I like all your choices except Chef Mickeys.
I really need to figure out how to get us to O'Hana.
I remember hearing about O's birthday last year. I am glad Ali stood up for her beliefs and defended the girl. That is something C would do.
My plan for your trip is you should have an hour or two per day for just you and the girls maybe not stay joined at the hip. That or Maybe without the negative influences there O will act differently.
Glad you have your ADRs planned out.
I agree with you completely... Part of the problem is that BFF expects to be joined at the hip... Every time I mention otherwise, she changes her plans to coincide with ours. Hopefully, once we are there - the girls and I will be able to back off and find other things to do for a little while, because I know it will save the trip. She is my BFF and all - so I do love spending time with her and Olivia, I just have a feeling this will be a very hard trip if we don't take time for ourselves.
I'm still catching up on the rest of your PTR. Your family photos look fantastic. I love the one of Josh giving you a big kiss on the cheek. Alli did such a great job.
Your dining plans look fun.
I hope you and your family have a great New Years Eve.
THnaks Ashley! And your trip is almost here!!! Just a few days! So excited for you!
Congrats on having your ADRs all figured out! That's a major step.
That is a lot of character meals! You guys really enjoy the characters so I'm sure it will be great for you. We stick to one character meal per trip - that's really all the adults in our travel party are up for We enjoyed all the meals you have listed, although we've never been to Crystal Palace We're not huge Winnie the Pooh fans at our house so it's never made the must do list. Maybe on our next long trip we'll finally knock that one off the list.
We do enjoy character meals a lot... but we always like to have a few non=character meals too... This, I am afraid, will be too much. But I do understand BFF's desire to have all character meals, since she has been once and O has been twice, and neither have ever had a character meal - I totally GET it. So, I am willing to humor them... And since these are meals the girls and I have done several times - I am sure we can be a little more relaxed about it.
Sorry to hear about Olivia, hopefully it is just growing pains. Good for your girls for being more mature and grounded - proof you are doing things right. I don't want to spend too much time thinking about when my girls will be teenagers It may be important for Olivia to have Alli and V in her life (as much as they can stand to be) so she has a good example. Hopefully Disney will bring out the best in her and you guys will have a great time together!
Having girls as teens is a very scary thing... There are sooo many things that could go wrong, yet so many things that can go very right. I am certainly not trying to say that my girls are better than anyone else - as I know they have their own set of troubles... but I just try so hard to commend them for all the RIGHT that they do, and focus really hard on that. I have had a few parents call me... Even to go so far as calling my dds, and ask them specifically to hang around with their child a bit more, because they feel my girls are a good influence... But then - I have this little nugget of impending doom in my chest and I think to myself "my girls are a good influence, your child - not so much - ACK!" But I have to keep reminding myself (and Josh continues to remind me) - we have to give them rope... We've taught them right from wrong, and we need to let them learn how to handle situations. If it were me, I'd keep them in a bubble - I am waaay more over protective than I should be, and it's so very hard for me to let them go. It's something I consciously have to work on. Start your communicating now, and don't ever stop - having things in common... having dinner together as much as possible with out distractions... going on vacations and planning those vacations together... it's all a BIG piece of the puzzle and helps so much with communication later. Trust me.
The annual pictures can get pricey! I try to be reasonable though, this year I found the girls matching dresses on clearance (although I didn't have a overall theme in mind when I went shopping so we ended up with 3 sets of matching dresses! We'll use one set for Easter and they can wear the other whenever so it's not a total loss). I got my dress for $25 and can wear it to work anytime so it's not a bad deal (although I did the same thing for myself and ended up with 5 dresses at $25 each). DH didn't get new clothes for the picture - I just shopped in his closet (he probably has the most clothes of all of us). We did out photo shoot at Animal Kingdom Lodge which was convenient since we were staying at Kidani - I think it was $150. We had the same photographer that we'd had a year prior at Beach Club so that was nice. Now that I've listed it all out like that, those were some expensive pictures! Maybe I can do better next year. I always think of myself as cheap but perhaps that isn't very accurate.
Hahaha... Sounds like you have some gorgeous pictures though!
Yah it all adds up, that's for sure.
Oh my sister and I had a BFF like O growing up. Was a great friend to us but started hanging with bad influences. Her family moved away which saved the friendship bc we were strictly phone friends and vacation friends where there wasn't much other influence around. Sadly, her troubles followed her to her adult life but she seems to finally be recovering somewhat in her early 30s and my sister has maintained the friendship......we aren't not friends but just not in contact- I'm busy!
I am sorry to hear about your friend. It seems like moving was a good thing for her... I hope that her life is finally going in a good direction.
I don't think I run the risk of O being a bad influnace on my girls, as I know they do not find her situation or behavior appealing in any way. I also know they are very sad for her, and very sad for their friendship - which isn't as close as it used to be, even since this summer. It's very hard for them to watch their life-long friend go through a hard time. However, because O is a life-long friend, they are not afraid to tell her (or her new friends) how they feel, and since O's house is a safe environment for them - I think they had more confidence. I pray that O is able to find the right path again, and things go right in her world.
For me Chef Mickey's breakfast is a must do on our off day. We are in fab 5 mode constantly over here DS 5 and DD 3 and we had a nice breakfast there- by far our best meal for the trip. I think because it was an off day and we weren't rushing around???
We have never ever been to CMs... So I am a bit excited about it. I am a little nervous that it's on our arrival night... I am going to try for an early dinner, hopefully that will mean an early night for us. Normally, we go into MK on our arrival night - but I think doing something different this time will be fun.
I also am back and forth on CRT with DD- she loves her some princesses, but.... The price for a child who isn't going to sit and eat.....the compromise might be sending DS and DH to do something else during that time and just taking DD myself. Still not sure but will make the ADR so I have it while ironing all the plans out. Also thinking the meet and greets at Fairytale Hall might be enough to fill a three year old's princess dreams.
I don't think we will be doing CRT this trip at all. It's not something that BFF brought up, so I am going to leave it be, since it is two dining credits. She chose Akershus for our Epcot meal... And my girls really wanted Garden Grill... It's possible that we may split up for this meal, because I would prefer Garden Grill too. But I know if I switch - BFF will want to switch too, and I would prefer that her and Olivia do what THEY want to do, since it's their vacation too.
My kids are also Chip and Dale fans so I think we will do Garden Grille at Epcot.
I agree - I love Chip and Dale at GG!
And for a yummy/non character meal? Maybe via Napoli or Tonys. Both would be new experiences and I think the kids will eat at either.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the idea... I always have the worst time figuring out Epcot meals.
I hope you have a wonderful New YEar too!
We've eaten at a number of your choices. Unfortunately, we don't care for Chef Mickey's for dinner or Prime Time...but the others all sound great. I'm glad you got this all settled and can concentrate on more planning.
Well, we have never eaten at CMs... I've heard that people either LOVE it or HATE it... I am afraid I will be a hater - but we will see... Super excited to finally be moving along in our plans.
Kudos to Alli for standing up for the person they were making fun of.
I agree! But I was NOT surprised at all... She does this all the time... It's something that annoys her greatly and she is very passionate about.
Your dining choices sound wonderful! It's kind of opposite of my February trip, we are only doing one character meal. You may want to look into pre-purchasing Memory Maker since you are doing so many character meals. It's new and similar to the old Photo Pass Plus in that you get most of the character meals and ride photos as part of the package.
Oh G.R.E.A.T....
I didn't even know that PP+ is no longer in existance... So another thing I need to learn about. Sigh. We were planning to purchase PP+ - so I am sure we will do what ever this new thing is. Thanks for giving me a heads up Ariana.
It must be a relief to finally have the adrs decided. Good luck with all those characters.
It is such a relief to finally get to all the planning. I am a bit nervous for all the character meals, but we are used to it. We just need to plan for LOTS of time. Thankfully - the before the park opens breakfasts, the characters are pretty predictable... So we can usually get in and get out in a timely manner. I hope. LOL
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you - same to you and yours!
My friend has a daughter that likes photography. She ended up doing Senior pictures for her friends and then for her younger sister and her friends. Saved the girls lots of money plus she made a bit on the side. Just a thought.
Yup - I have a feeling that Alli will be doing the same. She did a few senior portraits this year... She didn't charge for them, because she was still learning (still is) - but I don't think anyone will get by so easily next year.
I have to say "Way to go, Allison!" Good for her standing up for another person that she didn't even know. I've been around a lot of teenagers in my time, but those were the "band nerds" or the musical kids, so not much goth going on there, but there is no excuse for anyone to be mean to anyone else.
I agree completely... I am very proud of her for standing up - that took a lot of guts in a room full of people who were different than her. I think she shocked them a little bit... but there was even one girl there who took her side after Alli said something.
As far as your ADRs - I like them - lots of character meets though! I'm thinking we may do Crystal Palace and maybe Garden Grill during our September trip. I will start planning out just where we want to eat in the next few weeks. I have until the beginning of March to decide. We already have ressies for our March trip - 2 new to us places - Teppen Edo and Biergarten. I'm hoping to add some new places (other than Crystal Palace and Garden Grill) to our Sept trip too.
We love both CP and GG... so those are great choices! I am so nervous about all the character meals - but they are all of our favorites, so it should be OK. We just need to plan for the HUGE amount of time it takes.
Just as an aside, my youngest dd Shannon finally submitted her applications for grad school - she applied to Northwestern (which is near Chicago) and Yale (of all places!) for a master's program in screenwriting. Hopefully she will be accepted to one or both this spring!
This is soooo awesome! I am so proud of her! Please keep us updated!
I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year! I will be waiting with bated breath for an announcement from ladylyons family! I am hoping that 2014 will be a much better, happier year for everyone!
Thank you - same to you Tess! And I hope that 2014 is a much better year for you and your family.
D~ those photos are stunning! Ali did a great job. And your whole family is so photogenic. I thought the water in the background was a particularly nice touch.
Hi Lois! Thank you! I was surprised when we got down to the river, that it was still open and flowing. Normally, by this time of year, they are usually mostly frozen over - so it worked out to our advantage.
Looks like a good plan for ADRs, if a little character heavy. We are definitely booked at 1900 Park Fair and I already had CP since I love it there and I think Charlotte will too. I also love 50's Primetime.
Yah - just a BIT character heavy. LOL Little nervous about it. Buuut - less time in the heat, so it should work out well. V has a mind to do another pillowcase.
I have a feeling, eventually - she will have a whole bed set.
Maybe I should talk her into doing the fitted sheet next, instead of a pillowcase?
She'll need a bigger bag then.
I am very proud of Ali for being true to who she is. That's not easy at her age! You've done a great job, Mama!! I do hope Olivia sees the light soon and makes better decisions.
Me too! No, it is not an easy thing at her age, so I am very proud of her. She is very FIRM in her beliefs, and strong minded - she has always been this way, I thought she would outgrow it by now - but I think it's genetically engrained in her. I am always afraid that she could swing the other way, and be very FIRM in some not so good beliefs... So, I am very fortunate (and thankful) that's not the case.
I also hope that Olivia sees the light soon. This has not been easy on her mom or her family. I do want to make sure I say that her mom is a WONDERFUL mother, and has done everything in her power and beyond to ensure Olivia has everything she needs... It's just a case of "growing up" and finding her place in life, I think.
Oh, D~ I'm sorry, I don't remember the name of the inserts for my shoes. I'll try going online later to see if I can find them. If not, I'll call the store and ask. Either way, I'll let you know. They weren't cheap, unfortunately.
It's OK Lois... No hurry - I am just curious. I don't ever expect ANYTHING for my feet to be cheap...
LOL
YOu know how much it pains me to put my butt on the internet. LOL
Okay, glad I didn't have anything in my mouth when I read this!! I think you should embroider this on your sweatpants! haha But you know, even though it's frustrating that you're not seeing the progress, just the fact that you're not giving up and you have such a determination, you should be very proud of yourself. I plan to get back into my eating program after the first of the year. Holidays are so hard!
LOL - Yah, the butt picture isn't that flattering... but everyone seems to love it... Maybe I will post it here someday?
Thanks... It's been such a long road, I cannot give up now. I've come too far and I am really enjoying the process so much this time. It's so fun to see my body growing stronger with each lift I do, and knowing that once I figure out how to shed the layer (ahem, layers) of fat, there should be some pretty awesome muscle definition under there.
Oh! I have to go! Dan and I are taking Charlotte to see Frozen again and it starts at 1:00. I'll come back later. Have a great day!
I hope you had fun! We have plans to go see a movie today... I'll tell you about it below.
Wow...that seems like A LOT of character meals. Yikes! Not sure I could deal with that. Two is enough for me. I like them...I just think the food is not on the same level as some of the noncharacter meals. Its like they don't even try because they know you will come anyway to see the characters.
Plus, I just feel like they eat up time. Character meals always take us twice as long as regular meals waiting for all the characters to come around.
But you know what you are getting into, so I'm sure you will be fine.
I coulnd't agree with you more Suzi! However, I am willing to humor BFF for this trip, since they don't often get to go.
Oooh thanks for letting me know about the GCH... I will make sure I have a back-up for that meal - of the non-character variety. LOL
But I'm so glad you can finally start planning the days out. That must have been driving you crazy!
It was! Thankfully - every time I have checked the crowd prediction calendars, the least crowded park keeps changing, so it's been easy not to settle on any one plan.
Oh...and just a note about O'Hana...they are starting work on the GCH soon according to Tikiman. He thinks they are re-doing everything in stages. So just make sure you have a back up plan for that meal...just in case.
Here it is... I knew you wrote about GCH somewhere in your post. I kind of replied to this in one of my above comments to you.
Happy New Years Eve!
Bradey and I are chilling at home. I bought eggnog icecream and the brownies are baking for yumilicious sundaes
Thank you! Happy New Years to you too! I hope you and Bradey had fun las tnight!
Hi D~! I LOVE those family photos! AWESOME. Those girls did a lot of growing up since 2004. They do that much too quickly.
THanks! Yah - they grew much too quickly! I'd love to slow time now, but it's just going faster and faster.
You certainly do have a lot of character meals! LOL! You'll take a bite of food, pose, take a bite, hug... and repeat. Too fun though. I've done all but still no Chef Mickey's. And we stay at BLT for at least part of every trip so I have no idea why I haven't booked that one yet. Crystal Palace is a favorite of mine for breakfast. Yum!
Exactly! It will be interesting to see how things pan out for all those character meals.
Love CP for breakfast too! It's our must-do... We've never not done it (except for our first trip, when we didn't know anything about WDW before we went)...
Wishing you and your family a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Thank you! Same to you!
Hey there D! I had to pop in and wish you a very BLESSED and HAPPY New Year! Love the winter family photos - they turned out amazing.
Thank you! Same to yoU!
Glad to hear your Dad is doing so well. What an answer to many prayers. Sounds like he is being well taken care of. That is so important when you are so near yet so far.
Yes! This was definately the result of so many answered prayers.
I am so happy with my choice of where he is living, I saw so many places that were soooo institutional, I loved that this one was so homey.
Glad to see your adr's coming along. I did get my MB's ordered and tried to do the Fast Passes, which I detest. I posted somewhere else my dislike for this system. If you ever want to hear my rant let me know.
LOL I am so nervous about our MBs not working - I sure hope Disney has all the bugs out by then. I am still not sure about FP+... I am sure it will have it's uses and drawbacks... I will be thrilled not to have to do the FP run for TSM (which I never did) or Soarin', or EE... But I am sure it will suck for other reasons, and I am not sure I want our days to be THAT structured. I don't even k now what the rules are for it... I've heard so many things... I will have to do some research before long.
I have the best "woman" doctor ever. She has always told me not to dwell on numbers for weight, that eating healthy and exercising is the best thing. I have lamented to her how I cannot exercise like I want to due to a botched foot surgery, so I do what I can and try to eat healthy. You look beautiful!
And again, have a safe and happy new year!
Awww... Thank you! She does sound like a wonderful woman Dr. I have not been to see mine since last Feb... Just before I had my surgery... And I've only been on this journey since March... I am not sure if she will give me kudos or only look at the numbers.
Even though my weight has not done down much - I have gained so much in proper nutrition and changing my muscle/fat ratio - I am almost afraid to go to my Dr., because I am afraid she will only see the #s, and not the work/other progress I've made, and I am afraid it would send me back where I started. I think I may skip my yearly appt, until I get closer to a goal size and shape.
I hope you have a wonderful, safe and Happy New Year too!
Great pics! I know it warms your heart to see Alli sharing her talent.
Hi Judy! Thank you and thanks for stopping by... I didn't make a graphic for New Years... Oh well... I hope to get around to everyone's TRs today to send out my wishes. I hope you have a wonderful New YEars too!
Haven't had a chance to check it out but will probably do it tonight. We're just staying home and and enjoying time together. Well actually I'm the only one awake right now. The kids are in bed asleep and DH fell asleep on the couch. Oh well it is what it is.
LOL - I didn't even try to stay up... It's useless for me. LOL
I think my biggest frustration with the whole phone thing is when I try to get ahold of them. It'll take me numerous phone calls happening about every 5 minutes over the space of an hour to both my mother in law and my step father in law before I can get a hold of them. If we didn't pay for their phones it wouldn't bother me as much but since we do pay for them they should have them where they can hear them. I get it that they are old but my step father in law does have health issues and my mother in law is a diabetic so it's kind of scary when we can't get a hold of them for extended periods of time (oh and they got rid of their home phone so that's not an option for calling anymore.)
I totally understand this. I've had the same frustration with my dad.... I've gone days where I can't get a hold of him... So then I put out an alert to anyone and everyone... It's usually 2 parts... 1. Let my dad know that I am trying to reach him and call me. 2. Let me know if you've talked to him in the last few days, so I know he is OK. I normally get a response right away from someone who has talked to him. It's very frustrating and scary though at times.
That's great he was able to get out and see his normal Dr.!!! I'm happy to hear that he is enjoying it. That's awesome that he's happier than he has been in a while!!
Yes, it's so wonderful and such a relief. Especially, since he is diabetic... I worry that he wasn't getting proper nutrition before. Now I know he is, and I know there are people all around him if something happens.
Just checked and we will be once you accept the request. I thought we were because I know I get updates on your fan page. Oh and for not being on tonight I decided hey I've got time why not.
Hahaha... I accepted it right away this morning.
Don't even talk to me about play-doh. I've managed to keep it out of the house until this year!!! DH told me it's not that big of a deal let the kids have it, I can get it out of the carpet. I said ok fine so Sarah got a few sets for Christmas and I still haven't opened it!!! But unfortunately I think tomorrow is the day it'll get opened because I can only put it off so long. Wish me luck that I can keep it contained. The smell doesn't bother me it's just the mess it make that does.
I hope it goes well... LOL I don't envy you at all. So happy our play doh days are waaaay over.
I hope she's still into wanting to create things when she's older. Jeff doesn't bring it up because he never goes into the closet it's in so I think he's forgotten about it. I think we do need to do the one she got for her birthday to see how much she enjoys it because I'd be fine bringing some of it out now to let her use because I got a whole bag full of paper and stickers for free from a friend who knew that I used to love doing SB so she could always use that to practice with. Love that Josh doesn't say anything now and that Alli is using it. Always nice to see things that have been sitting around forever get used.
I am sure she will... I know my girls still want to create - so do I, for that matter. LOL
I got a crash course on nutrition when I got diagnosed with the gestational diabetes. Still able to keep it under control so that's been a great thing!! Holding steady on weight now because the baby is growing and I'm still losing from what the Dr. said. So that's a nice feeling. Glad your on your way to being where you'll be happy and comfortable.
I know... I am so happy/relieved/proud of you for being able to get through this whole pregnancy with out meds for that! Such an amazing accomplishment!
Wow!! Great job doing more than you were supposed!! Happy your not to sore today.
Yah - I wasn't too sore yesterday morning, but as the day went on, I was getting sore in places I didn't know existed. LOL I am still a little bit sore this morning, and I am supposed to lift today - I haven't decided if I am going to or not? It's a different lift schedule today - so I won't be using any of the musles that are still sore.
Yeah for figuring out where you guys want to eat!!! I'm still tweaking ours. Really need to quit second guessing myself and just leave them alone.
I usually mess around with them until the last moment. Unfortunately, this time, I won't be able to do that with out clearing with BFF...
Sorry there are problems with O. I had some friends like that growing up and some have completely turned their lives around and are doing great and some unfortunately haven't. Hope your still able to have a great trip with them and that things get better.
I am sure we will have a wonderful time. We will just have to remember to take breaks from eachother when we can.
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I was able to get more information about my Dad yesterday, regarding how I go about some of his financial stuff. So that was REALLY good. Some of this is so confusing to me.
The girls and I had a great day... We were pretty lazy. I changed some of our AGs out of their holiday wear, and into spring clothes. THat was fun - I haven't had much dolly time recently. I tried to talk V into helping me, but she was napping - so I let her be.
I did take a nap yesterday afternoon. It's very important to get enough sleep when your muscles are repairing (good excuse, right?) - and since I didn't sleep well the night before, I took the opportunity. Even though my muscles were very sore yesterday morning, I did get more sore as the day went on, but I woke from my nap feeling pretty good. So maybe there is some validity to that statement?
Today is a lifting day for me... Fortunately, it's a different work out from Monday (the program is designed that way), so I won't be using any of the same muscles. And now I KNOW not to do 3 sets. LOL
Last night, Josh had a plan. He is taking the girls and I to see "Saving Mr. Banks" today... So, last night, he made us watch Mary Poppins. It was a lot of fun. I remember seeing the movie as a child, and even once when the girls were little... but I didn't rememember the ending at all. So it was good that we all watched it again. I am looking forward to going to the movies today. I also hope we get to see Frozen too... it has such good reviews!
Then, this evening, we were invited to our neighbor's for dinner. They are making prime rib (num!)... Josh is making home made bread pudding for dessert... Num again! We always have such a good time with our neighbors, so I am looking foward to it.
I wish each and everyone of you a Happy New YEars! I've spent so much time this morning responding, I don't know that I will get the chance to go around to everyone's TRs/PTRs for New YEars wishes... My sincere apologies.
Sending out prayers and good thoughts to all! Happy New YEar!
D~
The kids are in bed asleep and DH fell asleep on the couch. Oh well it is what it is. 
I thought we were because I know I get updates on your fan page. Oh and for not being on tonight I decided hey I've got time why not.
I think we do need to do the one she got for her birthday to see how much she enjoys it because I'd be fine bringing some of it out now to let her use because I got a whole bag full of paper and stickers for free from a friend who knew that I used to love doing SB so she could always use that to practice with. Love that Josh doesn't say anything now and that Alli is using it. Always nice to see things that have been sitting around forever get used. 
I'm looking forward to another year of amazing bags, and trip plans!
Don't make me come up there!!
Hahaha... In all seriousness... It's just so HARD to look in the mirror day after day, wanting change so badly and working so hard for it - and just seeing nothing. I know I am in such better shape, healthwise, than I was a year ago... I still have yet to tell anyone in real life (except my 2 closest friends) that I lift weights, because I don't want people to think "yah right..." Ya know? I want people to see me, and say - "Wow, she really worked hard..." And I do. Does that make any sense at all? I have no specific size or weight goal, just that I want to look like I work out. 
I was soooo sad and my inner 3 y/o really wanted to throw a tantrum... But the adult in me over ruled (barely)... 
