Tim and Lesley Year of Million Compromises/TONS pics- 8/5 help me pg. 164!!!

[dlpcarden]

Enjoying reading about your 2nd day.

That was such a wonderful birthday gift that you got - you have such a sweet husband!

How was the breakfast at Crystal Palace? We went there for dinner in March and decided that when we come back we want to try the breakfast. Also, a great perk to be able to get in the MK early before the gates open....

Great to hear that Lauren was tall enough for BTMR..Hopefully, my 3 year old will grow 4 more inches before we go back....lol

Do ya'll just hit a few "lands" one day and then hit the rest on another?

Talk to you soon....

Dottie

 

[DreaGirl]

Great update! That is awesome that Luke got to wake up Tink! We are eating at CP at 8 also, maybe we'll try to get to Tink.

I told DH last night that "Tim and Lesley loved POFQ!" He was like "Oh good, I know you were a little worried....wait, who's Tim and Lesley?" Can you tell he doesn't read the boards? Then I explained and he was like, you are a dork, I thought you knew them!

Can't wait to hear and see your dinner at Coral Reef! I love the necklace too, you got yourself a good man there!

 

[MA pigletfan]

Great start! We were there from June 12 - 19th and BOY was it HOT!!! Holy moley!
Looking forward to reading more, you guys sure have the Disney spirit!!

 

[liznboys]

A belated happy 31st to ya! (My 31st was in May, feels kinda old being INTO our 30's huh? lol) I love that necklace! Congrats on waking Tink!

Wonderful update!

Oh, my dh and my 4 boys have those Tiki Mickey t-shirts too! I didn't see a Minnie one for me, I'll have to look again.

 

[tinkgurl]

Aw! I'm so glad all of you got to ride Big Thunder together! Yay for Lauren!

 

[emilyclaire]

Lesley, you are my favorite trip reporter ever! Your family seriously makes a girl-who-never-wanted-to-have-kids have kids! Just DH and I are going to the World in October, but I can't wait for the day when we have little ones looking as happy as Luke and Lauren. You and Tim are great parents and are wonderful to each other as well. A model family for sure. I also love how you make your trip reports come alive with all the pictures. It makes all of us readers feel like we know you! Thanks for updating so frequently and for letting us all experience all the fun with you.

 

[Mousermom]

Dear Lesley,
I've been a frequent lurker on your TR and this is the first time I'm responding. I love all the pics and I can really tell that you and your family thoroughly enjoy your WDW vacations. As do I!! I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday!!

My family and I are going to POFQ next year after a wonderful stay there this past March. It will be our 15th anniversary and I want one of those necklaces!!! If you don't mind, can you ask Tim where he purchased it so I can hint around to my husband!!! Looking forward to reading the rest of you TR.

Thank you in advance,
Mary Beth

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

OK I am glued to the computer reading your wonderful report. I am sitting here crying like a sap over the Tink story. I cant wait to hear about your dinner at CR. Keep it coming!!!!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Lesley, were you wearing Cleo Crocs in those pics? If so, were they good? Did they slip off your feet at all? Any blisters? Thanks!

 

[solgent]

Hi Lesley,

Your family photo in front of the castle is perfect! It looks like you had a great birthday. I am looking forward to reading about your evening, especially because we are going to Coral Reef for the first time on our next trip. That is very thoughtful of you to not try to repeat waking up Tinkerbelle.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Storytime with Belle. I remember we discussed it in the pre-trip phase, pages and pages ago!

 

[timandlesley]

I was so happy to see you went to CP for breakfast, you were lucky to get the early time. I would say that is one of the top tips I have rec'd from the dis. Just love walking down Main St when it is so empty. The family picture is so cute, love your shirts. Your birthday sound great so far.

Yes, that 8:00 time is awesome, same time we had at Animal Kingdom for Donald's Breakfastasaurus. Walking down Main St. empty is worth a trip in itself!
Lesley

One last check before bed... and I get to read about my favorite park! So you were in and out of the Crystal Palace in less than an hour-- did you see all the characters?

That family picture of you all is wonderful, I would to come home with a picture like that of us in August. Waking up Tink... what a birthday treat. Smart not to tell the kids too. Can't wait for more, but this report is the best bedtime story I can possibly imagine.

Great job Tim on the Necklace- it is really cute!

Thanks for sharing... you are doing great at getting things out

Thanks so much! Yes, we saw the characters very quickly and were out the door by 8:55, it was great. Glad I could provide you with a bedtime story!
Lesley

Lesley I'm loving it. I was too excited to finish 800flowers tonight and see that you had updated. WTG! Hope you didn't work too hard tonight. =o)

It was a LONG night but I got it all done
Lesley

My daughter loves your new necklace!!! Great days you had!
Shannon

Glad your daughter loves the necklace, it is unique- Tim did well.
Lesley

I am sitting at my computer in the middle of the night reading this TR and came across the pic of your babies sleeping. Now I have to stop reading and go upstairs and kiss my baby (DS 7)! Your killing me with the cuteness here!

p.s. I lived in Madeira during high school and my parents live in Mason. We are hoping to relocate to Cincy this year.

That is so funny, I feel the same way when I see pics of kids sleeping, I always run in my kids room and give them a big kiss, just had to take that pic, they were so cute that night.
Lesley

I am so glad that your bday has gone well. I can't wait to hear about Coral Reef. I am eating there for the first time in September and can't wait. I love the pic of Luke waking up Tinkerbell. They have grown up so big. I can't wait to hear more.

I will post Coral Reef later tonight, it was a GREAT time! It's funny how everyone here on the Dis has watched my kids grow up
Lesley

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Ohh that necklace is beautiful! Tim did good in picking that out! Sounds like a great birthday...how lucky for your kids to be able to wake up tink. Can't wait to read more!

 

[timandlesley]

WOW, what a great Birthday.....and I your present. Was this the gift that Tim got you at Main Street Jewelers?

Yes, that is the gift he bought me the night before, it was in the jewlery store right there in the castle.
Lesley

I LOVE the picture of the four of you in front of the castle! What a perfect shot for an enlargement or holiday card! The smiles, the matching shirts, the castle....it just screams magic and joy!

I am so glad that everything went so well for you, and I am grateful that you are taking the time to share your enjoyment with all of us. Thanks!!!

It did turn out well, may make the Christmas card.
Lesley

Awwwww Tim! Super job in b'day gift selection.

We also have an 8am ADR for CP and DH is hoping to get some great "empty" shots like yours.

Thanks again for sharing!

Tim does well doesn't he, of course he loves the praise he is getting here, may be getting to his head Hope you get that 8 am CP ADR!
Lesley

I waiting and hoping for you to post last night but I had to got to bed before I could read your TR but it was here this morning. What a great birthday treat having Magic Kingdom all to yourselves. Can't wait for part 2. This is making me want to start a trip report, I just need the time.

Glad you caught it this morning, sorry it was late last night, I just started another course for University of Phoenix and when I logged on to set it up I realized I hadn't taught it before so I had to write an entire syllabus and set up the classroom. THEN I stayed loyal to Dis and put the Day 2 first part together.
Lesley

Lesley - that picture in front the castle is amazing!! Your bday gift is terrific - Tim is a great guy.

You mentioned El Pirate not opening till 12 - is that all the time? Thats crazy. I wante dto tyry that place but we won't be having any late lunches.

Another great Tim comment, he'll love that The two days we were at MK El Pirate didn't open until noon, I couldn't believe it!!!!
Lesley

Can't wait to hear about your dinner at the Coral Reef! My DH and I will be eating there on our 3 year anniversary when we go with my family in Aug. I can't wait!! Thank you for another great installment!!

I'll post it tonight, you'll learn some tips so you can drop some hints to your DH to make it extra special!!!! So stay tuned. . . .
Lesley

Another great installment! Fantastic pics on Main Street and w/the castle. We did the early morning Crystal Palace ADRs last trip, too, and loved how empty the streets were.

I love how Luke always has the "winky" eye in his pics from smiling so big, and lots of "thumbs up"s! I was so excited when I heard he got picked for Gaston. We go once a year, and my son was picked every year for four years! A great memory and lots of pics. (I'd share a few, but don't want to hijack!) I understand why he ducked out last minute. It is a bit overwhelming w/all eyes on you.

I could just feel how proud Lauren felt when she made the height requirement and got to ride BTMRR. You go, girl!

Glad you had the magical moment waking Tink. We never knew about that untl last year, and my son was too old by then...we wanted to let let a younger kid have the experience. Sounds like a magical start to your Bday. Can't wait to hear more!

So glad you are enjoying it. I wish he would have done Gaston, but oh well. Don't fret, you will soon see that one of my children DOES make it into a show before the trip is over and I have pics of that, so stay tuned. That's funny you mention Luke's stance in pictures, he ALWAYS does that, Lauren starts doing it towards the end of the trip, even throwing in a thumbs up here and there like Luke, it's funny.
Lesley

I love the birthday necklace. This year I ccouldn't find matching shirts for us- seeing you picture is going ot have me making a trip to the Disney store- again.

Glad you like the necklace, he did well. We got our shirts at the Disneystore and they were the ones marked down for 4.99 each, can't beat that!
Lesley

Luke looked so cute waking up Tinker Bell! I am glad that you all made it there before everyone else.
MY DH is a lot like Tim. He enjoys making friends with all the CM's and the CM's love it when people talk to them. Also, that was a great idea to get the CM at Tinker Bell's Treasures in the picture.

I also LOVE that necklace that Tim got you! He has good taste! I am glad your birthday started out so wonderfully! I am looking forward to hearing how the rest of the day went!

It was an exciting morning! Tim doesn't pass by a CM without striking up a conversation saying "give it up Stacey" and high five them as he walks by, talk to them about their life, roles at Disney, how they like their job, where they are from, etc.etc. etc. makes the trip fun. Should have the b-day dinner up tonight.
Lesley

Wow, what a great day so far! We've never gotten to MK early enough for those great pics. Love the matching shirts. I just ordered shirts for the 5 of us from disneystore.com- we've never done the matching shirts before, but I think its so cute. I'm gonna have to do some internet shopping before Sept, maybe I'll find some more. We have a Disney Store outlet about 45 min. away, I'll have to make a couple of trips out there. Where did you get your shirts? Looking forward to hearing about Coral Reef and your bday dinner!

You have to get into MK early, I HIGHLY recommend it. We got the shirts at the Disneystore in our local mall for 4.99 each, GREAT deal!
Lesley

I love your necklace, that is so cute! Your husband is so good to you! Your family is so cute! Thank you again for a great TR! Keep up the good work!!!

Yes, Tim is good to me, we like to treat eachother well, it's what keeps the marriage strong.
Lesley

Crystal Palace in the AM is one of the things I tell my DH we need to do. We're not huge breakfast people.. but it would be well worth it, to get MK all to ourselves in the morning.

Oh yes, Crystal palace a.m. would be well worth it, you gotta try it.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

OMG, I love that necklace that Tim got you! It's just my style . I love reading your TR. We stayed at POFQ a couple months ago and loved it as well. We were in building 5 - room 5129. It was very close to the pool, gift shop, food court, etc. I can't wait to read about Coral Reef. We ate there on our trip too and enjoyed it tremendously .

You can get one at the shop in Cinderella's castle! I am so glad you are enjoying the TR so far, isn't POFQ great. Building 5 is an awesome location!
Lesley

your waking up tink story gave me goosebumps!!! that's so cool! i knew about it during our trip, but i didn't try because i'd feel silly taking that experience away from a little kid. after reading your TR, i now have to go talk to DH about having a kid just so we'd have the experience of waking up tink at disney world! that's a good enough reason to procreate, right????

That was such a memorable morning! Hey, get on the procreation, I HIGHLY recommend it

Lovin' your report!
Isn't it the BEST when you have so many magical memories!!

We had one of those trips when we went in 2005. Hoping that we get more pixie dust on our return trip in 2008!

Can't wait to hear about your dinner!

Oh yes, I just live to make those magical memories, it's what life is all about. Have fun planning for your 08' trip.
Lesley

Those are cute shirts, but if you have a hard time finding things, don't forget the DISigners section in this forum, there are lots of really neat shirt designs, and they walk you through how to make them! It's easy, and even personalized, for free (plus cost of transfer paper and shirt), but the design is free and really nice!

We almost did that but ran out of time.
Lesley

Lesley, you are such an interesting writer. Keep it up! Seems like you had a great birthday already, can't wait to hear how the rest went.

Glad you are enjoying it!
Lesley

What a great start to your birthday!! Love all the pictures. Looking forward to the rest.

It was a WONDERFUL b-day, I'll post the rest tonight so you'll see how it ends.
Lesley

Lesley, Great update! So glad you had such a terrific start to your birthday! Love your necklace! So funny you and Tim keep one uping each other as far as great gifts go! LOVE that Luke and Lauren got to wake Tink! Isn't it funny how those small things bring sooo much more magic to the trip! We love talking to CM's too, they are a wealth of information! Can't wait to hear about Coral Reef hope you got a great table near the tanks!

Oh yes, we are always trying to one up eachother It is funny, there were many more little magical moments throughout this trip that made it extra special!
Lesley

Thanks for posting another update I feel like I'm there with you when I read your trippie! Oh well back to reality and the laundry. I'll be watching for more! Linda

Glad you are enjoying it. Got one load of laundry done, suitcases aren't unpacked, I need to get busy!
Lesley

Enjoying reading about your 2nd day.

That was such a wonderful birthday gift that you got - you have such a sweet husband!

How was the breakfast at Crystal Palace? We went there for dinner in March and decided that when we come back we want to try the breakfast. Also, a great perk to be able to get in the MK early before the gates open....

Great to hear that Lauren was tall enough for BTMR..Hopefully, my 3 year old will grow 4 more inches before we go back....lol

Do ya'll just hit a few "lands" one day and then hit the rest on another?

Talk to you soon....

Dottie

Dottie, breakfast at CP is EXCELLENT! Great food, awesome character interaction and getting into MK early, it's hard to beat! Here is hoping your 3 year old will grow. We hit almost each land each day, getting FP's as we go along, you will be able to see as the trip report progresses.
Lesley

Great update! That is awesome that Luke got to wake up Tink! We are eating at CP at 8 also, maybe we'll try to get to Tink.

I told DH last night that "Tim and Lesley loved POFQ!" He was like "Oh good, I know you were a little worried....wait, who's Tim and Lesley?" Can you tell he doesn't read the boards? Then I explained and he was like, you are a dork, I thought you knew them!

Can't wait to hear and see your dinner at Coral Reef! I love the necklace too, you got yourself a good man there!

I hope you can sprint to Tinkerbell Treasures and get a chance to wake her up, it was fun. That is SOOOOOOOOO funny about your husband, Tim and I were dying laughing over that one!!!!
Lesley

Great start! We were there from June 12 - 19th and BOY was it HOT!!! Holy moley!
Looking forward to reading more, you guys sure have the Disney spirit!!

I know, it was hot wasn't it. Although, that was the coolest it's been in several years for us going to Disney in June.
Lesley

A belated happy 31st to ya! (My 31st was in May, feels kinda old being INTO our 30's huh? lol) I love that necklace! Congrats on waking Tink!

Wonderful update!

Oh, my dh and my 4 boys have those Tiki Mickey t-shirts too! I didn't see a Minnie one for me, I'll have to look again.

Thank you! I know, can't believe I'm officially "in my 30's" oh well, I'll always be a kid at heart.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Aw! I'm so glad all of you got to ride Big Thunder together! Yay for Lauren!

I know, it was great, the fun of riding together just continues throughout the trip!
Lesley

Lesley, you are my favorite trip reporter ever! Your family seriously makes a girl-who-never-wanted-to-have-kids have kids! Just DH and I are going to the World in October, but I can't wait for the day when we have little ones looking as happy as Luke and Lauren. You and Tim are great parents and are wonderful to each other as well. A model family for sure. I also love how you make your trip reports come alive with all the pictures. It makes all of us readers feel like we know you! Thanks for updating so frequently and for letting us all experience all the fun with you.

Wow, I am SOOO flattered I have to say that seeing Disney through your kids eyes puts an entirely different spin on it. Tim and I went for our honeymoon and then returned when Lauren was 8 months and Luke was 3. (That is Lauren in the ears in my avatar). We have gone every year since she was 8 months so we've watched her and Luke grow up Disney and see new things and experience new things as a family. Every year family and friends say "Disney again???" and we always smile and say "yes, Disney again" they just don't understand how special, different and magical it is EACH AND EVERY YEAR! I am glad you enjoy the frequent updates and you are able to feel like you know us through the posts. Thanks for reading.
Lesley

Dear Lesley,
I've been a frequent lurker on your TR and this is the first time I'm responding. I love all the pics and I can really tell that you and your family thoroughly enjoy your WDW vacations. As do I!! I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday!!

My family and I are going to POFQ next year after a wonderful stay there this past March. It will be our 15th anniversary and I want one of those necklaces!!! If you don't mind, can you ask Tim where he purchased it so I can hint around to my husband!!! Looking forward to reading the rest of you TR.

Thank you in advance,
Mary Beth

Hello Mary Beth, thanks for deciding to post! I am glad you are enjoying the TR so far and thanks for the b-day wish. Tim purchased the necklace in the store inside Cinderella's castle.
Lesley

OK I am glued to the computer reading your wonderful report. I am sitting here crying like a sap over the Tink story. I cant wait to hear about your dinner at CR. Keep it coming!!!!

Glad you are enjoying it, sorry for the tears though
Lesley

Lesley, were you wearing Cleo Crocs in those pics? If so, were they good? Did they slip off your feet at all? Any blisters? Thanks!

Yes, they are Cleo's, I wore them every day and they were GREAT but I did switch them out two days because there was a teenie blister on the top of my middle toe from the strap, but then switched them back and it was fine, they were GREAT disney shoes.
Lesley

Hi Lesley,

Your family photo in front of the castle is perfect! It looks like you had a great birthday. I am looking forward to reading about your evening, especially because we are going to Coral Reef for the first time on our next trip. That is very thoughtful of you to not try to repeat waking up Tinkerbelle.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Storytime with Belle. I remember we discussed it in the pre-trip phase, pages and pages ago!

The evening should be up tonight, glad you are enjoying it. Yes, we did discuss Belle, it really was awesome, so glad we did it this trip!
Lesley

Ohh that necklace is beautiful! Tim did good in picking that out! Sounds like a great birthday...how lucky for your kids to be able to wake up tink. Can't wait to read more!

Tim did do well, he'll love your comment Glad you are enjoying it.
Lesley

 

[WDWBetsy]

Lesley - love the trip report! I always look forward to reading them. You have such cute kids!!!! Tim did a wonderful job picking out the necklace.

 

[twob4him]

I am practically in tears reading your trippie!! I love your beautiful necklace and the pics are just wonderful!

 

[Punky's Mama]

I am so enjoying your trip report. The picture of your family in front of the castle is perfect. I'm glad you had a great trip and I can't wait to hear more, especially the segment tonight with the tips.

 

[debit34]

As usual, this is a GREAT, GREAT trip report. I'm getting ready to start planning my second trip this year! I'm sure I'll have LOTS of questions for you!!!

 

[ebowen]

Tim and Lesley,
Loving this trip report. Loved your last one. I feel like I really know your family. I am also an Ohioan (grew up in Miamisburg and went to college at Xavier). Moved to Louisville for my job, but I will always be a Buckeye at heart. By the way my husband and I bought those "Tiki" shirts at our Disney store too!!