Bargain Betty and Workaholic Starring In:What Are You, A Disney Expert?

[praisehisname]

I've never seen the whole show of Muppets 3D, so I'm looking forward to seeing it this trip. We tried in Janury 2004, but DS (9 at the time) vomited right after it started, so we missed the rest. Plus the crowds were so light we didn't get to see the pre-show. In September 2007 he wouldn't go near it because the memory was still fresh! This trip for sure!

 

[dawnbu40]

I've never seen the whole show of Muppets 3D, so I'm looking forward to seeing it this trip. We tried in Janury 2004, but DS (9 at the time) vomited right after it started, so we missed the rest. Plus the crowds were so light we didn't get to see the pre-show. In September 2007 he wouldn't go near it because the memory was still fresh! This trip for sure!

Aww that's awful that your son got sick there! I wouldn't want to back either if that happened to me! I hope the 3rd time is the charm for you!

 

[dawnbu40]

I am really in the holiday mood this weekend so I am taking a detour off my regular TR and sharing our weekend with you. Hope that's ok!

A little background....

Around midnight Friday morning I got a phone call from a sobbing Caitlin that she had just hit a deer. She handled the situation really well though and got home safe and sound about 15 minutes later. We feel VERY blessed that she wasn't injured and the only damage to the car is 2 cracks in the front spoiler. As you can imagine the trauma of the accident really had her feeling down on Friday so I thought it was the perfect time to decorate our tree. Dale happened to have the day off too (and since he is in retail his days off will be few and far between for the next 6 weeks) so it was a plan. Last year we did a "Disney" tree since we were going to WDW for our "girls only" trip for the week before Christmas. We liked the tree so much we stuck to that theme again this year. So Friday night we decorated the tree with help from Caitlin's bf Blake. We played Christmas music and ate holiday snacks and had a great time.

Our Disney tree complete with Cinderella on top

The holiday fun continued on Saturday...

Last night Caitlin worked at an Easter Mi Univ alumni event at the Toledo Zoo. Each year the zoo decks itself out in holiday lights and the Univ. has a special reception for the alumni. Caitlin came home from it last year just raving about it, so this year we decided to join her. She was right it was a great night. We hadn't visited this light show since she was a child and it has grown enormously over the years! Here are some of the highlights....

When we arrived it wasn't quite dark yet..

This guy seemed to be posing..

The African area reminded me so much of AK!

Outside the reception area

Even the school mascot "Swoop" was there

In the reception area they had a big variety of snacks including fruits and veggies with dips, assorted cheeses and cookies. They also had gift bags for the kids and a swag table with EMU goodies for the adults. The reception lasted about and hour and a half and when it was over the 4 of us (yep Caitlin's bf came too) explored the zoo...

Caitlin and Blake in a "snow cave"

Caitlin said this reminded her of the shark in Toy Story that comes out of the toy chest with Woody's hat on..

***Continued next post***

 

[dawnbu40]

In one of the buildings the zoo was selling refreshments and had a huge train display...

There were also cute photo ops

Back outside..

So folks there was our weekend. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad you let me share it with you!

 

[MEK]

Wow - If those pics don't get you in the Christmas spirit, then nothing will! Nice diversion! Love it.

And Caitlin - cute as ever! Cute new bf, too! I hope she is recovered from the trauma of hitting a deer. That does not sound fun!

 

[pipersmom]

Ohh..the zoo was so pretty! Awesome that you got your tree up, and I love the Disney theme! Piper leaves for her Dad's on Wed, and I haven't decided whether to surprise her with the tree being up when she gets back or not.

Tell Caitlin not to feel too bad about the deer..we live way out in the country and my family has a running joke..Amanda's Cherokee-4, Deer-0 ! Yes, in the past 2 yrs, I've hit 4 deer! The sad thing is, I'm actually a good driver..sometimes you just literally do not have time to stop. The worst thing that's happened is losing a fender flare (knock on wood), so I can't complain too much!

 

[wyodisney]

I just read your tri report and loved evry minute of it. I just booked a trip to WDW for next October and plan to do the MNSSHP. It sounds like you had a great time. Last May, my DH and I went to WDW for our 25th weddin anniversary. Like you, it was our first trip with no kids. We had a great time and plan on making it an annual trip. I can't wait to read the rest of your TR.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Where I was driving there were absolutely no street lamps and I literally did not see it until I was right up near it. It was a bit traumatizing but I am doing better now. Luckily I or the car coming in the opposite direction from me didn't get hurt so that's something to be thankful for.

 

[dawnbu40]

Wow - If those pics don't get you in the Christmas spirit, then nothing will! Nice diversion! Love it.

And Caitlin - cute as ever! Cute new bf, too! I hope she is recovered from the trauma of hitting a deer. That does not sound fun!

Thanks Mary Ellen! Caitlin and Blake are both cuties and both have similar goals and ambitions so it's really nice! She is not quite over the deer..last night was her first time driving home from campus at night since the accident and even though the speed limit is 55 she said she was too nervous to go over 45. I'm sure given a little time she'll get over it

Ohh..the zoo was so pretty! Awesome that you got your tree up, and I love the Disney theme! Piper leaves for her Dad's on Wed, and I haven't decided whether to surprise her with the tree being up when she gets back or not.

Tell Caitlin not to feel too bad about the deer..we live way out in the country and my family has a running joke..Amanda's Cherokee-4, Deer-0 ! Yes, in the past 2 yrs, I've hit 4 deer! The sad thing is, I'm actually a good driver..sometimes you just literally do not have time to stop. The worst thing that's happened is losing a fender flare (knock on wood), so I can't complain too much!

The zoo was really pretty and it was about 45 degrees so it wasn't too cold to enjoy it, although I kept thinking I bet this looks even prettier with snow Thanks we love the Disney theme too

4 deer?! WOW! Glad you've been lucky and not gotten hurt or had too much damage!

I just read your tri report and loved evry minute of it. I just booked a trip to WDW for next October and plan to do the MNSSHP. It sounds like you had a great time. Last May, my DH and I went to WDW for our 25th weddin anniversary. Like you, it was our first trip with no kids. We had a great time and plan on making it an annual trip. I can't wait to read the rest of your TR.

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!I love all the Disney parties and I really think anyone who is there when one is offered should try it at least once! I know you'll have a great time!
Belated congratulations on 25 years! That's wonderful! May is such a beautiful time at WDW it must have been a perfect time for a kidless trip!

 

[praisehisname]

Love the zoo pics, especially the polar bear! DH got tickets from work for the Zoo Lights at our zoo, so now I'm even more excited after seeing your pics!

 

[mickeystoontown]

The zoo pictures were so fun. I wish our zoo would do something like that. It's getting pretty run down and they don't have the funds to host more than a few things a year.

 

[dawnbu40]

Love the zoo pics, especially the polar bear! DH got tickets from work for the Zoo Lights at our zoo, so now I'm even more excited after seeing your pics!

Thank you! I hope you have as much fun at your zoo as we did!

The zoo pictures were so fun. I wish our zoo would do something like that. It's getting pretty run down and they don't have the funds to host more than a few things a year.

Thanks! When Caitlin was little we used to rotate between events at the Detroit Zoo and the Toledo Zoo since we are about equal distance from both. I'm not even sure if the Detroit Zoo does it anymore since we haven't been in years.
Sadly, a lot of zoos have lost funding sources and have gotten rundown!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Loved your update....love real time updates....we all have lives other than Disney and it's so nice when you share them

Love your tree...I wanted to put ours up yesterday, but Jasmine had to go to work so we will do it this coming weekend. Our tree is a 50/50 of Disney and Barbie...can you tell 2 girls live in this house

Caitlin and the new bf.....looking pretty cute

Good luck with your Christmas shopping....we're counting our blessings here...weather has been above normal for November so I am trying to get everything finished up before the temps plummet and I don't want to go out

 

[dawnbu40]

Loved your update....love real time updates....we all have lives other than Disney and it's so nice when you share them

Love your tree...I wanted to put ours up yesterday, but Jasmine had to go to work so we will do it this coming weekend. Our tree is a 50/50 of Disney and Barbie...can you tell 2 girls live in this house

Caitlin and the new bf.....looking pretty cute

Good luck with your Christmas shopping....we're counting our blessings here...weather has been above normal for November so I am trying to get everything finished up before the temps plummet and I don't want to go out

I'm glad you liked the update!
We normally wouldn't put the tree up until after Thanksgiving but I'm glad we did it early because I feel ready for the season! Disney and Barbie! Your tree must be adorable!
The new bf is a cutie and he's never been to Disney! Caitlin is already trying to convert him

I am actually all done with my Christmas shopping and I even have it all wrapped. However, I tend to have a hard time stopping We've had a nice November too but they are calling for snow on Friday. I'm ready for Christmas but not winter

 

[norybell]

Love your tree!

 

[dawnbu40]

Love your tree!

Thank you!

 

[meeko_33785]

Enjoyed the Christmas pics. Sorry to hear about Caitlin's accident though.

 

[dawnbu40]

Enjoyed the Christmas pics. Sorry to hear about Caitlin's accident though.

Thanks Meeko!

 

[dawnbu40]

From Dale, Caitlin and myself...





Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We hope your holiday is wonderful!

 

[MyMuse]

I'm finally caught up! *whew*

I loved the MNSSP pics! I hope to go at some point. I'm not into "scary" Halloweens at all, but I do like autumn. The party doesn't seem scary at all!

The trip to the zoo is always good. The light looked great.

Glad Tony's was a good experience; I did book The Plaza, so w shall se how it goes.

I'm sure I forgot a ton of stuff, but I am highly enjoying reading your TR.

Oh, and he line jumper.....the line is CLASSIC. I'm soooo stealing it.