Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[brookelizabeth]

Hi! I have been lurking on this report trying to catch up! Also went back and read the December TR lol. I went away this same weekend! But not to Disney! But I remember having to switch my flight because of the Hurricane that never happened! Sounds like this is a great trip so far!

about the hurricane that never happened! We thought it was going to be a lot more than it was--but I was glad Joe's changed flight plans were in our favor!

Awe, I speak of you guys very often too. I'll be sending Hs Halloween card soon

I believe there are 3 sets of characters for the monorail. The one that comes with the monorail, the pixar one, and the other one they are selling with hook I think. I could tell you around Christmas when I take my monorail out lol

You are too sweet! He will be THRILLED!!

Ooooh, we didn't get the one that came with the monorail because it was a gift from a fellow DISer, Carol (gabrielsmom). I'm more than fine with just the one set, those little buggers are hard to keep track of! Do you put yours around your tree? I hope to do that should we ever have an apartment/tree large enough.

Yummy looking breakfast. I want that croissant.... now!

I could handle anything from that case about now! YUM!

awe, you gotta love the first day of school.

I do. heheh

It's SO fun watching him all excited for school! I'm so proud of my big boy!

Okay, how on earth did you ever pick what you wanted to eat? Everything in those cases looks DELICIOUS!

How does it work that no matter how much you buy kids, it's always the littlest things they latch onto the most! Henry looks so happy with his new Mickey.

and at the time I picked a BAGEL! Can you believe it? I'm not much of a sweets in the morning type of person though, so....but right about now, I'll take anything!

That is soooooo true about kids!

Yum! Everything from the Bakery looks yummy! Even the frosted flakes. lol.

Henry is so cute. I love his little backpack. What a big boy going to school! So glad he loved it!

I really should have tried that Mickey shaped blueberry muffin! Pretty much everything Mickey shaped is good, right?

Wonderful updates, Brook!!!!

A belated "Happy Birthday" to Henry! I know I already told you on FB -- but an extra birthday wish never hurts!

Luke was THRILLED to look through the pictures of Henry's birthday on FB! He always says "He is my friend mommy and his mommy is your friend too." I promise to attempt to get a video of it at some point -- but as I told you, everytime I get that camera out, the cuteness stops & he sits there like a statue! Ooooh I almost forgot about this! Last time, when I was showing him the video you posted on my wall, he said "There's Henry -- but where's his mommy & daddy? Are they at Disney?" I think he definitely has our love for Disney figured out!!!!

FB is completely ruining my DIS time! I always think that I've replied to someone here or caught up on a report -- only to realize that I've just looked through someone's facebook photo album!!! I seriously need to work on my time management between FB and DIS!

I'm sooo thrilled that Henry loves school so much! It was so nice seeing the photos of him with that huge smile on his face!!! Are things still going well? I hope they are!!! Also, I really love his backpack!!! Super cute!

Back to Disney -- The Boardwalk Bakery sounds like a great way to start the morning!!! I know all too well how nice relaxing mornings turn "not so relaxing" -- we all have those days!!! Those peanut butter muffins in the display case look delicious!!! But I think I'd rather have a ham & cheese croissant! YUM!!! I love breakfast sandwiches on croissants! They are so hard to find around here so I will definitely get a few while at Disney!!!

Super cute pics of Henry at breakfast! And how sweet of the worker to give Henry the Mickey figure!!! Little things mean the most, especially at Disney!!!!

I doubt I'll be back on DIS again before leaving, so don't update too much without me, ok?!

Three days for you!!!!! THREE!!!! You are going to have such a wonderful time!!!! I can't wait to hear all about it. I hope all the sickness goes away and you are able to fully indulge and enjoy!

That is ADORABLE about Luke calling Henry his friend. I look forward to the video--whenever you are able to get it! Henry went through a stage a bit like that, and still does it sometimes.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Don't you just hate the packaging of "kid's" foods! That is something that has always annoyed me too. In fact, I just stopped taking DD to the grocery store with me because of it. I can go in and buy the good stuff in the plain box and she will eat it and be happy, but if she sees the junk in the cool box, that's what she thinks she wants! Maybe we should invent a product line of healthy foods that have the cool marketing! I can just see it know... Mickey head shredded wheat!

The pictures of the Boardwalk are beautiful though. A great way to start my Sunday morning!

Congrats to Henry on starting school! Be prepared though, once they start school the time moves twice as fast.

Yes! The marketing for kids drives me bonkers! I like Henry to get the organic yogurt in a tube, but he likes the ones with Spongebob, Scooby Doo, monkeys, etc. The organic ones just have smiling kids. Thankfully he's come to realize, finally, that Mommy isn't backing down...Daddy though is another story. He can sweet talk Daddy into ANYTHING!

LOVE your idea of Mickey head shredded wheat!!!

I have heard that about kids starting school - I'm trying to keep that in mind and savor these last days of toddler-hood.

I used to allow those cereals only outside our house. My son used to call them "Nana's house cereal."

Isn't that the truth?! My MIL gave Henry Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cereal while we were there in July. Just by the name you know how healthy THAT is!

Hi Brook,

I just found your TR last night and have been intensely reading it for the last 24 hours!!! Your little family is so adorable and Henry is just the cutest little boy You should seriously consider trying to get him in commercials or print work! Your relationship with your husband is similar to mine when it comes to vacation planning. I do all the trip bookings and planning and my husband reminds me that he doesn't want to rush in any parks and just wants to take it easy since he works hard all year and needs his down time when on vacation. I used to fight it and get frustrated but I've come to the realization that I would enjoy the trips more if I tended to stop and smell the roses a bit more too, so it works for us both now. I always have my ADR's planned ahead and what parks we'll be in for each day but now we have the mindset that whatever we get done in a day is what gets done. I still feel frustrated when I think he's walking too slow and I just want to get ahead of a crowd, but I try to remind myself how lucky I am that my DH loves to go to Disney as often as we do! I've really enjoyed seeing the excitement on Henry's little face when he tries something new. I'm looking forward to reading more of your TR

Thank you for reading! And thank you for the sweet words about Henry! We have been told that a few times...but I just never have tried. Maybe someday - when life slows down a bit!

And yes! Exactly the same on the planning! Joe won't say a word during the trip if he doesn't want to do something, he just goes with the flow...but afterwards.... It really does help when I slow down. I still think we need to find that perfect balance, but we are getting closer! And you are right - the fact that our DH's enjoy Disney is HUGE!! I need to keep that in mind too!

 

[Queila]

Those pictures of Henry going to school are adorable. What a bitter sweet moment this must be!

I am very curious to see how the rest of your "day off" unfolds. To bad the breakfast was anything less than perfect but you are SO RiGHT. It is impossible to be in a bad mood when you are having one of those cheese danishes.

Have a great week!
Q

 

[brookelizabeth]

I left off as we were slowly making our way back to our room after our slightly-crazy breakfast on the Boardwalk.

Back in the room we got ready for the day and we decided we wanted to go hang out at another resort. So I hopped on Facebook and asked people's opinions on where we should go as we got ready. Most votes went to AKL; however, Joe mentioned he wanted to swim-and DVC pool hopping is not allowed at AKL, so we went with the second choice....the Wilderness Lodge!

A quick pic of the kid - I try to do this just in case we get separated, I have a picture right near the front of my card in exactly what he's wearing:

Gee, can ya tell he didn't want his picture taken???

We headed to the boat dock

Okay. Sure. I TRY to do an update and the 1 time a year my photo storage site goes down is now. Figures, right?!

Well, I hope to get back here later tonight, or tomorrow. Until then, hang out in the hallway of the Boardwalk. I'll be back!

 

[tinacaplan]

Glad Henry has gotten off to a good start at school. Its hard to believe how fat it goes, isn't it? I had a moment like that recently; we were out at dinner and Max was being super affectionate and I realized that he wouldn't be letting me do this in public for much longer.

Your Boardwalk breakfast looks great. That whole area is so beautiful, it really, truly is. So tempting to stay there this February.

And you're right...do not like the marketing people, not one bit. Why do there have to be toys and things that look like toys EVERYWHERE???? And if it isn't toys, then its candy. Ugh. And you're right, gotta pick and choose your battles on those.

 

[KatMark]

You just can't catch a break, Brook. Well, I'll wait and look at that staircase until you get back.

 

[jenseib]

Darn it. I was so excited to see another post!

 

[CJsMom]

I don't mind hanging out in the Boardwalk...really...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Well, at least we got a cute picture of Henry with his nose all squished up.

 

[MeMom]

Bakery breakfast and a breathtaking Boardwalk backdrop - what a beautiful morning!

Makes me want to sing 'Letter B' from Sesame Street years (and years and years) ago.
Did you ever hear it? It was to the tune of 'Let it Be'.

 

[blessedby3]

This picture is SO ADORABLE!! I love the squinched up nose....he is just precious

 

[brookelizabeth]

Glad Henry has gotten off to a good start at school. Its hard to believe how fat it goes, isn't it? I had a moment like that recently; we were out at dinner and Max was being super affectionate and I realized that he wouldn't be letting me do this in public for much longer.

Your Boardwalk breakfast looks great. That whole area is so beautiful, it really, truly is. So tempting to stay there this February.

And you're right...do not like the marketing people, not one bit. Why do there have to be toys and things that look like toys EVERYWHERE???? And if it isn't toys, then its candy. Ugh. And you're right, gotta pick and choose your battles on those.

It does go fast! I'm thankful Henry is still in that super affectionate stage...that one I will miss. I'm gonna milk it while I can though!

I looooove that area as well. I missed it so much back in May when I was at Movies. I had a great stay over there, but this Epcot area feels like home to me. Good thing we have DVC.

You just can't catch a break, Brook. Well, I'll wait and look at that staircase until you get back.

I'm back this morning! I have a few minutes to finish up this update!!! Yay!

Darn it. I was so excited to see another post!

I'm back!!!!

I don't mind hanging out in the Boardwalk...really...

it's not a bad place to wait at all!

Well, at least we got a cute picture of Henry with his nose all squished up.

Bakery breakfast and a breathtaking Boardwalk backdrop - what a beautiful morning!

Makes me want to sing 'Letter B' from Sesame Street years (and years and years) ago.
Did you ever hear it? It was to the tune of 'Let it Be'.

I don't remember that one! I wonder if I heard it if it would ring a bell though...I might have to YouTube it.

This picture is SO ADORABLE!! I love the squinched up nose....he is just precious

Thank you! That's his "Ugh Mom, I'll humor you for ANOTHER picture" face!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm back!

Let's get out to the boat dock!

We decided to boat to DHS, then bus over to WL. We were not in any sort of rush and we just enjoy that boat ride so much, it was a great way to travel!

Love.this.resort!

Inside the lobby we wanted to take some pictures of Henry running over the bridge. On Henry's first trip in 2008 we have these pics from our last day

They are some of my favorite pictures from the whole trip! He was just learning to walk. And now...

I love that one with Joe looking on - even though Henry is a blur! He needed our hand to guide him back in 2008, but now he's a big boy!

We took time to rub Humfrey's nose

And were very shortly sucked into the gift shop. I LOVE that they have some Wilderness Lodge items in here, unlike most of the resorts with no resort-specific merchandise.

Next time we go to the WL, that magnet will be mine. I regret not buying it! We try to collect a magnet from everywhere we go - unfortunately most of the resorts don't have a magnet anymore and only sell the generic WDW ones.

As I was losing myself in the shopping, suddenly Henry comes around the corner all decked out

That's his pirate face.

We didn't buy that hat or gun....................yet.

Our stomachs were growling so we made our way down to Roaring Fork. This QS is small, but I've always liked it anyway. The selections always seem to go well with what I like to eat.

Henry selected

Kids pizza, carrots and grapes.

I had the buffalo chicken flatbread. This was really good-nice heat. A bit too much bleu cheese for my taste, but I easily scraped it off.

Joe's - a pasta special. He really enjoyed this and said it didn't taste "quick-service-ish" (his exact words LOL) The meatballs were really fresh and tasty.

After lunch it was time to SWIM! Henry was itchin' to get in that pool. Outside we went...I had to stop and take pictures, I just can't help it.

We used the bathrooms near the pool to change in and had a great time swimming. The wind was a tad chilly, but if you stayed in the water it was perfect.

Eventually we pulled ourselves out and moseyed over to the beach. After all, there is sand, Henry must dig!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hi Brook!

You've been gone, I've been gone, now it's time for me to catch up!! I also noticed that you've started your (semi)solo TR. I will get over there ASAP.

Sorry the breakfast on the boardwalk wasn't perfect. But look at the bright side, at least the birds stayed away from your food. I love the CM magic! Henry looks like a kid in a candy store with that little guy. I really don't want you to tell us that he loses it somewhere. Please.

Resort hopping, hooray! I.will.get.to.Wilderness Lodge.in.March. I know that I don't have an ADR there, but I'd love to spend some time just checking it out. DH would truly love that one, even if I have to drag him kicking and screaming out of a park.

I was also able to catch up on good 'ol life updates. I am truly sorry I missed Henry's birthday celebration!! I cannot believe he is four! Time flys way too quickly for my taste! I'm happy that the first day of school was a success. Is it still going well?

Okay, off to your solo report to catch up there!

 

[KatMark]

Inside the lobby we wanted to take some pictures of Henry running over the bridge. On Henry's first trip in 2008 we have these pics from our last day

They are some of my favorite pictures from the whole trip! He was just learning to walk. And now...

I love that one with Joe looking on - even though Henry is a blur! He needed our hand to guide him back in 2008, but now he's a big boy!

Brook, I cannot believe how he has grown in those years. Such sweet memories.

And were very shortly sucked into the gift shop. I LOVE that they have some Wilderness Lodge items in here, unlike most of the resorts with no resort-specific merchandise.

Next time we go to the WL, that magnet will be mine. I regret not buying it! We try to collect a magnet from everywhere we go - unfortunately most of the resorts don't have a magnet anymore and only sell the generic WDW ones.

I really wish Disney would get back to having "resort specific merchandise" at ALL of the resorts.

As I was losing myself in the shopping, suddenly Henry comes around the corner all decked out

That's his pirate face.

Too darn adorable.

We didn't buy that hat or gun....................yet.



Eventually we pulled ourselves out and moseyed over to the beach. After all, there is sand, Henry must dig!
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Every little boy loves to dig!

 

[blessedby3]

I love the WL resort! We have that same WL picture frame on our fireplace mantle...with our family picture in it in front of the todem pole
I like to get a resort specific frame from each trip (if possible) and put a family picture in it. I also have a nice WL throw hanging on the back of my rocking chair. Our WL trip back in 2006 was so nice...especially since it was early Christmas. Nothing like the WL at Christmastime I love that you took the same pictures of Henry on the bridge years later. I try and do that too in different areas of the parks!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Ahhh I miss wilderness lodge. Such a beautiful resort
I stayed there back when I was in Middle School and it seems like SO long ago! I want to go back so bad! But the good news is that I made an ADR at Whispering Canyon for our Christmas trip... so at least I'll get to go inside. They DO have a fantastic gift shop. Love it.

 

[basketkat]

I just LOVE these pictures!!! How neat to watch Henry grow through the years at Disney!

We have been going back and forth about where we may like to stay next year, and I think Wilderness Lodge is pretty high on the list!

 

[petals]

I'm catching up on the updates but luvin them all. Yay that Henry had a good first and second day at school

 

[Lady Lallie]

Look at the wee little Henry learning to walk! Sniff Sniff. All these pictures are not helping my emotional state!

I love eating at Roaring Forks, it is so yummy. We had such good meals there when we stayed at Wilderness Lodge.

I have that WL magnet on my fridge, I like to buy a magnet from each trip.