That's it, moved to FL to be closer to Mickey! Update 2/4 Kidnapped at WDW 10/03/09 [Archive] - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

jmskinner

11-21-2008, 04:26 PM

I apologize it has taken me so long to post this. Wow, was it really two weeks ago that I was there. I finally got all my pictures uploaded and ready to go:

So, JS took the day off on Friday, Nov 7 since he had been in DC for 5 weeks. So we were able to pick Jacob up from school at 2:15 and head straight to WDW. Oops, one problem, neither of us grabbed the camera. :rolleyes1 So, got Jacob in the truck, swung by the house, stopped for drinks (Cokes) and we were finally on our way.

When we first moved to Florida, I would drive 85-90 down I4 because everyone else did. A month or so ago they really started to go after speeders, so I have learned to slow down, but on this day everyone was flying and there were no cops.:cool1: So, we were in the park before 4:00. The parking lot looked really full so I was little worried.

Our first entertainment for the night was watching what looked like Grandma and Mom trying to get Daughter to car because she was too drunk to walk. The fact they weren't running for a CM made me realize it wasn't an emergency. Then this other couple was walking through the parking lot yelling at each other. JS and I both said it should be an entertaining night.

So we get in the park and of course JS won't allow me to stop to take pics, I got this one:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0070.jpg

Well, we all needed to take a little detour into the bathroom after our drive and those cokes, I apologize if that is too much info. Here are my boys waiting on me to come out:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0072.jpg

On the way to the bathroom we noticed there was no line for Spaceship Earth, so we rode it. It was a walkon. I was so excited.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0077.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0083.jpg

After fighting my way to one of the computers to email our pics to ourselves (which we never got) we were on our way.

Jacob wanted to see if the Make A Robot booth was open and I reminded him that it was not coming back, but there was supposed to be a Build a Car booth in its place. I knew I hadn't heard of it opening on the Dis, but thought we could check. Well, not open yet, but Jacob tried to make some noise:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0085.jpg

I think the CM's in Innovations were bored because they were really persuading Jacob to play.

Then Jacob wanted to ride Mission: Space, which had about a 5 minute wait, so I sent the boys that way and I went to Mousegear, but first I grabbed FP's for Test Track. They were for 6:20, I thought that would be ok, didn't realize FP's could ruin a night, but more on that later. Look who was waiting for me at Mousegears:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0087.jpg

I was so excited to see Christams merchandise. My mission in Mousegears was the Scrapbook kit. I have finally started scrapbooking, ordered 200 pics from our trip in June to get started, but I hadn't wanted to start until I got this kit with all the paper. So I found my kit, then I found the MickeyHead emblem I want to put on my bumper, I think it will go on the dent I put in my bumper a few months back very nicely. Then I found a Christmas Tink pin that I want to send to Kara as a stocking stuffer. Then I just looked around until the boys came back.

I told JS about the FP's for Test Track and then thought we could do Ellen's Universe of Energy because JS had never done it. The doors were open so we went right in. Had a nice little ride. Well, we still had about 30 minutes until the FP time. I wasn't sure where the Night Ranger concert was, so I went to the information booth. The poor older gentleman CM was trying to help this lady and he didn't know the answer to her question. I finally got the younger CM who helped me right away, and then the older CM said I made the right choice in going to the younger guy because he knew it all. I just laughed. I also picked up the slip of paper showing the show times and boy was I glad I did. I had gotten the times for Night Ranger to perform off of a website which was completely incorrect. But we still have 20 minutes left until time for TT and we are trying to figure out what to do. Here is where everything goes down hill.

Now, JS thought we were going strictly for the Food and Wine Festival, and he was probably right in his thinking. I got there, saw the short lines and wanted to ride. So, JS is getting really mad at me. I asked him if he wanted to skip TT, but he never would answer me, so finally we go sit at TT waiting for our FP time and this is how JS looked:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0098.jpg

Not a happy fellow. So at this point we are basically yelling at each other. I remember this poor man just looking at us. So, with only 10 minutes before our FP time, we left. I saw a family of 3 and gave them the FP. Now, JS later said I got us stuck getting those FP's, which I informed him all he had to say was lets not do it and I would have done exactly what I ended up doing, giving them away.:mad:

Here is a pic waiting on the boat (took a lot more but they didn't come out), might as well take pics because JS wasn't speaking to me.http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0106.jpg

We finally get across the lagoon and Night Ranger has just started. They were doing an acoustic show:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0114.jpg

My man, Jack Blades.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0115.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0127.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0133.jpg

Brad Gillis:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0135.jpg

During the last song, they stood up and started to Rock:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/101_0131.jpg

Sorry, I didn't get a good picture of the drummer, but he was there also. These are the only remaining members of the band. They played some songs that weren't even theirs, like Sweet Home Alabama, which I thought was funny because every concert we go to JS yells out for the band to play Freebird. He said Sweet Home Alabama is close enough. Yea, he was finally talking to me again. Music really does calm the beast. They also played, "Don't Tell Me you Love Me" and an ACDC song. We kept Jacob busy taking photos and he got really into it when they went to the electric guitars at the end of "Goodbye". I wish they had done more that way. We saw the middle session, so I wonder if they did different sets for each show.

Ok, don't know if I will get in trouble for this, but here are a couple of quick videos I did. I overheard the person next to me say, "She is recording them!", but I figured if I didn't do the whole song it wouldn't be a problem.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/th_101_0125.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/?action=view&current=101_0125.flv)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/th_101_0126.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Night%20Ranger%20at%20Epcot/?action=view&current=101_0126.flv)

So after Night Ranger we headed over to Japan because Jacob wanted to check out their Bakugan selection. They didn't have what he wanted, but they did have a Pokeman tin, or maybe it was Yu Gi Oh, he wanted. So, after agreeing to get both rooms clean, I gave him the additional couple of bucks to purchase it. Rooms still aren't clean, and tin is sitting unopened on my kitchen counter.

Here was the whole problem with the night. Tried to get JS to make a decision, what food would he like etc. He wouldn't even look at the brochure, or the menus I had printed out before leaving. So we ended up going home and ordering Chinese. We were home by 9:30. That's really sad isn't it. Oh well, I got to see Night Ranger and that was my main reason for going.

I'll try to post our other adventures over the weekend.

Have a good one.
Melissa

irky416

11-23-2008, 12:29 PM

I had to tell you what my darling JS said today. After telling me he is Disney'd out when I was telling him how I wanted to go explore all the parks for Christmas. :sad1: I was mentioning how I needed to register him for his birthday next year and he asked how it worked since we had AP's. So I told him we could get a gift certificate or a special fastpass. He replied, "All I would like is 20 minutes alone with Cinderella!!!" We were at the DMV and the lady in front of us obviously overheard because she laughed. See what I live with!

:lmao: That's so funny!

Sorry to hear you guys had some trouble at Epcot last trip. It's so tempting to ride when the lines are so short!!

Did you start your scrapbook yet? You should definitely post pictures of your pages. I love to look at scrapbooks. I've tried making them, but I just don't have the attention span for it.

It is kind of funny though that you went to Epcot for the International F&WF and ended up going home to eat Chinese food! :rotfl:

When's your next trip?

jmskinner

11-24-2008, 06:36 PM

:lmao: That's so funny!

Sorry to hear you guys had some trouble at Epcot last trip. It's so tempting to ride when the lines are so short!!

Did you start your scrapbook yet? You should definitely post pictures of your pages. I love to look at scrapbooks. I've tried making them, but I just don't have the attention span for it.

It is kind of funny though that you went to Epcot for the International F&WF and ended up going home to eat Chinese food! :rotfl:

When's your next trip?

That Chinese wasn't that good either. Tasted like it had sat for awhile.

Well, I have started one scrapbook, but it isn't on WDW. I did a few pages of a soccer one I am doing for Jacob's 6 seasons of soccer. They don't look professional, but I just want something to display the pics.

I have started working on the WDW one. I am doing it like a storybook, so I sat down and have little sentences describing what we did each day, I just need to type them and I will be on my way. Sure I will post a pic when I have a couple done.

Hopefully the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend I can go. Jacob said he wants to go to DTD, so guess we can start there. My parents will be here Christmas, they haven't said what they want to do yet, but I am hoping for WDW! Sounds like my step-dad wants to go because he asked if they are open that time of year.

So, it has been awhile since I posted things going on. We are getting ready for JS's mother and her boyfriend to come for the holiday. Looking forward to her seeing the house. She is looking forward to getting away from the boyfriend since he was laid off and has moved in with her. We will do a little shopping. She is too old and set in her ways to have someone move in with her. Her words, not mine.

My dryer wouldn't work and the washing machine. Dryer wasn't drying anything, and the washer to backing up down the wall into my kitchen. So, emailed the builder and who calls, the good-looking construction manager. He says he will be over in 20 minutes.:scared1: My house was a disaster because I sort of slacked off knowing I would be scrubbing away the next day. So, I pick up a little. He climbs on the roof and figures out the vent to the dryer is full. Now why in the world is the vent to the dryer on the roof.:confused3 Says he will call the plumber about the washer, after I argue that it isn't the washer, but the plumbing. I had to do this with the dryer also. He thinks I am just a silly housewife checking him I out, I'll show him. Oh, and my ice maker is not shooting out ice. So much for having a Whirlpool Gold fridge.

Now, what I really wanted to post today. I know, this is a WDW TR, but I have to show you a pic of the critters roaming the neighborhood today.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Herons.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Herons2.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Herons3.jpg

We normally only see 3 at a time, but today there were 10 of them. They started making all this noice so I went to check out what was going on, and had to get the camera. Tried to get a video of them calling out, but couldn't get it to work in time.

Now, the next story I don't have a picture yet. I wake JS up from his nap this evening and he points above my head behind me and says, "What's that?" I look up, realize what it is as it moves and scream and run out of the room. :scared1: It was a little lizard. Harmless I know, but he is in my bedroom. I am freaked out. Last time we saw him, he had made it to the floor and ran under our armoire while we were trying to catch him. I think tomorrow we will open the window and see if he goes out.

Just another day in the life of a Floridian!

karajeboo

11-25-2008, 10:00 AM

irky416

11-25-2008, 04:39 PM

jmskinner

11-26-2008, 07:40 AM

First of all, lizards!!!! :scared1: In the house! :scared1: :scared1: In the bedroom! :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

As for pins for trading - check out ebay - I get them for $2 each with no shipping. And I get them in 2 or 3 days. I got my last group, 30 pins and they were all traded by the end of our trip. It's so addictive! And Ally like to collect the sets - some are silly, some are cool. So Jeff and I have each gotten lanyards now and we trade too. It's a lot of fun.

We have pins that we do NOT trade, like one from each resort we've stayed at, special events like Pirate/Princess party, Flower/Garden Festival, etc. And each trip we let Ally get a pin for one attraction. So over time we'll collect a lot that way.

You're so lucky to only be an hour from the parks. We've only done one day trip = 2 1/2 hrs is okay, but it makes for a long drive at night. I would have loved to have caught food and wine festival though. But with the drive home, it would have been more food than wine, and well, that just takes the fun out of it! :rotfl2:

I think that is part of the reason why Food and Wine wasn't that appealing to me. We have a getaway planned for this weekend, but only going to the Marriott in downtown Tampa, paid for with points JS earned on his DC trip.:banana: I wanted to go to Epcot and drink around the world, but JS was afraid I would just want to ride rides. Which I think some of the rides would be fun a little tipsy. I just wanted to go so we could both drink and not worry about driving.

What kind of birds are those? Yikes...I think those would freak me out more than the lizard. Although, a lizard in my bedroom would certainly freak me out a lot! I can never sleep after I see a creature of some sort in my bedroom.

I believe the birds are Herons. Actually these are really cool birds. You hardly ever see them fly, but when you do they are not very graceful. I have to get a video of them calling out because it is the strangest sound. The first time we heard them, I thought someone's house alarm was going off and it was loud enough to wake up JS.

Lizard update: haven't seen him. Maybe he found his way out. That spider a few months ago still has me freaked out, so the lizard doesn't seem as bad.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope to update with our trip to Egemont Lighthouse soon. And hopefully a WDW trip a week. Maybe I will see Karajeboo there!

Dr_Finkelstein

11-26-2008, 09:22 AM

Hi Melissa,
Finally i'm all caught up! Glad you enjoyed the concert. I don't think there should be a problem with videoing it - I mean they are performing in a public area, so I would've thought it would be OK :confused3
Sorry we didn't meet up that day, i was so annoyed at myself for having left your phone number in the room :mad:
It's also good to know that Grumpy and I are not alone in our little 'huffs' :thumbsup2
Di x:thumbsup2

jmskinner

12-02-2008, 10:56 AM

Ok, I am way behind on updating this TR. First up, on Nov 9th we took our first trip to a beach here in Florida. Yes, I know, it is November and we have been here since July, but we are not that big of beach people.:confused3

I had read an article about a celebration for the 150th anniversary for this lighthouse at Egmont Island and thought it would be a fun family day. It turned out to be just wonderful. Using Janet, our GPS, we made our way to this island, well we made our way to Ft. Desota Beach, which in 2005 was voted best beach in America. It was absolutely beautiful. Here are some pics from one of the many piers.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0141.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0142.jpg

They even have a dog beach.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0147.jpg

So, to get to the island where the lighthouse is, you have to take a ferry. Jacob was upset that the ferry didn't take cars on it. It was just a big flat deck boat. Here's some pics from it:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0143.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0162.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0164.jpg

Here are pics of the island:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0211.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0198.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0169.jpg

For a $1 you could dress like a pirate and get your pic taken, it was all to help with the conservation of the lighthouse. They had full costumes, but this is all Jacob wanted on.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0173.jpg

Oh, and got this little pic, funny how the dragon on his t-shirt was perfectly in place for its pic to be taken also:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0175.jpg

This island is a sanctuary for gopher turtles. This man was describing the turtles for everyone:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0180.jpg

And we passed one on a path:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0186.jpg

I have video of this guy also. He actually made JS and Jacob move out of his way instead of walking around them.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0189.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0206.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0207.jpg

This is how far we were from mainland:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0214.jpg

Jacob picked up a new hobby, seashells.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0198.jpg

He managed to carry his bag upside down and dump them all out:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0203.jpg

Now, here is the really cool part, look what we saw on the way back:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0230.jpg

DOLPHINS!
It was really cool because the boat hands would spot these guys and chase after them so we could see them. We saw a few on the way over to the island, but on the way back they really hung around us. We must have spent 20 minutes just following the dolphins around.

Then there were lots of Seagulls!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Egmont%20Key%20Island/100_0237.jpg

I figure once it starts getting warmer again, Jacob and I will be hanging out at this beach and hopefully we will get to take another boat ride.

Next up, Pirate Adventure Dinner Theatre!

jmskinner

12-02-2008, 11:21 AM

I am trying to play catch up here, so here is a MTR on our trip to Orlando for the Pirate Adventure Dinner Theatre. This was a surprise for Jacob for his birthday. We had ruled out a birthday party because previous ones hadn't gone so well and he hasn't made too many friends yet, so JS thought this would be a good idea. Jacob actually liked the idea of just doing something fun for him!

When I made the reservations they told us to get there between 4:30 and 5:00 for the 6:00 show.:confused3 Which we did, and then had to sit around for over an hour. Here is a pic of Jacob out front:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0265.jpg

He wasn't too sure of what we were going to do. We checked in, after some high pressure sales pitch to upgrade to better seats for $10 or purchase a chicken breast for $4, the meal came with chicken and pork. Considering we had already spent $100 to get in, and still needed to spend another $25 for the b-day package we decided not to do any upgrades.

Here is a pic from the inside:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0266.jpg

This was the holding area. They did some little shows and also provided some appetizers that were very good. JS asked if I wanted a drink, I thought he meant right then and said no. I was thinking I would have wine with my meal. Well, what JS meant was, "Do you want to drink, because I do?" So, next thing I know he has a drink in hand, which means I won't be drinking any alcohol so I can drive.:sad2:

Finally it was time to enter the theatre:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0267.jpg

This was our waiter:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0272.jpg

The b-day package included a hat for Jacob:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0270.jpg

He also got a certificate, sorry I don't have a pic of it. And a b-day cake.

Here are some pics from the show:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0277.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0283.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0305.jpg

Like most dinner shows, you are divided up and your section has pirates. We were purple.
This was not our pirate :sad1: :
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0300.jpg

Ours was the one on the right in that picture. A little red headed guy. They did some stunts on a trampoline and he turned out to be the star of the show. I don't know how many flips he did. He was so fast!

When we first sat down, our pirate asked Jacob if he wanted to go on the ship with him later. Well, the way he said this, it sounded like Jacob would be doing something special. It turned out all the kids got to go on the ship and stand there while a story was read to them. It was a little disappointing to Jacob. Then, we had bought a program and it showed kids in revolutionary outfits with guns, so Jacob wanted to do that. Well, of course he wasn't selected to do that and it basically ruined his whole night.

Here is a pic of his b-day cake though:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0293.jpg

Just a white cake with icing and some chocolate dripped on it, but I loved the icing.

Sitting on the same row as us was a family from Canada. I started speaking with one of them. It was their last night there in Orlando. Her husband made the comment that when they sat down it was good they were in the middle that way he wouldn't get pulled out of the audience to do anything. Well, guess what. Every man on our row was pulled and made to raise the sails. Here is JS:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0302.jpg
And these are the sails they had to raise:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Pirate%20Adventure%20Theatre/100_0303.jpg

Now, I didn't really enjoy this show. I don't know what my deal was. Part of the problem was we ended up with a pole in front of us and just happened to be where most to the show took place.:sad2: It seemed like we got our food after everyone else. Even the row behind us was done with their soup and salads before we got ours. I don't know what the deal was with that. The food was really good though. Sorry no pics. No flash photography allowed during the show. JS said he really enjoyed it though. So maybe I was just having a bad night. Or maybe it was because JS was a little blitzed and I wasn't.

I would recommend it though. Always feel like you should try something at least once.

Next up, lizard adventures in the house!

ajinkyan

12-02-2008, 11:58 AM

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...

jmskinner

12-02-2008, 12:32 PM

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...

Your welcome!

Dr_Finkelstein

12-02-2008, 03:53 PM

scottny

12-03-2008, 05:45 PM

that island looks so nice. love the turtle.

cute dolphins. My one memory of my Grandmothers in Tampa is walking on her balcony every morning and seeing dolphins swimming by.

The show looked cute. sorry you didn't enjoy it all.

jmskinner

12-04-2008, 09:08 AM

Hi Melissa,

Enjoyed the updates - the beach trip looked and sounded great!

I think with those dinner shows they can definately be a bit of a hit or a miss, it depends on how you feel at the time......and the injestion of alcohol can definately help in the enjoyment of these events!

Please don't tell me there is more photos of creepy crawlies to come!!! :scared1: :scared1:

Di x

The beach trip was wonderful and it is only about 30 minutes away!

If you don't want to see more creepy crawlies, don't look at the bottom of this post, but it does have a good ending!

that island looks so nice. love the turtle.

cute dolphins. My one memory of my Grandmothers in Tampa is walking on her balcony every morning and seeing dolphins swimming by.

The show looked cute. sorry you didn't enjoy it all.

Oh, that would be a wonderful memory and how cool to see Dophins every morning!

The show was cute and I think our seats had a big part in my disappointment.

Now, I had to tell everyone about Thanksgiving weekend. First off, the day starts with my dogs getting into a fight. My Boxer, Bubblegum, was given a piece of apple, of course she wasn't going to eat it, but still decides to beat up one of the Boston Terriers for going near it. Well, I have been watching the Dog Whisperer and now how to handle this. So I take control and grab Bubblegum's collar, which I purchased because of this. JS decides the best action is to throw his apple at them. So, while I am dealing with Bubblegum, we suddenly realize the other Boston Terrier, Mozart, is taking advantage of the situation his own way:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Mozarteatsapple.jpg

This dog will eat anything!

Ok, now on to the creepy crawlie part. That evening I hear JS telling his mother "don't tell her, she will run out of the house screaming!". Of course, this gets my attention, so I go see what is going on. JS is walking through the house with a net. Great the lizard is back. It had been several days since we had seen it in the bedroom, so I was hoping it had found it's way back. Nope, here it is:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Lizardonwall2.jpg

Right above my bed!!!!:scared1:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Lizardonwall.jpg

It runs behind the picture, so JS takes the picture off the wall, to only get scared himself when he realizes it is on the frame.:lmao: So now I am freaking it because he lays the frame on the bed.:eek: But luckily it ran to the floor instead of inside the bed. So, eventually JS catches it in the net, but when he tries to pick it up by the tail, guess what happens. The tail comes off!:scared1: This happens not once, but twice. The worse part is the tail is moving, yes the pieces of the tail are moving. Oh, it was disgusting.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/JScatcheslizard.jpg

But, finally JS gets it picked up and takes it outside:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/JSreleaseslizard.jpg

And it finally ran back out into the wild! JS felt really bad about taking its tail off. I kept calling him meanie. He went back in and picked up the tail pieces, which were still moving around.:scared1:

So, lizard is finally out of my house. I hope this is the last creepy crawlie story I have to tell.

I am currently sitting here waiting for the UPS man. My new camera from Best Buy is scheduled to be delivered today and I have to sign for it. Just hope he doesn't swing by while I am picking up Jacob from school. House is almost decorated for Christmas.

Next report, our sudden trip to WDW for a night out without the kiddo!

jmskinner

12-08-2008, 03:12 PM

What kind of birds are those? Yikes...I think those would freak me out more than the lizard. Although, a lizard in my bedroom would certainly freak me out a lot! I can never sleep after I see a creature of some sort in my bedroom.

Ok, I learned I was incorrect on the type of birds. They are Sandhill Cranes. My DBIL fiance' corrected me and is now dying to get down here and see them in person.

jmskinner

12-23-2008, 01:19 PM

Well, don't know if anyone is still reading and I apologize for not posting for awhile. I've been enjoying reading other TR's and PTR's.

My parents are on their way, so I am trying to get my house clean. Can't seem to get motivated though. Where am I right now, :surfweb: . They did request I pick up 4 day passes to WDW for them, so I'll get to go 4 times with them. :woohoo: They were worried I would get tired of driving there. Silly people. They will be here until Jan 1st and then JS's parents including Mother, Father, and Stepmother will be here for his promotion to Lt. Col.:banana: We are going to Epcot on Jan 4th and will be eating at Biergarten. When I made the ADR, the CM asked if we were celebrating anything and I mentioned JS's promotion and they put it down, so we will see what they do. Plus, JS's stepmom is from Germany, so we are interested in her thoughts on Biergarten.

It's been kind of crazy here. My dog, Mozart (the one in the earlier post eating the apple) had to go to the doggie Opthamologist for an ulcer on his eye. So he now has 4 different drops of medicine to put in his eye. My other dog, Constanze, has some sores I am having to doctor.

I got my new camera and have been trying to figure out how to reduce the pics for putting them here on the Dis. Finally figured out last night I could resize them once they are on photobucket. Duh!!!

Oh, and I was just cleaning off my patio, when who should come see me. A little lizard missing his tail. So, we didn't kill the little guy, but I sure hope he doesn't decide to come back in the house.

Well, I still need to post about JS and I going to WDW by ourselves, no kiddo. We also made it to Dinosaur World, with kiddo. And of course I will have more MTR's with stories of our crazy family visit. I plan on purchasing the photopass CD, so there should be lots of pics.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!:santa:

Melissa

karajeboo

12-23-2008, 02:01 PM

OH, my! I just read about the lizard's tail! I"m laughing out loud right now!

You can rest assured that this is a defense mechanism for lizards, so that they can escape if someone (or a dog named Buckeye!) step on their tails, they pop off but they do regenerate. I'm just laughing about it flopping around!!!! I didn't realize they did this! I do remember the skink tail doing this and it was pretty nasty!!!!

Ahhh, the joys of living in FL! :rotfl2:

As much as I joke about FL living, I'm in Ohio right this second visiting my P's and it is soooooo cold!!!! I actually miss my lizard/snake/frog/skink/armadillo/scorpion friends!!!!! :rotfl2:

Merry Christmas!!!!

jmskinner

12-24-2008, 08:19 AM

Dr_Finkelstein

12-24-2008, 02:16 PM

jmskinner

12-25-2008, 08:17 AM

Hi Melissa,

Enjoying all the updates! Slightly freaked out at the whole lizard/insect infestation - it definately is making me have second thoughts about buying a holiday home in Orlando! I don't think my nerves could cope!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Di x

Merry Christmas to you also!:santa:

Sorry I keep bringing up all the lizards and insects, but sort of feel like they are part of the family now. That cousin no one likes.:laughing:

Hope everyone else has a wonderful holiday also!

macheath

12-30-2008, 12:20 PM

That tail was nasty. Hope you are enjoying your time in Ohio. Wright-Patterson there in Ohio is one of the places we could one day be stationed and I keep telling JS I wouldn't mind since Cedar Point is up that way, but he always replys: "Do you know how cold it is????!!!!!"
Hi, Melissa! Happy Holidays!

It's been awhile, but I thought I would pop in today and see how everyone is doing.

Saw your above quote and thought I would comment. I don't live too far from WP, so if you ever do get up this way, let me know! And you'd want to go to Kings Island also if you're at WP!

Talk to you soon!

jmskinner

01-16-2009, 08:46 PM

Hi, Melissa! Happy Holidays!

It's been awhile, but I thought I would pop in today and see how everyone is doing.

Saw your above quote and thought I would comment. I don't live too far from WP, so if you ever do get up this way, let me know! And you'd want to go to Kings Island also if you're at WP!

Talk to you soon!

I didn't get notified of your post, and just noticed it when I went to finally update this TR. Hope you had a nice holiday also. Oh, I would love to go to Kings Island also. I have always wanted to ride The Beast! I'm getting so old now that wooden rollercoasters give me headaches. JS gets tired of me always naming a theme park whenever he mentions a base we could end up at.:lmao:

Well, hopefully some of you are still out here. I am finally ready to update my TR. I am going to skip a couple of my trips. There was one where JS and I got to go by ourselves, another where Jacob and I went to DTD, and also if you have been near Tampa on I4 you have probably seen Dinosaur World, we finally went and really enjoyed it. I will eventually post pics of it, but thought it has been so long I need to do WDW.

I apologize for being gone so long. I have been sick since New Years Eve. Finally started feeling better this week, but today started feeling a little under weather, so I am sure I have over done it.

Another problem I have been having is for Christmas I got an SLR camera. I am just loving it and can't wait to take a photography class next month. Was going to do so this month, but see previous paragraph.:rotfl: Now, the problem with the SLR is I have always used the Kodak software with my previous camera, so I finally started using Photoshop which I bought well over a year ago and never tried to figure out. The problem I was having was getting the pics small enought that it wouldn't widen the page on the Dis. Well, I finally figured out all I had to do was resize them on Photobucket. I can be so dense at times. So, got the first bunch resized and I am ready to go. Hope you all enjoy!

Oh, just to let everyone know. JS is now a Lt. Col. He was promoted on the 1st of this month. :cheer2: Payraise.

jmskinner

01-16-2009, 09:52 PM

So, since moving to Florida I have wanted my Mother and Stepdad to come see us, just to take them to WDW. Actually, when I made my first trip two years ago, I couldn't wait to go with them. So, they decided to spend Christmas with us and I talked them into 4 day passes because originally they were going to arrive Christmas Eve and then stay through New Years Day. I had even booked WCC for New Years Eve.

So, a little info on them. My Mom (Melinda) is 59 and loves amusement parks. I have fond memories of going to Dallas on week long shopping trips with no plans for Six Flags, but every time we would end up driving by Six Flags. She would look at me and ask if I wanted to go and we would be there the next day. She actually enjoyed riding the Giant just because it would pop her neck just right. She was always wondering if she could get insurance to pay for that adjustment. :rotfl2:

She has been retired from the phone company for about 11 years after giving them 30 years of her life. Made her way from an operator to an engineer. She drew up plans to show where the phone lines should be layed. Obviously a smart woman, but she has her moments and of course I will have to mention them here.:rotfl2:

Another new member of this TR is my stepdad, Dale. He also worked for the phone company, he layed all that phone line that my Mom drew up plans for. Even though I have always been in contact with my Dad, Dale is probably more my Dad, if you get my point. He has been in my life since I was about 9 years old. They didn't get married until I was a Freshman in High School. He also likes amusement parks.:cheer2: He is currently retired, but may be looking for work with the economy as it is. He got home last Spring after spending almost 4 years working as a contractor in Iraq, but has decided he shouldn't go back there.

Oh, they had been to WDW when I was in college. Yup, they went without the kid. Only went to MK though.

So, these crazy people headed out the week before Christmas and went to New Orleans from Texas. They have a motor home and trailer to pull their little Geo Tracker and the Harley. Can't go anywhere without the Harley. They also had their two dogs. One is Chico, a rescue dog that only likes my Mother and then there is Ren (Named after Ren of Ren and Stimpy). Yes, he is that ugly. He is a Pug/Pekinese mix. So, they stayed a couple of days in New Orleans and then came this way arriving late on the 23rd. So, on the 24th I drove over to their campground and we all tried to figure out what to do.

My Mom can never make her mind up. At first she wanted to go shopping at the Mall.:scared1: It was Christmas Eve, I don't do malls on Christmas Eve. I told her I would go to the outlet mall. Dale didn't like that idea. I mentioned WDW and Mom finally said that sounded like an idea. So, back to my house to get our passes and the camera and we were off. I was so excited.

We decided on Epcot since it was already about Noon by the time we got there.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0869-1.jpg

I just love Christmas decorations!

We stopped to use the restroom after the drive. Of course I come out with the camera ready to go, so here is Dale.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0871.jpg

I wanted them to ride Test Track, so I ran for FP's while they stopped to grab food since none of us had eaten. Well, the FP time was almost 9:00pm and we didn't want to stay that late since we had dogs locked up in a motorhome. We actually put Ren in a cloth kennel because he normally tears up stuff when his Mommy leaves him. So I found them in the Electric Umbrella and explained the FP situation and told them we could keep an eye on the wait time.

Oh, while at the Electric Umbrella, I go for ketchup. The first cup I get I accidentally spill on my finger and lick it off. It's not ketchup, its BBQ sauce. So I try another, it is BBQ also. I told a CM and gave up.

Jacob's favorite ride at WDW is now Mission Space,
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0875.jpg
so my stepdad went on the green side with him. I was concerned about Dale's high-blood pressure. Plus, it was only a 15 min wait, where the orange side was 50 min. Me and Mom sat down in the play area where you the exit the ride just watched people. One of our favorite things to do.

Finally they come off the ride, and Dale swears to this day they didn't move at all. I know the green side spins a little.

From there I thought we would do Nemo and it was a walk on.:cheer2: With it being so late I knew Soarin would be impossible without waiting two hours, so I didn't even bother to look. Then thought we would do Figment. Loved watching my Mom's reactions. It is so much fun watching people react to the little surprises. That is one reason why I love going with first-timers. Jacob didn't want to ride because he remembered it smelled bad, so I warned him to cover his nose at the appropriate time.

From there we went to Honey I Shrunk the Audience and it was also a walk on. Here is my Mom in her 3d glasses.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0881.jpg
(Don't know why this pic is so large.)
It had been over two years since I saw this show and had forgotten how good it really is.

Then we walked over to the WS.

The tree at the front:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0889.jpg
(I don't know why this came out sideways, it shows correctly on photobucket.)

Headed over to Mexico:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0894.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0898.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0899.jpg

We rode the boat ride there in Mexico. Now, there was a little line here, but not too long. The problem was this man and his two kids jumped in front of my folks. So, I let them by and me and Dale discussed it. Told him I was doing my good deed for the day. But, we got the front of the boat and the man and his two kids got the back of the boat. I looked at Dale and said, "Charma!" Dale enjoyed the little ride since he is having a lot of problems with foot pain.

So, then we headed over to Norway for Maelstrom. But first, I pointed out to Dale that he could buy a beer, so he did:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0900.jpg

Now, would you believe this turned into the longest wait of the day. At least Dale had his beer. So, in this line there was a party of about 8 high school age kids, but obviously from another country. Well, this one girl jumped ahead of us. So at first me and Dale weren't going to let them in front of us. Well, we finally gave up and decided to let them go on ahead of us. But then we can't find my Mom. Well, all of a sudden she has decided they shouldn't jump ahead of us and she is now in line with them. Dale and I were :lmao: . We finally called Mom back and told her what was going on. Finally rode the ride and Dale said, "We waited in line for that?" I had hoped they would enjoy it, because I like that one.

On the way out, I got to see the Norwiegen (spelling?) Santa:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0920.jpg
He is in the back with the white beard.:laughing: Sorry, the lense on my camera doesn't have that good of a zoom.

We decided to see how long of a line TT had. Well it showed 50 minutes, we decided to go ahead since there really wasn't anything else anyone wanted to do and I think it is worth it. Here is Mom and Dale waiting in line:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0922.jpg
Within 15 minutes we were at the briefing area. We really lucked out. As I guessed, they loved TT.

Here is a pic of the new Camaro on display at the ride exit:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0926.jpg

We walked over to MS because Jacob was wanting a shuttle set that he bought two years ago, but lost or broke most of the pieces and we threw the rest away. So, the Grandparents wanted to buy it for him. (JS got mad when we got home with it because he thought JS didn't deserve it.)

We decided to leave, but noticed Spaceship Earth was a walk on and decided to do it. I couldn't get the parents pic, but here is Jacob and I:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/IMG_0950.jpg

I always laugh at these pics of Jacob because he is about that thin, and the rest of us wish we were. (Oh, the last two times I have emailed the pics home from SE, I haven't received them and I didn't get these either.)

Now, here is one of the funny stories on my Mother. We figured we could really mess with her head and tell her to look for the live people in the displays on the ride. Well, to this day she stills says some of the people were real.:lmao: She keeps saying, "How do they keep an eye on the people on the ride to make sure they don't get out or something?" Dale and I still laughing about it.

We headed home. Remember I mentioned the dog that tears things up when his Mommie leave him. Well, all day we kept discussing whether Ren had ripped open that kennel. So when we pull up in front of the Motorhome, we don't see him right away, but then we look again and there he is standing in the windshield looking at us. Fortunately, the kennel is all he tore up.

We got some photopass pics, but I want to make another trip to WDW to get some more to make the CD worth it. Only have 19 now, but once I have them I will post them.

My folks still had 3 more days of park tickets to go, would they use them all up?

ScotsMinnie

01-17-2009, 05:29 AM

Fantastic - a new trip report!!!!! Sounds like you all had a great day. I hate queue jumping too and am tempted to pull people up on it - especially groups of kids - how annoying!

It sounds like you got most of the park done and on Christmas Eve I would imagine thats a big ask!

Looking forward to the rest of it!

jmskinner

01-17-2009, 09:57 AM

Hi Laura. Haven't heard from you in awhile wondered if you were still around. Actually Christmas Eve wasn't that bad, especially since we got there so late. As this TR progresses you will see how bad the parks are after Christmas.

I forgot to mention, last Sunday my best friend called. Her and her DH decided to make a trip to the world this Summer. :cheer2: They will be there July 15th-22nd and we will be there July 17th-21st. Thought I would give them a day or so without us. Right now I have a reservation at Pop using the military discount and it was a good rate. Plus, the CM said I was booking the last room offered at that rate. But then I got to thinking about Shades of Green and realized it would only be $100 more, so I have booked it but haven't received the confirmation email, guess I should call in a minute to make sure.

Thursday night we decided to email Kara, if you remember my DSD and see if she would like to go. We also need to get her here so she can get a military ID. She said she would!:cheer2: So, SOG is going to be a perfect fit since the rooms have two queen beds and a sleeper sofa. Oh, and where the rooms at Pop are only 280 sq ft, the rooms at SOG are over 400 sq ft.:woohoo: We will have room to do that little dance together.:laughing:

So, for the July trip it will be me, JS, Jacob, and Kara. Oh, and remember Kara is now 16, driving, and is finally acting like a teenager (that is what we hear from her Grandmother). The other members will be my bestfriend from high school, Vickie. Her DH, Robert, their daughter Jordan, and Roberts granddaughter Emily. They are wanting me to be their travel guide. I keep telling them I don't know everything, but at least I do know my way around the parks. I have been trying to get Vickie to join the Dis for two years. Think I will send her an email to start a PTR.

Oh, and Vickie and Robert are DVC members at AKL, so that is where they will be staying. One day I will get to also.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I got all the photos adjusted for the next day of our Christmas days in the parks, so hopefully I will get it posted today or tomorrow. But, I'm still thinking of going to one of the parks tomorrow, so it may be Monday!:goodvibes
Melissa

ScotsMinnie

01-17-2009, 12:15 PM

That sounds like a fantastic trip - Shades of Green looks lovely. Sounds well worth the extra money. And how nice to have a big group of you all going together. Mind you thats a lot of responsibility to plan for everyone! I am sure you are up to it!!!!!

Can't wait to see the rest of the pics and find out how the rest of the trip went.

I am sooooo jealous you can just pop over to WDW if you fancy it!!!!!!Must be lovely.

carissanboys

01-17-2009, 02:22 PM

I'm here! :goodvibes I love that there's a moving TR in here too! And I've already answered the question I asked you (about where in Florida you are ;) ). :thumbsup2

I'll be back after I get caught up - not sure if it will be today, but I promise to return. :)

jmskinner

01-17-2009, 03:23 PM

I am sooooo jealous you can just pop over to WDW if you fancy it!!!!!!Must be lovely.

It is nice living so close and I would never complain, but just doesn't seem the same as when you stay there. It loses a little magic somehow. I still park the truck and ride the buses though. Got to have some of the Disney magic on those day trips.

I'm here! :goodvibes I love that there's a moving TR in here too! And I've already answered the question I asked you (about where in Florida you are ;) ). :thumbsup2

I'll be back after I get caught up - not sure if it will be today, but I promise to return. :)

:welcome: This was probably one of our smoothest moves through the military. Our worst was from DC to Texas. Movers were late picking up our stuff, then truck didn't have enough room and the dog fell out of the car at a stop sign in Arkansas. He was fine, I think I was more freaked out then he was. I need to go back and catch up on your PTR.

carissanboys

01-19-2009, 12:54 PM

scottny

01-20-2009, 01:16 AM

last update was great and so were the pics.

jmskinner

01-20-2009, 08:19 AM

I just wanted to stop by again and say that I've read through page 10 and finished with the original WDW TR, but of course, I don't remember anything I wanted to say! I've been busy the last two days and trying to read in bits and pieces and I didn't get a chance to respond right after I'd read.

But, I will be back again once I finish the rest and I will try to take notes! :rotfl:

I thought the same thing when reading your, "I need a notepad!"

last update was great and so were the pics.

Thanks, good to hear from you. Those were my first pics posted from the new camera. Still trying to figure it out. Hope to take a class in February. I have always been a camera snapping fool.

I'll try to get another update soon, especially since I have been back to the world again. I am such a WDW Freak!

Dr_Finkelstein

01-20-2009, 02:15 PM

jmskinner

01-21-2009, 08:58 AM

Hi Melissa,

Hope you're feeling much better now! I came down with a horrible flu that was going around here over Christmas & New Year, and was in my bed for 4 days! :sick: I'm only now feeling like myself again!

Finally all caught up! Sounds like the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve pixiedust: How great that your Mum and Step Dad love WDW as much as you do! I'd love to show my mum and dad WDW, but I don't think they would ever go!

For the promotion!!!!

It's a shame some of the magic lessens when you stay so near - but luckily WDW has so much magic to begin with there's still plenty to go round!

Di x

Sorry to here you got sick also. Glad you are feeling better. I hate being sick.

I don't know if Mom and Dad liked WDW as much as me, but they did enjoy a lot of the rides. I'm hoping next time they can park the RV at the Wilderness Campground and really get some of the magic.

Ok, I keep saying you lose some of the magic when you stay off site, but when we went Sunday to MK, I got all teary during Wishes, but more on that later.

You know what, let's do another chapter.

So, we spent Christmas at our house and then on Friday we went to the Manatee Viewing Center which is about two miles from us. There is power plant right down the road. Because the water is so warm around the power plant, the Manatee's like to hang out there. Here is the best pic I got:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/IMG_1018.jpg (I apologize for this being so big, Photobucket shows I have resized to the smallest one, but for some reason, it is still this big. Sooooo frustrating!)

So, on Saturday we decided to go to Hollywood Studios. I try to pick parks on Non-EMH days when we make these day trips since we aren't staying onsite. Well, I don't know if it is like this every year, but MK and I believe AK had morning EMH everday after Christmas. So, I was worried about TSM. This was another ride I wanted the folks to ride. I knew they would love it. Oh, also ToT and RnR (big coaster fans they are.) So, we planned on leaving the house at 7:30. JS goofed and set the alarm for 6:00pm :sad: , so we didn't wake up until 7:00. No way am I getting ready that quickly. Call my parents and they were still getting ready. Just incase Dale reads this, let me correct that, Mom was still getting ready. :rotfl:

So, finally about 8:30am we are in the truck heading down the road. We get to HS, I grab everyone's tickets and head over to TSM. Of course I am snapping pics as I go:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1035.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1036.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1037.jpg

They all went looking for bathrooms, and I told them I would meet them at ToT. Got our FP's, which I think were for about 10:55 or so. Met them at ToT, well I thought maybe we could do childswap, since Jacob hates this ride. He hates all freefall rides. Looking back, even at 3 he hated to drop, even the kiddy ride that drops you just a few feet. Well, I forgot that for child swap the child can't be tall enough to ride the ride. So, my Mom decided to stay back with him. I really wanted her to ride the ride and I told her he could wait for us in the store, just duck out of the line at the last moment. We always say if someone tried to take him, they would bring him back in about 5 minutes, begging with us to take him back.:lmao: I'm just kidding he isn't that bad and we don't want to lose him.

Well, it was a 30 minute wait in line. While in line we decided to see if we could get reservations for lunch anywhere. I look through my outgoing calls on the cellphone and see a 407 #. Ask JS if he knows it and he doesn't so I try it. It was the direct line to Disney Dining. So I ask about 50's Primetime. All they had was a 9:00pm. That wasn't going to work, we have dogs locked up in the house and the motorhome. Sci-Fi, nope all booked up. Then I remembered WCC, so asked about it and got in at 5:00pm.:woohoo: The CM asked if I wanted the confirmation number and I explained, "uh I'm kind of standing in line for ToT at the moment." She laughed and told me to call back if there were any problems.

We rode ToT and Dale really enjoyed it. He said my Mother wouldn't like it. Funny, I always remember riding rides like that with her. Six Flags use to have one with a 10 story drop that makes ToT feel like a kiddie ride and we rode it everytime we went. Maybe she is just getting old.

Remember, I have a new camera so I actually kept it out while on the ride:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1045.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1052.jpg

We have ridden this ride 5 or 6 times and have ended up in the middle row every single time. I was a little upset when I saw the pics and every single one had that mans arms in them. Oh, and I took about 20. Of course, the entire ride JS is threatening me about anything happening to the camera and how we will be getting divorced.

So from there, we headed over to RnR. Now, I was really surprised because Jacob said he would ride this.

Here is a pic of Tot while in line for RnR:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1057.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1058.jpg
Notice the DS in Jacob's hand. You will see a lot of this.

And some RnR pics:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1064.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1065.jpg

Don't worry, I got these without using the flash, but the one below I got fussed at by a CM for using the flash. I didn't realize I couldn't use it there. I know not to do it on the ride. So, of course, Mom, Dale, and JS start fussing at me about using the flash.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1071.jpg

So after the ride I ask Jacob what he thought, he said he would think about it. He wasn't sure. The kid cracks me up.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1073.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1077.jpg

So, then we decided we were hungry. So, we stopped here:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1078.jpg

Somehow I have never noticed this place. Jonas grabbed a cinnamon roll and I think a cookie. I grabbed a Strawberry Parfait. Jacob got a chocolate milk. Finally, food porn!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1080.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1081.jpg

Can't remember what Dale got, but my Mother didn't want anything there. She wanted a Pretzel.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1082.jpg

And Jacob did this while we ate:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1079.jpg

I'll continue this later. I have a feeling I am about at the image limit. And still have a lot more to go.

karajeboo

01-21-2009, 10:23 AM

That tail was nasty. Hope you are enjoying your time in Ohio. Wright-Patterson there in Ohio is one of the places we could one day be stationed and I keep telling JS I wouldn't mind since Cedar Point is up that way, but he always replys: "Do you know how cold it is????!!!!!"

Finally caught up on your Christmas reports from the world, but wanted to comment on this.... I don't know how it is in Tampa right now, but it's pretty darn cold in Jacksonville!!! It has been in the 20's about 3 nights now! Not as cold as Ohio, but still cold!

And Cedar Point is AWESOME!!!! Kings Island is a "nicer" park in terms of landscaping, etc, but CP has all the thrill rides!

jmskinner

01-21-2009, 10:33 AM

Per my trucks thermometer, it was 33 when I took Jacob to school this morning. Yesterday, it was 51 in the morning. Tomorrow it is suppose to be colder. I'm kinda glad to see some winter though. Not use to having warm temps all year around.

Are we going to get in trouble for mentioning other parks? I have always wanted to go to both CP and KI. Before I fell in love with WDW and found the Dis, I loved to check out Coasterbuzz.com and get all the theme park news.

Well, at least we have stayed off the critters for awhile. Guess it got to cold for them.:rotfl:

scottny

01-22-2009, 12:06 AM

great update and pics.

I wish people would keep there arms down on rides.

glad the bugs are away for awhile.

kathleen27

01-22-2009, 12:09 PM

Eggmont Island and Fort Desoto Beach look really beautiful. I would love to take a trip driving through Florida visiting different places. I last did that before Jacob was born, and would love to do it again. I can’t fit in all the vacations I want to take. It must have been fun to see the turtle!

Sorry, but I had to laugh at the lizard story. When we lived in Miami, my brothers were really good at catching them. When my neighbors had one in their houses they’d call and ask my brothers to come catch it for them.

Congrats to JS on his promotion.

Its great that you are getting to take lots of little day trips.
But I understand the wanting to stay over.
Glad you enjoyed seeing Night Ranger.
I see all the concerts and “events” on the schedule and there are so many I wish I could go to.

Great pictures of Epcot and DHS.
I just love the Mickey and Minnie topiaries.
Great way to spend Christmas Eve.

And about 4 years ago, after several days of trying to get home in a blizzard, and one airport line after another, my husband and I decided that the gameboy was the greatest invention in the world. Can't imagine life without them. :rotfl: I especially don't want to imagine long car rides without them.

SimmerBaggins

01-22-2009, 08:45 PM

Dang, girl! I've spent an hour reading this thread and am just on page 3!!!! Foz, I knew you could write some notes in HS (not hollywood studios), but this takes the cake!!

Good photos -- love the "scared look" LMAO!!

BFF

carissanboys

01-23-2009, 10:30 AM

I am finally caught up!!!! :cool1: Sorry it's taken me so long. :goodvibes

I laughed when you said during the first trip your house back in Texas had been at 68 all week and it was freezing! :rotfl: You definitely aren't from the North! :goodvibes

Your spider and lizard pictures remind me of when we lived in Australia. There's some crazy stuff there I'll tell ya! :scared:

I'm a fast walker like JS. My dad always complains when we're at WDW that I walk too fast - and the thing is I actually slow my normal speed down by quite a bit. This time I really want to try and slow down so I can see all of the great things I normally miss.

Great pictures of MNSSHP! :thumbsup2

I'm impressed that Jacob rides alone on HM! We've never been on it (high on the list for this trip), but I'm sure my boys wouldn't want to ride alone.

I laughed when you left the voice message for your MIL while on IASW! :lmao:

Very cool that you'll be staying in a pirate room next year. :thumbsup2

JS's comment about 20 minutes alone with Cinderella. :rotfl: Men! ;) (I'd take 20 minutes alone with that pirate you didn't have at the pirate dinner. :thumbsup2 )

No food at the Food and Wine Festival??!! :faint: All married couples bicker like that. Even at Disney World. ::yes::

Loving the TRs of your visits to WDW with your mom and stepdad. :goodvibes

Dr_Finkelstein

01-23-2009, 10:37 AM

Hi Melissa,

All caught up again!

I'm glad to know we're not the only parent's who frequently use the phrase 'if anyone took them - they'd very quickly bring them back again!'

As for the photos of Jacob with his Ds - that is what my son looks like now as well!

Di x

DisBride2009

01-23-2009, 11:34 AM

Hey Melissa,
I love the pics you have taken. I hope you had fun :). I would love to see more pics when you go back. xoxoxoxo Keep on postin! :cool1:

jmskinner

01-23-2009, 01:13 PM

great update and pics.

I wish people would keep there arms down on rides.

glad the bugs are away for awhile.

Well, honestly, I can't complain. I am normally one of those people with their arms in the air, yelling "Woo Hoo"!

Eggmont Island and Fort Desoto Beach look really beautiful. I would love to take a trip driving through Florida visiting different places. I last did that before Jacob was born, and would love to do it again. I can’t fit in all the vacations I want to take. It must have been fun to see the turtle!

Sorry, but I had to laugh at the lizard story. When we lived in Miami, my brothers were really good at catching them. When my neighbors had one in their houses they’d call and ask my brothers to come catch it for them.

Congrats to JS on his promotion.

Its great that you are getting to take lots of little day trips.
But I understand the wanting to stay over.
Glad you enjoyed seeing Night Ranger.
I see all the concerts and “events” on the schedule and there are so many I wish I could go to.

Great pictures of Epcot and DHS.
I just love the Mickey and Minnie topiaries.
Great way to spend Christmas Eve.

And about 4 years ago, after several days of trying to get home in a blizzard, and one airport line after another, my husband and I decided that the gameboy was the greatest invention in the world. Can't imagine life without them. :rotfl: I especially don't want to imagine long car rides without them.

Its funny, it was just a turtle, but it was cool. I hope you do get to explore Florida on one of your trips sometime. Of course, I would like to explore all areas of the US. There is so much to see here and not have to leave our beautiful country.

Yes, those hand held games can be great. Jacob wasn't suppose to get a DS until Christmas, but his Gameboy died right before his birthday in November and we realized for our sanity he wasn't going to make it that long without one. Of course, right now he has lost it until he finishes reading a book for school that is past due.:sad2:

Dang, girl! I've spent an hour reading this thread and am just on page 3!!!! Foz, I knew you could write some notes in HS (not hollywood studios), but this takes the cake!!

Good photos -- love the "scared look" LMAO!!

BFF

Ok, everyone, this is my BFF, Vickie. The one I will be meeting in July at WDW. The lucky dawg staying at AKL. :rotfl: She has been my BFF since the first week of high school when she let me sit next to her on the bus for the football game. Yes, we were band geeks!

Glad you found my TR and I am so excited you finally joined the Dis. :cool1: :banana: :woohoo:

I am finally caught up!!!! :cool1: Sorry it's taken me so long. :goodvibes

I laughed when you said during the first trip your house back in Texas had been at 68 all week and it was freezing! :rotfl: You definitely aren't from the North! :goodvibes

Your spider and lizard pictures remind me of when we lived in Australia. There's some crazy stuff there I'll tell ya! :scared:

I'm a fast walker like JS. My dad always complains when we're at WDW that I walk too fast - and the thing is I actually slow my normal speed down by quite a bit. This time I really want to try and slow down so I can see all of the great things I normally miss.

Great pictures of MNSSHP!

I'm impressed that Jacob rides alone on HM! We've never been on it (high on the list for this trip), but I'm sure my boys wouldn't want to ride alone.

I laughed when you left the voice message for your MIL while on IASW! :lmao:

Very cool that you'll be staying in a pirate room next year.

JS's comment about 20 minutes alone with Cinderella. Men! ;) (I'd take 20 minutes alone with that pirate you didn't have at the pirate dinner. :thumbsup2 )

No food at the Food and Wine Festival??!! All married couples bicker like that. Even at Disney World. ::yes::

Loving the TRs of your visits to WDW with your mom and stepdad. :goodvibes
:cheer2: for making it through all of this.

I have lived in the DC area, but have gotten use to the warm weather. I get cold really easier now, or I'm just getting old.:confused3

Jacob likes riding by himself on those rides. We went to the State Fair of Texas one time and once I explained that if I ride everything with him, he wouldn't get to ride as many rides because of the cost of tickets, he wanted to ride everything by himself. He must have ridden 10 different fun houses/scary houses by himself and had a blast. I felt like I was being a bad mother, but he had fun. Honestly, I like HM because nothing really jumps out at you. I can't take the haunted houses where people just out at you. I have seen people in the shadows of these rides and yelled at them "if you jump out, touch me, or try to scare me, I will hit you!"

And I was :lmao: about the comment you made about the pirate. Kara and I had so much fun checking out some of the CM's at WDW, especially at the Italian restuarant. I know we will have even more fun with Vickie along.

Hey Vickie, has Jordan started checking out guys yet?

Hi Melissa,

All caught up again!

I'm glad to know we're not the only parent's who frequently use the phrase 'if anyone took them - they'd very quickly bring them back again!'

As for the photos of Jacob with his Ds - that is what my son looks like now as well!

Di x
Actaully, as I typed that comment about someone not taking Jacob I thought of you.

As far as the DS goes. We think Jacob is going to end up with a dent in his forehead because he always lays his head down on the table while playing the thing.

Hey Melissa,
I love the pics you have taken. I hope you had fun :). I would love to see more pics when you go back. xoxoxoxo Keep on postin! :cool1:

Thanks! Oh, I still have several more trips to post, so there will be lots more pics. Hopefully after taking a photography class they will get better.

Ok, I really need to go pick up my kid from school before they call Social Services.:rotfl2: I hope to post another update tonight. I will be a Star Wars:Clone Wars and Battlestar Galactica Widow again tonight.

Aren't Friday's supposed to be date nights?:confused3

SimmerBaggins

01-23-2009, 06:14 PM

I'm glad to hear you have other trips/pics to share...I did start a PTR on that site, and actually, it is helping to focus me on the things we should start thinking about ahead of time...you know my DH. He'll wait until the LAST MINUTE before figuring out where to go, how to get there, etc. Does anyone else have that problem?? We'll be heading out somewhere, and I'll say, how do we get there? The answer: I have a general idea...

:crazy2:

I guess we balance each other out -- !

This is pretty cool, though -- I even got my little ticker going!!!

Write on, girl....HEY! YOUR PVT MESSAGE INBOX IS FULL!! lol

jmskinner

01-23-2009, 10:09 PM

Well, this is my second attempt at this chapter. I was almost done when I managed to hit some key and delete the whole thing.:sad: If I weren't so determined to get caught up, I would just go to bed.

So, we had filled our bellies and were ready for some more. Still not TSM time, so we were off to find something else to do and saw this:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1089.jpg

TGMR it was and it is always good when you are able to enter the double door instead of the line outside. The wait didn't begin until we got to the big movie screen room.:cheer2: Now, my folks were worried about how long the wait would be since there were that many people in line, but I explained that the vehicles were really large and sure enough, we never stood still more than a minute.

We get in the second row of the vehicle :cheer2: and I manage to get this photo w/o a flash:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1091.jpg

So then the CM steps in and announces "No Flash Photography" and of course my whole family points at me and the CM says "Now I know which one to watch!" I screw up once and see how I get treated.:sad2: And then just before the CM turns around, someone in the very back uses their flash, the CM looks at me and I replied, "It wasn't me!"

Now we were hoping that this ride would mess with my Mothers mind since there were actually real people in some of the scenes, but she caught on.

I did get a couple of good shots:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1093.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1095.jpg

Don't worry, no flash was used.

So we had made it this far without taking Jacob on his favorite ride, but that was the end of it, he wasn't going to go any further until we rode Star Tours:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1111.jpg

The CM asks how many in my party and my poor Mother can not figure it out, we just crack up and of course give her a hard time about it. Then when she gets in the Star Cruiser, she makes a comment about not needing the seat belt because we aren't going to move. :lmao: She changed her mind after the ride.

We spent some time in Tattoine Traders of course. WDW was still having the sale with 40% off all t-shirts and coffee mugs, so we purchased a t-shirt and mug with Yoda standing in front of the height limit sign and the slogan "Judge Me By My Size Do You". Tried to get Jacob to pick out a shirt, but he was preoccupied looking at lightsabers. I was not going to buy another light saber. I think I picked up 5 off his playroom floor this afternoon.

Now we had time for one more thing before TSM, so we did Muppet Show 3-D:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1127.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1135.jpg

Now, one thing I hate about WDW is how they force you to fill up areas and then you have 200 people trying to fit through four or five doors with everyone trying to be the first in. Somehow my folks ended up first and they got all confused which row to get into, so JS went down one, Mom went down another, and Dale yet another. We finally got our party together and sat down in the next to back row. Mom really enjoyed this one.

Now it was time for TSM. Of course, we are on the other side of the park, so we make the long trek over. My Mother sees someone asleep on a bench and decides she has to do the same. I was not going to let her miss TSM, even if I had to drag her. So, I slow down with her, JS and Dale are way ahead of us and Jacob is inbetween us all. So I am trying to keep Mom moving and keep an eye on Jacob. We get to TSM and I believe the stand-by line was over 60 minutes by this time and the FP's for the day were gone. We got in line and were handed one of these:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1155.jpg

Why would they hand someone in the FP line one of these, shouldn't they be for the stand-by line.:confused3

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1153.jpg

My crazy parents were going to enjoy this one:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1169.jpg

Jacob rode by himself, so JS and I finally got to compete and here are our scores. Yes, he beat me in points, but I beat him in accuracy:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1171.jpg

Now we were getting thirsty and hungry, but didn't want to eat too much because we had ADR's in just a couple of hours. We stopped at the place next to HISTK playground. Dale had a beer, Mom went off in search of an ice cream, JS and I split a chicken wrap and Jacob played the DS (sorry no food porn). Now, when Mom came back with her ice cream, she decided to find a table out of the sun, well the rest of us had decided to see LMA. She tries to get us to stay or just leave her there, but finally agreed to go when we said it is a 30 minute show.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1190.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1274.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1275.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1276.jpg

(This is where I managed to delete everything earlier, lets see if I can manage not to do that this time.) Now, the pics above are why I wanted my new camera. My Kodak was never quick enough to get action shots like that. It had to wait about 5 seconds between shots.

So we exited LMA and Jacob spotted a Mickey Head:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1282.jpg

Now, JS was ready to leave for our ADR, but my folks wanted to do the Backlot Tour. I thought we should do the Backlot Tour, since this may be their only chance to get to do it, so JS agreed to see how long the wait was. It was about 30 minutes, so he agreed. Now, in this line there was a family whose Mother was in one of those scooters going very slow. Her family wouldn't even slow down for her, and of course we had no choice, so we took baby steps up until we could divide into different lines, we made sure not to get behind them. We kept talking about the poor woman is probably the one who paid for their trip (we determined this by the size of the diamond on her finger.)

Now, this is where my Mother finally said something that is so typical of my very smart Mother who has her moments. During LMA we kept seeing a helicopter, probably one of the tour ones. Well, when the people on the boat point up and the bombs are dropped my Mother states, "That is why the helicopter is up there, for sound effects." :lmao: :rotfl: We all lost it at this point. We gave her a hard time about that comment the rest of the week and I am sure Dale still is.

Will continue in next post because I am sure I have the maximum number of images or at least close to it.

jmskinner

01-23-2009, 10:44 PM

Here are more pics taken on the BLT:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1289.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1297.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1301.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1309.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1337.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1340.jpg

My parents enjoyed this ride so I was really glad I persuaded JS to go on it. He can be such a party pooper at times. Can you tell which is the fun one in the marriage?:rotfl2:

So, now it was time to go to WCC at WL. We decided to ride the bus rather than our truck. Not too long of a wait, but of course we ended up having to stand.

Got to the hotel and I checked us in to WCC. There was no one there. Do they close some time between lunch and dinner? We were seated at the front of the main room, I had hoped to be in the midde. And as usual, I forgot our waitress' name. I need to carry a notepad for this type of info. After giving her our drink order, and she leaves my Mom states she needs to find a bathroom. JS tells her where it is.:sad2: I was wanting her to ask so maybe they would give her a hard time. We all ordered the "All-You-Care-To-Eat" platter. JS calls it the "Platter of Meat". Jacob ordered his chicken nuggets, which actually surprised me and Dad because he was hungry, which he normally isn't until later in the day. They had the pony ride and Jacob participated, but I wasn't able to get his picture.:mad:

Here he is with that DS:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1385.jpg

So our food came and Jacob says he needs ketchup. My Mother starts looking around for a bottle of ketchup and tries to get up to get it. I tell her he needs to ask himself. Any of you who have been to WCC know what I am up to but my parents had no idea. So we ask the waitress for the ketchup and she states no one has it yet, but she will get it for us (she knew we had been there before, but not my folks.) They finally bring it to us and my Mom states, "We just need one bottle!":lmao:

So here is our table of meat and ketchup!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1387.jpg

Just as I finish pouring Jacob's ketchup, we here another waitress, "KKKEEETTTCCHHHUUUPPPP", so we get up and run it over to that family.

Oh, I almost forgot about this part. A table near us had someone celebrating a birthday. They get the birthday girl to stand up and the waitress' have a piece of cake in their hands. They sing Happy Birthday and at the very end, two of the waitress' pull out forks and start eating the cake as fast as they can.:lmao: They eventually brought out another piece but I thought this was great.

I had planned on buying this meal for two months, but Dale grabbed the ticket and wouldn't let us have it back.

I took pics of the hotel lobby, the first one is actually before we ate:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1382.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1401.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1402.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1403.jpg

A window at the WL store:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1405.jpg

Had to do a little shopping and I ended up with this limited edition snowman with Mickey and Minnie painted on his belly. They only had two left and Jonas said I should purchase it.

Now, I had not seen the Osbourne Lights and my Mother loves Christmas lights, so we had decided before dinner (oops Supper, Dale kept getting mad at me for saying dinner.) to go back to DHS to see them (the reason we didn't drive the truck over). So we caught a bus back, which seemed to take forever to get there. Jonas' decided to take the packages back to the truck and would meet us at the gate when we were ready to leave.

Now, we knew where the lights were, but didn't realize they wanted you to go in one way only. Well, Jacob is off the meds at this point and takes off running and goes around the barrier. A CM stops me when I try to do the same thing (turns out this was the exit) and I tell the CM how my son just ran past him the same way. So I finally get Jacob's attention, do my parent speech about how he scared me, and how would Granny and Gramps feel if he got lost on their vacation..... We made our way around to the beginning and it was amazing.

So here is one shot of the lights:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/DHS%20122708/IMG_1418.jpg

I got more, but don't know why I haven't uploaded them. They had photopass photographers set up in the lights and I really wanted to get our picture, but no one wanted to wait in line. Oh, and the snow was really cool and I didn't notice it until we were heading out of the lights.

After that we headed to the gate and Jonas had just stepped off the tram, so we met there and headed home.

Next up, AK and I have never seen the parking lot look like this!:scared1:

Dr_Finkelstein

01-24-2009, 01:50 PM

ScotsMinnie

01-24-2009, 03:25 PM

I think we must try to go to the WCC as everyone rates it. Will keep the information about the restrooms and ketchup to myself though!! :rotfl:

Loving the trip reports and pictures. I hope one day to see the Osborn Lights. We have never been to the world at Christmas time.

jmskinner

01-25-2009, 10:48 AM

Really enjoyed the updates and the photos! I usually always manage to delete my updates just before I'm ready to post them :crazy2: so I feel your pain.:grouphug:

WL looks beautiful with all the decorations.

Di x

WL was beautiful. I love Christmas decorations, my goal next year is to check out all the hotels and take pics.

I think we must try to go to the WCC as everyone rates it. Will keep the information about the restrooms and ketchup to myself though!! :rotfl:

Loving the trip reports and pictures. I hope one day to see the Osborn Lights. We have never been to the world at Christmas time.

WCC seems like one everyone either loves or doesn't. And the Lights were wonderful. I wish I had made another trip to see them.

Here's pixiedust: that everyone gets to go see all the Christmas decorations once in their lives, just don't go the week after Christmas!:rotfl:

So, yesterday I was reading about Mother's Day and realized if we want to go, we should make reservations. I also decided that I should not have to do this so I sent JS an email on his personal account with the date to do it and the ADR number.:rotfl: I was in the living room when he read it, here is his comment, "Oh, now that looks like spam!":rolleyes2 He did ask where to go. So where should we go? Don't want to do the Mothers Day buffet at Epcot, not willing to spend $50 each.:scared1: I have two trips to Disney to pay for. Did I also mention we are going to Cocoa Beach for a weekend in April for a gaming convention for the hubby and we have to go to his brothers wedding in NC in May. The dog kennel is going to love us this year.

Sorry, got a little :offtopic: . Mother's Day lunch/dinner. We have eaten at WCC of course, Crystal Palace, Wolfgang Pucks, Boma, 50's Primetime, the Italian restaurant in Epcot (I can never remember the name), Sci-Fi Diner, Liberty Tree Tavern, Chef Mickey's for breakfast, and Biergarten. Any recommendations?

carissanboys

01-26-2009, 08:42 AM

jmskinner

01-26-2009, 03:10 PM

You got some really great photos Melissa. :thumbsup2

My favorite part of The Great Movie Ride is the Wizard of Oz room. :goodvibes

My friend Liz (liznboys) was just at Disney World over the holidays and she sent me a picture of Osbourne lights with her iphone. It was so beautiful. That's the thing I most want to see if I ever get there during the holidays.

Thank you. I think I got more pics in the Wizard of Oz room, but chose those.

I really wish we could have stayed and watched the lights more. We got to see one whole song, can't remember which one, but it wasn't Christmas in Sarajevo (spelling?) and that was the song I really wanted to hear and see the dancing lights. I will be there next year, even if it is a solo trip!

SimmerBaggins

01-26-2009, 07:27 PM

scottny

01-26-2009, 11:21 PM

great update and pics

I loved the Osborne Lights, weren't they gorgeous.

Never been to WCC, not sure if I would like what they do there.

jmskinner

01-27-2009, 08:27 AM

Melissa,

You might try the Polynesian (sp?) Luau! It's a bit expensive, but really good food, and it's great entertainment. If they still do it, the kids get to come up on the stage at one point.

I noticed how even 6 Flags FTX got into the light/music thing this year -- nothing to hold a candle to what Disney did, but it's certainly catching on.

I'll keep that in mind. Started to do it for our trip in June, but then saw some bad reviews stating it wasn't as good as it use to be, but maybe that has changed again.

Six Flags is really trying to become more family friendly like WDW. I'll have to tell my Mom so she can go next year.

great update and pics

I loved the Osborne Lights, weren't they gorgeous.

Never been to WCC, not sure if I would like what they do there.

Yes, the Osborne Lights were gorgeous. I can understand your feelings about WCC. That is what makes the world great, we are all different and like different things. It would be a boring place if we were all the same.

Dr_Finkelstein

01-28-2009, 01:55 PM

jmskinner

01-28-2009, 02:27 PM

Yak & Yeti! Yak & Yeti! My vote would definately be for that! It was our nicest meal of the trip! We also liked Nine Dragons, but we like chinese food. Rose and Crown is meant to be good, and we fancy Raglan Road next trip.

Perhaps for JS, you could consider Akershus, he would have plenty of Princesses then ;) Grumpy especially likes Jasmine. ::yes::

Coral Reef was a lovely setting, but if you're not a 'fishy' person it might not be for you. As in food, not as in if you have gills...:crazy2:

Di x

I knew you would recommend Yak & Yeti. JS remembered me telling him how much you enjoyed it, so he recommended it for Mothers Day. He is the Chinese food person though. I do want to try it, just because of your review.

Raglan Road is good, we have eaten there twice. We ate at Coral Reef, but I am just a fish stick type of girl, and JS doesn't eat fish at all.

No, won't be going to Akershus, we can save that for Fathers Day.:rotfl2: Or he may prefer the Morrocan restaurant with the belly dancer. :rotfl:

I need to hurry up and choose.

Dr_Finkelstein

01-28-2009, 02:40 PM

I knew you would recommend Yak & Yeti. JS remembered me telling him how much you enjoyed it, so he recommended it for Mothers Day. He is the Chinese food person though. I do want to try it, just because of your review.

Raglan Road is good, we have eaten there twice. We ate at Coral Reef, but I am just a fish stick type of girl, and JS doesn't eat fish at all.

No, won't be going to Akershus, we can save that for Fathers Day.:rotfl2: Or he may prefer the Morrocan restaurant with the belly dancer. :rotfl:

I need to hurry up and choose.

It's a difficult choice between the two - though Jasmine's outfit is pretty similar to the belly dancers :thumbsup2 :lmao:

Grumpy says he thinks JS wants to be told to go to Marrakesh, but that he was a bit disappointed with the belly dancer! :faint: :rolleyes: He says 'you can't beat the Princesses' princess: Take from that what you will :rolleyes: Plus you now get a photo package at Akershus included in the cost of the meal (but no guarantees of who the princess is - we got Belle). That could be part of his Father's Day gift :thumbsup2 :rotfl2:

Di x

SimmerBaggins

01-28-2009, 07:55 PM

Man, I SO do not know any of these restaurants -- I need to brush up in my Disney book (although, it's 2006 -- hope things haven't changed too much since then!)!

One thought I had: you could decide what ELSE you really have wanted to do or would like to do before or after dinner, and maybe that will jog your mind to figure out what restaurant would go with the evening. A quiet evening? A night on the town? A day at the beach?

Good LUCK! :goodvibes

jmskinner

01-30-2009, 08:59 PM

So, now it was Sunday, Dec. 28th. Now, AK was one of the parks having morning EMH every day during the week between Christmas and New Years. So, didn't really have a choice what day to go, but knew we still needed to get there kind of early, so I believe we finally made it by 11:00. Check out the line to hope on the tram from the parking lot:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1441.jpg

The arrow is pointing at the tram. I couldn't believe this. We just looked at it as the first line of the day.:rolleyes: Since I was the only one with a bag to go through security (second line of the day), I ran ahead of everyone else, got through, found the family, gave out tickets (third line of the day), and then took the tickets back to get FP's for EE. By the way, the second shock of the day was the number of people buying their tickets there at the park. I normally only see one or two windows open and never anyone in line. There was actually a line.

Back to the mad dash for FP's. The park was packed as usual, this is probably the one park that doesn't handle crowds well at all. I tried not to knock small children down on my way, but I had a purpose. So, finally got to the FP machines and what do I see, more lines. So, I waited in line for about 5 minutes for FP's, but got them for about 5:45.:cheer2: Now, JS had to work the next day, so we wouldn't be staying any later than that, so that would be the FP for the day, but I had 'em.

So, I was to meet the family at Dinosaur. On my way I found a restroom and then ran over to meet them. Jacob found a nice CM to speak with:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1444.jpg
JS said Jacob actually handed her his Sprite to hold at one point.:rolleyes2 That's my boy.

So, the wait for Dinosaur was 40 minutes. We got in line thinking it didn't look that bad, but then realized how far back it actually went. Of course we tried to rationalize when we saw there was part of the que that wasn't being used. You know, the 'ol "hey look, it isn't that bad, we could be going through all of those bars!" Dale decided one of the Dinosaurs looked hungry:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1446.jpg
(By the way, we didn't even know this part of the line existed and had never seen this dino before.)

We finally make it inside, JS and I get into a deep conversation about this:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1466.jpg

What caused the disappearance of the dinosaurs, what if it were all of the above???

Finally we got to ride, not before someone decided to let one loose (if you know what I mean) during the briefing.

And here is what another Diser calls a Rednek pic:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1482.jpg

Dale tried to get Jacob to sit up because he knew there had to be a camera somewhere, but Jacob wasn't having it. If you have read this whole TR, you may notice I have the exact same pose as I did before, hands over ears because it is just so loud. I was very proud of myself though. I have always ducked at the very last Dinosaur, but not this time. I faced that big bad boy down!

Jacob headed for the closest store to see what they had and I found this guy:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1483.jpg

Then we decided to do KRR. Jacob's favorite ride. Stopped to take some pics of Everest. I love looking at that mountain, it makes you feel like you are in another world.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1493.jpg
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1494.jpg

We decided to grab some food at Yak & Yeti counter service before the rapids. Jacob and I went to look for a table and finally grabbed one. I had to fight for it though as I was standing to one side waiting on a family to leave it, when another lady walked up from the other direction and tried to grab it. I won though. We had a quick lunch and then off to the rapids. It was another 40 minute wait, but what can you do. I occupied my time with pics:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1514.jpg

Now, most of you know where this is, and that there is a 3 foot high railing keeping most people from it. You notice I said "most people". This is why I said that:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1522.jpg

There were actually 3 kids, I only got the one in my pic. The bad thing was, more people started sending their kids over the railing to get their pic. People blow me away sometimes.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1523.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1526.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1535.jpg

We finally got on the ride
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0107.jpg
and the folks ended up the wettest, check this out, they had no idea what was about to hit them:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0108.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0109.jpg

Then it was time for the big drop and guess who was on the bad side:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0113.jpg

Here is my poor Mom when she realizes she may get wet one more time:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0118.jpg

Dale trying to get us all wet:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0119.jpg

Jacob wasn't tall enough yet to reach the stream of water, but he tried:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/000_0120.jpg

When we got off the ride, we decided we wanted ice cream. So, JS and Dale got in line and my mother went off in search of something else. I can't remember what it was. Jacob played in the water there at the restrooms. We finally gathered up, except it took us 5 minutes to find Mom. She found a spot in the sun to try to dry off. Ate our ice cream and when I went to throw the wrappers away, I saw something on top of the trash can. What, FP's. Must be old. Nope, they were for that exact moment on KRR. There were only 4, but Mom said she didn't want to go. Dale was all for it and so was JS which shocked me. So off we went. While waiting in line, I felt something touch my rear end. I look back and there is this little boy who looks at me and says, "Will you move?" I was so shocked, all I could do was move and then laugh. It sounded like something Jacob would do, so I just :rotfl: . For some reason, that little boys Dad ended up on our raft without the rest of his family. He ended up in the exact same seat my folks were in earlier and got soaked just like they did. We kept warning him and he didn't believe us the first time, but he sure did after that.:lmao:

Ok, I'm sure I am at my limit for images, so I will continue ....

jmskinner

01-30-2009, 09:45 PM

So, we got off of our second ride on KRR within 30 minutes and decided we had time for ITBAB, is that right? It's Tough Being a Bug? That 3D show with the bugs. It was almost time for the parade and we got stuck in the crowd. The CM's were trying to get everyone to stay to their right while walking, but of course people kept trying to go the wrong way. Finally made our way through the crowd and we were off. It was 30 minute wait, so it would be just right for our FP time on EE. Now, we ended up behind this family with this pre-teen that was hungry and wasn't willing to wait in line, so her and her sister took off for food and the mother stayed in line with us. I tried to talk to her and asked "How long have you been here?" I meant Florida, Orlando area. She asked "Do you mean here in the park, or in this line?" Ok, I have been waiting in the same line with you, here is your sign.:rotfl: I didn't say that, but asked how long in the Orlando area. I am normally a shy person and don't start conversations with people, see what happens when I do?:sad2:

So, I preoccupied myself with pics of the Tree of Life. Let me say, this is only a sample of the pics I took. I probably have pics of every animal you can see from the ride line.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1588.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1596.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1611.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1638.jpg

Of course, most waits were spent picking on Jacob:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1617.jpg

Then Dale wanted a pic of Mom with one of her relatives:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1641.jpg

Finally got into the show and I took this picture:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1644.jpg

I didn't use my flash, but JS said "they said no pictures!" Oops, I didn't hear that. After the show my Mom said the guy next to her filmed the whole thing and then was bugging her because he sat with his legs spread apart so she had no room. But she did enjoy the show. I loved watching her reaction when the bugs left the room.:rotfl2:

Now it was time for EE. Jacob decided he wasn't riding this one, so right before we got on, we told the CM he wasn't riding and she showed him where to wait for us. He had his DS so he was happy.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1664.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1668.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1673.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1680.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1681.jpg

When we saw my Mom in the ride photo, we had to purchase it:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/EE122808.jpg

I had never purchased the ride photo here before and boy was it confusing. Go to one place and pay for the pic, then go to another window and pick up the print. One poor lady waited in the second line for 5 minutes before being told she had to go to the other window to pay first. She just walked away. Mine was messed up, so they reordered them. Then the printers all ran out of paper, so it took forever, but finally got my pic. I was happy. JS had found Jacob, so we headed out of the park. Now, about this time my Mother asks, "Didn't you say there were animals in this park? Where are they?" I felt so bad. I would have walked them over to the Safari, but JS had to work the next day and if we didn't get him home, he would be a bear. Hopefully they will get to come back at a less crowded time.

Took some more pics on the way out. Had to get the Tree of Life:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1689.jpg

Then JS had to get something and told us he would meet us at the gate.:confused3 I hate when he doesn't tell me what he is doing, so we waited and I took pics of the Christmas tree:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1701.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1703.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1704-1.jpg

There was a photopass guy by the tree, but no one would get their pic with me.:sad1:

Finally JS shows up with a coke. Didn't bother to ask the rest of us if we wanted something. The man drives me nuts at times. Back on the tram we went and I guess it has been a good day if the ol folks can still smile:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/IMG_1714.jpg

So, my folks had four day tickets and we had used 3 of those days at Epcot, DHS, and AK, so guess what park we went to next?

Dr_Finkelstein

01-31-2009, 07:12 AM

carissanboys

01-31-2009, 08:25 AM

Love the updates Melissa! :cool1:

Yikes on the line for the tram! :scared:

How was the food at the Yak and Yeti CS? I really want to try that on this trip.

The pictures of your mom were so great. :rotfl:

It's Tough To Be A Bug - ITTBAB :thumbsup2 I'm thinking of taking the boys to see it this time. Last trip it was just me, Chuc, and my dad. I wanted to see how scary it was first.

jmskinner

01-31-2009, 12:07 PM

My guess would be - Magic Kingdom!!! Am I right? What do I win?

Really enjoyed the updates! And the photos, especially of the tree at AK - gorgeous! I've never seen AK so busy! Wow! :crowded:

Thought that was funny with Jacob chatting to the CM - that's just the sort of thing mine would have done. Chatting away to a complete stranger then saying "can you hold this whilst I climb up a bit higher?" :rolleyes:

What did you get at Yak & Yeti, and what did you think of it? I'd be interested to know what the CS food is like there.

Usually I end up meeting the same kind of people who can't make small talk as well, but on our last trip everyone was really nice and friendly, though everyone I was chatting to seemed to be from either Philadelphia or New Joisey! :goodvibes

I always seemed to manage to be in the 'hot spot' on KRR last trip - all our other times on it I avoided the splash zone! :p

Di x

You are correct. I'll have to figure out a prize.

I think we got the Orange Chicken. For fast food, it is good. I like it a whole lot better than the pizza in the parks. I love how you said New Joisey.:rotfl2: Of course, I'm one to talk with my Texan accent.

I never mind getting wet on rides, except when I leave my hair down and have spent two hours straightening it.:sad2: Jacob loves to get wet.

Love the updates Melissa! :cool1:

Yikes on the line for the tram! :scared:

How was the food at the Yak and Yeti CS? I really want to try that on this trip.

The pictures of your mom were so great. :rotfl:

It's Tough To Be A Bug - ITTBAB :thumbsup2 I'm thinking of taking the boys to see it this time. Last trip it was just me, Chuc, and my dad. I wanted to see how scary it was first.

Like I said above, Yak and Yetic CS is good. I like it better than the pizza, need to try the BBQ place and see how it compares.

ITTBAB, my brain just wasn't working properly last night and I was being lazy and didn't want to research it. Thanks for helping me out. I think it is probably my favorite 3D show, but I like Mickey's Philharmagic also.

Actually, this was the first time we really had to wait in line for ITTBAB and it was nice to be able to explore the Tree of Life more. Usually we have to zip on by everything.

Since posting about where to eat Mothers Day, I have since decided I would rather spend the day with my boys and maybe have a couple of drinks around the world while I do it. I always end up driving to WDW, so if JS will be my chaffeur that will be a great Mothers Day gift. JS did mention 50's Primetime Cafe though, so maybe we could start there and I could try one of their drinks.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. We are staying home, don't dare go into town with all the Superbowl stuff going on. Do feel like we are missing out though. Rhihanna, Fall Out Boy, Lifehouse, and 3 Doors Down are all holding concerts, plus a whole lot more this weekend.

I sent in the money for my photography class, so will be doing that next Saturday and the following Saturday. It is in a town called Auburndale, only 20 minutes from WDW. So close and I won't get to go to WDW. But the drive to Auburnday is beautiful. You drive through all of the orange groves, oh and on I4 are all of the Strawberry's.

I'll be writing more soon.:wave2:
Melissa

SimmerBaggins

01-31-2009, 02:04 PM

ScotsMinnie

01-31-2009, 06:31 PM

Great update thanks!!! Pics are fabulous - love the one of your Mum on EE!!!!!!

I am guessing you went to MK!!!! Hope so!!! My fave park - can't wait to see the pics!

Hope your weekend is going good too. I have just been out with the mums of emmas friends at school for a few glasses and lots of chat!!! Very good. Might be suffering tomorrow though!! :rotfl:

Can't wait for the next update!
Lx

scottny

02-01-2009, 12:33 AM

great update and pics.

jmskinner

02-02-2009, 08:09 AM

Melissa, I fell out on the floor at that pic of your mom! LOL!! She's hilarious -- I guess it's been a while since I've even seen her (not to mention her second-half (not sure if I should say their names)). Anyway, I'm glad you were having a good time with them. I can just see the look on your face when she asked about the animals!!

Anyhoo, the decision about Mom's Day sounds pretty good. :)

As I said on Facebook, I've been cleaning all day -- we don't have any plans for Superbowl other than home w/popcorn and diet soda -- woo-hoo! Maybe I can convince DH to cook some chicken out on the grill (yum!).

Have a great weekend.

Vickie

Oh, you can say their names, I have. Mom's look was priceless. I had to buy that pic.

So did your DH make some chicken? It was just the three of us for Superbowl and I cooked for a party. JS gave me a hard time about it. We had meatballs, potato balls, and a new dish I found with manwich on top of Fritos with cheese and onions. I just realized I forgot the sour cream. Then made this chocalate cake thing with expresso cream and kahula!

Great update thanks!!! Pics are fabulous - love the one of your Mum on EE!!!!!!

I am guessing you went to MK!!!! Hope so!!! My fave park - can't wait to see the pics!

Hope your weekend is going good too. I have just been out with the mums of emmas friends at school for a few glasses and lots of chat!!! Very good. Might be suffering tomorrow though!! :rotfl:

Can't wait for the next update!
Lx

Yes, you are correct, we did go to MK. It is my favorite park also.:thumbsup2 It's funny because my Mom kept saying she didn't want to go, but then decided to and I realized there was a lot there they hadn't done.

Sounds like you had a good time with your friends. How ya feelin' today?

great update and pics.
Thank you. By the way, I love all your pics next to your trees in your sig. I need to go check out your TR!

jmskinner

02-03-2009, 08:41 AM

I just had to tell this one. A friend of mine from my old job back in Texas emailed me to say that the W2 were finally mailed out on Friday, but everyone in the office ended up with theirs and then a copy of someone else's. Even the two owners ended up with someone else's copy. So, I did get mine and sure enough, there was someone else's in there. So much for confidentiality. Now everyone knows what the others make, and you have their confidential information. Oh, and to make matters worse, one of the ex-employees has been arrested for identity theft of his own mother!:scared1:

Just another reason I am glad to be out of the office.

Hope to have another update Friday night. With Battlestart Galactica back on I am a BG widower again. Oh, and hope to go back to the world on Friday also. Jacob doesn't have school due to the state fair so I thought the parks might be slow. Trying to decide if I let him choose what to do, or was thinking of seeing if we could hit all four parks and do our favorite rides.

Still not too happy with the schools here. They get Friday off, next week they get out at noon on Wednesday so the teachers can work, and then the following Monday they are out again. I guess it could be worse, I overheard one lady talking about how a friend of hers just moved somewhere in this state and that school district gets out at Noon every Wednesday.:sad2: I just don't understand how they expect kids to get an education. Home schooling is looking better and better.

scottny

02-04-2009, 10:55 PM

Thank you. By the way, I love all your pics next to your trees in your sig. I need to go check out your TR!

Thank you. It is on the last day now.

jmskinner

02-05-2009, 07:50 AM

Thank you. It is on the last day now.

I read it yesterday, sounds like you had a great time except for Biff getting sick. Memories.

DisnLuvr

02-05-2009, 08:48 AM

:ssst: Don't tell the military, they think we moved to Florida because we had orders. :rotfl: Even though the big trip is over and has been reported on, I have decided to keep this going since I plan on making many day trips. So, this is now my official TR and MTR (mini TR). Would love to have more join us, so I have posted links to all of the chapters to make it easier. I have separated between the true TR and the MTR's. Sorry, some have moving info and if you want to read about the entire move and all of the drama, you will have to read the whole thing, but it has been an amazing adventure!

The Official TR
Chapter 1 House Hunting (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25869854&postcount=4)
Chapter 2 House Hunting Done, Now our 1st day at WDW! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25900439&postcount=13)
Day 2 Part 1 SWW! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25926584&postcount=20)
Day 2 Part 2 More SWW and TL! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25976674&postcount=34)
Day 3 Fathers Day at Epcot (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25993671&postcount=37)
Update on the move, but includes Photopass pics up to Day 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26034300&postcount=40)
Day 3 Part 2, More Epcot, WCC (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26046214&postcount=46)
Day 3 Part 3, Magic Kingdom! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26063300&postcount=48)
Day 4 Chef Mickey's and AK EMH (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26137933&postcount=58)
Day 5 POFQ Pool and Epcot (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26506639&postcount=82)
Day 6 AK and DHS for Fantasmic! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26767666&postcount=87)
Day 7 Magic Kingdom (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26767666&postcount=87)
Day 7 Part 2, More Magic Kingdom (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26991062&postcount=109)
Day 8 We say goodbye to Kara; a little DTD and DHS (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27107749&postcount=125)
The worse day, going home! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27161403&postcount=130)
Going home part 2! (http://http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27335921&postcount=163)

The MTR Reports!
First Daytrip to MK at Florida Residents (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26353087&postcount=72)
Augut 30th Epcot, Ponchos On, Ponchos Off! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27274612&postcount=144)
Our 1st overnight trip as FL residents, Ch 1 The road to WDW! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27914134&postcount=206)
Ch2 MNSSHP (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28002355&postcount=214)
Ch 3 The rest of MNSSHP (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28098353&postcount=228)
Ch4 DHS (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28153166&postcount=229)
ASMu Pool, PH, and Bounce Back (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28238068&postcount=236)
MTR of Typhoon Lagoon 10/18/08 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28238068&postcount=236)
11/01/08 MTR of MK (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28497470&postcount=245)
MTR of MK Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28498079&postcount=246)
I got to see Night Ranger,but not before the adults have a meltdown TR! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28840050&postcount=255)
Egmont Island (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28993155&postcount=262)
Pirate Adventure Dinner Theatre (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28993637&postcount=263)

Christmas 2008 MTR's with the parents!
Christmas Eve 2008 at Epcot with my parents! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29720525&postcount=277)
Ch 1 of DHS on 12/27/08 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29807405&postcount=287)
Ch 2 of DHS on 12/27/08 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29862452&postcount=298)
Ch 3 of DHS on 12/27/08 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29862872&postcount=299)
AK on 12/28/08 Ch 1 (http://http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30000393&postcount=312)
AK on 12/28/08 CH 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30001208&postcount=313)

Back in March 0f 2008 we learned we would be moving to Tampa. I got very excited:banana: , "we will be an hour away from WDW!". So, my TR to WDW will not only include details of our trip to WDW, but our adventures of looking for a home in Florida.

The cast:

Me, Melissa a 39 year old crazy woman who became obsessed with WDW after just one trip. My first trip was in 2006, yup didn't make it until I was 36 years old. I am a 13 year military wife with one son, Jacob, who is 10. Previously I was an insurance agent, but now I am a stay at home Mom.

Next, is JS, my 38 year old husband. He is 5 months younger than me and never lets me forget it. He has 15 years in the military, :woohoo: 5 more to go! He is a Sci-Fi geek, plays Guild Wars on the computer, paints Warhammer miniatures,loves Star Wars! Oh, and he loves his Mustang.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/JonasinStang.jpg

Our son, Jacob, 10 years old and a 4th grader. He loves Star Wars and Transformers. Also Bionicles and computer games. He wasn't real excited about moving. He has ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder, so on top of being very hyper, he hates change. This past summer he was diagnosed with Anxiety also. He will be my companion on most day trips, whether he likes it or not.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Jacobinhat.jpg

Another member of this crazy cast, probably the least crazy of us all is my step-daughter Kara. She is now 16 years old, a licensed driver on the roads. We hardly ever get to see her, so when she said she would like to join us at WDW, we got very excited.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/100_2927.jpg

I know, I didn't include a picture of myself. I can't find any I like, so here is a group photo.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/DSCN0090.jpg

Now, I know it sounds :crazy2: to plan a trip house hunting, followed by a week at WDW, but since Kara will probably have to get a job once she starts driving, we figured this may be our only chance to have her join us, so we emptied the bank account and went for it.

Did we find a house, you will just have to wait until the next posting.
Melissa

Great pictures ....... I can see how much excited you are ... Good Experience You seem to be having.

Dr_Finkelstein

02-06-2009, 08:31 AM

I just had to tell this one. A friend of mine from my old job back in Texas emailed me to say that the W2 were finally mailed out on Friday, but everyone in the office ended up with theirs and then a copy of someone else's. Even the two owners ended up with someone else's copy. So, I did get mine and sure enough, there was someone else's in there. So much for confidentiality. Now everyone knows what the others make, and you have their confidential information. Oh, and to make matters worse, one of the ex-employees has been arrested for identity theft of his own mother!:scared1:

Just another reason I am glad to be out of the office.

:rotfl: :rotfl: Sounds very much like my work!!! I always say they couldn't organise a p**s up in a brewery!

Hope to have another update Friday night. With Battlestart Galactica back on I am a BG widower again. Oh, and hope to go back to the world on Friday also. Jacob doesn't have school due to the state fair so I thought the parks might be slow. Trying to decide if I let him choose what to do, or was thinking of seeing if we could hit all four parks and do our favorite rides.

I know just how you feel - currently I am a Top Gear (a car show)widow - it is on constantly! Worst of all DS is now also obsessed with it! If not Top Gear it's Ice Road Truckers or Deadliest Catch.

Still not too happy with the schools here. They get Friday off, next week they get out at noon on Wednesday so the teachers can work, and then the following Monday they are out again. I guess it could be worse, I overheard one lady talking about how a friend of hers just moved somewhere in this state and that school district gets out at Noon every Wednesday.:sad2: I just don't understand how they expect kids to get an education. Home schooling is looking better and better.

Yet if you want to take them out of school for a couple of days - I bet they're not happy! :confused3 :rolleyes2

My two have been off school the past 2 days as they caught a vomiting bug that has been going around. Generous as always - they have also passed it on to us!

Di x

jmskinner

02-06-2009, 08:37 PM

Great pictures ....... I can see how much excited you are ... Good Experience You seem to be having.

Thank you. I am enjoying Florida and getting to go to WDW so much. We were there tonight and a CM asked how often we went to the parks and my response was, "Not Enough!":rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl: Sounds very much like my work!!! I always say they couldn't organise a p**s up in a brewery!

I know just how you feel - currently I am a Top Gear (a car show)widow - it is on constantly! Worst of all DS is now also obsessed with it! If not Top Gear it's Ice Road Truckers or Deadliest Catch.

Yet if you want to take them out of school for a couple of days - I bet they're not happy! :confused3 :rolleyes2

My two have been off school the past 2 days as they caught a vomiting bug that has been going around. Generous as always - they have also passed it on to us!

Di x
Sorry to hear your office is disorganized.

Grumpy watches Top Gear. Oh, we love Top Gear. I started a thread on it out on the community boards this past week. Ok, I'll be honest, I like to look at Richard, but all three of those men just crack me up. The way they film the show is just amazing. I also watch Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch. I watch entirely too much TV. We have been joking about getting a second DVR because if we record two shows, then we can't watch something else at the same time. Isn't it sad that we want to watch three shows at once.:sad2:

Well, I hope Thing 1 and Thing 2 get well soon, and also you and Grumpy. On the way home tonight my ears started bothering me, which is normally the first sign of getting sick and the throat is a little scratchy, and then when I call home, JS tells me how his throat hurts. I am sure it is from these temperature changes.

I will start the next update in the next post. It will probably be short because Jacob has decided he really likes this new game of his dads and wants to play it all night. Not going to happen. Oh, and I had to drag him off of it this morning so I could go to WDW!

jmskinner

02-06-2009, 09:37 PM

So, my parents had one more ticket day left. We had to use it. They had decided to leave on Tuesday instead of Thursday, so we had to use that last ticket. Now Mom originally had told me she did not want to go to MK, but then said they might as well. So, off we went. Now I remember thinking, "What day is it the guide book specifically says don't go to MK on?" Well, I now know it is MONDAY! and what day did we go on, MONDAY! So, I don't know if it would have been any better on any other day that week, because MK was having EMH every morning, which meant it opened at 7:00am!

So, we headed out and I think we got there about 11:00 or so. So we pull up to the gate to get into the parking lot. The CM looks at my AP and says, "Parking lot is full, you will have to park at Epcot, take this to them." And it was this little card allowing us to park at Epcot. So, we go to Epcot and they give us another little card to place in the windshield, which they never give you anything to park. They also gave us this card:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1717.jpg

No one ever asked us for it, so I kept it. I guess they were hoping people would decide to stay at Epcot instead of going to MK, but not us. We were determined. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

Almost forgot, we ride the tram to the monorail at Epcot and as we are pulling in, I can't find my mothers ticket.:scared1: I remember having to take one out of my lanyard to get the AP out for parking. So, we watch everyone get off the tram and we head back to the parking lot. I am freaking out. I had taken pics of the ticket so I would have the number, but it was now downloaded on the computer at home and deleted from my camera. Luckily it had fallen in the floorboard of the truck. So back on the tram to the monorail again. This day really wasn't going so well.

Here is the Epcot parking lot from the monorail:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1722.jpg

Here is Jacob and Mom walking up to the monorail, notice the DS in Jacob's hand.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1724.jpg

We finally made it to MK and here is a picture of the tree:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1730.jpg

And of course Main Street:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1736.jpg

The man in the Harley t-shirt is my stepdad. That is all he ever wears. He probably has 200 of the things.

On to Adventureland for PoTC, check out the people:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1737.jpg

This is what greeted us at PoTC:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1739.jpg

Ok folks, I have been there July 4th week, never have I seen Pirates look like this. The most I had waited was at the door there where the sign reads: "Yo!Ho! Yo! Ho! It's a pirates life for me!" I just kept apologizing to my parents, but they had stood in lines before, so no complaining. We finally get on the ride. My Mom kept worrying about getting wet. :sad2:

From there Jacob wanted to look at merchandise, I thought I would head over to Splash Mountain and see about FP's. Well, I got stopped by this:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1762.jpg

Then I thought, "hey, when the parade stops, we can probably just walk on to Splash". Call the parents and tell them to head my way. I see them coming and then I see them turn and go in the restaurant there on the corner. :confused3 I go hunt them down and finally find them, get back in the crowd of people watching the parade. Finally the parade ends and we are off. You could barely put one foot in front of the other. Now, FP's for Splash were for 8:00pm, I didn't know if we were staying that late, but the standby sign said it was a 40 minute wait. I looked at the line and no way was it a 40 minute wait. We get in line. Well then all the people that had FP's that had let their time slip by during the parade came. I bet we watched 200 people go in front of us. Now, we practically walked up to the actual building before all these people started passing us. This is what the line ended up looking like (all of these people were behind us):
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1780.jpg

So then my stepdad starts getting grumpy. He normally is not a grumpy person, but watching all of these people go by him was starting to tick him off in a big way. I have to admit, I have noticed most lines are so long because of the FP line. If not that many people have FP's the standby line moves really quick, when there are a lot of FP's, the standby stands still.

Well, unlike most rides where they will normally let a group of FP riders go and then a few standby the CM working this line let every single FP rider go without a wait.:mad:

We finally got to ride and it was so much fun because my Mom kept expecting the big plunge and to get wet, so every time she would duck.:rotfl: And of course I took pics on my favorite ride:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1785.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1813.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1824.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1836.jpg

After Splash Mountain we decided on HM. I had not eaten and by this time it was pushing 2:00. So I grabbed a quick hot dog, can you believe no line.:cheer2:

So, on the way to HM I notice this big long line. As I make the turn towards HM, I realize it is the HM line and there is a CM holding a sign that reads, "HM line begins here." As people got in line, he moved back to allow more in.:scared1: This was all the way around just across from the Liberty Tree Tavern. So we hop in line and my stepdad starts talking to this nice man in front of us from Lousiana and he was Cajun. I was having the hardest time understanding him. While in line I took this photo:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1845.jpg

And this is after we had been in line about 10 minutes:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1846.jpg

As I said it started down across from LTT, and then went through the horse carriage area where you ended up down by the river, back up and then through the que at HM. It was crazy. Took a picture of the gate going in, never had time to take this photo before:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1852.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1853.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1856.jpg

My parents enjoyed HM, after we finally made it on.

I'm going to end this right here. I am tired (hopefully this makes sense) and Jacob's wants on the computer. I start my photography class tomorrow, so hopefully my pics will improve.

So, do you think after waiting in three long lines we gave up and went home?

carissanboys

02-07-2009, 07:28 AM

jmskinner

02-07-2009, 08:14 AM

You're making me a bit nervous! We'll be going to MK on a Monday because that's what day my birthday is on and I want to spend my birthday at MK. Hopefully it won't be too bad. (we can always leave in the afternoon and go back for Wishes later.)

Have fun with your photography course! :goodvibes

I'm sure it won't be that busy. I'll have to try to check it out on a normal Monday and see how it is. That whole week was just crazy. I have read here on the Dis that New Years Eve there were almost 5 hour waits for Soarin', never heard how long the wait was for the rides at MK.

I hope I do enjoy the class. I think I over did it yesterday and don't feel that well today. Have a great weekend and I sure hope your DH gets word on Monday.pixiedust:

scottny

02-12-2009, 01:25 PM

great update and pics.

I experienced a line like that at POTC once. I forget if it was July or January.

Dr_Finkelstein

02-12-2009, 02:49 PM

Wow!! MK was busy busy busy!!!!
I would have thought it would have been a bit quieter this time of year :confused3 Was there anything going on to make it busier?
At least you hadn't lost your ticket!!!

Di x

irky416

02-12-2009, 03:47 PM

Believe it or not, I just read every single post I had missed. I enjoyed your updates. You new camera takes some really good pictures!!

Your mom sounds like fun. Looking at your pictures, I don't think I will ever go the week after Christmas. Those lines and all the people looked crazy! It seems like you guys had a great time anyway.

jmskinner

02-12-2009, 04:45 PM

great update and pics.

I experienced a line like that at POTC once. I forget if it was July or January.

We were there two years ago when it opened after the refurb and the line wasn't like this day. Sorry you had to experience that.

Wow!! MK was busy busy busy!!!!
I would have thought it would have been a bit quieter this time of year :confused3 Was there anything going on to make it busier?
At least you hadn't lost your ticket!!!

Di x

I guess a lot of people figure they will take the whole family for Christmas and over here a lot of people take the week between Christmas and New Years off. But, there were a lot of people from other countries there also. Seemed like more than normal. If I remember correctly, it seems like we even saw of the tour groups with the teenage kids.

Yes, I was very glad I didn't lose that ticket. I would have just bought her another myself.

Believe it or not, I just read every single post I had missed. I enjoyed your updates. You new camera takes some really good pictures!!

Your mom sounds like fun. Looking at your pictures, I don't think I will ever go the week after Christmas. Those lines and all the people looked crazy! It seems like you guys had a great time anyway.

Glad life gave you a break and let you do some Dis'ing.:laughing: I've missed ya! I'm enjoying the camera. Have another class this weekend, so hopefully they will get better.

I don't know that I will ever attempt the week after Christmas again, even though we live so close. It really was bad. We did have fun though. The funny thing was, even with those lines being so long, people weren't upset. They just went with the flow. I'm sure the fact is was in the 70's helped.

So, hope all are well. I will probably update again tomorrow night. Oh, and I signed up for the Annual Passholder Kim Possible event on Feb 28, so guess we will be at Epcot on that day.

Another update coming soon!

jmskinner

02-13-2009, 10:11 PM

Sorry folks. I got to playing around on Facebook, found my long lost cousin who I had not heard from in 4 years and uploaded some more pics to Photobucket and just realized it is almost 11:00pm. It doesn't help that I made my first White Russian and really enjoyed it. The only problem, alcohol puts me to sleep.:rotfl2:

But, got my photopass CD, so I will at least post some pics from it and will hopefully update this in the morning before I head off to my class.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/AK%20122808/image24.jpg
Check out my hair, it was STRAIGHT when I went into the park, see what KRR does to you.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/image03.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/image08.jpg
This picture cracks me up. Almost all of us have our hands in our lap. My stepdad has this look on his face, "did I really wait in line for 30 minutes for this, where is the action?" Poor Jacob looks scared as usual. I am such a bad Mom for making him go on this thing.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/image17.jpg

jmskinner

02-14-2009, 09:52 AM

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Ok, I only have 3 pics to finish my TR with my folks up. So, shouldn't take too long. Most of my pics didn't come out to well.

So, we got off of HM and it was now dark. We headed towards Tomorrowland. While walking by Mickey's Philharmagic, it showed a 20 minute wait.:banana: So asked the parents if they want to do that and they did. Well, there are two CM's standing there and they tell us to go in the FP line.:confused3 We headed that way and then real quick I went back to check and they sent the people after us the same way. We walk right in, get our glasses and are in the waiting room. Waited maybe 10 minutes and the doors opened up. :cheer2: I couldn't believe no line for this show, it is one of my top 2 3D shows in the parks. ITTBAB is probably my favorite.

So after the movie we stopped for ice cream there in Tomorrowland and found a bench to sit on. While sitting there I realized there was a mother speaking with a CM who had obviously lost her child. She didn't speak english very well and I felt so bad for her. I noticed several different CM's then walking around looking. I'm sure the found the child.

I wanted my folks to ride Buzz, but it had a 45 minute wait, but thought TTA might be a good choice instead so we rode that. They were glad to sit. I think it was a 20 minute wait.

Then there was no line for this one:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1891.jpg

Now, Jacob really wants to be on the screen for this one. I told him since we are one of the last to get into the theatre, probably not a chance. We were in the very back. Well, of course, someone in the row in front of us gets picked. Oh well, we can keep trying. The folks had a good laugh.

Then we decided to leave. Well, it was almost time for Spectromagic and the folks said they might as well stay to watch it. Now, there was no room along the rope area by this time, but we saw several people leaning againt the window areas there on main street. We found one window and chose it as our spot. We watch this CM keep running people off that have stopped in the walkway etc. We have Jacob standing on one of the ledges underneath the window. A CM tells him to get down, which is understandable. After we have been there over 10 minutes, the CM we have been watching walk by us for 10 minutes decides all of us in the windows have to leave. Now remember folks, the windows are tucked in, so we were not in the walkway. I even asked her why after this long she is asking us to leave when she has seen us there all this time. Well, none of the other people would leave. So my parents said not to. I am feeling so guilty. I love WDW CM and I know what they have to put up with, but if we left someone else would just take the spot. In fact, during the parade one large group came up next to us and stood there in the walkway. The CM didn't even bother at that point.

Here is a pic of where we were:(I apologize for them being so big, I even went back and resized and they are still posting big.)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1907.jpg

Once the parade started, my stepdad put Jacob back in the window. Whenver a CM would come by, they would do this:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1917.jpg

Sorry no pics of the parade, but we were so far back I couldn't get a good one and when I used my flash I got pics of the people in front of us watching the parade.:sad2:

Finally the parade was over. My stepdad wanted some Disney dollars. One thing I haven't mentioned about the man is he is a collector. He still has Disney Dollars from the 70's. So he got some Dollars and we were off.

I didn't realize they had a spot for Santa:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/MK%20122908/IMG_1943.jpg

I think he was gone for the night.

Jacob actually wanted some popcorn, so we grabbed some on the way out, along with frozen lemonade for me and Dale. Then got in line for the monorail. The line was already out to the exit of the park, the ramp was full. So, we finished our popcorn and worked on the frozen lemonade. Remember, we had to park at Epcot so walked over to switch to the other monorail. I'm working on that frozen lemonade when a CM asks if I have enough to share, when I say I don't he tells me I have to throw it out. I am still feeling guilty about not obeying the CM during the parade. So I ask I can't keep it even if I put the lid on it. Everyone is laughing at me now because they all know he is joking with me. I'm such a goober at times.

So then he tells me my shoe is untied. Well, I know it isn't because my shoes don't have strings, but the capri's I had on do, so I pop off, "no they aren't, but my pants are?" He gave me this really funny look. I then asked if we were even. Finally the monorail showed up and we got to go home.

Got home, said "goodbye" to Mom and Dale as they were leaving the next morning.:sad2: Hopefully they will be back soon.

Next update will be the other set of parents. I think I will call it, "My day at Epcot with two DMIL's". Can you figure that one out?

irky416

02-14-2009, 10:43 AM

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20122408/image17.jpg

That's a really cute picture!

So, we got off of HM and it was now dark. We headed towards Tomorrowland. While walking by Mickey's Philharmagic, it showed a 20 minute wait.:banana: So asked the parents if they want to do that and they did. Well, there are two CM's standing there and they tell us to go in the FP line.:confused3 We headed that way and then real quick I went back to check and they sent the people after us the same way. We walk right in, get our glasses and are in the waiting room. Waited maybe 10 minutes and the doors opened up. :cheer2: I couldn't believe no line for this show, it is one of my top 2 3D shows in the parks. ITTBAB is probably my favorite.

I love Philharmagic, too! ITTBAB is my 2nd fav!

Sorry, you got yelled at by a CM. I would have felt guilty about staying also, but would have done the same thing as you guys!

Dr_Finkelstein

02-14-2009, 12:10 PM

Hi Melissa,

Enjoyed the updates! I'm sure you're right about the lost child, they're very on the ball with that situation. :thumbsup2
And I agree with Irky - I would have done the same thing at the parade - but then felt very guilty afterwards as well!

Di x

Maroon

02-15-2009, 03:33 AM

At 6:15am the phone rings and I hear Stitch in my ear.

jmskinner

02-15-2009, 08:11 AM

That's a really cute picture!

I love Philharmagic, too! ITTBAB is my 2nd fav!

Sorry, you got yelled at by a CM. I would have felt guilty about staying also, but would have done the same thing as you guys!

Hi Melissa,

Enjoyed the updates! I'm sure you're right about the lost child, they're very on the ball with that situation. :thumbsup2
And I agree with Irky - I would have done the same thing at the parade - but then felt very guilty afterwards as well!

Di x

Yea, I'm not the only one.

At 6:15am the phone rings and I hear Stitch in my ear.

:confused3

jmskinner

02-15-2009, 04:27 PM

Ok, Jacob is on the PC, so I finally picked up JS's laptop and thought I would Dis for a little while, but check email first. Well, I see this email from Universal Studios. I open it and it is thanking me for participating in their free ticket giveaway during the Superbowl and asking me to fill out a survey. It goes on to say that for filling it out I would be entered to win two tickets just like the one I won.:confused3

I had to read it three times. I hadn't heard that I won a ticket. So I ask JS if I had gotten any emails from Universal. "Yeah, I think you got one yesterday." I look, and look. Two weeks ago I got an email saying my free two-park ticket good for 7 days will be mailed to me.:banana: :dance3: :cheer2:

Dr_Finkelstein

02-15-2009, 04:29 PM

irky416

02-15-2009, 05:16 PM

jmskinner

02-15-2009, 05:51 PM

:banana: :banana: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :worship: :worship: Yay!! Good for you!! Now you'll be able to check out US & IOA!!!!!!!

Di x

Yes, I am so excited. Even JS made the comment that we will have to go now. Of course he then asked what they have. So clueless.

Yay!!! :yay: I won one of those too!

:banana: :yay: Congratulations to you also!

Now, I wonder if they are upgradeable to AP's.

carissanboys

02-17-2009, 07:31 AM

jmskinner

02-17-2009, 07:52 AM

Awesome on the tickets to Universal! :cool1:

Too bad you didn't have a better spot for Spectro. It's such a great parade. :goodvibes

I've never seen a line for Mickey's Philharmagic. It's one of our favorite attractions!

Thank you! Hopefully by filling out the survey I'll win some more.

I wish my parents could have seen more of Spectro, we have seen it several times. Only parade I have seen.:sad2:

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day.

jmskinner

02-20-2009, 11:59 AM

Ok, it's about that other park in Orlando. Well, JS just sent me an email that they are now offering active military a free ticket, just like the one I got. That's two down. Guess we will be going!

Ok, I will update tonight with the story of the two Mother-In-Laws.

carissanboys

02-20-2009, 01:35 PM

irky416

02-20-2009, 03:08 PM

jmskinner

02-20-2009, 05:02 PM

Very cool about the tickets! :thumbsup2

Spectro is the only parade that I have actually sat (er - stood!) through. We've seen some others in passing. That may change during this upcoming trip - we'll see.

So we aren't the only ones who haven't seen the daytime parades.

Yay! Have you guys been there before?

No, we haven't. I think JS is getting excited about it.

scottny

02-20-2009, 08:49 PM

that is great news about the tickets.

irky416

02-20-2009, 08:58 PM

No, we haven't. I think JS is getting excited about it.

It's so fun! Spiderman is the best ride EVER! Try to sit in the front row the very first time you ride it - it makes the whole experience. The Mummy is a very very close second. We must have ridden them at least 15 times each when we were there last.

jmskinner

02-20-2009, 09:11 PM

My parents had left for another chapter in their own adventure across the country. JS's mother flew in on Friday, Jan 2 and his Dad and his wife Karin arrived later that evening. They were in town for JS's promotion to take place the following Monday.:cheer2: Sidenote: the pics for this portion of the TR are overexposed. I apologize. At this point I had no idea what I had done to my camera and didn't know how to get it back.

So, new cast of characters:

Myra: JS's Mom. Also known as Grandmyrie. She went with us on our first trip to WDW. I love my DMIL and we have a lot of fun together. Oh, one note about the DMIL, she is terrified of birds. Actually anything that flitters or flaps its wings. :offtopic: My favorite story is one time their whole family went camping. JS and his brother thought it would be fun to feed the seagulls. Then they thought it would be fun to throw the bread in the direction of Myra. It got so bad that Myra wrapped herself around the axle of a van and the owner of the van and Buddy had to crawl underneath the thing to get her lose.:rotfl:

Buddy: JS's Dad. Also known as Granbuddy. Yes, that is his real name, not a nickname. Funny thing is, his middle initial is "F", so he is Buddy F. Skinner, but not the famous one. He is very laid back and just goes with the flow. He is also a smoker.

Karin: Buddy's wife of 10 or so years. Also known as Uma. She is from Germany.

Here is a pic of the new cast members:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2006.jpg
Buddy, Karin, and Myra (can you believe the exwife and current wife sitting together)

Karin was the one that called us up and said, "I want to go to Disneyworld when we are there for at least one day!" I was excited.:yay: One night JS is talking to her trying to describe the parks, I finally grabbed the phone away from him and we decided on Epcot. We had already made reservations for Biergarten. I would have changed the reservation, but we wanted to make sure we could get in if Epcot ended up being the park. Myra surprised us and said she wanted to go also.:woohoo:

While they were all here visiting us, I was sick. I'm talking lay on the couch or in the bed and not get up. They did all the cooking while they were here and the cleaning of the kitchen. I'm still trying to find some stuff. They even went to the Manatee Viewing Center and Dinosaur World while I layed in bed. I wanted to feel better so I could go to WDW. No way were they going without me.:laughing:

So Sunday we all got up and made the drive to Epcot. All six of us in our truck. That was an interesting drive. I was surprised they wanted to be in the same vehicle as me. I had to laugh at JS because he wanted to take two vehicles in case I started feeling bad and wanted to go back home. If I felt bad enough to leave WDW, would I feel like driving for an hour. I think not.

We made it to Epcot about 10:30am.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2007.jpg
JS wasn't happy I already had the camera out. I snapped it right before he gave me a certain symbol of dislike.

We get in the park and everyone heads for the restroom, while I head to get FP's for Soarin'. I get there and there are long lines, but the time for the FP return is 1:50, we have 2:00 lunch reservations. So I actually look for the longest FP line and end up with a 2:05 FP return time. That gives us until 3:05 to get back to Soarin'.

I meeet up with everyone at Mission: Space. JS, Jacob, and Myra are on the ride since I won't ride the orange side and Buddy and Karin figured they had better stay off. So, I took a couple of pics of them:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2015.jpg

Well, we had about a 40 minute wait, so I thought we could do Universe of Energy. As we walk up people are walking out and the CM's are telling everyone it is closed.:mad:

Karin had mentioned she wanted to buy her Grandaughters something, so what better store to shop at than Mousegear. I tried to call to see if I could make our lunch reservation a little earlier, but my phone kept cutting off.:mad: Things were not going so well.

We did some shopping and then the rest of our party caught up to us and we headed over to:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2020.jpg

JS was excited because Jacob rode with his Grandmyrie so we could ride together. JS normally ends up riding by himself. One day I will get some good shots inside this ride.

From there I led them to Figment. Jonas didn't want to ride and Jacob doesn't like to because it stinks, but I love it. I love to watch people jump at the unexpected things, plus there has never been much of a line when we ride it. So, within 5 minutes we were on it and everyone thought it was very cute. They loved the "smell".:laughing: I warned Jacob when we were getting to the smell and he covered his nose.

From there we went to:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2027.jpg

My DMIL remembered this from our trip two years ago and wanted to see it again. It was so funny because Karin about came out of her seat during the snake scene. I haven't ever seen anyone react like that to the snake.

Now, the one thing I hate about HISTA is the fact there is only one way around to get out of there. (If I have missed a pathway, please let me know.) Sure would be nice if there was a shortcut to head over to World Showcase, which is where we were heading since it was getting close to lunch. We decided to take the boat over and had fun watching all of the birds.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2042.jpg
Remember Myra is afraid of birds. She just kept looking at the ground the whole time. We rode the boat over and made our way over to Biergarten in hopes of getting in a little early so we could get to Soarin' in time for our FP.

We had about a 5 minute wait and got seated at the reservation time. Now, I had hoped to be the one to check us in, but JS beat me to it. When I made the reservation, the CM asked if we were celebrating anything. I said no at first, but then thought, yes we are. So I told him we were celebrating JS's promotion. He put it down. There was a line to check in, so I didn't want to jump in and see if our request was marked, plus JS would probably kill me for mentioning it.

We got a really nice table with two other people. Of course, Karin had to speak to every CM in German. We didn't think we would ever get our drink order in. The Grandparents all had a beer. I stuck to tea since I was sick. Of course Jacob didn't eat. He just played with his DS. We had wondered if Karin would like the food since she is from Germany and she loved it! She ended up buying the lunch, which the CM charged us for Jacob which irritated me, but guess I should have asked her beforehand. When we were there in the Summer the nice waitress didn't charge for him, only his drink.

And nothing was done for JS's promotion. Guess I needed to remind them.:sad2:

Of course I got pics:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2076.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2079.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2082.jpg

So, by this time we had 5 minutes before our FP time passed us by. Would we make it? Will the CM let us on if we are late?

jmskinner

02-20-2009, 09:21 PM

that is great news about the tickets.

Thank you. I am very excited. You posted as I was updating.

It's so fun! Spiderman is the best ride EVER! Try to sit in the front row the very first time you ride it - it makes the whole experience. The Mummy is a very very close second. We must have ridden them at least 15 times each when we were there last.

You posted as I was updating also. I remember it in your TR. Reading yours and some others have really made me want to go. I actually checked out the US threads here on the Dis today.

Funny, we are only 30 minutes from Busch Gardens and haven't been there.
Busch Gardens and SeaWorld have a Fl resident special that if you buy a one day pass, it allows you access to the park for a whole year. US has about the same I guess, for $99 we get a two park pass good until Dec 19, but there are blockout dates on it. I am hoping we can upgrade my free ticket and Jonas' to the season pass at US. It's worth a try.

Dr_Finkelstein

02-25-2009, 02:44 PM

Hi Melissa,

Great news about the US tickets!! I'm sure you'll love the parks!

Enjoyed the update - you sound so professional when you talk about your photos (over exposed), I have no idea what that means! :rotfl:
It's great your 2 MILs get on so well! Not often you see that!
Glad you enjoyed Biergarten.

Di x

carissanboys

02-25-2009, 03:05 PM

Sorry it took me so long to get here!

My mom and stepmother get along quite well so it's not that surprising for me to see your two MIL's sitting next to one another. I think it's great. :thumbsup2

I love that picture of the inside of Biergarten! I had no idea it looked like that and was so big!!

tinkgurl

02-25-2009, 03:21 PM

I have never been to Biergarten so thanks for those pictures!

irky416

02-25-2009, 03:40 PM

I think you DMIL and I would get along well with our fear of birds!

I doubt I will ever go to Biergarten so I am glad I could live vicariously through your pictures. I have actually never seen pictures of inside.

Finkelstein's Hubby

02-25-2009, 03:49 PM

Biergarten Yay!!!!!!!!!

Ah looking at the pics makes me "homesick", am not thrilled that my next trip is June 2010, fingers crossed, but Biergarten will be amongst my first ADR's..... sorry your experience there had a couple of downers but its a fun place what with the massive beers and Oompah band.........Ticka, Tocka, Ticka, Tocka.....Hoy, Hoy, Hoy.

tinkgurl

02-25-2009, 07:32 PM

Finkelstein's Hubby......haha Ron Burgendy

kathleen27

02-26-2009, 01:04 PM

I can’t believe how crowded the AK parking lot is!!! :scared1:

You got some amazing pictures – Love the one entering GMR, and all the tree of life photos

The pictures of you mom on Kali are funny!
I love watching the people who’ve never been on before get soaked.
I’ve never been brave enough to take my camera out on any of the water rides.
Probably because I usually get soaked.

MK looks crowded! That HM line was long!!! :scared1: I don’t think I could wait that long!!!!
I don’t think we will ever go the week after Christmas. I had been wondering about how crowded it really was.

Sounds like you had fun though. Glad you got to go to Disney with your Mom.

Two DMILs! They look like they get along well.
I usually try to avoid having my Mom & Dad in the same place at the same time. :sad2:
Sounds a lot less crowded at Epcot!

jmskinner

02-26-2009, 02:09 PM

Ok, I must really be sick, because I remember responding to everyone except Kathleen yesterday, but my post isn't there.:confused3
Hi Melissa,

Great news about the US tickets!! I'm sure you'll love the parks!

Enjoyed the update - you sound so professional when you talk about your photos (over exposed), I have no idea what that means! :rotfl:
It's great your 2 MILs get on so well! Not often you see that!
Glad you enjoyed Biergarten.

Di x

Biergarten is in the top 3 in this house. Well, except for Jacob since no chicken nuggets.

I am really looking forward to US since reading yours and Irky's TR's.

Sorry it took me so long to get here!

My mom and stepmother get along quite well so it's not that surprising for me to see your two MIL's sitting next to one another. I think it's great. :thumbsup2

I love that picture of the inside of Biergarten! I had no idea it looked like that and was so big!!

It is good that JS's parents can all get along. I love the inside of Biergarten. I didn't get a good picture of the moon inside it. I did last time though.

I have never been to Biergarten so thanks for those pictures!

Your welcome. You need to try it sometime. It is really good.

I think you DMIL and I would get along well with our fear of birds!

I doubt I will ever go to Biergarten so I am glad I could live vicariously through your pictures. I have actually never seen pictures of inside.

How funny. I had never met anyone with a fear of birds before her. Before I knew about it, I sent a Christmas card to her and it had a duck on it.:rotfl2: Great way to introduce myself to the future DMIL.

Biergarten Yay!!!!!!!!!

Ah looking at the pics makes me "homesick", am not thrilled that my next trip is June 2010, fingers crossed, but Biergarten will be amongst my first ADR's..... sorry your experience there had a couple of downers but its a fun place what with the massive beers and Oompah band.........Ticka, Tocka, Ticka, Tocka.....Hoy, Hoy, Hoy.

The mention of Biergarten brough out Grumpy.:yay: Oh, those weren't really downers, we still really enjoyed it. I wish to go sometime when the restaurant is full and the "Ticka, Tocka, Ticka, Tocka.....Hoy, Hoy, Hoy" is really rowdy.:rotfl:

I can’t believe how crowded the AK parking lot is!!! :scared1:

You got some amazing pictures – Love the one entering GMR, and all the tree of life photos

The pictures of you mom on Kali are funny!
I love watching the people who’ve never been on before get soaked.
I’ve never been brave enough to take my camera out on any of the water rides.
Probably because I usually get soaked.

MK looks crowded! That HM line was long!!! :scared1: I don’t think I could wait that long!!!!
I don’t think we will ever go the week after Christmas. I had been wondering about how crowded it really was.

Sounds like you had fun though. Glad you got to go to Disney with your Mom.

Two DMILs! They look like they get along well.
I usually try to avoid having my Mom & Dad in the same place at the same time. :sad2:
Sounds a lot less crowded at Epcot!

I have never waited in line for a tram like that myself. See the long lines like that one at MK was interesting. Just kept saying "I have never seen it like this". I know my parents were tired of hearing that.

Yeah, I try not to let my folks get together either. They don't fight or anything, but I know my mother is always uncomfortable around my Dad and his wife.

Well, since my previous post didn't post, I will type this again also. My desktop crashed, so no update on Friday night. We have the laptop and I have all the photos already in photobucket, but I hate using the laptop. Geek Squad is coming Sunday evening, so hopefully I'll be up and running on Monday.

Just learned that JS is going back to DC next week. :sad2: He is excited. He made some extra money last time, plus Marriott rewards.:banana:

I also learned last night that my dear stepdad, Dale is heading back to Iraq as a contractor. My Mom said he is really happy about it. He likes it over there.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.
Melissa:goodvibes

Finkelstein's Hubby

02-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Finkelstein's Hubby......haha Ron Burgendy

Dont wanna hijack the thread but..............Cannonball!!!!!!!!!!!!, wee Anchorman joke there for you Tinkgurl :thumbsup2

jmskinner

03-03-2009, 05:10 PM

Hi everyone! Hope your first week in March is going better than mine. As previously posted my computer crashed. This all started last week when Jacob was playing a game and it froze on him. His way of correcting the problem was to turn the computer off.:sad2: Then when we turned it back on, got an error that a Windows file was missing. I called Dell, and their technical support has always helped me without any problems. Well, I manage to get some woman who obviously didn't know what she was doing, didn't care, or both. After she couldn't get anything to work, told me to reinstall Windows, which wiped out my hard drive. Well, when that still didn't work she told me the hard drive crashed, so I should go buy a hard drive and take the old one to Best Buy to see if they can recover any info.

Called Geek Squad, the guy came out. Took one look and said, "Your hard drive is fine, there is nothing on it, but it is fine." So, all the lady at Dell did was cause me to erase my hard drive.:mad: I realize now, she never even asked me for the error I was receiving when I first called and she also should have had me go to the backup drive that they install on all computers.:mad: :mad: And she was trying to get me to install Windows on the wrong drive, which I kept questioning. Don't know who I will turn to for my next computer, but don't think it will be Dell, after 13 years of being a Dell customer. Oh, and the Geek Squad guy said it would be about $700 to try to recover any info from the hard drive.

Luckily I had moved a lot of pictures to my external drive, so I can finish the Christmas/New Years visits, but all trips after that are gone.:sad2: Jacob and I had went once to get more Photopass pictures because I felt we didn't have enough for the $100 CD price. Then Jacob and I went again in February and hit all four parks in one day. That was a mini-TR I was really looking forward to posting. We even got to be co-pilots on the Monorail that day. Pics are all gone. :sad1: Oh well, just memories. At least I don't run a home based business or anything off of this computer.

On the bright side we basically have a brand new computer now because there is nothing on it.:laughing: I really have to keep :laughing: to keep from :sad1: . Things could be a lot worse around here. Sorry for the venting.

My next post will be completing the chapter on the trip with the two DMIL's. Also, we went this past Friday and gave the Kim Possible Adventures a try. Trying to figure out how to do a TR on it. I don't want to give away all the little things Disney has come up with, which makes this really neat and a must do!!! Thought about making a picture video (must find that software to put back on my computer) that way you would have to make the decision to see what occurred.

By the way, if anyone is on facebook PM me. I have several Dis friends on there now.

Hope everyone has a great week!:thumbsup2
Melissa

scottny

03-03-2009, 11:10 PM

sorry to hear of the computer problems. shame you lost all the pics.

I am on facebook.

carissanboys

03-04-2009, 06:40 AM

So sorry about losing your pictures Melissa. :hug: That's happened to me more than once. :sad1:

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure! We're really excited to try it out. :thumbsup2

irky416

03-04-2009, 03:49 PM

Glad your computer's fixed but sorry to hear you lost all your pictures.

That's part of the reason I decided to pay for online photo storage. I was always scared my computer would crash and I'd lose all my pictures!

jmskinner

03-11-2009, 05:12 PM

Hey everyone :wave2: , sorry I haven't posted in so long. Too tired to finish the Christmas trips right now, but hope to do so tomorrow. Oh, I also thought my TR looked a little boring and thought I would add some color. Just in case anyone is wondering, what is going on in my life.

Not much. JS is in DC.:sad2: Kind of miss him. I can't sleep when he isn't here. When he is gone I turn on the alarm at night. I have always done so good to remember to turn it off, but due to sleep deprevation (that's what I'm blaming it on) I set the thing off this morning. Swing the door open and :headache: . So I run through the house trying to get to the keyboard. Then grab the phone and wait for the call. Sure enough they call and ask if I am ok. "Yes, just an idiot."

Got Jacob to school and went for a doctors appointment. She thinks I have allergies, which considering my eye has been twitching all day, I agree. See, once in both South Carolina and DC my left eye swelled shut and had some not so nice stuff coming out of it and I feel like that is what is going to happen here. So, got a prescription for that.

Had the refrigerator repair guy come yesterday and didn't check what he did. Well, before he came the ice maker door wouldn't shut all the way causing the ice to melt and make a big lump of ice in the container. Well, now we have nothing. No ice or water coming out of the thing.:headache

Jacob is having his state mandatory tests this week. I sure hope he passes. He couldn't sleep Monday night before the first one. They really should not do this to our kids.

I am going to start tomorrow on striping my living room table and refinishing it. This should be interesting. Not telling JS, I want to surprise him.

I plan on going to AK this Saturday. I had some fantastic pics from our trip in February, but they are all gone.:sad2: So, I am hoping to get some more. Plus I want to look around the shops. We never have taken the time to explore the shops. Also, sorted out clean pennies so we might get a few more pressed pennies for the collection. Need to print the lists again and make sure what we have. WARNING: Don't ever print the lists for pressed pennies four to a page, the type is so small you need a magnifying glass, that is what I did last time thinking it would be good to carry around.:sad2:

Hope all is well with everyone.
Melissa:

irky416

03-11-2009, 05:25 PM

jmskinner

03-11-2009, 05:33 PM

Glad to hear things are going well! I am scared I will do that with our alarm if we decide get one in our new house.

My eye used to twitch all the time. So annoying! It was related to stress and will occasionally do it if I get too stressed out.

I hope Jacob does well on his tests! Ours are next week. If our school doesn't pass again this year we're in big trouble, so it's very stressful to everyone. I agree that this is not the way to see if they're learning! And it's really boring for the teachers to proctor because we have to walk around the room but aren't allowed to do anything to help the kids or read or anything. And then when the kids finish they aren't allowed to do anything, so I have to fight with them to either sit quietly or go to sleep. Argh! Stupid NCLB! (Ok, sorry, I shouldn't have gotten started!!)

Good luck with the table! Post pictures of the before and after so we can see how you did!

Sorry you have to go through the tests next week. I think they should be used as a tool to see where a child might need tutoring, not hold them back. Jacob's teachers are allowing them to chew gum during the test. I'm curious if that is helping. I know the OT said it helps Jacob's handwriting improve, but he doesn't have to write any of his answers. They are allowing him to dictate to another teacher.

Highly recommend the alarm. I don't use it except for when JS is away, or we are out of town. We had one in the last house also. And it doesn't save as much on your insurance as those commercials tell you. But your insurance agent can quote the difference. I really like the piece of mind it gives me when away. Hope all is going well on the house.

I was thinking that I might post my handy work. It might be really :rotfl: to watch me do this. But it would be cheaper than buying a new table.

Dr_Finkelstein

03-11-2009, 05:51 PM

carissanboys

03-12-2009, 09:43 AM

Sounds like you've had a crazy couple of weeks! Hope things calm down for you soon.

I agree about the testing. This is the first year that any of my boys have to do the state testing. I'm against standardized testing and the whole No Child Left Behind stuff anyway - don't get me started. :sad2:

Have fun at AK! :)

karajeboo

03-12-2009, 10:11 AM

Wasn't Kim Possible incredible??? We were there this past weekend and did FOUR missions! All three of us loved it! I'm trying to figure out how to describe that, too, for my TR. I want to tell all about it, but I don't want to ruin it for people, ya know?

jmskinner

03-12-2009, 10:48 AM

Hi Melissa,

Was so sure I'd posted before now :confused3

:scared1: :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: For the computer - such a shame all those photos have gone!!! :sad2: :sad2: But on the positive side, it is an excuse to go again and take more!

I leave all the computer stuff to Grumpy - I'm am quite literally clueless. :rolleyes1

Hope Jacob did OK in his tests :teacher:

We had an alarm in our last house and I was always doing that! Don't have one now, but then again, we've never been broken into in this house, unlike the last. :laughing:

BTW about Facebook, you're more likely to get in touch with me through DIS - i only joined facebook to cyberstalk ex boyfriends etc, but quickly lost interest in it. Grumpy's done more with his facebook page in the 5 mins he's joined than I have in the past 18 months :cool2:

di x

You saw my previous post also that I know I responded to other posts, but then it wasn't there. You must have run into the same hiccup as me. You are exactly right about the excuse to go back and get more photos. Trying to look at the bright side, maybe I'll get better shots this time. I at least know now when I can't get the camera to focus on something, switch to manual focus.:rolleyes1 Can't believe I never thought about that before, so I already know a couple of shots I can get that I didn't get before.

Ooh, sorry to hear your previous house was broken into. We haven't had that happen (is there a knock on wood smilie). Growing up with my parents it happened but turned out is was my stepdad's nephew.

So Grumpy was right (I'll never be able to call him by any other name), you are psycho.:rotfl: It is unfortunate that you can't look in on what people are doing on Facebook without them accepting you first. :laughing: I have about 10 other "friends" that I only know through the Dis so it is fun to know what they are up to. You get to "know" them in their normal life and not just the Dis life.

Sounds like you've had a crazy couple of weeks! Hope things calm down for you soon.

I agree about the testing. This is the first year that any of my boys have to do the state testing. I'm against standardized testing and the whole No Child Left Behind stuff anyway - don't get me started. :sad2:

Have fun at AK! :)

It's not too bad around here. Hopefully all the illness is gone.

I understand the concept of "No Child Left Behind", especially when you hear of kids making it to college that can't read or write, but putting our kids through these tests is just ridiculous. High School, maybe Middle School, but when they are only in third grade it is crazy.

Your not too far away from you trip, we might bump into you!

Wasn't Kim Possible incredible??? We were there this past weekend and did FOUR missions! All three of us loved it! I'm trying to figure out how to describe that, too, for my TR. I want to tell all about it, but I don't want to ruin it for people, ya know?

Yes, it was fun, but trying to write a TR and include it is difficult. I kept trying to make sure we wouldn't see what others did, so we could still be surprised when it was our turn. I want to go to the Flower and Garden Festival and hope to do another couple of missions.

karajeboo

03-12-2009, 11:07 AM

It's so fun! Spiderman is the best ride EVER! Try to sit in the front row the very first time you ride it - it makes the whole experience. The Mummy is a very very close second. We must have ridden them at least 15 times each when we were there last.

ITA!!! :thumbsup2 I hate to say this but I think that IOA is the prettiest themed park of any. MK is MK, Main St, the castle, but there is something about IOA that just blows me away. I think you'll love it!

I agree with you about the FCATs. Ally doesn't start until next year, but what ticks me off is that the whole school is like on lockdown during testing. No resourse activities for ANY grades, NO RECESS cause they might disturb those that are testing. It's awful! And Clay County where we live just announced they have to cut $43 million next year!!!! So they have already cut art and music, and PE and computer lab is next. It is soooo sad! All I heard was about how great FL schools were, and we bought in an "excellent" school district, based on all my research, but it doesn't hold a candle to our school in SC (of all places!!!).

Did I see you're on facebook, too? I'll PM you my info.

tinkgurl

03-12-2009, 11:19 AM

Dont wanna hijack the thread but..............Cannonball!!!!!!!!!!!!, wee Anchorman joke there for you Tinkgurl :thumbsup2

Haha, thanks! Sorry I'm a little slow catching up!

Hey everyone :wave2: , sorry I haven't posted in so long. Too tired to finish the Christmas trips right now, but hope to do so tomorrow. Oh, I also thought my TR looked a little boring and thought I would add some color. Just in case anyone is wondering, what is going on in my life.

Not much. JS is in DC.:sad2: Kind of miss him. I can't sleep when he isn't here. When he is gone I turn on the alarm at night. I have always done so good to remember to turn it off, but due to sleep deprevation (that's what I'm blaming it on) I set the thing off this morning. Swing the door open and :headache: . So I run through the house trying to get to the keyboard. Then grab the phone and wait for the call. Sure enough they call and ask if I am ok. "Yes, just an idiot."

Got Jacob to school and went for a doctors appointment. She thinks I have allergies, which considering my eye has been twitching all day, I agree. See, once in both South Carolina and DC my left eye swelled shut and had some not so nice stuff coming out of it and I feel like that is what is going to happen here. So, got a prescription for that.

Had the refrigerator repair guy come yesterday and didn't check what he did. Well, before he came the ice maker door wouldn't shut all the way causing the ice to melt and make a big lump of ice in the container. Well, now we have nothing. No ice or water coming out of the thing.:headache

Jacob is having his state mandatory tests this week. I sure hope he passes. He couldn't sleep Monday night before the first one. They really should not do this to our kids.

I am going to start tomorrow on striping my living room table and refinishing it. This should be interesting. Not telling JS, I want to surprise him.

I plan on going to AK this Saturday. I had some fantastic pics from our trip in February, but they are all gone.:sad2: So, I am hoping to get some more. Plus I want to look around the shops. We never have taken the time to explore the shops. Also, sorted out clean pennies so we might get a few more pressed pennies for the collection. Need to print the lists again and make sure what we have. WARNING: Don't ever print the lists for pressed pennies four to a page, the type is so small you need a magnifying glass, that is what I did last time thinking it would be good to carry around.:sad2:

Hope all is well with everyone.
Melissa:

Wow, sounds like you are having a crazy week! I'm finally going to the doctor tomorrow when I get back home. I've been sick for 2 weeks now and it's getting annoying!

kathleen27

03-12-2009, 11:44 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your computer.
I used to have a lot of problems with mine when Jacob had Tycoon games on it. When my Dad & StepMom bought a new computer, they gave their old one to the kids, so the games are now on that one.

Losing your pictures sounds awful!!!

It sounds like you have gotten a few Disney visits in though!
Glad you enjoyed Kim Possible!

I often do projects when Joe is out of town. :rotfl:
He has come back several times to find I have painted a room. :rolleyes1

Good luck with the table... and the fridge :headache: .

jmskinner

03-12-2009, 12:13 PM

ITA!!! :thumbsup2 I hate to say this but I think that IOA is the prettiest themed park of any. MK is MK, Main St, the castle, but there is something about IOA that just blows me away. I think you'll love it!

I agree with you about the FCATs. Ally doesn't start until next year, but what ticks me off is that the whole school is like on lockdown during testing. No resourse activities for ANY grades, NO RECESS cause they might disturb those that are testing. It's awful! And Clay County where we live just announced they have to cut $43 million next year!!!! So they have already cut art and music, and PE and computer lab is next. It is soooo sad! All I heard was about how great FL schools were, and we bought in an "excellent" school district, based on all my research, but it doesn't hold a candle to our school in SC (of all places!!!).

Did I see you're on facebook, too? I'll PM you my info.

I hate to see all these cuts. Are they cutting administration? That's where I think cuts should come first. I thought FL schools were suppose to be great also, but I just haven't seen it yet.

Wow, sounds like you are having a crazy week! I'm finally going to the doctor tomorrow when I get back home. I've been sick for 2 weeks now and it's getting annoying!

Hey, I hope you get to feeling better soon.

irky416

03-12-2009, 05:15 PM

ITA!!! :thumbsup2 I hate to say this but I think that IOA is the prettiest themed park of any. MK is MK, Main St, the castle, but there is something about IOA that just blows me away. I think you'll love it!

IOA does have amazing theming! I agree it might be better than any WDW park. The whole back of the park looks and feels so differently than the front of the park. Make sure you notice the ground in the Jurassic Park section!

jmskinner

03-13-2009, 09:06 AM

Ok, so we left off with Biergarten, we were full but we needed to rush over to Soarin', because our FP's were due and I don't mean it was, that hour window was us. But first Karin has to go into the teddy bear shop. Then we lose Buddy, he was in the smoking area. Finally we are all together, look up and this is what we see:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2093.jpg

We had never seen the ball come out before and didn't realize how big it really was. I mean we realized it had to be large, but being so close to land like that really showed how large it really was. Also, I had always wondered where they stored it and how it got out there. As many times as we have walked to and from Mexico over that bridge, I never realized it was a draw bridge.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2097.jpg

All we can do is wait and wait and wait because it wasn't only the globe coming out, but also all of the firework docks. I see this photopass guy and think, what an interesting photo op:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/image26.jpg

Jacob didn't want his pic taken and the photopass CM thought this was funny so he got a closeup. Should I send this out as Christmas cards next year?

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/image32.jpg

I know it is an awful shot of him.

Then I try to take Jonas' photo, and this is what I get:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2099.jpg

And this would be how his Mom takes care of him:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2104.jpg

:rotfl: She has this way of whacking him at the base of the neck and making it go up his neck until she hits him in the head. I haven't gotten it down yet. Oh, and I only use it on Jonas, no child abuse here.

So, we run to Soarin', the CM barely even looks at our FP and waves us on. We had a 5 minute wait and then walk up to the last CM:

CM: "How Many?"

Me: "6"

CM: "Row one!"

Me: :yay: :yay: :yay:

Everyone just loves this ride and the only time we rode we were in the middle row and we just didn't care for it. Thought it was different, but I think seeing the feet dangling in front of me spoiled it. Plus, what a special treat for all the family. Sure enough, that was the issue. We all really enjoyed it dangling feet free.:laughing:

So now we needed to see the rest of the world, so went the way of the UK this time. Trying to avoid birds for Myra.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2127.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2146.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2154.jpg
This is Jacob trying to jump out and scare people. He knows I hate being so scared, but he loves to do it.

And I finally got to see the candy maker:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2168.jpg

There were so many people around her, we couldn't get close. Sure wish that picture was better. We will just have to keep trying.

Next up, America.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2173.jpg

Here is a closeup of the tree:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2177.jpg

JS has to have a funnel cake. The man loves funnel cake and he puts chocolate on it. Does anyone else do this? I like just powdered sugar and he always forget to ask for chocolate on half.:sad2:

Karin was wanting a cup of coffee. We went into the CS place, but all they had was Nescafe and I told her you don't want that. So we found the booth that sales better coffee. I got me a cappucino. Jacob still didn't want anything.:sad2: So we found a table and everyone decided they need to take a bathroom break. Well, at different times people decided to do this, so we ended up sitting there for a good 30 minutes. Jacob didn't have a problem he had his DS:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2182.jpg

Finally we were on our way. Ok, I will complete this after ER and I eat my lunch. See ya in a bit!

tinkgurl

03-13-2009, 09:20 AM

Then I try to take Jonas' photo, and this is what I get:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2099.jpg

And this would be how his Mom takes care of him:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2104.jpg

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Dr_Finkelstein

03-13-2009, 10:06 AM

I agree with Tinkgurl - those photos are fab!!!! Looks like his mum has it down!!! :lmao:

The photo of Jacob is cool! Definately a candidate for a Christmas card!!!

Enjoy ER!

Di x

jmskinner

03-13-2009, 10:48 AM

So, everyone had made it to the restroom, FINALLY!!!! We were on our way, through Italy,
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2190.jpg

Of course we had to stop in Germany again for Karin:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2194.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2196.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2199.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2206.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2210.jpg

We were on our way again. Stopped for a pic on the way back to FW.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/image37.jpg

JS and I both wanted to check out the wait time for Test Track. Well I believe the wait time showed 45 minutes and no one wanted to do it, but the line didn't look as long as when we rode with my parents the previous week, so they agreed to ride. Now Myra kept asking if it was like a rollercoaster. I don't consider it a rollercoaster. It's like me driving.:rotfl: Myra kept saying the wait was too long and we should go. At this point we were almost to the part where you start going up to the briefing area, so no way was I leaving that line. Even though a lot of people did. That was ok, made our wait shorted. Finally we make it to the briefing room. It has become a game to me to be the first out the door of the briefing room. I know, we won't have that much longer to wait, but I guess I was also tired of everyone complaining, so as soon as that door opened, Jacob and I were out the door. Well, of course no one else followed even though I kept telling them to be ready. So I let one family past us, and then the others caught up. I was on a mission.

Now, the whole reason I wanted to ride TT was so we can get the Photopass pic. I had already paid for the CD so I wanted my TT pic. We get off the ride and the CM tries to scan my photopass card. It won't work.:eek: He tells me to go to the photo desk, so I took off and hollered at Jonas to grab Jacob. Of course, everyone else is confused and I hear them tell me to slow down. Again, I was on a mission. Finally get our pic added to the photopass:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/image40.jpg

And I close up, check out poor Jacob:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/image42.jpg

Buddy and Karin really liked TT, but Myra said it was like a rollercoaster and she would probably be sore in the morning. :sad2: I know, bad DIL. Gathered everyone up and headed over to Mousegears because Karin had wanted to go back to buy her grandaughters something.

I tried to take pics:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/IMG_2234.jpg

This was the best one.:sad2:

This is horrible, but I can't even remember if we rode SE, I don't think we did.

We headed home. JS was promoted to Lt. Col. the next day and then all the family left on Tuesday. I hated to seem them go, but I know they will be back.

So, that is it for WDW at Christmastime. Not sure if we will do it again next year. I know we will go check out the decorations, just not sure if we will go that week after Christmas. It was an adventure though.

karajeboo

03-13-2009, 10:58 AM

Great sunset pics!!!!!! And poor Jacob on TT - how funny! Weren't you worried about losing your hat? Or DID you lose it! Did it end up on one of your MILs before the end of the ride??? :rotfl2:

jmskinner

03-13-2009, 11:26 AM

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

I had about 20 more pics of this occuring to where I could have stacked them and watched her do this, but those would be some of the ones lost.

I love it when Myra comes, and Jonas hates it. I wonder if this is the reason.:rotfl2:

I agree with Tinkgurl - those photos are fab!!!! Looks like his mum has it down!!! :lmao:

The photo of Jacob is cool! Definately a candidate for a Christmas card!!!

Enjoy ER!

Di x

I knew you would find the humor in that pic.:rotfl: I think the Grandma's would get mad at me though.

:offtopic: Just a funny little story to show how well Myra has it down. When JS and his brother were younger, their mother sang in the church choir. Well, those silly boys would act up thinking, Mom's singing in the choir, we can't get in trouble. Many times she left the choir, came up behind them, and whacked them up the back of the head just like that.:rotfl:

Great sunset pics!!!!!! And poor Jacob on TT - how funny! Weren't you worried about losing your hat? Or DID you lose it! Did it end up on one of your MILs before the end of the ride??? :rotfl2:

Thanks for the compliment on the pics. I took the first, looked at the playback and went, ooh, must get more.

Jacob is always stating he wants me to buy a convertible. I keep telling him that it would be like riding on TT. He says TT is much faster. He obviously can't see the speedometer when I am driving.:laughing:

No, didn't lose the hat, but that would have been so cool if it had landed on one of the DMIL's. I always wear my hats really tight.

So, just thought I would update on other things going on. I have been preparing for the AK tomorrow. I printed out the pressed penny checklists again, this time 2 per page. Much easier to read. Checked all of them off, except for two I can't find on the list. Now, a couple of weeks ago I went through our change and pulled out clean pennies and quarters to press and also a separate bag of quarters to pay with. Can't figure out what I did with them.:confused3 See what happens when I try to keep a neat house. Clutter seems to suite me better.:rolleyes:

Can't really start planning our July trip since hours haven't been posted yet. I think Vickie and I have decided on 50's Primetime, WCC (imagine that), not sure about the others though. JS wants Italian and I don't think that will be a problem. Vickie is Italian, and I think all of us women will enjoy the wait staff.:thumbsup2

At this moment I am thinking maybe we will do evening EMH and leave morning EMH to the early risers, but need to get with Vickie on that one. We had such a hard time last time. Will also follow the logic of avoiding the parks that evening EMH the night before. We will probably start to see the same people. Ok, I need to get off of here because my typing is horrible. I have to correct every other word.

Since I lost all of my pics, I only have one more MTR to do and then I will be all caught up. So, I may try to do our trip to Epcot and the Kim Possible Adventures tonight.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!:flower3:
Melissa

carissanboys

03-13-2009, 11:37 AM

Jacob didn't want his pic taken and the photopass CM thought this was funny so he got a closeup. Should I send this out as Christmas cards next year?

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/Christmas%202008/Epcot%20010409/image32.jpg

:rotfl:

I've never had chocolate on my funnel cake before, but I bet it would taste good! :thumbsup2

I got some pretty good shots of Miyuki (candy lady) on our last trip. Let me know if you'd like me to post them here.

carissanboys

03-13-2009, 11:40 AM

You look so cool and collected on TT. ;)

What a gorgeous sky that night! :goodvibes

tink1957

03-13-2009, 11:49 AM

Great pics,:cool1: Congrats to JS on his promotion. I had to smile at Jacob in those pics, he reminds me of my DS when he was that age, he always has hated to have his picture taken. When we did our mother/son trip in Sept. I had to sneak up on him to take his picture. I only got one really good pic the whole trip, the big stinker & that was at the Luau where I made him do it.

irky416

03-13-2009, 03:24 PM

So, let me get this straight...child abuse = bad, spousal abuse = A-ok! :thumbsup2 I just want to be clear for the future! ;)

I love all your pictures. Jacob not wanting to smile is too funny! That TT picture is great!

I'm glad you were avoiding the birds! It would have made me happy too.

I love the sunset pictures of Germany!

jmskinner

03-13-2009, 03:47 PM

:rotfl:

I've never had chocolate on my funnel cake before, but I bet it would taste good! :thumbsup2

I got some pretty good shots of Miyuki (candy lady) on our last trip. Let me know if you'd like me to post them here.

I would love it if you posted your pics. I'm sure others would enjoy also. And chocolate on a funnel cake is very rich because they also put the powdered sugar.

You look so cool and collected on TT. ;)

What a gorgeous sky that night! :goodvibes

The sky was gorgeous. You are correct about my composure on TT. I look like I am on a Sunday drive. You would never guess I am one of those that on rides that like all you hear is , "WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO"!

Great pics,:cool1: Congrats to JS on his promotion. I had to smile at Jacob in those pics, he reminds me of my DS when he was that age, he always has hated to have his picture taken. When we did our mother/son trip in Sept. I had to sneak up on him to take his picture. I only got one really good pic the whole trip, the big stinker & that was at the Luau where I made him do it.

Thank you, we are very proud of JS.

I thought my boy was the only one that didn't like his picture taken and made a family portrait hard to do.

So, let me get this straight...child abuse = bad, spousal abuse = A-ok! :thumbsup2 I just want to be clear for the future! ;)

I love all your pictures. Jacob not wanting to smile is too funny! That TT picture is great!

I'm glad you were avoiding the birds! It would have made me happy too.

I love the sunset pictures of Germany!

I think Germany is just beautiful. All of WS is, but the Germany area is fantastic.

karajeboo

03-13-2009, 04:01 PM

JS wants Italian and I don't think that will be a problem. Vickie is Italian, and I think all of us women will enjoy the wait staff.:thumbsup2

Melissa

Speaking from experience with Tutto Italia.... :thumbsup2 :love: :thumbsup2 :love:

jmskinner

03-13-2009, 04:08 PM

By the way Irky, looks like you survived the tests. Jacob sure was glad. When trying to get him to bed last night, he kept saying "The tests are over, why do I have to go to bed". Me: "Because it is your normal bedtime." JS: "But I don't have anymore tests." On and on he went.

carissanboys

03-13-2009, 06:53 PM

Here ya go!

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3425.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3427.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3428.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3430.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3432.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3434.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3437.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/Disney%20January%202008/Disney2/IMG_3438.jpg

ScotsMinnie

03-13-2009, 06:57 PM

Those pictures are fabulous - we must make the effort to see that next trip. We keep meaning to but forget! Was it tasty?;)

ScotsMinnie

03-13-2009, 07:04 PM

carissanboys

03-13-2009, 07:14 PM

Those pictures are fabulous - we must make the effort to see that next trip. We keep meaning to but forget! Was it tasty?;)

Thanks! :goodvibes We never ate it. I didn't want to ruin it at first and then it had been around so long we didn't dare. :rotfl:

jmskinner

03-13-2009, 08:09 PM

What a great trip you all had. Love the pic of Jacob with his grimace! I think that would make a fabulous Christmas card. Would certainly make people smile.

Your TT pic is great!

Christmas must be magical. I bet you can't resist popping over there at Christmas time this year!

We'll see. Maybe we will just check out the hotel decorations since we only saw Wilderness Lodge this year.

Thanks! :goodvibes We never ate it. I didn't want to ruin it at first and then it had been around so long we didn't dare. :rotfl:

That is exactly what would happen in this house. We would think it too cool to eat, and then be afraid of it. Do you still have it? Thank you for the pics! We need to spend a day and just watch all of the shows at Epcot. There are so many things to do.

irky416

03-13-2009, 09:25 PM

DisneyDayTripper

03-13-2009, 09:51 PM

jmskinner

03-19-2009, 03:46 PM

Just found this...my wife and I moved 30 minutes from WDW this past August and it was my first exposure to WDW and I've fell in love. It's amazing being so close isn't it? We're lucky to not have to be at work until 2:00 P.M. during the week so we can take off and get to the parks for rope drop and run around WDW and still be back in time for work :)

I'm subscribing!

Sorry for not responding sooner, never got the email. First off, :welcome: . Wow, now that would be heaven to me, get up, go to rope drop and then go to work. Ok, going to work isn't that great, but how cool that you can get there when the parks first open!

I wish we were that close. Maybe one day.

Ok, next post is an update.

jmskinner

03-19-2009, 04:20 PM

How do you like that title? It comes in to play later on in this MTR. So on March 14th, Jacob and I went to AK. I had taken a lot of great photos a month earlier, but lost them during the computer crash. (By the way, Dell is now refunding the money for that horrible technical service phone call I received.:banana: ) So, I wanted to go to AK again before it started getting to hot and the animals were too lazy to move around.

So, at 6:00am my alarm goes off. I get up and hit "snooze". Alarms goes off again, "snooze" again, alarm, "snooze". So, now it is 6:30 am. I get up and realize Bubblegum is in bed with me. Obviously Jacob has gotten up, so I find him in his playroom with the TV on.

Me: "Jacob did you stay up all night?"
Jacob: "No."
Me: "What time did get up?"
Jacob: "I don't know, 6:00 or whenver Cartoon Network came back on."
Me to myself: "Yeah, I don't believe him."

I make coffee and get Jacob some breakfast, again ask if he stayed up all night and he tells me he didn't.

We managed to get out of the house and on the road by 8:00am.:woohoo: This is good for us. About 8:15am I decide to call JS thinking he would be on his way to Lancaster, PA for a convention. Nope, he was still asleep. Oops, ok talk at ya later.:rolleyes1

We make it to AK by 9:30. The lines were backed up for parking. As a true WDW addict that I am and it is so important to get in the park as soon as possible, I tell Jacob to hope in the front seat so I can go to a booth on the passenger side. Jacob shows the ticket, grunts at me. I told him he should be happy, I'm letting him ride in the front seat. He wasn't having it. Think to myself how I still don't think this kid slept the night before.

We got parked, tram drove up just as we got in line, things were looking good. I laughed as I went through security. The guard tells me to open all pockets, "Sir, they are all already open." He laughed and said I must have done this before.

So, the lines to get through the turnstiles are about 10 people deep. I go over to this one line and realize no one is using this one turnstile. I tell the people in front of me they can use it. They don't move, don't even really acknowledge me, so I grab Jacob, we make our way through and on we went. I felt kind of bad because we jumped in front of about 6 people, but I tried to help.

So, off we went. Now one of the pics I lost in the Great Computer Crash (that's what I'm calling it now) was of the anteater on the path into the park. The day we were there previously he was pacing in circles and I got some great pics. Well, not today. Couldn't see him.:sad2: Then time for some birds:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4450.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4453.jpg
For this one I took one and it came out really dark and before I thought, I popped open the flash and got this one. I felt really bad afterwards. Poor birds were probably seeing spots after that.

On we went and of course I had to get this pic:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4458.jpg

And how in the world had I never noticed this:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4459.jpg

I think it is because normally by the time we get there the front area is so crowded you don't see it. Or because we are always in such a hurry. Since I wanted animal pictures, we headed towards Africa.

I'll continue this later, just had to get started. Just to let you know what is coming, 79 pics, yes 79 pics have been uploaded and resized in photobucket. So I'm a picture taking WDW freak.:confused3 Also, a lot of these pics are of Jacob. I love my son and on this day he was actually happy to have his pic taken.:confused3 And then there are the pics of butts. Yes, you read that correctly. I almost named this MTR "A whole lot of butts!" but thought better of it.

irky416

03-19-2009, 05:06 PM

Dr_Finkelstein

03-20-2009, 07:02 AM

Hi Melissa,

All caught up now! OK, Let's get to those butts!!! Whose butts in particular are you talking about? Are they cute butts? The World needs to know!!! :lmao:

Sounds like a fun day at AK, lots of photos!!!

Oh, I really liked the story of JS and his mum in the church - you have to admire women like that! :worship:

Hope Jacob wakes up a bit, my 2 are just the same if they don't get enough sleep, especially the boy! :sad2:

Di x

carissanboys

03-20-2009, 07:06 AM

Do you still have it?

No. Somewhere along the way it broke and we threw it away. :sad1:

carissanboys

03-20-2009, 07:10 AM

Jacob liked having his picture taken? Maybe not getting any sleep is a good thing for him! :rotfl: Owen is the only one of my three that will willingly pose for pictures for me. :sad2:

Can't wait to see all of your pictures!

tinkgurl

03-20-2009, 10:18 AM

The guard tells me to open all pockets, "Sir, they are all already open." He laughed and said I must have done this before.

Haha, the same thing happens to us! We already have everything open and ready for them to look in and they are surprised! I just think it's easier and faster. :confused3

jmskinner

03-20-2009, 10:58 AM

Could you please warn me if you are going to be posting pictures of birds in the future? Especially big giant ones!? ;) :lmao:

I like your pictures of the Tree of Life and that sign in front. I didnt' notice it either.

As for "line jumping" all those people, if they were too dumb or oblivious to see another gate open, it's not line-jumping to me, especially when you spoke up about it! I wouldn't have said anything probably. (On second thought, maybe dumb was not a nice thing to say...:rolleyes: After a week of testing and students going crazy because the schedule was different I can't think of a nicer way to put it.)

I can't wait to see all these pictures!

Warning you now, this whole MTR will have birds. Not too many and most are not in flight. Which reminds me, have you ever been to the Birds in Flight show?

I think some people think you are stirring them the wrong way. I actually worried that I would get up there and learn the thing wasn't working and then I would be embarrassed, but the green arrow was on and that is when I tried to help the people in front of me.

Hi Melissa,

All caught up now! OK, Let's get to those butts!!! Whose butts in particular are you talking about? Are they cute butts? The World needs to know!!! :lmao:

Sounds like a fun day at AK, lots of photos!!!

Oh, I really liked the story of JS and his mum in the church - you have to admire women like that! :worship:

Hope Jacob wakes up a bit, my 2 are just the same if they don't get enough sleep, especially the boy! :sad2:

Di x

And I was worried about using the word "butt" in my TR. :rotfl2: Afraid I'd get in trouble.

Jacob liked having his picture taken? Maybe not getting any sleep is a good thing for him! :rotfl: Owen is the only one of my three that will willingly pose for pictures for me. :sad2:

Can't wait to see all of your pictures!

It wasn't until I got home and uploaded all the pics and kept saying, "Wow, great pic of Jacob". I think it helped that we weren't rushed and could just take our time. You only have 7 days!:banana:

Haha, the same thing happens to us! We already have everything open and ready for them to look in and they are surprised! I just think it's easier and faster. :confused3

It shocks me how many people walk up, put the bag on the table and just stand there, and of course I am always stuck behind that person.

Ok, plan on updating this afternoon. Need to go to the doggie opthamologist and pic up Mozarts medication that I ran out of. It is all the way on the other side of Tampa. At least it is pretty weather and I can get there and back before the traffic starts up.

Hey, if anyone has some rain, send it our way. I know Carissa doesn't want it around for her trip, but they just announced that the city of Tampa is banning all watering except with a hose, no sprinklers at all. All the ponds in our development are drying up also.

jmskinner

03-20-2009, 08:51 PM

Jacob and I were heading to Africa. Now, during that lovely trip that all pictures were lost, we found some areas we didn't know about. Irky, look the other way (Bird Alert)

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4465.jpg

We also found the otters last time and they were out having a grand ol time, but not this time, but Jacob liked the fish:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4469.jpg

One of the fish was looking at him, but turned just as I got in position to take the pic. The animals were not cooperating with me on this day.

Then we found another path we had never seen and saw these guys (Bird Alert):
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4479.jpg
The only way I got this pic was to hold the camera above my head. They were well hidden behind the greenery.

And of course I had to get a pic of EE, I apologize the sun was in a bad spot for the pic:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4481.jpg
It looks like it is miles away. Disney magic!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4485.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4488.jpg

Now we are at the Safari, it was a 20 minute wait, but FP was for 10:50, so why not FP and check out one of the trails. Down the trail we went and a whole lot of pics:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4499.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4501.jpg
I had to have a pic of this frog. When we were here previously I could not get my camera to focus on this frog and take a pic. Remember my photography class, one thing I learned is when it won't focus, turn off the auto focus and use the manual. I know, DUH! This frog is what I thought of when the instructor told us this and it worked.:banana:

Some of the photos taken, you will have to locate the animal, this is an easier one:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4508.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4510.jpg
If I see this guy in my backyard, think I'll move back to Texas or MD!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4515.jpg
This little guy kept putting his face back in the log, but I finally got him.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4521.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4539.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4545.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4549.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4553.jpg
This is the inside of the hut you stand under while looking at the Meercats.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4562.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4563.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4567.jpg
He wasn't doing it in this photo, but you couldn't really tell in any of them, but he was scratching his butt about this time. All the adults, not the kids, the adults kept laughing and saying "He's scratching his butt!"

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4572.jpg
I got better pics of these guys at the exit of the trail than I did at the entrance. I like that you get to see them from different angles.

I thought the leaves on this tree were just gorgeous.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4576.jpg

We still had about 10 minutes until our FP time, so I suggested we go in a store. We have never spent a lot of time in the shops in AK. All other parks we had, but not AK, so that was one of our missions on this day. I think that is also what perked Jacob up. He likes to look.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4577.jpg

Earlier in the week I found a bunch of clean pennies and quarters to do pressed penny's and quarters:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4579.jpg

Well, I am at my pic limit, so will continue in next post.

irky416

03-20-2009, 10:44 PM

Thanks for the bird warnings!! :thumbsup2 Weirdly, though, flamingos are like the only bird I like!

You got some great pictures of the animals! Especially the meerkats!

jmskinner

03-21-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the bird warnings!! :thumbsup2 Weirdly, though, flamingos are like the only bird I like!

You got some great pictures of the animals! Especially the meerkats!

Thanks. I love the Meerkats because they make me think of my dog Constanze. Same facial expressions. I can't watch Meerkat Manor because of the deaths, just can't handle that. I know it is just the natural order of things. Oh, and I didn't spell Meerkat correctly in my TR. When I saw your spelling, I went, DUH! I'm having a lot of DUH! moments lately.

So, you like Flamingos. I believe I have at least one more pic of them, but sorry to say, more bird pics are on their way.:laughing: Is that being mean?

irky416

03-21-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks. I love the Meerkats because they make me think of my dog Constanze. Same facial expressions. I can't watch Meerkat Manor because of the deaths, just can't handle that. I know it is just the natural order of things. Oh, and I didn't spell Meerkat correctly in my TR. When I saw your spelling, I went, DUH! I'm having a lot of DUH! moments lately.

So, you like Flamingos. I believe I have at least one more pic of them, but sorry to say, more bird pics are on their way.:laughing: Is that being mean?

Haha. It's your TR!! As long as I know they're coming, I'll be fine. ;)

jmskinner

03-21-2009, 11:37 AM

Ok, I just realized I had said my TR posts would be in a different color and didn't do the last two that way, another DUH! moment for me, so here goes. Ok, much better.

So we left off with Jacob pressing pennies. From there we went in the store.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4580.jpg
This pic came out blurry, but had to post it. I saw these and there was one with a painted pic of each of the parks. I thought it would look great in our living room. I pick it up, look at the price, :scared1: $125!!! Slowly I set it down and tried to take a close up of it, but it didn't work. About that time this little boy walks up and starts picking up these eggs. I decide it is best to walk away before he drops one and someone thinks he belongs to me.

Jacob was taking a look at rocks. They were studying rocks this week at school, but he has always loved rocks. He wanted to buy one and I told him I would think about it, but I bet there are more, so why don't we wait until the end of the day. He agreed and we proceeded through the store.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4585.jpg
I had my lens on that is more for distance and doesn't take wide shots, so this was a hard pic to take, but I think it came out ok.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4586.jpg
Love these, but really can't think of anyplace in my house for them.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4590.jpg
I think Jacob found a distant relative.:lmao:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4594.jpg
This is not the rock he wanted.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4598.jpg
I saw these and thought they were cute. Jacob thought I was really weird taking a pic of pillows.

Now our FP time had arrived, but stopped for one more pic (Hey Irky, if you like Flamingo's do you like these also?)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4604.jpg

So, we get in line for the Safari. As we are almost to the ride vehicle, this man taps me on the shoulder and says, "Excuse me, but you have a very large insect with a nasty bite on your butt!" I start laughing and try to get it off, his very sweet wife offers to swat it off and is able to get it. I thanked them and then said, "Disney Memories". Thinking of the cell commercial where the lady has the b-day party and they send the scary dinosaur instead of the nice kid friendly one.:rotfl:

Then we end up riding with this couple. I hope I didn't annoy them with all of my picture taking.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4621.jpg
Never get a good shot of Hippos.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4625.jpg
Oops, forgot to warn Irky. For some reason I have always loved Pelicans. They just crack me up.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4631.jpg
Do these guys ever move? I have never seen any movement.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4634.jpg
This guy was sitting on a sign right by the vehicles. Guess he knew we weren't hunters.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4645.jpg
I didn't lie about the butts!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4657.jpg
Do you see the animal?

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4662.jpg
These are the babies. I remember in June they were babies, now they are more like teenagers.:laughing:

I'm sure I am close to the limit, so next post coming up!

Dr_Finkelstein

03-21-2009, 12:04 PM

jmskinner

03-21-2009, 12:05 PM

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4673.jpg
I love this pic and wish it had come out better. The baby elephant was reaching for something, or just stretching.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4679.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4681.jpg
This guy was a big one, really tall.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4684.jpg
More... I don't think I need to say it.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4691.jpg
This pic I was just trying to show how close the rhinos were to the vehicles, but once I downloaded it, I thought he looked more like a large hog.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4700.jpg
I love these poor guys. They are so ugly they are cute. Do any of you remember the movie, "Animal Are Beautiful People"? I remember the scene where the warthog trys to back into his home and the female keeps poking him in the rear.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4703.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4705.jpg
In the little area outside the exit to the safari.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4706.jpg
Jacob spotted the little campsite on top of the ridge. We had never seen it before. More Disney magic.

Now, it was Noon and I was getting hungry. Of course Jacob wasn't, so I decided to grab myself a quick burger.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4712.jpg
Ok, it wasn't quick. We ordered and then stepped around to the next window to pick up our meals. I was number 69 and was the CM makes this one tray and calls out "64". No one picks it up. The family in front of me asks if she can go ahead and make theirs, but the CM said she has to do them in order, and that makes sense. So the tray of food sits. She sets up the next one, "65". Again, no one picks up the food. I don't know if they thought someone would bring it to them or what. It was already paid for, so this was really weird. So, at this point the CM asks the family in front of me what their number is, "67", so she pulls their ticket and gets to work. The line is really getting backed up at this point, so she tells the cashiers that they should stop ringing up people and help her. There is also this kid filling drink orders. There must have been 20 drinks sitting on the counter. He couldn't even figure out where to put them, but he kept making them.:confused3 Finally one of the cashiers comes to help out and calls out the numbers for those two trays again. We all tell here we don't know where the owners are and she just throws all the food away.:sad2: Finally we get our food and go sit in the little area behind the restaurant. I had never been back here and thought it was beautiful.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4720.jpg
Since Jacob wasn't hungry he played his DS. As usual I asked about 50 times if he wanted something because I can always feel eyes on me of people thinking I just don't feed the child.

I thought I had more pics of this area, but guess I didn't download them. Ok, think I will stop now. Need to clean house and other things. More butts, birds to come. And I meet my first Diser!:wave2:

jmskinner

03-21-2009, 12:20 PM

Hi Melissa,

Enjoying all the updates and photos! Have to say I'm a bit disappointed in the butts - I was hoping it would be a cute CM or maybe Tarzan...;)

Jacob looks like he was having fun - hope he managed to get his rock, in our family I say things like that then we never see the item in question in any of the other shops. :confused3

:offtopic: I saw on the Daily Show this week Florida appears to be having a bit of a snake infestation at the moment! :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: You haven't had to wrestle an 18 foot Burmese python lately have you? :scared1: :scared1:

Di x

Sorry that I have disappointed you, never saw any cute CM's and no Tarzan either. Just noticed I had a lot of pics though.

There will be more on the rock, but we usually have the same problem. Oh, we will find it in another store later and then never see it again. That is now part of my problem, I see stuff and buy it because I am afraid I won't find it again. WDW is good at rotating merchandise to get money from those of us who go often.

:scared1: No, haven't seen any snakes around here and I hope I don't. My poor dog is now blind and deaf and can't find the back door when I let him out. So I have to wander around the back yard and catch him. Not fun in the dark when you wonder what is out there.

Finkelstein's Hubby

03-21-2009, 04:42 PM

Great pics Melissa. The gorillas are fascinating to watch. You ever seen them run? Its terrifying!

Looking at your pics I am seriously bummed I wont be at Disney this year :sad2:

jmskinner

03-21-2009, 05:04 PM

Great pics Melissa. The gorillas are fascinating to watch. You ever seen them run? Its terrifying!

Looking at your pics I am seriously bummed I wont be at Disney this year :sad2:

I did see one running another off on this day, but the pics didn't come out that well. Funny, this was only the second time we had been on this trail. JS hasn't even been on it. Got to get that man out of the house more often.

I'm sorry you are getting bummed. I've been there, never imagined I would get to live so close, but before I know it we will be moving again. Very little chance it will be some where close.

carissanboys

03-23-2009, 07:29 AM

jmskinner

03-23-2009, 08:12 AM

Great photos Melissa! I can tell your photography class is paying off. :thumbsup2

That was one fat frog! :scared1:

Were those emu eggs in the shop? We wanted to buy one when we lived in Australia, but they are expensive.

I love the meerkat pictures. :goodvibes I have a picture for you. Last year we went to zoo in D.C. and I got this picture:

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee163/carissanboys/meerkat.jpg

It looks like the meerkat is leaning back and resting on a pole or something, but that's actually just the corner of the glass meeting. He was cracking me up because he was just leaning back like that and as he got more and more relaxed - the further back he'd go. :rotfl:

Life is good when you're a Meerkat.:laughing: Great pic, thanks. I have some pics of the Meerkats at DC. I need to start scanning pics more.

I'm not sure what type of eggs those were. I really would like to have one painted with something Disney related even though they were all gorgeous.

Hope everyone survived the Dis update ok. I know I was experiencing withdrawals.

ScotsMinnie

03-23-2009, 04:48 PM

Great pics Melissa - very clear! I forgot you did a course.

Animal Kingdom is such a good park - so much to see. I love it!

Love the ones of Jacob and the fish.

scottny

03-25-2009, 11:07 AM

great update and pics.

Love the Meerkat pics. I miss Flower on Meerkat Manor. :lmao:

Looking forward to more.

jmskinner

03-26-2009, 01:32 PM

Great pics Melissa - very clear! I forgot you did a course.

Animal Kingdom is such a good park - so much to see. I love it!

Love the ones of Jacob and the fish.

I only did half a course. Hope I get to take more because I have so much to learn.

Jacob loves fish. He won a couple at a school fair in Kindergarten and of course they died within 24 hours. He still talks about those fish.

great update and pics.

Love the Meerkat pics. I miss Flower on Meerkat Manor. :lmao:

Looking forward to more.

Flower, I can't believe you mentioned Flower.

So, lets get this MTR moving.

So we had eaten and Jacob wanted to do the Dino Dig, so we headed that way. Of course we stopped in the shops on the way:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4727.jpg
Jacob had to check out the Star Wars Tater Heads.

I spotted this guy:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4731.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4733.jpg

Stopped in another store and of course Jacob found some more Star Wars stuff:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4739.jpg

Then the Pirates stuff:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4742.jpg

Time for more pressed pennies. This is Jacob reacting to how hot they are when they first come out:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4747.jpg

I had never noticed these. Love how it looks like a bunch of rats running out of the pot (the snake is cool also):
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4751.jpg

Finally made it to Dinoland USA:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4755.jpg

Another pic of EE:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4757.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4760.jpg
Do you see the stroller entering this pic on the right hand side. The father pushing it didn't even try to dodge, much less slow down for those ducks, he made them move out of his way. :mad:I made a point to loudly tell Jacob how mean that was. Oops, forgot about bird alerts.:confused3

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4763.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4765.jpg
Jacob couldn't understand why I kept telling him to stand in the middle of the path. I was trying to get him centered with the Dinosaurs butt.:laughing:

Here he is digging away:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4770.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4773.jpg

When we first got there I told Jacob he could take his shoes off. Oops, no he had to keep them on. I don't understand why. He had on sandels, so if anything would have poked him or something, it was till going to get him. But we will follow the rules.

While Jacob was digging, I was sitting next to this woman and she was taking photos and mentioned she thought she found a hidden Mickey. We start talking and she tells me she is there with her two kids and they are leaving in two hours.:sad1: She then goes on to say how this is her daughters 19 trips and son 10th or something like that. And that she is trying to write a book on WDW. Ok, if you have been to WDW that many times and are writing a book, then you must be a Dis member. So I asked and sure enough she was. She said she hadn't been on in awhile. Told me she was Kanga & 2 Roos. I've been trying to send her a PM, but the first two I tried were incorrect and haven't heard from the 3rd. She starts discussing the Mickey Head's and brings out her book. I told her I kept meaning to buy it but never go to bookstores. Next thing I know she hands it to me. Told me it was an old edition, and that she was going to buy the new one once they got home. Jacob came up at this time, so I knew he wanted to leave. I thanked her for the book and off we went. My first Dis meeting!:banana:

Here is the MH:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4774.jpg

Jacob decided to play in the Boneyard a little:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4775.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4778.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4781.jpg

At pic limit, so will continue later. And I have my own shades incident to match JS with the two he lost on our first trip.

tinkgurl

03-26-2009, 01:40 PM

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4731.jpg

I LOVE this picture for some reason. If they ever have a photo contest about gift shops or something related to your pic, you should enter it. I'd vote for you!

jmskinner

03-26-2009, 02:47 PM

I LOVE this picture for some reason. If they ever have a photo contest about gift shops or something related to your pic, you should enter it. I'd vote for you!

Thank you. I keep wanting to enter the photography contests on the photography board. I'll keep this one in mind in case they have a category it will fit in.

scottny

03-27-2009, 12:40 AM

great update and pics,

Never saw the Bone Yard as I don't have kids so no need to go in.

Loved the reason for getting him in the center. :rotfl2:

kathleen27

03-27-2009, 01:48 PM

You got lots of amazing pictures!

Jacob looks like he is having fun!

There's so much at AK I've never seen. :confused3
We never have enough time there. Still have not made it to the Boneyard. :sad2:

And I will need to check out more of the Gift Shops there.

Dr_Finkelstein

03-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Hi Melissa,

Great updates and photos as usual! Ben bought that POTC telescope Jacob was playing with! And they seem drawn to the Star Wars toys all the time don't they?!!;)

I love Meerkat manor too, but I get upset as well. When I was a Student nurse years ago, my best friend stayed in my flat for a couple of years - she was a zoology student at Glasgow Uni and she kept watching all these nature shows. I would be in tears half the time seeing all the deaths!!!! :sad1:

:banana: An unscheduled DIS meet - how cool! But remember, I'm planning ours for next year - we need to have front row seats for Grumpy's acting debut at Indiana Jones!

Di x

jmskinner

03-29-2009, 12:26 PM

great update and pics,

Never saw the Bone Yard as I don't have kids so no need to go in.

Loved the reason for getting him in the center. :rotfl2:

I'm awful, aren't I????:rotfl:

You got lots of amazing pictures!

Jacob looks like he is having fun!

There's so much at AK I've never seen. :confused3
We never have enough time there. Still have not made it to the Boneyard. :sad2:

And I will need to check out more of the Gift Shops there.

We just never took the time to really look around before. Plus, it is a park that just doesn't seem to handle crowds well at all, so it is hard to see stuff when it is so crowded.

Hi Melissa,

Great updates and photos as usual! Ben bought that POTC telescope Jacob was playing with! And they seem drawn to the Star Wars toys all the time don't they?!!;)

I love Meerkat manor too, but I get upset as well. When I was a Student nurse years ago, my best friend stayed in my flat for a couple of years - she was a zoology student at Glasgow Uni and she kept watching all these nature shows. I would be in tears half the time seeing all the deaths!!!! :sad1:

:banana: An unscheduled DIS meet - how cool! But remember, I'm planning ours for next year - we need to have front row seats for Grumpy's acting debut at Indiana Jones!

Di x

Both of my "boys" are drawn to Star Wars toys. When they rereleased all the old movies, JS took the day off work to go see them. And people wonder why we have just one kid???

I am so there for Grumpy's acting debut.

jmskinner

03-29-2009, 01:15 PM

Wow, has one day at a park really taken this many chapters. It may get even longer. I have uploaded all my pics on Smugmug to store them, just in case there is ever another computer crash. So, all 444 pics I took that day are available for me to use for the TR. Does that make it official, am I crazy???

We left the Boneyard and headed towards Primevil Whil.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499623187_hEUjM-L.jpg

Stopped in the store first:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499624914_mtEsJ-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499625724_hYvnU-L.jpg

And found a couple of penny presses:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499625156_mEHe3-L.jpg
This is Jacob's way of saying he needs more money.

More rocks!
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499625414_njaeh-L.jpg

Time for a ride, off to Primevil Whirl. Jacob didn't want to wait because it was 30 minutes, but I thought why not. Pulled out the DS and got in line. About 10 minutes into it, I pull off my shades and see something fall. It was one of the screws holding the lenses in.:mad:I had just purchased them two weeks earlier and was so excited to have them because they didn't fog up. One problem with Florida, everything fogs up.

But it didn't stop me, on the ride we went.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499671120_nxgcU-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499671686_yhhSy-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499672456_QkWVT-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499674671_GKWkk-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499675371_e566R-L.jpg
Do you see the Mickey Head?

About this time, Jacob is starting to shut down. After several conversations, he finally admits to staying up all night long.:mad:So, now he is tired and wants to go home. Nope, not having it. Don't care how tired he is, he shouldn't have stayed up all night. He didn't even want to ride KRR.:confused3 I told him we were riding it. He thought the wait was too long, but I didn't think it would be, so we headed over to it.

We walk towards EE.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499677290_keYTN-L.jpg

Saw these guys performing, great music!
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499676178_vLvLZ-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499677648_v6yeE-L.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499679090_6sC9W-L.jpg

Stopped in the store on the way, purchased some shades and this t-shirt:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499839380_ZH6bz-L.jpg

It was normally $27 and it was marked down to $15. They had another that was just normal pic in color, but I liked this one. As I was looking at it, another lady walked up and said "What a pretty shirt!" And I responded, "And they've marked it down!" She asked how much and when I told her she started looking at them. I grabbed mine before we had to fight over it.:laughing:

Well, Ch 7 coming up and I am sure that will be the last chapter. Will Jacob get his rock?

kathleen27

03-29-2009, 02:06 PM

Finkelstein's Hubby

03-29-2009, 02:17 PM

Tut tut.......taking picture on a ride!!! Heather gave me into trouble for doing it on Splash Mountain :rolleyes1 Primeval Whirl is a pretty wild ride, the only one I have suffered on as I seemed to get wheeched about and hurt my back...anyway, your pics are excellent, am quite jealous, though not a jealous as I am of the fact you get to go do Animal Kingdom so much!!!!!

Dont think I have ever been in that store before though, need to mark that one out for teh next trip

Roll on Chapter 7 but I feel you could stretch to an 8th!

irky416

03-29-2009, 03:17 PM

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4580.jpg
This pic came out blurry, but had to post it. I saw these and there was one with a painted pic of each of the parks. I thought it would look great in our living room. I pick it up, look at the price, :scared1: $125!!! Slowly I set it down and tried to take a close up of it, but it didn't work. About that time this little boy walks up and starts picking up these eggs. I decide it is best to walk away before he drops one and someone thinks he belongs to me.

Wow I like those!

Now our FP time had arrived, but stopped for one more pic (Hey Irky, if you like Flamingo's do you like these also?)
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4604.jpg

Nope! Only Flamingos!

So, we get in line for the Safari. As we are almost to the ride vehicle, this man taps me on the shoulder and says, "Excuse me, but you have a very large insect with a nasty bite on your butt!" I start laughing and try to get it off, his very sweet wife offers to swat it off and is able to get it. I thanked them and then said, "Disney Memories". Thinking of the cell commercial where the lady has the b-day party and they send the scary dinosaur instead of the nice kid friendly one.:rotfl:

:lmao:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4625.jpg
Oops, forgot to warn Irky. For some reason I have always loved Pelicans. They just crack me up.

Pelicans might be the worst!!!

Time for more pressed pennies. This is Jacob reacting to how hot they are when they first come out:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4747.jpg

I always forget how hot they are at first also!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/jmskinner1/WDW/AK%20031409/IMG_4760.jpg
Do you see the stroller entering this pic on the right hand side. The father pushing it didn't even try to dodge, much less slow down for those ducks, he made them move out of his way. :mad:I made a point to loudly tell Jacob how mean that was. Oops, forgot about bird alerts.:confused3

Haha. Ducks I can handle, but if those were geese...;)

Time for a ride, off to Primevil Whirl. Jacob didn't want to wait because it was 30 minutes, but I thought why not. Pulled out the DS and got in line. About 10 minutes into it, I pull off my shades and see something fall. It was one of the screws holding the lenses in.:mad:I had just purchased them two weeks earlier and was so excited to have them because they didn't fog up. One problem with Florida, everything fogs up.

Oh no! Mine just did that the other day, but I had them for 2 years! I loved that ride!

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499675371_e566R-L.jpg
Do you see the Mickey Head?

:confused: I'm so bad at finding hidden Mickey's!

Stopped in the store on the way, purchased some shades and this t-shirt:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499839380_ZH6bz-L.jpg

Cute!!!

I'm glad you decided on SmugMug!!! If you want my code before you order let me know. I think it gets you $5 off!

Dr_Finkelstein

03-29-2009, 05:02 PM

scottny

04-01-2009, 12:50 AM

great update and pics.

I have all my p[ics on photobucket. I bought 2 pro accounts.

then I have them saved on cd's and a dvd.

Yes I have issues.

Stayed up all night. I would be exhausted.

jmskinner

04-01-2009, 03:27 PM

Hi Melissa!

I say just drag out this day as long as possible - lots of photos!!!

That t shirt is really cute - I hope they have something similar when we go back!

As for the Star Wars obsession - Grumpy dragged me along to all the SW films when they were re released, he was shoving children out of the way to get to a good seat! :rolleyes1 He has at least 4 copies of each of the original trilogy......and how do you think Ben got his name? If Gordon had his way his full name would be Obi-Wan Ben, it was all I could do to persuade him not to name Heather Leia. If it was 2 boys he wanted Ben & Luke. :rolleyes1:rolleyes1

Di x

:rotfl:That is too funny. Sounds like our husbands are a lot alike. Is he a big LOTR fan also?

great update and pics.

I have all my p[ics on photobucket. I bought 2 pro accounts.

then I have them saved on cd's and a dvd.

Yes I have issues.

Stayed up all night. I would be exhausted.

I don't think you have issues, especially after losing all of our pics. I didn't look into Photobuckets pro, is it like Smugmug where if you don't want them viewed by the public you have that choice?

Hope everyone is having a good week. I'm in here typing so I don't.... oh I don't know what I want to do with him. On Tuesday, Jacob was to bring home a study guide for a math test, well he didn't. The teacher emailed me this morning to let me know about the test, I told her he didn't bring home the study guide, so she said she would make sure he got it. Well, he comes home, no study guide. I kept asking him what happened to it and he finally said he remembers seeing a math paper on his desk, but didn't know what it was for.:headache::mad:

jmskinner

04-03-2009, 03:42 PM

It took me a little while but I found the Mickey Head!

Cool pictures from PW, and lots of great photos of Everest.

Love the shirt you got, And great price!

I haven't been in that gift shop w/ the dino & Mr. Potato head.
That's a cute display.

All night, huh? :sad2:
I hate when the kids stay up way too late, and are exhausted the next day. :mad:

Tut tut.......taking picture on a ride!!! Heather gave me into trouble for doing it on Splash Mountain :rolleyes1 Primeval Whirl is a pretty wild ride, the only one I have suffered on as I seemed to get wheeched about and hurt my back...anyway, your pics are excellent, am quite jealous, though not a jealous as I am of the fact you get to go do Animal Kingdom so much!!!!!

Dont think I have ever been in that store before though, need to mark that one out for teh next trip

Roll on Chapter 7 but I feel you could stretch to an 8th!

Pelicans might be the worst!!!

Haha. Ducks I can handle, but if those were geese...;)

I'm glad you decided on SmugMug!!! If you want my code before you order let me know. I think it gets you $5 off!

Funny story, last weekend we passed this pond and off in the distance was this large flock of birds and I thought it was Geese. I remember thinking those are really large geese. A couple of days later that flock of birds was closer to the road, it wasn't Geese, it was Pelicans. I thought it was really cool that they were pelicans.

I agree with you about Geese. I have seen too many videos of Geese attacking people. I don't think they are afraid of anything.

Don't you get money off the next years subscription if I use your code? If so, please do send it to me, I haven't paid yet.

Going to do another chapter in the next post.

jmskinner

04-03-2009, 04:29 PM

Ok, so I had sunglasses and a new shirt, we were on our way. KRR I think had a 30 minute wait, but it didn't seem that long and I kept myself preoccupied with picture taking:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499684453_qGjg6-M.jpg
This is Jacob trying to jump out and scare me. His favorite thing to do.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499684813_2Tadd-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499685594_WyBnb-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499686040_yStbT-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499686493_2gCqH-M.jpg
I had never noticed all the detail on the posts.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499687161_WPXmX-M.jpg
Do you see the Mickey Head? I found it with the use of the book.

At this point the camera was put away. Didn't have the old Kodak with me that I could use on water rides, or willing to use. We get on our raft and I throw my backpack in one of the storage bins. Now, Jacob has to give off warning throughout the ride and I told him not to, so what does he do, "There are no big drops coming up!" This one little girls is starting to get upset, so who do you think gets soaked. That poor little girl. I felt so sorry for her and she had her face painted, but luckily her face didn't get that wet.

Had a nice ride and Jacob decided to run up ahead of me. This man that was on our raft stepped aside so I could catch him, but I had decided to slow down and scare the kiddo a little. Sure enough, he had a little bit of a worried look on his face when I finally got up there to him. I had him in my sights the whole time.

Jacob wants to go home, but I wanted to go through the trail with the birds and tigers. Jacob protested, but I wasn't the one that stayed up all night, so I won.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499826201_Se5pt-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499826781_iRxFq-M.jpg
I'm starting to wonder if this guy ever moves, because he is in the same postion every time. Maybe he just likes people to view his butt.:laughing:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499827606_pXQnC-M.jpg
Jacob wanted this pic.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499828407_6aKb2-M.jpg
This really frustrates me. One of the pics I lost from our last trip to AK, had one of the tigers laying on the edge like this one here, but had his head up so I got his profile and in the background, the other tiger was drinking from the water. It was a great shot, lost forever. I'll keep trying though.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499829532_h6pbT-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499829836_dKV4C-M.jpg

WARNING BIRDS!!!!

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499831658_zjCfH-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499832147_7KXgB-M.jpg
We have always been too busy looking for all the different birds to notice how beautiful it is in here.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499835090_Z8vqF-M.jpg
Pretty bird!

Jacob still wanted his rock, so we headed back that way.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499836304_zhZyU-M.jpg

Got to the store

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499837356_tSyrk-M.jpg
and got Jacob's rock, think I have mentioned it before, but his favorite color is purple:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499838700_NJdoz-M.jpg

While in line, I noticed some Mickey Mouse watches that were $10 with a $25 purchase, but the ones I saw were huge. Also, I was only spending $5, but had previously spent over the $25. Then the woman in front of me found a womens. I start looking and only see the mens. So I ask the CM if I can get one since I had previously spent $25 and showed her the receipt. She said she would sell me one, I ask if there are any more womens, that there weren't any out front. She went to get me one. I felt so sorry for the poor people waiting in line behind me. I'm sure WDW didn't put out many of the womens, trying to move some of those mens. Here is my watch:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499838317_2rAkA-M.jpg
The fifteen minute marks are pics of each park. I wear it all the time now.

So, now it was time to leave, but I can't leave without taking some pics, and of course it had to be birds:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499837656_rmCQg-M.jpg
Both Jacob and I realized there were two birds when we arrived at the park, where is the other one? Now that I look at this picture, I realize you can see his tail, but he was tucked away into the rock hiding.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/499838146_eZmF4-M.jpg

So, that was our day at AK. So, got 'ur done in 7 chapters. I'm thinking in the morning we will go to MK, must ride Space Mountain and TTA one more time before they close for refurbishment. Jacob won't want to ride Space Mountain, but I'll talk him into it. Probably buy him something or let him play some video games. Tomorrow is the only day this week that they don't have EMH at 7:00am. Can you imagine getting to the parks that early, we can't even get there at 8:00am.

Also need to call my friend Vickie so we can start making plans for our trip. Not long before we can make ADR's.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.:)

Melissa

irky416

04-03-2009, 04:48 PM

ScotsMinnie

04-03-2009, 06:00 PM

Love the fact it took you so long to get through the days report - all the more for us to read!!!!

Pictures are great. You are right about not noticing the detail in some of the areas - especially AK.

How annoying about your glasses - I have a really nice pair just now and I am dreading them coming off or getting lost.

Glad Jacob got his rock. Emma also likes places that sell rocks and crystals. Must be a kid thing.

Lx

jmskinner

04-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Great pictures! I love that you had no sympathy for him because he stayed up all night. ;) That's how I treat my students. (You hurt your finger because you were running and tripped over the desk? Oh well. Go sit down, you won't die. Hahaha.)

I love that watch. It's very cute.

I'm glad Jacob got his rock.

Have fun if you go this weekend!

ETA: Oh yeah, what's in the first picture from the trail? Komodo dragon?
You would like JS's expression, "No Blood, No Foul". First time Jacob fell and started bleeding I just started yelling "Foul, We have foul!!!"

You are correct, that is the Komodo Dragon (I didn't know how to spell it.) Looks like an alien in that pic.

Love the fact it took you so long to get through the days report - all the more for us to read!!!!

Pictures are great. You are right about not noticing the detail in some of the areas - especially AK.

How annoying about your glasses - I have a really nice pair just now and I am dreading them coming off or getting lost.

Glad Jacob got his rock. Emma also likes places that sell rocks and crystals. Must be a kid thing.

Lx

JS lost two pairs of shades on our first trip. One pair was sitting on the bill of his cap when he gestured knocking it off into the lagoon at Epcot and then the next pair he dropped and they broke. It was an expensive trip that time. Oh, and the hat was new also, purchased just for the trip.

I catch myself looking at rocks also, always have. Guess that is why I don't mind him bringing them home too much. Now, the piece of a concrete block was a whole other thing.

scottny

04-04-2009, 12:37 AM

I don't think you have issues, especially after losing all of our pics. I didn't look into Photobuckets pro, is it like Smugmug where if you don't want them viewed by the public you have that choice?

Yes you can switch it to private. Mine are all on private except for the enchanted sites account.

great update and pics.

Finkelstein's Hubby

04-04-2009, 10:44 AM

Great pics Melissa, the Tiger shots are brilliant....first time I have smiled today

irky416

04-04-2009, 10:52 AM

First time Jacob fell and started bleeding I just started yelling "Foul, We have foul!!!"

:lmao:

Dr_Finkelstein

04-04-2009, 11:02 AM

Hi Melissa!

Really enjoyed the updates and the photos, though i have to admit i'm very slightly insanely jealous that you live so close to WDW and can go so often! One day Diane, one day........:cloud9:

And yes, Grumpy is a HUGE LOTR fan - he collected a lot of the limited edition figurines (and we wonder why we have no money?) Maybe him and JS were separated at birth? :rolleyes1

I liked the comment 'Jacob protested, but I wasn't the one that stayed up all night, so I won.' That's exactly what I would say! :lmao:

The watch is really nice and such a bargain!!! :thumbsup2

Great pics Melissa, the Tiger shots are brilliant....first time I have smiled today

Oh get him - he's only in a huff cause he wanted to get Depeche Mode concert tickets for December but they've sold out! :rolleyes1

Di x

jmskinner

04-04-2009, 06:34 PM

Yes you can switch it to private. Mine are all on private except for the enchanted sites account.

great update and pics.

Well, too late now, already subscribed to smugmug.:laughing: But thanks for the info. I think I am going to like Smugmug though. I like the name also.:lmao:

Great pics Melissa, the Tiger shots are brilliant....first time I have smiled today

What did Di do to you?

Hi Melissa!

Really enjoyed the updates and the photos, though i have to admit i'm very slightly insanely jealous that you live so close to WDW and can go so often! One day Diane, one day........:cloud9:

And yes, Grumpy is a HUGE LOTR fan - he collected a lot of the limited edition figurines (and we wonder why we have no money?) Maybe him and JS were separated at birth? :rolleyes1

I liked the comment 'Jacob protested, but I wasn't the one that stayed up all night, so I won.' That's exactly what I would say! :lmao:

The watch is really nice and such a bargain!!! :thumbsup2

Oh get him - he's only in a huff cause he wanted to get Depeche Mode concert tickets for December but they've sold out! :rolleyes1

Di x

Sorry to hear about the concert, so it wasn't Di. We would love to go, but they will be here the same night we plan on going to MNSSHP. Plus, finding a babysitter etc. Any contests to give some tickets away. I did sign up for one contest, figured if I win, we are meant to go.

Sounds like our families should get together since we have so much in common.

Ok, don't think I mentioned it but we went to TL last Saturday. It was fun, wore me out though. Not too crowded, hit some of the tube slides about 1:30 pm and only had a 10 minute wait, if that long. It was chilly though. No way was my camera going in there. In fact all I took was my WDW canvas bag, two towels, my lanyard with our passes, and then put $20 on my rewards card for money.

The really sad thing was a family was ahead of us and their tickets wouldn't work. The CM looked at the ticket and all they had were the one park/one day ticket and no water park option. It was really sad.

Even though I lost all the pics thought I would tell you how we went to all 4 parks in one day. We did this sometime in February I believe. Got there about 10:00 at DHS. Got in line for TSMM with a 40 minute wait, but it wasn't that long. They weren't even using all of the que in the building. Then Jacob wanted a pic with the umbrella, it wasn't on, but it was about 50 degrees, so I'm sure it was because it was too cold. Then we tried to do ST, but just as we got on, the CM shut the doors, the screen went down, screen went back up and they told us to come out the way we entered and then told us to leave the building. You don't realize how many people can ride until you see them all leave at once.

So from there we went to AK. That is when we first found a lot of the trails and really explored the park. We even rode KRR when it was 60 degrees, twice. For some reason there wasn't much of a line. Luckily we didn't get that wet. It was still cold enough that none of the fountains the kids play in at AK were on.

From there we drove to MK and rode the monorail to Epcot. All Jacob wanted to do there was M:S, well, it had an hour wait, so we grabbed FP's and headed back to the monorail. No one was at the monorail, so I asked the CM if we could ride up front. He said sure. Jacob got all excited, but he had no idea what that really meant. He thought it was just the first car, didn't realize it meant we would be co-pilots. Since we were only two, another lady and her son got to ride with us. Jacob was really confused when the CM opened the other door to let us in. We had a great time and the driver was wonderful. He was retired from driving the Metro in DC. We got our little certificates, went into MK and rode Buzz and Astro Orbitor and the TTA. It was about time for our M:S FP time, so headed over to Epcot, grabbed a quick bite to eat. Rode the ride and went home.

Sorry I lost all of our pics, but thought I would still fill you in on how we made it to all 4 parks in one day. And we were home by 7:00pm. We did use our truck except for bouncing between MK and Epcot. Jacob now wants to be a copilot every time we ride the monorail now. Maybe we can do it again sometime so I will have pics.

Next MTR will be from today. We went to MK!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Melissa

macheath

04-05-2009, 07:27 PM

jmskinner

04-05-2009, 08:24 PM

Hi, friend!

So I "popped in" today to catch up on your TR. I love seeing your pics. Gives me a bit of a Disney fix. Sure wish we were going back soon. Whenever we do, I'm going to have to get in touch with you so we can set up a meeting.

Loved Jacob's Christmas card! :laughing: Congrats to JS on the promotion.
Talk to you soon!
Heather

Hey there. I hope you make it back soon also. I've been hanging out on your part of the Dis a little more. Decided to try to make some jewelry and made a necklace and bracelet to match.

jmskinner

04-05-2009, 11:26 PM

Guess it is ok to double post on your own TR. Got off the phone with my BFF Vickie a little while ago and we have a tentative plan. So the pre-tr is beginning, I'm just going to include it here, maybe I should use a special font for this Ok, let's see if I can remember to do this.:laughing:I know I'm being goofy. No, I'm Melissa. Ok, sorry, I'm just really excited.

So here is the tentative plan:
They will arrive Wed July 15th, but will go to DTD.
On July 16th they will go to MK for am EMH.
On July 17th, we will arrive and we all will go to AK. My only concern is us getting checked in, getting Kara's ticket and getting to the park.
July 18 Epcot and lunch at Garden Grill
July 19 Magic Kingdom, breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and dinner at WCC.
July 20 Epcot and dinner at Tutti Italia
July 21 DHS and lunch at 50's Prime Time. We leave on this day.

Hopefully we can get all of these ADR's. I can't call until the 18th, but will be up and ready to go when the phones open. Is that 7:00am?

So, that is the current plan. So, now what do we do. I hate this part, more waiting. Had to wait for the hours to come out. Fantasmic only being offered twice the whole week is just crazy and really throws a loop on plans.

I just realized tonight, I know I am very lucky to get to make my daytrips to WDW, but what am I going to do once we have more orders and have to leave. Someone really needs to start a therapy facility for WDW withdrawals before then.

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and that Monday is good to you!

carissanboys

04-06-2009, 02:25 PM

I love looking at other people's pictures from Disney World because I always get to see things I've never noticed before! :goodvibes

Very cool about meeting a DISer and that she gave you the hidden Mickey book. :thumbsup2

So - what time did you get to MK on Saturday??? Were we there at the same time?? :rolleyes1

jmskinner

04-06-2009, 04:08 PM

carissanboys

04-06-2009, 04:22 PM

We got there about 9:30. You know I will do a TR, oops MTR. I kept an eye out for you because I thought you were going there or Epcot, but didn't see you. Ok, have to go check out your TR. Sorry your back, but happy I get to read about your trip.

Yup - you probably entered the park shortly after us. When I get to that part of my TR you'll have to let me know if we did any of the same things.

jmskinner

04-06-2009, 04:24 PM

Yup - you probably entered the park shortly after us. When I get to that part of my TR you'll have to let me know if we did any of the same things.

I love reading TR's where we were at the parks at the same time. This will be fun, sure wish we would have bumped into you though. We just decided, well I decided to go since it was the only day this week that EMH was not at 7:00am!

carissanboys

04-06-2009, 04:25 PM

I love reading TR's where we were at the parks at the same time. This will be fun, sure wish we would have bumped into you though. We just decided, well I decided to go since it was the only day this week that EMH was not at 7:00am!

I know - I should have given you my cell phone number so you could have called me when you decided if you were going to the parks and which day. We probably walked right by one another! ;)

irky416

04-06-2009, 04:44 PM

Your new plans look great!

Everyone I know is going this summer, except for me!!! :scared:

jmskinner

04-10-2009, 11:02 PM

Well, I was sitting in the living room enjoying myself, putting Transformers together, when Jacob noticed a spider. Just like the big one we had last year, just smaller. I guess it was its child out for revenge. Anyway, now I don't want to be in the family room. In fact, I am here in the office with my feet up on a box. I did not need that tonight. But, figured I would get started on the lastest chapter of a day trip.

On April 4th, we went to MK. Why MK? Well, planned on going to Epcot on the 3rd, but by the time I picked up Jacob at school I was tired and he didn't really seem interested in going. Pus, I figured traffic would be horrible. This is Jacob's Spring Break so I thought we would spend a lot of time at WDW. Have you seen the threads on the crowds this week?:scared1:

When I checked the schedule late week, it showed MK having AM EMH everyday at 7:00am. No way would I make it to the parks that early, even if we were there at a resort, Saturday was the only day it didn't open at 7:00am, so MK it was. Now, I wanted to get there for rope drop at 9:00am. At 6:00am when the alarm goes off, I get up to fix a cup of coffee and check on Jacob who is in his playroom smiling at me. Yup, stayed up all night again. I asked him if we were still going and he said sure, he wanted to get his hair cut while we were there. Seriously, the best hair cut the kid has had since being here in Florida is at the MK.

I get dressed, go in Jacob's playroom to get him dressed and he is asleep.:mad: Little booger! So I wake him up and he gets dressed, heads out to the truck and lays down on his pillow. Stopped at Chic-Fil-A since that is the only place you can get chicken nuggets for breakfast. Traffic was moving, took right at hour to get to the parks, but we still missed rope drop.

Now, I have learned a quick way through the parking lot gates, since JS normally isn't with us, I keep his AP in the truck and a passenger side ticket window is open, I give the AP to Jacob, who shows the CM and we are on our way. I believe the CM said "We will let Mickey know you are on your way!" I thought that was cool, Jacob didn't.:sad2:

A lot of people were arriving but that was expected. Jacob wanted to take the monorail, but I saw a line going down the ramp for the monorail, and saw a ferry at the dock so I said we would take the ferry. By the way, they had queues ready for both the ferry and monorail. Of course, just as we get there, they stop the line of people and we have to wait for the next one. Just to let you know how many people were arriving, all three ferry's were working. I don't think I have ever seen that. As the one ferry pulled away, another was ready to dock. Normally we ride up top on the ferry, but I figured with the number of people and to keep me from pushing people down the stairs on the other side, we would stay down low. Jacob got out his DS and found a seat. The front of the ferry started filling up, so I made Jacob stand with me.

Did take one pic while on the ferry:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505306306_YrM7m-M.jpg

I just knew security would be backed up, so I told Jacob to be ready to walk really fast. Get off the ferry, watch as everyone goes to the baggage check on the left, no one went right, except for us.:) There were five security guards standing there watching people go the other way. Obviously WDW planned really well for the large crowds because they had every baggage table manned.

We make it through security and through the turnstiles (all of them were manned also). Jacob tells me he needs to find a bathroom. I tell him we will, but the only one I knew of was on the other side from where we were coming out of the gate, so I told him I would find him one. I forgot to mention, my other mission for MK was to ride Space Mountain and TTA before they closed for the refurbishment, so I wanted to go get FP's. Snapped a couple of pics on the way:

Crowds:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505374618_DKGPP-M.jpg

This was about 9:30am, park was only open for 30 minutes and was already packed.

Character:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505309165_Stium-M.jpgAnyone know who she is? I have never seen her before.

Jacob would like to get on the computer, so I will stop at this point. Do we ride SM, which Jacob doesn't want to, more importantly, do I ever let the poor kid go to the bathroom? Will I subject you to all 287 pics I took on this day?:rotfl: I think I need to change my Dis name to Picfreak or something.

Finkelstein's Hubby

04-11-2009, 06:00 AM

carissanboys

04-11-2009, 07:35 AM

Yay! You're posting about the same day we were there! :cheer2:

When we arrived around 9:30 - it looked like a long line at the entrance, but I was amazed at how quickly we got through. :banana:

I'll be scanning your pictures looking for us! :rotfl:

We didn't think it was that busy in the parks, but we really didn't try to ride any of the big rides.

jmskinner

04-11-2009, 10:17 AM

Hi Melissa

Quality planning on your part, every element and eventuality covered, now thats impressive! Pics are superb, if I cannot be there then the best thing is to enjoy it through someone else.....its amazing how the adults get excited about the wee Disney Magic things such as the CM telling you that he was going to tell Mickey you were on the way whilst the kids are just kinda "meh"......been chatting with Diane and we are planning to get a villa in Florida in a few years, not sure how we will pay for it but you gotta dream :thumbsup2

Heres to the next update

Gordon

Purchasing a villa in Florida would be cool. I'm still really enjoying it except for the drivers. I have just never seen so many people cut around people, go in the wrong lane, etc to get through a light. I lived in DC and the traffic was much worse and didn't see behavior like I see here.

Oh, your right about us adults falling for the magic more than the kids. Unless you are married to my DH, he told me last night "You know our grandkids will never get to WDW because Jacob will be so tired of going." I told him "Grandma will take them!"

Yay! You're posting about the same day we were there! :cheer2:

When we arrived around 9:30 - it looked like a long line at the entrance, but I was amazed at how quickly we got through. :banana:

I'll be scanning your pictures looking for us! :rotfl:

We didn't think it was that busy in the parks, but we really didn't try to ride any of the big rides.

So we got there about the same day. I won't ask any questions because I want to read your TR. Oh yea, it was your last day, I'm going to have a little bit of wait aren't I. I should have taken a pic of the front entrance. It looked like solid people, but with all of the gates open, there were really no lines.

I will try to get to that next update today. Still trying to get Jacob to decide if he wants to do something today. We both just woke up, our sleep schedules are so messed up it is not funny. I dread Monday.

carissanboys

04-11-2009, 11:09 AM

So we got there about the same day. I won't ask any questions because I want to read your TR. Oh yea, it was your last day, I'm going to have a little bit of wait aren't I. I should have taken a pic of the front entrance. It looked like solid people, but with all of the gates open, there were really no lines.

Yup - that's exactly how it was. :thumbsup2

jmskinner

04-12-2009, 11:17 AM

We were in search of FP's for Space Mountain and a bathroom. Found a bathroom around the corner on the way to Space Mountain. Jacob was very happy.

Got over to Space Mountain and got our FP's, I believe the standby line was already around 40 minutes, FP were for 11:25am. Jacob wanted to ride Buzz, so off we went.

Of course, I was taking pics:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505310752_XMGjb-M.jpg

I couldn't see the standby time from the angle we came in, but it wasn't too bad and of course, not a lot of FP riders yet, so the line moved steadily.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505312717_toVoL-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505313359_hT2wD-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505314428_4FFBT-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505317486_aKFgK-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505318080_bN4mv-M.jpg
Wish I could say the second score was mine, but Jacob smoked me this round.

Time for a redneck photo:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505318231_aqK8p-M.jpg
I sure looked serious.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505319302_s9p2N-M.jpg
Jacob trying to break thru the bars. I keep telling him if he will eat more he will be stronger.:laughing:

I can't remember if I had ever seen this, Jacob asked if it was a real photo?
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505319402_bFz8h-M.jpg

We came out of Buzz and Jacob wanted to do the TTA, this is his reaction when I let him have the DS:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505319489_ZEbiU-M.jpg

I forgot to post this pic, it is being built over by the CoP:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505311668_dN7mY-M.jpg

Here it is from the TTA:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505320139_DCu66-M.jpg

Really changes the look of the area.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505322420_MXj7E-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505322510_jAW7n-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505323926_KbRoU-M.jpg

I took this one as we were exiting, I forgot on the way in.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505324199_Varrz-M.jpg

And this is the other part of that big screen thing, what is this going to be?
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505325275_pC22T-M.jpg

Ok, I hate to admit this, but I never went into the theater they had between BL and CoP, don't even know what was shown, but when on the TTA, this is what you see:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505325830_JvVCB-M.jpg

Out of order, but this is it from the other side of the TTA:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505327492_z2xxk-M.jpg
As far as I could tell, it is now a parking lot.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505325961_Nyzca-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505326665_s9h4W-M.jpg

That was our TTA trip, I'll post another update later.

Happy Easter!!!

tink1957

04-12-2009, 01:59 PM

:thumbsup2Great update. Happy Easter to you too! I wonder what that thing the're building is, I hope it's something fun they really need some new attractions at MK.

jmskinner

04-12-2009, 02:42 PM

:thumbsup2Great update. Happy Easter to you too! I wonder what that thing the're building is, I hope it's something fun they really need some new attractions at MK.

Thanks. Some sort of theater, I didn't really care for the look of it. It fits in, but yet sticks out like a sore thumb. I guess if you were new to the MK it wouldn't matter. I agree about needing some new attractions at MK, actually all the parks. Need to do something to help with the overcrowding.

ScotsMinnie

04-12-2009, 06:06 PM

Great update! Love the reaction to getting the DS!!!!

kathleen27

04-12-2009, 07:35 PM

Enjoying the photos!

Magic Kingdom looks crowded, I have heard a few things about the crowds last week! :scared1: Makes me not feel as bad that we are not going this vacation. :laughing:

Nice that you can go for the day though!

The Monday after school vacation is never good. :sad2:

Finkelstein's Hubby

04-13-2009, 08:24 AM

Hey Melissa, the pics get better and better. TTA is something Di keeps wanting to ride but for whatever reason we have not yet done it....can add it to the surprisingly big list of "never done that"

Slight side note, now that Di is on Facebook prepare to be bombarded with weird stuff, I already seem to have multiple invites to get a garden, a reef and some kind of freaky plant people

cheers

Gordon

carissanboys

04-13-2009, 10:15 AM

That's funny because we headed to Tomorrowland first too! We checked out Buzz, but the wait was too long for us. Don't remember what it said, but we weren't in a waiting kind of mood that day. ;)

I can't remember if I had ever seen this, Jacob asked if it was a real photo?
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505319402_bFz8h-M.jpg

Too funny! I took the same picture and hadn't noticed it before! :rotfl: We noticed everything Stitch on this trip. ;)

jmskinner

04-13-2009, 10:18 AM

Great update! Love the reaction to getting the DS!!!!
He can be soooo sweet when he gets what he wants.:rotfl:
Enjoying the photos!

Magic Kingdom looks crowded, I have heard a few things about the crowds last week! :scared1: Makes me not feel as bad that we are not going this vacation. :laughing:

Nice that you can go for the day though!

The Monday after school vacation is never good. :sad2:

We ended up not going back at all last week. I sort of did, just to see all the people. I'm crazy!

Let me tell you about Monday around here. Can't find Jacob's shoes, so he wore an old pair. How do you lose shoes in a house?

Hope you had a great vacation!

Hey Melissa, the pics get better and better. TTA is something Di keeps wanting to ride but for whatever reason we have not yet done it....can add it to the surprisingly big list of "never done that"

Slight side note, now that Di is on Facebook prepare to be bombarded with weird stuff, I already seem to have multiple invites to get a garden, a reef and some kind of freaky plant people

cheers

Gordon

I can not believe you have not ridden TTA. You need to ride it twice, once in the daytime and then at night.

As far as Facebook goes, if Di includes me, look out. I am building a garden, two sea gardens or something like that, a safari, a sweet shop and consuming drinks.:laughing:Sure wish the drinks were real.:rotfl: Not sure about the freaky plant people.

My neighbors birthday is on Wednesday and while we were walking I mentioned she could get in on her birthday for free. Then I had an idea, we could go to WDW. It would only be for about 3 hours, since we have to get the kids at 2:00, but would still be 3 hours in a park. She is going to talk to her husband. Of course, it always worries me because with JS in DC, I always worry about being there for Jacob when he gets out of school. The one reason I really hate not having family around.

Hope everyone has a great day!pixiedust:
Melissa

irky416

04-14-2009, 04:20 PM

Great updates! MK looked very crowded.

I never saw that picture of Stitch before either.

I hope you haven't had any more spiders!

jmskinner

04-14-2009, 04:27 PM

Great updates! MK looked very crowded.

I never saw that picture of Stitch before either.

I hope you haven't had any more spiders!

I wonder if that pic is new or are we all too excited to go ride something else and only see the door.:rotfl:

Spiders only on Friday and Sunday, so far.

We are going to Epcot tomorrow. Short trip, but I am looking forward to going with an adult that has never been. She has been to Disneyland many times, and also Disneyland Paris. She said she gets motion sickness, can't handle spinning, so not sure what all we will ride. I described TT to her and she said she wanted to do that, also mentioned Soarin', but now that I think about it, that may not be a good idea. I'll talk to her about it more on the road. We leave as soon as her daughter leaves for the bus. I bet she starts pushing her out of the house in the morning.:rotfl:

Hey, just in case no one has seen it, the Swan and Dolphin is offering a free night for your birthday with a minimum 3 night stay. Now I want to do that!

Hope everyone has a great evening. I think the rain finally stopped here.:sad1:I was so enjoying it. Need to go turn off the sprinklers, no reason to water tonight. Conserve and save money!

carissanboys

04-14-2009, 05:00 PM

Hey Melissa - not sure if you saw my reply yesterday. It's the last one on the previous page and it was posted around the same time you posted. I only ask because you didn't respond to my reply (not that you HAVE to reply to everything I say! :rolleyes1 ) and I wanted to be sure you saw it. I know I sometimes I miss a reply on my TR. :goodvibes

jmskinner

04-14-2009, 05:11 PM

That's funny because we headed to Tomorrowland first too! We checked out Buzz, but the wait was too long for us. Don't remember what it said, but we weren't in a waiting kind of mood that day. ;)

Too funny! I took the same picture and hadn't noticed it before! :rotfl: We noticed everything Stitch on this trip. ;)

Ok, gotcha!:rotfl: Again, wondering if that pic of Stitch is new. I remember thinking I need to look for a couple with three boys. You will just have to let me know where you were as you read through this. I'll try to remember to put a time, my pics should have it.

samiet620

04-14-2009, 06:29 PM

jmskinner

04-15-2009, 09:09 PM

OK so I'm almost a year late in starting this TR...but I'M LOVING IT!!!:worship: I'm only on page 5 and saw the time:scared1: DH will be home and I need to get his dinner...but I am soo here after! :surfweb
It will be a while before I can even fathom going back so meanwhile I feed on TRs like yours!!!:laughing:

:welcome:

Thanks for joining my crazy Florida life. I apologize for not responding sooner but we had a virus. Back in February our computer crashed and we lost everything and now this.:mad::scared1::headache: McAfee didn't catch it, purchased a Spyware program, it didn't find it, finally had to restore the computer back to a week ago. :sad2: But, didn't lose anything except for Jacob's game. He was playing it when the virus showed up, the crazy thing is, that is what he was playing when the computer crashed in Feb. It's not an online game.:confused3

Back on topic, glad you joined us samiet620. Did DH get some dinner?:laughing: I know how you feel about having to live through TR's. I never thought I would end up living so close to the world. I'll try to get another update up soon. Have another day to add, already have a title, "Went to Epcot and rode Soarin'?" but first I have to finish our day at the MK.

tinkgurl

04-15-2009, 09:22 PM

Just wanted to say hi since we haven't talked in awhile! :)

jmskinner

04-15-2009, 09:50 PM

So we exited TTA and Jacob said he wanted to ride Buzz again, so off we went:
Jacob's score!
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505328493_thkye-M.jpg

Mine:sad2:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505328782_Qxi2J-M.jpg

Maybe I need to stay up all night.:confused3

Here is Jacob kicking Zorg:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505329457_hUQJJ-M.jpg

After Buzz we checked out the raceway, but the line looked really long, I joked about CoP, and Jacob said sure, so off we went.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505329602_HJiws-M.jpg

Spotted some Mickey Heads while waiting,
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505330074_hSqYz-M.jpg

and didn't notice the bird until after I snapped the shot. Hope he didn't leave that family a present.:laughing:

I got a little upset when these teenage girls left the ride and told their friends not to waste their time because it was boring.

Now, in order to get Jacob to ride Space Mountain, I bribed him. Toy, no. Ice Cream, No! Arcade!!!

Walked past all these people to get there:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505330247_2P6rz-M.jpg

Found a Star Wars pinball machine.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505330525_cyVCN-M.jpg

Then he decided to ride a motorcycle. Don't tell Gramps, it wasn't a Harley.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505330894_mqSQH-M.jpg

I don't think I had mentioned this, but one of the things we wanted to do on this day was get Jacob's haircut. The best haircut he has had since being here was at MK, so back to Main Street and look who we saw:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505331438_XkgoM-M.jpg

He was following that little girl and she was trying to get away, but he blocked her in. Her mother thought it was funny. We spend on this money to take our kids to the most magical place on Earth, to torture them.:rotfl2:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505332386_bhTew-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505332930_YEdQp-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505334299_twauR-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505335083_tmeCS-M.jpg

This was at 11:00am per the photo info, crowds were still coming in.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505335145_ZXmsy-M.jpg

Heard these being set off at the end of the show,
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505336012_r67tx-M.jpg
Jacob thinks it is crazy that they set off fireworks during the day.

Here she is again:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505339337_2K47j-M.jpg

A little window shopping:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505340059_yEKmK-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505340146_mwVY7-M.jpg

Made it to the barbershop and look who was there:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505340424_kvbok-M.jpg

We haven't seen these guys before. There were a lot of people there, so we decided to head back the other way. Jacob wanted to go to the fort at TSI.
I'll have another update soon and I learn something new about the park.

tinkgurl

04-15-2009, 09:53 PM

I love the window displays on Main Street! Are those ones new for the new celebration?

I have promised myself that I will beat B/F at Buzz and TSM this trip. :rolleyes:

I have not been in the barbershop before, but it looks so cute in there from the picture!

ckdsnynt

04-15-2009, 10:39 PM

Oh, your right about us adults falling for the magic more than the kids. Unless you are married to my DH, he told me last night "You know our grandkids will never get to WDW because Jacob will be so tired of going." I told him "Grandma will take them!"

.[/QUOTE]

I am ejoying your trip report. Love hearing about your "trials" with Jacob ;)
I fear I dragged my DS to WDW too often or did commando style too often also. He hates WDW and doesn't have any interest in going back as an adult. Unfortunately, he sees no reason for his daughtgers to be "dragged" around WDW by me either (as he and his sister were). :sad2: I am presently trying to brainwash my DGDs so they can change their daddy's mind:rotfl2: Sooner or later, he will give in :thumbsup2

carissanboys

04-16-2009, 06:41 AM

It is so funny to read your TR about the same time we were there! :rotfl: You mentioned the line being too long for Tomorrowland Speedway. Well, it wasn't very long when we did it, but Buzz seemed too long for us! :lmao:

I didn't realize CoP was open!!

Didn't even know there was an arcade there. :rolleyes1

Tom Sawyer Island, eh??? :rolleyes1

jmskinner

04-16-2009, 08:32 AM

Just wanted to say hi since we haven't talked in awhile! :)

Well, hello to you to. You posted as I was trying to do this update.

I love the window displays on Main Street! Are those ones new for the new celebration?

I have promised myself that I will beat B/F at Buzz and TSM this trip. :rolleyes:

I have not been in the barbershop before, but it looks so cute in there from the picture!

I loved the window displays also. I took some of the others, but didn't really take the time to get a good shot so there is a glare. I'm going to try to pay more attention and see how often they change them. I am guessing that anything with the balloons is a part of the Celebrations.

I will have more pics of the barbershop. It is really nice in there, but of course it would be.

Oh, your right about us adults falling for the magic more than the kids. Unless you are married to my DH, he told me last night "You know our grandkids will never get to WDW because Jacob will be so tired of going." I told him "Grandma will take them!"

.

I am ejoying your trip report. Love hearing about your "trials" with Jacob ;)
I fear I dragged my DS to WDW too often or did commando style too often also. He hates WDW and doesn't have any interest in going back as an adult. Unfortunately, he sees no reason for his daughtgers to be "dragged" around WDW by me either (as he and his sister were). :sad2: I am presently trying to brainwash my DGDs so they can change their daddy's mind:rotfl2: Sooner or later, he will give in :thumbsup2[/QUOTE]

I'd just kidnap mine.:rotfl: I'm kidding, well maybe not. Kids should get to go to WDW. Maybe DS needs to go back, once he sees how those girls react he might just change his mind.

I worked with a lady in TX who so wants to go to WDW. She mentioned their whole family going, she has 2 DS's who one has 2 DD's and the other 2 DS's. Between 5 and 11. Wouldn't that be a fun trip. The adults told her they would all rather go to the Caribbean or somewhere like that on vacation. :sad2:

It is so funny to read your TR about the same time we were there! :rotfl: You mentioned the line being too long for Tomorrowland Speedway. Well, it wasn't very long when we did it, but Buzz seemed too long for us! :lmao:

I didn't realize CoP was open!!

Didn't even know there was an arcade there. :rolleyes1

Tom Sawyer Island, eh??? :rolleyes1

When I typed that about Tomorrowland Speedway (yup, didn't know the name of that one) I thought, "Carissa and the guys probably rode it." How funny.

I've read a couple of TR's where I was at the park same time as them and have so much fun trying to see if they are in my pics, or if I am in theirs. Actually, I think they are all a part of this TR.

Jacob can spot an arcade a mile away. It cracks me up how many people are actually in there playing games. Actually, I guess if you had someone who didn't want to ride Space Mountain it would be a good waiting spot. When you exit SM, it is in the back of the shop. Unless you take the time to look around the shop, which most just look for the door like me, you won't see it. But I think Jacob spotted it from TTA.

I'm going to try to get another update today. We are going back to Epcot on Saturday, got a little taste of the F&G Festival yesterday and I have got to go back!!!! And I can only imagine how many pics I will come home with.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Thursday!

irky416

04-16-2009, 04:38 PM

jmskinner

04-16-2009, 06:17 PM

Your score on Buzz looks like mine! :rotfl2:

I love the castle shots! Are you still doing the photography class? How's it going?

My dad would never let us go near an arcade in any park anywhere. He always said he spent all that money on park tickets, he wasn't going to spend more for an arcade. To this day, I still never notice them because I was brainwashed not to go in them. I don't think I even realized there were any in MK!

:rotfl: I never went in them at parks either, I could do that at home. Couldn't believe I got out of there and Jacob only played two games. I was surprised.

No, the photography class was only two classes and I missed the 2nd class. So it is the camera, not the photographer. I am taking the time to look around for more for shots and have been looking at pics on the photography board.

ScotsMinnie

04-16-2009, 06:44 PM

Great pics again! Love that you bribed him with the arcade!!!! I use tactics like that all the time!!!!

Hope the hair cut turned out good!

savannahcat

04-17-2009, 02:52 PM

I just spent quite a bit of time reading your entire thread and now I feel like like I've come to the end of a really good novel and am waiting for the sequel to be published!

I'd love to live that close to WDW! But, I am stuck with either a 1000 mile drive or an expensive flight for 4. Our next trip is in October and will be the 14th for me, 12th for DH, 11th for my DD5 and 6th for my DD3. Can't wait to see Mickey!

Thanks for the entertaining read!

jmskinner

04-17-2009, 09:46 PM

Great pics again! Love that you bribed him with the arcade!!!! I use tactics like that all the time!!!!

Hope the hair cut turned out good!

Ok, I don't feel so bad for bribing my boy then. :rotfl: I need to find a pic of some of the coasters he has been on that he loves so you can see how strange it is that he dislikes Space Mountain and some of the others. We will see about the haircut.

I just spent quite a bit of time reading your entire thread and now I feel like like I've come to the end of a really good novel and am waiting for the sequel to be published!

I'd love to live that close to WDW! But, I am stuck with either a 1000 mile drive or an expensive flight for 4. Our next trip is in October and will be the 14th for me, 12th for DH, 11th for my DD5 and 6th for my DD3. Can't wait to see Mickey!

Thanks for the entertaining read!

Wow, I have never considered myself a writer. I have always been able to remember little things that most people never would. But could never remember what I need to know for school or Jeopardy.:rotfl:

Wow, even though you guys live further away, you want to adopt me? I try to go as much now because I know once JS has orders, we may be too far away to come back. Thanks for joining in, I hope I can keep you and everyone else entertained.

I am so surprised that I have several new readers. I've been thinking that I might start a new TR and MTR once we go in July, but I don't know now.

For those that don't know, I need to give some sad news. This past Wednesday I noticed my dog, Mozart, was bleeding from the mouth. I thought he had an abcess that his tooth went into when he snapped at me for putting his eye medicine in. The dog snaps any time we disturb him, he just has always been that way. I got the bleeding stopped and he seemed ok. This was the day I was taking my neighbor to Epcot for her birthday. I probably should have taken Mozart to the vet then, but I knew there wasn't much they could do but antibiotics because he is almost 14.

I took him in Thursday and the vet realized his jaw was very hard and deformed. She thought it was a tumor. Due to his age we knew he would not have a biopsy, I worried about any sedation with an x-ray, so she gave me the antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. I emailed my DBIL, who is a vet tech, and he recommended the x-ray so we could see if it had spread and how bad it was, so I took him in today. Turns out the whole left side of his bottom jaw bone is gone. The tumor has eaten it away. The vet then explained the type of cancer is very aggressive and he probably has two weeks.:scared1: This is why I really wanted to avoid the vet. I didn't want to know.

Poor JS is still in DC, he was going to be back Tuesday, but today it got pushed back to Thursday.:sad2: I guess when he gets back we will have to do what we don't want to do. So, if I start making even less sense than normal, that is why.

scottny

04-18-2009, 01:27 AM

Great update and pics.

Nice bribe. :rotfl2:

jmskinner

04-18-2009, 07:07 AM

Great update and pics.

Nice bribe. :rotfl2:

Thanks. It is a great bribe when you get out so cheap!:rotfl:

savannahcat

04-18-2009, 08:15 AM

Wow, I have never considered myself a writer. I have always been able to remember little things that most people never would. But could never remember what I need to know for school or Jeopardy.:rotfl:

Wow, even though you guys live further away, you want to adopt me? I try to go as much now because I know once JS has orders, we may be too far away to come back. Thanks for joining in, I hope I can keep you and everyone else entertained.

I am so surprised that I have several new readers. I've been thinking that I might start a new TR and MTR once we go in July, but I don't know now.

For those that don't know, I need to give some sad news. This past Wednesday I noticed my dog, Mozart, was bleeding from the mouth. I thought he had an abcess that his tooth went into when he snapped at me for putting his eye medicine in. The dog snaps any time we disturb him, he just has always been that way. I got the bleeding stopped and he seemed ok. This was the day I was taking my neighbor to Epcot for her birthday. I probably should have taken Mozart to the vet then, but I knew there wasn't much they could do but antibiotics because he is almost 14.

I took him in Thursday and the vet realized his jaw was very hard and deformed. She thought it was a tumor. Due to his age we knew he would not have a biopsy, I worried about any sedation with an x-ray, so she gave me the antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. I emailed my DBIL, who is a vet tech, and he recommended the x-ray so we could see if it had spread and how bad it was, so I took him in today. Turns out the whole left side of his bottom jaw bone is gone. The tumor has eaten it away. The vet then explained the type of cancer is very aggressive and he probably has two weeks.:scared1: This is why I really wanted to avoid the vet. I didn't want to know.

Poor JS is still in DC, he was going to be back Tuesday, but today it got pushed back to Thursday.:sad2: I guess when he gets back we will have to do what we don't want to do. So, if I start making even less sense than normal, that is why.

I'm so sorry about Mozart. I've always had pets and it is never easy to lose them in this way (or any other way, for that matter).

As for all of our Disney trips, we've just been blessed that my DH's job has taken him to the Orlando area quite frequently. We had 5 trips in one year between 2004/2005. That's how we got hooked! Now that he doesn't travel as often, we have to find a way to get there ourselves! Not surprisingly, we'll have three trips on our APs this year. It's gotten expensive for us to fly (not to mention the crazy price of rental cars), so we're thinking about driving down (from the Pittsburgh area) for a two-week stay next summer. Seems that we just can't stay away.

I would love to live closer to WDW, but I'm not sure if I could handle the summertime heat. As much as I dislike the snow and cold around Pittsburgh, I think moving that far south might be too radical a change.

Dr_Finkelstein

04-18-2009, 12:57 PM

For those that don't know, I need to give some sad news. This past Wednesday I noticed my dog, Mozart, was bleeding from the mouth. I thought he had an abcess that his tooth went into when he snapped at me for putting his eye medicine in. The dog snaps any time we disturb him, he just has always been that way. I got the bleeding stopped and he seemed ok. This was the day I was taking my neighbor to Epcot for her birthday. I probably should have taken Mozart to the vet then, but I knew there wasn't much they could do but antibiotics because he is almost 14.

I took him in Thursday and the vet realized his jaw was very hard and deformed. She thought it was a tumor. Due to his age we knew he would not have a biopsy, I worried about any sedation with an x-ray, so she gave me the antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. I emailed my DBIL, who is a vet tech, and he recommended the x-ray so we could see if it had spread and how bad it was, so I took him in today. Turns out the whole left side of his bottom jaw bone is gone. The tumor has eaten it away. The vet then explained the type of cancer is very aggressive and he probably has two weeks.:scared1: This is why I really wanted to avoid the vet. I didn't want to know.

Poor JS is still in DC, he was going to be back Tuesday, but today it got pushed back to Thursday.:sad2: I guess when he gets back we will have to do what we don't want to do. So, if I start making even less sense than normal, that is why.

What a shame Melissa - it's a really hard decision, I can totally sympathise, we had to get our 1st dog 'Homer' put to sleep when the twinnies were 2yrs old. He was about 12 (we were never sure as we rehomed him from the cat and dog home) and had arthritis and a heart murmur and suddenly became very unwell.
At least Mozart is a good age and it sounds like he's had a great life with you all. :hug::hug:

As always really enjoying the updates and the photos are great as always!

Di x

jmskinner

04-18-2009, 05:18 PM

I'm so sorry about Mozart. I've always had pets and it is never easy to lose them in this way (or any other way, for that matter).

As for all of our Disney trips, we've just been blessed that my DH's job has taken him to the Orlando area quite frequently. We had 5 trips in one year between 2004/2005. That's how we got hooked! Now that he doesn't travel as often, we have to find a way to get there ourselves! Not surprisingly, we'll have three trips on our APs this year. It's gotten expensive for us to fly (not to mention the crazy price of rental cars), so we're thinking about driving down (from the Pittsburgh area) for a two-week stay next summer. Seems that we just can't stay away.

I would love to live closer to WDW, but I'm not sure if I could handle the summertime heat. As much as I dislike the snow and cold around Pittsburgh, I think moving that far south might be too radical a change.

We lived in DC for two years and I loved the winters. Love all that snow so I can understand. We will be here 2-3 years depending on JS getting picked up for Squandron Commander. What he has always wanted to be. I have been so tired when we got home from WDW the past couple of times and I realized why, it is the heat. Its not even that hot now, but it drains you.

Oh, and I understand about flights. We were trying to get JS home for the weekend with the dog and everything, but couldn't do it for less than $500. What happened to all those last minute great deals. I guess they don't offer them to Florida.

What a shame Melissa - it's a really hard decision, I can totally sympathise, we had to get our 1st dog 'Homer' put to sleep when the twinnies were 2yrs old. He was about 12 (we were never sure as we rehomed him from the cat and dog home) and had arthritis and a heart murmur and suddenly became very unwell.
At least Mozart is a good age and it sounds like he's had a great life with you all. :hug::hug:

As always really enjoying the updates and the photos are great as always!

Di x

Sorry to hear about your Homer. Was it hard to explain to the twins? Yes, we have know he didn't have long, just not what we needed right now, but it is never a good time is it. I have lost many dogs in my lifetime, but this is the first time I am having to go through it as an adult. Basically, we have always felt he was our first child.

I'll try to do an update. Jacob wants on the computer and honestly I am tired and probably wouldn't make much sense. Hope everyone's weekend is going well. Anyone doing anything fun? I know Di and Grumpy are doing gardening. If I could afford to fly you over I would have you do mine.:rotfl:

jmskinner

04-18-2009, 11:37 PM

We left the barber shop and Jacob wanted to see TSI. He loves the fort. I wanted to take the train. This was the first time we took the train from Main Street to Frontierland. Check out the crowds on Main Street.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505342111_Qynh3-M.jpg

And this is how the entrance to the park looked from the train.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505344593_8WLbq-M.jpg

I really expected more themeing while on the train, but I was surprised by this:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505345965_mFixw-M.jpg

Splash Mountain is one of my favorite rides and I never knew the train went through it. Sorry the pic is so horrible, obviously I need more classes.:rotfl:

This is the crowds from the train platform:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505346435_e3ryX-M.jpg

We grabbed FP's for BTMRR, even though Jacob didn't want to ride. Then it was off to TSI. As many people as were there, not much of a wait for TSI (I've waited longer) but they did have all boats manned.

So, is this one of Tom's paintbrushes:

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505347309_sKZPm-M.jpg

Jacob went straight for the fort. While he was busy firing the guns, I was shooting with my camera.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505350158_HwpjS-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505353642_MqYoJ-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505354382_WouyT-M.jpg

When Jacob gets in the fort, his imagination really takes over. He runs through it telling all the men to "Man your guns" and "Fire at will!!!" All the other kids always turn and look at him and wonder where this kid came from. I just let him run around.

While we were at the fort, the river boat went by. Afraid you can't see him very well in this pic, but I didn't realize they would let kids ride with the captain.

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505351906_Swt4T-M.jpg

I didn't tell Jacob that I saw a kid in there because I would never hear the end of how he wants to ride up there.

As the river boat went around, Jacob enjoyed shooting at the enemy:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505357193_WxeMN-M.jpg

I didn't see it, but he said the passengers on the boat were holding their hands in the air in fear, stating "We Surrender!".:laughing:

We always have to take the escape route:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505357752_e6aXh-M.jpg

The annoyed look on Jacob's face is because I wasn't being quiet and by using the flash I was blowing our cover.

We hadn't been down behind the fort before:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505359410_4AnLS-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505359627_nm8uE-M.jpg

http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505361159_iEJff-M.jpg
I told Jacob he shouldn't be up there, and his response, "It's ok, its for a picture.":sad2: Tell that to all the Dis'ers complaining about people placing their children within the flowers at the F&G Festival.

Of course I took a pic of one of our favorite rides:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505363998_wZqHr-M.jpg
Actually I loved the flowers, but they don't look as pretty in the pic as they did in real life.

We decided to enter the mystery mine:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505365510_kTstu-M.jpg

Where we found the treasure:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505366981_7JmNG-M.jpg
I took one using the flash, but it really ruins the magic. So I won't post it here.

Found another cave:
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505367877_pGrJ4-M.jpg

This one was a little scary and very loud. Jacob went through most of it with his hands over his ears.
http://jmskinner.smugmug.com/photos/505368129_Xa3Cm-M.jpg

Do we make it out safely?