In the Spirit of the Season

[lilpixiebabe101]

Sorry about the rain making the night not as merry as it could have been.

Love the "family" picture with Cinderella.

Like the new do! That picture I took of mine? I think I took 30 pictures trying to get that one!

I like the short flippy hair you had going on in the family portrait where Zoe is a baby! Love the chubby baby cheeks and Kira that picture is funny! One to hold on to for the senior memory pages in the yearbooks

 

[dizneeat]

Ann that new haircut looks super cool! It really suits you!

And I have to admit I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the family photos and the photos of Zoe (including the one Kira posted). You have a really wonderful family!

 

[swwake]

Ann I love, love, love the new hair! It looks so carefree and easy. And I still can't see any balding. I think you're making that up, in your modesty.

Love the family pics. I love seeing the young Kira - she looks so much like Zoe! And that last one of Alex is a riot!

 

[oboedm]

I am here, I am here! I always enjoy your TRs... and I appreciate all the updates on Zoe! She has been in my thoughts/prayers!

 

[annmarieda]

Your family pics are so sweet! And I love your new hairdo! It looks great!

awe, thanks. It is nice to know that my evil little chickens could look sweet.

I'm glad Zoe's surgery went well! Your hair looks great! Zoe was an adorable baby and you have a beautiful family!

Thank you! Zoe was a fun baby. I think that helps with her "adorable" factor. She was always just so happy.

First of all, I'm so glad that Zoe's surgery went well.

Second, she made an absolutely adorable princess. I love how serious she looked while getting done up at the BBB.

The castle does look amazing when its all done up for Christmas. I hope I get to see it someday.

And I love seeing all the pictures of your family through the years. Its funny how technology has changed things, isn't it?

While the crowds were a bit much for me at times, the castle like that is something to be seen. Absolutely spectacular!!!

It is funny how technology changes. I think by the time my kids are raising their kids...it will be shocking!

I'm very glad to hear that Zoe's surgery went well and she is doing good after words.

LOVING the hair cut! You look so cute!

And omg I love all of the family pictures and the baby pictures of Zoe. Alex's face in the first family picture has me cracking up

Alex is our face maker. Always has been....

Thank you for your kind words regarding Zoe and my hair.

Thanks for the stroll Ann! Love the family pictures. The boys in your family sure are characters! You are making me nostalgic as well... may just have to find some oldies of my kids and put them up. my son John had a habit of smiling is such a way that he looked like he was going to bite someone! I have tons of pictures of him like that I laugh now, but at the time I used to get so frustrated trying to get a normal smile out of him!

I love old pics. It is always so fun to look back and see where you were or what things were like. I hate to point out... but if you notice Zach didn't use to be the slim strong solider that he is today. You are correct...both my boys are characters. Actually...all my kids are...just in different ways. You should definitely dig up some old pics and share them! I know I would love to see them.

Just LOVE the pictures of the family.. Zoe is so cute as a little baby

Thank you.

That black and white picture of Zoe is so funny! It makes me laugh almost as much as this picture:

I still have that black dress. It fits me a little different now, though

That is also a favorite pic of mine. I can't see it without laughing.

I am so glad things went so smoothly with Zoe! Too bad about mistaking Zach for the dad...but hmmm, does that make you a cougar?

I had tears in my eyes for Zoes, BBB pictures! All that she has been through this year, I am so glad that she got to be a princess!

All the fun you had with Betsy...makes me that my family revolved against my plans and I did not get to meet her! Now they are telling me that they would have gone...I wished I would have pushed them the last day!

Sorry about the rain...looks like you dealt with it the best you could and did not let it ruin your fun!

Thanks for sharing the old family pictures...they are so much fun!

The issues with Zach being mistaken for dad or my husband happen all the time. Drives me nuts. I guess when I still get carded to buy alcohol.. I look way younger than I am. Since he is balding...he looks older than he is. Still..it is weird and embarrassing for everyone.

I had a lot of fun with Betsy in the little amount of time we had together. If all goes well, I hope to be able to take a trip with her this fall. She knows how to have fun! Not that my guys didn't... but she and Kira are definitely full of love for Disney.

And as for Zoe and BBB, it was an experience for sure!!! The girls all just beam when this is done. I regret never taken her before now.

I love all of the pictures!! The family pictures are priceless and the one Kira posted is great! We like those trips down memory lane, too!

The BBB pictures of Zoe are so precious! She's a beautiful little girl and definitely, as you said, a princess!

I'm sorry it rained at your MVMCP. Can't wait to see the pp pics, as well!

LOVE the haircut and your self portraits made me smile. I don't know how the teenagers do it either (you needed to add one with the smirk/kissy face ) but I thought you did a good job!

I'm glad you got a good room at WL! I knew you were concerned all year about the resort being so much like home but it seems you were pleased with your room and location and for 11 nights, you needed to be!

And do I dare say it looks like the guys are having a good time, too?

They guys did have a good time. In fact, I dare say they had a better time than I did. However, I will get to all of that in the weeks to come. (yes, weeks...I figure this is going to take me several months to complete this report and now I seem to be falling a bit behind in updates)

The room was awesome and all it took was walking in that lobby and all my concerns I had throughout the year were gone.

Kissy face? Good grief. What is up with that pose? yeah... no. I just don't photograph well... so no kissy face.

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, I LOVE the new haircut...very chic!

What wonderful nostalgic pictures...they are great and Zoe was a charmer then and still is.

thank you.

Sorry about the rain making the night not as merry as it could have been.

Love the "family" picture with Cinderella.

Like the new do! That picture I took of mine? I think I took 30 pictures trying to get that one!

I like the short flippy hair you had going on in the family portrait where Zoe is a baby! Love the chubby baby cheeks and Kira that picture is funny! One to hold on to for the senior memory pages in the yearbooks

The rain definitely didn't help us on that night. I think it being our first time on the trip making it into a park also made it a bit chaotic. I had no plans for the party so that also contributed (although as my TR continues on you will see I had to completely throw out my plans)

It is pretty hard to get a self taken photo.. oh well..done and I won't do it again for a while.

Ann that new haircut looks super cool! It really suits you!

And I have to admit I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the family photos and the photos of Zoe (including the one Kira posted). You have a really wonderful family!

Thank you so much. Some of those photos really brighten my day. It is nice to take a peak at them every now and again.

Ann I love, love, love the new hair! It looks so carefree and easy. And I still can't see any balding. I think you're making that up, in your modesty.

Love the family pics. I love seeing the young Kira - she looks so much like Zoe! And that last one of Alex is a riot!

thanks, but seriously..the top of my head is very very visible. Poor Kira never developed a sense of "sheltering someones feelings" She tends to say what she means..means what she says... Anyway.. when she first saw my hair cut she didn't say anything. I had to ask her what she thought. She just said she was waiting for me to complain about it. When I told her I didn't dislike it, she just mentioned how she thought I would because of how noticeable my balding is. Well, not a lot I can do about it..so I might as well be happy with the cut. (the way I look at it)

I am here, I am here! I always enjoy your TRs... and I appreciate all the updates on Zoe! She has been in my thoughts/prayers!

It is so good to hear from you! It has been a while.

 

[lovethattink]

Wonderful family pics!!

Love the new do. Yours is a little longer than mine now.

 

[ladytink75]

So Ann how bad was the snow you guys got. I heard Whidbey Island got hit pretty good at least where I use to live. I think they got hit with six inches so far and then another 10 inches is on the way. Man what I wouldn't do to be in that snow right now.

Also I wanted to let you know that I think I might be coming to PNW in like late June if I can find a good flight out of here. I have some things that I need to take care of that pertains to my house on the Island. If I do come out that way I will let you know

 

[oceanwave]

Love, love, love the new hair cut!! It looks fantastic!

The old family photos are great. Always fun taking a trip down memory lane.
The picture of Zoe that Kira posted is great, that expression is priceless!

 

[annmarieda]

Wonderful family pics!!

Love the new do. Yours is a little longer than mine now.

Thanks so much...

So did you post a pic of your new do?

So Ann how bad was the snow you guys got. I heard Whidbey Island got hit pretty good at least where I use to live. I think they got hit with six inches so far and then another 10 inches is on the way. Man what I wouldn't do to be in that snow right now.

Also I wanted to let you know that I think I might be coming to PNW in like late June if I can find a good flight out of here. I have some things that I need to take care of that pertains to my house on the Island. If I do come out that way I will let you know

We got hit harder than a lot of areas... and the worst it on its way still. This morning I think we had about 6 inches on the ground. Much of that stayed around, but got slushy. Now there are mounds of ice on the street. Not great...

If you come to the PNW, let me know!!! That would be lots of fun to set aside a bit of time to meet up.

Love, love, love the new hair cut!! It looks fantastic!

The old family photos are great. Always fun taking a trip down memory lane.
The picture of Zoe that Kira posted is great, that expression is priceless!

Thank you. I am surprised by how much I love the cut. I was worried that not being able to just pony it and go would make me It is way easier to deal with than I anticipated.

And the pic of Zoe... It cracks me up every time. Her expression is priceless, I totally agree

 

[annmarieda]

A Royal Breakfast

When the park hours changed, I found myself frustrated that we would no longer have an early (before rd) ADR to CP. Given that Betsy would also be in MK on the morning of the 12th, she began searching for an alternative that maybe both of us could do together. I too looked for a change, but never really found anything.

So imagine my surprise when at the airport it was decided that we would go to CRT!!! We had never been there. Since the boys did not want to go, it seemed perfect. Another girls only activity!!

One thing that needs to be mentioned here and to keep in mind for the next few days is that apparently there was a new dispatcher for the Disney buses. Just keep that in mind when I make reference to a lack of reliability of the buses during the first few days.

So Zoe and I got ready and went down to the bus stop. We got down in what I thought would be ample time to catch the bus and make it to MK and meet up with Betsy and her friend Shelly. We sat and sat at the stop waiting. It wasn’t long before I knew we were going to be late. Betsy tolerated it all great. I felt bad. She and Shelly were waiting for us at the castle while we hustled down Main Street once we actually made it to MK.

I did snap this wonderful shot as we ran down toward the castle.

Once we got into the castle, we waited in a short line for Cinderella. Zoe was the only one to go up and the picture that the photographer took was priceless. Strange that the only picture I got was this..

After meeting Cinderella, we sat for a moment to wait for Betsy’s name to be called. Then we were allowed to go up the many many stairs to the dinning hall.

Where we were seated? At a window!!!

The first thing to come was drinks, fruit and pastries. Zoe loved the cinnamon roll.

After we had a bit to nibble then came our main meal. Zoe had the kids meal; a basic breakfast. Betsy and Shelley also had the traditional breakfast.

I had the stuffed french toast which was amazing..only, I wouldn’t have the chocolate on top. It seemed out of place. The multigrain bread along with strawberries and sauce..not to mention the filling.

Throughout breakfast, Zoe was able to meet

Snow White

Aurora

Ariel

and her favorite, Belle.

The extras during the meal made it all the more special. Zoe was brought a special wand and Betsy asked where the rest of our wands were. I was secretly glad she did. I mean, could I have lived without one? Yes. Was I thrilled to get one? YES! Then the girls made their wishes and opened their eyes to see the ceiling lit up with twinkling lights.

When it was time to go, we exited the castle to find that it was raining..hard. So we darted over to the carousel and road it together.

That is when Betsy snapped the great photo of the two of us. Even though it isn’t a great picture of me, I am so glad she got one of the two of us.

From there, we darted in and out of shops as we made our way down main street. I look forward to sharing a photo pass picture of Zoe with a map. We did not prompt a photographer to take her picture. We were all chatting and Zoe was standing off to the side trying to read the map. We look over and there is a photographer shooting pictures of her. They turned out so cute!

We said our good byes. Then with a tree in hand to bring back to our room (thanks to Betsy) we went back to WL to meet the guys.

Once back to WL, we found that the guys were just finishing breakfast at Roaring Fork so we met them there and then went all together back to the room. Once there, I did a bit of decorating and we all got ready to head to MK.

Next Chapter: Throwing Out the Ridemax Plans and Meandering through MK (which also could have been the title to this entire TR )

 

[ladytink75]

From the models that I am seeing for the weather the worse is still to come. If you have to head out be careful I know those drivers out there can not drive pretty crazy even with all the snow out on the roads.

I sure will keep you informed, yes it will be great to get together since we were not able to do it over Christmas break.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I've never eaten in the castle, but it looks like a gorgeous place to have breakfast! And how awesome that Betsy scored you all magic wands!

That stinks about all the rain on your trip though! Hopefully things dried out soon!

 

[tankgirl427]

LOL that was Shelly who asked for the wands. She was like what about the big kids. I was excited to get a wand too!

Once we all finish editing the photos I can finally place that order. We really didn't need to scan both pp cards MVMCP night sicne now we have duplicates.

All I coudl think at CRT after enjyoing the view was that there were not enough cinnamon rolls since I don't like pastries and that Aurora needed to size up her dress and Belle was looking a little run down. But you'll have to wait for my photos to understand.

 

[annmarieda]

From the models that I am seeing for the weather the worse is still to come. If you have to head out be careful I know those drivers out there can not drive pretty crazy even with all the snow out on the roads.

I sure will keep you informed, yes it will be great to get together since we were not able to do it over Christmas break.

Yep, the storm is coming through now. It is pretty white out there...

I've never eaten in the castle, but it looks like a gorgeous place to have breakfast! And how awesome that Betsy scored you all magic wands!

That stinks about all the rain on your trip though! Hopefully things dried out soon!

I stand corrected in regards to Betsy doing the scoring. However..it was a sore nonetheless! The castle was beautiful.

As for the rain... at least it wasn't terribly cold. So it could have been worse.

LOL that was Shelly who asked for the wands. She was like what about the big kids. I was excited to get a wand too!

Once we all finish editing the photos I can finally place that order. We really didn't need to scan both pp cards MVMCP night sicne now we have duplicates.

All I coudl think at CRT after enjyoing the view was that there were not enough cinnamon rolls since I don't like pastries and that Aurora needed to size up her dress and Belle was looking a little run down. But you'll have to wait for my photos to understand.

I thought it was you who asked for the wand!

Yeah... I am sorry...just more for you to have to sort through. What are we up to? Over 2k, right?

And I do know what you mean about Belle... she was looking a bit run down.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Ann. And how wonderful to have a "girls only" outing again on the trip. We've never eaten at the Castle, but I know people pray for those window seats.

So where is this picture you talk of with you and Zoe? I don't see it here.

Love the Christmas decorations in your room.

And leave it to Betsy to ask for a wand.

 

[swwake]

I love this update! Can't believe Zoe's hair stayed the same from the day before!

Question - why didn't y'all take the boat to MK? We have used it a few times and it's pretty quick.

Ok, maybe I'm crazy, but were Ariel and Aurora ever in the room at the same time? Because I think they look like the same girl. Or at least twins. Look at their chins and their smiles. Maybe that's why Aurora's dress didn't fit so well (as Betsy mentioned).

What a great table, and the french toast looks awesome!

I remember seeing the pic from the carousel and going - wait - is that Ann? I had no idea y'all would be together that morning.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Another wonderful girls' outing! Yay!

I can't wait to see the photopass pictures!

I commented out loud to dh about Belle looking older. He said, "Well her movie did come out a long time ago." He cracks me up.

 

[momabaarjo]

I so love the girls trip to CRT...I wanna girls only trip! What a perfect place for Zoe...I know that table you sat at...on my business trip we set to the left of that one...dead center looking straight at Fantasyland! You guys had an awesome view...can't wait to show you where we set when we went this trip...hint I see my table in your picture. Funny about the wands when I went a couple of years ago (just me and my boss) they gave us the wands too (what a pain they were the rest of the day carrying around)...wait til my TR to find out about the boy's gift....GRRRRR! I have to agree that our Aurora too does not have a princess figure (any my son noticed ).

The room decorations!

 

[annmarieda]

Great update, Ann. And how wonderful to have a "girls only" outing again on the trip. We've never eaten at the Castle, but I know people pray for those window seats.

So where is this picture you talk of with you and Zoe? I don't see it here.

Love the Christmas decorations in your room.

And leave it to Betsy to ask for a wand.

I have to laugh at your comment.." a girl's only outing again" Um, much of the trip was a girls only outing.

The picture of Zoe and I? Do you mean when I was talking about the picture taken on the carousel? That was of Betsy and I...and she posted it to fb. Not sure if it is or will be on her TR.


I guess it wasn't Betsy who asked for the wands, but rather her friend Shelly. I am always amazed how I can remember things my own little way.

I love this update! Can't believe Zoe's hair stayed the same from the day before!

I was kinda amazed too. However, if I had been a bit more proactive it would have lasted maybe another day. It was sprayed to death!
the same from the day before!

Question - why didn't y'all take the boat to MK? We have used it a few times and it's pretty quick.

That was Betsy's suggestion too. We did end up using it... and I will get to it. I just was not aware of exactly where it was located at this point in our trip. this was only our first morning and I was going it alone with Zoe. I knew where the buses were..so we went that route.

IOk, maybe I'm crazy, but were Ariel and Aurora ever in the room at the same time? Because I think they look like the same girl. Or at least twins. Look at their chins and their smiles. Maybe that's why Aurora's dress didn't fit so well (as Betsy mentioned).

I don't think they are the same person, but I can see a resemblance.

IWhat a great table, and the french toast looks awesome!

it was an awesome table and the french toast was yummy... a bit sweet... but yummy!!

II remember seeing the pic from the carousel and going - wait - is that Ann? I had no idea y'all would be together that morning.

Yep... and that was the only one taken of just the two of us. It was a nice morning. Something about spending time with people who really are anxious to be there is special.

Another wonderful girls' outing! Yay!

I can't wait to see the photopass pictures!

I commented out loud to dh about Belle looking older. He said, "Well her movie did come out a long time ago." He cracks me up.

She did look a bit older to me. She is definitely not a 20 something princess...