Not exactly the way it all began- Sept.2010 TR

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

great update! Must say that the pic of you on the bus (w/sleeping Cole) is such a great pic of you....you look beautiful (as you are of course). I also love Cole's hair cut and the pic of him waking up at the HDR...he looks so old there though . The look on Ethan's face in the one from the HDR is priceless

 

[princess&her4princes]

We left off heading out of HDDR, we headed right for the boat to get back to POR, here is a pic of the group on the way "home"

We got back to POR about 8 or so and decided to get the kiddos right to bed, Tracey and fam had been up since about 4 a.m. and we were up so late the night before. We got the kids into their jammies, got ready for bed ourselves and once the kids were settled, we adults brought our chairs out onto the "deck" out front. It worked out so nicely- since we had adjoining rooms, we had a whole area to ourselves, it almost felt like our own private balcony.

It was so nice to finally have some quiet time, have a bottle of water, crack open our Passporters and make our plan of attack for our 1st day at Magic Kingdom!

We didn't stay out there too long, probably until 10:30 or so, we had breakfast ressies at CM at 8:35 a.m. the next morning, it was time to get some zzzzzz's!

up next 9/23

 

[princess&her4princes]

Love the HDDR review update. I just can't decide if we should do it this trip. I'm thinking maybe I'll wait until the next trip. So much to do, so little time!
It looks like everyone enjoyed it.

No Strawberry Shortcake picture? That would be my favorite part.

It was such a fun show! Go next time, that gives you another reason to go back!!

I know, I can't believe I have no pics of the strawberry shortcake!!!!! We must have ate it too fast!

Thanks again Kristen and I sure will!!! My flight is at 5:40 so I am having a glass of wine or two to "relax!!"

Oh I love Jet Blue...the tv and the leg room....even though I am only 5'2
That is the one bad thing about arriving at night....loss of direction at the resort...ugh

Your dinner looked delicious and I love how you canceled out by having a salad earlier in the day....I thought Disney food didn't have any calories Well that is what I believe

I will catch you when I get back....I will likely post on FB while I am gone

Tracy

Hope you're having a great time, Tracy!!!

I'm here!!

Now to start reading ...

BTW - I'm planning a Daddy and Danielle trip to WDW in Spring 2011 (no DW - just us "kids" ...) ... any particular dates look good?

Hey Joel!!!
So glad you found me!!! You are?!! Hmm...keep me posted on those dates!!

I laughed out loud about Todd and the A/C. My DH freezes me out during the Summer with the A/C in the bedroom, but then complains when I won't turn on the heat in the winter when it is the exact same temp.

The HDDR looks like alot of fun and the fried chicken looks yummy. It makes me think of my grandma and her fried chicken...she grew up in the South and I miss her cooking.

Men, they are all the same!! Every night I would be freezing, he would be mad I was taking the blankets...well!?! LOL!!

Awww, sorry I made you miss your grandma!!

great update! Must say that the pic of you on the bus (w/sleeping Cole) is such a great pic of you....you look beautiful (as you are of course). I also love Cole's hair cut and the pic of him waking up at the HDR...he looks so old there though . The look on Ethan's face in the one from the HDR is priceless

Aww, you're so sweet, Tracy! Thank you!!! I know, he does look such a big boy anymore......no more babies!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

The alarm went off about 6:15 this morning, I was already awake, anxiously awaiting it. It was our 1st REAL DAY in my book, we were going to breakfast to meet all the characters and going to MK! And today was an extra special day, it was Todd & my 10 year wedding anniversary! For those new to my report, Todd and I honeymooned 10 years ago this exact week at Dixie Landings (now POR), hence the name of my TR, "Not exactly the way it all began" now we were there with our 3 small boys and our friends!

I jumped out of bed and quickly got the boys outfits ready and took a fast shower before they were up. In no time, we were all ready, we had planned to open the door between our rooms at 7:15 and head out to the bus station. When we did, Tracey and Adam gave us a little gift!

It was so cute and thoughtful of them! We wore them to bed that night, there was no way I could get Todd to wear them to the park. Plus, we were dressed and ready to go at this point.

I took a quick pic of the boys before we headed out for the day....

We headed to the bus and the MK bus came in no time! We had a smooth ride over to MK and decided to take the path and walk over to the Contemporary. It was only about 8 and it was already SO HUMID, my poor hair....there was no help for it!! We headed right up to CM and we were given our buzzer and told to get in line for our picture (oops! Before I go any further, I just realized I didn't have the CM pic downloaded to photobucket, will do that and write more later...sorry!)

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

you're killing me here,lol

 

[pinkxray]

I love the shirts! It is too bad you only wore them to bed though.

The boys look ready to go.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Those shirts are so cute! Too bad you couldn't get Todd to wear them to the park, but I understand - Don would never do it either

Ummmmm, how long does it take to upload one picture..........

Just kidding, I'll be patiently waiting for you to continue

 

[francis6306]

What a spoil sport!!! Sad he wouldn't wear the shirt. They are very cute.

I want to do the HDDR one day. We will probably will do that on our next trip.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Back to CM (sorry for the delay guys...lol!)...

We waited in line to get our CM pic, I took a few pics while we waited our turn.

Then it was our turn! The kids weren't overly cooperative but it turned out pretty cute (excuse the quality, it's a pic of a pic!) We tried to get the CM to keep families together, but no one listened....so note that Ethan is with Tracey and fam and we have a daughter now! LOL!!

Soon after a CM lead us to a table.....and pretty sure it was the FURTHEST table from everything possible! I gues with 6 kids under the age of 8, she was smart! But still! We zigged and we zagged and finally made our way to our table....

 

[Belle_princess]

Woo-hoo! Updates! I LOVE the shirts for your anniversary! So cute!

Can't wait to read more. Nikki and I did MK in the morning on Thursday. I bet we crossed paths and didn't even know it!! I think I texted you that day, but we were on other sides of the park! Oh well.

 

[princess&her4princes]

We made our way to our corner table and got ourselves situated, I will say that buffets are never easy with kids, especially this many kids!

We took turns going up, 1st Tracey and I with the "big kids" went and got all the kids food. Then Todd & Adam just grabbed HUGE plates of whatever to feed us. It worked but we felt rushed since the characters were on their way!

A couple of breakfast shots!

YUM! This was our 1st (and definately not our last) time having Mickey waffles!!

For those who have not been to CM before, they brought out coffee, juice and milk for the kids, and it kept coming. It was great and fresh and I found the food to be good.

And before we knew it, our friends were on there way to say hello!

This didn't go as well as I would have hoped for....Cole and I were in the back on the table, thank goodness, as he wanted NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CHARACTERS! He was very nervous and very scared, he would not let me get up and take pics with him, go and see the characters, was getting fussy! I couldn't believe it! All he wanted before getting to Disney was to see Mickey and here we were, with him right before us and there was NO way he'd go within feet of him! I was sad. But Todd assured me, he was overtired, it was his 1st real time seeing them, it would get better (or would it?).

So the other kids got some pics!

Coley and I in the corner....

In between all of the confusion, the waitress brought out a cupcake to wish Todd & I a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It was very sweet and Cole was happy to dive into that!

At this point, I decided to surprise Todd with his present, I had wrapped it the night before and gave it to Tracey to bring to breakfast for me. Todd was very surprised and VERY happy with his Kindle. And as a side note, he uses it daily on his commute and has said more than once, he is really happy that I got it, that it was something he never would have spent the money on but is really enjoying it, and he's read so many book since then on there!!

And then, Todd pulled out my gift.......

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

WHOA! Way to leave us hanging!!!
Great gift for him, and great pics at CM (even if Coley wouldn't join in!). Love to see CM pics because I'm hoping to go there next trip!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Kristen! You can't stop there!

I'm sorry Cole didn't like the characters, keeping my fingers crossed that he warms up to them later in the trip.

Sounds like the Kindle was a great choice, I'm so glad it got there on time and that Todd loved it!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Okay, I made you wait long enough....

I look down and Todd is holding a small box wrapped in silver paper and hands it to me!!!

I open it, with eveyone watching, and that makes me nervous, but he bought me the most beautiful anniversary band ever!!!!! I couldn't believe it!!!! Have a look!

and one of it on my hand...this is from today, don't mind my horrible nails and scaley skin! lol It looked nicer when I was tan!

Isn't it just gorgeous?! My wedding band and set is Todd's grandmothers, so it's antique looking so this compliments it just beautifully! He did a great job and it was very sweet!!! Happy 10 years to us!!!

Coming up, more surprises and then we're off to Magic Kingdom for the day!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

WHOA! Way to leave us hanging!!!
Great gift for him, and great pics at CM (even if Coley wouldn't join in!). Love to see CM pics because I'm hoping to go there next trip!

Kristen! You can't stop there!

I'm sorry Cole didn't like the characters, keeping my fingers crossed that he warms up to them later in the trip.

Sounds like the Kindle was a great choice, I'm so glad it got there on time and that Todd loved it!

Sorry girls, I needed a reason to have you come back and read!!

 

[stephielela]

Hi! I'm subbing, your trip sounds very exciting! I can't even imagine wrangling that many kids!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi! I'm subbing, your trip sounds very exciting! I can't even imagine wrangling that many kids!

Hi!!
SO glad you're here!!!

 

[francis6306]

That ring is beautiful!!! I have that antique-ish look to my wedding band set, so that it totally my style too! He picked that out himself? What talent!!

We didn't book Chef Mickey's, but we did book Tusker House for Breakfast with the Mickey crew. I'm hoping for a well rested toddler ready to meet the characters. However, if we don't want to meet them there, then I will not bother with it in the parks. More time for rides and shows!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Good job Todd! That is a beautiful ring Kristen

 

[Lil Bo Peep]

Love the ring, very beautiful