Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Orlando Trip #2 of 2010 - Part 3

Our second morning started with a character breakfast pretty early in the morning. Fortunately we got there early, got seated early, and got finished fairly quickly to get to the park shortly after opening! 


A cute character who tried to sign things to me, but I have no idea what she was saying because I have not seen that movie since it came out. It was the sign we use for "play" at work, but I am pretty sure that is not what she was trying to tell me. ha! Made for a very nice and awkward moment. 




He is just precious!!!


For such a bad little guy, he sure was soft! ha!



We love Pluto!!


So the plan was to go to Epcot, but mom just had to ride Rockin' Roller Coaster again, so we headed to HS. We got a fast pass and then went to ToT for a much shorter wait time compared to the day before.


I had a list of characters that I just had to have a picture with this trip. Fortunately I found Daisy at two parks! There were other characters I missed out on this time around...all the more reason to go back. :) 

Daisy was possibly my favorite when we went in 1989...I did pick out her hat for my souvenir that year. 

We decided to eat at a resort for lunch...this was the day I had a Mickey ice cream sandwich before my meal. Oh the joys of Vacation!! We then headed to the room for a much needed nap. 

It started storming on our way back to HS for our dinner reservation. I was only slightly scared to be running through the park in the rain. We had to stop and take cover a few times b/c it was a pretty good storm but we did make it to dinner at the Italian restaurant. It was so very good!! 
It was still raining when we were finished, so we decided to forget the firework show at that park and go enjoy some EMH at Epcot since we did not go back that morning and had more to do at that park. 

Mom was not excited about being in FL in the middle of the summer. After looking at the weather, I promised her it would not be bad because the highs were lower than TN and were lower than my Spring visit which was very hot!! 
Clearly we did not anticipate snow! ha! 
Actually it was really nice because of the rain showers and did end up being much hotter in TN that week! I think the rain helped with the crowds, too, because it really was not bad for the week before a major holiday.

Our cousin, Rachel, was there with her husband and his parents! So random and yet so very fun. They live in AZ, so we don't see them ever!!! She grew up in TN and AR, so we saw her more then...it was nice to catch up with her! They rode a few rides then called it a night. We continued on to another family favorite ride...



We lasted until midnight that night and were very ready to go back to the room.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Orlando Trip #2 of 2010 - Part 2

Wednesday morning (exactly 2 months after my last Disney arrival), we got up VERY early to leave the convention resort and head to my 2nd home! ha! The plan was to get to HS before it opened to get fast passes and then get in line for Toy Story. We got there right as they were opening, and I was able to head to the fast pass lines with mom meeting me at the line to the ride. Worked out great! This was the only day we could do this because of breakfast reservations the other mornings. I promised her I would slow down after this morning. 

Getting ready for my favorite ride!!!



One of our favorite parks!

The wait for ToT was 80 minutes at one point...no thank you! We did get to ride it another day.
We also road Rockin' Roller Coaster and got pictures; however, there was a computer error and our photopass pictures were lost. :( 

After lunch our next stop was Epcot for a special character greeting only available to a few people. :) 
There are typically 2-3 characters, and you can go once a day during select times. You also get a free picture!  (my picture was lost on a ride...but they printed us another one!)

The characters did not listen...other than Mickey who had no idea what XO was for and was so confused in one of the pictures...Minnie and Goofy thought they were supposed to make an X...they were just supposed to look cute. ha!

Precious!!

Leaving Epcot for a nap after a fast paced morning!
We got a fast pass for a ride before heading out! Gotta love those fast passes!

After our nap, we headed back for dinner at my new favorite place...Coral Reef...so good and fun, too!

Blanca! She was my waitress on April 30th and again on June 30th so cool! She is the best!!!!

Our seats were right by the very large fish tank!! There were scuba divers waving and signing random stuff that night!!! Those videos are longer, so I just did the shortest one. 


After dinner we found the perfect spot for the fireworks then headed back to our room for the night (we may have done a few rides, but I cannot remember)!
The next day was going to be at Epcot but mom had to go back to ride Rockin' Roller Coaster again! haha! So after months of planning we totally deviated from the plan, but it was worth it! 

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Orlando Trip #2 of 2010 - Part 1

I was fortunate enough to head back to Orlando at the end of June for XO convention. I had not planned on going to Orlando 2 times within 2 months, but it just worked out that way, so off I went again! 
We stayed at a very nice hotel, went to lots of meetings, and had some pretty good food which was not expected but a very nice surprise. 




A full rainbow after a little summer rain. 

The owl!!! 





One night had a Disney theme...oh how lovely it was! ha!

Sadly I got sick this night but made a full and quick recovery to enjoy the rest of the Orlando vacation. 

Love this!!!

Cardinal/Straw day...best day ever! Found the cutest red shoes for this day!!

A picture to show the very little amount of time spent outside...very little breaks during convention. 

An owl puppet...how awesome or Strawsome!! 

Mom joined me for the last night so that we could have a little vacation time in Orlando starting the next day. So glad she could experience part of convention with me. 




While convention was fun, I was so ready to move on to the next adventure...Disney!! 
More coming soon! 

Friday, August 27, 2010

5 (or more) on Friday

1. I am so very behind on blogging. Although I really have no idea what I have done over the last month. Guess nothing too important.

2. Smocking may be my next hobby adventure as I signed up for a class this Fall. I may also buy an embroidery machine to hopefully help speed up the applique process I currently do manually with a regular sewing machine.

3. Lots of cookie making will happen this Fall with Bid Day cookies for the new cutie hooties next week and another bake sale at work in October. Also, a few small orders for sweet friends this week and then some in Sept. I may never make another cookie again after the bake sale at work in October. :)

4. I would love to run in this...

Anyone want to join???

5. Mom and I got tickets to go see Wicked...she loves it and has wanted me to see it! Hope it is good. :) I convinced her we had to go to Disney on Ice, too. I may never grow up. :) 

6. Pictures from the July Disney Trip may one day make it on this blog. Maybe this weekend.