More Disney......

This is one of those moments that I wish I had worn more makeup. Oh, well....
Dinner at the the Sci Fi Restaurant.

Waiting to ride the Barnstormer coaster. Emma was 40" and could ride several rides that I was not about to let her on (even though Ashton was begging). She wasn't so sure about this one and the minute it started she began saying "up, up" which I believe translated to "please get me off of this thing".

She totally loved driving her daddy around the track.

Meeting Buzz Lightyear.

Why yes that is lipstick on her cheek, left by her favorite princess.....

Mulan. She gave Emma the big kiss. Daddy didn't do a very good job getting us all in the picture, but he tried.

Snow White looks a bit too scary for me. You can see that Emma was thrilled with her:)

Yeah, yeah, another princess. Great mom.

She wouldn't have anything to do with Belle. Not sure why, but completely not interested.

Aurora (sp) was very friendly as well, and once again Emma could take her or leave her.

But now she really liked this handsome prince who held her while she watched a parade.

So we flew to Orlando last Saturday morning and made our first stop at Epcot. We managed to get in a ride and dinner and then make it back to the hotel. Emma was exhausted but ever bit the trooper.

Sunday we spent the day at Magic Kingdom. Well, Pam and I did. The others all went back to the hotel to catch a much needed nap, but it was my birthday and I decided to spend the entire day at the "most magical place on Earth:)" I think that Pam just felt sorry for me and decided to stay with me. I would like to say that my sweet husband bought me a wonderful present. We have tickets to the Michael Buble concert in December and I can't wait. Totally love him! I had a great birthday with my family.

Monday was spent at Hollywood Studios where Emma got to see the Beauty and the Beast production and she loved it. The rest of us managed to score a couple of rides on the Rockin Roller Coaster where Pam ended up screaming so much that she couldn't talk the next day! Another totally fun day.

Tuesday we visited Animal Kingdom and Emma loved it as well. She actually pet a goat, but of course I couldn't snap the picture quick enough to prove it. We had breakfast with Donald, Mickey and the gang and then headed over to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck. Delicious! The best carrot cake ever. That is also the evening that we caught up with Barbara and her family.

Wednesday we had breakfast with the princesses and spent the day at Epcot and World Showcase. Another exhausting day. I had developed a cough reminiscent of typhoid, but at least I didn't feel too horrible.

Thursday we spent the morning at Magic Kingdom again and finished the evening out at Hollywood Studios. Friday morning we got an early start and flew home. Truly, there is no place like home. Everyone had a good time though and the weather was perfect. I couldn't have been more proud of Emma and how she handled it all. I saw a lot of kiddos that were falling apart and even more parents, but she really behaved well and managed some very long days. We had a great time with the family.

So back to the grind now. Our morning started out with Emma falling off of the changing table. She is always trying to roll around on it and this morning she just rolled right off. I was sure that she had broken her arm or something, but luckily she was intact. She just kept crying and saying "band aid, band aid". Amazing how a band aid fixes everything.

I have spent the morning grocery shopping and running errands, including picking up my new BIFOCAL glasses. Yes, I am wearing them right now. It's going to take some getting used to. Old age.....no comments.

Just A Few More Disney Pics.

The tree lady at Animal Kingdom. That is a job she can keep!

Emma loved watching the Beauty and the Beast production.

Cool Muppet's hat!

Just like my big brothers!

Pop and the boys.

This girl can put away some spaghetti and she doesn't want anyone to help her. Brady - looking cool.

One of the many rides on the bus back to the resort. Giggee is armed for this ride.

Beast in one of the many parades.

Aunt Pam had bought all of us Mickey ears years ago at Disney and now Emma has the only pink pair.

Aunt Pam and Emma.

The truce. Many years ago when the boys were very little we made a trip to Disney and Pop and Tigger were not friends. That's what happens when Tigger attempts to overlook one of the grandchildren:) This year they made up. The restaurant can now remove the wanted poster from their wall.

Emma wasn't too sure about Piglet.

Sneaking up on my girl, but luckily big brother was there to watch over the situation.

Emma decided that she needed to be held for most of trip. Of course she decided that after we had paid $77 for stroller rental for the week. Luckily Brady didn't mind holding her some.

Our first trip to the Magic Kingdom was great. We were there when it opened and saw Mickey and his friends come in on the train. As we were entering the park we saw Pinocchio. Emma isn't familiar with him but we made a beeline to see him before the line formed and he was so sweet. He was just precious with her and signed that he loved her. I looked up and my mother in law was in tears.

A few Disney Pictures

This face pretty much says it all.

Do you think my boys argued about getting this picture taken? That Jasmine is a cutie.

Catching Up With Friends

As much as we loved being at Disney, we loved seeing our friends Barbara, Edgar, Crystina, and Ethan even more. We were in China with Barbara and Edgar (and Ethan too....although no one knew it at the time) while they adopted Crystina. We became friends and were thrilled to have a chance to see them while we were in Orlando. The girls were adorable and immediately ran to each other and became fast friends. It was the most touching thing to see and I will never forget how cute they were together. I wish we lived closer.

Mr. Ethan.....a little surprise for his parents. He is a cutie. Barbara thought he was just a bad case of jet lag for a month......You just never know when God is going to surprise you.

Look how much taller Emma is. She is just a couple of months older than Crystina.

The Happiest Celebration on Earth

I'll give you one guess as to where we have been for the last 6 days. Us and several thousand of our friends.........




You guessed it. We spent a few days at Mickey's house and had a great, yet exhausting time. Disney is not a vacation, it's a job. Emma did great, probably better than the adults. She loved it and absolutely took it all in. She was well behaved and did great with the characters (for the most part).



Now we are home and I have laundry to catch up, an aching back that I hope is not from the roller coaster rides because that would mean that I am just old. I did celebrate my birthday which was neatly 10-10-10 this year while at the park. Perhaps I am old after all........


I will be posting lots of pictures soon.

Our Weekend

Another busy weekend. Band competition Saturday night, Heritage Celebration at church on Sunday, so this post will be very brief.


Okay, I realize that he is my son, but doesn't he have the most beautiful eyes. I am so proud of the band. They performed twice yesterday and scored superior in their first performance and excellent in their second. They came in second overall in the competition and the drum major won first place. Way to go guys!

Love, Love, Love this picture.

Bo snapped this picture of one of the goats at the petting zoo today.

Yes, my daughter is standing near horses and actually holding the lead. The child who is terrified of all animals great and small thought she was the stuff! Why yes, she is wearing an apron with her outfit.

Love this picture too. My nephew Ben and Emma.....on a horse. I couldn't believe it. She actually wanted to kiss the horse. Now when he wanted to kiss her back we had a problem.

Uncle Johnny helping Emma overcome her fear of horses. Apparently he is not only a horse whisperer, but an animal fearing little girl whisperer as well.

My Apologies to the Chickens

I had no idea when I bought this sign years ago just how true this statement is. This applies primarily to teenagers.