Fears, tears, fun, and laughter: We survived spring break TR updated 1/29

[JPFamilyMom]

Looks like you had a nice Easter. I'm glad things are moving along nicely with your move. I hope you find the house of your dreams.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your 2012 solo trip!

Thanks, time is ticking away and we still have several loose ends to tie up here so we may be pushing the move to July instead of June, DH has until August 1st, though we'd like to be there sooner than later. But he is leaning toward renting for the first 6mo to a year, there is a home we can rent through the diocese out there that is for people transitioning to the area like us.

I sure hope I can do a 2012 trip too

How fun! A move to the country!! I love the idea of a little mini-farm; I really hope things will move along smoothly for this transition!

Your Easter celebrations looked fun with the boys! So many extras, and I love your cake. It's really pretty, Jessica!

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Thanks Liesa, I'm so looking forward to a slower pace of life, though DH and I have different ideas about a living space, we have come to a compromise on what we are looking for.

The boys really had fun this year, they are a little older so we have involved them more in the preparation, then just the participation.

Thanks the boys and I have really had fun making more things ourselves, and I have found the cake making to be good therapy for me Hope you area also having a great day. new post coming up

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Tuesday March 15, 2011: On to AK

The morning went pretty smoothly, the boys got up and dressed without any issues and we all ate a quick bite. The boys opened up their gifts from Peter Pan and my niece from Tinkerbelle, the only thing I can remember is that they got glow bracelets and a glow stick (they got this every morning).
We loaded the cars and were on our way.

We did not make rope drop but we did arrive at a good time to see some smallerish creatures.

The boys liked looking at the Toad and Tarantula.

Then we walked over to look at the bird exhibit, the plan originally was to make a dash straight for the safari but my sister was mia.

I finally inquired as to what was taking so long and my Mom said she went to get Anniversary buttons now since their anniversary was in a few days and she didn’t know there were Anniversary buttons when they got their first visit buttons the day before. So I decided to walk over to the kiosk to look at the lanyards to hold my little card holder I had purchased in January which is where I kept my park ticket, debit/credit cards, and Jacks GAC. I purchased one and when I put it on it was so long, after awhile I pinned it up with the birthday button from the day before.

Finally everyone was ready to head to the safari, we saw this guy on the way:

By the time we got there I think we had about a 20-30 min wait. My camera died while on the ride but I did manage to get some nice shots of the animals and one video of the giraffes running which we all thought was pretty cool.

video:

check out that cute new baby

Jack was wondering where the zebras were and when we exited a CM started a conversation with us about the zebras, and told us they were causing problems getting the other animals too excited so the only place to view zebras now is at AKL. Next trip we'll have to plan a trip to AKL just to see the zebras

up next will the heat get to us or will we stay in happy spirits...

 

[All7OfUs]

That's the problem with going with family- everyone is always waiting on someone. I know when you choose to go with family or even friends, I have to adjust my expectations and go with a "we're in this together" mode of thinking rather than, I just want to do everything.

You got some really great pictures from the safari. I always struggle with getting 2 or 3 to turn out.

You saw a snake?? Is that what that is?? I love snakes and always look for them when I'm in FL, but never have yet. Someday.

I know I"m in the major minority on that one- sorry for all you snake haters.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

That's the problem with going with family- everyone is always waiting on someone. I know when you choose to go with family or even friends, I have to adjust my expectations and go with a "we're in this together" mode of thinking rather than, I just want to do everything.

You got some really great pictures from the safari. I always struggle with getting 2 or 3 to turn out.

You saw a snake?? Is that what that is?? I love snakes and always look for them when I'm in FL, but never have yet. Someday.

I know I"m in the major minority on that one- sorry for all you snake haters.

It gets better meaning not, lol

no it's not a snake, I think it's an anteater way down there all curled up, but I can't remember that is why I said "this guy" I'm sure you could see a snake in the front where we saw the toads and tarantula, I actually think one of the CM did have a snake in their box but there were too many people.

We visit the snakes a lot at our local zoo.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I agree that traveling with a group definitely has it's challenges!

I can't believe there aren't any giraffes on the safari anymore! We skipped it this last trip (because we were soooo busy riding EE & Dinosaur over & over).

 

[TanzUnited99]

Good luck with the move.

Yay on enjoying the safari even if you did have to wait to get everyone together

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I agree that traveling with a group definitely has it's challenges!

I can't believe there aren't any giraffes on the safari anymore! We skipped it this last trip (because we were soooo busy riding EE & Dinosaur over & over).

yes challenges, but I think it was more challenging because none of them had ever been

there are still giraffes just no zebras, I never paid much attention in January but when a kid keeps asking for something you take notice when it's missing

Good luck with the move.

Yay on enjoying the safari even if you did have to wait to get everyone together

thanks

 

[JPFamilyMom]

On my sisters to do list was Affection Section so the plan was to head there next but Joey wanted a snack and I wasn’t sure there would be any in that area so everyone headed in different areas to grab a snack and the plan was to meet up in Affection Section.

Joey wanted a pretzel, but when I went to the stand there weren’t any plain pretzels and it was going to be 10-15 minutes before they got any more. Trying to talk him into fruit he would not stop, so my DH said he would sit with Jack and talked me into making my way to a different area in search of a pretzel. We got all the way to where you can see Devine (didn’t get to see her) and Joey see’s someone with Mickey ice-cream so now he wants that, so we walk all the way back to where we were because there was an ice-cream stand we had passed close to where I left DH and I got two Mickey Ice-creams. Jack hasn’t had “real” ice cream in a year and he devoured it so fast, Joey didn’t finish his so Dh and I each enjoyed a couple bites.

We got on the Wildlife Express Train and just as we are chugging away we see the rest of the family making their way to the front of the line, so we knew they would be on the next train up. So we walk very slowly and as we all meet up my niece is asleep, Jack is acting up, and Joey wants to go no where near the animals. After the boys and I make our way through the conservation area (where DH had to escort Jack out of) my niece is awake. I take Joey to see the goats and DH takes Jack with him to see the goats as well. We only got one picture on DH’s phone.

Deciding the area was a bust we head back to the train and make our way to Flame tree BBQ, my Mom said my Dad was hungry, but first we stopped to take the only big group shot of our trip (the kids were less than cooperative):

We get there and the line is really long and my Dad said he wasn’t hungry (he never said he was, mom just assumed), so we head to Dinoland. The boys are both very agitated already, it is getting quite hot out. My sis and Bil want to ride Dinosaur and Mom says she wants to also and talks my Dad into riding. They leave my niece and Aunt with us. So we have two strollers and a wheel chair and just two of us. We decide to take the kids on Triceratops. The line was WAY to long and didn’t help the boys mood, but we stuck it out and they all enjoyed the ride. We are waiting and waiting, I see a shaded area so I wheel my Aunt over to it and park her, then push my niece over and park her, Dh brings our stroller over with the boys. Joey wanted to go see the dinosaur on top of the restaurant.

We saw goofy and asked if the boys want to take a picture and of course they didn’t (silly me for asking). So we wait some more. Finally the rest of the party joins up with us again and didn’t ride the ride but ended up jumping out of line and got fastpasses for later. My Dh was pretty frustrated with that hour of time, but kept his cool.

We decide it’s time to take the boys back to the house before a meltdown happens. So we part ways after some flustered discussion about what to do next.

On our way out I ended up carrying Joey and we are walking and we hear “Pictures with Pooh and friends” Joey pops his head up and gets excited. John tells me to take him, he walks around with Jack.

Joey was excited for most of the wait until we got to the front of the line and then he starts crying, the PP pictures turn out pretty good after some cropping but after we see Pooh I make a mad dash out of there with a screaming child (not cause we are leaving, but because he doesn't want anymore characters to get near him).

In the end the tears were worth the few laughs we got and I think some cute pictures

up next should we stay or should we go?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sorry your AK visit wasn't very magical! We've definitey had days like that where nothing seems to go smoothly.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Love the Winnie the Pooh pics!

Am sorry to hear your day didn't go as planned.

 

[All7OfUs]

I feel badly that your day was just kinda hard to get through! Kids that are just not enjoying what's going on make for a tough time on everyone. Glad you did end up getting a few pictures of Pooh though, before you had to leave. They did turn out pretty cute!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Sorry your AK visit wasn't very magical! We've definitey had days like that where nothing seems to go smoothly.

it started out pretty good, but then

Love the Winnie the Pooh pics!

Am sorry to hear your day didn't go as planned.

thanks the Pooh pics make me smile even though it wasn't a fabulous experience

I feel badly that your day was just kinda hard to get through! Kids that are just not enjoying what's going on make for a tough time on everyone. Glad you did end up getting a few pictures of Pooh though, before you had to leave. They did turn out pretty cute!

it's ok, we still want to go back, and so do the boys, and I learned a very important lesson, like most people I think would agree with, future trips will just be our little family

 

[All7OfUs]

it's ok, we still want to go back, and so do the boys, and I learned a very important lesson, like most people I think would agree with, future trips will just be our little family

Yep! It's the only way to do it. THere's just too many ways a big group can want to go, and all of them are different according to each individual. Family vacays are best left to camping.

 

[MEK]

Your easter cake is beautiful!

Good luck on your move.

Ugh - your AK day sounds like it was tough, but sprinkled with just enough great moments to make it a keeper.

Love the family PP pictures. They turned out great!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Joey's Pooh pictures (that sounds wrong! ) are cute! I'm glad you got a few smiles in the end there. Sorry your AK day had the bumps but yes, I'm looking forward to hearing all about your future trips with just your family.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Yep! It's the only way to do it. THere's just too many ways a big group can want to go, and all of them are different according to each individual. Family vacays are best left to camping.

or maybe a cruise but on a different rotation j/k but def. not a disney trip again

Your easter cake is beautiful!

Good luck on your move.

Ugh - your AK day sounds like it was tough, but sprinkled with just enough great moments to make it a keeper.

Love the family PP pictures. They turned out great!

Thanks, that is a great way to look at it, tough but sprinkled with great moments to make it a keeper, I love that

Joey's Pooh pictures (that sounds wrong! ) are cute! I'm glad you got a few smiles in the end there. Sorry your AK day had the bumps but yes, I'm looking forward to hearing all about your future trips with just your family.

though poo is a regular topic in our house I've never taken any pictures, but we do love pictures with Pooh

Yes like Amy we are doing things VERY different next time, and I can't wait to share my plans, but it's a little early yet

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Once I meet up with Dh again I see Jack is asleep in the stroller so we decide to stop at Flame Tree BBQ and grab some lunch (with the plan to get something for Jack and just take it back to the house for him). Lunch was wonderful, I enjoyed the BBQ ck salad, DH gets the pork pulled sandwich, and I get the kids an order of ribs to share. No pictures of course thanks to my dead camera battery. Jack wakes up as we are cleaning the table and eats a little bit. Then on cue they both start again “lets go home, I wanna go home”

So we pack up and head out, but not before taking some more photopass pictures (really it only happened because I got us turned around and had to stop and pull out the map, there was a PP there) I’m glad we stopped because Dh and I haven’t taken pictures just the two of us in forever, and the PP had us take some, and I’m so glad he did.

I stopped in the gift shop outside AK to get the boys shirts to wear the next day at MK.

The boys both fell asleep on the walk back to the car.

Of course we take another dip in the pool and just relax. We had dinner and decided not to head back to a park tonight because tomorrow we are going to MK.

That ended our AK time:
Favorite: Mickey ice-cream
Lease Favorite: waiting in dinoland
Overall: a decent day, wish I could’ve taken the boys to see Nemo or FOTLK (that’s why we go back though, right)


So instead of visiting a park we decide to head out for dessert…. So where do you think we went? (and this was a highlight of our trip)

 

[TanzUnited99]

Am glad your day got better.

Them PP pics look great and yay on getting some of DH and yourself. I love the B&W one

Your right - there's always the next trip for Nemo and FOTLK.

Am looking forward to reading about where you went for dessert. Am going to guess Ghiradelli's.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Am glad your day got better.

Them PP pics look great and yay on getting some of DH and yourself. I love the B&W one

Your right - there's always the next trip for Nemo and FOTLK.

Am looking forward to reading about where you went for dessert. Am going to guess Ghiradelli's.

Thanks things were looking up and the evening does get better

I was so glad the PP had us step aside and take some pics just the two of us

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I'm bored to tears right now, doing laundry and in the middle of a flash flood watch (prepared to evacuate if necessary)... so home for the day and guess I'll post this next update...

So one of my Dh’s only requests for this trip was to get some ice-cream, some GOOD ice-cream, so where else would I take him then the place home to the kitchen sink. (we weren’t ready to tackle something like that, but the table next to us did, they had 8 in their party though) The hotel was beautiful and my DH said he’d like to stay here too someday, until I told him how much we would have to pay, lol.

here is my horrible shot of the outside of the hotel walking in

my DH sat in this kids sitting area in the lobby while I walked around to find out where to go, I couldn't even remember the name of the restaurant

The kids enjoyed selecting music and probably pushed like 10 songs. The atmosphere and décor was fun.

The boys each got the kids ice cream- Joey got vanilla with sprinkles and Jack got chocolate with chocolate sprinkles.

My Dh got the Milky way Sundae

and I got the No Way Jose.

Everyone enjoyed their sundaes (and Joey sampled a little from everyone’s dish) but we all agreed it was too much and we could’ve shared. Our waiter was fantastic, we tipped him very well, sorry I didn’t catch his name. Joey spilled his water everywhere, we cleaned up the table and bench but felt bad about the floor, our waiter said not a problem.

(it was all my fault, I let him take his lid off)

It’s definitely a place we would visit again and was probably one of the best memories of the trips, the boys were happy the whole time and never once asked to go home.

When we left the fireworks for Illuminations were going off and we asked the kids if they wanted to sit and watch, they say no so we head home to get to bed early, we have a rope drop to make tomorrow. But first we grabbed some pictures outside.

(this is one of my favorite pictures from our trip)

up next...can a party of 10 make it to an MK rope drop?