We're Going to DisneyWorld!

The following is just a recount of our recent trip (put together by my husband shortly after our trip) to Walt Disney World to help us remember all the details as time goes on.  You may find some tips if you are planning a trip (especially at the end) but this is mostly for our memory! =)

(Copied from tomhypes.com and I added in a few tidbits and pictures!  -- jenni)


Timing
We planned our trip for the first full week of December which was GREAT timing! The crowds were low and the weather was great… The temperature was in the 60s and the 70s with only one short rain.


Sunday - The Surprise!
The moment finally came after church and our family was the last in the building. I set up our video camera in my office and we invited Emily in. The video reflects it all as Emily freaked out at the news and spent all her energy yelling and running in circles around inside the church and then outside in the parking lot.

After a quick lunch at O’Charleys, we drove down to the airport. I dropped mom and Emily off with the luggage and went to park the car. After a quick shuttle ride, we were reunited and headed through security. Emily was just as excited about flying as she was about the destination and she grabbed the window seat. Mom was in the middle and dad on the aisle…. the same both ways.

Killing some time in the airport while waiting
for her first flight (that she remembers!)

After landing in Orlando, we met our driver of the Towne car service we hired. He helped us grab our bags, get loaded, and started the drive to the cabins of the Fort Wilderness Campground. We really enjoyed Demetrious, our driver, and he had great advice. He also drove us back to our cabin after we checked in which was a great blessing.

We made it!

Since it was late, we followed the recommendation of the front desk and headed for Trail’s End Restaurant for a great buffet. After a filling meal, it was back to the cabin to get some sleep before our adventures.

Special Note: Our key card for the cabin also served as our tickets to the parks and we set them up so that we could charge on them, which was very convenient. You just have to be somewhat aware of what you are charging so you don’t go overboard.  We did our shopping on the room card and our food on the debit card. (We did not do the meal plan, which we did not regret for our case... we didn't need snacks throughout the days or desserts with our meals.)

The front desk is also where Emily got her “1^st Visit” badge which was great as it starts good conversations in the parks and gets you some surprises as the week goes on.

A Walk in the Park (Part 3 of 3)

Our final set of pictures from our family trip to Inniswoods Metro Garden.

What a fun time!

Caleb and Christian... We had a fun time guys!

A Walk in the Park (Part 2 of 3)

Part 2 of our family trip to Inniswood Metro Gardens!  

There's something to be said about giving a little girl a giant sucker in order to get in a few more photos...

A Walk in the Park (Part 1 of 3)

Over the weekend we joined my cousin and his family for a visit to Inniswood Metro Gardens for some family photos.  The weather was fabulous and we had a great time.  Thanks for inviting us along!

Emily and her cousin, Christian

Christian, Emily and Caleb

Em in her "Rock Star" outfit

Yeah, I don't know what they're doing either...

Posing wasn't happening for either one of them.
...so let's climb Mt. McDaddy instead!

Now we can get a cute picture!

Hide, Mr. Turkey!

Last week, Em brought home a fun bit of "family homework". 

Mr. Turkey was sent home and our mission was to disguise him so the farmer couldn't find him in time for Thanksgiving.  We talked about ideas for disguises and came up something that Emily thought would be really fun. 

I worked on wardrobe (under Em's direction)
and she worked on set design.

She's swapped hands and still smiling...

Can't tell there's a turkey under there, can you?

Decorating the classroom with lots of concentration...

Photo op!

A visit to Miss Em's Beauty Salon for a manicure!

She loves homework!
I think she's super excited about
this homework assignment!

A Walk In the Park

This afternoon was a great day to get in a great walk in the park with a lovely family.   Their kids have stunning eyes that just suck you in.  Any guesses who we might have spent the afternoon with?

We took a lot of pictures of their family and ours... and I have a new favorite picture to add to my desk!

Trick or Treat

Monday night was Trick-or-Treat night in our town.  

Em was joined by her cousins, Abby (a horse) and Ben (a gorilla).

Emily was a ballerina -

who wore a winter coat

(because it was cold and rainy all night)

and took a dive at the last turn

on the way onto our very own sidewalk

some tears, a little grass stain, and a scuffed up knee

but nothing a little band-aid couldn't fix.

Oh yeah-
 

nevermind the yellow gunk

all over her teeth

it's part of the loot she scored

...well that or she's taking the outfit

to a whole new level as

an out of work ballerina

with a lousy dental plan.

Still missing those top 2 teeth
but they're starting to make an appearance!

Emilee

Little Miss went on field trip a couple of weeks ago to Wayne's Country Market.  As one of the chaperones pinned the name tag to Emily's jacket, Em proceeded to inform them that her name was spelled wrong.  She then corrected them and said her name was spelled "E-M-I-L-E-E".   Of course, this raised the curiosity of her teacher(s)!

When I picked Em up from school, her teacher was grinning as she shared what had taken place earlier in the morning.  Em must have been fairly convincing in her argument.  Her teacher informed me later that when she asked Emily if she should ask me how her name was really spelled that Em was very quick to respond with, "No, don't ask my mom.  I'll get in trouble!"

And no... she didn't get in trouble over it.  We kind of roll with those things at our house.  Although we did find it entertaining when some of her paperwork came home a few days later with her "new" name on it.  

That's our girl!   

And... so is this one. 
Love those snuggles when we get them!

Fall Family Cookout

For the past several years, our family has gotten together each October for a fall cookout at my parents.  Occasionally my mom breaks out the old Halloween costumes that my sister and I used to wear...