Surf, Sun, and Big Family FUN!

[teekathepony]

Mmmm Le Cellier looks so gooooood! (As always!) I adore walking around the Canada pavilion. It makes me feel like I'm home for a few minutes. The gardens are so gorgeous.
I love World Showcase days in general. I love reading about them and seeing what everyone gets pictures of, it's always different.

 

[Happy Elf]

Mmmm Le Cellier looks so gooooood! (As always!) I adore walking around the Canada pavilion. It makes me feel like I'm home for a few minutes. The gardens are so gorgeous.
I love World Showcase days in general. I love reading about them and seeing what everyone gets pictures of, it's always different.

Le Cellier was wonderful!!! And the Canada pavilion is just beautiful! Wish my yard looks like that!

 

[Happy Elf]

After a fun picture in Morocco we headed toward Japan.

We ventured through Mitsukoshi Department Store and looked at everything. Ben decided he wanted to try some sake. The Peach Sake was the flavor of the day, so we went with it!

Pouring it...

It was surprisingly good! I wasn't sure what to expected. We even got a personalized little sake cup for us to bring home.

Next we checked out the Bijutsu-kan Gallery -- The exhibit was: "Spirit Beasts: From Ancient Stories to Anime Stars" which Ben loved.

Then we wondered onto America and check the time for The American Adventure. We had a little time until the next show, so we walked though Italy and Germany.

Yes, please!

Back though Italy..

We are ready for the American Adventure. We enjoyed hearing the Voices of Liberty.
It is always amazing to hear them sing!

We hadn't see the show for a few trips, so the tears flowed a little at the end. (Ok, I admit, I'm a huge sap!)

Next up a very yummy treat I learned about from several DIS'ers!

 

[Happy Elf]

We walked past China on our way to Norway.

I was in need of a sweet treat at this point and MeMom had talked about School Bread and I was thinking I needed to try it because it looked so yummy! And it was! I may have only shared 1 bite with Ben.

We walked past Mexico on our way to Ellen's Energy Adventure.

We had never been on this ride before and wanted to check it out. We weren't sure if Owen would like the dinosaurs (because of our experience at T-Rex in 2009, where I left with claw marks because he was scared!) so we decided to try it without the kids!

I enjoyed it, but I think the kids would get bored since it lasts so long!

After that we headed to Spaceship Earth...can't believe this is the only picture I have!

Our silly futures...

Next we checked out one of our favorite stores, The Art of Disney.

This would be Owen's favorite since it has a train and Mickey!

My favorite...

We love that store even if we can't afford any of it, it's still fun to look and dream! We always pick out the things we would take home with us if we won the lottery....of course we would need to play it first!

Then we walked over to The Land. We knew we wanted to ride Living with the Land and thought dinner at Sunshine Seasons would be good. We got there and Sunshine Seasons was mobbed, so we thought we would ride Living with the Land while we waited for it to thin out a bit.

Continued it the next post...

 

[Happy Elf]

Continuing Living with the Land...

By the time we finished out ride, Sunshine Seasons had cleared out enough for us to check out the offerings....they looked good so we decided to stay and eat.
I had the pork chop which was wonderful!

And Ben had the Rueben, which he liked.

Next I wanted to stop at Mousegears to look around. I have no shopping pictures, but I got a red 40th tee-shirt and our 2011 magnet. I always get the year magnet for the fridge...it's my favorite souvenir because I see it everyday and it's cheap!

Then we found a spot for Illuminations. It's been several years (I think since 2003) since we had seen Illuminations. Sorry, the pictures aren't great!

I was tearing up as I watched and reflected over the past 10 years and felt very lucky at that moment to be standing hand and hand with my wonderful husband. Then I looked up a Ben and he was tearing up too! It was truly a magical moment for me because I realized "he got it" in that moment.

We slowly headed toward the front of the park and stopped to have some PP pictures taken.

Then we headed to the car. It had been a wonderful day and a wonderful 10 year anniversary....I'd venture to say a perfect day!

 

[MeMom]

I was tearing up as I watched and reflected over the past 10 years and felt very lucky at that moment to be standing hand and hand with my wonderful husband. Then I looked up a Ben and he was tearing up too! It was truly a magical moment for me because I realized "he got it" in that moment.


It had been a wonderful day and a wonderful 10 year anniversary....I'd venture to say a perfect day!

This is so sweet!

Glad you like the schoolbread. It is good, filling, and cheaper than many of the other desserts.
I need to try a Napoleon this summer. A lot of people rave about that.

 

[SoonerGirl]

It sounds like it was the perfect day!

I wish my DH would have that moment where he "get's it", I fear that is never going to happen though......

 

[Happy Elf]

This is so sweet!

Glad you like the schoolbread. It is good, filling, and cheaper than many of the other desserts.
I need to try a Napoleon this summer. A lot of people rave about that.

The schoolbread was wonderful! I have a list of yummy treats that I want to try!

It sounds like it was the perfect day!

I wish my DH would have that moment where he "get's it", I fear that is never going to happen though......

I think I got lucky! I was the one who introduced Ben to WDW, our honeymoon was his first trip and he likes it every better with the kids because they both love it! He isn't obsessed with Disney, like I am, but he enjoys the trips. Although, he is starting to say, "we need to go some place different" and I keep responding with "we can do that when the kids are older."

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Love all your updates...

Glad you made it to Le Cellier on time...

Mmmm, school bread... And that Ruben looks really good too!!!

Someday, when we visit Disney without kids, I want to take our time going thru the countries and see what each one has to offer...

 

[Happy Elf]

Friday, July 22, 2011

Today was a day to swim, start packing and relax. It was hard to believe our week together was about over! We had a wonderful time and everybody stayed happy for the most part.

Mimi wanted to take family pictures in front of the beach house for Christmas cards, so we did that after breakfast.

The whole gang

The kids and grandkids

Miranda, Chris, Cavin, and Danica

Ben, Janell, Hannah, and Owen

Mimi and Pawpaw

After pictures Ben, Chris, and Pawpaw took the kids swimming while the ladies did all the packing. Which took way longer than I thought it would!

After swimming I came downstairs to this

I thought it was so cute! They were worn out from the pool!

For dinner we were headed to The Boston Fish House

That was our last night together...in the morning we would be headed our separate ways.

Mimi and Pawpaw were head to a smaller condo on the beach for a week of peace and quiet!

Miranda, Chris, and the kids were headed home.

And we were headed to the most Magical Place on Earth!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great family pictures for your Christmas cards! I LOVE your daughters red curls, I desperately wanted a little girl with red hair, but I got two blond boys instead Of course, now I have no idea what I would do with a girl, guess God knew better than me

Excited to hear about the next part of your trip!

 

[MeMom]

That was our last night together...in the morning we would be headed our separate ways.

Mimi and Pawpaw were head to a smaller condo on the beach for a week of peace and quiet!

Miranda, Chris, and the kids were headed home.

And we were headed to the most Magical Place on Earth!

I like where you guys are headed best!

 

[Happy Elf]

Great family pictures for your Christmas cards! I LOVE your daughters red curls, I desperately wanted a little girl with red hair, but I got two blond boys instead Of course, now I have no idea what I would do with a girl, guess God knew better than me

Excited to hear about the next part of your trip!

Girls and boys are worlds apart at times! Owen thinks of things that Hannah never did!

Next part coming up soon!

I like where you guys are headed best!

Me too!

 

[Happy Elf]

Saturday, July 23, 2011

We got up the next morning, got ready, and had a bite of breakfast. I believe we had to be out of the house by 10:00 am. So we said our good-byes and headed in 3 different directions.

We had about an hour drive. The original plan was to drive to the airport to turn the car in and ride Magical Express back to our resort. However, on the drive over I had the bright idea of driving straight to the resort and getting the room with the kids and Ben could take the car back and ride ME by himself....then we didn't have to mess with all the luggage!

Soon we arrived here

We had requested a building close to the main pool without it being a preferred room, however that was not meant to be because one of the big "tour groups" was staying there. I could have waited for a room that was closer to the building we requested, but I opted for a room that was ready and got one that was FAR away from the main pool! (There was a quiet pool close by, but the kids were not interested in that! ) We were in Barbados building 16. The one good thing is we were close to the Barbados bus stop.

The room was beautiful

We had a little friend waiting for us

The mini fridge is inside here. We loved having a fridge, we brought water, Capri Sun's for the kids, and Mt. Dew for Ben. He hates that he can't get that on property!

We liked how the bathroom was set up, because someone could shower and get ready behind a closed door and not worry about waking up the rest of the room!

The picture on the wall made me want to take a cruise

The view outside our door

We got the suitcases carried into the room, then headed to get some lunch! We drove over since Ben would be leaving from there to take the car back and the kids and I would just walk back.

We ate here

I didn't take good notes on meals, so I don't remember what we had. I do know the kids loved that their meals came in little sand pails.

After we ate to took the kids out to see the pool area...needless to say they were in love!

Ben headed to the airport to take the car back and the kids and I headed back to the room for naps and to unpack. Needless to say the naps did not happen, they were too excited! (Who can blame them? I was like this too ) They were ready to head to the pool right then! They were not happy when I said they had to wait until I got everything unpacked.

Ben took the car back to the airport and was back in less time than I thought it would take! He said the people on ME were very nice, however there are no photos because it was him on the bus and not me!

 

[MissLilixo]

Loving your TR so far, I can't wait to read more!

 

[Happy Elf]

Loving your TR so far, I can't wait to read more!

Thanks! More coming soon!

 

[Happy Elf]

So after unpacking (which in the kids eyes took hours) we were head to the main pool to swim and check out the slides. Right before we were walking out the door, Ben called and said he was at CBR, so we waited for him to change into his swimsuit (much to the kids dismay).

Soon we were on our way, I enjoyed taking pictures along the way.

Some feathered friends

I made the kids stop for a picture with the fountain, you can tell they were just ready to get into the pool!

Finally we are here!

After an hour or so of swimming, we were headed back to the room to get ready for Magic Kingdom!

On the walk back

A duck family

Even though we were far, far away from the main pool area, we enjoyed the walk. The grounds are just beautiful at CBR. It is so relaxing and peaceful!

 

[Happy Elf]

After we changed clothes, we hopped aboard a bus headed to the Magic Kingdom!

Soon we were walking in here

Now Ben had been complaining that he needed a haircut and Owen needed a haircut, so our first stop was the Harmony Barber Shop! We were the last customers for the evening, so we had the place to ourselves!

Owen wasn't too sure about this whole process. He had had his hair cut before, but always by a friend of the family who came to our house.

Soon he was distracted by stickers and a light up R2-D2!

Checking out his new do

We had a great experience here and would do it again! They were very patient with Owen and Ben liked his haircut too!

When we walked out the parade was headed back "behind the wall" so we got to see a bit of it go by!

Mickey spotted the kids and waved to them!

Goofy saw them too!

So did Jessie

After the parade we headed down Main Street U.S.A. in the hopes of finding something for dinner. We decided to head to Pecos Bills.
On the way...I do like how this one turned out! I got lucky!

Dinner at Pecos Bills

After our bellies were full, we were taking the kids to see something new!

But first, we had to get some pressed pennies!

The kids seemed to enjoy it! I don't think we had seen it since our honeymoon!

 

[Happy Elf]

We head toward Fantasyland to see what we could do there! Dumbo's wait was 15 minutes, so we hoped in line!

Hannah had birthday money burning a hole in her pocket, so we did some shopping!

Hannah got dusted with Pixie Dust

And purchased a new stuffed friend (a Sleeping Beauty doll that you will see later).

We decided to stay for Wishes since it was almost time for it and this would be our only chance to see it. Now we had not planned for this so we didn't stake out a spot in time to have a good spot. So we got a snack and settled in down by the water in front of the Plaza. Not the best spot, but an ok spot!

Mickey Bars

The castle from where we sat

Checking out the MSEP

Soon we were watching Wishes (sorry these are the best pictures I got)

After Wishes we look over and see this

Too much excitement and a long day, they were both out! Now you can see Hannah's new friend.

We took our time heading out of MK.

They had a PP guy out by the castle, so Ben and I got our picture together without kids!

We had a great first day and were headed to bed!

 

[Happy Elf]

We got up early and headed to the Magic Kingdom!