A Two Short, Too Different Spring Break Trip (Time to Say Goodbye)

[BrooklynnsMommy]

The next morning we were up and taking advantage of the fabulous continental breakfast that the Hampton Inn had. We were in the car and on the road by 7:30. When we got to the Columbus Zoo it was lunch time for everyone - Bella included. While John waited for our food, I found a table and fed Bella and Brooklynn chased the ducks.

After lunch we headed to see the new baby elephant. He was born a week before Bella and weighs 500 lbs. - 490 more than my peanut! They were trying to give him a bath but he wouldn't get out from under his mom so they made her lie down so that he wouldn't have anywhere to hide.

We saw a red panda

Then a tiger.

Brooklynn saw the giant tiger statue and insisted on a picture. I handed the camera to John and Bella and I joined Brooklynn.

We kept walking until we got to he lions. There was a lioness pacing and growling really low.

We found out why as we kept walking down the path. The male lion and another lioness were on the other side of the wall. (We found out later at the Cincinnati Zoo it must be mating season for lions)

The pinkest flamingos I have ever seen. Seriously they were a coral color, almost orange!

Brooklynn found a shark friend. (She is such a ham!)

A leopard

The gorillas.

And of course a Brooklynn photo op!

We headed back toward the front since we had to be in Mansfield by 4:30 for John to get his tux. It started raining so we got a quick snack and I fed Bella while Brooklynn enjoyed her special traet.

We got back into the car and headed north. Brooklynn was being silly and put her blanket over her head.

Two minutes later she was asleep. She slept the whole way to Mansfield and woke up when we stopped at the tux place.

 

[k_reile]

i have never seen a red panda...now we are going to have to go to the columbus zoo too! I'm sure the mansfield area was the least exciting part of your trip (the area not the wedding obviously) theres not much here!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Just catching up! Jill, love the videos of Brooklynn, she really knows how to cut a rug, are dance lessons in her future?
She was so cute with the pygmy hippo, her little laugh is contagious!

It looks like you had a great time visiting the zoos and you took some wonderful pictures. Loved the one of the gorilla when it was people watching!

MeMom, I can't believe that Shocker would ever say that I was nuts!
Did you just make that up?

 

[hlrababy]

Oooh, Jill!! I love all the zoo pictures!!!!!! Brooklyn is such a ham for the camera!!

 

[punkin413]

This picture could explain why my child is still hesitant with that hippo!

i don't blame her! that thing looks freaky. i'm not sure if i want to get that close to it now.

 

[tinkgurl]

Haha, I don't think I'm going to get that close to the hippo!

Aw the baby elephant is so cute!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I love all the animal pics! They are very good close ups!

Your girls are cute as ever! Brooklynn seemed to enjoy her trips to the zoos.
She is so funny, taking advantage of all the photo ops.

It was really smart of you to break up the drive, I bet it made for a nicer trip.

Thanks for sharing, it's been so fun looking at this update.


We went to see UP! in 3D tonight.....it was great! A very cute movie. I did get a little bit teary eyed, in a couple parts.
I made an Up! tee for Lexi this afternoon. (a very nice DISer named Kellybell made the design for me.) This was my first try at making a tee and it turned out fine.

Here's the design:

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh goodness, Heny is doing smilies now? Sniff Sniff, he is growing up FAST!

Well, he's almost doing them. He sits next to me often times while I'm on the computer and he points to various things on the screen-smilies being one of them. He lit up with joy when I would click on them and he'd see them show up in the post!

He mostly points at icons/pictures of Mickey and Dut Dut though! "Mahee Mou!" "Dut Dut!"

No hints! I love Henry's smilies.

Aw, shucks! I reallyyyyyyyy want a hint!

And I have to say...I have a secret too. I'm going to post about it TONIGHT!

GREAT PICTURE! She is so sweet.

Oh goodness-what a little honey!

If we're staying deluxe NYE, it might as well be the Polynesian, right, since that where our big party is going to be?

Jill and John almost bought DVC, but not yet. I bet John wishes he had married someone with a rich mother that could have bought them DVC!!!

Well, I suppose the Poly would be more logical-but I know its your DREAM to stay at WL, and with the Christmas decorations up...

But, it sure would make finding a spot on the beach for the fireworks a LOT easier!

Jill-are you guys looking through resale for DVC? You can get such amazing deals right now! Even Disney has been doing some major discounts lately too...

Bella rode in her front carrier.

I have a picture of a 7 month old Brooklynn sitting in front of this very rhino.

The pics of you and Bella and John and Brooklynn are so great!! It's so fun that you have Brooklynn in front of that rhino at 7 months and another now, I love those "growth" pictures!

We saw a red panda

I have never even heard of a Red Panda!

FANTASTIC gorilla shot!!

All the pics of Brooklynn are so fun--and the one of just the girls is a good one too. What a great way to spend the day in the midst of the travelling.

 

[MeMom]

What cute pictures - I am hoping we will (me and my DD3) make it to the hippo on Saturday to meet you guys. We are moving Friday, so will have to play it by ear.

Oh, you'll be there. I have your BB&B coupon!

OK enough of the secrets! Spill it or I'm sending MeMom a bunch of balloons inside of balloons as some snow globes.

All I have to say is, I do not look very pretty doing this:

DisneyJoo, your Toby is such a little cutie!

Yep!

Save the postage! Just the sentence you wrote will cause her to start hyperventilating.

Yep again!

Bella is getting so big. And the video of Brooklynn watching the hippo is adorable. I love hearing her laugh.

I think it's great that she's getting to see all of these animals, so when she learns about them in school, she'll have first-hand experience.

There's a great idea, MeMom -- an interactive TR with treats for each of the updates.

Which means zebra domes every day of your report. YUM!

The Louisville Zoo looks awesome! I am hoping we can get down there next summer, especially if we get a membership to the zoo again for Christmas this year.

That's a great gift!

Brooklynn saw the giant tiger statue and insisted on a picture. I handed the camera to John and Bella and I joined Brooklynn.

I'll be needing a copy of that picture.

i have never seen a red panda...now we are going to have to go to the columbus zoo too! I'm sure the mansfield area was the least exciting part of your trip (the area not the wedding obviously) theres not much here!

You and Caleb can do some red panda research together!

Just catching up! Jill, love the videos of Brooklynn, she really knows how to cut a rug, are dance lessons in her future?
She was so cute with the pygmy hippo, her little laugh is contagious!

It looks like you had a great time visiting the zoos and you took some wonderful pictures. Loved the one of the gorilla when it was people watching!

MeMom, I can't believe that Shocker would ever say that I was nuts!
Did you just make that up?

He may not have used those exact words, but I read between the lines.

Oooh, Jill!! I love all the zoo pictures!!!!!! Brooklyn is such a ham for the camera!!

She's gotten very used to the MeMom and Mommy paparazzi.

i don't blame her! that thing looks freaky. i'm not sure if i want to get that close to it now.

He's not as scary when his face is in the water, is he?

Haha, I don't think I'm going to get that close to the hippo!

Aw the baby elephant is so cute!

You, Brooklynn, and Bella are all so little, you guys would just be appetizers for Mr. Hippo!

I love all the animal pics! They are very good close ups!

Your girls are cute as ever! Brooklynn seemed to enjoy her trips to the zoos.
She is so funny, taking advantage of all the photo ops.

It was really smart of you to break up the drive, I bet it made for a nicer trip.

Thanks for sharing, it's been so fun looking at this update.


We went to see UP! in 3D tonight.....it was great! A very cute movie. I did get a little bit teary eyed, in a couple parts.
I made an Up! tee for Lexi this afternoon. (a very nice DISer named Kellybell made the design for me.) This was my first try at making a tee and it turned out fine.

I'm anxious to see what Kellybell does with the request I gave her, too. It's so kind of her to do that.

Well, he's almost doing them. He sits next to me often times while I'm on the computer and he points to various things on the screen-smilies being one of them. He lit up with joy when I would click on them and he'd see them show up in the post!

He mostly points at icons/pictures of Mickey and Dut Dut though! "Mahee Mou!" "Dut Dut!"

And I have to say...I have a secret too. I'm going to post about it TONIGHT!


Well, I suppose the Poly would be more logical-but I know its your DREAM to stay at WL, and with the Christmas decorations up...

But, it sure would make finding a spot on the beach for the fireworks a LOT easier!

Before you know it, Henry will be showing you how to do things on the computer!

We're just going nuts with the secrets today, aren't we?

 

[MeMom]

Our next stop was Mexico.

First, we got food.

The view from where I sat.

We have often seen Donald here, and we did today.

I always admire the cute things, but they are a little above my price range, for the most part.

I may buy a very small one one day. Did you notice the little porcupine? I might get him someday, since he's small, if he doesn't cost too much.

We visited The Three Caballeros.

Then a little more shopping.

I have looked at these banks so many times, but never bought one of these either. I think they're cute.

We then shopped our way back toward where the Davy Jones concert was going to be held in America.

Passing through Germany, I saw this.

It reminded of the old black and white Sci-Fi movies, only a mini-screen version.

We didn't go in and sit down, but we did listen to Davy Jones sing a couple of songs.

Random bird picture.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

We love Sombrero Donald. I hope we get lucky and find him again too!

I always stop at Mexico, I think the outside is beautiful and the inside is a colorful explosion. One day I want to dine inside by the water, the only thing stopping me is the food. I'm not a huge mexican food fan.

I'm sure my DS will want to eat at the Cantina, so I'll think of you.

It would be hard to pick which animal to buy, they are all very neat.

I was hoping for a hidden MeMom pic with maracas or something....

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

We love Sombrero Donald. I hope we get lucky and find him again too!

I always stop at Mexico, I think the outside is beautiful and the inside is a colorful explosion. One day I want to dine inside by the water, the only thing stopping me is the food. I'm not a huge mexican food fan.

I'm sure my DS will want to eat at the Cantina, so I'll think of you.

It would be hard to pick which animal to buy, they are all very neat.

I was hoping for a hidden MeMom pic with maracas or something....

John and I ate at San Angel in October. We will not be eating there again. The atmosphere was awesome but the food was just eh! and the service was terrible!!!!!!! We'll stick with Cantina which we absolutely love!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Brooklyn is just so cute posing with the animals. I have a sudden urge to go to the zoo!

MeMom, that little porcupine is the cutest little thing!! I bet you could make one with toothpicks. Hehehe.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

After picking up John's tux we heade to Ashland to check into our hotel. We checked in adn got all the luggage upstairs to our room. We decided on Pizza Hut for dinner so we headed out to eat. After eating it was back to the hotel to go swimming wit the family.

The kids swam for about two hours and then we all headed to our rooms to get some sleep.

The next morning we got up and ate breakfast. John and I were debating on what to do because we didn't want Brooklynn to just be cooped up in the room all day. I was starting to get annoyed at all the family members coming down to the room and asking stupid questions or making stupid comments. After John's mom came down for the 3rd time to ask if what she was wearing was okay for the rehearsal, I decided we would head to Mansfield to the mall. I didn't care how great the mall was I just needed to get away from people consistently stressing over insignificant things. So we headed to the mall and then ate lunch at Arby's where I had my first "Yeah I'm from the south it's all Coke" moment. The girl taking our order asked what I wanted to drink with our kids meal "Pop, milk, or juice." It through me for a minute and then I started laughing and I said "oh, pop." She gave me a look and said "you aren't from Ohio are you?" I said "Nope. Alabama. Down south it's all Coke." After lunch we headed back to the hotel. Brooklynn and I went and swam about 30 minutes.

Then it was nap time. After nap we headed to the rehearsal.

After rehearsing we headed out back to the pavilion to eat. It was freezing! Now keep in mind in Alabama it is about 92 degrees on average during the day right now and at 7:00 at night it is still about 80 degrees. It was 65 degrees and breezy at the same time in Ohio. My poor girls were freezing in there sleeveless outfits. We ate BBQ and cheesy potatoes, baked beans and chips. Yummy! John and I headed back to the hotel because Bella was so cold even wrapped in a blanket she couldn't nurse so she was super hungry. After a little pool time it was time for bed we had a busy day scheduled on Saturday.

 

[moparop]

at the Coke moment! I get teased all the time for drinking "pop" instead of soda!

I know what you mean about annoying, insignificant questions related to the wedding. My brother got married last summer and we had an ajoining room with my parents. I don't think I can count the number of those questions I was asked!

It looks like she did great at the rehearsal! I can't wait to see how the ceremony went too!

Oh and MeMom/Jill.... when I woke up at 1AM to go potty, my first thought was about the surprise.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Saturday morning I was up at 7:00. I jumped in the shower and fed Bella then woke Brooklynn and John up. We headed downstairs for a quick breakfast and then back upstairs to start getting ready. We were supposed to be at the church by 11:30 because the photographer would be there at 12:00. I sat Bella in her boppy on the bed and then sat Brooklynn in a chair in front of her DVD player. I had bought a movie that she had never seen before so that she would hopefully sit still so I could curl her hair. Her hair is fine like mine and doesn't hold curl worth anything so I had to spray it with a thermal spray curl it and then spray it with "stop a bird in flight" hairspray. I wish I had picture of her sitting there in front of her movie but I was working against the clock and John was getting ready himself since he was the best man. After 2 hours of curling I was done. I changed Bella, made sure I grabbed the diaper bag, Brooklynn's dress, John's tux, the curling iron for touchup before pictures, and my makeup just in case I grabbed a moment for myself. We arrived at the church and changed Brooklynn into her dress.

Classic toddler

Bella relaxing and watching all the business

Brooklynn and Tucker watching Mulan in the lobby

Brooklynn fixed her G-pa's jacket (I think this is such a sweet picture)

Brooklynn and the other flower girl, Bella

Brooklynn playing before the wedding

Brooklynn and John just a few minutes before walking down the aisle.

I don't have pictures of her in the wedding because I was the coordinator in the back of the church making sure everyone entered at the right time and all that stuff plus in the hustle and bustle of leaving the hotel I didn't have a paci for Bella. Terrible day not to have a paci! She did an excellent job walking down the aisle neither of the girls remembered to drop their petals but they were adorable. Brooklynn was upset after the wedding because she didn't get to throw her petals so she threw them in the lobby. Then it was time for pics (I can't wait to see how our family picture turned out just imagine - bride and groom, groom's parents, groom's brother and wife, groom's sister and husband, just turned four yr old, almost three yr old, 6 month old, and 2 month old) and then heading to the reception which was an ordeal!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The food at the Cantina is always so yummy! Love all your pictures from Mexico -- it is always so fun and colorful there!

about the lizard and the truck!!! I love it!!!

Jill, Brooklyn is so cute at the rehearsal, sitting on the steps and listening to instructions. My parents lived in Cleveland for a few years after I moved to Atlanta, and I remember only too well how cold it could be there in the summer compared to our southern temps!

 

[reelmom]

The picture of John and Brooklynn getting ready to go down the aisle is awesome.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

i have never seen a red panda...now we are going to have to go to the columbus zoo too! I'm sure the mansfield area was the least exciting part of your trip (the area not the wedding obviously) theres not much here!

I would highly recommend the Columbus Zoo. It was a lot of fun and they had a ton of animals. Too funny about Mansfield because when John told two guys at work who are originally from Ohio that we were headed up that way. They just kinda laughed and said bring your own entertainment.

Just catching up! Jill, love the videos of Brooklynn, she really knows how to cut a rug, are dance lessons in her future?
She was so cute with the pygmy hippo, her little laugh is contagious!

It looks like you had a great time visiting the zoos and you took some wonderful pictures. Loved the one of the gorilla when it was people watching!

She loves to dance. I have thought about starting her in dance lessons instead of gymnastics when the new school year starts. The zoos were great and they gave me a great place to play with my camera settings before heading to AK next month!

Oooh, Jill!! I love all the zoo pictures!!!!!! Brooklyn is such a ham for the camera!!

She is very much a ham! She is used to having the camera always out and ready to snap between MeMom and me.

I love all the animal pics! They are very good close ups!

Your girls are cute as ever! Brooklynn seemed to enjoy her trips to the zoos.
She is so funny, taking advantage of all the photo ops.

It was really smart of you to break up the drive, I bet it made for a nicer trip.

Thanks for sharing, it's been so fun looking at this update.

Brooklynn loves animals of all kinds so the zoos were great places to stop to get out and stretch our legs. We didn't pass by one statue or sculpture that she didn't insist on a picture. Breaking up the trip definitely helped. It is 9 and a half hours from AL to Ashland, OH where our hotel was then to factor in Bella having to eat every 3 hours and Brooklynn needing to go potty it just made sense. Plus it gave us time to be just the four of us before all the family obligations kicked in.

Well, I suppose the Poly would be more logical-but I know its your DREAM to stay at WL, and with the Christmas decorations up...

But, it sure would make finding a spot on the beach for the fireworks a LOT easier!

Jill-are you guys looking through resale for DVC? You can get such amazing deals right now! Even Disney has been doing some major discounts lately too...

The pics of you and Bella and John and Brooklynn are so great!! It's so fun that you have Brooklynn in front of that rhino at 7 months and another now, I love those "growth" pictures!

FANTASTIC gorilla shot!!

All the pics of Brooklynn are so fun--and the one of just the girls is a good one too. What a great way to spend the day in the midst of the travelling.

We are holding off on DVC still. We know that we want to move in the next two years so we are concentrating on getting bills paid off and money saved for that.


Just for comparison her are the pictures

Brooklynn - March 2007

Brooklynn - June 2009

I was very happy with the gorilla shot. The camera has been great! It was definitely nice to visit some places we wouldn't normally get to see and stretch our legs.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

MeMom, I really tried to take some good pictures on the Grand Fiesta tour but ended up deleting most. Yours were awesome. "The Lizard that Ate Germany" was giggle worthy! You find the best photo ops!


Jill, It looks like you did well putting up with the in-laws. I'm so glad that your mother isn't like that.....
I'm glad the rehearsal dinner was good but sorry you all froze, hate to think of everybody being cold... Poor little Bella!
Did you use an entire can of hairspray on Brooklynn? I can't believe how well that curl stayed in her hair! She looked adorable. Did you get a picture of her petal dumping out in the lobby?