like the cutest game set up ever, but hey, at least it got done! We had told the kids that they could open one present each last night. First we had to play a game. We aren't a game playing family, so I am sure they were wondering what the heck was going on. So the boys are down to one letter left. They can see that it says "WE ARE GOING TO _ISNEYLAND. So you would think Weston would totally have it figured out without that last letter. Nope. So we flip over to show the D, and he says, "WE ARE GOING TO DINSEY-LAND. DINSEY_LAND, what is that? I tell him he is reading it wrong. He repeats the same exact thing. I guess that going to Disneyland is the last thing he could have EVER imagined. We do not travel. The adult to child ratio is way to off for that. So finally I tell him that the N is after the S and to sound it out. Once he says it right, I start freaking out screaming, "WOOO_HOOOO we are going to Disneyland for Christmas!!!!"

It took awhile for it to sink in. I am sure they are still questioning whether its going to happen or not. It will be their first time ever!!  We are going with all of Chris's family. Can't wait till Monday!

Santa Baby!!

Cohlee's First Christmas 2008

2007

Tanner's First Christmas 2006

Cades First Chrstmas 2004

Weston's First Christmas 2001

These are all our sweet Santa pics that I could find. The one from 2004 I had to steal from an ornament hanging on the tree, thats why its kinda choppy looking. I am pretty sure I have gotten them done every year since Weston was born. Ever since Cades 2nd Christmas, I have HAD TO sit on Santa's lap because there is always a kid who is not feeling the jolliness of Old St. Nick. Don't worry, I make sure to tell him what I want for Christmas too!!