A No Snooze Bar Christmas, Harry & Mickey are Waiting..it is done

[petals]

Love the airport update and the hats indoors. I esp love the hat and sunglasses look!

 

[FosterA]

yay! Glad you have some updates typed up and ready to go. I look every day hoping to see updates. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[tankgirl427]

I'm so loving your TR so far. I'm at you for the cliff hangers but its all so good including the surprise video I can't be! Another update please!!!!

 

[sl_underwood]

Glad to see an update! cant wait for more!

 

[MrsFerrell]

love it! cant wait to hear... er... read more

 

[momabaarjo]

Boo and Goo's First Flight:
The First Flight of Our Trip
OR as my children titled the flight...
WHY CAN'T WE GO TO COLORADO THIS WAY ALL THE TIME??? BEATS 8 HOURS IN THE CAR!!!​

Our plane prior to boarding...​

Remember the plane before had to be de-iced, well so did ours…so much for pulling out of the gate on time. Our plane now goes through de-icing which according to the pilot is going to make us about 30 minutes late into Denver. Right about then I needed those overhead masks to come down, breathe, breathe it is going to be okay…you can still switch terminals, eat breakfast and do the final reveal…you have time…no the 2 hours you planned for, but still plenty of time...looks like fast food instead of the sit down restaurant you picked out.

The flight was pretty uneventful, unless you count Goo’s non stop talking, his and my fight over putting down the window shade, and the kids had a great time picking out from the air all the landmarks that we drive past but are now seeing from the air…yes where I live it is that easy to pick out the landmarks…Mt. Capulin, Pikes Peak and before we know it we see the flatirons above Denver and Long’s Peak.

This is Pikes Peak located above Colorado Springs​

The kids are amazed that we are in Denver so fast, remember they are used to the 8-9 hour car trip north and quickly decide this is the way from now on to get to Colorado. We land pretty uneventful, but Boo announces that he is going to kiss the ground and for him he will get the chance because our flight is one of those you have to walk down the stairs of the plane and then walk to the gate to get to the terminal inside. I check my watch and we are 30 minutes late just as announced, but I am feeling good because I have checked out where we need to go ahead of time (change terminals) and from experience know how to get around DIA…

with me in the lead we head into the terminal and run right into what I was not expecting....yes another cliff hanger

 

[momabaarjo]

How fun!! loved the video, you did a great job. I thought the Disney part would be revealed in this segment but I guess that's in the 3rd part right? I'm guessing at the Denver airport, you'll surprise them. Can't wait!!!

Thanks...yes final reveal in a couple of days...I still have to piece that video together and upload to youtuve!

That was awesome.

Thank you! It was fun...

Love the reveal!! Anakin watched it with me and he wants his Christmas presents to come with clues.

I think that is a good idea...it was fun to think up and a great way to get us out of the house.

What an Awesome reveal! loved the you tube video of it

The kids almost seemed frustrated by the amount of presents inside of presents at one point

I know I am pure evil sometimes....

I agree! We have never been to Red River but talk about taking our kids every year! Eddie's family is just north of you 2 hours. And my aunt lives in Amarillo so one of these days I just need to make a point to get over there and get in touch with you!

But most definitely our families would click very well!

You guys need to come! Jeff and I had our wedding reception in the ski lodge there! Your aunt lives in Amarillo? I hope it is an aunt you like...might head your direction this summer...my mom wants to go to Branson.

I can help you with cruise tips. Just give me a starting point - questions? (Maybe we should take this to your TR or FB? - haha)

But you have a cabin!!!!!

I know and I love the cabin, but I also love to go places!

Just watched the reveal video. Awesome! I don't know how you got all that done and were ready to fly at 7:15! Can't wait to hear about their reactions when they found it it wasn't snowboarding.

Hee Hee...it is not what you think is going to happen!

Love the reveal video.

And snow on Christmas. Love it I'm still waiting for our snow that was meant to come last October to arrive

It was not predicted...our weatherman stink!

What a cute idea. I can't wait to see how they find out where they are really going.

Thank you...stay tuned a couple more days!

LOL, don't read too much into me looking into cruises. True, I am very intrigued by them... but I am always looking at airfare and stays..somewhere. I think being a travel agent would be the best job in the world!

I think that would be a great job too!

AH! Looks very likely that we are going in the fall. If both of us do..and our dates are the same... we HAVE to plan a dismeet, kay?

What....in the fall as a family?


for 2013!!

I have it marked on a list a made for the next 5 years where I want to go and how much I need to save!

First.. kinda sorry to hijack there above..

Love the hijacks!

Second!!!!! That reveal was awesome. I can't wait to see how the rest of the day unfolds!! I had dd watching the video with me and she begged me to surprise her next time. That is kinda hard to do since we are always dreaming up our next disney trip here in our house.

Surprise her, I think that she would love it!

Just adding my two cents on the cruise comments. A Disney cruise is awesome!!! I preferred the Disney cruises we went on to the WDW stays we have had.

But they are so $$$$$

I cant wait to hear how the kids reacted when they found out they were going to WDW and HP.....eeepppp this is edge of your seat stuff

Give me a couple more days!

 

[momabaarjo]

Ah Tammie, you are the queen of cliff hanger endings!!

Can't wait to find out how flying went and I can't even imagine the kids excitement once they find out that they are actually going to WDW. I honestly don't know how you managed to NOT tell them!!

I am pure evil...that is how I can keep secrets! But let me tell you by Christmas Eve I was ready to burst!

Definately the Queen of Cliffhangers. Boy, how I wish I knew the tag fairy!!! She needs a tag! Oh tag fairy, where are you?!

Glad the snow didn't thwart your start. Hanging to the edge of my seat to see how Denver went.

WHAT IS A TAG????I know I am not so smart with computer lingo!

I do not like flying either. I don't know what I would do if it were snowing while I was taking off.

The snow did not bother me much, it was not making the flight in Denver that worried me!

Enjoying your report. Looking forward to what happens next.

Glad you are hanging in there with me...

Love the airport update and the hats indoors. I esp love the hat and sunglasses look!

Yep, that was her look most of the trip...

yay! Glad you have some updates typed up and ready to go. I look every day hoping to see updates. Can't wait to hear more!

Sorry...life is crazy but I see blue skies coming and a little more time than the last couple of weeks.

I'm so loving your TR so far. I'm at you for the cliff hangers but its all so good including the surprise video I can't be! Another update please!!!!

Love you Besty...hope not to make you too mad so you stick with me and we can travel in 2013 together!

Glad to see an update! cant wait for more!

Ask and you shall recieve...updated again this morning

love it! cant wait to hear... er... read more

Check out the update above...we will get to Orlando by this weekend!!!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

OMG we are so close. I need to know, I need to know.

 

[Leger13]

Oh no not another cliff hanger. Your TR is gonna give me heart burn

 

[Sara1Babe]

So close yet so far away. I am loving this EPIC tale of yours.

 

[reelmom]

OMG we are so close. I need to know, I need to know.

I feel the same way!

 

[annmarieda]

OMG! you and your cliff hangers!!!

I love that the flight was so short and you normally drive it. We have done that too (it takes us about 6 hours to get to our family on the other side of the state and flying takes and hour) What I tell my family though... although the flight takes an hour... we have to be there 2 hours before the flight (now up to 3) and the hour drive to the airport. (now up to 4) and if everyone would just not need to use every darn rest stop...then we could shave an hour off the drive (now the difference is only an hour) So... while the travel time for us is nice it really doesn't save much and it is more costly to fly.

I had to laugh at Ab in her hat and Total teen!!!

 

[sl_underwood]

Come on... how many days does it take to get to the reveal?

 

[Monknmom]

Oh goodness.. those are alot of trips!

And yes... ladies trip is keeping me going as well!

I keep thinking of all of the things that we missed that people ask me if we did and I just tell them nope- but I plan to do them when we go or our girls trip!



I can't believe how far behind on your report that I am! I am scared to go into Ann's now!
Those mickey waffles looked really yummy! And it sounds like you had a good plan with your MIL-- she gets to watch them open something and then the trip stuff they open on Christmas! They sound beatiful together! They must have practiced a lot together? That's a way to bring them together! I love when the presents are under the tree and it looks pretty--- I wonder if anyone else ever just likes to keep it like that because K doesn't care (not his holiday) and Damien just wants to rip the presents open! Damien wants an Ipod... where do you get the refurbished ones? Maybe I will give that to him for Valentine's day? I am a little happy that I haven't been on to read because well you had so many wrapped boxes and I have little to no paitience (just kidding)! That video was so nice! Damien heard it playing and watched it with me... he wishes that Santa and Mickey let him go on a plane too! Oh Ann I want to be a travel agent too! I just don't know anything about flights! I am looking into just traveling local this year (maybe Maine for some camping) because we have to get the kitchen and bath done (and maybe even the deck turned into the living room-if not this year than next year)! I love the big sunglasses and winter hat look-- big fashonista! Oh my goodness I am so sorry that you had that much trouble with the plane! I can't even imagine! And what is with these cliff hangers? You write like those books I hate/like-- you have a good chapter and turn the page to find out what happened and it's a whole other chapter..... But it's good because now I can see/read on time what happened! I'm all caught up with you!

 

[momabaarjo]

DIA Preparing Us for a Week of Christmas Crowds in Orlando​

What I had not planned for was the CROWD OF PEOPLE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING AT DIA…what do these people not have places to be at, why is everyone traveling today? I was shocked on how many people were in the airport. I glance back at Jeff and tell him to grab Jo and bring up the rear…which seemed to be where he was the entire trip, bringing up the rear and not doing a very good job at it. I make my way through the terminal towards the subway entrance. What I had forgotten was that the boys had never seen the inside of a HUGE airport and everything was something of fascination for them…but we have to keep moving I keep yelling inside my mind once we get to the new gate then we can stop and smell the roses. I am really trying to have patience…we finally dodge and weave our way around people and get to the subway with everyone still accounted for. Whew, as we wait I announce that lets change terminals and see if there is a less crowded place to get breakfast that maybe waiting until we left the airport would not be a good idea since we know that the airport restaurants will be open and who knows what will be open on our way to the condo. Jeff agrees that this is a good plan, and the kids buy the terminal change hook, line and sinker. One step closer to the final reveal. The subway doors open and Goo turns into a crazy boy…remember this is new to him and the subway holds a new fascination and of course he has to stand…both Jeff and I yell at him to hold onto the pole as the doors close, but guess who is having too much fun checking it all out and ends up on the floor moments after departing?! Thankfully he thought that being thrown to the floor was fun and can’t wait to try that again! He exact words were "AWESOME" while he does his signature head movement and hand gestures.

The ride to the next terminal is quick, too quick…did not have time to find out which gate we are departing from so somehow I am going to have to look at the boards without being caught…quickly I run the ABCs through my head…O for Orlando near the middle. Once again, I am in the lead and up the escalator we go into Terminal A at the top I spot the boards and just out of fun I turn to Abigail and ask her if she could go anywhere where would it be…as I run through the list to find our flight, which for once I found quickly for a change.

Jeff looks around and spots a McDonalds and I notice that our gate is the first one after McDonalds but there are not seats open. Why don’t we head to the first gate, there is bound to be room to sit down then we can decide what to do. The gate on the opposite to Orlando is for Mexico City and it is vacant…the kids, tired of the OJ Simpson run to switch terminals melt into a seat unaware that the board directly behind them reads “ORLANDO.” About then Ab’s phone goes off with a text…it is cousin Austin wanting to know if we have landed yet, they are waiting. Perfect timing, Ab wants to know if they can just eat the snacks in their bags for breakfast after all the condo is only 2 hours away and she wants to ski today. I agree that would be fine and so does Jeff, who adds that this crowd is making him crazy (if you think this bad, just wait) but tells them there is one more present they need to open before we can go meet the cousins as I reach in my bag for the props for the final reveal...

 

[momabaarjo]

OMG we are so close. I need to know, I need to know.

Oh no not another cliff hanger. Your TR is gonna give me heart burn

So close yet so far away. I am loving this EPIC tale of yours.

I had not intended to string everyone along for this week, but between soccer for Goo, Track season starting for Ab/Cheer season ending, Wrestling with Boo...time has been short. I wanted to keep everyone reading and not post for a week...I promise the final reveal will be up tomorrow (tonight I plan on working on the youtube video) and by Sunday we should arrive at MCO.

I so hope you are not disappointed by the reveal video...

 

[momabaarjo]

OMG! you and your cliff hangers!!!

I love that the flight was so short and you normally drive it. We have done that too (it takes us about 6 hours to get to our family on the other side of the state and flying takes and hour) What I tell my family though... although the flight takes an hour... we have to be there 2 hours before the flight (now up to 3) and the hour drive to the airport. (now up to 4) and if everyone would just not need to use every darn rest stop...then we could shave an hour off the drive (now the difference is only an hour) So... while the travel time for us is nice it really doesn't save much and it is more costly to fly.


Hour drive to airport, 3 hours before....no thank you I think I would be driving too...for us 15 minute drive, usually just the hour to 45 minutes before does the trick! But when we get to Denver that is another story it is 2 hours to get out of the airport with a rental car and then another 1 1/2 on the road...

I had to laugh at Ab in her hat and Total teen!!!

I know that hat and sunglasses are killing me too...watch for updates later on the sunglasses!

 

[momabaarjo]

Come on... how many days does it take to get to the reveal?

Please hang in there with me...where in OK are you?

 

[momabaarjo]

I keep thinking of all of the things that we missed that people ask me if we did and I just tell them nope- but I plan to do them when we go or our girls trip!



I can't believe how far behind on your report that I am! I am scared to go into Ann's now!
Those mickey waffles looked really yummy! And it sounds like you had a good plan with your MIL-- she gets to watch them open something and then the trip stuff they open on Christmas! They sound beatiful together! They must have practiced a lot together? That's a way to bring them together! I love when the presents are under the tree and it looks pretty--- I wonder if anyone else ever just likes to keep it like that because K doesn't care (not his holiday) and Damien just wants to rip the presents open! Damien wants an Ipod... where do you get the refurbished ones? Maybe I will give that to him for Valentine's day? I am a little happy that I haven't been on to read because well you had so many wrapped boxes and I have little to no paitience (just kidding)! That video was so nice! Damien heard it playing and watched it with me... he wishes that Santa and Mickey let him go on a plane too! Oh Ann I want to be a travel agent too! I just don't know anything about flights! I am looking into just traveling local this year (maybe Maine for some camping) because we have to get the kitchen and bath done (and maybe even the deck turned into the living room-if not this year than next year)! I love the big sunglasses and winter hat look-- big fashonista! Oh my goodness I am so sorry that you had that much trouble with the plane! I can't even imagine! And what is with these cliff hangers? You write like those books I hate/like-- you have a good chapter and turn the page to find out what happened and it's a whole other chapter..... But it's good because now I can see/read on time what happened! I'm all caught up with you!

Heather I am behind on everyones...I am going to try to get caught up this weekend! I am so missing everyone!


I understanding missing things...cliff hanger, wait until my final reflections of the trip and we will address this issue!

I can't wait for 2013!

All the cliffhangers were not planned...trust me when we actually get to the trip it is pretty normal and boring! I just have not had the time to get videos and pictures put together and I did not want to lose followers for not posting for a week! Plus, you guys said to drag it out until we could start a PTR together!

Ipod...I stalked ebay for a while and you can get some older models pretty cheap (even had one but the person never shipped and I filed a complaint and got my money back), but DH is an expert pawn shop junky and found this one for us! I think it is a generation 2...and had not very much memory, but it works for him and I don't freak out over it being left on a bed!