No way Jose! We are going to Disneyland! 3/13 - Movin' on Up!

[blessedby3]

Just a few quick replies from over a month ago while I finish my coffee before getting ready for church! As many of know, we had a REALLY BUSY June with the cruise, then apartment hunting and moving (oy!). Life is finally getting back to normal with only a handful of boxes left to unpack. I have so many pictures to share with you of our new place, our amazing 4th of July and more! Plus, more Disneyland OF COURSE! Stay tuned. I hope to update a lot this coming week now that I feel caught up (pretty much) with my subscribed threads. We had a MAGICal time on the cruise and cannot wait to get back on the ship. Matter of a fact Joe said I could hop on a 5-night to Canada this fall if the price was right! We'll see how that pans out.

I hope that works out for you too! How awesome...another cruise

 

[Millie12591]

Lawdy, lawdy! How in the world did I miss this much of your report?!?

So sorry, Brook.

I'll be back after some serious reading.......

 

[brookelizabeth]

Have a great time on the cruise!! Not only are you celebrating your birthday but your celebrating mine as well!!!!

Have a Happy Birthday Brook!!!! Enjoy your vacation!!!

I had an excellent birthday this year! I hope yours was wonderful as well!

Bon voyage, Brook!!!

Bon voyage, have a fantastic cruise

Thank you to you both! We really did have a wonderful time!!!

Loved being able to join you at Disney School!! What a fun tour!!

Have an amazing cruise and trip!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!

Disney School is some of the best school I've ever attended! (though, I really did enjoy all my college classes in my degree!)

Hello!
I’ve been following along. Thought I’d comment

Oh my goodness, you leave today on the Magic! Hope you have a wonderful time!

The Disneyland Hotel looks amazing. Very modern.

I love the idea of the outdoor fireplace. Very cool!

I love the monorail slides. They are the coolest thing ever.

The rooms look amazing. I love the “fireworks”.

Ohmygod I love the Mickey hand lamp in the room. It’s adorable.

Blue Sky Cellar seems really cool! I agree, I wish they had something like this at WDW for Fantasyland.

Buena Vista Street and Cars Land both look INCREDIBLE.

Thank you for posting!!! Nice to "meet you"!

The rooms at the Disneyland Hotel really are beautifully done. I was totally impressed! We hope to get back out there sometime within the next couple years (Henry asks regularly! ) and we just might have to splurge for a few nights at the DLH.

Wow - another amazing update! I want to go to DL!!!!!!!

Have an awesome cruise! I'll make sure to check FB this week - a lot!

By the time you get back I will be on my way, so see ya around the DIS boards and on FB! Enjoy!

You've gotta get over there! You won't regret it! I fell in love all over again. It's so different, yet so familiar. Really, really wonderful.

Love the "tour" Brook, thanks!

I know you are on your way from FB, and hope you all have a great time.

Glad you enjoyed it! All the hotels are really pretty-but the Disneyland Hotel really struck me.

Thanks for sharing so much about the hotels. They are amazing for sure. Sadly... a bit on the pricey side. I am not sure if dh saw some of your pictures over my shoulder or what, but he recently suggested we go for a long weekend to DLR. So I did look into the Disney hotels, but even with a military discount I just couldn't justify it. Hopefully, the place we are staying which was super cheap will be "good enough". I am not looking at places to dine... I JUST looked at ESPN menus. Looks like it might be an option.. DL has so much fewer options.. and those they do have a more than I think WDW are. Course... maybe I am just use to the dp.

Have a super fun time on your cruise!!!

Yes, the Disneyland hotels are expensive! Especially when there are some great options across the street. What hotel did you choose? There are LOTS of great ones, I'm sure you'll be fine! There are some really good sit-down restaurants in Downtown Disney, and all the Quick Service we ate was very good as well. Plus, just a few blocks away are may other choices-Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, iHop and more.

I found it!! Henry and Joe are swimming in the monorail pool picture at the bottom of the pic!

Yep! I spotted them and called to Henry. It was fun to see them swimming. They only swam for about 15 minutes, it was just too chilly for Henry.

Well my excitement was short lived when I see you posted that they were there. LOL
I am loving these pictures!!!

I posted that so long ago, I can't remember that I even said it.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Thanks for the pre-cruise update! It was so fun to see the pics from the Disneyland Hotel - we loved our stay there so much. And the info about Cars Land was great - loved the pictures.

Have an amazing cruise!!!!!

I hope to have a couple nights there next time we go. It's just so pretty!

great photos of the Disneyland resorts! I love that preview room - you are right they should have that at WDW! Too funny that you heard a familiar laugh below - hey they had a chance to try that pool that is way more important than a nap!

One Man's Dream does have a few things, but nothing like that...plus it would be nice if it were near the construction! Ha! But soon we'll finally get to SEE Fantasyland! Can't wait!

Bon voyage Brook! I am following along on FB!

Thank you!!!

I am lovin your update I need a headboard like that

Me too! The dark wood would even go with my house!

Looking forward to hearing more from your DL trip and your cruise!

I hope you are still around! June was just nuts. I'm happy to finally feeling caught up again, I'll be posting an update SOON!

Loved your TR and look forward to your cruise one! Have a great trip!

Thank you! A few more days of Disneyland and then I'll be starting the cruise one right after!

Hope you are still having a blast aboard the Magic!!!

I am even more in love with the Disneyland Hotel than I was before! Love that old school feel of it!!!

We had such a great time on the cruise, we all want to be back on the ship NOW! But we expected that! LOL

Isn't the Disneyland Hotel just beautiful? I fell in love with it too! It's so classy, yet so old school Disney. It's perfect.

Hiya Brook! I'm finally here and all caught up!

So many things to comment on, let's see how much I can remember....

Totally agree with you on DLs version of Space and Pirates being better than WDWs, Pirates especially is AWESOME. I have to admit that after riding it, the one at WDW has lost some of it's appeal.

We also had a similar experience with the Indy FP, it was totally worthless, if I remember right we waited about 25 minutes

Your pictures of White Water Snacks in the Grand Californian reminded me of the yummy chicken nachos I had there, I could so go for some of those right now!

I'm looking forward to the Little Mermaid ride opening in WDW, it's probably my favorite Disney movie and the attraction wasn't yet open at DCA when we were there.

I gotta agree with you on the Toy Story queue, it is very lacking! I sure don't remember the scenes from Andy's House in the exit though, of course, it's been awhile....

Yikes! Can't believe you got on that Ferris Wheel! At least you were smart enough not to get in the sliding cars of death

Wasn't the Aladdin show great? Probably the best Disney stage production I've seen at any of the parks or cruises. The rumor about it being replaced by Toy Story was going on when we went and that was 4 years ago, hopefully that is one rumor that won't hold true

LOVE the pictures from the Disneyland Hotel! That headboard was amazing!

Finally, cruise question - how did you like the Hilton in Nassau? Our cruise is stopping there and we are still trying to decide exactly what we want to do, leaning towards getting day passes for the Sheraton/Wyndham though. It is only $25 per person and you can use both properties, the beach looks really nice too.

Hi Michelle! Good to "see" you here! We rode Pirates during our one day at WDW during the cruise and while we still enjoyed it, both Joe and I were reminiscing of the DL version! It seems they have done a few touch ups in the WDW one though since last August - which was good to see.

We really liked the Hilton, BUT, it's a small beach, and the pool is also small. I'm thinking your boys will much prefer the Sheraton since it has water slides and more to do. I know a few families with older kids that did the Sheraton and they all said it was excellent. The food at the Hilton was standard - we got 2 cheese burgers with fries, a fruit plate and a fancy drink with the food voucher that comes with the day pass. It was all good, nothing to write home about, but good. It's a great beach for little kids since it's so close (walking distance), and it's just a small area - but I think older kids might get bored. I can see a couple enjoying it here too since it's smaller and quieter. I hope that helps!

And I just realized - I think you are already back from your cruise. Ugh, sorry!

I just read the first two posts and I love it! I can't wait to find the time to read more!

:: More coming soon!!!

Well, falling behind turned out not to be so behind here! Anyway, I wanted to pop in mostly to say thanks for all your insight on DL & DCA for newbie visitors. In a few days, SIL is off to "Cars Land" as her 3 little boys refer to the parks. They will have an amazing trip, thanks in part to tips gleaned from you here.

Hope all is well in Brook Land. Can't wait for more on DLR, the cruise, & the apartment hunt/move/new apt.

Oh YAY!!!!!!!!! I hope they had a very magical trip! I'm so happy to have helped a bit too! You'll have to let me know how it went!

I wanted to pop in and say I talk to Brook pretty much daily and they think they have their apartment search narrowed down and are packing right now. she has been extremely busy, but hopefully in a few weeks life will settle down for her.

Thank you for posting that Jen! It was an INSANE month!

Hey Brook! I knew through FB you had done a DL trip but in my time away from the Dis in the last year, I hadn't gotten to see any of your TR so I am very excited to be hopping in - even so late

Glad your cross country trip went as smoothly as possible! I loved the sneak peek at the Grand Californian, it's my dream stay!! Maybe someday I'll get there if I can convince hubby...he has NO desire to ever go to the LA area.

I'm glad you are here Katie!!! And you haven't missed much yet.

If your hubby doesn't want to see LA, just go there for flying - hit San Diego instead! LOL! We spent one day in LA and I don't really ever care to go back myself. Glad we did it, but... meh.

I hope that works out for you too! How awesome...another cruise

I have to do some quoting and calling around. I don't see it likely, but ya never know! If the right rate is out there, I'm going!

Lawdy, lawdy! How in the world did I miss this much of your report?!?

So sorry, Brook.

I'll be back after some serious reading.......

No worries at all Camille!! You haven't missed much yet. Just glad to have you here!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

So glad you are back!!! Hope all went well with the move and you are settled. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your DL trip and now the cruise.

 

[DisneytheKid]

All I can say is wow! Great trip reports!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with me in Disney School-in the Blue Sky Cellar, looking at what Buena Vista Street and the new Cars Land would become.

And now that it's here, and I've seen actual pictures and video-I'm itchin' even more to get back to Disneyland!!! It truly looks amazing. Perhaps in 2014, as 2013 is already almost all booked!

After our time was over in the Blue Sky Cellar we all exited through the back door and the Cast Members leading the class handed us each a goody bag. LOVE me some Disney swag!

I peeked a bit, but controlled myself and headed back to the room to meet up with the boys. Henry was still wide awake (no nap today!) and VERY excited to see the bag - so we dumped it out to find:

Inside the tube was this poster

Henry was not impressed. But I was! I was excited to have Disneyland Ears, the post-its would be very handy for work, and the poster was an excellent give away prize size I did not have a proper location in my home for it! (and I did give it away to a very happy fellow DISer!!)

We also received

A few brochures, and the Little Mermaid item is a certificate that I had taken the class. It's a great certificate cover-really beautiful.

We hung out for a few minutes and then got ready to head back out. I had been in touch, since we started planning the trip, with a friend that lives in LA. I hadn't seen her in at least 7 years, and tonight she would be joining us for dinner!

Family pic in the closet doors

We decided to eat off property at the Cheesecake Factory. I've only been off property at Walt Disney World a few times, but at Disneyland it's a totally different feel. Disneyland Resort is fairly small, PLENTY to eat, see and do, but off-site is literally outside your door instead of being a mile or so away like it is at WDW. The Cheesecake Factory is about 4 blocks away from Paradise Pier, very close to many of the off-site hotels.

Little boy running free!

We LOVED this stretch of sidewalk/road with the palm trees! This is Katella, which is a pretty busy road that intersects with Disneyland Drive.

They lite the trees on the outside of Disney property. It's really beautiful and fun to drive in and see that at night!

Henry refusing to stop for a picture...he was wild that night!

As we walked along, I took pictures of a few of these off-site hotels. My original plan was to actually visit a few of them and check out the lobbies, etc...that never happened. Next trip!

Henry's energy must have started to wane...

Tropicana

The Anaheim Convention Center

Hilton

One of the Disneyland Gates, obviously blocked off - I wonder if it's open now again?

And of course we had to peek through to see backstage.

The backside of Radiator Springs!

More of the Alpine Inn and Radiator Springs

The Sheraton is a bit further away.

Looks like Henry is fading fast!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Portofino Inn back there

The iHop and another hotel

If you stay at a hotel that is a bit further away from Disneyland you can purchase an ART (Anaheim Rapid Transit) Pass, and you'll ride this bus to and from the parks.

My panning skills obviously need improvement!

Anaheim Resort - and part of a strip mall. Yep, right outside Disney gates it's like suburbia.

I know someone that stayed here recently, he reported the stay was pleasant. Clean and convenient-exactly what you'd expect and nothing more for the price tag.

Now we were getting close! The GardenWalk is the name of this mall area.

California Pizza Kitchen in case you can't read the sign.

And here we are! We reallyyyyyyyyyyy like the Cheesecake Factory and miss having one! We ate there fairly often when we lived in Minnesota, so we were thrilled to have one so close to Disneyland!

Inside - typical Cheesecake Factory look.

Nichol arrived and we picked up like we had lost no time between us! She works in film (just small stuff) and gets invited to all sorts of parties and has met a bazillion celebrities. She's really into it all and I'm clueless at the names she was telling us. It was so funny, I'm just really Hollywood Dumb! But, she did tell me her friend made a recent video for Doritios, in a commercial contest for the Super Bowl. It was called the Doritos Sling Shot Baby and she could win a million dollars if she won....a few weeks after we got home, guess what?! Her friend WON!! Here is the ad in case you missed it:

http://www.hulu.com/adzone/featured/watch/326381/adzone-doritos-sling-baby

We chatted so much during our dinner, I only got a picture of my food-which was tacos.

So, so, SO good.

Nichol as an Annual Pass to Disneyland, so she decided to join us. Problem was, Joe and I had FastPasses for World of Color and we did NOT want to miss it. Nichol was hopeful to get a FastPass still, but I was doubtful. She had gotten one around 6 PM before, so...maybe just maybe...

After getting a slice of cheesecake to go, we wobbled back to Disneyland.

We got to the World of Color FastPass machines at Grizzly River Run and there was a manager type Cast Member closing them up. They had just run out. There was about 4-5 disappointed people, including us. Then suddenly the Cast Member pipes up and looks directly at Nichol, "What your name?" She told him, he asked what section we had and boom-he wrote her a pass!!!! HOORAY FOR PIXIE DUST! (he also wrote a few other people a pass too!) I thanked the Cast Member 4.2 trillion times, took down his name and sent an email off about how awesome he was. And we bolted for Paradise Pier. We knew it would already be busy, it was just about 45 minutes before show time.

Here you can see the ball lights are blue-showing this is the blue section. Very handy.

We made our way into the Blue Section and got the best seat we could. Joe didn't think he'd be able to see very well, but was willing to just suck it up.

But no can do to Nichol! She wanted us to truly experience this show. She went right up to a Cast Member and explained Joe's eye condition, we then had to chat with another Cast Member and she directed us straight into the reserved section where there were only about 5 people waiting! I gotta admit, I felt like a VIP! Joe hates to use his eye condition as an "excuse" but honestly, the man can't see well. Now that we have seen the show, he probably would have been able to catch most of the show (it's HUGE!), he would have only missed a few details since we were so far back. But, I'm really glad he has seen it up close now and fully experienced it. When we go back to Disneyland, we will likely just take wherever our tickets put us. That's what we do with WDW now, Joe has seen all the shows, so we rarely bother to even ask to sit up front, he's happy to catch what he can.

On this map, it's the green section. We had been in the curved Blue area before.

Joe would definitely be able to see from here. There were only two people in front of us, we were practically ON the water! I was a bit nervous about this being a wet zone and it already being pretty chilly out...but, we'd just have to suck it up!

Now that we had a wonderful view, time to dive into that cheesecake!

I cannot recall what flavor this was. I see coconut...hmmm. It was delicious, as all their cheesecake is! It was gone within minutes.

Looking behind us, toward the Little Mermaid ride

Ariel's Grotto is the spiral building

It's a beautiful area.

Up next: The Wonderful World of Color

 

[MEK]

Woo Hoo Brook! I am so happy to see an update from you, even if I can't really "see" it all because of my pictureless status. But you know I'll be back for the details.

How cool that you got to meet up with your friend, enjoy a lovely dinner together, and score an extra FP. And the VIP seating - Awesome! I really can't wait to see your pictures.

You know, I had my heart set on a cruise next fall when Nick goes to college, but now I am really torn between cruise vs. DL. I have avoided any distance traveling (other than Orlando) while my kids have been home and now I am very excited at the thought of planning a trip to Cali!

OK - off topic! Sorry! I just got a little carried away!

 

[rdkeim]

So glad to see a new post! Your information is so helpful. Loved following along on your walk to the Cheesecake Factory. We'll be there in October and are staying at the Candy Cane Inn. Wondering how far the walk to the restaurant would be from there? Did you see it on your travels? Anxious to hear how you liked WOC. We're going to do the dining deal at Wine Country so we get the preferred viewing area. Any input from others on whether this is worth it?

 

[mickeystoontown]

The walk to the Cheesecake Factory looked so nice. I think the palm tree lined sidewalk were my favorite pictures of all.

Isn't it neat how you can meet up with an old friend and pick up right where you left off years and years ago? Woohoo Nichol for getting ya'll the seats up front! Yeah Baby!

 

[LifeIsDis]

It’s SO weird how many restaurants, strip malls, hotels, etc. are right outside Disneyland. It’s totally different from WDW!

That’s so great you got to see Nichol after seven years. And the Cheesecake Factory makes the visit even better!

You guys must have felt like VIP! Wow! And you were so close too.

I CANNOT wait to see your pictures of WoC!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

It's weird how excited I was to see Cheesecake factory food pictures It's right up there with Disney food quality for me!

Ps I wanted to tell you, that after I caught up on your trip report back in late may/early june, my family ended up booking a trip to Disneyland!!! We are leaving in one month from today! I can't even tell you how excited I am. Thank you for your reviews, they really helped a lot!

 

[lovegrumpy]

We loved world of color!!! I well say I kinda missed WDW well at Disneyland.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Brook. I loved all your goodies.

We love Cheesecake Factory too (although I don't eat cheesecake); I just wish the menu was just a tad smaller.

How great that you got some pixie dust for the Wonderful World of Color; can't wait to read all about it.

 

[Poolrat]

Taking notes here for my trip to DL.

So nice to see how close everythig is. Cheesecake factory note taken. MMMMmmmm I love thier key lime cheesecake.

 

[MEK]

Back to see the pictures. Paradise Pier looks so pretty all lit up. Thanks for posting the viewing map.

I enjoyed your walk past the neighboring hotels and to the restaurants. How convenient to be able to walk to so many eateries.

I have to admit, I have never eaten at the Cheesecake Factory. Is that terrible, because those tacos look really, really good. I've had their cheesecake, but never real food.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Looks like you had an awesome view. Can't wait to see your photos of WOC. They are always so amazing!

 

[disneyismyheart247]

You guys are the cutest family! Little Henry is adorable, he looks like you Brook! BTW, your pictures of your food from the Cheesecake Factory made me very hungry.

 

[brookelizabeth]

So glad you are back!!! Hope all went well with the move and you are settled. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your DL trip and now the cruise.

Thank you! We are almost settled - a couple boxes left, and I have GOT to get into Henry's room to organize.

I'm so glad life is returning to normal though, June was just nutty!

All I can say is wow! Great trip reports!

Thank you for reading!!!! More to come!

Woo Hoo Brook! I am so happy to see an update from you, even if I can't really "see" it all because of my pictureless status. But you know I'll be back for the details.

How cool that you got to meet up with your friend, enjoy a lovely dinner together, and score an extra FP. And the VIP seating - Awesome! I really can't wait to see your pictures.

You know, I had my heart set on a cruise next fall when Nick goes to college, but now I am really torn between cruise vs. DL. I have avoided any distance traveling (other than Orlando) while my kids have been home and now I am very excited at the thought of planning a trip to Cali!

OK - off topic! Sorry! I just got a little carried away!

For my next update you'll really want pictures!!!! WoC is AMAZING!

No worries about going off topic-I don't mind a bit! You could do Disneyland AND a cruise ya know...California Coastal leaves from LA. Just sayin'... (or even Disneyland, then Alaska with a flight between-not too bad either!)

So glad to see a new post! Your information is so helpful. Loved following along on your walk to the Cheesecake Factory. We'll be there in October and are staying at the Candy Cane Inn. Wondering how far the walk to the restaurant would be from there? Did you see it on your travels? Anxious to hear how you liked WOC. We're going to do the dining deal at Wine Country so we get the preferred viewing area. Any input from others on whether this is worth it?

We did see the Candy Cane Inn, it's on South Harbor (the other busy road that Katella intersects-I took the picture of the Disney bus on it). MANY hotels are on this stretch of road. The Candy Cane Inn is even closer to the Cheesecake Factory and all those restaurants-about one block. I *might* even have a pic of the outside of Candy Cane later.

I think it's a great idea for the dining package. We considered doing it, but we went in January-which is one of the lowest seasons. The parks were NOT busy (except the weekend evenings-locals). The area you get to be in is excellent! So you get a good meal and don't have to rush the gates for a FastPass. Sounds like a win-win to me!

The walk to the Cheesecake Factory looked so nice. I think the palm tree lined sidewalk were my favorite pictures of all.

Isn't it neat how you can meet up with an old friend and pick up right where you left off years and years ago? Woohoo Nichol for getting ya'll the seats up front! Yeah Baby!

Isn't it just beautiful? Before we left Joe was scrolling around on Google Maps and saw that street-so we HAD to find it!

I do love that about close friends. My best friend from high school and I are like that. We haven't seen each other in probably 5 years, I will likely get to see her next month and I'm sure we will have NO problem picking back up!

It’s SO weird how many restaurants, strip malls, hotels, etc. are right outside Disneyland. It’s totally different from WDW!

That’s so great you got to see Nichol after seven years. And the Cheesecake Factory makes the visit even better!

You guys must have felt like VIP! Wow! And you were so close too.

I CANNOT wait to see your pictures of WoC!

Isn't it strange?! When we were driving it was even more strange, it was normal world, normal world, normal world-boom! Disney bubble! Normal world is LITERALLY on the other side of the block.

We were veryyyyy close, and the couple in front of us were so sweet to allow Henry to squeeze between them, so he had front row!

It's weird how excited I was to see Cheesecake factory food pictures It's right up there with Disney food quality for me!

Ps I wanted to tell you, that after I caught up on your trip report back in late may/early june, my family ended up booking a trip to Disneyland!!! We are leaving in one month from today! I can't even tell you how excited I am. Thank you for your reviews, they really helped a lot!

Us too! We love the Cheesecake Factory. SO good! PF Changs is a winner too. Anytime we visit another city and they have a Cheesecake Factory we go.

for going to Disneyland!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! You will have a wonderful time!!!! Hopefully I can get this report close to done so you can experience even more of it before you go!

We loved world of color!!! I well say I kinda missed WDW well at Disneyland.

We had the "What do you miss from WDW?" talk on our last park day. I hope I remember to include that in the report when I get there. If not, remind me! We definitely had pieces we missed.

Great update, Brook. I loved all your goodies.

We love Cheesecake Factory too (although I don't eat cheesecake); I just wish the menu was just a tad smaller.

How great that you got some pixie dust for the Wonderful World of Color; can't wait to read all about it.

I know, their menu is HUGE! It always takes a while to figure out what to eat. But....Joe and I almost always get the same thing. Me=Mexican. Joe=orange chicken. I once got something else and missed my mexican!

Taking notes here for my trip to DL.

So nice to see how close everythig is. Cheesecake factory note taken. MMMMmmmm I love thier key lime cheesecake.

It is pretty nice that everything is so close-it makes it a much easier and more relaxing vacation, IMO. The parks are smaller, everything is close, the hotel is close - it's like staying at the Contemporary the whole time.

Back to see the pictures. Paradise Pier looks so pretty all lit up. Thanks for posting the viewing map.

I enjoyed your walk past the neighboring hotels and to the restaurants. How convenient to be able to walk to so many eateries.

I have to admit, I have never eaten at the Cheesecake Factory. Is that terrible, because those tacos look really, really good. I've had their cheesecake, but never real food.

It really is a VERY pretty area. Despite it's poor reviews, we truly enjoyed DCA. I can see why locals weren't terribly impressed compared to Disneyland, but overall, I liked the park! It's got to be incredible now with the expansion open!

Oh my goodness lady! You've got to try the Cheesecake Factory! Do you have one near you? It's SO good. I always get Mexican-usually the tacos. Joe always gets the Orange Chicken. Both are delicious!

Looks like you had an awesome view. Can't wait to see your photos of WOC. They are always so amazing!

We did! I can't wait to share the pics-it's an easy thing to take pictures of because it's big and bright - so much easier than fireworks!

You guys are the cutest family! Little Henry is adorable, he looks like you Brook! BTW, your pictures of your food from the Cheesecake Factory made me very hungry.

Aw, thank you! When Henry was a baby, everyone said he looked like Joe, but now everyone says he looks like me. It's so funny to watch him grow up and have personality traits from both of us!

I can see why that food made you hungry-it was SO yummy! I think we will have to make plans for a pitstop at the Cheesecake Factory when we visit Minnesota next month.