"Reach for the sky!" We're finally getting there in JAN 2012!!!TR LINK PG 69!

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ok, so a little later we cleaned up and headed out to explore the loop some more and have dinner. We had a reservation at the hotel at 5pm but weren't sure if we really wanted to eat there, so off we went!

We were not doing great with being spontaneous about finding food, so we headed back to the hotel and sat down to eat outside. When the menus came and I looked over them, I just didn't want any of it. They had one vegan dish and everything else was pretty "stuffy". I'm good with nice food, but I just wasn't in the mood for it. I told Rey that I had a restaurant.com coupon up in the room for this bar/grill and I headed up to grab it while he broke the news to the waitress who said "Don't worry about it, it happens ALL the time...and I mean ALL the time!"

So, we headed back to Three Kings, a bar/grill with outdoor seating on the sidewalk. We had passed it up earlier b/c it looked too "normal" and both of us really wanted to try some exotic and different foods since normally all I'm eating is salad and he's been eating LC b/c of his blood sugar.

Well, we chose well! These babies came out and I took a bite and set it right back down b/c I knew I had to take a picture! Stuffed potato skins, but different than your average potato skin, it had spinach/artichoke filling...OMG, I'm still drooling over these things!

I'm glad they were good b/c the scale is showing it!

I also had a portabello burger with sweet potato fries, it was good too!

Can you tell this trip was all about food??? Well, it wasn't JUST all about food, there were many drinks as well!

After dinner we headed back to the hotel and relaxed before the rooftop bar opened! Here was the view of the sun setting from our room, you can just see the top of the Arch if you look close!

While we were waiting, there was a knock on the door. They brought us a bottle of champagne and two glasses and wished us a Happy Anniversary! Maybe this place was a little Disney-like!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We left our champagne to chill and headed up to the rooftop bar! It was great up there, a little crowded b/c there had been a wedding party up there, but we enjoyed having a drink and people watching. There were some really cool drummers down on the street (9 stories down) that sounded like a marching band, it was really cool to have it echoing up so high! A couple pics, but the last of the night since I lose my photography skills the more drinks I have!

I would love to share my hilarious story about the jacuzzi and bubbles, but it might be TMI! Just remember to never put bubbles in a jacuzzi and turn it on! It was a hilarious moment with us scrambling to FIND the controls under all the bubbles and get it turned off. Needless to say, it wasn't that romantic, but makes for a funny memory!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Sunday morning we walked down The Loop to Starbucks for a nice breakfast sitting outside. It was just so relaxing to sit and drink our coffee, talk, and watch people walking their dogs or running. We took our time walking back and enjoyed the St. Louis walk of Fame. Mid morning we headed about 2 miles down the road to another area of the city called the Central West End. I spent a lot of time here when I was a teen, my friend lived in the West End, so it was fun to see how it had changed.

We headed to Rasoi, an Indian restaurant I had found researching good veggie meals. They had a buffet and one whole half was vegetarian dishes, so I was pretty excited!

The food did not disappoint and I stuff myself yet again. I'm going to have to do a lot of running this week to make up for it!

The waiter offered to take our pic, it's a bit blurry, but that's what I get when I hand off my camera to someone else.

When we got back to our seat to pay the bill, Rey was talking to the waiter and mentioned that it was our Anniversary. They refused to let us leave and told us to wait while they brought out drinks (Mimosa's?) and a dessert for us!

Of COURSE I thought it was very Disney-like of them to do all this, I'm sure Rey rolled his eyes numerous times to my Disney comparison chatter this weekend!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

After spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing, (and talking to a slightly mom-sick girl at home, who was missing me enough that she didn't want to even have a friend over) we got ready for dinner with an old friend! One of my best friends, who I hadn't seen since we were 15, met us back in the Central West End that evening...and what an evening it was! We started off outside at a sidewalk table at SubZero Vodka bar! I could have stayed all night, and we did stay for quite a while!

23 years since we had seen each other!

Let me tell you, I have NEVER done straight shots of anything but this place had wedding cake flavored vodka, red velvet flavored vodka, even dill pickle vodka! (it actually tasted good!) and I was amazed at how smooth and tasty these drinks were. WAY too good as we spent a LOT of money and had to walk to the restaurant down the road to eat instead of driving!

the rest of the night I didn't take more pictures, but we went to three MORE places, a dinner that wasn't so good, followed by the pub from the previous night (oh yes, more potato skins!) and then a club/bar that was next to the hotel. WOW! I didn't get a hangover b/c I drank lots of water as well and we slept in Sunday morning.

When we got up and ready to leave, we ran into a couple snags! It didn't ruin the trip, but it was frustrating to end on a sour note! I went to pay the bill and found out that we were PAYING for our upgrade. Silly me, I thought it was a special thing they had done for our Anniversary!

While that was going on (and they were taking one of the fees off b/c they felt bad that I didn't know) Rey went to get the car from the valet and they had turned the car off wrong the night before and drained the battery! They had to jump it and I was pretty frustrated, but they took the valet charge off our bill. That was fine until we got to starbucks and when I went to lock the car with the remote, realized that draining the battery had reset my remote and now I have to lock my car manually, which wouldn't be a big deal, but when you unlock it and open the door the alarm goes off! So I have to have it reset, but the hotel has offered to pay for that as well. So, it all turned out ok!

We went to Starbucks and then stopped by the mall to pick up some things at bath and body works that Savannah had asked for. We drove home and were there by lunch! After my mom left, we spent the remainder of the day hanging out with the kids, playing cards, and bbquing! It was the perfect weekend!

Oh and did I mention that bed was the MOST COMFORTABLE bed I have EVER slept on??? Usually hotel beds are icky, but seriously, this thing was like a billowy cloud, I'm wishing my bed were bigger, softer, and more pillowy like that thing was!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Your weekend trip sounded heavenly!! Good for you two to go and relax and just be together! It's so neat that you got to see an old friend. Wow....23 years huh? I can imagine that Savanah missed her Mommy. Victoria would be the same way! Thank you for sharing it all with us. I cannot believe all the minor irritations at the end of your trip. OMG!!! Those darned fancy cars and their fancy key-lock things!!! Ugh!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Your weekend trip sounded heavenly!! Good for you two to go and relax and just be together! It's so neat that you got to see an old friend. Wow....23 years huh? I can imagine that Savanah missed her Mommy. Victoria would be the same way! Thank you for sharing it all with us. I cannot believe all the minor irritations at the end of your trip. OMG!!! Those darned fancy cars and their fancy key-lock things!!! Ugh!

Yep, there was quite a bit more to it, but I was trying not to ramble! She basically texted me ALL weekend telling me she was sick. My mom kept saying she was fine and I was pretty ok with it until Sunday evening and then had a little cry about it and was ok. This is why I never go away, but she's turning 11 and I knew she would be fine with my mom, so I didn't stay upset for too long.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I cannot tell you how long I have waited to say this, years, in fact! As of this morning, 114 days from our trip...

THE TRIP IS PAID OFF!!!!!!!!!!

It's still totally surreal to me, I still have some saving for gas, tips, petsitter, and souvenirs, but it's done! Our rooms, food, and tickets are all paid! I just can't believe it, I'm in shock. For those of you that have followed our trials and tribulations, including almost losing our home in 2010, I know you understand how amazing this is for us. i'm just on cloud nine right now!

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

I cannot tell you how long I have waited to say this, years, in fact! As of this morning, 114 days from our trip...

THE TRIP IS PAID OFF!!!!!!!!!!

It's still totally surreal to me, I still have some saving for gas, tips, petsitter, and souvenirs, but it's done! Our rooms, food, and tickets are all paid! I just can't believe it, I'm in shock. For those of you that have followed our trials and tribulations, including almost losing our home in 2010, I know you understand how amazing this is for us. i'm just on cloud nine right now!

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!!!! I'm the first one to celebrate with you!!! Yahoo!!! Yeah!!

 

[Parla]

Love your mini-TR. I've only done Tequila and Goldschlager shots but those vodka flavors sound really interesting.

Congratulations on paying off the Disney trip!

 

[Rosiekins]

Sounds like a fun trip!


YAY!!!! On paying off the trip, isn't that just the best feeling? I have been reading your reports for awhile now I am just so excited for you!!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Wow Karen- first off- CONGRATS on being paid off- that is awesome and so far out too!!! must be a HUGE load off your chest- now you can enjoy saving up for all the little details!

Love your mini TR- looks like a great time and even greater food! the vodka bar sounds cool- i actually like pickle flavored stuff, so that sounds intriguing! lol Looks like you guys had a nice romantic time together. Sorry for the bumps at the end of the trip, but seems like it all worked out?

and the girls homemade beauty day is fabulous- what a cool idea!!!! i bet the stuff they made is probably better than much of what we way over pay for in stores!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Karen love your mini TR about St. Louis...My Aunt/Uncle lived there for a few yrs but I never saw much of the "city" so this was fun so sweet about all the cute pixs of the two of you and the fun you had eating & drinking...I alwasy find myself comparing any trip back to Disney I like all the special touches that were given to you both

and for being completely paid off that is FAB news...very happy for you

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Love your mini-TR. I've only done Tequila and Goldschlager shots but those vodka flavors sound really interesting.

Congratulations on paying off the Disney trip!

Thanks! I've never done any shots, ever, really, b/c the once or twice I did, they were nasty. This vodka was amazing, the different flavors made it so unique, we really want to go back some time!

Sounds like a fun trip!


YAY!!!! On paying off the trip, isn't that just the best feeling? I have been reading your reports for awhile now I am just so excited for you!!!!

Thank you! It's an amazing feeling, I can't quite believe it yet!!!

Wow Karen- first off- CONGRATS on being paid off- that is awesome and so far out too!!! must be a HUGE load off your chest- now you can enjoy saving up for all the little details!

Love your mini TR- looks like a great time and even greater food! the vodka bar sounds cool- i actually like pickle flavored stuff, so that sounds intriguing! lol Looks like you guys had a nice romantic time together. Sorry for the bumps at the end of the trip, but seems like it all worked out?

and the girls homemade beauty day is fabulous- what a cool idea!!!! i bet the stuff they made is probably better than much of what we way over pay for in stores!!

Thanks Michelle! The food was amazing and especially since both of us have restrictive diets, so it was really a special treat! The next time we eat that much will be at Disney! Yep, everything worked out in the end, although I haven't had time to take the car in and get the remote reset, but I'm sure that will work out as well.

Karen love your mini TR about St. Louis...My Aunt/Uncle lived there for a few yrs but I never saw much of the "city" so this was fun so sweet about all the cute pixs of the two of you and the fun you had eating & drinking...I alwasy find myself comparing any trip back to Disney I like all the special touches that were given to you both

and for being completely paid off that is FAB news...very happy for you

Thanks Julie! I'm so excited, I've been bouncing off the walls all day! Yep, it was fun going into St. Louis and spending time there as an adult. I grew up there, but obviously I wasn't going to vodka bars and hotels, so it was nice to experience it differently!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I missed an entire mini TR???? Okay, catching up now!

What a great idea to go to St. Louis! It looks like you guys had a wonderful time there!

I love those multicolored steps in the hotel, they're seriously awesome. I always think that upgrade means for free too, I'd be totally thrown off by that!

Isn't it funny when you have something seriously awesome like those potato skins, and pretty much after that you're like "WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE OF THESE RIGHT NOW." I love that you went back and got more. They do look pretty amazing, I must say.

And yay for having your trip paid off!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I missed an entire mini TR???? Okay, catching up now!

What a great idea to go to St. Louis! It looks like you guys had a wonderful time there!

I love those multicolored steps in the hotel, they're seriously awesome. I always think that upgrade means for free too, I'd be totally thrown off by that!

Isn't it funny when you have something seriously awesome like those potato skins, and pretty much after that you're like "WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE OF THESE RIGHT NOW." I love that you went back and got more. They do look pretty amazing, I must say.

And yay for having your trip paid off!!!!

Thanks! Those stairs actually changed color all the time, it was really cool, the hotel was, I really liked the little details they had all over...it was very Disney-ish!

Now I'm off to see if you spilled the beans about the resort change!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Aw man, I'm so bummed! I just found out that Dumbo AND Thunder Mtn are both going to be down when we are there! I could have handled one, to be honest, not having to do the Dumbo dash sounds great (Savannah does NOT agree) but Thunder is my favorite coaster at MK and we were looking forward to taking Leslee on it first b/c we figured it would be the most tame for her first coaster.

I know it's not the end of the world, but why couldn't it have been a ride I don't like? When I told Savannah, the first thing she said was "I don't even want to go then" Dumbo was our tradition and I told her we'll just have to make a new one. Maybe we will do the Alladin-Dash, I'm sure no one will go to THAT ride first, but it would kind of be the same!

Now everyone needs to tell me how it won't matter once I get there and their favorite ride was closed when they went and they didn't even notice...to be honest, EE is my fav, so if they close that, you'll hear some bigtime complaining! I think I would skip AK all together if they did that!

 

[Parla]

It's going to be okay!

My kids haven't gotten to ride HM or POTC yet. The first trip POTC was closed for refurb and I thought HM was too scary for DS. The second trip HM was closed for refurb and we didn't plan our day out well so the line for POTC was too long for the time we had left. I don't know why I though POTC was FP. I'm sure Savannah will still be glad to be at WDW. Just let her pick the ride to make the mad dash to.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

It's going to be okay!

My kids haven't gotten to ride HM or POTC yet. The first trip POTC was closed for refurb and I thought HM was too scary for DS. The second trip HM was closed for refurb and we didn't plan our day out well so the line for POTC was too long for the time we had left. I don't know why I though POTC was FP. I'm sure Savannah will still be glad to be at WDW. Just let her pick the ride to make the mad dash to.

Thanks Parla! Yep, I think I'll just ask her what we should ride first and head to it. We can grab FPs for Space and then just go wherever the girls feel like going first. Then we'll head to Fantasyland to get those done before they get too busy.

It will be interesting to see where the crowds go if Dumbo and Thunder are both closed. I wonder how that will change the dynamics of the park in the mornings???

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm sorry Karen! I would be disappointed, too. You have every right to complain!!!

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm sorry Karen! I would be disappointed, too. You have every right to complain!!!

Amanda

Thanks Amanda. I hate to be a complainer and I will make the best of it, at least we've gone before and that makes it better. I don't know if we'll do another big family trip after this, so that makes me sad, but I know I will go on Thunder again, probably on my bday/girls trip in 2013, so I'm ok with it if everyone else is. At least this isn't our first or last trip ever and we got to go on them before!