All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[Mndisneygirl]

Are you kidding me? I went all the way to Disneyland Paris to get that Eiffel Tower with Mickey!!! I almost bought that Paris mug too. I had no idea they sold them in Epcot!! OY!

 

[vamassey1]

What a wonderful walk around the world!

I'm so glad you stopped for CP. I've never seen it but it's on the list for someday. . .

When I saw that it was getting dark in your pictures I was thinking "She sure has been walking for a long time." I'm glad you went back to Pop to rest your legs and feet.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Lovely pictures of seasonal Epcot! I love Mickey's little village setup! (But I think my favorite touch are the snowflakes on the monorail.)

 

[MHTeacher]

I must admit that I want an entire Disney village just like that one to be sitting in my house!

Two of my favorite things at Epcot---Voices of Liberty and the Candlelight Processional!

 

[pollyanna30]

Hi Memom. I think I have posted a time or two on your reports in the past, but am mostly a lurker. I enjoy reading your trip reports and watching your girls grow. I have been to Pop Century once before and am headed back there the end of May. I had a couple of questions and wanted to go to an expert for an answer. We have two 8:00 breakfast reservations this time - one at Tusker House in AK and one at Crystal Palace in MK. The parks open at 9 AM on both days. Do you have a recommendation on what time we should be at the bus stop to get there in time? Do we need to let someone know we have the early reservation, or do the buses just usually show up? Thanks for any advice you may have!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Those crowds in France? Yep, that's what I am afraid of this summer!

But I am not going to think about it.

 

[MeMom]

I dont know how to quote a picture, but I got a hot chocolate from her too!! We saw CLP with Neil Patrick Harris. Loved it!! Even in the pouring rain.

That's a cute little stand. I was fortunate to have clear weather while I was watching.

So sad to say that we didn't stop for hot chocolate or gingerbread this Christmas. What were we thinking???

I am terribly anxious to find out if Jill is having a boy or girl baby!!!

She's anxious, too - this time more than ever. I told her yesterday that if it's a boy, she'll have to have another one to prove to people she wasn't just having a third to try for a boy. She said pink or blue - she's done!

Sounds like a fun weekend with the girls! I'm so happy to hear you got your Disney Store back. AND a Vera Bradley, I think outlet, lucky you!!
I can't wait to hear if the girls are going to be getting a little brother or sister. My gut's saying the baby will be wearing the Toy Story outfit in October.
Wigd- I am so sorry to hear about all the damage. I will be keeping your area in my thoughts.
Can you believe I've never seen CP? I always enjoy a walk around WS. One afternoon, I was thinking about all of the junk I had eaten during the trip and decided to walk it off. What better place than WS?

I tossed a coin at first and it came out heads, heads, tail - girls, girl, boy, so I guessed boy. Now that she's heard a fast heartbeat twice, I'm going with girl.

I hope you get to see CP someday. It's very good. I've seen it maybe about five times.

Loving the updates Memom! Disney Stores are so awesome. We just got a new one in our area and we went about 2 weeks ago for the first time. I may have gotten DH and I a couple of mugs that were on sale and DD may have gotten a Pocohantas Barbie! It's so cool to me that a 17 year old can still get into the Disney spirit and not feel "too old" to get a Barbie when it's a Disney character. In fact, her 20 year old sister has just recently found several online that she got with a gift certificate she was given. So love it that we've passed on the Disney love to another generation! Just like you have with your kids and grandkids!

The Nashville Zoo looks like a really nice place. One of these days we'll have to make a trip there.

Loved the pictures from the end of your day at Boardwalk and WS. It looks so beautiful with the Christmas decorations.

I am glad you got a Disney Store back and that you can still buy 'toys' for your big girls.

Let us know when you come through Nashville.

Boardwalk was certainly beautiful.

It looks like you had a really fun weekend MeMom. I bet those girls sure love when you are able to spend time together.

I'm guessing that baby will get the Toy Story outfit. Thinking blue for Jill!

Yikes on the argument in Epcot! That is always awkward. But I'm glad you stayed and got to see the Candlelight Processional. Great pictures!

I don't know how much they love spending time with me, but I know I love spending time with them. I laugh so much when they are around.

Another boy guess. This time next week, the guessing will be over.

I just sat still and people watched while the people were fighting. A few people stopped walking by and sort of stayed close. I don't think they were being nosy as much as they were maybe waiting to see if one of them was going to need help. That's kind of the vibe I got from their body language and facial expressions anyway.

Thankyou for your lovely update Memom. I love looking at all the Christmassy stuff, and the candlelight processional looks amazing. How i would love to go at Christmas, but i couldn't leave my Mum ,Dad, Brothers and Sister. Being with family at Christmas is just too precious to miss.
I must admit that we are getting excited for our trip to Disney in a few weeks. Frazer has his countdown calendar up and running!!
Can't wait to find out if your next little baby bundle will be blue or pink!!

We did Christmas here first with all of the family, and then I took part of the family with me. I wish everyone could have gone. Maybe we can all go in December 2013.

Countdown calendars are as much fun for the grown-ups as they are for the kids.

Are you kidding me? I went all the way to Disneyland Paris to get that Eiffel Tower with Mickey!!! I almost bought that Paris mug too. I had no idea they sold them in Epcot!! OY!

I think maybe those were fairly new. I hadn't seen them before. Looking back at the picture, I kind of like the Mickey w/ Eiffel Tower, too. I may need one for my classroom.

What a wonderful walk around the world!

I'm so glad you stopped for CP. I've never seen it but it's on the list for someday. . .

When I saw that it was getting dark in your pictures I was thinking "She sure has been walking for a long time." I'm glad you went back to Pop to rest your legs and feet.

It's worth seeing. I like it better when I have a place to sit, but that night, it was too crowded.

I did walk a long time that day. (On the report, I've probably been walking for two - three weeks. ) There were so many things to get pictures of!!!

Lovely pictures of seasonal Epcot! I love Mickey's little village setup! (But I think my favorite touch are the snowflakes on the monorail.)

The village is cute. It would be expensive to have the whole thing, though.

I must admit that I want an entire Disney village just like that one to be sitting in my house!

Two of my favorite things at Epcot---Voices of Liberty and the Candlelight Processional!

I bought a Voices of Liberty CD. That was one of my few souvenirs from that trip.

Hi Memom. I think I have posted a time or two on your reports in the past, but am mostly a lurker. I enjoy reading your trip reports and watching your girls grow. I have been to Pop Century once before and am headed back there the end of May. I had a couple of questions and wanted to go to an expert for an answer. We have two 8:00 breakfast reservations this time - one at Tusker House in AK and one at Crystal Palace in MK. The parks open at 9 AM on both days. Do you have a recommendation on what time we should be at the bus stop to get there in time? Do we need to let someone know we have the early reservation, or do the buses just usually show up? Thanks for any advice you may have!

I believe the buses pull out of the transportation center at 6:30, so they start arriving at resorts within a few minutes after that. You might need to double check that with the front desk, but I think you will be fine to use a Disney bus. If they say something different, you can get a cab at any time.

Thanks for joining in. We like having our many DIS friends. So glad to hear you enjoy the reports.



**********************************************

Here are some new AoA pictures, for anyone who is interested.
I am really looking forward to taking pictures here this summer.

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...ee-inside-disneys-art-of.html?s=image_gallery

 

[IluvXU]

Happy Friday!

Baby boy or baby girl....I so remember that wondering for #3. I love my little pirate, but was totally expecting another princess. My biggest hint that I was not having another girl was the way I carried.... I was higher with Luke than the girls. However Luke and Hannah pregnancies were much more alike.

And I know what Jill means about #3 and being done. I will warn that there are times that I am sad that my baby is three, but I enjoy all the fun we have at the ages 8, 6, and 3 too! Plus we are busy with school and all their activities, so we moved beyond being home a lot!

 

[Megablocks]

CP looks amazing, I would love to be there for that someday.

I am also so anxious to find out what Jill is having! Kailyn was the last one and I'm pretty sure my mom didn't find out whether she was a boy or a girl. I'm not sure I could ever do that!

I loved seeing the pictures of AoA! I can't wait to see yours this summer. It's crazy how much it has progressed since I was there in January and walking around the lake to get pictures.

 

[MeMom]

Those crowds in France? Yep, that's what I am afraid of this summer!

But I am not going to think about it.

I think that was supposed to be possibly the most crowded day of the entire year. I know it can get crowded in the summer, but it's not normally like that.

Happy Friday!

Baby boy or baby girl....I so remember that wondering for #3. I love my little pirate, but was totally expecting another princess. My biggest hint that I was not having another girl was the way I carried.... I was higher with Luke than the girls. However Luke and Hannah pregnancies were much more alike.

And I know what Jill means about #3 and being done. I will warn that there are times that I am sad that my baby is three, but I enjoy all the fun we have at the ages 8, 6, and 3 too! Plus we are busy with school and all their activities, so we moved beyond being home a lot!

I enjoyed my babies, I enjoyed my little kids, I enjoyed my big kids, and I enjoy my adult kids. I really have enjoyed every stage of their lives. Yes, during the teenage years, each of them took turns being punks, but we made it through...



and they can get their payback when their own kids are teenagers.

CP looks amazing, I would love to be there for that someday.

I am also so anxious to find out what Jill is having! Kailyn was the last one and I'm pretty sure my mom didn't find out whether she was a boy or a girl. I'm not sure I could ever do that!

I loved seeing the pictures of AoA! I can't wait to see yours this summer. It's crazy how much it has progressed since I was there in January and walking around the lake to get pictures.

You've never seen a CP? You would enjoy it.

I didn't know what my babies were until they were here. Back in those days, they didn't do ultrasounds unless there was a problem. With Drew, the adoption agency asked us to be open to either a boy or girl, since we had both. They tried to do boy requests for all girl families and girl requests for all boy famlies. God gave us just the right baby, as He will do with Jill.

If it is possible to get all the way across the bridge, I will probably be taking my first AoA walk on June 23rd. If it's not, I may do it the hard way and get a bus from Hollywood Studios just to go check it out.


****************************************************


It is now December 29th.

The morning hair ritual.

Sometimes it is done in the room, and sometimes it is done on the bus.

Do you remember our early Hollywood Studios morning?

Does this look similar?

Brooklynn taking a picture of the big Christmas tree.

Birds sleeping in the trees.

Getting a little lighter.

I kinda like this one.

We were going here first.

We had to wait a few minutes, so I took pictures while the others stood in line.

I spy a mingo for Bella and a giraffe for Jackie.

Inside.

Brooklynn loves to look at all of the animal friends in this shop.

 

[MeMom]

Cast members ready for a new day.

Safari time.

Blurry okapi behind as we sped by.

This guy decided there would be no more speeding for our jeep.

He pretty much decided our jeep would not move at all.

In time, he let us by.

What could these pink things possibly be?

Sir Lion was up and about and making noise.

Not sure if Jill was filming or just taking pictures.

We've been on many two week safaris, but we have never yet gotten to stay two weeks. Jill always gets much better pictures of this, so hopefully she will have to load hers soon. I think from now on I am going to stick to video.

 

[MeMom]

We went down Pangani Trail. Not much was happening.

More shopping.

Next year, I am going with the Toy Story theme for my classroom, but the next year, I think I might do a safari theme and use some of this stuff.

Plastic friends. A nice cheap souvenir for little animal lovers.

(That one is showing sideways right now. Hope it rights itself in time.)

The dishes I like to look out. They would go with nothing in my house - I just enjoy looking at them in all the shops because they are each different, and they are so colorful.

That's it for tonight. I'm off to read some other reports now.

 

[Megablocks]

That little guy blocking your Jeep made me laugh - I think it's so funny how some of the animals just wander out!

You've never seen a CP? You would enjoy it.

I didn't know what my babies were until they were here. Back in those days, they didn't do ultrasounds unless there was a problem. With Drew, the adoption agency asked us to be open to either a boy or girl, since we had both. They tried to do boy requests for all girl families and girl requests for all boy famlies. God gave us just the right baby, as He will do with Jill.

If it is possible to get all the way across the bridge, I will probably be taking my first AoA walk on June 23rd. If it's not, I may do it the hard way and get a bus from Hollywood Studios just to go check it out.

I haven't seen a CP, sadly. The only months we've been are January, February, and April. It's definitely on my Disney bucket list.

I'm pretty sure I remember my mom saying that about the ultrasounds, too. I don't think she knew what I was, but she did find out with Mike, because she told me that she had to take me to an appointment one time. I just sat there and colored quietly, and her doctor nodded at me and said, "don't expect that with this next one." He was so right!

I hope it's possible! I would love to see it for myself, too, when we go back!

 

[Poolrat]

Those crowds in France? Yep, that's what I am afraid of this summer!

But I am not going to think about it.

As MeMom said that was the suuposed to be the most crowded day all year. The week of the fourth will not be that bad.

I kinda like this one.

I love that one.

 

[xoktenox]

Once again I was extremely behind...seems to be the story of my life these days!! I am just pooped by the time I get home from work and the gym everyday. I usually just pass right out after my shower!

Anyway, I just checked out your updates of the BC, YC and BW all decked out for Christmas and wow...I don't know how else to describe them, so pretty!

Glad you all were able to make it over to the new old mall. It looks really nice and spiffed up! I wish we had a Rainforest Cafe close to here!

How is all doing in your neck of the woods? Chris and I leave next Friday morning to head to tink's for the weekend for her bridal shower! We're so excited, we've missed them so much!!

 

[vamassey1]

I kinda like this one.

[/IMG]

I like this one too.

I'm very impressed with all the animals out and about.

 

[vamassey1]

This guy looks like he's doing his best impression of "The Thinker".

Love the shopping pictures. I spied a shirt I would like to look for.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Sunrise in the Animal Kingdom? That right there is a perfect reason to get up at the crack of dawn!

Awww, a giraffe and mingo hanging out together -- love it! LOL!

 

[reelmom]

Our crazy life is starting to slow down and I am catching up. I am so excited to find out if Jill will be having another Princess or if she will get her Pirate. Love the AK pictures. It is my favorite park. I could watch the gorillas all day. Did you happen to see little Lilly? I was wondering how she was doing and if she has caught up in her development.

 

[lmillercrew]

First I have to say that my DD12 has a friend like you student "G". It is VERY annoying and it drives me NUTS!!!
AND, I'm excited to know that I might have a glimpse of MeMom and Jill while we are there! Don't know if I would have the courage to say hello, but it would be fun.