Magic, Memories and..... MCSPARKELSONS! A Christmas Grand Gathering! Update 5/1

[karajeboo]

Yep, for real. And I hear ya about selling a kid. We need to sell two! lol. But wait, as of right now they are going with us so that won't work. Darn.

I keep telling Ally that if she doesn't behave we'll save money by leaving her at home!!!

All caught up now...Lovin it!

Well, it's about time!

omg you're hysterical! i love reading your updates! sounds like you guys had a pretty good day! FYI - i think you copied the wrong link in the Ally video because it links to the Osborne lights!

Just fixed the link - thank you!!!!

 

[rndmr2]

OK, note to self..... steer clear of you in the winter!!! Holy cow! I hope everyone is on the mend. Is anyone around you fully put together?

That's what our family has been saying, too LOL

If you can believe it, Wed night my MIL ended up in the hospital with a bleeding stomach ulcer! She is ok and came home yesterday but she had to have a transfusion from the amout of blood she lost, crazy, I tell ya!

Love your Osbourne lights pics! We went to the WCC in 2010 and we really enjoyed it, I wouldn't be in a rush to go back, though. I would like to try it for breakfast, however.

 

[karajeboo]

Up again, bright and early!!!!!

And guess what we did this morning?

We ate breakfast!

Gma and Gpa, Kami and her clan, and my offspring, all headed to Cape May for a character breakfast and I will have to rely on Kami for those photos since Jeff and I stayed home. Well, not home, per se.... but we stayed away from "those" people.

And we ate at Kouzzina on the boardwalk!

I had just eaten here in May with the DISmoms and though Jeff would really enjoy it... which he did. I'm kinda like Ellen, all bossy like that.

But Jeff was not feeling adventurous, or maybe it was me, because we both ordered the same thing, the Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast.

And I'm thinking I might just be ordering this again in 20 days, the day the DISmoms check out of our WDW resorts and head to Port Canaveral for our 4 night Dream cruise!!!!

After getting our bellies full, we waited for the rest of the clan, who had to go back to the resort for something... not sure what, but guess what we did?

We waited!!!! Shocker!

And this is what happens when McSparklesons get tired of waiting.....

They begin striking poses.... or striking something!!!!! Models we are not. Nuts we may be.....

Soon Kami and the crew showed back up, I think we just met up with Gma and Gpa at the IG for more time in Epcot!

After all, McSparklesons just can't get enough of Epcot!!!!

Someone had the brilliant idea to ... wait for it.... go shopping!!! Right at park opening, right there at the IG. So again, the McSparklesons waited outside.

And when McSparklesons get bored.....

Work it girlfriend!!!!!!

By the time Illuminations was set to begin.....

We were finally back in the park. And off to hit more of Future World that we missed on our last day here.

First up was Journey into Imagination, or "Figment" for those of you not used to using your imagination.....

Figment is Kami's favorite WDW character. Something about purple. And dinosaurs. And the stench of the ride when using your SMELLing sense.......

So once we got off the not so crowded ride - I think we had a whole train to ourselves - we played a bit in the dump room.....

Whoa, trying to find an empty spot to play was tough!!!!

Watch out for the crowds!!!

And as we were ready to head over to the Living Seas pavillion, we decided to..... wait for it....

SHOP!

I swear, I have no idea why anyone would want to waste time at park opening buying a $3.99 figment, when one can spend an hour anytime at WOD and get it all done at once!!!! Amateurs!

So we were bored... And we're McSparklesons... soooooooo.....

No. No more photos.... after all, being a model is such hard work. And the models union says no more than an hour of day on my feet out of crocs..... Luckily, I was IN my crocs all day!!!!

I think even Gpa was bored..... He was just wandering around taking it all in.

We went down to the Living Seas pavillion eventually - it may have been the next day, by now, I think I lost track of time..... and hit Nemo. Well, we didn't hit anyone, but we rode along peacefully before ending up in the aquarium..... and look who we saw in the aquarium!!!

Mickey Scuba Diving - VIDEO - click to play!

I've NEVER seen Mickey scuba diving before!! It was soooo cool to see him there!

We saw the manatees, we saw some fish, we saw Crush.... like totally dude!!! Even the old dude in the white shell enjoyed it.... fer sure!

I just LOVE Crush!!! I'm still amazed at that technology but I love it!

Then, while the rest of the crew decided to.... wait for it.... shop!!!! Grandpa, Jeff and I decided to go mess around with Bruce!

Let me just say, they really need a CM directing a line for this photo op. Gpa and I had to squash a few little dudes to get inside Bruce. I mean, we stood there nice and polite for a long time, while little dude after little dude just shoved right in front of us. Finally, BIG dude had to say.... "uh, hold on a second there, squirt, you need to wait your turn.... like totally!"

Continued, next post

 

[karajeboo]

And while Kami and the rest were... wait for it.... still shopping!!! I decided to audition for my role as a cast member. Hey, I can do this job! I just have to direct people as they get off the Nemo ride.....

Kara's Cast Member Audition - VIDEO - click to play!

By the time we got out of the Living Seas, I was exhausted. What with all that modeling, and wait for it.... shopping! I just needed to lean on Gma for a bit.....

I was so tired, in fact, that I agreed to go and Listen to the Land..... I was actually looking forward to tomatoes growing in the air! And other strange things....

That was just to prove I actually stayed awake for my journey through the Land.....

By this time, it was after 11 and World Showcase was calling my name.

No, seriously, I did hear, "Oh Mcsparklesonsssssss, where are youuuuuuu?"

And besides, there's gluhwein in World Showcase.....

So off we went, and I'm not sure, but if I was still pushing Gma at this point, I'm sure she was back on 2 wheels, and I'm sure I had her hat turned backwards to get less wind resistance.

Cause I needed to get to WS!!!!!

Sorry for the blurry pic, but I was MOVING!!!

Where ya goin Gpa? The Rose and Crown pub is the other way!!!!!!!

Not to worry, Jeff and I made sure to grab a pint o ale for the dear old lad..... Just a little something to wet his whistle.... Oh spit spot.

Once we made it through the UK I was able to drop the accent. Am I the only one who says "eh" 47 times while walking through Canada, and "spit spot" while in the UK?

Kami and her clan took Ally and went to hit Test Track, so Jeff and I took the gimps for lunch..... We had all just had big breakfasts, but after all that.... wait for it.... shopping! We needed a little something to get our energy back.

How bout that pint o ale and a basket o fish n chips???

AFLAC!

We were able to just split a basket and then kill some time in WS - and what better place than here????

We ran into all sorts of characters along the way....

They didn't have much to say but I kept thinking the bobbies were chasing me out of the UK, what with all the whistling going on....

Before leaving Epcot to catch the boat over to Hollywood Studios for our early ADR, we thought it might be nice to relax here in France and grab a little something sweet......

Oh, so many pastries, so little time....

Grandpa said he didn't want anything, but he was sure eyeing our treats. And being the sweet daughter that I am, I offered him a bite of mine. "Just a little" he said.

So I complied.

Cause I'm a giver. That's who I am......

Up next, 50's Prime Time Cafe and Fantasmic!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

We saw Mickey diving back in the 80's. Kind of cool to see that.

You would make a great CM, I guess?! Did the CM ever catch onto what you were doing?

The Land is good for resting tired bones. I would love to have a tomato tree!

 

[Simba22]

And we ate at Kouzzina on the boardwalk!

I REALLY want to try Kouzzina but every time I look at the menu I get nervous and back out of booking it! We ARE staying at the BWV when we go back next year....maybe I'll gain the courage to make the ADR by the time my 180 days rolls around.... in April....of 2013....

And this is what happens when McSparklesons get tired of waiting.....

And when McSparklesons get bored.....

that's actually a REALLY cute pic!

And as we were ready to head over to the Living Seas pavillion, we decided to..... wait for it....

SHOP!

I swear, I have no idea why anyone would want to waste time at park opening buying a $3.99 figment, when one can spend an hour anytime at WOD and get it all done at once!!!! Amateurs!

I love Figment too but even I waited until I was at WoD to buy one! And I have next to ZERO impulse control!

I think even Gpa was bored..... He was just wandering around taking it all in.

I LOVE doing this, especially at Epcot! Just wandering around......taking it all in....

and look who we saw in the aquarium!!!

Whaaaaaaaaa?! SO. FREAKING. AWESOME!

Let me just say, they really need a CM directing a line for this photo op.

I am not above going to FIND a CM and ask if there is someone who can come referee the line. If the parents won't do it, I'll find someone who will. But I won't do it myself because I HAVE done it before and I've gotten yelled at by said parents...they won't yell at their OWN kids...but they'll yell at ME when I tell their little heathens that it is, in fact, MY TURN with Mickey! Dang flab it!

And while Kami and the rest were... wait for it.... still shopping!!! I decided to audition for my role as a cast member. Hey, I can do this job! I just have to direct people as they get off the Nemo ride.....

You're a natural!

Before leaving Epcot to catch the boat over to Hollywood Studios for our early ADR, we thought it might be nice to relax here in France and grab a little something sweet......

Oh, so many pastries, so little time....

gosh i love this bakery! I just wish it had more seating that WASN'T stuffed into the back of a gift shop

Grandpa said he didn't want anything, but he was sure eyeing our treats. And being the sweet daughter that I am, I offered him a bite of mine. "Just a little" he said.

So I complied.

Cause I'm a giver. That's who I am......

 

[jenseib]

I can't post a rear picture like that.......because it would take up the whole screen.

I always think AFLAC too when I see the ducks. Glad I'm not the only one.

The CM directing was hilarious.

 

[karajeboo]

We saw Mickey diving back in the 80's. Kind of cool to see that.

You would make a great CM, I guess?! Did the CM ever catch onto what you were doing?

The Land is good for resting tired bones. I would love to have a tomato tree!

We got one of those topsy turvy tomato hanging things. didn't work.....

I REALLY want to try Kouzzina but every time I look at the menu I get nervous and back out of booking it! We ARE staying at the BWV when we go back next year....maybe I'll gain the courage to make the ADR by the time my 180 days rolls around.... in April....of 2013....

You should really try it for breakfast. I have not been for dinner but it looks scrumptious to me! But I love to try new foods....

I can't post a rear picture like that.......because it would take up the whole screen.

I always think AFLAC too when I see the ducks. Glad I'm not the only one.

The CM directing was hilarious.

So you'd hire me, right????? I could direct people in the Living Seas when they get off Nemo???

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a great day for shopping and eating! Oh, and posing. We haven't seen Crush yet - just haven't gotten our touring plan right - guess I need to get a McSparkleson plan.

How cool that Mickey was scuba diving! I had never heard of that before. Oh, he heard the McSparkleson's were there and had to make an appearance just for you.

I don't usually say spit spot or 'eh much, but in Norway, I have to get the Skoooolbread and Ryyyce cream along that little ROOOOD don't ya know.

 

[anewmac]

I LOVE IT lol

I never knew about Suba Steve... err Mickey how cool but then again you are McSparkelsons so he knew to come out at the right time

Cracking up at your CM audition.. you should send that in!

love the dessert snacks.. omg they look to die for!

 

[Beth D]

Wow, i made it back on here before you finished it up! Nothing like life and slow DIS boards conspiring against me!

Kami - OH (wait for it, wait for it...) any true buckeye can finish this up! Love the pic representing the scarlet & gray!

You couldn't ever walk me down a coaster ever either! Give me a drink and wait for the nice fireman to carry me down!

Love the aflac duck!

We say bloody he double hockey sticks in England, but close enough!

I can't wait to start reading your cruise TR. I just subbed...

Kara - even though you moved away can you finish it up?

 

[karajeboo]

What a great day for shopping and eating! Oh, and posing. We haven't seen Crush yet - just haven't gotten our touring plan right - guess I need to get a McSparkleson plan.

How cool that Mickey was scuba diving! I had never heard of that before. Oh, he heard the McSparkleson's were there and had to make an appearance just for you.

I don't usually say spit spot or 'eh much, but in Norway, I have to get the Skoooolbread and Ryyyce cream along that little ROOOOD don't ya know.

I think I heard.... "McSparklesons in da Seas!" and right then Mickey came out in his Scuba Steve costume..... Or something like that.

I LOVE IT lol

I never knew about Scuba Steve... err Mickey how cool but then again you are McSparkelsons so he knew to come out at the right time

Cracking up at your CM audition.. you should send that in!

love the dessert snacks.. omg they look to die for!

Who doesn't love Scuba Steve.... or Scuba Mickey!!!! And again, the anouncement... "McSparklesons in da Seas!"

Wow, i made it back on here before you finished it up! Nothing like life and slow DIS boards conspiring against me!

Kami - OH (wait for it, wait for it...) any true buckeye can finish this up! Love the pic representing the scarlet & gray!

You couldn't ever walk me down a coaster ever either! Give me a drink and wait for the nice fireman to carry me down!

Love the aflac duck!

We say bloody he double hockey sticks in England, but close enough!

I can't wait to start reading your cruise TR. I just subbed...

Kara - even though you moved away can you finish it up?

Kami, et al, are Buckeyes only in residency..... Not sure they own any scarlet and gray and I'm positive they don't know the fight song. Come to think of it, the state of Ohio should kick them right out!!!!!

Oh, and ........ I-O!!!! I can also sing Hang on Sloopy and I know all the words to Fight the Team, and Ally does too!!!!! WE ARE BUCKEYES!!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

After wandering around World Showcase with Gma and Gpa for awhile, we texted Kami to let her know we were on our way over to Hollywood Studios.... and I think we may have also asked her if she had our daughter. We hadn't seen Ally for awhile and were hoping she was with Kami.....

As soon as we got to DHS, we noticed that Indiana Jones had just begun so we made it in there by the time the second scene had begun, so it was nice to just relax there for a bit before dinner.

Technically we were only here for dinner and Fantasmic, as this park was rated "very busy" on this day. But really, "very busy" the second week in December isn't bad at all.

Any time you can plan a trip to WDW when traditional American schools are in session, you are pretty safe. Especially when it is right near the beginning or end of a term, like September and May. Parents don't like to take their kids out of school at the beginning or end of the year, or right before Christmas break.

But McSparklesons do it! We are fortunate that Ally is a very good student, and knock on Grandpa's wooden head, she is very healthy, too. In fact, up until the first week of school this year, Ally had NEVER taken a sick day from school..... She's had a couple of staph infections, so I've kept her home, but a cold, flue, or virus? Never. So she made it through 5 years of school, never missing for illness, so we made up for it with vacations!

But since she's heading into middle school next year, we knew this would be the last time we could take her out for a full week during the school year, mainly because it's just too much work to make up and I don't want to do that to her..... So from here on out it's Spring Break and Summer vacations....

And trust me, WDW loves their spring break and summer pricing......

But I digress....

It was time to catch a little Indy.... Gma loves all the Indiana Jones movies, but Gpa has never seen one.... he still loved the stunts though.

Can't you see how excited he and Jeff are?

Gotta keep that macho distance between them, even if it means cheeks hanging off the bench on either side.....

We got a text from Kami that they were at the same show, and lo and behold, they had our child!!!!

We hooked up with them as we were walking out and checked in about 30 minutes early at 50's Prime Time Cafe, but they told us they would not be able to get us in early.

No problem. There's a bar.....

So we popped a squat in the Tune In Lounge and grabbed some refreshments....

I think part of our group left for awhile and maybe hit Star Tours again? Or were they... wait for it.... shopping?

I do believe they actually chose this time, during a busy time of day, while sitting around waiting for dinner, to.... wait for it.... go shopping!

Right after they came back, we were called to dinner........

And very soon, Auntie Claire came over to reprimand us for the first of many times.

"Elbows off the table!"

She was a lot of fun and really played up Gma and Gpa's anniversary.

I have to be honest though..... it was a fun dinner, but the food was far from thrilling. I'm glad we finally did this dinner, but I wouldn't do it again. Again, lots of fun, especially with a large group, but nothing to write home (or to Auntie Claire) about....

Most of us had milkshakes which I found way too heavy. I had maybe 1/4 of mine and just couldn't do any more.

Then I had the combo which included the fried chicken, meatloaf and pot roast. The meatloaf was very dense, the pot roast very salty, but the chicken was pretty tasty.....

If it weren't for Auntie Claire, I probably wouldn't have even mentioned the meal - but she was lots of fun....

She even made Grandma and Grandpa recreate the first bite of cake from their wedding....

Dinner took a long time here, so we really had to hush puppy it over to the Theater of the Stars for Fantasmic. I had heard from others that we did NOT want the first handicap seating that was offered, so I instructed the CM that we wanted to be more central, and they walked us further into the theater so we had better seats....

Jeff was really excited to see this as he had not seen it since 1998..... I believe Ally and I have caught it a couple of times since then, but for whatever reason, it never worked into our schedule with Jeff.

So he was all hyped up..... Or maybe it was that peanut butter milkshake from 50's PTC?

Fantasmic really is a wonderful production, but can be a bit scary for children since a lot of the Disney villains are featured and it's Mickey fighting the evil.....

In the end, Mickey saves us from evil, the happy characters are back, yada yada yada...

Oh, did I ruin it for you? Did you REALLY think the villains would beat Mickey? When did you crawl out from under that rock?

Fantasmic - VIDEO - click to play!

The only problem with the seating we had, was it was a slow escape. But we had no place to be, and were actually savoring this last night. Tomorrow is check out day and that is ALWAYS a sad day!

We all ended up walking back to the Boardwalk, and look what we caught when we got back!

I think we caught fireworks all but one night from our room.....

Ally didn't seem to notice though.

Up next: Worst day of vacation... the last!

 

[rndmr2]

Looks like you had a fun dinner at 50's PTC. I thought that would have been a fun one to try for our group this past May but we ended up picking other places.

Wow you got some pretty decent Fantasmic Pics! Mine never come out that great. Although I discovered a different setting on my camera about 1/3 way through the trip that may work so I will have to try next time.

 

[JKSWonder]

But since she's heading into middle school next year, we knew this would be the last time we could take her out for a full week during the school year, mainly because it's just too much work to make up and I don't want to do that to her..... So from here on out it's Spring Break and Summer vacations....

And trust me, WDW loves their spring break and summer pricing......

That's us also. Allison starts middle school in September.

In fact, I had to start us on the whole "actually vacationing during the summer" thing this year. Since there had been so much brouhaha about them possibly changing the calendar and/or testing days, I didn't want to take a risk. So, August 2012 it is for us.

P.S. - after all the talk, they didn't change a gosh darn thing and I could have vacationed in October or December after all.

 

[podsnel]

That is the sweetest pic of Ally sleeping...

As I said over on my TR, that isn't my favorite food either- but I do love the fun CMs when you get a good one- I LOVE the interaction! So cute with your parents and the cake.

I REALLY need a vacation- I plan on laughing for a solid 7 days, so bring the Depends-

 

[CRdisMom]

we have one more year before we hit that dreaded middle school homework load. So this summer we are hitting the road...thinking that we may leave the kids in TX for a week and go back and get them.hahaha! ahhh the freedom.

Your mom was winding up for that cake in the mouth...

ally looked so peaceful.

Ellen I agree you do need a vacation but then again so does KJ. Have a great time!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I do like the picture of Ally, she still looks like a baby girl hugging her stuffed animals. So sweet! She hasn't become a total middle schooler yet!.

This past Sept was our first time at Fantasmic, it was so totally not what I expected! It was so awesome.

We thought 50s PT was just ok, theming was sort of neat.

 

[karajeboo]

Looks like you had a fun dinner at 50's PTC. I thought that would have been a fun one to try for our group this past May but we ended up picking other places.

Wow you got some pretty decent Fantasmic Pics! Mine never come out that great. Although I discovered a different setting on my camera about 1/3 way through the trip that may work so I will have to try next time.

It is a "fun" dining experience.... go if you want a fun atmosphere, but not for the food......

That's us also. Allison starts middle school in September.

In fact, I had to start us on the whole "actually vacationing during the summer" thing this year. Since there had been so much brouhaha about them possibly changing the calendar and/or testing days, I didn't want to take a risk. So, August 2012 it is for us.

P.S. - after all the talk, they didn't change a gosh darn thing and I could have vacationed in October or December after all.

I was lucky that our principal excused all 5 days we were gone.... it helps to be the PTO president who has earned more money for the school than any previous president....

That is the sweetest pic of Ally sleeping...

As I said over on my TR, that isn't my favorite food either- but I do love the fun CMs when you get a good one- I LOVE the interaction! So cute with your parents and the cake.

I REALLY need a vacation- I plan on laughing for a solid 7 days, so bring the Depends-

Packed! I feel the same, but it's not really like we need to PLAN on laughing, it just happens!!!!

we have one more year before we hit that dreaded middle school homework load. So this summer we are hitting the road...thinking that we may leave the kids in TX for a week and go back and get them.hahaha! ahhh the freedom.

Your mom was winding up for that cake in the mouth...

ally looked so peaceful.

Ellen I agree you do need a vacation but then again so does KJ. Have a great time!

I'm so not looking forward to middle school, although they do it differently here - it's not like "junior high" where they change classes independently. Instead, they change classes with their homeroom class. So they all go together for their 4 core classes, then they have 2 electives they go to on their own. So it's really more like elementary in that regard. Right now they have two teachers (one for ELA and one for math/science) so they "change classes" even in elementary.

I do like the picture of Ally, she still looks like a baby girl hugging her stuffed animals. So sweet! She hasn't become a total middle schooler yet!.

This past Sept was our first time at Fantasmic, it was so totally not what I expected! It was so awesome.

We thought 50s PT was just ok, theming was sort of neat.

She is so funny, sometimes she's so grown up, other times she's my little girl.....with a tween's mouth! You are exactly right about 50's PTC - theming....

 

[Simba22]

LOVE that pic of Ally sleeping with her stuffed animals!

That's sad about your meal at 50s! I thought the food was supposed to be really good! I have a feeling we'll be hitting up the Tune In Lounge this July though...

I love Fantasmic! I would rather see that on my last night than anything else, I think.