Juan says "BAAAA!" - 12/24 - Our last few Disney hours. COMPLETE

[brookelizabeth]

Ok, now I'm done reading/seeing all the great updates!! We also love Downtown Disney and it's become our tradition to go there on our first night. I realize I need more time there so I must put that into the plans next time around! The stores ARE great! Henry is so cute in his CARS excitement! My DS who just turned 6 is still very much into collecting the die cast cars and as you know, there are quite a few! We don't buy every one but I try and get at least the ones that are "different". He has a bunch coming for Xmas - shh!

The "Joe" story is just so stinkin' sweet! I'm so glad it worked out the way it did and sometimes, it's just meant to be! Good for you guys!

I'm off to work on my pictures (it's never ending!) and my journal!

Hopefully no more snow for you guys for awhile....

Heather

I was thinking some new Cars would also make a great Christmas gift - I gotta get started with that in the next few weeks so the bills don't hit us all at once.

I hope we don't have any more snow either! I hope it was just some freak thing and we get back to normal Fall weather and see some more warm days.

Awww...such an amazing fairytale romance - it was meant to be! My husband and I were high school sweethearts and have now been married for 21 years but I wouldn't change a thing.

As for the snow, not sure on how much but what was sitting on the deck rails was a good 3-4 inches deep. Most of it is gone now but there are still traces of it sitting around. Just a real inconvenience on our Thanksgiving long weekend and nobody was prepared for it.

3-4 inches!!! Ick! That is just awful.

And a late Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope that despite the awful weather, it was a good time (and lots of yummy food )

Thanks for sharing your love story!

Your sandwich from WPE looked yummy! I can't wait to hit DTD and eat there. I also want to go in Basin and sniff stuff!

Denise

Going around and just sniffing your way through Basin is so much fun! A trip or two ago I did that, and didn't even buy anything. They have some samples out, so you can try them and then sniff your hands too.

What a sweet, romantic love story!


Kathy

Thank you!!

What a great night at DTD. I also love the themed soda machines. I really like the redone rooms at CSR. I have contemplated staying there but was never sure about the decor in the rooms but now I find it more appealing.

As for the snow...I am sorry...it is too early for all of that.

I also really enjoyed the story about how you and Joe got together. I remember reading your Honeymoon report.


Can't wait to see how your day at MK went.

I wasn't a big fan of the old decor at CSR either, but this refurb is very modern, and calming. The colors with the dark wood and turquoise are beautiful!

I really do mean to finish my honeymoon report at some point as part of a PTR. I never did our last day! Maybe someday...lol

I hope to get at start on our MK day up today/tonight!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi Brooke!

Finally caught up on your scrapbook update, park update, and snowscared1 update.

I give your scrapbooking a big thumbs up! I really have no talent at all when it comes to being artistic, so I understand where you were coming from. There was no need to think any of the book was bad! I think you did a wonderful job!

Fantastic DTD update! I think we will end up going to WPE on our first day, too. That sandwich is going to be calling my name! That brownie, too! I love the rasta pictures of you and Henry; I guess you couldn't convince Joe to join in on that? The room pics are great as well! It's been forever since I've been to CSR (I took a tour for a possible business meeting) and the rooms were completely different. Definitely a nice update to the decor!

As for the snow, ! I know it can snow that early, but darn, can't we squeeze out some crisp fall days first??? We've been very lucky with the weather around Cincinnati, it's been cool in the mornings and usually warms up to about 63 degrees or so. . . . My husband told me it was going to be a bad winter, I really don't want to believe him!

Oh can you imagine Joe in that hat?! Oh Lordy, that's HILARIOUS! I must scheme to make it happen in December. Muahhaha! Or possibly at least convince him to try some hats around World Showcase! I'm sure his Dad will be ALL about it. He's a big nut!

I would LOVE some nice crisp true fall days. 63 sounds heavenly! I don't want to believe your DH either...ick...

Yuck!!!! I heard there were a few flakes in some parts of WI too but luckily we haven't seen any yet. But I know it's coming...

Great updates. Henry is too cute.

I know! Can you believe it?! Have you guys gotten any yet? I hope it stays away again until December!

LOVE the love story!!

Thank you!!

I love your scrapbook. It looks like mine. I don'T follow any rules. I just do wathever feels good, and what I want. The result is great!

Thanks! I am really pretty happy with how it turned out. I love looking at it.

Awe Downtown Disney. How I love thee lol

I agree! It's fun to even just stroll around down there and not buy anything. The waterfront, the shops, the food!

I can believe snow is on it's way here too.

It's getting colder and colder.

Just depressing, isn't it?! I feel like we hardly even had summer.

What a great day at DTD...full of little moments......!

That Chicken Pocket looks soooo good.....I think I'm putting WPE on my ADR list 2x.....

It was VERY tasty. Crunchy, light, full of flavor. Yum.

Whoa Brook! I missed SO much!

1) your scrapbook is ADORABLE!!! Thanks for sharing so much of Henry with us!! He is such a ham in front of the camera, isn't he?!

2) Your sandwich from DTD looks delish!

3) Love all the hats you guys tried on, too cute! I will be having a similiar post on my TR!

4) love those CAR bath toys you got for Henry! We bought a similiar set for our boys but they are Incredibles, Buzz, Woody, Nemo, etal, we love them!

5) SNOW!?!!! No offense..keep it there PLEASE?!!

6) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your love story with Joe! Isn't it funny how life takes you down these paths? So nice to hear it worked out the way it was suppose to....

Can't wait to hear more!! And hope to stay up to date!!

Yes, Henry is a ham in front of the camera sometimes! We took a LOT of pictures him his first year (every single day...) - so he's used to it. And we take a lot of pictures, so we can weed through and only keep the best! His latest thing is smiling real big and saying "Cheeeeeeeeeeese!" it's absurdly cute.

I love random hat pics! I hope to make Joe get in on the action more in December. He he.

Oooh-I would love the Incredibles, Buzz, Woody, set! I'll have to keep an eye out for those and the 7 Dwarfs.

I am so glad I asked about the bucket hat meeting! What an awesome story! I feel like I just watched a movie! It is so cool how things in life happen and how things all happen for a reason.

Thanks! It is really neat to look back and see how things led up to our wedding. And I agree-all things do happen for a reason!

 

[brookelizabeth]

OMG, I read your DTD update the other day but Ryan caught sight of the pics with Henry holding his Cars. He was VERY excited about "car, cars!" and "McQueen!" and I couldn't move off those pics for what seemed like hours!!!

Great update!! Henry is to darn cute!!

I love the story about you and Joe! WOW!! Absolutely amazing!! Just proves you were meant to be together!

SNOW!!! YIKES! Your a better women then me my friend! I couldn't take that! I'm done with winter in NY by late Jan. I couldn't take it if it started in Oct!!

Actually, DH and I were talking the other day about when my parents lived in upstate NY. DD was a baby and we went to visit over Columbus Day weekend. It was FREEZING cold and snowed. A few inches!!! No way!!!

That is so cute about Ryan! Henry is EXACTLY the same. Whenever he watches me DIS and he sees McQueen, or any car really, or Mickey, he's GOTTA watch.

I am really REALLY bummed about the snow in October! It usually doesn't come until November. I really hope it was just a freak happening and stays away for a looooong time. I would love to get a real fall eventually!

Hi Brook! I just popped over to your trippie today for the first time. I'm all caught up and loving it!

It's especially fun for me because my daughter is 2 years old - we haven't taken her to WDW yet, but it's looking better all the time.

Thanks for taking the time. Looking forward to more!

Thanks for reading!! I hope my TR gives you some tips on taking a little one to WDW. I'm a big advocate of it - we have loved every minute of our past 3 trips with Henry. Despite the previous two having sickness and many, many, many diaper blow outs. It's VERY sweet to see your kids experience the magic!

More coming tonight!

Aaahhh, I'm way behind!!! Ok, seriously catching up now! There is so much good stuff to comment on...

First of all, I love your scrapbook! I think you did a great job, beginner or not! I love the picture of Henry laying in the grass- so cute! I love simple pages like that. I usually do 12 x 12 pages, so I have very few with just one picture on them, but I love how "clean" it looks. I also love the one in NYC- that is a really cool shot!

That sandwich at WPE looks delish! I could go for one of those right now- and the creme brulee too!

Once Upon a Toy is the best store, isn't it? I feel like a big kid when I venture in there. I love Henry's toy choice- those squeezie cars are so cute! David would love them. We have a new obsession with Cars in this house and he loved looking through your pictures with me!

I laughed so hard at your bus stop story- "Life is a Highway" is David's favorite song and we do the same thing! We recently bought the movie Cars for a road trip and he has watched it probably 50 times since then and loves that scene! One day I turned on the radio in his room and that song happened to be on... so now he must think its on a CD or something. If we are in his room he points to the radio and says, "Car song?" So cute!

Very cute pictures of Henry collecting his toys from the window! That must have been fun for him to walk up and see.

I love CSR's rooms- the colors are gorgeous! I especially like those big dark doors separating the bathroom from the rest of the room. And isn't it awesome how even those round pillows have Mickey heads on them!

Love your Mickey soap from the Basin! I need to get some of those on my next trip.

Looking forward to more!

That is so funny about the "car song" being David's favorite!!!! And yep, that scene exactly is Henry's favorite as well. Today he was watching the movie and we had to keep pausing it so he could grab the appropriate Car toy to go with the scene. He's become very fond of the tractor tipping scene too since I reenacted that one with his tractors.

CSR's rooms really are beautiful! I loved the subtle Mickey heads and those big doors separating the bathroom area too. Henry loved them as well.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh yes, I forgot to say I love your story about how you and Joe got together! Everything happens for a reason!

And snow already!!! We had some here yesterday but it was only in the mountains. But it has been in the 30's - hopefully it stays away for a few more weeks!

I agree-everything does happen for a reason! I think it's a very good thing many years passed before we got back together-I was NOT ready at that young age for a serious relationship.

I hope the snow stays away for you as well. It just stinks! I'm glad it's melted here and hope it stays away for a veryyyyyy long time!!

Rastafari Henry is too cute...and Rastafari Brooke is pretty cute too...now you just need a Rastafari Joe...

How funny is is that Henry didn't want to wear the Cars hat......kids are so unpredictable...it keeps you on your toes...

Hmmm....in no particular order...

pretty room at CSR-are they all redone now?

Love......WPE...I agree with you on the creme brulee......I wish we had WPE near us...but we do have a Chipolte...

Cute scrapbooks......makes me inspired/guilty...I have boxes of stuff I've been meaning to scrap...

I WANT SNOW...well ok maybe not yet...Thanksgiving would be nice...Actually Autumn is my favorite...Do you get much Autumn in MN...or do you jump right to winter...Henry must be a little snow baby...

Very sweet story of you and Joe......it was obviously meant to be...

I would LOVE to see Joe in that hat!! Oh, just the thought of it makes me giggle. I'm going to try to convince him to wear some crazy hats in December if I remember...!

Yep! I just recently read all the rooms at CSR are done.

We used to have a Wolfgang Puck's at the Mall of America, but I think it went out a loooong time ago, I never ate there - I never knew the wonder of WP! I wish we had a Chipotle, the closest one is an hour away.

Oh, don't feel guilty-I have oodles too that I need to do something with. Like 3 Disney vacations worth!

You want snow?!?! Are you feeling okay? I like snow for Christmas and that's IT. We usually do have a very, very, very nice and BEAUTIFUL fall. It's my favorite season! It usually goes from about mid-September to mid-November. This year it was about 3 days worth. I sure hope it warms up and gets back to fall for a bit!

There is a very good chance I am not going to be over here Friday to wish you a happy last day at work, because...

well, you know why.

Anyway, I do wish you a happy last day, but I wish you happier days ahead staying home and spending time with Henry. I'm sure Joe will appreciate a less stressed wife to come home to, too.

Thank you MeMom!! And I agree-I think Joe will very much appreciate a less stressed wife.

I hope you have a wonderful, magical, stupendous trip with your girls!!!

I've been offline for awhile but had to come read up on your TR Brook. We got the same icky snow here. Has yours also all melted away? Rain here today! Blah. Tomorrow is your last day of work? Congratulations! I bet you are really looking forward to your new chapter as a stay at home mom.

What a fun last update in DTD! Those are the fun kind of memories that family vacations are made from. I adore how much Henry loves Cars. He's such a doll!

Yes, thankfully it DID melt. Took about 2 days and it was all gone. It's been raining off and on since then - a little bit everyday it seems.

I am very much looking forward to staying at home! I'm a tad nervous at the unknown of what next week will hold, but I'm very ready to find out.

Our time at DTD was really fun. Joe and I just love watching Henry be himself and engrossed in his love of all things McQueen!


Thank you to everyone for your sweet words about Joe and my love story! And thank you to those of you who shared your own! It's very fun to read.

This coming Wednesday is our 3 year anniversary!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Tomorrow is your big day! Hang in there, you're almost there and you have so much to look forward to!

Good for you!

Heather

Thank you! It's been a bit of an emotional week. Tuesday they threw a pot-luck lunch for me and a ton of people, even from the other office, showed up! I had to say good-bye to my Disney-Fan-Co-Worker on Tuesday because he and his family were off to Boston for a short vacation on Wednesday. He will be at WDW next month!

 

[brookelizabeth]

The next morning we woke up early.

Scratch that.

I woke up early. 6:47 am to be exact. I wrote it down.

Joe opted to sleep a bit longer, as Henry was still sleeping when I got out of bed.

We had an 8:25 ADR for Crystal Palace at MK! I was very excited about this ADR and getting pictures of Henry on an empty Main Street.

Eventually Joe rolled out of bed when Henry woke him up-he still had enough time to get ready and we could be out the door. No worries.

But after he got ready, and just as we were about to leave, he realized he hadn't downloaded the pictures from the night before - so fire up the laptop, download...wait, wait, wait....

This delayed us by a good 15 minutes.

As we got to the bus stop, an MK bus pulled away.

Okay, breathe Brook, breathe. It will be okay.

This was NOT the perfect way to start a MK day!!

Waiting, waiting - the few minutes we did wait seemed like an eternity!!!

But a bus came, probably in less than 10 minutes and we were off.

We practically ran to the gates, and through bag check. I swiped my card and was through in a flash...but dealing with a stroller always takes longer doesn't it? Joe was with the stroller and Henry behind another family at the gate. As he came through, the CM noticed Henry's birthday button. By this time his name had completely smeared off from a mix of water and us holding him, so she handed me a sharpie. I wrote his name on the button again. Thank you nice CM!

When they finally made it through, the CM bent down to Henry and gave him a sticker and handed me a small amount of Mickey head shaped confetti, which I promptly sprinkled over Henry. It was a very rushed, but fun moment! (I realize now, after reading a recent TR where the people made RD at MK, the pixie dust was to throw during the opening show...oops! All well-we had an ADR!)

Under the bridge a CM stopped us and asked where our reservation was, and for what time. "Crystal Palace, oh about 5 minutes ago now." She laughed and allowed us to pass.

I felt awful being late knowing CP is a popular breakfast spot, and I knew we couldn't take the time I really wanted on Main Street. Joe felt awful about it, but I just hurried us along and tried to be okay with it - after all, nothing I could change about it now!

As we were rushing, in one swift move, Joe grabbed the camera out of the bag and I lifted Henry out of the stroller and plopped him in the middle of Main Street. Joe snapped a few pics as the camera fogged up---darn humidity!!!

But, I still love these pics...

I'm sure he thought we were nuts, running, running, running, then being told to stand there...

"So, I should just stand here?? Oooookay!"

We hardly even stopped moving, the pictures were done, Henry was back in the stroller and we were speed-walking it to CP. At check-in the CM was totally fine with us being late (probably about 10 minutes by that time), simply handed us a pager and we took a seat on an outside bench. I was so very tempted to go back onto Main Street and snap more pics as the camera slowly defogged...but I resisted and stayed put. And instead I took pics from my spot...!

Detail of a CP bench

I'm glad I took the seat, because it was maybe 5 minutes and we were buzzed in.

I don't remember taking these pictures, so I was either still feeling rushed and crazed, or Joe took 'em! Regardless, beautiful restaurant!!

The hostess led us to a table on the right hand side of the restaurant, right next to a window.

Our view

It was decorated with pixie dust and a ribbon in celebration of Henry's birthday!

On our way to the table Henry noticed a large container of milk and started to wiggle and squirm and shout "Mommy! Meh!" (milk) His little hand was opening and closing, doing the sign for milk as frantically as he could - when we kept walking to the table the tears started...I plopped him down and went STRAIGHT to the milk. It was meant for the cereal, but I had a sippy with! He was a very happy boy when I returned proudly with a sippy full to the brim of his favorite beverage.

A few more pictures as we got settled...

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

We were finally all arranged, milk was being guzzled, our waitress had taken our drink orders and explained everything and boom-there was Tigger!

Henry really likes Tigger, he bounces whenever he sees him, so I was excited to see how he would react.

He was THRILLED! It was a blast watching Tigger interact with my little guy.

After Tigger, I made a run to the buffet for Henry and I, I could see Pooh a ways off. I was back quickly and Joe took his turn.

We dove into the food - ooooh delish. Very, very good stuff!

Mine and Henry's plate - fruit with honey and strawberry yogurt on top, a croissant, and Pooh's Puffed French Toast. That Puffed French Toast was DELISH!!!

Joe's plate - everything he has here is fairly obvious as to what it is. He liked everything, but said the pancakes were a bit on the dry side.

Pooh arrived and I pulled Henry out of the high chair, he instantly gave Pooh a giant hug! It was so sweet.

Kisses for Pooh

Second rounds for both Joe, Henry I were had at the buffet

Those breakfast potatoes were sooooooo very good.

and next up was Eeyore!

Hugs

He would not look up for some reason...perhaps he liked Eeyore's feet?

Then quickly behind Eeyore was Piglet!

Going in for the kiss

Looks like they are old buddies!

**Side story**
Henry has 2 toothbrushes. One is Elmo, the other is Piglet. Prior to the trip he always wanted Elmo, or "Melmo!" After the trip, guess who trumped Melmo??? Yep! Piglet was the only toothbrush he would use! Just recently he finally started to use Elmo again, but still often chooses Piglet. I guess there is something about meeting a celebrity and makes ya wanna use their toothbrush, eh?
**End story**

The little parade was in there somewhere too, but Henry is still a bit young to participate alone...and well...Joe and I were stuffing our faces with the incredible puffed french toast and breakfast potatoes....

After we were done with our meal, our waitress brought our bill very quickly-along with a cupcake and card for Henry!

Henry was over the moon with getting a cupcake. He had just had a cupcake a couple days prior at home on his actual birthday and realized what a candle was and how to blow it out - so this was a huge thrill to him!

When I see this picture, I can hear the laugh he does with that face.

And hello? A cupcake for breakfast? The dream of a million little kids coming true!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Picture Overload about to start - I just love this series of pictures we captured!

"Thank you nice waitress!!!"

I'd say that's a look of satisfaction at first bite!

Our meal here was excellent. Great service from our waitress, awesome food, wonderful character interaction. I am thinking this is a the very best way to start a day at MK! (I'm going to miss it in December!)

Looking for the characters I'm sure!

How cute is this?!

The time was about 9:30 by now. The rope had dropped 30 minutes ago. Would Fantasyland be swarmed? Would Henry finally get to ride Dumbo?

Which way should we go?

Up next: Cars, ju jus, and choo-choos!

 

[Stefy]

Awww bless what a cute update. Hectic at the start, but turned out all good in the end

Those Main Street pictures are really good, love the caption under the last one

We love CP, the setting is perfect and who doesn't love Pooh Bear and Friends You pictures are so cute of Henry and those cupcake pics, made me laugh and go awwww

Those puff french toast thingies look yumma, did you try the breakfast pizza?

 

[jordanyosh]

What awesome pix taken from mommy's perspective! They were taken with pure love in mind and it's what comes across in the pix, especially the ones with the cupcakes! Nothing like the innocent joy of a child!

 

[MeMom]

Great pictures of an awesome morning, Brook! I was going to highlight one or two, but I can't pick a favorite. They all just made me feel like I was sitting at the table with you watching Henry give sweet baby slobber blows to the candle.

What a perfect way to start a day! I know it started mine off right!

Check in with us this weekend as we report live (sort of) through Trent and some Dis pals. Have a great last day at work!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Awww Brook, LOVE the cupcake picture series of Henry!!!!! Those are TOO cute!!!!!! Love that little face, he was a very happy little boy!!!!

I"m pretty sure today is your last day of work....thinking of you and welcome to the world of SAHM!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awww, that series of pictures is adorable! The tootbrush story is pretty funny too.

 

[praisehisname]

What a great breakfast at CP! Looking forward to the next installment!

Denise

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Great update and such wonderful pics of Henry!

And I wouldn't mind cupcakes for breakfast either

We have made it a tradition to do CP before the park opens on our MK days. Those Pooh Bear Puffs are scary good!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Great update Brook!! I would have been totally freaking out about running late just like you were! I actually recall telling DH in January to remind me never to make a breakfast reservation again.

Alas, we have 2 breakfast reservations in 2 weeks Our Chef Mickey's ADR isn't until 10:50 so that will be easy enough to get to,especially because we'll probaby go to MK before hand. Our Tusker House ADR is 9:10. Again I think it's more doable for us then the 8:30 reservations of the past. I resist the urge to take a 7:30 ADR at Chef Mickey when I changing our plans 9,000,000 times!

We LOVE CP!! We've done it every trip with the kids! We're not doing it in 2 weeks because it just wasn't fitting into a shorter trip with all the other requests. Obviously we aren't doing it in January because it's closed. I try to get an ADR at LTT, because I hear Pooh and Friends are moving over there during the refurb, but I've read it's completely booked! I think we'll go into Pooh withdrawal!! Especially Ryan!

I LOVE the pics of Henry at CP Too cute!!! He looks like he was having a blast!!!!

Have a wonderful last day of work!!!! You must be soooo excited at this point!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Those are absolutle precious pictures of Henry at Crystal Palace!! He is such a cutie. I love seeing his Disney experiences, thank you for sharing them with us!

 

[pooh'smate]

I have been lurking but I just had to say the Henry is so adorable. I love the shirt he has on. Did you make it? My dd loves Cars too. She is 4 and had a Cars themed birthday. She too acts out the movie with her Cars that she got for her birthday.


P.S. Happy last day of work (at the office).

 

[MEK]

Oh, that darn morning camera fog! I hate that, but what are ya gonna do?

I also hate that rushed feeling you get when you know you are going to be late but there is nothing you can do about it. How nice to receive special mickey pixie dust.

Now....I don't know which pictures I like best.....the pics of Henry with the characters or the pictures of him and the cupcake. Quite the toss up. I'm gonna have to go with the cupcake pictures because the wonder, amazement, and joy in his face are so evident. What a great memory to capture!

 

[Lamping3]

Hope you have a happy last day at work!

I love the pics of Henry at CP.....Only in WDW are we allowed to have cupcakes for breakfast!