Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas - in FLORIDA

We decided to stay in Florida for Christmas this year, and while I knew it would be strange not being in Iowa (Ronnie and I have spent every Christmas together in Iowa since 2012) but we had a blast here this year! 

The weather was strange to me..it was in the mid-80s, but beyond that the feeling of Christmas was in our hearts and we had an amazing holiday together.  Steph, Jimmy and Ellie came down from DC which was GREAT!  So much fun to get to spend some time with them! 

We went to 4pm Mass and then back to our house on Christmas Eve for dinner. 

Hi Mom - I found Elfie!

Reese LOVED giving Ellie kissies and getting up close and personal every chance she got.  

Christmas morning we opened gifts... welcome to having small children.  I have ONE photo of this madness and it's  this one.  How did this happen?????  There were so many gifts, so much wrapping and so much excitement.  And I'm left with one photo of one empty box without either of my children looking.  

 We spent Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa Merrills.  Look at all these gifts!!!!  We had a great day celebrating Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Merrill, Great Grandma Merrill, Steph, Jimmy and Ellie.  So special --- with such special people.

Patiently waiting.

Cousins!

Where's Reese??? 

Uncle Jimmy was so much fun - loved playing games with Drew!

Father + Daughter + Football = happy Christmas Day.

And, we're out.  Drive home did it in!

This was the first Christmas that I have had a true feeling of the Christmas blues.  On the evening of Christmas Day - I was truly sad.  The celebration of Christ's birth was nearing an end.  It was such an awesome, crazy busy, joyous season this year... and so many things to be thankful for - with the number one being the celebration of Jesus' birth and him entering the world to save us from our sins.  

  

We did an Advent Calendar for the first time with Drew this year -- and while Elfie is fun each morning, Drew was just as excited to hear what activity and act of kindness we were going to do that day.  It may my heart swell and writing this, bring tears of joy to my eyes.  Can't wait to do this all again next year! 

'Tis the Season to work at B-Lynk!

So...I usually don't post much about my business or professional life (I mean, this is the "Tales of Mommy Merrill"),  however -- considering the close nit group of people I have working for the company and the  big hearts that they all have... I think that I can make an exception during the holidays!  Plus...these people are nearly family at this point!  I currently employ 10 full-time and these souls inspire me in my work each day.

We have made it an annual tradition to select a local non-profit to volunteer at during the holidays.  This year one of our trainers got in touch with Metropolitan Ministries and we were all set.  I can say that it may have been one of the most moving days I have had in YEARS.  We helped people coming from absolutely nothing.  Not even a clean pair of underwear or socks.  Giving back is one of the most rewarding feelings you can have -- and giving people a feeling of hope is what I aspire to do through others.

Work hard, play hard.  We also enjoy celebrating our successes together.  This year Ronnie and I hosted the B-Lynk Christmas Party at our house.  #Blast.  #bestpartyever

Bar is stocked and prepped!  Unfortunatly I didn't get a photo of it... but we had a girl that babysits for us bartend.  It was a trip!  She was asked to make a drink with a twist and she did a trwirl for him.  LOL!

Ready to go!

Absolutely GORGEOUS evening!

Tony and his little boy Nikko!  

Elfie even made an appearance!

Everyone made it except for Katie Boyd - one of our trainers in Orlando.  

SHOTS? Sure, why not.

Raquel and Sarah -- VP of Design and Production / VP of Operations.  Don't mess with these chics!

Deep thoughts by Anthony DeMaria.....

Loved this table full of teens (Plus Jules) -- they brought so much life and joy to the party!  Can't believe their mothers are old enough to have teens!

Russ and his wife Gage on the left, Tony, baby Nikko and his wife Erica in the back and Sarah and her husband Andy.  Love these peeps!

Talkin' shop with Justin and Jim - Michael and Natalie mingling in the background.

This party was so very enjoyable for me.  It's not often that this team slows down long enough to chat, talk with each other's family and just enjoy life together.  It was a beautiful night and the business was something to celebrate in 2016!  Looking forward to what 2017 has in store for us!

Grandma Lori's 60th Disney Birthday Bash!

This was a birthday bash that will go down in the Butcher-Weber-Merrill-Forneris History Books for a lifetime!  I think it was about 2, maybe 3 years ago, Grandma Lori decided to invest in the Disney Vacation Club -- she made the investment for a few different reasons, but one being an option for all of us to use for a destination for family vacations.... to DISNEY, and specifically the Polyensian Resort.

Everyone that knows us (they Butcher kids) knows we are a Disney family.  It stated back in the 90's when Grandpa Butcher took us on a big Disney vacation for Christmas and we all stayed at the Polynesian Reort... from there, it expanded to visits to Orlando when Ronda and Harry moved there, then for me -- it lead to 2 internships with Walt Disney World in college.  Needless to say -- Disney has some deep roots in our family! 

With that -- when Grandma Lori announced that for her 60th birthday we were going to Disney we were ALL PUMPED!  

Now... there were over 300 photos from this trip, so obviously this is the condensed version of pics -- but we captured lots of memories and looking forward to the next trip ... which we all decided would be in 3 years! 

Since this was during the Christmas season -- we weren't sure if Elfie would be joining us at Disney... but he left us our Magic Bands the morning we left and mommy was pretty sure that he was happy we were leaving and had lots of work to do while we were gone!

THE CREW!  Breakfast with Stich, Lelo and a few others at the Polynesian!

BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS!

Mommy and Reesie riding Buzz -- the loved the lazer lights!

Buss and Woody!  They have some big fans with this gang of boys!

Daddy and Drew riding Buzz... daddy going for a record number of points!

The castle was breathtaking this time of year!

The Mine Train!  It was work getting Drew to go  - but we had a blast! 

Hey pretty girl!  Having fun yet??!!!

Riding the monorail is so fun!

Uncle Ben and Uncle Andrew gave good rides too!

NAP TIME!

Disney, captured.

Hmmm..these Mickey waffles are AMAZING, but the rasberries were the best!  More peeeaaas!

As always - Reesie and the boys!  They are all so sweet to her!

Waiting for the bus to Hollywood Studios!

Let's do this!

We love you Woody!

4 days apart -- connected at the heart :)

ALL TIME FAVE -- JAKE!!!!!!

On Sunday we hit up Epcot -- Daddy and Reese slept in and stayed back at the room, but Drew and I got up early with the crew and got to the park by 8 to beat the line to Soarin'  and Test Track-- so fun! 

Check out this green super fast car Drew made!

Time for a breakfast treat -- XXL Donut!

My love for this boy cannot be explained in words.  

And this girl....we don't even know what we are in for yet, but she is gonna be somethin' else!  She brings so much joy, laughs and new entertainment to our family every day :-) 

Monkey see, monkey do.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! 

I am sure that I'll go back and read this post in like 10 years and laugh... but the technology that is built in to the Disney experience is BEYOND.  Everything runs off of these Magic Band bracelets that you wear.. they are your room key, meal plan, park ticket and integrate with a mobile app that allows you so sign up for fastpasses to plan your day.  Crazy!

16 mo. going on 4.  Doing everything the boys do!

Crystal Palace Dinner with Pooh and Friends!

Pooh Bear!  Which reminds me that Drew's favorite ride was the Honey Pots...not so much a roller coaster guy!

Grandma, her grandbabies (missing Becky and Charlie) and Mickey -- almost perfection!

One more giant group shot!

We are all so blessed to have each other, the means to go on trips like this and the unconditional love we get from one another.  God is good and this was certainly a Christmas to remember!

Happy Birthday Grandma Lori!