we're back!

Bill and I made it back to rainy windy Chicago on time this afternoon. 

We spent Christmas day at the Animal Kingdom as planned and then had a nice buffet dinner poolside at the resort.  Friday many of us went to Blizzard Beach while Jeff and Giddo drove Larry back to Tampa and Mom and Mimi went on an all day excursion to the outlet mall.  (the excursion really should have been like a three hour tour...)

And like that our trip was over and we are back in the nasty weather of Chicago, though at least it is warm right now.

Thanks for joining us!

more pictuers

Here are some more pictures from last night

Merry Christmas!

I know it will be Christmas by the time this actually posts as it is 11:50 right now. We had a fantastic day today at Epcot.

Mimi Mom Bill and I left for the park opening due to a miscommunication with our groups. We walked over to soarin' first thing and got a fast pass for an hour later. so we rode the boat through living with the land (the hydroponic green house ride) and then had some breakfast. Soarin' was great as it always is, and I think Mom and Mimi really enjoyed it. We then walked over to the Living seas and met up with the rest of the group who had finally joined us. but then we decided they were moving too slow for our taste and Mom Mimi Bill and I went off to see the countries while they spent some more time at the seas and then waited for their 1pm fast passes for soarin'.

We got the package for the candle light processional with the lunch at the German Pavilion. I think it was worth it because after our fabulous lunch we were able to seat ourselves in the American Amplitheater and bypass lines that wrapped through two countries.

The Candlelight Processional was wonderful. the guest narrator was Steven Curtis Chapman. I think all of the adults enjoyed it and the kids were very well behaved.

After the show we were able to walk through the rest of the counties taking a break to see the Beatles cover band in the UK. Mom liked them so much that she Giddo Mimi Bill and I stayed for the next showing while the rest of the group went to ride test track.

We all gathered in Mexico for the Illuminations show. it was as beautiful as always, and they added an extra 5 min of song and fireworks afterwards for Christmas. It was really incredible, but I think Disney has really ruined the normal fourth of July for our group. You just can't compete with that.

Everyone in the group says Merry Christmas to all of you!!! Tomorrow after the kids open Santa's gifts we will be heading off to Animal Kingdom.

pictures

This was in Down Town Disney oops I loaded the test picture in the "large" format

short post

wow i am tired. we had a long day today, or at least I did. Bill got to hang out an relax for the morning, but he and I and my mom went to dinner and then to see La Nouba at downtown Disney.

Brian Christie Bobby and Ben left around 530 today. I am sure they will have an uneventful and safe trip home.

tomorrow is a very very long day so don't expect anything from me. I'll probably blog on Christmas.

because sarah said i would...

75 min does not = 120

We went to Disney Hollywood Studios (aka MGM) today with some of the group. Bill the three boys and I waited in a line that claimed to be 75 min for the rockin' roller coaster. after over 120 min we finally boarded our "limo". The boys loved it and in the end that makes it worth while.

Then we rode tower of terror and then found mom and Maura and got a quick bite. then we headed off the see the Muppet's 3D movie. The kids I think were more into the pin trading then anything else.

Tonight we sat all 21 of us down to dinner at Spoodles. the food was good the service not so much. I know serving 21 of us is rough, but our server was just not friendly and unhelpful. no worries though because we all still really enjoyed ourselves.

After dinner back at the hotels we all piled into Maura and Jeff's room for Wii and Pinochle. Even Mimi played Wii!

I have been trying for about an hour to load pictures but it just isn't meant to be tonight. Tomorrow maybe if you, my gentle readers, are very good Bill will blog and get some pictures up on here.

safe and sound

We have made it to Florida safe and sound.

We left very early this morning and it was -5 degrees (-24 with the wind chill) and when we landed it was a beautiful 75. Bill and I rushed off to meet up with the family at the Magic Kingdom.

When we arrived most of our group was off on different rides, but Bill and i had a nice welcoming committee of Mimi, Giddo, and Mom. Mom Bill and I went to Buzz Light year (to infinity and BEYOND!) and then Mom and I rode in the tea cups. In the later afternoon we went on the pirates ride with Mimi ,Giddo, and Mom, and then met up with Brian and Christie for some haunted mansion fun and a viewing of the Philharmagic.

We watched the light parade not once but twice and enjoyed the holiday fireworks (though I missed my normal Wishes).

Bobby came over to our room to hang out for a bit and now I am sitting here with mom going to sleep and Bill in the shower.

If going on a family vacation teaches you anything it is that you need to have more patience and a very good plan. I am all about flexibility on somethings but trying to coordinate 21 people is not an easy task. Planning is key to a good Disney vacation, and with a good plan you will have time left over with which you can be flexible.

I will try to get some photos up tomorrow.

Good night.

back to disney!

Bill and I are going back to disney for a Michael/Weber/Shibley/Hillard/Young crazy Christmas adventure. I am hoping to convince Bill to help me update this blog with disney pictures etc.

hmm thinking about using this blog for other purposes. but first maybe we can use it for out up coming trip to disney