A pregnant mama, Mr. Crazypants, and Ga-Gae celebrate Epcots 30th! TR LINK-10/16!

[amandaw]

I nearly spit out my drink when I read Reid's haunted mansion comment! Very funny, I could see Everett saying something like that. We're completely brainwashed our children!

We are indeed! And I love every minute of it! The other night we were having dinner & Reid put down his fork & said, "Okay guys. Let's take turns saying what are favorite rides in each Disney park are. Daddy you start."

I have been to the Biltmore Estate in NC. It was awesome! We went at Christmas time and the decorations were amazing, I'd love to get back someday!

Isn't it so lovely?!? And Christmas time is an extra special time to go. I'd love to go back one day. We lived in South Carolina for a few years & used to go at least once a year. I love the Reisling wine that is made at their winery.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love Newport!!! I think that's the PERFECT place for an anniversary trip!!! The mansions tour with the servant's tour sounds really interesting. Have a wonderful time!!

And best of luck with your move!

 

[fitgirl36]

I think your anniversary trip sounds great! I'm not much of a history buff, I have a friend that quizzes me about different history topics for fun because she likes to hear my answers! I'm a numbers girl!! I do think those mansions look awesome though and it would be neat to tour them! So this weekend is the move up huh? It's great your DH will handle the movers too!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Subbing!

Welcome!

That sounds like an awesome getaway! Newport seems really, really nice, and the bed and breakfast looks lovely (but not TOO girly!!!)

Those mansions... wow! I'm with you, if I bought a ticket for five, I'd definitely want to see all five, too! I'm sure whatever you end up doing will be great... your plans sound wonderful!

I'm hoping it will be really nice, I've wanted to go to Newport for a long time, so I'm glad I'm finally getting my chance.

Oak Alley was the one that started my obsession! That was the very first one I went to as a kid on a school field trip and I was just in love with them ever since. I never get tired of walking down the long oak-lined driveway.

I look forward to the mini-TR!

Awesome! It really is so pretty! Once time we went they were setting up for a wedding, and it looked like such a fairytale!

We are indeed! And I love every minute of it! The other night we were having dinner & Reid put down his fork & said, "Okay guys. Let's take turns saying what are favorite rides in each Disney park are. Daddy you start."

Isn't it so lovely?!? And Christmas time is an extra special time to go. I'd love to go back one day. We lived in South Carolina for a few years & used to go at least once a year. I love the Reisling wine that is made at their winery.

You are totally cracking me up! Everett is not quite to that point yet, but I think he is getting close. The other weekend DH and I took him to a local park that has an antique carousel and a small gage railroad. I told Everett we were taking him to a park with a carousel and a train, and he looked at me, and in all seriousness, said- "We go Magic Kingdom!".

Everett is nobody's fool, he knows what park has a railroad and a carousel, and as far as he is concerned its the only park he wants to visit! I had to spend the whole ride out explaining to him that we were not going to the Magic Kingdom, but Maryland!

I love Newport!!! I think that's the PERFECT place for an anniversary trip!!! The mansions tour with the servant's tour sounds really interesting. Have a wonderful time!!

And best of luck with your move!

Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it, it will be nice to get away for a few days before DH leaves.

I think your anniversary trip sounds great! I'm not much of a history buff, I have a friend that quizzes me about different history topics for fun because she likes to hear my answers! I'm a numbers girl!! I do think those mansions look awesome though and it would be neat to tour them! So this weekend is the move up huh? It's great your DH will handle the movers too!

Too funny!

Yeah, DH has to handle the movers all by himself (and he reminds me of this fact everyday!) Seriously, I can't be there to help him, could you imagine a whole house of movers and then Everett! He'd end up packed into a box and thrown on the back of the truck for sure! I keep telling DH, that he is a big boy, he can handle it!

 

[shan23877]

I think that everyone updated yesterday, and somehow I missed yours. Sorry!

Sounds like a great anniversary trip! My DH is against any floral decor as well (makes choosing a comforter or duvet interesting). I don't think the room looks too girly.

The food looks amazing!!! I hope it tastes as good as it looks!

I was going to watch Downton Abbey on Netflix while we were hoteled, but I got into the Killing instead. very different shows I'm sure.

Hooray for fancy no kid restaurants!!! Enjoy it!

 

[amandaw]

You are totally cracking me up! Everett is not quite to that point yet, but I think he is getting close.

I could write a book with all of the things that Reid comes up with. Especially when it comes to Disney! You just wait - I'm sure it won't be long until Everett is the same way.

The other weekend DH and I took him to a local park that has an antique carousel and a small gage railroad. I told Everett we were taking him to a park with a carousel and a train, and he looked at me, and in all seriousness, said- "We go Magic Kingdom!".

Everett is nobody's fool, he knows what park has a railroad and a carousel, and as far as he is concerned its the only park he wants to visit! I had to spend the whole ride out explaining to him that we were not going to the Magic Kingdom, but Maryland!

That's too funny! Poor Everett - how dare you take him to a fake Magic Kingdom! But, I bet he still had fun even though it wasn't the "real deal".

 

[ladylyons]

Sounds like fun!! Have a great time being kid free!! Even if it is only for a couple of days.

 

[Imagineer5]

Awesome! did you see my PTR post about spending the day in Newport?! I work in Newport!

AND we have the same anniversary, though 1 year less. We were married July 1, 2007.

I vote for the 3 mansions with the servants tour. We are actually members of the preservation society of newport, so get into the mansions for free - if I had guest passes I'd totally give them to you but alas I do not!

Can't wait to hear how the weekend goes! Hope you have fun planning! And good luck with the move!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I think that everyone updated yesterday, and somehow I missed yours. Sorry!

Sounds like a great anniversary trip! My DH is against any floral decor as well (makes choosing a comforter or duvet interesting). I don't think the room looks too girly.

The food looks amazing!!! I hope it tastes as good as it looks!

I was going to watch Downton Abbey on Netflix while we were hoteled, but I got into the Killing instead. very different shows I'm sure.

Hooray for fancy no kid restaurants!!! Enjoy it!

Oooh, definitely make time for Downton Abbey, it is AMAZING! Seriously the best TV I've seen in years!

I'm hoping the trip is a sucess. Right now I'm about to strangle DH (he is driving me crazy with this move!) so I think it will be a good think to decompress a little.

I could write a book with all of the things that Reid comes up with. Especially when it comes to Disney! You just wait - I'm sure it won't be long until Everett is the same way.

That's too funny! Poor Everett - how dare you take him to a fake Magic Kingdom! But, I bet he still had fun even though it wasn't the "real deal".

He did have fun at the "fake" Magic Kingdom, but he can't wait to get to the real one!

Sounds like fun!! Have a great time being kid free!! Even if it is only for a couple of days.

Our kid-free days are few and far between, so we are going to live it up!

Awesome! did you see my PTR post about spending the day in Newport?! I work in Newport!

AND we have the same anniversary, though 1 year less. We were married July 1, 2007.

I vote for the 3 mansions with the servants tour. We are actually members of the preservation society of newport, so get into the mansions for free - if I had guest passes I'd totally give them to you but alas I do not!

Can't wait to hear how the weekend goes! Hope you have fun planning! And good luck with the move!

I didn't know you worked in Newport, and I must have missed that part of your PTR, I'm going to go back and look at it now!

Do you have any restaurant suggestions? I'm looking for a great steak and great seafood. The more upscale the better! I'm going to milk this trip for all its worth!

So cool we have the same anniversary! Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, so I always wanted to get married that time of year. I wish we could have actually gotten married ON the 4th, but the timing wasn't right!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well, today is my last full day in Alexandria, and I'm going to enjoy it as much as possible. I'm taking Everett now for Nutella crepes at our favorite breakfast place, we're going to have pizza for lunch at our favorite pizza place, and tonight we're going to my favorite kid-friendly restaurant with my parents.

I'm also going to eat three cupcakes, from three different cupcake bakeries (that are all conveniently within a 10 block radius). Yum, Smores, Mint chocolate and Guinness with baileys cream, they are all heavenly!

Good thing I'm pregnant!

I'm also going to take Everett to visit his favorite fountain for the last time, and take our leftover bread to feed the ducks in the Potomac.

I think it will be a good last day.

Ok, on to some Disney stuff!

My fabulous playgroup surprised me with a going away gift yesterday, a Disney gift card! I am really, really going to miss these ladies! We all met during pre-natal yoga, when we were pregnant with our first kids. We've been through this adventure together every step of the way, and they have been such a wonderful support system and sanity saver! I thought it was so kind of them to give me such a thoughtful and generous gift, and I'm going to put it to good use on this trip!

Also- I made my first official trip purchase!

One thing I do plan on doing while we are down in Disney is a photopass portrait session. We did one a few years ago as a whole family and I was very pleased with how it turned out!

I never had maternity photos done with Everett (mostly because I was embarrassed with how much weight I gained, WAY more than I needed to), but I am really trying to be better this time around (with the exception of today's three cupcakes! ). I was thinking that this could double as a maternity photo session, and we could send the photos to DH, and he would really enjoy them.

Poor DH is missing out on so much with this pregnancy, I'm going to try and find things I can do to make him feel included. I also think he would really like having some nice new pictures of me and Everett.

So for the photo session, I purchased a maternity dress. I wanted to find one with sleeves, to cover my jiggly upper arms, and that was proving difficult. I stumbled upon this one, for a steal of a price, and went ahead and purchased it!

I think it will be flattering, even if I am huge, and being black, it will look good with whatever I decide to dress Everett in.

I haven't booked the session yet, but I was thinking of doing it the morning we are going to MNSSHP. I also haven't decided where to book it! I know I want to do it on the monorail line, to make it more convenient, but should I choose the Poly, the GF or the Wilderness Lodge? What do you all think?

We did the Poly last time, and I enjoyed it, but I might want to try something different. I'm thinking of dressing Everett in the seersucker suit I bought for Dh's sister's wedding (if it still fits in Oct), so maybe GF would be the best choice?

 

[afwdwfan]

It looks like a great plan for the last day in town. You can have an extra cupcake for me too if you want.

I think the GF would be a great place if you want to have some more "formal" looking pictures, but I've got to be honest. I'm kind of partial to the Wilderness Lodge. I love the way they decorate that lobby at Christmas time.

 

[shan23877]

DD and I did a month long tour of our favorite foods before we moved. I think that it's perfectly acceptable to have 3 cupcakes in one day, when can you have them again? How sweet of your playgroup to get you a gift card! Aren't goodbyes difficult?

Love the dress! It's really cute! I've only dont "photo sessions" at DTD and MK after BBB I know that Kimberly did one at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so maybe she can help? It's a really nice idea to send to DH though.

 

[amandaw]

What a nice day you have planned for y'alls last day! And the cupcakes sound especially great!

That was so sweet of your playgroup friends to give you a Disney giftcard.

I love the dress you picked out for your photo session. So cute!

Given Everett's outfit, I would also choose GF.

 

[marDgreen88]

Aww, that sounds like such a lovely last day! Let me just tell you, I love some cupcakes. Yum! Good look with the move and everything!

I think the Grand Floridian would be a beautiful spot! It would match the elegance of your pretty black dress.

 

[fitgirl36]

Your last day plans with Everett sound perfect! I hope you guys had a great time! Also the photo session is a great idea! I keep saying I want to do a photo session at Disney, but haven't made it a priority. I think the GF is perfect. That would be my choice of the three.

 

[fi46re129]

Wow I Have been more MIA than I thought...

Contemporary- YAY! I stayed there in 2003 when shades of green was under refurb... can't complain being put up at the Contemporary on Shades prices.. we had a great trip other than our friend getting his Iraq Deployment call! We are all traveling together again in March and he is up for deployment again next year.. hoping for no repeats!

The Move- I loathe packing with a passion and dislike packing even more! I feel your pain there! It is so wonderful that your family is helping you! I thought you guys were moving to Washington? Either way best of luck for a efficient safe move!

RI- I have never been to RI Nick went to school there at Johnson and Wales and said the whole state is wonderful. I think I may have to look into a weekend getaway there.. the mansions look amazing!

How sweet of your Moms group to give you a send off gift! I love the dress! We did a photopass shoot at Boardwalk and Beach Club.. no regrets! I would vote for GF with the sear sucker suit! Adorable!

 

[Imagineer5]

Hi! Sorry I didn't see you were back! Unfortunately since I work in Newport, we rarely come down to be tourists, since the last thing I want to do on a weekend is do my work drive! We have had good meals at the Mooring though...

Regarding the photopass picture thing, do they do it at the WL? I thought it was Beach Club, GF, and Poly? My vote is the Beach Club since you've done the Poly before, but we don't really like the GF?!

Hope your last day in Alexandria was great, it sure sounded wonderful!

Have you heard of Zulily? They have some fantastic deals for babies, kids & moms (preggo, nursing, and just regular clothes too). New deals every day. I'm addicted.

 

[drsvanhorn]

Came over from my PTR and am subbing now.

Love your dress you bought!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

It looks like a great plan for the last day in town. You can have an extra cupcake for me too if you want.

I think the GF would be a great place if you want to have some more "formal" looking pictures, but I've got to be honest. I'm kind of partial to the Wilderness Lodge. I love the way they decorate that lobby at Christmas time.

I know the Wilderness lodge warms lots of DIS fans hearts, but its just not my style. I'm not really an outdoorsy person (despite having an outside job pre-Everett ), so that might be why. I'm really leaving toward the GF or maybe the Beach Club.

DD and I did a month long tour of our favorite foods before we moved. I think that it's perfectly acceptable to have 3 cupcakes in one day, when can you have them again? How sweet of your playgroup to get you a gift card! Aren't goodbyes difficult?

I hear you about a food tour, I think one of the worst parts of moving is leaving behind your favorite restaurants!

Love the dress! It's really cute! I've only dont "photo sessions" at DTD and MK after BBB I know that Kimberly did one at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so maybe she can help? It's a really nice idea to send to DH though.

I think Kimberly said that they were discontinuing the photo shoots at the AKL? Its too bad, it is such a lovely resort and would be cool to get pictures with animals in the back ground.

What a nice day you have planned for y'alls last day! And the cupcakes sound especially great!

That was so sweet of your playgroup friends to give you a Disney giftcard.

I love the dress you picked out for your photo session. So cute!

Given Everett's outfit, I would also choose GF.

My playgroup was the best! I'm going to miss those ladies!

Thanks! You don't get too many choices when it comes to maternity clothes, but I think its a nice choice.

Aww, that sounds like such a lovely last day! Let me just tell you, I love some cupcakes. Yum! Good look with the move and everything!

I think the Grand Floridian would be a beautiful spot! It would match the elegance of your pretty black dress.

I don't know how elegant I'm going to be looking at 6 months pregnant, but thank you!

Your last day plans with Everett sound perfect! I hope you guys had a great time! Also the photo session is a great idea! I keep saying I want to do a photo session at Disney, but haven't made it a priority. I think the GF is perfect. That would be my choice of the three.

I think the photo session is a pretty good value, as long as you get a decent photographer. We were lucky last time, and I'm hoping we'll be lucky again.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Wow I Have been more MIA than I thought...

Contemporary- YAY! I stayed there in 2003 when shades of green was under refurb... can't complain being put up at the Contemporary on Shades prices.. we had a great trip other than our friend getting his Iraq Deployment call! We are all traveling together again in March and he is up for deployment again next year.. hoping for no repeats!

The Move- I loathe packing with a passion and dislike packing even more! I feel your pain there! It is so wonderful that your family is helping you! I thought you guys were moving to Washington? Either way best of luck for a efficient safe move!

RI- I have never been to RI Nick went to school there at Johnson and Wales and said the whole state is wonderful. I think I may have to look into a weekend getaway there.. the mansions look amazing!

How sweet of your Moms group to give you a send off gift! I love the dress! We did a photopass shoot at Boardwalk and Beach Club.. no regrets! I would vote for GF with the sear sucker suit! Adorable!

I have heard stories about the infamous SOG renevation and the awesome upgrades to the Contemporary, how lucky that you were able to take advantage of that!

Moving is the worst! Funny story about Washington... we were supposed to go there (had orders and everything), until the military changed their mind and decided to send us to Norfolk instead. I'm just happy that these orders are sticking!

I'm really looking forward to Newport, I've been to the beaches in RI (and will likely take Everett there this summer), but never made it all the way to Newport. I'll let you know how it goes!

Hi! Sorry I didn't see you were back! Unfortunately since I work in Newport, we rarely come down to be tourists, since the last thing I want to do on a weekend is do my work drive! We have had good meals at the Mooring though...

Regarding the photopass picture thing, do they do it at the WL? I thought it was Beach Club, GF, and Poly? My vote is the Beach Club since you've done the Poly before, but we don't really like the GF?!

Hope your last day in Alexandria was great, it sure sounded wonderful!

Have you heard of Zulily? They have some fantastic deals for babies, kids & moms (preggo, nursing, and just regular clothes too). New deals every day. I'm addicted.

I didn't think about the Beach Club, but that would be really nice too, and the New England seaside theme would fit perfectly with Everett in a seersucker suit. I'll have to look into the logistics of getting there. I don't trust Everett not to get dirty, especially if we monorail and then walk through Epcot!

I can understand not wanting to be a tourist where you work! I'll check out the Mooring, thanks for the recommendation!

I LOVE Zulily! I've ordered some stuff off there for me, but if this baby is a girl, I think I'm going to go nuts! They have such cute girl clothes, as I'm sure you are well aware!

Came over from my PTR and am subbing now.

Love your dress you bought!!

Thanks and Welcome!