Oprah

I love Oprah, she is so honest and so real.  I want to be her friend.  LOL  Yesterday while I was home from work due to the THREE feet of snow we had fall over the weekend she had a very good episode on.  As some of you know the Topic hits a soft spot in my heart, it is a topic I feel SO strongly about and have a very personal connection to.

The show was so good.  Her “guests” were four different child molesters.

One “guest” was a 65 man who molested a 5 year old, one was a father who molested his 12 yr old daughter, one was a guy (about my age, early 30’s) who had been molesting and raping the same girl since he was 8 and she was 5.  She finally told when she was 17 and he was 20.  Then the last guy was a 20 something guy who had raped 4 girls who were all about 14 years old. 

They were all in therapy and been convicted.  I personally think the laws are too  lax.  There should be MUCH longer sentences and I feel you should have to register as a sex offender for your entire life.  Something like the desire to abuse a child never goes away.  The abusers are always going to be sick individuals.  The show was full of such good and useful information.

The Child Abusers straight up said if anyone were paying attention they would have gotten caught sooner.  They also said they didn’t want to hurt the girls, they wanted them to enjoy it as much as they were enjoying it. 

SICK!!!!!  I don’t know how you can even look at a child and have sexual feelings….They are an innocent child.  How dare these sick perverts steal the child innocents away in one quick minute!  Bastards!

Oprah even talked about being molested a little bit.  She is so amazing.  I am going to miss her show so much once it is off the air. 

I know this is a heavy topic to my normally light and airy blog, but I feel so strongly about it and I am so happy that someone put this out in the media.  I do not feel it is discused nearly enough.  I am thankful for the sex offender registry and it was one of the first things I checked when I moved into my new house!  http://www.familywatchdog.us/

Happy Birthday Princess

Today is my Sweet sweet Baby’s birthday! It is hard to think she went from this….

to this:

It was a great day. It took Pete and I three trips in to the car to load up all of the stuff we got Alyssa. We got her a scooter, a Little Mermaid fish tank and four fishies. We got her a coat, sparkly shoes, 4 shirts, 2 outfits, pajamas, books, Toy Story plate, bowl and placemat. Minnie mouse spoon and fork, and some little odds and ends. Plus I made her cake. My first attempt at fondant. LOL

Alyssa had a wonderful day and so much fun playing with her new toys and stuff. It was so fun. I love this little girl so much. I can not imagin life without her. We spent the whole day with the Birthday Princess! So fun!

PLEASE VOTE

http://www.disneyweddingblog.com/2010/01/vote-now-for-pre-2009-disney-wedding.html – - PLEASE PLEASE go vote for me!!!!!

Pete and I are in a Disney Wedding Contest!  You can only vote once, but I would be so thanjkful for your vote!  Also my friends Carly, Sandy, Patricia, Tracy and Nikki and in the contest!  We all are excited!

Best Dressed Attendants!

WDW Weekend Wedding Trip – Day 3 – The End

So the next thing that I remember was Jenna giving me a hug! She was leaving…I hated that she had to leave so early! I have requested a lat Check out, so I had until 12:30pm! I got up and went to the pool some. Then I cleaned up the room and packed and walked out at 12:30pm exactly. Tory texted me and I was going to meet her at Animal Kingdom. I took a picture of the fountain playing with different shutter speeds.

Then I took a picture for a nice family before heading to the Baggage Check in. Since I was not checking my luggage for a flight they would not hold my suitcase for me since their holding area was FULL! UGH! Well I couldn’t trek to Animal Kingdom with my Suitcase, Carry on and purse! So I texted Tory back and let her know. Sooo Sad! Then I went to the food court and got a Cheeseburger and Fries. I sat and ate them and then I went outside and laid by the pool. I didn’t get picked up until 3:30pm by the Magical Express. WELL it didn’t come until after 4pm. I was worried I may be late for my flight!

I talked to Vanessa the whole way to the Airport. She was on her way to see Laura! Again so sad I didn’t get to see Laura on her wedding day!

I got to the Airport with just enough time to check and make my way to my gate. I got on the plane and headed home.

Pete was waiting for me when I got there. I missed him so much! It was a great weekend. I am so glad I went. Vanessa was an amazing bride and Jenna and I had so much fun! Now I just can’t wait to go back!

WDW Weekend Wedding Trip – Day 2

The night before was a killer so Jenna and I slept in. The plan for today was to head to Downtown Disney, buy tickets to the Christmas Party, Hang with Mikkel and have a good time!

Mikkel called to let me know she just dropped Laura’s Groom’s cake off at Raglan Road and that the Trash the Dress shoot was off so she was coming to the hotel! Jenna and finished getting ready and we were almost done soon as Mikkel got there. She had yummy cookies for us!

We headed out to Mikkel’s car and we were on our way to Downtown Disney. First stop, pleasure Island. After a quick bathroom break we headed to raglan Road to see Laura. I was so bummed I was missing her wedding on Monday, but really wanted to see her.

She looked great and we got to see Craig’s grooms cake.

…Did it taste as good as it looked?

Why do I look like I am drunk ???

We took a few quick pictures and then walked around downtown Disney. Poor Jenna was soo sick!

We decided on Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch because it was near a bathroom for Jenna. Lunch was great! Mikkel even scored a free Ice Cream from our waiter and he and I had an usually long conversation about our Palm Pre phones. LOL

We headed to the Pin store after lunch and then finally made our way to guest services to get our Christmas Party tickets. Well OMG….. they were sold out. Jenna and I almost cried. We were so sad. So we started making a plan about what we were going to do tonight. We said goodby to Mikkel and we went to World of Disney. We couldn’t even think we were so upset. We went out to a bench and called Tracy to see if she could use her Cast member status to get us tickets…no luck. So we went to the Christmas Store and I got a present for Amy and one for me and Pete! Jenna got her Christmas Minnie ears! Jim Shore was there signing autographs, but we just missed him. We headed back to the busses. We were Hot, Tired and sad! While on the bus Tracy called and told us she had no pull on party tickets. There were punk kids on the bus who were there with some field trip and they had party tickets. They wouldn’t sell them to us though AND they only wanted to go see the parade and then go home to watch the Eagles game! We even offered them extra! LOL We wanted to go so bad!

We got back to the hotel and Jenna went to lay down. I went to the gift shop and then got a drink and sat under an umbrella. I called Pete and whined about the party and we talked a while. I wanted to let Jenna rest. After an hour or so Jenna called. She was awake. I headed back to the room and gave her the sour candy I bought her. I was hoping it would help. I took some pictures of the hotel along the way.

We called Vanessa to tell her we would not be at the party. She told us about a ticket broker that she used to get her tickets to the party…for cheaper then Disney was selling them! OMG….we got on the iPhone and Palm Pre and looked up where they were. We called and they had 11 for tonight left, but wouldn’t hold them for us. UGH! So we called Pete who being the wonderful husband he is, charged them on the phone for us. We hauled ass out of the room and got a cab to the place. We got our tickets and had the cab wait for us…OMG could the people in the store move any slower!! They told us there were only 3 left after we picked ours up. Thankfully Pete had paid for ours. The place closed at 6pm and we left there at like 5:55pm. We got the cab driver to take us to downtown Disney, then after climbing through bushes we got a bus to Wilderness Lodge, then a bus to the Magic Kingdom!

FINALLY we were here, the Magic Kingdom…our favorite!

There was a group of like 4 girls getting a picture taken. I went to get out of the way of the picture and at the last minute I jumped in it and smiled….The lady taking the picture laughes so hard and asked my name so she could tag me on facebook! LOL

Isn’t Jenna Cute?

It was like 6:30ish so we got a times guide and headed up Main Street to Cosmic Ray’s for some dinner. I got a Cheeseburger and Jenna had kids PB&J. She was able to keep it down! YAY!

We saw Alice near the Teacups and stopped for a picture before heading to Toontown.

We met Christmas Minnie in her gazebo, then Christmas Mickey in his living room!!

Each line was forever long! Then we stood in line for Donald Duck, but he left and Scrooge McDuck came.

We called Vanessa to see where she was and they were just getting there. It was almost fireworks time so we got a few Castle pictures and rested…my one foot was killing me!

We saw the very beginning of Belle’s Christmas show before heading to Main Street.

We got an ok spot for the fireworks, but it turned into a GREAT spot for the Parade! The fireworks were Magical!

We had to sit and wait for the parade for like an hour, but we wanted to see it.

There was this really cute Photopass guy…I snapped his picture!

We wanted to do the “Party Stuff” I mean we have both rode the rides 100 times, but you can only see the Christmas parade at the Christmas party!!! Well our spot was perfect! We tried saving seats for Vanessa, but we could never hook up so we gave up our saved seats to people sitting behind us. The parade was great. We both loved is ans squealed like little girls when Cinderella came. LOL

After the parade we went up to get seats to see the show.

Vanessa called and she came and we watched the show together. It was great! We talked and caught up and took some photopass pictures!

Then we walked up Main Street and met up with Ray and the kids.

We took some pictures and then it was over…the party was over and we headed down Main Street to the buses!

We said our goodbyes and hugged and kissed and got in line for our bus. It took FOREVER! We did not get back to our room until around 1am. Jenna had to be up at the Magical express at like 6am! Poor Girl! We laid down and we were old! Both of us, sound asleep!

I’m Back!

I am going to finish my Trip Reports and I Promise to try to blog 3-4  times a week!  I miss it.  I like being able to look back and see my life all in writing.  The good the bad and the ugly!

We had our first out-of-town house guests this weekend.  Well my Sister in Law came for Thanksgiving, but these were the first of my friends to come.  It was great!  Michele, Steve and their two adorable kids came for the weekend.  It was so much fun.  We had a great time playing games and hanging out and Ice Skating and watching tv and talking.  It was just fun!  They have two girls, 15 and 9 yours old, they are the sweetest girls ever.  I would love to kidnap them each for a week! 

Alyssa is growing up so fast.  She is so smart!  She can count, and sing and pee on the “toe-let”.  She calls me all the time.  I love her more than anything.  More than I ever thought it was possible to love someone.  She is  just a totally Joy!

Pete is doing great!  He was working 70-80 hours a week between our vacation time and the New Year, but thankfully that has stopped.  We are going away this weekend for some much-needed ”US” time.  It should be great!  

Vacation planning has been in full force.  We are still undecided about a summer vacation, but we are going to Disney in the beginning of December for a long weekend, then back to Disney and on a Cruise in January.  It should be alot of fun.  I am not sure where we are staying in December, but I am hoping for the Boardwalk in January! 

Being a homeowner is great!  I love my house and I love being a grown up!  Paying the mortgage sucks each month, but we are making it and still have money left, so we must be doing something right! 

So all in all things in my life are good, right on track and I could not be happier (well unless I win the lottery or something..LOL).  We have big plans for this year and I am really looking forward to all the fun to come!

“Girls Only” – Weekend Wedding Trip to WDW

I took a few pictures before the ceremony started.

I love this one. The Sand Ceremony made me tear up, ok ok I started crying as soon as I set eyes on Vanessa and didn’t stop the whole time. LOL

Ray walked in right after the moms.

The the Girls game in and looked so great. The whole theme came together so well.

I think it is so sweet that Vanessa’s niece was her maid of honor. The same niece was her flower girl in her first wedding. Vanessa is so proud of her.

Then came Vanessa. Tristian was such a proud little guy walking his mom down the aisle.

Since we talked about it. I tried to get a picture of Ray soon as Vanessa was in view.

Doesn’t Vanessa look hot?

She was so focused she didn’t see us until after the ceremony was over.

The Cememony was just so lovely.

It was the first weddingI have been to since my own and it was so meaningful. I love all of the Catholic touches Vanessa added.

The kids were soo well behaved during the Ceremony.

Which is more then I can say about some bridesmaids….Who were taking pictures during the ceremony!

Tracy did a wonderful reading…she nailed it…She should be some sort of public speaker or an actress or something.

The details on Vanessa’s dress were sooo pretty!

Ray looked at her with such love! It was really sweet.

They all held hands and you could see what a strong family they were.

The sand ceremony was really nice.

Vanessa’s birdcage veil was perfect!

You may kiss the bride!

This is right after Vanessa saw us and she was asking Ray if that was really jenna and I and if we were really there!

They started down the aisle.

Don’t they look amazing!

This is the sign that the ring bearer carried….I loved it!

Cake Cutting time.

I can not even explain how totally amazing this cake was. It was to die for. I think it was the best thing I have ever tasted…ever!

They better start saving for Melody’s Disney Wedding now.

They will live happily ever after!

Vanessa was showing off her red crinnie!

Every picture of Mikkel and I that I have ever had taken I look goofy!

We headed over to the Dolphin to take some pictures.

This is my favorite…

This tree was my favorite in all of WDW. It was all white pointsettias and blue led lights….LOVED IT!

She looks like a movie star!

Santa was on Vacation in the Dolphin. We needed pictures.

Look at this cutie pie!

What a pretty bride.

Vanessa’s flowers were amazing!

I think she looks like she is selling soda’s in this picture or a 50’s pin up girl.

Another picture of the PRETTY tree.

Jenna was so cute texting everyone she knew to tell them about Minnie.

Vanessa’s Nephew got the kids ice cream to keep them busy during pictures.

Around this time Jenna and I headed out for the Wilderness Lodge to meet Lisa and Eric for dinner. We took a bus to the Magic Kingdom then transfered to the Wilderness Lodge.

The lighs at the Wilderness lodge are cool.

The Christmas Decorations there were neat to see. I so want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge someday. It was a totally cool hotel.

Jenna and I were starving we had not eaten since way way earlier. We had so much fun at dinner. None of us had ever been to the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Poor Jenna threw up like 4 times at the Wilderness Lodge. We felt so bad for her. Eric was a great guy and it was so wonderful to have dinner with Lisa and him. She is amazing. We had a wonderful dinner.  You should hear her talk about her kids, she is so proud of them. It almost made me sad…She reminded me of my mom so much, the love for her kids is so wonderful!

Look how tired we all look!  This is like after 19 hours awake!

We all took the bus to the Magic Kingdom and transfered to our resort buses. It was Extra Magic hours and the crowds were aweful! We waited forever!

We got home and Jenna crashed in like 30 seconds. I played on my phone and facebook and chatted until my phone died. What a wonderful day!

I Interupt my WDW Trip Report……

With another WDW trip report.

Ok so even though I have a rule about finishing one Trip report before heading back to WDW I broke it for Vanessa’s Wedding!

On Tuesday night (12/8/09) my friend Jenna and I were talking and we decided to go and crash Vanessa’s Wedding. We looked up flights and hotels and really thought we could do this. We both went into work the next day to request off and once approval was given I booked the hotel and my flight. Jenna went to book hers and the rates had doubled! She ended up booking through Priceline and after paying a fee to have her ticket changed made it to Disney on time for the wedding!

Day One – December 12, 2009

I woke up at 4:45am and got dressed. I headed to the airport for my 7am flight. Check in was a breeze, the flight was easy and I landed at MCO at 9:00am. I headed down to the bottom level of the airport and grabbed the Magical Express.

I also played on the phone and texted Jenna…she was at her layover in Atlanta.

In no time at all I saw the best sign ever……

I got to the All Star Music by 10:15am and checked in. We were first given a room sooo far away it was crazy, then I got us moved to the jazz building. I would have prefered the Calypso building, but hey last minute travelers can’t be choosers.

I grabbed breakfast at the food court and headed to the room for a nap. I was beat (and I am not the one with two flights a layover and a baby in my oven), I know Jenna had to be tired as well.

I texted a few people and rested a bit and then Jenna called she was at MCO! YAY I got a shower and dried my hair and was almost 100% ready when Jenna came through the door! We hugged and acted like little kids playing catch up. After being there like 10 minutes she told me the news….There was going to be a baby! I instantly nick named the baby Minnie (Jenna loves her Minnie ears…LOL). I was so excited. I knew she was late and I even brough a pregnancy test with me and was going to force her to pee on the stick…LOL But she beat me to it the night before. YAY. So excited her them!

We didn’t even have time for Jenna to change and we headed out to the buses. We tok a bus to MGM then the boat to the Swan.

I love the Tree at MGM Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The boat is always fun. Tricia called me soon as we got on the boat. Funny thing…I emailed Tricia a few days ago to see if she was going to be at the wedding and all, well I never got an answer and didn’t think I had her number…LOL It was in my phone the whole time so when she called I said “HI” and just started talking. Later Tricia told me she thought it was odd that I just knew who she was when she called. I had never called her before so I am not sure why she was in my phone already, but I was glad.

Tricia met us at the Boat launch between the Swan and Dolphin. The three of us found the wedding location and were way early so we headed to the bar for a drink.

Carly called Tricia and Mikkel called me and they were both (along with Tracy) on their way. Jenna and I were dying of thirst so we ordered water and waited for the other girls.

I was so excited to see everyone and even more excited to see Vanessa. She still had no idea we were even there for the wedding. Mikkel and Tracy got there a few seconds later and ordered drinks.

Once Jesse and Carly got there we had him take a group picture.

It was almost 5:00pm now so we headed outside. No one was there yet so we stood around and waited. Family started showing up.

The Guys looks so awesome with their red Converse.

Vanessa’s sister came up to us and thanked us all for being there. Her voice…It is exactly the same as Vanessa’s. Sooo freaky!!!

I took a few pictures of the harpest….OMG such a great Choice! She was wonderful.

The Set up was so pretty with the lanterns lining the aisle.

We took our seats since the wedding planners told us the bride was finally here.

I couldn’t wait to see Vanessa!!!

WDW – November 1, 2009 – Day 3

***Now I just returned from Disney Last Night.  I took a quick Weekend Trip to see a friend get married…I will be doing a Mini Trip report on that trip soon, But here is Day 3 of Last Month’s trip.

YAY today is the Day we move to the Treehouse Villas! We all slept in some since this was our “day off” and we had nothing to do until Check in Time!

Once Everyone got up Laura, Brandon and Alyssa went to explore the resort while I packed up our room and layed around some.

We went and gave all of our luggage to Guest Services to transfer to our new hotel and then Pete Alyssa and I went to play on the play ground while Laura and Brandon went to use our free 30 minutes of play that we got with our resort packages.

We did not rent a car so we took the bus to Downtown Disney, then we transferred to the Saratoga Springs bus. It was almost nap time and one little Princess was getting tired. Once at Saratoga Springs we had to find the front desk and check in. Laura and I went to check in and the boys and Alyssa hung back and looked around the lobby. We told the CM checking us in that the boys didn’t know we were staying at the Treehouses. They helped us sweeten the surprise some. They got bell services to drive us in a big golf cart to our “room”. They were also very sorry about the mix up and sorry we were all forced to share one room now. LOL All part of the plan. The boys thought we each had separate rooms. So we start driving to the treehouse and they are FOREVER away from the main building. The whole way we are complaining about the “mix” up and I told everyone I will get it straight when I call the guy we rented points from soon as we get to out room. Once we enter the Treehouse Section Brandon looks at me and smiles and says we are staying HERE? LOL We got a great location. I requested to be near the Boat launch. Simple request, but it was done on purpose. The Boat Launch is also near the pool and the bus stop! They met our request no problem. We walked in and were in awe. It was sooo cool in there.

Bunk Bed Room:

Queen Bed Room:

Master Suit (my Room):

Kitchen/Living Room Area:

Outside:

After exploring some Alyssa went down for a nap and Pete and I took the Ferry to get a bit to eat. The Ferry drops you off right at the main building where the shop and the food are located. We both had Chicken Sandwiches and picked up a Pizza to take back for Alyssa.

After we got back to the room we rested and showered and rested. LOL

Then it was time to get to the Poly for our dinner at Ohana. We took the boat to the front then we got a cab from there. It took so long to get anywhere from the Treehouses.

We got to Ohana and checked in.

We had a 20 minute wait so we had us a cocktail!

All of Us..LOL

We got a seat near the Window….But not the window you can see Wishes from. It was ok since our reservations were earlier then wishes and we wouldn’t still be there while they were going on anyway.

I love Ohana. It was great.

The Salad is to die for….

Yummy Dipping Sauces…My favorite is the Peanut one.

Next came the appetizers. The Wings are our favorite. I make them at home every few months.

What is left of the Wings….

We enjoyed lovely Music while we dined.

Dessert was a hit too….

Love this Picture…LOL…She is such a Ham!

Pete and I gave Alyssa kisses and told her good night. Pete and I went to the beach and grabbed chairs to sit and watch the last showing of Hallo-Wishes. First up was the Electrical Water Parade.

Then Hallo-Wishes Started! We could hear the music and it was just wonderful!!!

Pete and I strolled out of the Poly after wishes and took a cab back to the tree houses. We were tired and just didn’t feel like taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, then a Bus to Saratoga Springs then a Bus to the Treehouses!

Scrooge McDuck

 

Sooo fun…i’ve never met Scrooge before!

Mickey Mouse

After forever in line we finally got to see Mickey Mouse!

Minnie Mouse

 

I just got to see Minnie Mouse…I love WaltDisneyWorld.

October 31, 2009 – DAY TWO – PART TWO – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

After our hour or so in the pool we got out and showered and got ready for the night. We headed to the bus and were at the Magic Kingdom in 10 minutes or so. Alyssa was entertaining on the bus. She was acting like a monkey.

We got off the bus and plopped Alyssa in the stroller and guess who was asleep before we walked through the gates. LOL

This was our first Halloween Party and I was blown away. Main Street looked amazing!

Now let me use this time to tell you to NEVER EVER go on Halloween. It was more packed then I have ever seen the Magic Kingdom. It was awful. I think the fact that it was still 95 degrees didn’t help.

We headed up Main Street and was just in awe of the Halloween Decorations. We ran into some Evil STep Sisters on our way to the Haunted Mansion.

We decided since Alyssa was Asleep we would ride some rides and watch the second Parade. Jenna, Sandy and Vanessa all watched the first parade. I was sad to not spend more time with my friends this trip, but it was so busy!

Laura and Brandon went on the haunted mansion first, then the line tripled! Pete and Just decided to skip it and we got some water and people watched. Once Laura and Brandon were done we headed through Fantasyland to Cosmic Rays to get some dinner. We were starving. We hit up all of the Candy Stations on the way.

We saw “NoWhite” but the line was so long and Alyssa was still asleep. after seeing Jenna’s pictures I wish we would have waited.

Once inside we sat right next to Sonny Eclipse and it was sooloud. Alyssa woke right up. We all ate and then walked around some, got some more Candy and got amazing spots for the fireworks!

We didn’t take the tripod and i so wish we would have! All of these pictures were taken freehand.

Alyssa LOVED them. She kept pointing and saying “Ohhh whatsthat? Ohhh!”

I loved them too, the story was amazing and the 360degrees show was out of this world!

After the Fireworks I took off to save us a spot for the parade. Pete said it was too hot to sit on the ground so i was trying to get a bench over near the Liberty Tree Tavern. ON the way I found my favorite Witch and her friend Minnie.

Don’t they look great!

We got our spot. Alyssa Laura and I sat on the ground and Pete and Brandon took the bench. I hate saving seats. I hate mean peole who get mad at you for saving seats. But I did it! LOL

I had brough glow sticks and Laura brought Alyssa’s light up pumpkin from last year. She was set.

We were entertained by some dead singers while we waited. LOL I am so glad Alyssa doesn’t know what she should be afraid of yet. LOL

Alyssa was so good while we waited. She had some lolly pops and candy. Look at that cheek all full!

My one goal for tonight was to get a good picture of the headless horseman. I think I did pretty well.

The Parade was hands down the best I have ever saw in Disney!

It really held Alyssa’s interest! Look how hot she looks:

I love the VILLIANS. LOVE THEM! I always have. I was so happy to see so many of them!

I love how Disney switches these out all year long.

After the parade Alyssa was beat so we headed towards the castle to get a spot for the Villain show and Laura and Brandon and Alyssa head back to go to bed! The Villain show was GREAT!

What was even more great was the fact we could meet the Villains. Ekk! I jumed into the line for the Evil Queen first! I was so excited, it was like I was a little kid!

Then my Silly Husband went next.

Did I mention the lines were so long for everything!!! Next we got in line for Malificaent. I didn’t think we would make it. We were the last people who got to meet! YAY!

After that we headed up Main Street and Pete bought me the soundtrack from the party! I love it! Then we took a few pictures and headed to wait for EVER for a bus!

See ya Real Soon!

DAY TWO – October 31,2009 – Part One

 

I set my wake up call for early early I called and woke Laura up at 7:00am. She informed me that Alyssa had been up for a few hours in the middle of the night and that she wasn’t getting up yet. I made her meet me outside and I gave her the card I made. She was really excited to find out that her and Brandon would have three hours in the Living Seas Pavillion learning about the Dolphins and spending time in the water. This was her Christmas Present from Pete and I!

Pete and I were going to get Alyssa ready and head to the park to see some characters and ride a few rides before Laura was done her Dolphin in Depth Experience….BUT Miss Alyssa fell asleep and took a 2.5 hour nap. She fell asleep in my arms at 8:00am and at 9:30 I had to lay her down so I could go to the bathroom.

Pete and I finally woke her up at 11am so she could have breakfast and we could meet Laura and Brandon in Epcot. We got dressed and she had some Sausage (SaSa) and then we waited for a bus to Epcot. By the time we finally got there Laura and Brandon were done and they met us at the entrance. The LOVED it and said it was just the coolest experience. We posed for some pictures of course before heading to lunch.

We didn’t get 20 feet into the park before we saw Daisy! Alyssa LOVES Daisy. We got inline and were up to see her in no time.

Look at her checking out Daisy’s shoes…LOL

Alyssa talked about Daisy for the next 3 hours…NON STOP!

Right next to Daisy was Stitch!

After we saw the Characters we headed to Lunch. Laura and I had lunch at Le Cellier in Canada and Pete and Brandon ate at the Germany Buffett. They drank sooo much beer that afternoon! LOL.

It is so pretty in this resturant!

And so Pretty outside of it.

I don’t think I mentioned it yet, but it was like 96 degrees this day with 99% humidity. HOT!!! Poor Alyssa’s face was soo red! LOL

Us girls finished before the boys so we stopped to see a few of our favorite people.

Alyssa smiled in the funniest way the whole first half of the trip! LOL

Still not loving Pluto…LOL

She loved Miss Minnie Mouse so much!

Alyssa still wasn’t so sure about Donald Duck…LOL

After seeing Goofy we went into Inoventions to cool off some. Laura loved the Fire Exhibit since she is a firefighter. I got her to pose for a picture.

We met back up with the boys and decided to go through Space Ship Earth before we headed back to the Hotel for a nap before the Halloween Party!

It was fun to see Laura and Brandon’s reaction to the new part at the end. LOL

Alyssa was sooo tired so we headed back to the All Stars. We got to the nice cool room stripped off our clothes and laid down. Then 2 minutes later I jumped up, put my suit on and Pete and I headed to the pool. We stopped and talked Laura into coming with us while Brandon and Alyssa napped. The pool was sooo awesome! So refreshing!

Walt Disney World 2009 – Day One

DAY ONE – October 30, 2009

The night before we left I finished my last minute packing and I fell into bed around midnight. Our Alarm did not go off and we were woken up by my Sister calling at 5:30am! I jumped out of bed and into my clothes so fast. Thank goodness we had showered the night before.

She got to Alyssa’s house and she was tired! We put luggage tags on and loaded all up into the car. Check in was a breeze at the airport and after a quick Breakfast we were boarding the plane.

The flight was uneventful. Alyssa didn’t mind it and watched her “Mosies” (Movies) while we flew. We landed 10 minutes early and headed right to the Magical Express!

We got on the bus and poor Alyssa had a mini breakdown. She was exhausted. She fell asleep 3 minutes before we pulled up to the All Star Movies resort. Laura and I went to Check in and Brandon tried to find a quiet place to sit or stand so Alyssa could sleep.

Before we were done check in Alyssa was awake and looking for her “Mama”. At check in the gave her a cool Halloween balloon. The man Checking us in was great and found us rooms that were next to each other and ready at 10:30am! YAY! We were in the Fantasia Building. On the end closest to the food court and pool. It was a perfect location!

Alyssa was fussy she needed a nap BAD. We started heading through the lobby to the doors to the hotel room area and I was holding her hand. We walked out of the doors and we were hit with humidity like middle of summer. Alyssa spotted the pool and got so excited. She started yelling. Pool, Swim! Pool, Swim! She started right to the pool and was pulling her shirt off at the same time. We were all laughing so hard. Thankfully we caught her because she did not even see the steps leading down to the pool area. LOL We got to the room and Laura, Brandon and Alyssa got their Bating Suits on. We all headed to the pool.

I took some pictures and then Pete and I told the rest of them good bye. We were going to head to down town Disney while they napped (after their quick swim).

Pete and I got a bus pretty fast and we got to Downtown Disney in no time.

We headed to Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch. MMM it was so good. I got the Chicken Salad Sandwich and Pete got the Mac & Cheese and we split both.

After Lunch we shopped around some and then went to make our own Tee shirts. That was fun! After we did that we hit up our favorite Christmas store in the world and sadly didn’t buy anything. I took this to show a friend the Hanukkah collection.

I also took this picture….It’s a Glamour DON’t for sure! Pete about died when he saw me snapping pictures of this…LOL Thank god for the zoom lens!

We realized it was getting late and we had to get ready for dinner so we hopped a bus back to the All Stars. Alyssa was waiting for us when we got there and she looked sooo stinking cute!

We got a bus to the Magic Kingdom (why was it so hot out) and then transferred to the Monorail to the Contemporary.

Chef Mickey was waiting for us! Alyssa really liked the busses and not being strapped in. When we checked in they couldn’t find out reservation. I thought the time was at 5:00 and Laura though 5:30. the CM checked and checked and nothing! UGH! She got us in anyway. (Later we found out half of our reservations were under my maiden name???? Opps) We posed for our Picture with Chef Mickey and Alyssa was in love. She was so sad to walk away from him. Dinner was pretty good. But we were really there to see the Characters! Goofy came over first and Alyssa was pretty scared. She didn’t cry but she sure didn’t want him to touch her.

Next up was Minnie or “Minn-a” as Alyssa called her. Again she was sooo excited to see her.

But nervous if Minnie got to close.

Alyssa ate very little and watched the Characters until they were out of site. After Minnie, Donald (DonDuck) showed up. Alyssa has been in love with DonDuck for months, but once there she decided that the girls (Minnie and Daisy) were her favorites.

It was a few minutes of peace and we all ran to get food.

Then Mickey came.

After Mickey walked away Alyssa wanted to know “Where Mic Go?”

I love this picture of my Sister and Alyssa! soo cute!

Alyssa enjoyed the napkin swinging part! She swung napkins the rest of the trip…lol

Alyssa was getting warmed up now. We were there so long the characters started coming back again. Donald stopped by again and Alyssa gave him a high five and the four adults at the table all broke out in applause. LOL How funny!

Pluto came over and Alyssa was scared. She is scared of real dogs and Pluto was no different!

Minnie was behind Pluto so we needed to see her again. Hugs for Minnie!

Then almost 2 hours later dinner was over! LOL

Pete and I got the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom and Laura, Brandon and Alyssa headed back to the hotel with a quick stop at Downtown Disney. I was so angry with myself since I had forgotten Laura’s Christmas present. We were going to give it to her at dinner since the Dolphin swim was at 9am the next morning.

So we were at the Magic Kingdom…yay.

I need to start each and every trip at the Magic Kingdom. I teared up when I saw the castle! Pete and I headed to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz!

I won, I won, I won!

Then we still had a bit of time before the desert party so we went into the Carrousel of Progress. My Favorite attraction! BUT everyone started texting me and they were all there and I was stuck in 20 minutes of “It’s a Great big Beautiful Tomorrow”!

Once out of there Pete and I bee lined to the Desert party to try to get them to move Our party and my friend Sandy’s closer…No luck! BUT then I found all the girls! YAY! Jenna, Mikkel, Tracy, Sandy, Vanessa!  It was so good to see my friends.  It was such a great treat we were all in Disney World at the same time.

We can’t forgot the boys and kids too! It was so great!

We all talked for a long time and we were the last people let into the desert party! We totally could have snuck Mikkel and Tracy in, but being the honest person Mikkel is and the Disney employee that Tracy is the declined my law breaking (for now). We had great seats right in the front and so did Sandy and Vanessa! YAY!

We had some yummy deserts and posed for pictures in front of the castle.

The photographer was the grumpiest Disney Employee ever! Closer, closer, closer! OMG shut up dude!

Then Wishes started, it was magical as always!

After the fireworks people cleared out fast. We sat and talked, then we realized that Sandy and Vanessa were still there. YAY. We went over and joined them. Then Mikkel and Tracy came back over. I slipped my wristband off and Mikkel slipped it on and went up to the buffet to get a few deserts for her and Tracy. We then walked out and Tracy got Mikkel a discount on some car stickers before we headed to the Monorail. We took it back to the Grand Floridian with Mikkel and Tracy and then walked to the Wedding Pavilion (ahh love it) to get in Mikkel’s car. She drove us back to the All Stars (what a windy place that parking lot is?). She wouldn’t let us pay for her gas when she stopped to fill up, I really wish she would have. She did so much for us this trip!

It was late when we got to our room and Laura was asleep. Darn! I set the wake up call early to get up and go to her room to give her the surprise. LOL Pete went to get Soda and I crashed and went to sleep! What a long, fun, first day!

Decking the Halls

I am going to start my decorating this weekend I think.  Our New furniture came today!  EKKK!  Can not wait to sit back and enjoy all that leathery goodness!  LOL  It is so nice.  Now we can get the tree up.  I am sad we need to have a fake Christmas tree, they are cheesy, I love a real tree with real tree smell.  This year though we are pulling out the fake one since Pete is working 6 days a week and that leaves us like NO time to go cut one down! 

Speaking of Trimming the tree….LOL…Laura was decorating hers yesterday and was standing on a chair hanging lights.  My sister is known for her accidents….she must  have leaned the wrong way and she fell.  She didn’t gracefully fall to the floor..oh no, she fell into the curio cabinet, bounced off of that and landed in a rubbermade tote butt first with her arms and legs hanging out.  What was in the Tote?  Some decorations and the BIG POINTY STAR!  She got the star right in the bottom!  LOL  She had to tip herself out and was in alot of pain….I can’t help laughing  everytime I think of it.  Oh how I wish someone would have taken a picture!  LOL  Last night I went to her house for dinner and to drop of a little present for Alyssa and got to watch them finish up the decorating.  Alyssa really was into it, she loved the orniments….The Christmas Balls through her off though.  She didn’t understand why she couldn’t throw them.  I about pee’ed my pants when one hit Brandon upside the head!

FREE CHRISTMAS CARDS

So I went and made some more Christmas Cards in the middle of this post…LOL  Try it out…..

Just go here to set up an account with SeeHere (or login if you already have an account) and then upload and create your photo card.

After you’ve set up your photo card, be sure to save it. Then put 50 photo cards in your cart and go to the checkout and use coupon code newbaby and you’ll get all 50 free and have to pay shipping of 3.12 or somethng small like that.

Log back in and click on your saved items and order another 50 photo cards this time using the code freebies4mom-1109. Again, you should get 50 more free photo cards.

And that’s it! Mine arrived within 3 business days of ordering via FedEx. I was impressed, to say the least!

Holiday Time!

I am soo excited my Christmas cards came this morning!  They are PERFECT!  I can not wait to send them out.

I love the holidays!  I can not wait to see Alyssa Christmas Morning.  She is going to be sooo excited.  I have a small pile of gifts growing in my closet for her.  We don’t have very much money this year since we are vacationing fools and just bought a new house, but I think gifts for kids on Christmas is a must.  Did I mention my pile that is growing in my closet also has a few gifts for my other special kids!  I can’t help it.  Kids don’t care about the amount you spend on them, just the pretty wrappings and the fun of opening.  It’s fun for me too. 

Pete’s sister is coming tomorrow and I still have SOOO much to do at the house.  It’s nuts.  Plus I have all of my Pre-Cooking to do since we are having dinner Friday.

I have to go to the store when I get off work today for last minute items….That should be alot of fun!  LOL

 

Sooo Busy

I have been busier then I have ever been in my life the past week or week and a half, well really since I got home from vacation!  My Dad sold my old house and I have been there non-stop working with my Dad and sister to clear out 30 years worth of stuff, my Stuff, my Mom’s stuff, my Sister’s stuff, my Dad’s stuff and Pete’s stuff.  Soooo much stuff and so many memories.  I promise I am going to work on a trip report, we had such fabulous vacation, one of the best!  So great that we have more in the works…LOL. 

Pete has been working 6 days a week and about 70 - 80 hours a week and will have to continue this until the end of the year.  I miss my Boy!  He is miserable and tired and cranky and did I mention tired!  LOL

I am also trying to get my new house in order since my Sister in Law is coming for Thanksgiving.  This is nuts, I have sooooooo many clothes to put away.  I am down to only 7 or so boxes left to unpack (not to mention the 30 or so storage boxes in the basement that need organization).  I am out of room in my super big kitchen with two boxes of kitchen stuff to go.  That sucks! 

I have no time to do anything for me….I fall into bed at night and drift off to  sleep in 4.5 seconds!

Here is a preview picture from Vacation….More to come for sure!

10 Days and Counting

We are down to only 10 days until our BIG vacation.  Alyssa is ready to go see DonDuck!

Isn’t she cute!

I still have so much packing to do, both for moving and for Disney.  I have Fish Extender Gifts to make and Magnets to create!  Ugh so much to do! 

I still have tons of stuff to move from the old house, I am so not looking forward to this.  It is all of the odds and ends no one wants to ever move or deal with, Junk Draws, Holiday Decorations, Books, old clothes.  Just stuff with no place to go!

Vacation…….

……….all I ever wanted.

We are at about 15 days to go and I am sooo excited about this vacation!  So excited for so many reasons.  Alyssa is going to LOVE Disney!  I love Disney!  It is my 1st Wedding anniversary and I have a special surprise all planned.  Pete is going to be in shock.  He (and 95% of other people who visit WDW) have no idea this is even possible.  It isn’t cheap, but will be sooo special.  I can not wait.  I can’t post what it is, but it involves fireworks!  EEEK!

I am excited to stay in two new resorts this trip also.  The first is the All Star Movies.  I have stayed in the All Star Music and the All Star Sports,but the movies will be all new.  PLUS Pete loves Sorcerer Mickey and that is the theme of the Pool.

The 2nd resort is Saratoga Springs.  Set in Upstate New York (Hi Lisanne) at the turn of the century!  Should be nice.  I am looking forward to the whirlpool tub at night to soak me sore feet in.

We are going to the Halloween Party on Halloween night, so this is going to be exciting.  I got some crystals and I am going to make a shirt for me to wear.  We still need to get Alyssa a Disney Halloween Costume.

My Dad is cruising with us.  He is so much fun and I love vacations with family.  It just doesn’t feel right when my family isn’t with us.  The cruise will be different them last years.  I will miss all of my BFF’s and their families.  It will be alot more laid back though.  I have a foot massage and pedicure already booked and Pete and I are not leaving the ship in the Bahamas.  We are laying by the pool and relaxing!

I am also excited to get to see atleast 4 good friends who are traveling to WDW at the same time as me.  Well three are traveling there and we are all going to a desert party at the Magic Kingdom together!  The other one lives in Orlando and I can not wait to hang out with Mikkel and hear all about her new honey!   

All in all this is going to be a wonderful vacation!  I can not wait.  I need a break from moving and work and stress!  Disney is my happy place and I will be so happy in just over two weeks!!

Cinderella Pumpkin

While at the fruit stand in my neighborhood Pete spotted “Cinderella Pumpkins”.  It was love at first site.  I needed one, he knew I needed one and so it happened.  We now have one on our front porch! 

Doesn’t it look just like the one the Fairy Godmother turned into Cinderella’s Coach?

Home

We have been in our new house for a week now and it is starting to feel like home.  We have put away alot of things, but still have a lot to get from the old house!!! 

I love our house, I really love the Kitchen.  Our stove is amazing!

http://www.jennair.com/flash.cmd?/#/product/JGS9900CDS/

It is amazing!  The convection cooking is so awesome!  This is a $2700 Range!  OMG…Who knew.  I just looked it all up.  LOL 

When I lay in bed at night I still get a sick feeling in my stomach…This is such a big responsibility.  This who owning a house thing.  I need to get cracking and get the last of the boxes unpacked and the rest of the odds and ends moved over.  I was to start hanging stuff on the walls and making it look like a home.  I can not wait to show it to everyone.  We want to have a house warming party as soon as we get new living room furniture.  Our old living room furniture is in the basement and we want new Leather furniture for the living room.

I also need to get the guest room set up before Saturday…we are having our first overnight guest!  YAY!

H1N1 – I want a Choice!!!

The federal government has announced that the H1N1/swine flu vaccines
will arrive next week: http://tiny. cc/swinefluvacci ne508. After
just a few WEEKS of “safety” testing, 90,000 live virus nasal spray
vaccines will be administered to adults and children at public
supermarkets, schools, local pharmacies and doctors’ offices. For
details on the SPREAD of disease through live nasal flu vaccines,
please read Dr. Tenpenny’s astounding report: http://tiny. cc/tenpenny.

In addition to concerns over vaccine safety and efficacy, MDCVC is
outraged at state governments’ attempts to force vaccination on their
citizens, with no exemptions and strict penalties: See the new MA
bill: http://tiny. cc/MAforcedvacci nationbill and the recent NY
mandate for healthcare employees: http://tiny. cc/nyforcedvacci nes.

Our Legislators and Health Department must be told that MARYLANDERS
demand VACCINATION CHOICE! Please forward this message to your
friends and family so they can make an informed decision on the new
H1N1 (and all) vaccines (as the important facts below are NOT
provided by our Health Department) and join us for a state-wide
VACCINATION CHOICE call-in campaign EVERY TUESDAY in October (see
details at the end of the email).

DID YOU KNOW….????

H1N1 vaccine adverse reactions have included: Guillain-Barre
(paralysis); Thrombocytopenia (spontaneous bleeding); anaphylaxis
(life threatening allergic reaction); lymphadenopathy (diseased lymph
nodes); convulsions; encephalomytis (brain inflammation/ damage);
optic neuropathy (optic nerve damage); syncope (loss of
consciousness) ; and vasculitis (inflammatory destruction of blood
vessels). http://tiny. cc/FDAliveh1n1 (package insert: nasal spray)
http://tiny. cc/FDAkilledH1N1 (package insert: injected)

H1N1 vaccine ingredients include: MSG (carcinogen: H1N1 nasal spray);
25 mcg/full dose of thimerosal/mercury (neurotoxin: Sanofi Pasteur
multi-dose); formaldehyde (tested carcinogen: http://tiny. cc/
formaldehydecancer) ; hemagglutinin (glycoprotein causes red blood
cells to clump and attach to respiratory tract, causing infection);
gelatin (allergen); polyethylene glycol p-isoctylphenyl ether
(detergent). (see package inserts above)

H1N1 vaccines have NOT been tested for their cancer causing or
mutagenic potential. (see package inserts)

H1N1 vaccines are being produced on egg cultures and cell lines,
including growth on aborted fetal tissue, as well as dog and African
Green monkey cells: http://tiny. cc/tenpennycelll ines

H1N1 vaccines are NOT safety tested for pregnant women or nursing
mothers (note: pregnant women are a priority target group): “It is
not known whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when
administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive
capability. It is not known whether the H1N1 vaccine is excreted in
human milk.” (see package inserts)

H1N1 vaccines caused severe adverse reactions and at least 300 deaths
in the 1976 U.S. mass vaccine program. Watch the 60 Minutes exposé:
http://tiny. cc/60minutes287

H1N1 vaccine manufacturers are NOT liable for the vaccine injuries
and deaths caused by their vaccines: http://tiny. cc/liabilityimmu nity

We must make it clear to Legislators and our Health Department that
MD CITIZENS DEMAND VACCINATION CHOICE. Please join us every Tuesday
in October as we call our legislators to ask them to sponsor and
support a concientious exemption to mandatory vaccination bill.
Please also call our Health Department Commissioner and tell him to
SUPPORT VACCINATION CHOICE and to never allow Forced Vaccination in MD!

TODAY!!!!

Today is the Day!  We go to settlement on our NEW HOUSE at 3pm.  I am soo nervous.  This is the biggest most expensive thing I have ever bought.  Last night I was at the bank getting the Certified Check for settlement ( $8,000.00 !!!) and I had the worst stomach ache ever.  I am so excited and nervous and happy and sad all at the same time.

We are lucky that we had to only bring a 3.5% downpayment to closing and that the sellers paid for all of the closing costs.  Even with doing the settlement at my law firm the closing costs were around 15K !!!  Buying a house is so expensive.

I am thankful that we have a brand-new Kitchen, Bathrooms, Hotwater Heater, Roof and floors so nothing will need to be replaced for a while!  We also got a great warranty.  So I am happy about all of that!

I am sad to be leaving my Mom’s house.  I grew up in this house, played baby dolls and barbies here, had sleepovers and birthday parties, said good bye to my mom here, I will always have those memories!

There is still sooo much we need to buy for the new house.  Luckily we have TONS of wedding and bridal shower gifts that we never opened.  New Silverware and china and glasses and bedding and curtains.  It is going to be like Christmas!  We do need blinds and area rugs…Why are area rugs $300-$400!!!

Well I better go do some work.  3pm will be here before I know it!

So Fast

Everything is moving so fast with the house stuff!  Friday is our appraisal and we should go to settlement on the 30th!  It is so exciting and so darn expensive.  Closing cost alone are at about $18K.  We  between the closing cost and the cash to close.  We got a loan for 96% of the value of the house.  So we need to bring 4% plus closing cost.  Bye Bye savings.  LOL 

On top of all of this expense we leave for Disney in less then 45 days!  I still have so much to do!  Once we move I need to pack for vacation.  I have to make sure I know where everything I have bought for the trip is.  I am thinking I may pack the new clothes and toiletries into my suitcase and just move it all together.  That way I will only need to find the suitcase.

Yesterday I called the Gas & Electric Company, Direct TV and Verizon to set up the moving of our utilities.  I also took off work on the 2nd of October so I can be there when it all gets hooked up! I think Pete is taking off that day too. 

I feel so grown up with this house.  So many responsibilities come with a new house.  Before I worry about them I need to start packing…LOL

House Stuff!

Well I am so nervous about this house.  We are putting 10K down and then our savings are gone!  But we will have a house.  A great house!  We have our home inspection tomorrow.  I can’t wait to get back into the house to measure for Area Rugs (did I mention the AWESOME floors) and blinds.  My Dad is coming with us to “help” the inspector.  Should me interesting.  I can’t wait.  Settlement is so fast….Less then 4 weeks!  Then we have to move my whole HUGE house and then get ready for vacation!  EkkkK!  It is nuts.

WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!!!!!

I am sooo excited!  The owners didn’t accept our first offer, they counter offered, we counter offered their counter offer and they accepted!  EKKKK!  The house looks small in the picture, but it isn’t.  It’s huge, there is a basement and it has a total square footage of 2400 sq.ft.  It is three bedrooms too.  It is perfect!  The house was bought by investors at a foreclosure and 100% rehabed!  I mean new wirering, new plumbing, new floors (real hardwood), new windows, new bathrooms (2 of them) and A NEW KITCHEN!!!  I am in love with the Kitchen!  Ahhh It is heaven!  I love this house so much.  We will be settling in less then a month! 

 

These Pictures were “borrowed” from the web site….I will be taking my own the next time I can get into the house!  We are going tomorrow (not inside) to show it to Laura!  Isn’t this exciting!

The Wait……

We put in an offer for a great little house in Anne Arundel County yesterday!  Our Realtor told us it could be up until tomorrow before we hear something.  I don’t think I will be able to sleep again tonight if we don’t hear.  Our offer was only 4K less then the asking price and then we asked for the Seller to pay 4% towards closing cost.  Ekk I am so excited.  A house payment is going to cut into our fun money for sure, but it will be worth it!

Cross your Fingers!

Hot Mama

OMG How in the world do people live with no Air Conditioning??!!??!!  Wednesday after work Pete got home and ours was not working.  !!!  What?  I called BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric) right away so they could come out to fix it!  Pete took off work yesterday and thankfully the BGE man fixed us up good!  $500 worth of repairs!   Geez the price of cool air!  LOL  So happy it is all fixed.  I can not stand being hot.  Pete and I had the most miserable night’s sleep ever.  It was just freaking awful.  Tossing, Turning, Middle of the night baths!  OMG  So horrible!  Thank goodness last night was better, not back to 100% though.  It was still kinda warm upstairs!  Now this morning it was just right.  I slept in 15 minutes extra just enjoying it up! 

This weekend we are heading to New Jersey to visit our friends and Celebrate Edwin’s birthday.  It should be alot of fun, I Hope the storms stay away though!  Cookouts in the rain just suck!  LOL

I don’t feel like working today, I wanna be home doing house things….Oh Speaking of house things….We are waiting to hear back from our lender as we may be approved for more money for a house Today or Monday!  We found two we loved last night….One was about $130K out of our price range and the other only about $60K out of our price range!  Why do houses need to cost so much!  I was watching Property Virgins last night and the girl had a great amount of houses in her area (Texas) to pick from for the low to mid 100’s!  Here that will get you an abandoned crack house in a war zone! 

Tonight after work we are going to see my girl Alyssa….Its been a few days and I am experiencing withdraws.  Yesterday she told me on the phone “I get Pool”  “I get Bath” “I Nap”  ….. Three sentences!  She is sooo smart!  LOL

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

M-I-A

I have been missing for a while.  I have been such a bad blogger.  I hate when I stop blogging since I love reading back over my life and seeing what was going on and when. 

We have been house hunting, working, planning vacations and spending time with Alyssa!

House hunting….Ugh it’s so hard to find something we want that is in our price range and location requirements.  We are having fun looking, but really want to get this done before the end of the year!

Working…..So many foreclosures.  YUK!  Pete loves his new position though so that is good.

Vacation Planning….We are down to 75 or so days until we leave from Disney!  It’s going to be so great!  A week in Disney then a cruise!  Then only 2 months after that until we visit Pete’s parents in AZ for New Years.  We are thinking of adding on a few days in Disneyland.  We aren’t sure yet, but we will be within driving distance so hmmmm, we will see!

Alyssa!

She is the best!  We love spending time with her.  I love seeing her learn and grow.  She can so so many words now!

• Lisie – which she says like “See-ie”
• Out
• Noooooo
• Yes
• Wagon
• Gabba (as in Yo Gabba Gabba, the TV show)
• Muno (Character on Yo gabba gabba)
• Totee (Character on Yo gabba gabba)
• Donald Duck
• Min Mouse (Minnie Mouse)
• Petey
• Mama
• Mom
• DaDa
• Pop
• More
• Petza (Pizza)
• Cheese
• I Shy ( she likes to tell people in public she is shy as she hides her eyes!  Too Funny)
• Ball
• Bubbles
• Eye
• ByeBye
• Hi
• Fishie
• Baby
• Dawg
• Shoooe
• Up
• Tickle
• Down
• Blue
• Choo Choo
• Teeth
• Ewe
• Bra
• Beep
• Again
• That
• Bottle

She is talking more and more each day.  She can do things like puzzles and climbing too!  It is so amazing.  She can also Moo if you ask her what a cow says and Bark when you ask her what a dog says.  If Pete wears his shirt that has the skull with the glowing eyes on it she makes monster sounds as she points to it!  I can’t wait until we get to Disney, Alyssa is going to love it.  She is so perfect!  Love her more then anything!

       

MMM Dip!

Sunday Pete, Alyssa and I went to lunch.  They brought her out some carrots and ranch and Alyssa was in her glory.  She loved it.  I love how she stops and says “Cheese” because she thinks Pete is taking her pictures!

 

New Stroller

I never ever pay full price. It hurts me when I have to. Today I got a stroller on Craigslist for $50 less then the girl was asking for it.

 

 The girl had this stroller listed for $90. I looked around and found out that I can get a brand new Graco IPO for around the same price. I have been doing massive stroller research and we wanted one that was not a small umbrella stroller, but not the super huge one. My sister has the super huge one and it is so heavy and awkward, plus we wanted one that we like so we can use it for any future babies of our own. We also wanted a stroller to keep in our trunk for when Alyssa is with us after a trip to the mall with no stroller….NEVER AGAIN!  So after all of the research this one came up time and time again.  I knew I wanted a Graco IPO It is easy to use and tall enough for Pete! We had already decided to buy this one before I found it super cheap on Craigslist. So this girl had this listed for $90 and I told her it was more then I was interested in spending, but to email if she wanted to lower her price. She lowered it to $70. I found another one on Craigslist for $50, I sent it to the girl and I told the girl I would give her $50 for hers. When I got there to get it I didn’t have change, just had 3 twentys so she took $40 for it! YAY!!!!

Wanna Get Married Again

So we can do this…..

Disney Symphony Orchestra

So a week ago I found out that the Baltimore Symphony Orcestra was doing two nights of Disney Music.  I thought the nights were Friday and Saturday.  Pete said we could get tickets and I was excited.  Then I found out it was only Friday night here in Baltimore and I was bummed.  I was watching Alyssa on Friday night and there is an arts fest down near the Symphony Hall and I knew it would be messy.  Well once my sweet husband found out that the BSO was performing the Disney Show at the Strathmore Symphony Hall near DC he knew we had to go.  We went last night and it was so wonderful!!! 

The Show was wonderful!  They started off with a mix of Disney songs, zippity do da, Mickey Mouse March, Cinderella, a few other classics.  I was already hooked.  They had a hug screen showing movie clips and still drawings.  Even inspiration drawings from Mary Poppins.  Soon as I saw the Castle and heard the beginning of When you Wish Upon a Star I got teary eyed!

Then they did a Suite of Little Mermaid Songs. Followed by Hercules, Mary Poppins and the Beauty and the Beast.  I think Beauty and the Beast was my favorite!

Then it was intermission.  We walked around and checked out the venue.  Soo nice.

We sat down ready for the 2nd half, but I took a few random pictures before that!

The second half started with Music from Aladdin, which was GREAT!  Then a Suite from Mulan and The Hunchback of Notre Dame Suite, the set ended with Lion King.  The whole night was wonderful!  It is hard to pick my favorite!

*** All of these pictures were taken with my Palm Pre or Pete’s iPhone. I wish we had thought to take a real camera!

BSO

 

– Sent from my Palm Pre

Disney Symphony

 

Pete and I are getting ready to enjoy the BSO!  It is Disney night!

– Sent from my Palm Pre

Splish Splash!

I got to pick Alyssa up from Day Care today and we went to have lunch at Chick-fil-a!  After we went home for a bath and then Alyssa and I snuggled up and were asleep before 8pm!  She is so sweet!  I am going away for a girls weekend with my friends this weekend and will miss her sooo much!  I am so glad I got to spend some 1 on 1 time with my No. 1 girl tonight!

Beach

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Beach, originally uploaded by Goldeelox9.

Here is a picture of the beach at the park . . .so pretty!

– Sent from my Palm Pre

Picnic

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Picnic, originally uploaded by Goldeelox9.

Pete and I are enjoying a wonderful picnic dinner at the Elk Neck State park.  I love days off!

– Sent from my Palm Pre