We don't wanna go home!!! Nov 1-8, 2008 Magic Western

[bfosbenner]

Well, We survived the Polar Plunge!
It was actually a Balmy 55deg that Sunday afternoon. The water was 36!

The water was not toooooo bad with the proper equipment!

Time to go for a swim

Oh My it is cold!

Retreat!!

We Raised aobut $4000 for the project to build a church building in South west Haiti in a mountain town called Doleon. My home church is called
Second Cape May Baptist Church ( it is the second Baptist church founded in Cape May county, NJ circa 1770)We will be traveling there on March 6th-13th

 

[podsnel]

i stumbled across your TR yesterda, home sick in bed from work. I read it yesterday and this morning and I love it! yu have such a cute family and I felt like I was on the boat with you! thanks for sharing

Awww...thanks! I hope you're feeling better- seems lots of people are not feeling well this week...

Well, We survived the Polar Plunge!
It was actually a Balmy 55deg that Sunday afternoon. The water was 36!

The water was not toooooo bad with the proper equipment!

Time to go for a swim

Oh My it is cold!

Retreat!!

We Raised aobut $4000 for the project to build a church building in South west Haiti in a mountain town called Doleon. My home church is called
Second Cape May Baptist Church ( it is the second Baptist church founded in Cape May county, NJ circa 1770)We will be traveling there on March 6th-13th

Congratulations!! That water skiing looked amazing!! But really- does the dry suit help????

And your daughter's face when she's in the water- Boy, doesn't SHE looked surprised!! Good girl!

Is your whole family going to Haiti then? Sounds like a wonderful mission!

 

[podsnel]

My friend, Carol Berman, is a sommelier and will be on Martha Stewart radio (on Sirius) today at 3:30 discussing champagne (for Valentine's Day). If you have Sirius(I think you can listen online even if you don't), I hope you'll tune in- she has been on this show a few times, as well as lots of other radio broadcasts and tv appearances. She's really taught me how to be a better drinker! Just kidding- she has, though, taught me alot about wine over the years, and she is NOT all about "expensive wine is the best wine"- she really looks for more affordable options that are fabulous!

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

My friend, Carol Berman, is a sommelier and will be on Martha Stewart radio today. She's really taught me how to be a better drinker!

I need a friend like that! Cheers!

 

[bfosbenner]

Just me to Haiti this trip.
DD Rachel wants to go next time. I told her when she is 14
she can go. That is 2011!

 

[podsnel]

When we FINALLY got our car from the BW valet (I really liked the resort, but we really HATED the parking over there- good thing we usually don't have a car in Disney! ) we made our way to DTD. It was PACKED!!! Between a golf open at the course nearby the street and the huge Arts featival that had swallowed DTD whole, we had trouble getting in- I've never seen it so crowded. And the kids hadn't either, but then they'd never known it even existed before!! Before DQ, we went for lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express. Everything was delish!!

DH had the Chinois Salad, and I would go back just for it-

I had a chicken aioli pocket, I had SUCH a hard time choosing, I think I wanted everything on the menu!

But that ended up being a very good choice, although I really wanted DH's salad! DS11 had the pepperoni and mushroom pizza-

Yummmm...and DS9 had a grilled cheese and mashed potatoes-

I just spent the past 2 days trying to figure out ADRs for the upcoming girlie bash, and you KNOW this place is on the must do list for a quick counter service meal- although I also am making an ADR for the cafe on our last day.

We made our way over to DQ, see all the art and people?

We bought our tickets (with a DVC discount- every little bit helps, right?) and headed first to Cyberspace Mountain; DS11 came up with a pretty challenging ride, DS9 not so much, so after the first ride they got back on line the 2 of them and made one together that they both said was inSANE!! We pretty much went from attraction to attraction, the only thing we didn't try was POTC because the line was long and moving way too slow.

Just realized I need to upload the rest of the pics- back later!

 

[karajeboo]

Never done DQ - anxious to hear more.

OMG - those lunches at Wolfgang Pucks look awesome! What was on that salad? And the minute I see "aioli" I'm all over it, so I'd have done the same thing you did!

 

[podsnel]

DQ is like a whole other world inside-but, of course! What else would you expect? I hope one day my family will stay at SSR or OKW and we can get the boys passes to just go as often as they'd like. I know they'd love it, being the video gamers they are-

This is Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters. It's like bumper cars that shoot balls at each other with a gun, after you suck them up into your car by driving over them- It was really kind of stupid. But you know when something is so ridiculously stupid, you laugh hysterically and can't stop? Well, that's how the Astroblaster is for my family. I'm giggling now just remembering it!

And then at the end one very lonely, very slow moving CM sweeps all the balls back onto the floor so the next group can play. If that were my job, I would've taken a header off the Contemporary roof ages ago!!

Then, DH worked off his familial frustrations from the surrey bike ride-

Hmmmmm...I wonder what he was thinking about to motivate himself into such a high score?

More vidiots...umm, I mean my children playing games-

I decided to leave them all there and go out to do a little DTD touring and shopping-

Look! Finally a Christmas Tree!!

The new TRex restaurant looks very cool!

The Festival of the Masters was an amazing festival, I can't believe how many interesting artists were there! The art was even on the sidewalks-

I made my way to the WOD to pick up something for my wonderful cousins, and then walked back through Pleasure Island. Looks like they've already started building stuff, I hope it's going to end up being fun there...

the deserted Adventurers Club

The crowds!

A polar bear made of nails-

And a shot of where we had lunch-

The boys were done at DQ, and it was time to leave DTD and head for the flight home...

after one very brief stop for DVC obsessed Mommy-

Cont'd in next post!

 

[podsnel]

You KNOW I had to go see those BLT models!! They were stunning! But I don't think we'll buy points there- we're more of an Epcot family than a MK one. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to visit someday!

They do feel very large inside, especially in the living area. Nice...

So that's it! We went to the airport and after the usual delay getting out of Orlando, we were flying home to see the rest of our family. Too bad the conveyor belt of luggage was jammed and it took 1 1/2 hours to get our suitcases! Thanks for gettin' right on that, Delta (that's a little NJ sarcasm for ya...).

Thanks for reading, I hope you'll read the St John TR I'll try to post on the community board, and I also hope you'll read along when I head to WDW for a kid-DH-free vacation with my DGF Loni and Karajeboo at AKV concierge in May! HAPPY TRAVELS!!!

 

[anewmac]

LOVED IT! Great job! And you know Ill be there for your St John and girls only trip! Cant wait!

 

[dvc4life]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your trip report! (And sad this one is over ) It has been so entertaining and it made me feel as if we were right there with you. You do a great job. Can't wait to read your upcoming TR's! Thanks!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey Ellen! I keep wondering if I would like DQ - looks like I'd rather go shopping Since we're going to a baseball game this year, I think we'll wait until we have grandkids that want to do DQ.

So sad your trip is over. I love that you stayed and played for a few more days once you were "kicked off" the Magic! Thanks for the pics of the BLT - it looks nicer than the artists drawings did. I think I would enjoy staying there, after all.

I'll be looking for your St. John TR! Come on over and join my March 09 PTR - link in my siggie - I had to start one, because the planning is done and the waiting and the cold weather were getting me down.

 

[princesspaige]

I can't believe it is over!!! I just thought it would go on forever and I could just keep re-living the cruise thru your TR...what am I to do now...I guess the only thing to do is to read your girls only TR.

 

[karajeboo]

I would be bored to tears at DQ. Seriously. I would probably join that CM in taking a header off the Contemporary. I can do a few games at home, but a whole building full? No thanx.

And I will be anxiously reading your Girls ONly TR in May! Remember to get my good side in photos!

 

[podsnel]

I need a friend like that! Cheers!

She is such a wonderful friend to have- last year she donated her wine services for a wine dinner benefit for DS14's school- you know that wine everyone here on DIS loves- Rosa Regale? She got Banfi (because they know her and love her) to generously donate Rosa Regale for over 300 people! She also got two others to donate the wine as well. It was AWESOME!!!!

Just me to Haiti this trip.
DD Rachel wants to go next time. I told her when she is 14
she can go. That is 2011!

That's wonderful- hope you'll fill us in on the experience!

Never done DQ - anxious to hear more.

OMG - those lunches at Wolfgang Pucks look awesome! What was on that salad? And the minute I see "aioli" I'm all over it, so I'd have done the same thing you did!

The chinois salad is-chicken, asian vegetables, crispy wontons and honey mustard dressing (although it didn't taste like honey mustard to me, it tasted more like an asian vinaigrette). Either way, it's a WP classic recipe, you could probably find it somewhere on the web. And I am all about the aoili, too! But really, it's just good mayo with stuff in it!

 

[podsnel]

HEY! I'm back with a couple of off topic photos-

First, a few weeks ago, I had a Dismeet with the very lovely Bride 2 B, NikkiLovesWDW! She came over to borrow my navigators to get psyched for her honeymoon cruise, and generously loaned me the first 2 issues of Celebrations magazine- Thanks Nikki! I'm really enjoying the magazines, and I LOVED meeting you! Here's a pic DS11 took-

Nikki, YOU are going to be one BEAUTIFUL bride!!

I also remember someone (as a joke) wrote "I can't wait to see what you do for Valentine's Day. Well....we did this! DH & I went out to our favorite restaurant, Theresa's, in Westfield, on Friday night. Dinner was delicious, but the BEST part was the wine- which we brought from home (in NJ we have BYOB restaurants, it is the BEST thing EVER!!!!)- it was actually part of a case of wine that was a gift from my DGF Clare and her DH Tim. The wine was CAYMUS cabernet sauvignon. O. M. G. If you EVER have the opportunity to drink this wine, you HAVE TO try it!! It is like drinking smooth, dark chocolate. MMMMMMMM.... Anyway, on Saturday we had a romantic evening with the boys! Although, while I was slaving away in the kitchen, DH was on the couch having a romantic interlude with ANOTHER GIRL!!!! WTH? Do you think I should be worried?

It looks pretty serious, don't ya think?

We had another bottle of Cabernet from our gift case- this was excellent (although that Caymus is in its own catergory)

Time for dinner!

It was a really nice night. I made a rib roast with a roasted garlic horseradish crust, string beans and baked potatoes- the easiest meal ever! I was going to make heart shaped crab ravioli, but I bagged it because I forgot to pick up the right size cookie cutter when i lost my old one. And the fact that I was probably chatting it up on facebook half the day. Oops.

All the loving boys-

DH gave me Fleetwood Mac tickets- WOOHOO!!! I'm seein Stevie aGAIN!!! And the boys made me some major big Valentines. What did I give DH?

The elemis massage stuff I bought on the cruise. And I gave him a VERY happy massage to go with it! Not that I'm showin you any pictures of THAT excursion!!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

 

[karajeboo]

Ellen - you crack me up!!!

Quick OT question - what color are your hardwood floors? They look like what we are looking for - we're getting ready to rip up our carpet and tile and do hardwoods on the main level - FL doesn't do a lot of hardwoods b/c of the humidity, but I HATE all this tile!

 

[podsnel]

Ellen - you crack me up!!!

Quick OT question - what color are your hardwood floors? They look like what we are looking for - we're getting ready to rip up our carpet and tile and do hardwoods on the main level - FL doesn't do a lot of hardwoods b/c of the humidity, but I HATE all this tile!

I'm not positive- I can let you know later today-

 

[podsnel]

Hey Kara-

I used Ipswich Pine from Minwax, and my wood is red oak. The were not pre-finished, they were put together here when we added on and they were stained and finished while we were away in LBI on vacation.

Cammie says she did Kim Possible Challenge with Lauren today and it was sooo cool- think we can do it in May?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

You found the pic!! Awesome! Although I am NOT a fan of the extreme close-up! Thanks again for letting me borrow the navigators and for the cruise tips! I really am getting super excited for the trip. Less than 5 months now! Do you think we can keep your trip report going until then? How about start from the beginning and tell us again. You really do have the best western trip report I've found. (No offense to anyone else who's done one. To be honest, I haven't looked for one in a while.)