NYC - on (not quite yet) New Years Eve!

It's been a few years since we did "what we always used to do" and took a trip into NYC to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. It used to be a tradition that Scott and I had started at Lehigh, but well, I guess, life got in the way and somehow we stopped going. We decided this was the year to take the trip again. With the Metro-North Railroad just a short ways away, a day in New York here we come. We were soooo excited to show Colbster the GIANT Christmas tree since he loves ours so much. But, well, maybe next year since he wound up napping through our afternoon walk uptown.

A quick final decision on Tuesday morning that this was the day if we were going... Wednesday was New Years Eve and we certainly weren't going anywhere near the city that day and the end of the week was going to be cloudy and icky. Round up some stuff to keep the little guy occupied on the train, pack up the warm clothes and some snacks and off we went to catch a train. It was actually quite crowded, but we managed to find ourselves a little corner with 1 seat and a spot to keep the stroller tucked out of the way. Soon enough we arrived at Grand Central Terminal and were greeted with the holiday kaleidoscope light show going on right then. The Cman was already wide-eyed and we hadn't even left the station. I couldn't wait to see his face with all the huge buildings and lights throughout the streets.

A short walk to Times Square, where they were hanging the ball and testing it for New Years Eve! Fun! It was already past lunch time for the little mister, soooo where else would we pick to go - amongst all the restaurants to choose from in NYC - we picked none other than Bubba Gump Shrimp! Well, RUN FOOOOREEEST!!!! Luckily only a few minute wait and we were ordering our food. Good thing cause the Cheerios snack wasn't going to hold out much longer and a tired boy was quick to come. The Cman even liked the cajun spiced chicken appetizer, but ahahah after about 10 or 15 bites decided he needed some applesauce to cool the mouth down! The music and fun atmosphere was perfect for a little man with quite a nack for tunes and dancing. It was yummy and a good 2nd stop on our day's adventure... off we went.

Sorry, haven't figured out yet how to turn a video on Blogger.

Next on our list, a nice stroll all the way up to Central Park, past all the horse and buggy riders who appeared to be absolutely freezing. And of course by now the little man, full tummy and all was warm and cozy in his BundleMe and snoozing away. Loop past FAO Schwarz, which we didn't bother going in because the one who might be looking for some more toys was sleeping the day away. And then of course back to the grand 'ol "Tree"! Ha, Scott and I both thought, hmmm maybe it's a short tree this year because it didn't look nearly as big as we had remembered it from years past. Oh well, it was a nice tree either way and beautifully decorated as usual. And also typical Rockefeller Center was the loooooooooooong line to use the ice rink! We obviously weren't planning to do that this year, although it would have been fun, but not so sure that the random strangers around the rink would have taken watch over our sleeping child while Scott and I took a spin on the ice. We'll have to add that to our list of "must do's" for when the kiddoes get older. Even though the Cman slept through the visit to the tree we had to document that he actually "was" there.

Back toward Grand Central we went, but kept walking since the little guy was still sleeping. Past all the stores with great holiday window decor and just over an hour of snoozing later (yes, a short nap as opposed to his usual 3 hours, but a good showing considering he was in the stroller) the Colbmeister awoke to more tall buildings and great sites. Heck, we even saw some random guy dressed as Elmo along the way - you'll find everything in NYC!

Random Elmo, a very poor excuse for an Elmo costume I must say.

Some store windows decked out for Christmas.

A very poor view of the near kaleidoscope show.


And back home we went. A fun day full of adventure and another tradition (re)started!

Unwrapping and more unwrapping!

Opening up some really great gifts!

A boy has to have a tool bench!

Christmas - Days 2, 3, 4!!

Ok, so I'm really far behind... but that's only because we've been having lots of family fun these days since we're all around and enjoying some time just the 3, well 4, ok maybe 5 of us! :)

Anyways, back to Christmas and then I'll catch you up on the rest. Here's some pictures of Christmas in the North Country - aka Nanny and Pal's house. It went on for DAYS since we weren't about the rush the Cman through all his presents AND it was nice to just relax and go at a slow pace for once.

Enjoy!

Woah, check out all these balls.

Wrapping paper is great!

Dad, is this one for you or me? Because I think I have a few more than you this year :)

Hard at work undoing all those stupid wire ties.

Check out how big that pile is still!

Hehe, this puppet bear is so silly.

Doug, you got Christmased!

A 4-Wheeler!!

Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog!

Watch out he's on the road!

Christmas through the eyes of a dog!

Dog days of Christmas!

Oooooo, you mean I got presents too!!!

See, little man, you just get your teeth and tear into the paper like this.

No dainty unwrapping... just rip it open...

See... you rip it because there are ALWAYS yummy treats inside.


Ummm, excuse me, little brother, you call that galloping?!


Hmmm, they say that this present is for us to play together with.


Together, huh, he's taking off with the present that had my name on it.
Ha... wait til we take that ball outside - I'll show him who can run faster!


See... told ya! Rip it open because there are ALWAYS treats inside!

Christmas 2008 - Day 1...

If you remember last year, we celebrated Christmas over several days. Similar idea this year, just not nearly as much traveling --- which was quite enjoyable. Not nearly as much running around and visiting, just simple holiday cheer and relaxed family time. I like this new low-keyed holiday tradition.

2008 Christmas Day 1
Christmas morning at home as always...



The Cman was quite intrigued by his stocking, which by the way, he picked out! :)
Tigger, of course, as he's always bouncing!

First pack of big boy crayons and some paper!
COOL!

And some new flash cards which he loves... so far so good Santa.

A new musical book came in this wrapping paper.

I LOVE BOWS!!!!!!!
And helping Dad open his presents.


Really getting in to the wrapping paper now.
A boy has to have his first wooden tool bench.

And a sorting train... complete with train whistle.

A STICK HORSE!!!!!!!
Who knew these still existed? Santa did!
This one even makes neeeiiiighhh noises.

Dad had to show the Cman how you gallop.

He got the hang of it after a few tries.

Santa brought a big gift for Dad ... A new tool chest!
Mom got a great big present this year too... a new countertop to finish the laundry room!!
You have no idea how much I can't wait for that to be installed - I see a project for next week!
YIPPIE, more organization!

Santa was so great this year he even brought a life sized gift for the Colbmeister this year too!

Of course, great big presents mean you have to put them together.


He Shoots ... And Scores!


Slam Dunk!

2 Points!!!
WINNER!!!!


Thank you, Santa... I'll be a good boy again next year!

Big Boy Christmas!

Growing up so fast! You're already looking like a little boy...

Merry Christmas, Little Man!

Cman's personal touch...

Thought I'd share the personal touch Colbmeister put on Christmas this year. Each present we opened, the bow from the gift had to get added to the tree. Not sure where he came up with the idea, but it was very cute... maybe he thought they were more ornaments. I took this picture after we had opened just 2 presents (there is 1 red and 1 green bow so far) by the end we were covered. Only on the bottom row of branches of course, for obvious reasons.

Sorry forget to take a picture at the end!

Before and After

Merry Christmas!!!



The morning of... before opening!

And after...

I'm guessing you took note that we totally cleaned up and organized before heading out of the house to Nanny and Pal's for Christmas in the Northcountry!

Snow - Round 2

So Friday and Saturday we got about 10-11 inches. Well, sure enough, Sunday we packed on about 3 or so more!
Cman and I enjoyed the comfort of the fire while Scott did the shoveling again this time around!
THANKS, Scoots! You're the best!

BIG SNOW

Yes, we definitely got hit with the latest snowstorm to cross the East Coast.
To say we got a lot of snow is an understatement. We got A LOT of snow. Luckily I had just bought Cman his first pair of snow boots the day before. Call it a mother's instinct or call it need another Christmas gift which we happily used early. Either way we were digging out for quite a while.

Colbster isn't sooo fond of walking in boots, but I guess considering he's never really worn shoes like that I can't say I blame him. He did like digging in it as if he was in the sand box and then cruising around in his sled. Although, it appears that Santa might need to bring him a new sled because it looks like he's outgrown his old one. Guess we'll have to wait and see if the big jolly guy checks his list twice!



Shovel selection.

Bundle up it's cold out here.

BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Winter Wonderland


Yep, about 10-11 inches.

I know I'm too young for Hot CoCo, but how about a few teddy grahams and some milk?


Sorta like a sand box.


Doug, the snow dog!

Light Parade

Think SpectroMagic, think parade, think holidays, think local yocal fun.
A lot of towns in our area put on a holiday light parade. It's a lot of fun and another one of those great traditions year after year. So again this year we set out for some great family parade fun. Bundled up since it's certainly not a 4th of July parade, but a great time either way.
Of course some of the floats are just locals decorating their car or truck, but others go all out. There are prizes of course so why not do your best to win.

Our personal favorite this year was the Polar Express float complete with a Tom Hanks looking conductor and kids drinking hot chocolate on the inside.



Hat, mittens and a Bundle Me - toasty warm.

Clapping to the music


The engine to the Polar Express

Here's the Caboose of the Polar Express float.. nice right.
These are just town people and not professionals decorating after all.


Snoopy and the Red Baron!

Santa's workshop

Family Fun!

Tree Chopping 2008

Here we are again... tradition time!

We ALWAYS go cut down our own Christmas tree. It's been a tradition since Scott and I had our own place together. We go to the same farm every year, ever year it's $40, every year we make a morning of it - take Doug and now the Cman too! Start out on 1 end and work our way through the hundreds of thousands of trees to find the perfect beauty. And sure enough every year we find just the right tree to suit the space it will be in that particular year.

Sooo here's some more great photos of this years tree chopping festivities.
(No we did not just cut our tree down this weekend. These are old pictures I've been waiting to find 5 minutes to post.)


Doug and Dad keeping their eyes out for the perfect Bruce Spruce

Colbmeister exploring the rows and rows of trees.

Photo Op!

I think they found it.



Heading back to the hut to pick up our tree. This particular farm comes and hauls them to the store for you so that it is wrapped and ready by the time you get back. Sooo nice of them!

At some point along the way, Colbster found a stick. It was a perfect Colby-sized walking stick. He would not put it down. Loved the walking stick. Thought it was the coolest thing he had ever experienced. Who would have thought?? All those toys and all we needed was a stick.
We even had to bring it home!

Set in the stand and ready for some decorations.

Awww.. another year... another pretty tree!

You didn't believe me.

You didn't believe me that I had lots of blogginess saved up and in the wings just ready for your reading pleasure.

Guess I'll let you catch up...

Cman's been in snoozeville for several hours and it sounds really good to me right about now!

Cookie Baking Festivities...

What would make a Saturday afternoon more complete during the holidays than some COOKIES!!!!!!!

We were on a cookie baking mission this past weekend. I think we were trying to make up for last year since time seemed to somehow get away from us in '07 and I don't think we baked 1 single cookie - so so sad. Instead... this year... we baked and baked and baked - YUM YUM!
- We baked peanut butter kiss cookies
- We baked raspberry jam cookies - some with nut some without nuts
- We baked sugar cookies
-We bakes toffee bar cookies
- and we baked and baked and baked.

Christmas tunes in the background and all ---- it was a great day!
A little relaxation in front of the oven that was much needed!

A Clean House is a Happy House!

In case you haven't already known or figured this out... Scott and I are anal-retentive-neat-freaks! And Proud of It! I might be a little more so than he, but he can claim his fair share of that title - Trust me.

We don't argue or find ourselves with negative tones to each other - practically ever - I have to think really, REALLY hard about the last time we had a disagreement... HOWEVER, we do absolutely need to flip a coin to be fair and not debate over who gets to vacuum! hahahaha - Now that's love!

Well, as you can plainly see - the Colbmeister has begun to follow suit. He LOVES to clean. And we LOVE it! haha. His absolute favorite electronically powered item in the house is not the computer or telephone (although that is definitely at the top of the list) or tv (heck he doesn't even know what that big screen thing is and has absolutely NO interest what-so-ever in watching it, which is fine by me!) ... his favorite in fact is also --- the Vacuum! LOVE IT! We recall often how when we were scared to death that he would fall down the stairs because he hadn't quite mastered the "down" part we had a gate at his room door. Well, when we used to vacuum he wanted to be UNDER the vacuum, a part of it, 1 with the clean machine, so we couldn't even do his room with him in it. So, haha, this is funny. We knew that he wouldn't go anywhere near the stairs when we were in his room with the vacuum because he was mesmorized. So we would put him on the outside of the gate to his room and he would stand GLUED to it until his room was done. Sure enough - never a thought about the dangerous stairs, just eyes wide for the glorious machine that it is. And now... he's a growing boy still in love with the clean machine. It's our best distraction for the daily nebulizer treatments. Best way to cure an oncoming meltdown and yet also a way to keep up on the never-ending chores that come with having a house and keeping a home! He eagerly participates every chance he gets. Even takes part in the action at Nanny and Pal's house where they have a much more Cman Manageable "Shark" - by taking 1 of the handle extensions out, it's perfect for his little stature. (I'll have to get some video of this action over Christmas)

So sure enough, from vacuum to mini broom sweeper he's certainly pulls his weight in the chore department. And ha, doesn't complain about it, but eagerly WANTS to help. You think this will continue even when he's a teenager? Probably not, but every little bit of training counts. At least we know he's going to be a great husband who helps around the house - just like his dad!



Crumbs, you got nothing on me!

Watching a vacuum master in action...

Silly Disney Clip

So you've probably noticed that I put up a Disney Celebration clip on the top of our blog. It's very funny. I'm on the Disney Mom's Blog email distribution list, because, well, we're Disney Fanatics for sure. So I get all the latest and greatest up-to-date information on the happenings in and around Walt Disney World, the parks, news, info, tips, discounts, you name it.

This afternoon, I got an email and it began playing a clip all about how I was going to be the Disney Day winner and the entire year will be dedicated to ME! ... haha it was sooo much fun ... of course it's just a big joke, but it sure does make you feel a little special even if it is for those few moments. I couldn't pass up sharing with everyone how FUN it would be if this was real! :) Talk about an experience of a lifetime!!!

Oh and my favorite part is when Goofy says my name! :) hehe and in Goofy's voice too.
Now the only question is... what happens when you have a really wacky name.

Keeping a Secret

Based on the prior post I'm guessing that you have been able to figure out we are indeed expecting Tiny Tot Townsend #Two! (sorry had to play up the T a little)

If not, you now know... And for those of you who are truly clueless that is an ultrasound picture. A picture of the growing "critter" from 11/24 actually so I'm sure it's grown quite a bit more since then... my waistline says so anyways - hmmm it's that or the yummy Christmas cookies we've been baking lately!

So yes, rumor or not, it's not much of a rumor now! SURPRISE!

13 weeks and counting --- don't strain your brain with the technical pregnancy math - we are due June 24th! So the Colbmeister is going to officially be a Big Brother - I think he's just the little guy for the big job :)


Perhaps you have now figured out why I've not been posting a whole lot lately. No, I'm not puking or feeling like crap. Actually, I feel great just like when I was preggers with the Cman. No morning sickness. No weird cravings (well as of yet and seeing as my only craving with Colbster was Slurpies, I'm guessing I'm headed down a similar path). A little tired early on but I'm always in bed by 10pm, ha if not earlier, so really you wouldn't know I was preggers unless I had told you! Ha ha - I knew something you didn't know! And I haven't even had to start wearing my maternity clothes yet - close, but not yet!... anyways, I digress.... I knew for sure if I wrote a whole lot like I used to, I would definitely blow my cover. Let the secret out early and then there'd be no fun reveal!

Fear not, my friends, the blog posting madness will resume.
I've had A LOT of time to build up the usual crazy thoughts I've been holding out on... so get your reading glasses on!

A Picture Says a 1,000 Words

Extreme Makeover in your own backyard

Scott and I are pretty big fans of relaxing on a Sunday evening to a good inspiring story - aka watching ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition. If you have a tv or not... you know the show - Ty Pennington and the entire design team sift through tons and tons of applications where a deserving family that has encountered a tragedy receives the gift of a brandy new house... and build it in 7 days all while the family is on vacation.

We thought we'd seen every type of family with every differing need - disabled children, fires, floods, tornados, servicemen and women, black, white, large families, small families, you name it... every where you turn there's a family out there in need of a "home".

Sure enough - this weeks taping of Extreme Makeover Home Edition took place in what we might consider 'our own backyard'. Just a ways "up the road a piece" the Girard Family were picked to receive a new home! WOW! So close to home... the family of 7 (mom, dad and 5 kids) had thought the worst had happened - a fire that destroyed their home, they lived / camped on their own property because they couldn't rebuild ---- just then, a year later... dad and the oldest son drowned while the family was out for a swim at a local state park lake. Gosh, can it get much worse. Luckily lots of friends and family realized how wonderful the Girard family was and how much they had endured in the last year and nominated them for the show. Sure enough - they were selected and this past week they old house was torn down and a BEAUTIFUL new home was built... all while the family was enjoying where else - haha - Disney World... yep, not only do we live somewhat near this family, but we just so happened to be vacationing with them as well. And check this out... the post of our Disney Trip with all the picture - the family is in the opening of Magic Kingdom up on top by the train station with Mickey, Goofy and the gang!

Unfortunately, Scott and I didn't find out about the events until the week before or we would have joined the 2700 other volunteers and pitched in to help out. Every little bit counts!

So, Thursday was the "big reveal"... yes - MOVE THAT BUS!!!!!!!

Seeing as this was a once in a lifetime experience, Scott and I decided we might as well bundle up and bear the weather (yes, it was POURING rain) and 'Bring the Family Home'! Colby and all, we drove as close as we could to the build site (the road was blocked off about 1/4 mile before and after the house) and walked in to see the medieval times inspired home - that was something the family really enjoyed together.

What a great experience... kinda wild to realize that what looks like it all happens in 1 big "take" really took place over several hours. The schedule said that "Move That Bus" would happen at 2pm. Show business is show business and they didn't actually Bring the Family Home and Move That Bus until almost 4pm! We did our best to stay warm and dry and stayed long enough to see the house revealed to the family. Colby wasn't going to take much more and there wasn't much more to see anyways. Not like we can get inside until the show airs anyways!

Pretty neat to think we were there... so look for us (we were behind the Voluntown Firemen) when the show airs on February 8th!

Here's a sneak peak of the house and the big reveal.

Bundled up and covered up!

Big house built by lots of volunteers.

There's the pink helmet!

There's Ty!

Lots of camera crews!

Bring the family home!

WELCOME HOME!

MOVE THAT BUS!!

Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Every year Disney starts decorating for the holidays in September and October! Crazy huh? Well, I suppose with 1,000s and 1,000s of lights, trees, ornaments and figurines it might take a little while to string them up 1 by 1 so they look just puurrrfect.

This years decorations were just as fantastic.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios was as grand as ever. Here's a little video of the "dancing lights".

Thanks allears.net for the following info!

Just what *is* the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights and how did it start?

Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock, Arkansas, businessman, began putting up lights nearly a decade ago, at the request of his young daughter. (Read our 2002 interview with Jennings Osborne HERE!) Each year, he added to the displays. When he ran out of room, Osborne bought the two houses on either side of his home so he could continue his creativity. Neighbors complained, however, and the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in October 1994 that Osborne's house, when adorned with the 3 million lights, was a public nuisance. Although legally barred from causing a "spectacle", Osborne still lit the display three nights. He was found in contempt of court and fined $1,500. The court suspended a 10-day jail sentence, but ordered him to pay $7,000 in attorneys' fees. In 1995, the Walt Disney Company brought the Osborne Christmas lights to Walt Disney World! Disney's agreement with Osborne gives it the option of keeping the display for 5 years, possibly longer.

It sounds very impressive -- what exactly does the display entail?

The Spectacle of Lights includes:

-- 5 million lights

-- 32 miles of extension cables

-- 66 snow machines

-- 100 gallons of snow fluid a night

-- 43 hidden Mickeys

WOW!!!

Enjoy and go check it out sometime! You won't be disappointed! :)

December Disney Trip

Here's a glimpse into our latest Disney trip --- post surprise for Pal!

Evening arrival... PJs on and ready for bed!

Guys, I don't think I'm quite ready for a big boy seat at the Muppets yet!

Beautiful lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Busy day... sleepyhead... time to get up Chef Mickey is waiting!

High 5 for Pluto!

Mickey is quite the chef!

Go Donald Go!

It's Pal's Bday!

Nanny and Pal... enjoying Chef Mickey after all - only in December instead of November! :)

Busy morning and ready for a nap. Thanks for the headrest dad.

Pal, prepping for his upcoming role in Animal Kingdom.

The Tree of Life - up close and personal

We take this photo EVERY TIME... it's a tradition!

Opening Magic Kingdom... 5...4...3...2...1.... YEAHH!!!!


Last day... no hotel room, so what a better place for a 2 hour nap than in a hammock!

Get out the wiggles before going on an airplane.

Look like Disney??? It is!

Bye Mickey... see you soon!

The best "Gotcha" ever

We officially pulled off the best "Gotcha" ever this past weekend.

The best "Surprise".

The best "I CANNOT believe you had no idea!"

- the entire plan went off totally without a hitch! We're pretty sneaky!!!!

Ok so now what did we do you ask?

So it starts several months ago when I was invited along on a Girls Weekend away with my MIL (Mother in law), Lois (aka Nanny) and a few of her friends. They conned asked their boss nicely to let them use his Disney timeshare for several days. And so you know me and Disney... there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to see "the castle" even IF we had just been there in September and plan to go back next September.

Well, story continues since Dave (my FIL - Father in law aka Pal) and Lois were supposed to go to Disney in November and celebrate Dave's 60th Bday with Mickey... but given that now Lois would have been to Disney Sept/Nov/Dec/was going in Feb etc, etc, they decided to forego the trip in November since it would be too much during the holidays to go twice. So sad, sad Dave - no Birthday celebration with Chef Mickey :( Definitely a little jealous that the girls were going and he wasn't.

Hearing how Dave was a bit upset he wasn't going in November, Scott and I got this grand idea to surprise his dad with a trip to Disney. So we got together with Lois and created a sneaky plan to have the boys (Scott, Cman and Dave) crash come join the girls weekend. I booked the 3 of them flights, a hotel room, got park tickets and made all the arrangements un-be-knownst to Dave. We even figured that he needed to get on the airplane as if they were taking a spontaneous trip without luggage. Soooo lucky for us and thanks to Disney, once again the Magical Express comes in handy. Lois took Scott, Cman, and Dave's luggage with her to the airport, put it on a plane and it would magically arrive in their hotel room when they check-in.

Since I needed Colby Coverage on Thursday and Friday, Dave hopped in his car and was going to "take care of him" while I was gone. :) hehe All that week we'd talked it up on how maybe he and Scott would go Christmas shopping after they dropped me at the airport. Little did he know that he'd be on the next flight to Orlando! I couldn't believe that he hadn't figured something out by then. Remember this was months we had been Thursday morning rolls around... Pal shows up to watch the Colbmeister. Scott gets back from a "meeting" (aka he was out taking Doug Dog to the kennel) and Doug was at the "groomer". HAHA - so far so good. I ask Pal to play along when I mention to Scott that he's had a rough week and should just take the day off and go shopping. Scott plays along that he can't and blah blah blah, finally giving in and saying whatever, what's 1 afternoon. So off we go all 4 of us to drop me at the airport for 11am and the guys were headed to lunch and some "shopping". Scott plays along taunting me the entire way that they are getting shakes and burgers at Johnny Rockets and I wasn't going.

And here's how the story goes...

The boys grab some Johnny Rockets at the mall and take lap through the mall. Scott mentions how he needs to go to EMS down the road so off they went. The whole time out Scott's just fueling the fire on how he can't believe that Lois and I went without them and how then they were shopping for us when we were having a good time in Disney. Yadda yadda. The whole nine yards to get Dave pumped up even more. Scott then picks up the phone and calls Southwest to check on flight times for the rest of the afternoon to Orlando. 3:30pm had availability. He pretends to get this idea and then says forget it there's no way we can go now. So they drive on, pondering but not yet making a move. Soooo about half way home from the mall, Scott turns around the car and starts heading back to the airport. Dave proceeds to ask him what in the world he was doing and why they are not going home. Scott pulls into the departure drop-off lane, hops out of the car, grabs Colbster, the carseat and the diaper bag and says... Dad, go park this car, bring the packpack carrier when you get out and I'm going in to get us flights to Orlando. This is rediculous. The girls are NOT going to have fun without us in DISNEY WORLD!! hahaha. Dave, still not realizing this whole plan has been well orchestrated for months now starts putting up a big fight. There's no way we're spending that kind of money on tickets (when they called Southwest the woman on the line said that it was $244 - 1 way!) (little did he know we had the cheapest flights available since they'd been bought forever and a day ago).

Mom is going to kill me!

We don't have clothes!

We don't have mine or the Cman's medicine!

We're not going!

Toddler Tantrum from a 60 yr old man.

Oh dear. 45 minutes until depature and they still had to park the car, get through security and on the plane. Scott knew he had to do something FAST. So he says to Dave... Dad, I'm going in to get us tickets for this 3:30 flight, now I highly suggest that you get out of the passenger seat, get into the driver seat and park this car before the cop that is sitting behind us here in the "drop-off" zone tows you away. And then walks away - Colby, car seat and diaper bag in hand! :) I can only picture the stunned look on Dave's face. OK so park the car it was.

By the time Dave gets back from the parking garage, Scott had reprinted their boarding passes and was standing waiting tickets in hand. Quick through security... quick grab a turkey sandwich for the little guy's dinner on the plane... quick get a seat. Sure enough. They get on the plane with NOTHING but a car seat, a back pack carrier and a diaper bag! :) NICE! Scott spends a few minutes getting the Cman settled and in his seat while Dave is all flustered and totally in shock they actually got on this flight. So here he is standing in the aisle telling the entire plane that they just hopped aboard and have NOTHING... no clothes, no toiletries, no meds, NOTHING... the plane is cheering and all excited for them. 2 men out with 1 toddler and just flying (literally) by the seat of their pants for 4 whole days! What a grand story I'm sure this became by the time these people had all got home and told the story to their friends and family. hahaha and none of them knew (including Dave) that this had all been going EXACTLY as planned.

Now the rest of the girls and I had already landed and were enjoying the Disney way in EPCOT in total anticipation of the stories to come when the 3 guys arrived to join us. What a day!

Sooo, luckily as planned, Scott was able to totally throw his dad for a loop, get on a plane to Orlando and all the way to the Disney Magical Express when he then officially revealed that this had ALL (down to Doug at the groomer and the rough week shopping extravaganza) been very well planned for many, many months. WE DID IT!

And yes, their luggage safely arrived in their hotel room complements of Magical Express and tucked away was a note for Dave...

- "WE GOT YOU GOOD! SURPRISE, PAL!!!! HAPPY BELATED 60th BDAY! " -

What a great plan... executed without a hitch!

A fun weekend away was had by all - the girls AND the boys!

And Dave even got to celebrate his 60th Birthday with Chef Mickey as he wished! A few weeks late, but a celebration none-the-less.

Stay tuned for lots of fun photos. (Sorry no pictures of the events that led up to the crazy surprise, that would have given it away for sure!)

We love Disney!

We love spontaneous trips!

We love to be sneaky and have everything go exactly as planned!

Not so sure Dave will trust us ever again, but at least he can't say that we didn't act in his best interest - he got a trip to "the castle" out of it... who would mind that?!

Start the Christmas Festivities!!!

We kicked off the Christmas season last weekend.

In our area, Santa arrives every year the Saturday after Thanksgiving by tugboat. The "kiddies" get to sit on the "big guy's" lap and you know do all that Santa jazz. Later in the evening they light the Christmas Tree in the park and then there is lighted boat parade. (Sorta like SpectroMagic at Disney but on the water!) It's always a great afternoon and lots of fun. This was the first year we went for the Santa part of the afternoon fun. (Well, because it finally suited our situation since the little guy is definitely aware of the holiday season now!) Top it off with a nice family stroll up and down the street shops and especially a trip into the toy store - all in all a great afternoon. Typically in the past we have actually been "in" the boat parade... either with 1 of our boats or on a friend's boat. We opted out this year since we knew the Colbmeister would hit his max probably with our luck just as the parade kicked off. I certainly had no plans to be trapped for several hours on a boat with a very over tired child and therefore miserable friends who may not be friends anymore after a situation like that! ha ha! :) So I'm sure we'll have a little man who will continue to grow up and no longer yearn for his bed by 5:45pm at age 8,12, or 16 - soooo we'll definitely be back for the boat parade in the future, but not this year. Sure enough a good choice as the Colbster was snug in his PJs and off to snoozeville by 6:05 pm. That's our sleeper!!! :)

Sooo safe to say that the holiday season is in full-swing... stay tuned for more holiday happenings!


The Tree in the park waiting to be flipped "on" for the holiday season.

Snuggled in close to keep the chill out.

Not quite a fan of the man in the big red suit - give him a few years!

Much happier checking out Santa from the comfort of mom's arms.

Happy Holidays!

Here's a picture from a past boat parade...

Better than Dumbo!