PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[jenseib]

So is he for sure now running?...like as in you could go down late Oct and stay for at least the 1st MVMCP too? I would rethink going down early for a few days to catch the MNSSHP if you were there too......

 

[mom2rtk]

So is he for sure now running?...like as in you could go down late Oct and stay for at least the 1st MVMCP too? I would rethink going down early for a few days to catch the MNSSHP if you were there too......

He seems pretty set on not running track this spring. But honestly, he's so indecisive, I'm not sure I'd bet my whole vacation on it, especially for fall. And it doesn't preclude him doing something ELSE. The big problem is that he won't have commit on a fall sport until August.

I just KNOW that if I planned an entire trip around it, he'd end up doing something I didn't want to miss.

But man, wouldn't I LOVE to meet up at MNSSHP with you guys!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Guess what...

WE'RE GETTING HIGH SPEED INTERNET WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS!!!!

And DH bought a laptop with our tax return, so we'll be a 2 laptop household (which means I can DIS a LOT more!)



See you on here more often SOON!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Guess what...

WE'RE GETTING HIGH SPEED INTERNET WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS!!!!

And DH bought a laptop with our tax return, so we'll be a 2 laptop household (which means I can DIS a LOT more!)



See you on here more often SOON!!!!

YEAH!!!!

Welcome to the 20th century!

Can't wait to catch up!

Does that mean you'll do a December TR???

 

[petals]

Love your Osbourne Lights pics.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

YEAH!!!!

Welcome to the 20th century!

Can't wait to catch up!

Does that mean you'll do a December TR???

That's the plan. Heck, I've still not downloaded my pictures from Erica yet... We've tried a couple of times but for some reason her server won't let me upload in bulk. She's going to zip the files and go for that transfer instead. I told her today that those files are the first files I want to download once the internet is up and running!

As per the 20th century comment... I said the same thing to my writer at the paper and he calmly reminded me that it was the 21st. I calmly reminded him that he had no sense of humor.

 

[mom2rtk]

Love your Osbourne Lights pics.

Thank you! Christmas at WDW is the best!

That's the plan. Heck, I've still not downloaded my pictures from Erica yet... We've tried a couple of times but for some reason her server won't let me upload in bulk. She's going to zip the files and go for that transfer instead. I told her today that those files are the first files I want to download once the internet is up and running!

As per the 20th century comment... I said the same thing to my writer at the paper and he calmly reminded me that it was the 21st. I calmly reminded him that he had no sense of humor.

So what you're saying is that my joke is so "yesterday"?

Well, I'd still love to see all those photos anyway!

 

[mom2rtk]

I guess it's official Timmy is not running track this spring. He told me today he's going to play on the tennis team. YEAH! A new sport to photograph! Mostly, I'm glad he'll have something new to be involved in.

Of course, I assume that means he won't run XC in the fall, but I'm not sure enough about him doing nothing to schedule a trip in October. Our sports watching days are drawing to a close. I really don't want to miss any. Of course I think Katie might play softball this summer, but I don't see her playing for any school teams. She sort of "tolerates" sports. Gee..... can't imagine where she got that......

 

[KCmike]

How long has Timmy been playing tennis? My son has been casually playing for a few years but now wants to try out for the HS team next year. Should be interesting for the both of us.

 

[mom2rtk]

How long has Timmy been playing tennis? My son has been casually playing for a few years but now wants to try out for the HS team next year. Should be interesting for the both of us.

OK.... here's the interesting part. He's never played! But at Chrisman, they don't cut for many sports, if any. Occasionally they make some cuts in basketball, but that's about it. So yes, it's going to be interesting. We have to go get a racket this weekend and practice starts Monday. He's a pretty coordinated kid who does well at most sports, so I think he'll be fine. I really just want him to have something outside the classroom to be involved in again.

You should PM me your son's High School. Maybe you're in our conference.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sunday December 11: Animal Kingdom

When I got up the next morning I started organizing my backpack for the day. The plan was to do half a day at AK, come back to the room to rest for a bit, then head out to CRT and MVMCP. My travel angel had been doing a GREAT job looking out for me up til now...... but it seemed like maybe it was now time to pay the piper......

I found the case to my tripod, and decided to get it put back in since I'd need it at the Christmas party that night. Katie had been a huge help carrying it for me around DHS the day before, so I decided to let her carry it home on the bus. But I made one small tactical error......... I didn't stop to put it in it bag. Oops.

I realized that mistake the minute I started having trouble finding it the next morning. After thoroughly checking through the room, I headed for the front desk to inquire about lost and found. The problem of course was that lost and found didn't open until 8. I explained that I really had hoped to have it for the Christmas party that night, and he promised to follow up on it and call
me back. So I was left with this uneasy feeling. We were at the start of the trip still, and I really wanted to give that tripod a good workout.

As I mentioned before, we got new phones the night before leaving. So during the bus ride, I started scoping out tripod options online. I found my same tripod on Amazon and could order it with express shipping to the resort. It wasn't a high end tripod, but it wasn't cheap either. With express shipping, it was over $200. I was REALLY close to hitting the "buy" button....... but held off to see if my travel angel might show up and help out.

We had 8:05 ADR's at Tusker House. I really wanted to get there early since, just like 2 days prior, I had it in my brain the park opened early. I know the MK EMH schedule but we don't do EMH in the other parks, so I never really paid attention. Somehow I got it in my brain this was early EMH day at AK and we needed to beat the crowd through the gates. LOL! Nope. Oh well..... We WERE the first ones in the park. But I was so preoccupied with the tripod issue I didn't really enjoy it. That doesn't mean I didn't manage to snap a few photos though......



IMG_4798B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_4800B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


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IMG_4806B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


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IMG_4815B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

During breakfast the phone rang. I was just SURE it was going to be the guy from the front desk saying they found the tripod. Nope. It was him, but he said transportation didn't find it. Whatever....... Where was my travel angel when I really needed her?????? I was really starting to channel Jen's experience with losing her phone and her camera card on her recent trip.


IMG_4820B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_4822B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


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IMG_4831B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

You'll notice Katie is wearing her adorable safari Donald top with shorts. She had a matching skirt, but decided during this trip that while she liked the tops, the skirts weren't really so much her style any more. That poor skirt has made it to Disney twice and come home completely unused! I had made the skirt set for our 09 trip, but ended up letting Timmy choose our last park day so we passed completely on AK at the last minute. The top didn't fit 2 years later, but the applique was awesome, so I took it apart and remade the top. I'm glad that got worn at least.

I was in such a fizz on the way in that I didn't think to have Katie take her jacket and lanyard off for the photos with Donald. Since he was hanging out all alone as we left....... I asked if I could take another shot. I guess that was the first sign of me coming out of my tripod fizz.......


IMG_4838B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

As my mood lifted, I took a few more photos while we waited for the REAL rope drop near Kilamanjaro Safari.


IMG_4841B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


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IMG_4856B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[vamassey1]

Just trying to get caught back up.

I'm so sorry your tripod is missing. I can understand how that would put a damper on your trip. I hope you got it back before you left.

I'm really enjoying your pictures that are just fabulous. I can't believe you're already putting them on scrapbook pages. I'm so far behind.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Thank you! Christmas at WDW is the best!



So what you're saying is that my joke is so "yesterday"?

Well, I'd still love to see all those photos anyway!

More along the lines that great minds think alike. HE was the one who didn't get it.

BTW.... I'M ONLINE!!!!

After DD and I are done watching My House Goes Disney and eat lunch, I'm going to spend the afternoon catching up here.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just trying to get caught back up.

I'm so sorry your tripod is missing. I can understand how that would put a damper on your trip. I hope you got it back before you left.

I'm really enjoying your pictures that are just fabulous. I can't believe you're already putting them on scrapbook pages. I'm so far behind.

Welcome back Vanessa! Are you going to do a trip report? Please??????? I'd love to hear how it all went! I hope you guys had an awesome time.

It felt awesome to do a few pages. But I have a long way to go. My scrapping is still on day 1. It helps a lot to have sorted through and edited my photos already for the trip report.

More along the lines that great minds think alike. HE was the one who didn't get it.

BTW.... I'M ONLINE!!!!

After DD and I are done watching My House Goes Disney and eat lunch, I'm going to spend the afternoon catching up here.

WOO HOO! I'm so glad we'll get to see more of you around these parts!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

At the entrance, a CM spotted the pins on Katie's lanyard. We have never pin traded before. But as Katie gets older and we start to drop some things she has outgrown, I've been looking for new things to add. I bought lanyards and a big batch of pins ahead of the trip but really wasn't sure what to expect. I had visions of me wanting to make my morning run to Dumbo and Katie wanting to trade with every single CM along Main Street! LOL! But I decided to throw caution to the wind and jump in. None of us had even thought about the pins, but we stopped and she made her very first trade ever. It was the start of a LOT of fun and enjoyment for her.

Isn't it a BLAST??? All it takes is a couple trades and most people are hooked. I've already made a list of things that I need my buddy to trade for next July.

So into Buzz Lightyear we went, where I'm sure I beat everyone quite handily. OK, maybe not. But in my defense, I give Katie control of the spinner, and most of the time I'm trying to take pictures.

I so need to borrow these to physically SHOW people how to score big on Buzz.

I need more Galatic Heros in my army!

PS - sorry for going so far back!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

All caught up.

I think your tripod went on vacation with my tripod plate...

I hauled my dang tripod for MVMCP and then realized 10 minutes before the parade that my danged plate was missing.

Later to be found in a drawer in our room. I still can't figure out how in the world it got out of my camera bag and into a drawer... in our room...

BTW - what's your max ISO?

 

[francis6306]

YAY An update!

I love that top Katie is wearing! I should look for some animal print things for the girls to wear to AK when we go!!

 

[marDgreen88]

Sorry about your lost tripod! I hope you were able to find it at some point.

I love Katie's outfit! So cute. Great character photos as well!

 

[mom2rtk]

Isn't it a BLAST??? All it takes is a couple trades and most people are hooked. I've already made a list of things that I need my buddy to trade for next July.


I so need to borrow these to physically SHOW people how to score big on Buzz.

I need more Galatic Heros in my army!

PS - sorry for going so far back!

Katie had an absolute BALL pin trading. It really started slowly, but once she got going, there was no stopping her. It was probably the highlight of the trip for her!

Unfortunately I can't be in your Galactic Hero army. Maybe you'll take my photos and put some big red X's on the right spot to shoot?????? Actually I think Mesaboy gave some good tips earlier in the TR. I need to write them into the trip book I intend to use next.

And no problem at all going back. Wasn't it nice of me to move at a slow enough pace that you only missed a couple days????

All caught up.

I think your tripod went on vacation with my tripod plate...

I hauled my dang tripod for MVMCP and then realized 10 minutes before the parade that my danged plate was missing.

Later to be found in a drawer in our room. I still can't figure out how in the world it got out of my camera bag and into a drawer... in our room...

BTW - what's your max ISO?

Oh no! That totally sounds like something I would totally do. I overcompensate by keeping a spare in my camera bag. So I was all set with a camera and tripod plate...... just no tripod. I'm glad you found it later, but in a drawer.... outside of your bag? I'd totally blame the kids. Too bad they weren't along!

I have an expandable ISO, but won't do that. Native ISO goes up to 6400. I shot some more at 6400 this time, but definitely saw a big loss of IQ. It does really well at 3200 though so I used it for a lot of handheld night shots.

YAY An update!

I love that top Katie is wearing! I should look for some animal print things for the girls to wear to AK when we go!!

Thanks! I'm so glad the top finally got worn! I'm not sure she'll even go for some of the applique tops next trip though. I think she wants a couple costumes, but probably just wants to buy a few park t's.

 

[dara00]

if you're looking for someone to pass the applique tops / anything else to, I've got a girl a few yrs younger than Katie! hinthint. haha.