Twas the Night Before ... Christmas 09?! - 12/30 New TR! Please come join me!

[2xcited2sleep]

Yeehaw... in THREE days you are going to Disney!!

I think I'm all caught up. Whew! You've been busy!!

Happy belated birthday. A new camera is the perfect gift!

Congratulations on the cruise in 2011. That sounds like such fun!

Re: squeezing in that solo trip... F&W Oct 2010?? Just an idea.

So many holiday activities at your house. Looking forward to pics of your projects.

I expect to be back to wish you bon voyage but just in case, hope you have a super duper extra magical holiday good time!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Well...I think your trip mania is invading my life. I had a dream last night with you and your boys in it.

We were in Epcot at an Indian eating establishment and at this establishment I was trying to find a tshirt for myself and I couldn't. And you all were waiting for me to find a tee so that we could eat our lunch.

 

[Happydog]

Well...I think your trip mania is invading my life. I had a dream last night with you and your boys in it.

We were in Epcot at an Indian eating establishment and at this establishment I was trying to find a tshirt for myself and I couldn't. And you all were waiting for me to find a tee so that we could eat our lunch.

I LOVE it I LOVE it!!!!

LUNCH?? Indian establishment? The closest to Indian is Sanaa at the AK, so that means we are really all over the place!!! Of course if it was during the F & W that is different!!! Okay, and a Tshirt, huh? HA! Would that be Jasmine inspired??!!

 

[jenjolt]

I second the whole taking a solo trip during F&W October 2010...only because I would love to spend more time with you!!!

Have fun getting everything done.....you have definitely been a busy elf!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I LOVE it I LOVE it!!!!

LUNCH?? Indian establishment? The closest to Indian is Sanaa at the AK, so that means we are really all over the place!!! Of course if it was during the F & W that is different!!! Okay, and a Tshirt, huh? HA! Would that be Jasmine inspired??!!

We were very clearly in Epcot. I think maybe they added a new country in my dream...?

It was one of the ugliest tshirts ever! It was gray with squiggly writing on it. Weird. I think that is my anxiety over buying myself a tshirt at Disney that actually fits.

 

[raider97]

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[eandesmom]

Well...I think your trip mania is invading my life. I had a dream last night with you and your boys in it.

We were in Epcot at an Indian eating establishment and at this establishment I was trying to find a tshirt for myself and I couldn't. And you all were waiting for me to find a tee so that we could eat our lunch.

I second the whole taking a solo trip during F&W October 2010...only because I would love to spend more time with you!!!

Have fun getting everything done.....you have definitely been a busy elf!!!

We were very clearly in Epcot. I think maybe they added a new country in my dream...?

It was one of the ugliest tshirts ever! It was gray with squiggly writing on it. Weird. I think that is my anxiety over buying myself a tshirt at Disney that actually fits.

I'm loving that Leslie has added a country and a restaurant! F&W in 2010 would be sooooo cool!

That list looks MIGHTY long to me to accomplish in one day.

 

[Happydog]

Just wanted to wish all of you guys going this week/weekend a safe trip and a most magical, wonderful time!

I will be happy to see all of your awesome pictures and hear about Disney Christmas, fun times, and warm weather as I make my way through a cold and gray Tennessee winter.

Oh thank you MeMom!!! I am very very excited, too!

Yeehaw... in THREE days you are going to Disney!!

I think I'm all caught up. Whew! You've been busy!!

Happy belated birthday. A new camera is the perfect gift!

Congratulations on the cruise in 2011. That sounds like such fun!

Re: squeezing in that solo trip... F&W Oct 2010?? Just an idea.

So many holiday activities at your house. Looking forward to pics of your projects.

I expect to be back to wish you bon voyage but just in case, hope you have a super duper extra magical holiday good time!!!

Oh that solo trip is more than an Idea, don't worry I am thinking the same thing I am trying to figure it all out!!! Just trying to get through the next 48 hours!!!

Thanks for all the warm fuzzies! Yes!!! The Camera is great! I hope! The Cruise should be great great fun! I will have a great update shortly this afternoon!

I second the whole taking a solo trip during F&W October 2010...only because I would love to spend more time with you!!!

Have fun getting everything done.....you have definitely been a busy elf!!!

We'll SEE, I will say "stranger things have happened" That is how THIS October happened

Yes a busy elf, I have some fun pics to share!!!!

We were very clearly in Epcot. I think maybe they added a new country in my dream...?

It was one of the ugliest tshirts ever! It was gray with squiggly writing on it. Weird. I think that is my anxiety over buying myself a tshirt at Disney that actually fits.

Ha!!! That is funny.. here we are analyzing your dream!!!

No, doesn't sound good, but I am sure you will find a shirt that fits your fab newly emerging self!

Have a wonderful trip!

THANK YOU !!!! YOU TOO!!!!

I'm loving that Leslie has added a country and a restaurant! F&W in 2010 would be sooooo cool!

That list looks MIGHTY long to me to accomplish in one day.

Oh, well thank goodness I have more than ONE day!!!! Believe me, I won't be sleeping after tomorrow!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Okay, everyone!!! I have been a bit overwhelmed the past few days trying to get all the loose details in place!!! I did take photos downloaded to Photobucket that I am so excited to share, but last night I think the cookie making really took over. I sat down for five minutes, and the next thing I knew it was after 11pm! I was beat! BUT I am now concentrating on the final details before our trip AND the fact that the snow... SNOW ... might be making its way towards us... This is going to be an interesting 48 hours...

My update will be this evening, so STAY tuned!!!!

 

[IluvXU]

In case I miss you... have a very Magical Christmas and a wonderful trip!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Snow is the worst word....EVER. I hate it. I am petrified SNOW is going to mess with me getting to Disney in January.

 

[Happydog]

In case I miss you... have a very Magical Christmas and a wonderful trip!

Oh thank you thank you!!! I hope we will I am sure it will be!
Lots still unfolding!!!

Snow is the worst word....EVER. I hate it. I am petrified SNOW is going to mess with me getting to Disney in January.

Oh let me tell you this is just our luck!!!! We'll I am going to keep my humor about it!!!! HA! HO HO HO!

 

[eandesmom]

Sending you NO snow delay vibes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Happydog]

So we are counting down the final hours here everyone! My goodness. It seems like just a short while ago I was busily planning my trip with 180 and 90 days in mind, and to suddenly be days, hours, away is just mind boggling, excitement and craziness aside! And I am excited… and it is going to be crazy… but in the end I know it is probably going to be one of the most memorable vacations I have with my family for a long time. Granted I have been fortunate enough to travel all over the place with my kids… I have taken them to many places over seas and across the US, so they have seen some pretty incredible sites. But Disney World with Children is pretty hard to beat in terms of seeing the pure enjoyment and amazement on their faces… So, while this one family will have been to this one World many times in ONE year … I think the trip this December is going to extra special and amazing. If there is one part of Disney I love the most it is the over the top attention to detail and lavish detail at that. I know Christmas will likely be unlike anything I have ever experienced and I am so glad to have the change to experience it with my family. I really can’t wait.

The past few nights have been a whirl wind. TO SAY THE LEAST!!!!! I have busily checked items off my “To Do” list, but there is still so much to do! The photos here share what I have been occupied with and gives you a hint about a few of the projects and plans I have been working on!

So FIRST up: COOKIES!

Now I bake about four or five kinds every year. This was no exception. I make them so I can give them away mostly. Once I am done icing several dozen cookies, eating them isn’t that thrilling!!!

Here they are. Missing are the infamous Mexican Wedding Cookies… Well we made them, but since they were already in a container and most people know what they look like (those balls smothered in powder sugar!!!) I didn’t put ONE more container of cookies on the table. We ate about half at the Brunch I had last Sunday.. that and the peppermint drop cookies. Both were a big hit! But I have enough for the cookie tins that I am arranging to deliver tomorrow.

I made my spiced nuts, too, those I will take a final photo of b/c they are in the boxes already. I love icing sugar cookies, and have fun with all the sprinkles!!!

After Cookies comes the “big Surprise” Scrabble board game…

Here is the “riddle” that will be in box “18” for the Advent calendar…

I think the picture is backwards!!!


And here is the puzzle map that the kids have to arrange the tiles on… I gave them a few hints!!!

Now I will then take my gift stockings… these are them stuffed now with goodies … and put them in the Mickey gift bag I have with the Christmas Mickey balloons… I really loved these stockings. They actually held quite a lot! I think the snowflake pattern is tooo cute! They have a bunch of stuff, I shared a photo of all the stuffing several weeks ago! BUT they include Disracers, books, movies, drawing books and sticker books, and art supplies. They also have Toy Story Gummy snacks!, and glow bracelets… I have a few card games (Disney themed ones) as well… There are a few items that will fill the stockings for round TWO, at the villa where we will hang them for Christmas Eve…

I made a few other last minute purchases from the Disney store… Here they are!!!

I thought this Tink tree topper would be adorable, and when it went on sale I couldn’t resist it! I have a bag of ornaments and such for the tree… I will get photos of it when we actually get everything set up in our villa.

At the recommendation of MeMom and a few others I went over to Target and grabbed this set of cheap stretchy gloves – don’t they go perfectly with my peppermint Tshirt?? And I am contemplating anything else I need here in the final hours…

I did want to share my festive outdoor lights as well… I love hanging lights on the house in winter – so festive. In the snow especially so!!

These photos are all taken with my portable small point and shoot. My new camera is here… I have not taken photos yet, so it will be interested to see how it compares. I am sure the night photos will come out great. It has a high quality zoom, so that is a huge plus!!!

AND that is what I have been up to the past night... I am now in full panic mode because of the weather... I have so much to organize for departure, thinking I had more time, but the snow is causing us to move our travel time forward... it is all still up in the air and more will certainly unfold! In the meantime, enjoy these pics, I am going to go run some errands before stores close (try a few gift cards for teachers!!!) and some champagne for my secretaries!!!! AND start packing... GOOD grief. Ah well HO HO HO!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Your pictures seriously belong in a magazine, everything looks picture perfect! The cookies amazing and your house gorgeous!
I still want that recipe for the spiced nuts!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I can't believe you bake all of those cookies! WOW. That is so impressive.

I love those stockings too. The detail on them is awesome.

Your house looks so pretty!

Have a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Happydog]

Your pictures seriously belong in a magazine, everything looks picture perfect! The cookies amazing and your house gorgeous!
I still want that recipe for the spiced nuts!

Oh! I forgot!! I will bring it with me to Disney!!! DO you want it before??

Thanks for the compliments, WIGD I just love the Christmas season! It is my time of year!!!

I can't believe you bake all of those cookies! WOW. That is so impressive.

I love those stockings too. The detail on them is awesome.

Your house looks so pretty!

Have a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear all about it!

I only do it because it is fun. Which sounds sick and twisted but there it is!!!! 5 lbs of butter later! Thank you so much for the good wishes, LL! I can't wait to tell you all about it either, before you scoot down to WDW yourself!

 

[eandesmom]

Everything looks fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe you made all those cookies and then are taking off, I'd be recuperating for days!



You are going to have a wonderful magical trip.

I the gloves!

 

[Happydog]

SO change of plans. Leaving EARLIER than expected on Friday, thus we will be crashing somewhere in NC -- not sure where! HA! We have changed our booking from Bonnet Creek to the Swan.... Can you say "heavenly bed"? WE are going to need that after the trip down... "educators discount"!!! And definitely convenient for check in at BCV the next morning!!! I have not started to pack luggage yet!!!!!!!!!!!

I have organized a lot of stuff but the clothes will have to wait until tomorrow! This leaving early has messed me up a little, I am short time to go to the post office, etc. But I am sure it will come together.... right ??

 

[eandesmom]

SO change of plans. Leaving EARLIER than expected on Friday, thus we will be crashing somewhere in NC -- not sure where! HA! We have changed our booking from Bonnet Creek to the Swan.... Can you say "heavenly bed"? WE are going to need that after the trip down... "educators discount"!!! And definitely convenient for check in at BCV the next morning!!! I have not started to pack luggage yet!!!!!!!!!!!

I have organized a lot of stuff but the clothes will have to wait until tomorrow! This leaving early has messed me up a little, I am short time to go to the post office, etc. But I am sure it will come together.... right ??

heavenly bed! Beat the snow! Hey, you can always hit the post office from the road or even down there, right?