I Don't Know, I Don't Speak Wind!!

[MeMom]

Originally Posted by PlutosRHM55

Oh Disney will be my social time! Haha That will be my default vacation!

Originally Posted by PlutosRHM55

YAY! MAELSTROM TIME! Miss that ride so much. That's awesome you got to see the movie too. Love the picture of Brooklynn next to the stinky troll, she's such a ham. And I agree with her on the adorable little seals, so cute. Kringla Bakery... looking delicious as ever!

Hope you have a great day too, MeMom!

It's hard to choose a favorite from the bakery, but I think the sweet almond pretzel wins for me overall.

I think you have many Disney trip adventures to look forward to!

Originally Posted by Megablocks

I was on break at work when I learned about Tracy. She always commented on my dad's "glasses" pictures and seemed to get a huge kick out of them, so every picture with those crazy things in Disney will be especially for her.

I love the Norway bakery! And Maelstrom...I miss that ride so much.

We go to Disney six weeks from today! I texted Katie at some point and said I wanted to watch Wishes on the first night. Between going back and finally getting to see her and Patrick (it has been over two years), I am pretty much beside myself with excitement...I cannot wait to be down there!

A Disney trip will be a big bright (and warm) spot in the middle of your winter.

Your dad's glasses pictures have brought laughter for lots of DISers. Makes me feel good to know Tracy joined in that laughter.

Originally Posted by marDgreen88

Brooklynn made a good choice in Epcot! I bet she was loving her MeMom time.

Norway, my favorite!

We had a good day together. She was enjoying leading the way.

Originally Posted by eandesmom

That is a crazy big word for a big nose! What a wonderful Epcot day so far with Brookynn, how special for both of you. Lovely words about Tracy, she loved Distown and will be greatly missed. We are blessed to have known her. You know, I bet in Tracy's Heaven there are holiday lights brighter than the Osborne ones and she's enjoying them now.

It is nice to have the support and encouragement of our DIS community. Every person is welcomed and appreciated. It is difficult to lose someone, and it makes us happy to know they enjoyed being a part of this group. We are all glad she is no longer suffering in any way.

[Tink9721]

Originally Posted by MeMom

I can't tell you how excited I am that we have our DIS high school and college kids home for the holidays! So glad Timmy and Christine are away from school and are getting some DIS time.

I'm very happy to be here! I missed my DIS friends!

Originally Posted by MeMom

We are so happy for you! And only a two week wait - gotta love that!

You will love the Osborne Lights.

I am glad it worked out with your mom's schedule. I know she deserves a break, too. Tell her hello from the WL porch gang!

I love the two week wait I was a little worried about getting ADR's so late, but I got everything I wanted

I'll get to see the castle lights too I'm so excited!

Mom says hi She definitely needs a break! She's actually on vacation this week (most of the company she works for is off Christmas through New Year's) but we have a ton of stuff to do and she's gonna have to get some work done so it doesn't pile up while we're in Disney. But she only has to actually go into work three days between now and when we leave

It looks like we'll be having a white Christmas We've only had a little snow this year, and it was a week after Halloween New England weather is crazy But there are snow flurries in the forecast for Tuesday. I'd love a little snow on Christmas! As long as it doesn't snow the day we leave for Disney. I'm always worried about that when we go in the winter.

[disneykiwi]

Hey Memom, Jill and family

Its late Xmas Eve here and nearly time for bed.

Just want to wish you and everyone in DIStown a Happy Xmas and all the best in the New Year.

I have managed to get myself a dreadfully annoying head cold for Xmas so I will try not to the grouch of the party tomorrow. I am heading out to my parents place for our hot roast pork dinner with all the yummy roast veges. It is forecast to be 28 deg celcius here which is very hot for us and even though its the middle of summer its a mad Kiwi tradition to have hot roast Xmas dinner and then to blob out for the rest of the day watching telly then have pudding for tea as we normally cant fit it in with the lunch (though my Dad and 6 foot brother normally have no problems with that )

Take care and thanks for letting me part of your many adventures in the your daily lives and in our happy place. Your reports are a highlight in my life.

[frazers mum]

Hi Memom. Just popping in to say a big Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Got a few last minute bits of cleaning to do here and then can relax a bit before the big day tomorrow.
Going to the carols by candlelight service at the church this evening with the family.
Have a lovely time, whatever you do tomorrow. Joanne.

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Originally Posted by MeMom

Yuuuuummmmmmm!!!

Do you know what this is? I feel like I HAVE to try something that's called the "world's best"...how can you pass that up?? (I keep remembering that scene from Elf with the "World's Best Coffee" )

[MeMom]

Originally Posted by Tink9721

I'm very happy to be here! I missed my DIS friends!

I love the two week wait I was a little worried about getting ADR's so late, but I got everything I wanted

I'll get to see the castle lights too I'm so excited!

Mom says hi She definitely needs a break! She's actually on vacation this week (most of the company she works for is off Christmas through New Year's) but we have a ton of stuff to do and she's gonna have to get some work done so it doesn't pile up while we're in Disney. But she only has to actually go into work three days between now and when we leave

It looks like we'll be having a white Christmas We've only had a little snow this year, and it was a week after Halloween New England weather is crazy But there are snow flurries in the forecast for Tuesday. I'd love a little snow on Christmas! As long as it doesn't snow the day we leave for Disney. I'm always worried about that when we go in the winter.

I think we are supposed to have a wet Christmas - stormy even.

Happy planning to you and your mom. Can't wait to see January WDW pictures! I love having friends down there almost all the time, because the pictures keep me going all through the year.

Originally Posted by disneykiwi

Hey Memom, Jill and family

Its late Xmas Eve here and nearly time for bed.

Just want to wish you and everyone in DIStown a Happy Xmas and all the best in the New Year.

I have managed to get myself a dreadfully annoying head cold for Xmas so I will try not to the grouch of the party tomorrow. I am heading out to my parents place for our hot roast pork dinner with all the yummy roast veges. It is forecast to be 28 deg celcius here which is very hot for us and even though its the middle of summer its a mad Kiwi tradition to have hot roast Xmas dinner and then to blob out for the rest of the day watching telly then have pudding for tea as we normally cant fit it in with the lunch (though my Dad and 6 foot brother normally have no problems with that )

Take care and thanks for letting me part of your many adventures in the your daily lives and in our happy place. Your reports are a highlight in my life.

It is early Christmas Eve here. I will head to Alabama sometime today, after I get everything squared away here at home. I am not sure what we are planning to eat. Jill and I haven't even discussed that. She has had her hands full with work and kids, and then they came here to party for the weekend. We did steaks and baked potatoes Saturday night, and then we did a big breakfast on Sunday. We had chicken Sunday afternoon.

I am certainly glad you enjoy being here and that the WDW pictures can brighten your days. Thank you for saying that.

Hope your cold eases up so that you can enjoy your holiday.

Originally Posted by frazers mum

Hi Memom. Just popping in to say a big Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Got a few last minute bits of cleaning to do here and then can relax a bit before the big day tomorrow.
Going to the carols by candlelight service at the church this evening with the family.
Have a lovely time, whatever you do tomorrow. Joanne.

And a lovely time for you, as well. I hope that all of our DIS families have safe travels and happy times with families and friends in the week ahead.

Originally Posted by Stringbean&Wingnut

Do you know what this is? I feel like I HAVE to try something that's called the "world's best"...how can you pass that up?? (I keep remembering that scene from Elf with the "World's Best Coffee" )

It does seem as if we owe it a try, huh?

Elf - he is so funny. Year after year, even when I know what is coming, I just see his expressions and laugh.

[2xcited2sleep]

Merry Christmas, DIS Town!

If you have a quiet moment in your preparations or perhaps after the celebrations are done, thought you might enjoy another trip video from one of my favorite families. I've never met them but their love of Disney makes them honorary DIS Town citizens, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm-rBxjCwKo

[declansdad]

Merry Christmas Eve!

[MeMom]

We hope all of you had a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I am sure many of you went to work/church/amily/friend parties.

We got together on Saturday evening to have our Christmas Under the Sea. I am placing a bet that none of you had you work/church/family/friend parties in the ocean.

The theme came about because this has been the Year of the Mermaid for us. Bella had a Little Mermaid birthday party in April, Sophie's nursery is done in Little Mermaid, and we had a Little Mermaid room for one night during our October Disney trip. Since we are always looking for unique ways to celebrate, I thought capping off the year with Ariel-Girl would be appropriate.

Note that I did not want to spend a lot of money on this, so the decor is cheap. I just wanted enough effect for the girls to enjoy it.

When the girls arrived, they were excited to open a box from Mr. Marc and Miss Anita Wigd.





I don't have to tell you that they were thrilled with their goodies.


Our dinner was cooked in the Wilderness Lodge kitchen and moved downstairs to the sea to eat.



That palm tree was my Christmas tree this year.





We had steak, baked potatoes, and salad.
The girls wanted hot dogs. Silly girls. Steak is so much better!!!







We played a mystery gift game. Some call it Dirty Santa, but others don't like that name. Maybe Stealing Santa or Sneaky Santa?

I had made bags with odds and ends less than five dollars in them.

Jarvis chose first.



His bag contained crockpot liners and an oven mitt. Jill stole it a short time later.

Brooklynn really enjoyed watching the adults choose and 'steal' gifts.





We enjoyed having our friends Spencer and Lora with us. They don't make it to Nashville very often, so we enjoy seeing them when they do.

They left with gifts of chocolate, as Lora got Starbucks hot chocolate, and Spencer swiped Trent's Ghirardelli brownies.





Jill's Little Mermaid cake with a holiday touch.



Later, the girls opened presents.



There were new puppies,



and new clothes.





Surprise! Brooklynn got animal friends!



And here is the entire gang all in one place.



From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!!!

[MeMom]

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

Merry Christmas, DIS Town!

If you have a quiet moment in your preparations or perhaps after the celebrations are done, thought you might enjoy another trip video from one of my favorite families. I've never met them but their love of Disney makes them honorary DIS Town citizens, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm-rBxjCwKo

I saw this last week - very cute family, and the dad does a great job on the videos. I wish I had that talent. I need to get Drew to do a video for us the next time he goes with us.

Merry Christmas to you, as well!

Originally Posted by declansdad

Merry Christmas Eve!

And to you way up there in the cold north, Dad, Ma, and Declan!

[MeMom]

Back to July, on this wet and gray Christmas Eve morning.

We'll start with a turtle. Just chillin'. Duuuude!



We were changing parks now.



We arrived at Magic Kingdom shortly before time for the flag retreat ceremony, so I wanted to stay to watch. It is a very moving few moments, and if you have never seen it, I recommend that you take the time to see it when you have the chance.

One of the Dapper Dans members came and started talking to us.



He asked Brooklynn if she knew how to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and the next thing you know...



she was leading the Pledge for the ceremony.





















I love seeing the castmembers like this. They are so respectful of the moment.











So, this little girl had experienced some Disney magic, which brightened the day. I sent Jill a text and picture that she would get when the plane landed. I am sorry that she missed it, but I am very glad Brooklynn got to be a part of that special event.



Updated pictures list:


Page 3 - arrival, Magical Express video
Pages 7/8 - pool time and lots of shopping
Page 11 - Art of Animation
Page 13 - Pop, King Cupcake, my Toy Story classroom
Pages 15/17 - evening in Hollywood, lots of shopping, One Man's Dream
Page 21 - Pop breakfast, Toy Story Midway Mania
Page 22 - Tower of Terror
Page 25 - shopping in Hollywood
Page 30 - Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Studio Catering lunch
Pages 33/35 - rainy Epcot, Akershus, The Seas
Page 40 - Brooklynn's Animal Kingdom birthday party
Page 42 - Soarin'
Pages 44/46/47 - Sophie's arrival
Pages 64/65 - Aladdin & Jasmine, Morocco
Page 68 - France
Page 69 - kiddie pool, pin traders at MK bus stop, wet Adventureland, Pirates
Page 71 - HM t-shirts, Yankee Trader, Bella on Carrousel
Page 73 - new Dumbo, Casey Jr. splash area
Page 75 - fireworks, Teacups, Magic, Memories, and You
Page 76 - Pangani Trail
Page 77 - Kilimanjaro Safari, giraffe close up
Page 80 - Rafiki's Planet Watch
Page 81 - Pepper Market at Coronado Springs
Page 82 - Rainforest Cafe, Nashville
Page 83 - Coronado Springs
Page 85 - pins, Splash Mountain area
Page 87 - random Magic Kingdom wandering, Pop kiddie pool
Page 88 - Art of Animation breakfast, Beach Club
Page 99 - new Fantasyland on 'Unofficial Opening Day'
Page 101 - Yehaa Bob and a DIS meet at POR
Page 102 - shopping at POR
Page 107 - Magic Kingdom, Winnie the Pooh, Storybook Circus
Page 108 - Stacy & family, mosaics in castle tunnel
Page 109 - Merida, Fairy Godmother
Page 110 - The 'Steps', Small World
Page 111 - Carrousel and Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It Parade
Page 113 - Castle show, AoA, Pizza Planet
Page 114 - Muppets
Page 115 - Great Movie Ride
Page 116 - Fantasmic, empty streets of Hollywood
Page 118 - Pop Century in the morning
Page 119 - Pop breakfast, Animal Kingdom
Pages 120/121 - Animal Kingdom - Dinoland
Page 122 - Dinoland, Maharajah Trail
Page 123 - It's Tough to be a Bug
Page 124 - Jammin' Jungle Parade
Page 126 - Jungle Cruise, Tinkerbell meet & greet
Page 128 - Magic Carpets, Tiki Room, Sunshine Tree Terrace, Philharmagic
Page 129 - Move It/Shake It/Celebrate It, meeting back home friends at MK
Page 131 - Move It/Shake It/Celebrate It, Main Street Bakery
Page 133 - Magic Kingdom (buttons, signs), Art of Animation
Page 134 - Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land
Page 136 - Dumbo, Magic Kingdom
Page 138 - Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Page 139 - Pop Century, Art of Animation breakfast, Jill leaves
Page 141 - Innoventions, Mexico
Page 142 - Norway
Page 143 - Little Mermaid Christmas, Brooklynn in Flag Retreat Ceremony at Magic Kingdom

[declansdad]

Originally Posted by MeMom

And here is the entire gang all in one place.



From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!!!

Someone is missing in this photo!

[declansdad]

Well done Brooklyn!

[Poolrat]

What an exciting dose of pixie dust for both you and Brooklynn.



Merry Christmas to the whole MeMom clan, under or over the sea.

[MeMom]

Originally Posted by declansdad

Someone is missing in this photo!

I know. I tried to get that darn cat to be in it, but he doesn't come out of the bedroom when Ben is here.

Originally Posted by declansdad

Well done Brooklyn!

I am hoping Jill might have some Photopass pictures of this somewhere.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

What an exciting dose of pixie dust for both you and Brooklynn.



Merry Christmas to the whole MeMom clan, under or over the sea.

And maybe over the land, if we get caught up in a whirlwind tornado tomorrow!

Merry Christmas to your gang, as well, Pat!