the world of mouse

Soooooo, we went to Disney…in SEPTEMBER! Holy cats. That's how neglectful I've been. Three stinkin months ago!

It all started at Honey Camp. Kevin pulled me to the side and asked if he and Deanna could snag our girls away for a weekend to Disney. {He works for them part time.} They wanted to fly them down {we helped with airfare} and spend a few days in the parks and they wanted it to be a complete SURPRISE!

It was a very hard secret to keep. Very hard, indeed.

They would be going to "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" while they were there. Which meant, costumes were needed! Kev said that he and D were going as Mirror, Mirror on the Wall and the witch from Snow White. So we thought Kennedy could pull off the Evil Queen and Syd would be SW. I got to work on planning and trying to keep my mouth shut.

Sufficed to say, the more we talked about it {my mom and sister and I}, the more we wanted to go. So we planned a little trip of our own. And by little, I mean TINY. One day in the parks. Drive down, go the next day, drive back the next. The original idea was for Kev and D to know that we were going, but not tell the girls. We wanted them to feel special and all grown up. We thought we would NOT tell Joel because it'd just be hard for him to not get to go. But I just didn't think he could manage the drive and an entire full day at Disney and then drive back. I thought it'd be too much for him. He deals with sensory issues {a tad, not terribly} and I was afraid it would all be more than he could handle. Jase would be staying home with Gabe {and his newly placed catheter. :(  }.

But by the week of the trip, the girls still unsuspecting and my excitement through the roof, my mom called. She said that we just had to take Joel {if, of course, I agreed.} I was leary. Very leary and said no immediately. I've witnessed too many meltdowns from overstimulation and didn't want 1) for him to get to that point without Jase there to help and 2) didn't want to risk messing up mom and Karen's trip. But she assured me they were prepared for it if it happened and when I approached Jase, he said he was hoping all along we would take Joel.

Sooooo, we sure did!

And it was the best and right decision. This boy. He exceeded every expectation. He never complained. Not once. Not when we got in the car at 4pm and arrived at 11pm. Not when we woke at 6:30 and were at Hollywood Studios at 8am. Not even 16 hours later when we finally returned to our hotel room after a FANTASTIC but albeit long, day of Disney! Or on the ride home the next afternoon. He was a perfect 7 year old. Unbelievable.

I'm ahead of myself.

The planning involved was nuts. NUTS, I say! I had to pack the girls without them knowing. Kennedy kept asking, "where are my shorts!?!" We got their luggage to mom a week prior so that they could take it to the airport with them and not in our van. We worked ahead and finished school work for the week by Thursday at lunch and headed for the airport around 2pm. They knew something fun was up but not sure what. We drove to the airport and they got event antsier!

But when we walked in and they saw Kevin and Deanna…they knew! It was soooo fun surprising them. And such a sweet and generous thing for my brother and his wife to do. It killed me though. Kennedy pulled me aside, tears welling up in her eyes and said, "Mom, we can't go. This is so unfair to Joel. I can't do this, Mom. " She had no idea we were taking him. And then even after we had left, she text'd me to say again how she just didn't feel right about it. She kept asking how he was doing and if he was really upset with her.

So I made a decision. And I told her that we were going. Maybe I shouldn't have. But it seemed right to just be honest about it. I so didn't want to spoil their fun in thinking they were "big and grown up"…still, it was right to just come clean and put her conscious to rest.

Kennedy had flown when she was two years old. Didn't remember a thing about it, of course. Syd had never flown. They LOVED it.

And funny, they decided to attempt an earlier flight and so Kennedy got bumped up to business class and sat with some guy chatting about how excited she was to be flying. So hysterical to hear her tell it. I'd love to have heard his side too. lol

They text'd us to tell us that they had landed, waaaaaay before our car would be pulling into Disney. We were so happy for them.

We had a great time and I think the girls did too. There are a million pictures to follow. Many thanks to my sister for all of them! I didn't even take my camera! We did end up meeting the girls at the end of the day and spending a few hours together at Magic Kingdom. They stayed longer than we did and did other parks the day we went home.

It was a fabulous idea and I'm so grateful to Kev and D for taking them…and for mom and Karen spending a perfect day in Disney with Joel and I!

Here are a few from Kennedy's phone...

This iPhone pic doesn't do them justice. They looked amazing. And they won best group costume in Magic Kingdom that night. ;)

Christmas card 2009...and the outtakes~

So we attempted four times to get the perfect Christmas card photo. I don't know why I try so hard. Usually, I have an idea in my head and most of the time...it never comes to fruition. I know it's not that big of a deal really. It's just a card. But I just love getting cards in the mail and at church and it makes me happy to send love and Christmas wishes to those we care about too.

Last year, I enlisted my friend, Sarah, to take our photo. My sister, Karen, had a Photoshop action of a snow globe that I could put Joel's picture in and then place in our hands. I loved it. And while I think some thought it over the top, I loved it. We had so many compliments on it and were told over and over how fitting it was. Many others said that they just wept when they received it. To me, when you see snow globes, the really nice ones...they always hold something or somewhere that is meaningful or someplace you'd like to be. And last Christmas, more than anything in the world, I wanted my son. I wanted to be where he was. Really, wanted him to be where we were~home.

And since I knew that was still months away, I took Karen up on that snazzy Photoshop action and plopped our boy right smack dab in mine and Kennedy's hands. You gotta love technology!

And so this year, I wanted to get our kids in a really non posed and casual kinda way. You know, more or less candid but still showing their personalities or something fun. After the first three attempts {on our bed, at an old schoolhouse, and at a Christmas tree farm}, I was just about to give up. Then I had the idea of them running down Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom...a photo from behind with my three kids storming Cinderella's castle! I told Karen my idea and she suggested I pull them out in color and do everything else in black/white. How perfect! But could I get it? As soon as we entered the park last Friday, I told mom that I had to try and get their picture because the crowd would just get worse by the hour.

It was a hoot! They did not understand for the love of Pete I wanted them to run down Main Street. And hold hands? Now that's just silly. Why would we ever do that? Run, together? Holding hands? Really, Mama? And it took several attempts. As you can clearly see.

Ok, so first shot...they are way off center and my brother, aka ugly boy, is right in front of them. He is trying to coax them along but what the hockey? I mean, they are running...but he's way too close to them.

Then, Joel decides he'd much rather be with the ugly boy pushing the stroller, and yep. He takes off from the girls. Uh, this is not what I had in mind!

Syd: Okay, Kennedy. You have to hold his hand tighter! He just ran away from us! Mom wants us to hold his hand!

Kennedy: This is so dumb!

Okay, so total photographer error on this one. Are they running? Check. Are they holding hands? Check. Are they centered? Check. But oops! I missed their sweet feet! I've gotta have their feet in the photo!

Okay, could really have worked with this one...only I had the castle in focus and they were blurry. I needed it to be the other way around or at least them in focus. I was gonna blur the castle anyway in photoshop. We went up and down this street ten times! I was not their favorite mama by the end of this five minutes!

I loved this one...I mean, I didn't want to use it because they weren't running and such. But I love the look on Kennedy's face when Joel just decided to stop dead in the street. Even Syd's little foot was ready to take another step, but he said nope. I'm gonna stop right here!

Check out Joel's feet...not even touching the pavement!

It was a tedious five minutes! But it was well worth it. Like I told my sister in law, Mattie, I can take a hundred bad photos. All I need is one good one. And just like that...the path cleared, they were running, holding hands, centered and most certainly looked like they were storming her castle! I used Karen's idea as a jumping off point and decided to use Lightroom along with Photoshop to accomplish an old photo look. I love how it turned out.

So, from our family to yours...Merry Christmas! We hope you experience the Love and Peace that only Jesus can bring! May you have a blessed and happy 2010! Love you all~

Epcot~

So I love Epcot. I love that big huge sphere that makes me seem tiny {and a little nervous} when I walk under it. I love the World Showcase {I'd love it more if it included Thailand!}. And I love three of the best rides in all of Disney that are there...Mission Space, Test Track, and Soarin'. But this year, I only got to do one of them. :( We did see Chip and Dale as we walked into the park...they're always pretty cute.

Mom and Kennedy did have their customary turkey leg! Ugh. I mean, I love me some turkey...but I just can't bring myself to eat one of these jokers!

The crowds were much worse than anticipated and time was scarce. I did manage Mission Space with Syd! She loved it again! But not long after being in the park, Jase's kidney stone started hurting and he had to leave. He didn't ride anything there. I think he only ate lunch...sweet man. We all felt so bad for him. While we rode Space, mom and dad took Joel to meet some characters. He did so well, but poor guy was sure tuckered out. See what I mean?

Joel woke up but the fast passes for Soarin' were depleted for the entire day by lunch time and the wait was over an hour. He wasn't tall enough...boo hoo. So while the others stood in line for it, he and I took off to the Nemo ride. He loved it and kept saying, "bye Pish!" How sweet is that!?! Pish! We also had our picture made a few times throughout the park. I can't wait to get our photopass disc since they are putting Tinkerbell in his hands in one of the photos. I just love that. We had fun pittering around and I enjoyed having my boy all to myself for an hour or so. And mom had a little time with Syd and had their pic taken by the photopass people. Will post those when we get them. But here's one that we snagged with our camera of them looking at hers! Sweet...these two could sure get into some trouble together!

He and I headed back early for a nap and to check on Jase. He was feeling a little better when we got there and we rested together...Disney is hard when you're three!

Disney revisited....The Magic Kingdom~

So life has been nuts since we came home from Disney and I'm so glad to say that we are enjoying the first day of laying low! Yep, it's my plan to coast right into this beautiful holy day and enjoy my hubs, my kids, and the God who is the giver of all good things. The presents are wrapped {save one} and school is out and we have lots of fun but not stressful things planned over the next week. I'm just planning to soak it all up and take it all in. We have three children in our home this year! What could be better!?! And get this...we met Joel THREE MONTHS AGO TODAY!!! Can you believe that? Us either! Our son has become just that. Our son. Jase was just saying how different he is now...in just three months. He's a totally different kid. So comfortable. So settled and happy. We are beyond blessed.

Since we visited all four parks on our speedy quick trip to Disney, I'm thinking to take a post for each one. So I apologize in advance for the sheer number of photos but come on people! It's Disney World for Heaven's sake! What's a mama to do? And I'm sure I'll have a few more to add once our photopass disc is here. But for now, here are the ones my mom and I took.

Our first park visit was to The Magic Kingdom...I mean, how could it not be? It was a great morning. We missed Jase though...his kidney stone reared its ugly head and he had to stay at the hotel for a bit. He did catch up to us after an hour or so though. We got there 10 minutes before it opened and saw Mickey and Minnie up at the Train Depot during a mini-preopening show. The characters were dressed in their finest Dickens wear. Joel was in awe. He saw Mickey and just stared! So sweet! And as soon as the park opened and we went inside, low and behold, there was Pluto! The whole day was wonderful. Crowds were okay, not as low as times we've visited this week in December before, but still manageable. We only waited a max of 20 minutes or so for most all rides.

After these Main Street pictures, we headed straight away to Space Mountain. My dad rode the Tomorrow Land Transit Authority with Joel while we hit Space Mountain twice...back to back with no waiting! Syd was hysterical! She rode it last year and was a little nervous to ride it again. But she screamed, "this is awesome!" and we knew she was hooked! So fun! I think I peed on my dad when I was little riding this same coaster, or maybe just threatened to and he threw me off! lol! Way back when, you rode two people to a seat. For years now though, it's single riders. But I rode right behind Syd with my hands on her shoulders and she was fine.

After Space Mountain, we hit the Tomorrowland Speedway so that our kids could drive some cars and we could laugh till we cried! The girls have been on these countless times before...always riding for the first time with my mom though. So Joel was no different! He HAD to ride with my mom. He loved it! And while we were in line, he must of realized he was in fact smack dab inside the Happiest Place On Earth...because 'ol boy decided to start handing out some really big smooches!

After the cars, we headed over to Mickey's house for a little visit with the big guy! Joel was slow to warm up to him but soon gave him a high five! And before we left, he kissed Minnie right on the nose! Then, it was full speed ahead to Goofy's Barnstormer...Joel's 1st coaster! He LOVED it! We managed to get the three front seats...you know...for the photo op! Joel pitched a complete fit when we got off of it! Jase had to hold him...it was funny and sweet though. His face says it all!

We had a fun, busy day and saw lots of fun stuff! We did head back to the hotel for a rest though. We had tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party from 7pm-midnight. So, a nap was in order! Around 6:30, we hopped back on that Disney bus with the Magic Kingdom in our sights! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was snowing on Main Street when we came in! Syd's face was precious! There was free hot chocolate and sugar cookies at restaurants all through the park, the parade was all Christmasy {Joel, Syd and I skipped it but mom and Kennedy took it in}, everything was just magical! And the crowd was much lower! We managed to do several attractions with Joel since the wait times were less...The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic {twice!} and maybe a few others that are escaping me now. He loved them all! And mom took Joel to meet characters while us big kids rode Big Thunder Mountain...twice! So much fun!

We stayed the full five hours! We walked out of the Magic Kingdom at exactly midnight! Even Joel! He was great! Couldn't believe it...What a magical day!