3 little boys, 2 new parks to explore & 1 first time onsite & ddp!

[bertegirl]

Thanks Tracy, I appreciate it. Is it included in the photopass if you prebuy? Any idea how far in advance you need to book? Thinking this may be a nice option for my Mom's birthday as another surprise, you know? Hope you're well!!

You make ressies 1 month in advance. I think the photos get put on your cd, but the shoot is another $74.99. Someone correct me if I am wrong. We pre-ordered when they were still doing the photo session for $25

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Your ADRs look really great! Your kids will love Chef Mickey's - it's really fun!!! So many things for the first time, I bet you are just PUMPED!

We did NOT enjoy the Electric Umbrella. It wasn't bad, but there are some awesome choices in Epcot, so I felt like it was such a waste to eat here. The American Pavillion also has burgers and fries, which I've heard are much better. Sunshine Seasons (located in The Land, near Soarin') gets really great reviews and has a lot of options.

The one perk of Electric Umbrella is free refills!

EMH does make the park noticably busier. I cannot recall-do you have Hoppers? You could take advantage of the EMH only during the EMH time and then hop to a different park without EMH.

If you don't have hoppers, I would probably say avoid MK on EMH and nights with Spectro, and avoid DHS on nights with Fantasmic, those things truly make the park much busier. Unless of course these are "must do's" on your list, then they are worth fighting the crowds for!

If you have AK EMH, take advantage. That park is really neat in the dark, and if you are into thrill rides (I can't recall, sorry!) EE at night is INTENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of the great advice. I am very pumped about all of the new things we are doing this trip it makes the trip even more special.

I will definately take note of what you said about Electric Umbrella. The only reason we were thinking of going there is because it had the american choices and we have never been to this park so we don't know much about it. We will try the American Pavillion and Sunshine Seasons.

We do not have the park hopper option. I think we will probably avoid the EMH days I was just hoping since it was the slower time of year it wouldn't matter as much. We can do without seeing spectro again so that's not a big deal. We do however have Fantasmic on our 'must see' list. Since we are going to this park on 2 different days though we should have plenty of time to see what we want.

AK is actually the only park we don't even plan on spending a whole day at. We have been there before and stayed the whole day so we have seen it at night before. It is a neat park but it just doesn't interest us as much. We do love EE though and we want to do the safari again as well as all things dinosaur so that is why we are going back. Thanks again for the tips. I REALLY appreciate it.

Cosmic Rays & Pecos Bills are great!!! those are our favorite CS
Monday is the best day to start the morning at MK because sunday is the Emh at MK so it will not get busy till after 12pm there, so get there at rope drop and enjoy the empty park..

We have eaten at Cosmic Rays the last couple of times we've been to MK so we know we enjoy their food. It looked like Pecos Bill's would be good also so we figured we'd give it a try. I'm very glad to hear that you think highly of it.

Thanks for the advice about MK. It's good to know that Monday is a good day for that park. We can't wait to see the park empty after our breakfast at CP.

Thanks Tracy, I appreciate it. Is it included in the photopass if you prebuy? Any idea how far in advance you need to book? Thinking this may be a nice option for my Mom's birthday as another surprise, you know? Hope you're well!!

as bertegirl said I have found out that they have tripled the price of the shoot. Why they have increased it by 300% is beyond me. I do still believe we will do it though because I am such a nut about pictures and we always need family shots. What a beautiful place to get them taken at. I am calling tomorrow to find out all I can about it.

You make ressies 1 month in advance. I think the photos get put on your cd, but the shoot is another $74.99. Someone correct me if I am wrong. We pre-ordered when they were still doing the photo session for $25

Thanks for that info. I have been busy checking into it. I'm calling again tomorrow to learn some more. I can't believe they increased the cost by so much. That just seems crazy. I wish we could've gotten it done when it was the $25 still.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I am very pumped about all of the new things we are doing this trip it makes the trip even more special.

Thanks for that info. I have been busy checking into it. I'm calling again tomorrow to learn some more. I can't believe they increased the cost by so much. That just seems crazy. I wish we could've gotten it done when it was the $25 still.

I was told that the photo shoot was 99.00! I have it booked for at 5:30 at the GF before our ressies at 6:30 at narcoosees but I keep debating on if we are going to do it or not. I think I will wait until that day to see how the kids are. They may just NOT be in the mood to have their picture after their first full day in the park!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

I was told that the photo shoot was 99.00! I have it booked for at 5:30 at the GF before our ressies at 6:30 at narcoosees but I keep debating on if we are going to do it or not. I think I will wait until that day to see how the kids are. They may just NOT be in the mood to have their picture after their first full day in the park!

I think it is $99 if you haven't preordered the photopass cd and $75 if you have.

That is a good idea, you never know with little ones. I'm crossing my fingers that Cole will cooperate for it. Right now he will take a picture if Jerry or I are holding him but he's not about to let us set him down and then stay for a pic. I am hoping this changes by then because I really want some of just the boys and some single ones of them.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I think it is $99 if you haven't preordered the photopass cd and $75 if you have.

That is a good idea, you never know with little ones. I'm crossing my fingers that Cole will cooperate for it. Right now he will take a picture if Jerry or I are holding him but he's not about to let us set him down and then stay for a pic. I am hoping this changes by then because I really want some of just the boys and some single ones of them.

I hear you! We went to the picture people and I got the boys up and dressed for a 9:00 appointment (Which was a feat in itself) and I plop them down for their picture and Owen took one look at the photographer and started screaming. He was done... there was NO way she was getting a picture of him. So we left. No xmas picture for us. LOL

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

I hear you! We went to the picture people and I got the boys up and dressed for a 9:00 appointment (Which was a feat in itself) and I plop them down for their picture and Owen took one look at the photographer and started screaming. He was done... there was NO way she was getting a picture of him. So we left. No xmas picture for us. LOL

lol, that sounds like our most recent experience. I was trying to get the boys' picture done in the vintage style, where they provide the clothes and props..I love those photos. We had gotten one done about a year ago and it is my favorite of the 3 of them. Anyway, we went to do it this time and they were all in a good mood...until I set Cole down and he saw the photographer. He cried and ran to me or clung to me with a death grip every time I tried. I attempted it a couple of times and then realized it was NOT going to happen. I am making an appt. to get his 2 year pics done some time this week. I am desperately hoping he will cooperate for at least 1 or 2 shots but not holding my breath,lol.

p.s. would you mind shooting me your address (in a pm) so I can at least send you a thank you card for the kleenex's? I haven't got them yet but I can't wait. I told Jerry I was getting kleenex packs sent to me by a friend on the dis and you should've seen the crazy look I got. He just doesn't understand the world of the 'dis'. Oh well.

 

[my2disneyboys]

lol, that sounds like our most recent experience. I was trying to get the boys' picture done in the vintage style, where they provide the clothes and props..I love those photos. We had gotten one done about a year ago and it is my favorite of the 3 of them. Anyway, we went to do it this time and they were all in a good mood...until I set Cole down and he saw the photographer. He cried and ran to me or clung to me with a death grip every time I tried. I attempted it a couple of times and then realized it was NOT going to happen. I am making an appt. to get his 2 year pics done some time this week. I am desperately hoping he will cooperate for at least 1 or 2 shots but not holding my breath,lol.

p.s. would you mind shooting me your address (in a pm) so I can at least send you a thank you card for the kleenex's? I haven't got them yet but I can't wait. I told Jerry I was getting kleenex packs sent to me by a friend on the dis and you should've seen the crazy look I got. He just doesn't understand the world of the 'dis'. Oh well.

I think Cole will be good for his 2 year photo's. I remember with Myles he did the same thing when he was 1 1/2- I actually have the picture because it was a big picture with all the cousins and Myles is balling his eyes out- its kind of cute though. With Owen I just decided to leave... the lady kept putting the feather duster thing in his face and he was not having it!

I just got a package in the mail today from the package of kleenex I sent to Wendy and it said "no contents- return to sender" Somehow the package opened in the mail and the cars Kleenex's are somewhere between here and where Wendy lives!! I hope yours make it to you ok. let me know- and no thank you card is needed at all!!! You are very welcome.

My husband is pretty great with this stuff and even he gave me when I said I was sending them out!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Tracy..been having computer issues here....just popping by to say hi!! Hope you're well!!! How's the planning going and how are those precious boys of yours? Hope you're well!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

 

[my2disneyboys]

Tracy- the boys got their package today. You are so sweet. Thank you SO much

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Ok, if anyone is still out there I am working on an update now. I am uploading pics from Cole's bday party. My baby is officially 2

Photobucket is being really slow though and I have a lot of pics so it probably won't be until sometime tomorrow. Please be patient with me and I will get it up as soon as I can.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hey there! Cole is 2!!! They grow so fast huh??
I will check out the pics when I get home!! I cant believe we leave today.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Ok, if anyone is still out there I am working on an update now. I am uploading pics from Cole's bday party. My baby is officially 2

Photobucket is being really slow though and I have a lot of pics so it probably won't be until sometime tomorrow. Please be patient with me and I will get it up as soon as I can.

Happy (belated) Birthday Coley!

Time flies, doesn't it, Tracy? I can't believe another 6 or so weeks my Cole will be 2, too. Sniff, sniff!! I hope you had a wonderful day and can't wait to see all the pics!!! We'll be here when you have the time!!

Hope you're well otherwise!! ttys!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Tracy,
Thinking of you, hope you're well and that you had a nice Mother's day!!! Anything new?
ttys!!
Kristen

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Hey there! Cole is 2!!! They grow so fast huh??
I will check out the pics when I get home!! I cant believe we leave today.

Happy (belated) Birthday Coley!

Time flies, doesn't it, Tracy? I can't believe another 6 or so weeks my Cole will be 2, too. Sniff, sniff!! I hope you had a wonderful day and can't wait to see all the pics!!! We'll be here when you have the time!!

Hope you're well otherwise!! ttys!

Hey Tracy,
Thinking of you, hope you're well and that you had a nice Mother's day!!! Anything new?
ttys!!
Kristen

I know i have been majorly slacking again. I am really sorry. I promise to put the pics of Coley's bday on here. I am starting them now.

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Let me first apologize for being a bad hostess again. It seems as though life keeps getting in the way of my dis time,lol. Things have been crazy around here as they always are at this time of year. We had to plan and have Cole's bday. We are planning Dylan's bday the 13th of next month, we are doing field trips and all the other end of the year type things at the boys' schools. I will try to get some of Cole's bday pics up now though and will work on the rest soon..I promise.

In case you didn't know, the theme for Cole's bday was 'The Dog'. I wanted to do Cars (since this is his favorite thing in the world right now) but my best friend who's little boy will be 2 next month wanted to do that also and she didn't want them to have the same theme. Soooo, I decided to go with 'The Dog' because he loves dogs so much too. I'm sure he will still be into Cars for next year.

We held it at the park shelter house one block from our house.

The dessert table:

the cake and cupcakes I saw online and had my mom recreate:

some dog bone sugar cookies and puppy chow I made and put into dog bowls to serve. The hershey kisses have stickers on the bottom that say Cole's 2nd birthday with a picture of a dog. (don't mind the red cups..I know they don't match but we had forgot to get them)

the rest of the tables

close up of table

balloon bouqet that was on the dessert table but Cole had to have it

waiting for the fun to begin. Here is where you can tell mommy got carried away and accidentally cut his hair too short. He ended up with a buz cut for his bday,lol...oh well.

random shots of the party

Cole and my best friend's little boy Alex. We accidentally put them in the same jacket this day..makes it even harder to tell them apart from the back,lol.

Blake and my niece Madelyn being silly (and my mom)

Ok, I better go for now. I will return with the blowing out the candles and presents portion.

 

[DisneyFairy66]

These pictures of coles bday are amazing! Job well done!!! Hes soo adorable and getting soo tall!!!

Those cupcakes look delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Tracy!!
Cole looks SO big now with his buzz cut!!! WOW, he doesn't look like a little boy anymore (well, he does, but you know what I mean....), it's crazy!!!! Looks like a nice party!! Can't wait to see more!!!!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

These pictures of coles bday are amazing! Job well done!!! Hes soo adorable and getting soo tall!!!

Those cupcakes look delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks. I know, he is getting too tall. He is like Dylan that way. Dylan was always in the 95th-100th percentile for height for his age and so is Cole. Then I have Blake who is little bitty,lol.

They were pretty good I hear. I didn't eat any though. It might be weird but neither one of my brothers or I will eat my mom's icing anymore. She used to decorate cakes for a living while we were growing up and so we used to eat a LOT of it. Now we are all sick of it,lol.

Hi Tracy!!
Cole looks SO big now with his buzz cut!!! WOW, he doesn't look like a little boy anymore (well, he does, but you know what I mean....), it's crazy!!!! Looks like a nice party!! Can't wait to see more!!!!

I know I really didn't like it at first and I figured out that is why I didn't like it. My friend Krista and I were saying that with that haircut and his height he looks like a little boy who was turning 3, not 2 The girl who cut his hair got it a little crooked this time and I was so tired of it always standing up in the back so I just wanted to trim it some. Unfortunately I was standing above him while I did it and so while it looked great from that angle, I was really bummed when I saw him head on. I do have to say it is growing on me though. It also helps that the 2 little boys who live across the street, who are the same age as him, also got a buz cut.

Anyway, I am working on putting the rest up now.

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Ok, I'm going to try and get the rest of Cole's bday on here finally. Warning: as always I took a lot of photos... I will try to narrow it down some.

It's time for cake!
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Cole, happy birthday to you!!

blow out the candles

he ended up getting a little drool on the cake while trying to blow out the candles,lol. It was cute though and no one had to eat that side

yummmmm, cupcakes!

licking off the icing

finger licking good

demolishing the cupcake

PRESENT TIME, PRESENT TIME!!

another lightning mcqueen hooded towell

PLUTO!! (remote control) pluto seemed to be his favorite the whole time on our last trip

my friends tigger and pooh shaped crayons I found on disney shopping...so cute!

he kept wandering off to play with whatever he had just opened.

There was more of course but I don't want to bore you too much.

Then it was time for the BIG present from Mommy and Daddy. Each of the boys got a big present for their birthdays this year. Jerry was working on a pipeline last fall and making quite a bit so we wanted to spoil them once. This was huge to them because normally they would never get anything this big even for christmas. Anyway, Dylan and Blake both got Nentendo DS's and Cole got.....

just look at that face, he was so excited... I didn't capture it very well unfortunately though.

A POWER WHEEL!

Blake showing him how it works ( we always wished we could've had one of these for the older boys but we just couldn't afford it, fortunately for Blake he is still small enough to fit in this one.)

Cole and Alex cruisin'

Cole and grandpa (my dad) playing with his new remote control car

something he got with some of his bday money

needless to say, he had a great birthday and was a very spoiled little boy.

It is still soo cute though to see how happy he is every time he gets in his power wheel. He also loves for Blake to drive him when we go on our walks (because he figured out the gas and changing gears right away but not the stearing yet,lol)

Sorry that was so long. I will post an update on the trip soon I hope. Thanks to those who have stuck with me.