~A XMAS STORY~decorations, crowds, pixies..AND A BLOODY NOSE~ACTUAL UPDATE 11/9 p190

[katiebug86]

The American Girl store looks adorable. I wish they had that when I was a little girl!

The doll sitting in the highchair reminds me of a story when I was about 5 or 6. My mom dad and I went to a really nice restaurant and I brought this huge stuffed Mickey Mouse (of course :rotfl2) everywhere. So I had to bring him with me. Well when we got there the waitress made a huge deal about Mickey. She brought him a highchair and then when we got our food she brought him a piece of cheese. I thought this was the coolest thing ever.

 

[MaceysMom]

I love your camera!!!!! Your already good with it can you imagine how good you will be for your Disney trip? You are going to get some great pics of the Wilderness Lodge!!!

AG is so cute. Macey is not interested in dolls at all at this point. She loves animals! I have a million stuffed and tiny plastic animals all over my house.!
I always wanted an American Girl doll growing up,but for some reason I don't think I ever asked for one.

Megan is beautiful! I love her haircut,weird I know but I'm a hair stylist I always look at that. I also think she looks just like Lamont.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

So glad I found your TR. I just made reservations today for the exact same time you were there last year. Thanks so much for sharing. It sure look crowded. I had been hoping for low crowds but it looked to be about the same as when we were there last Aug. Disappointing but better to plan for it now then be surprised when I get there. I can't wait to see all those holiday decorations myself.

Thanks for sharing and I enjoyed it very much.

 

[DisneyJo]

Just catching up Dawn and you took some truly beautiful fireworks photos, the setting on your camera did a great job

 

[scottny]

all caught up.

you got some fantastic shots of the fireworks.

 

[punkin413]

i'm soooooooooo sorry, guys! i have been seriously missing the disboards. i don't think i've checked in for like 5 days - that's a record for me! i've just been SWAMPED with my boss being out on maternity leave and haven't had time to do anything but work, sleep and eat. although i did go see incubus last friday and they were AWESOME (pics to come later). anyway, i just wanted you guys to know i'm still alive and if i'm reading your TR then i'm so, so sorry that i've fallen behind once again. life happens!

 

[jordanyosh]

i'm soooooooooo sorry, guys! i have been seriously missing the disboards. i don't think i've checked in for like 5 days - that's a record for me! i've just been SWAMPED with my boss being out on maternity leave and haven't had time to do anything but work, sleep and eat. although i did go see incubus last friday and they were AWESOME (pics to come later). anyway, i just wanted you guys to know i'm still alive and if i'm reading your TR then i'm so, so sorry that i've fallen behind once again. life happens!

Dont worry Dawn!!!!!

 

[MA pigletfan]

NO worries Dawn..we miss you though

 

[punkin413]

Fun times at the American Girl store! We have been there several times since Chelsea and I are huge fans of all of the dolls! Sadly, I think Chelsea has finally outgrown them . Lamont sharing his banana split with Mia cracked me up! That strawberry shortcake looks outrageously delicious!

it was a cute little place. be glad chelsea is growing out of them....they're so expensive! although i'm sure she's picked up other expensive habits now. i guess that's what happens when they get older!

LOVE HIM!!!

That is one of the cutest things I've seen in a LONG time!!

Sweet!! I'm glad you got to meet up with them for lunch and a party . That does look like a very cool place and so neat of them to bring her with the $$$ she saved. That is something she will remember for a LONG time!!!

i love the mickey gnome, too! yeah, it was a fun day. megan really had a good time and i'm glad i got to go!

Dawn! I'm playing catch up too! I love your new camera - I can't believe those shots! But the castle pics are really great, too! What is the name of the setting on the poor "point and shoot?" (maybe I have one, too)

I love the AG pics! I hope I can go to one with my DGD some day. Little Megan looks just like our friends' little girl, they could be sisters! Her dad is half African American, but he looks very white. DH was best friends with him in school for quite a while before he found out. The rest of his sibs are darker. Anyway his wife is blond with brown eyes, and they have two of the most beautiful kiddos I've ever met!

I have baby news -my oldest DS and DDIL are expecting a 2nd in April!

thanks! for the fireworks pics i used the "twilight" setting on my point and shoot. but i had a tripod and that makes a world of difference. i think biracial kids are sooooooooo beautiful! melanie and lamont have a 3-year-old, maddox. he didn't come because melanie was afraid he'd destroy the store. he's ADORABLE though. oh, and congrats, grandma!

I want to kiss Eli and Sherman on their black liver lips!

Hey you! It's been a while since I was over here. I leave in less than 2 weeks so I'm trying to catch up on everything. I love the new pics of your babies! Your camera is awesome girl! I can't wait to see your next TR with that one! You are going to be taking pictures of rocks! LOL

I saw American Girl and had to look. Gabby has quite the collection of them. We started them last year. She got her first one for her birthday in October. I think the bistro looks like a blast. That's what she wants to do for her birthday this year. We'll see. She has requested the NYC location. Heaven help me.

By the way...Megan looks just like her daddy! I can't believe someone would ask if he is her father. She looks more like him than her mom! Love the pics of Lamont holding the doll. So cute. He looks to be having a great time! Sonali is a great choice! Love her outfit too.

I have to ask...if you could choose would you want a boy or a girl?

thanks! i can't wait to get back and take some good pics, too! have fun on your trip....i'm super jealous! the AG bistro was cute and not too expensive either (unlike the dolls!). oh, people ask all the time about lamont being her dad, i guess because she doesn't look black at all. but i think she looks a lot like him too. and maddox (their 3yo DS) looks JUST like him! um....if i could choose probably a girl. but i honestly don't care either way. ray wants a boy. he tells me all the time, "don't even like *think* about having a girl and that way maybe it won't happen."

Thanks for the mini TR. My daughter has 3 American girl dolls. The doll clothes at WDW in the stores fit American girl doll. The princess outfits etc! Her Favorite at the moment is Kaya and she does look beautiful in the Jasmine outfit!!

you're welcome! cool....i will have to share that info with melanie!

Looks like a fun time, Dawn! I'm sure it will be a sweet memory for Megan's family. Glad you got to be a part of that day with them!

Congratulations on getting your Mickey gnome.

I think you are going to be an expert with that camera when you next go to Disney World, so we ought to get more awesome pictures than ever next time!

it was a lot of fun and i'm glad they got to take her there. ray and i bought a book on exposure the other day and i'm slowly but surely learning more!

So sorry I've been MIA for a while. Just getting all caught up. I just read the bloody nose installment, POOR LUKE! Kudo's to Anna for handling it so well, I'm sure she was riddled with disappointment for things not turning out as well as she had anticipated. HOW AWESOME for the CM's handling it that way and offering them all of that stuff, I can't believe they even replaced their t shirts. Do you think they were worried they were going to hold Disney liable for him tripping or something?
I wonder if the hot chocolate you had was the same that is served in the resorts, I always fill my refillable mug up with it, even in June, it is sooo tasty!
WEll, caught up now, great report as always!
Lesley

no problem....i've been MIA too! i need to get caught up on everyone's TRs (including yours). i'm sure disney reacting the way they did had something to do with trying to avoid liablity, although anna wouldn't have dreamed of suing them or anything. luke is a little boy and little boys trip! i guess they get sued sometimes for stuff like that. but i also think part of it was just the "disney touch". oh, i'll have to check out the hot chocolate the resorts....thanks for letting me know!

Love the Mickey gnome! We got one for my FIL for father's day and I kinda wish we would have gotten one for us too! They are so cute!

Looks like you had a great time with your friends. It looks like a fun store! I have never been to one but I'm sure I will be checking it out in the future.

i love him...he's so cute! yeah, it was a really fun day. crazy but fun!

 

[punkin413]

What great American Girl pictures - I can't show those to Maddie - LOL! Love the pictures of your babies, they are so cute - I really like the one of Eli???? with his chin on the couch. So cute!

hope she enjoyed them! yep, that's eli. thanks.

What an adorable family they are! And Megan is beautiful. Her parents are going to have their hands full when she gets into high school because the boys are going to love her! That looks like such a fun day for you. I have to admit that I had never heard of AG before (I have a son) and it looks cute, but I'm glad I have a boy because that sounds so expensive!

i tell melanie that ALL THE TIME about megan! tell me about it - ray wants a boy to avoid AG and BBB at disney world!

Love that Mickey Mouse Gnome!!!! Hope to get one in November!
And, too funny, I am going to an American Girl store this coming Friday with my 8 year old niece named Meghan! She got one for Christmas, and yes, I guess doing the American Girl thing is a big deal. I am looking forward to it!

i think she found it at downtown disney at the world of disney store but i'm not positive. so how was AG for you? hope you had a good time!

I love American Girl.....I have had mine since like 1989....that was way before they had the store. I started reading the books when I was little and you could send in a card to get a catalog of dolls of the girls you were reading about! It has very much expanded since then. There were only 3 dolls and not very much of the clothing/accessories they have now! I can't wait until I can take Amelia to AG to pick out her own doll! I didn't know there was one is Atlanta.....maybe we can stop there on our drive to Disney in December!

so cool! i didn't have any when i was a kid. i wonder if they were out then? in 1989 i was 13. hope you guys get to stop by the AG store sometime soon!

The American Girl Doll store sounds like so much fun and the bistro sounds really cool! I never knew they were soo expensive before! Jeez, Megan is on luck girl!

P.S. I think Megan definitely looks like Lamont too! Shes a beautiful girl! My cousin is married to a man whose half black and half white and have 4 girls together. They don't look multiracial at all either but, like Megan, I think they all look like their daddy when you actually look at their faces!

yeah, they're not cheap. melanie bought her one for christmas but refused to buy her another one because of the price. so megan saved up her own money, which is why they surprised her with a trip to the store to buy it. i think megan is so pretty too! they have a 3yo DS named maddox who is SO cute!

that american girl store looks soo cool!! I am in trouble if I ever have a girl!!

tell me about it!

LOVE the new camera shots! that mickey gnome is hysterical! i never even knew there was such a thing!
Poor luke and his nose!! ugh.
Great American Girl side trip...your friend has a very cute family!

i saw the mickey gnome here on the dis and i was like I GOTTA HAVE THAT!

Great pics! I love the one with Eli protesting his bath! Adorable!

yeah, he wasn't happy!

Oh my goodness! How fun! I had (have) two American Girl Dolls when I was younger. And I had the Bitty Baby. I would love to go to the AG store when I have a little girl someday. It looks like Megan had SO much fun! It's awesome that you got to go. And those pictures with your new camera are awesome!!

thanks! i had a great time that day and i'm so glad megan got to go.

The camera takes gorgeous pictures!!!

thanks!

The American Girl store looks adorable. I wish they had that when I was a little girl!

The doll sitting in the highchair reminds me of a story when I was about 5 or 6. My mom dad and I went to a really nice restaurant and I brought this huge stuffed Mickey Mouse (of course :rotfl2) everywhere. So I had to bring him with me. Well when we got there the waitress made a huge deal about Mickey. She brought him a highchair and then when we got our food she brought him a piece of cheese. I thought this was the coolest thing ever.

me too! that's such a cute story! how nice of her to bring him a piece of cheese. too funny!

I love your camera!!!!! Your already good with it can you imagine how good you will be for your Disney trip? You are going to get some great pics of the Wilderness Lodge!!!

AG is so cute. Macey is not interested in dolls at all at this point. She loves animals! I have a million stuffed and tiny plastic animals all over my house.!
I always wanted an American Girl doll growing up,but for some reason I don't think I ever asked for one.

Megan is beautiful! I love her haircut,weird I know but I'm a hair stylist I always look at that. I also think she looks just like Lamont.

well, thanks...i'm still learning though! i know the reason you never asked for one....THEY'RE TOO EXPENSIVE! i think they most my mom ever spent on a doll for me was for a cabbage patch kid and what are those....30 bucks? megan's aunt sarah (melanie's sister and a good friend of mine too - she sang at our wedding) is a hair stylist and cuts megan's hair. whenever i'm in nashville and need a haircut i always go to her. i have a girl here who i love but i always like to let sarah cut it too. she always does a good job!

So glad I found your TR. I just made reservations today for the exact same time you were there last year. Thanks so much for sharing. It sure look crowded. I had been hoping for low crowds but it looked to be about the same as when we were there last Aug. Disappointing but better to plan for it now then be surprised when I get there. I can't wait to see all those holiday decorations myself.

Thanks for sharing and I enjoyed it very much.

how exciting! hopefully i can finish this thing before you leave. it was crowded at DHS that friday and at MK that saturday (but it WAS a saturday!), but other than that it wasn't bad. more crowded than when i've been in late april/early may or in september, but nothing i couldn't deal with.

Just catching up Dawn and you took some truly beautiful fireworks photos, the setting on your camera did a great job

thank you! i'm glad i played with it enough to find that setting!

all caught up.

you got some fantastic shots of the fireworks.

thanks! i was happy with them from my little point and shoot.

 

[punkin413]

Dont worry Dawn!!!!!

thanks, jordan! so sorry i haven't gotten to play your game. erica told me you guys were having fun over there. i just haven't had time to do much of anything but work.

NO worries Dawn..we miss you though

awww.....thanks!

 

[jordanyosh]

work is way overrated.

 

[punkin413]

well, i'm uploading pictures as i type this for my next update....finally! tomorrow i will try to get the video uploaded but that may take me a couple of days. i'm thinking 3 more installments and this puppy is done. sorry it's taking so long....thanks for hanging with me!

i had to share some of these pictures with you, just in case there are some incubus fans reading. we went to see incubus last friday. i have been a HUGE fan since around 1999 and i think this is my 5th time seeing them....they're so good live! and brandon boyd = HOT. i have such a junior high-type crush on him. he's been in my top 5 for about 10 years now! i think his voice combined with his hotness just melts me......

my fellow concert-goes were anna, chris, anna's brother jake and anna's friend melanie. we met up at taco mac beforehand for dinner....

then on to the venue. here we are before the concert began.....

it was SUCH a great show. we took lots of brandon pictures! here's what i got. oh, and brandon shirtless = GOOD.

he's playing one of those big "riccola" horn things here....

and my favorite....

oh, and i got this one of jose, the drummer, for my brother. brett LOVES this guy (brett's a drummer too).

the only hiccup we had was that some kid passed out ON TOP of me. he was really tall and almost knocked me down when he fell. we helped him up and anna got him to a security person. i don't know if he was drunk or on something but i felt bad for him. we kept asking where his friends were and he said he was there alone, which i totally don't believe - i'm sure he just didn't want to get his friends in trouble. we kept telling him we didn't want to get anyone in trouble but just to get him to his friends but then the security guy came over and took him out of the crowd. i hope he was okay!

just in case you're interested, here are a few videos of the concert. ironically, most of these were taken from the area right around where we were. i'm surprised you can't see us in any of them.

they opened the show with "pardon me", which was their first big hit. i found a couple of views of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFXzfHRiZcY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSSsbh1xyjk

drive - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGPfCENQAwA

wish you were here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esxIIBheFrs

warning - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sLboloLPOg

and they closed the show with a cover of prince's "let's go crazy": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6avrmaAHT8

continued in next post: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33231869&postcount=2514

 

[punkin413]

on saturday ray and i went to his mom's house to pick up his nephew for the night. we saw zolo while we were there. some of you were around last year when we got him for her. anyway, he's SUCH a cute dog....and WILD!

ray's mom has all kinds of birds in her yard and i got a couple of pics of some. here's a woodpecker.....

and a cardinal - i got this one for my grandma because she loves cardinals.

ray got this one of a squirrel peeking down at him.....

that night we camped out in the back yard.....just for something different to do! mine and ray's tent (and eli wondering what the heck we're doing).....

we roasted marshmallows over our fire pit in the back yard. here's ray starting the fire - i have no idea what i did but i like this picture.....

and i thought this picture turned out cool......

camping in the back yard was fun except when we woke up sunday morning we were SOAKING wet from the humidity. yuck. gotta love georgia in the summer!

the next morning i made TONGA TOAST!!!!!!! it was my first try and it turned out pretty good. it wasn't DISNEY tonga toast, but still pretty decent. i took step-by-step pics for you guys.

here's the recipe.......

the bananas all cut and ready to be stuffed into the bread........

the sourdough bread after it was sliced and stuffed with bananas...........

tonga toast after i fried it...........

now it's coated with cinnamon and sugar.........

and now it's covered in syrup and READY TO EAT!!!!

so good yet SO BAD!

i promise i'll be back with an update soon. again, thanks for hanging with me!

 

[joy13]

That tonga toast looks so good!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Women and their rock singers....

That Tonga Toast looks awesome!!!!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

thanks! for the fireworks pics i used the "twilight" setting on my point and shoot. but i had a tripod and that makes a world of difference. i think biracial kids are sooooooooo beautiful! melanie and lamont have a 3-year-old, maddox. he didn't come because melanie was afraid he'd destroy the store. he's ADORABLE though. oh, and congrats, grandma!

Sadly, she lost that baby last weekend.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Looks like you had a fun concert!

 

[stacikristine]

YUM! That Tonga Toast looks incredible!!! What cookbook are you using? I'm guessing it's a Disney one...

 

[MA pigletfan]

LOVE IT!
#1...Incubus rules..no doubt!
#2..ZOLO is way too cute..love his wild eyes!
and #3 TONGA TOAST AND BACKYARD CAMPING!???? so fun! that toast looks awesome by the way, i have never had it!!