The Shirey Family Blog - Michael, Joanna and Lincoln

Beautiful weather and a new play set

The first photo isn't great but the key is I took it sitting in our backyard enjoying the beautiful weather. And now I'm posting it from my iPhone, on my network while still sitting in my backyard... Life couldn't be better.

Lincoln is playing on his new play set. We built it last weekend with grandad's help. It only took all day Saturday and then Sunday morning. Good grief. Grandma helped too by keeping L entertained while we worked.

Enjoy the weather... We are!

This is what happens when Grandma buys lunch...

Blog posted here.

Snow in Summeville - woohoo!

I took these photos this morning before anyone got up. I need to get the ones posted from the real camera, not the iPhone.

We all had a great time. Multiple snowmen and snow ball fights (honestly, Lincoln only really cared about throwing snowballs). We also buried Daddy under the snow... Not really sure why but he laid there.

It was great to have snow and I'm glad Lincoln got to experiance it.

Blog posted here.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve was spent doing some last minute shopping, attending the Children's Mass and having dinner at Wewa and Hemi's house (that would be Michael's parents). Edmas cooks a traditional Cuban feast - pork, rice, black beans, bread, and a tray full of fabulous desserts. Mass was Ok this year... Definitely missed Father Ed and Father Liam who both always seemed so comfortable talking to the kids.

After all of that fun, we came home and put out cookies for Santa and treats for the reindeer. Then it was off to bed so the big man in red would come visit.

At 4AM Lincoln woke up and said Santa was here. At 8AM we agreed to get up. LOL.

Lincoln got a bike, legos, dinosaurs, ... He is a lucky little boy! Grandma, Grandad, Wewa, Hemi, Tia, and Lala all came over to spend the day. I really think Lincoln enjoyed having everyone here to play with more than his toys.

Michael fixed dinner - turkey and pork and all the fixins. Quite yummy.

After a long day (without a nap) it was time for bed. I was tired! LOL.

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family close by to share the holidays with. Merry Christmas everyone!

Last Full Day and New Resort

We spent our final day at EPCOT. Played the Piggy Game twice. Enjoyed lunch at the Mexico Cantina and dinner at Coral Reef (one of the attached pictures was the view from the table - we were right up against the aquarium). Lincoln rode Test Track for the first time. He asked if he could ride it every trip so I think he liked it. We walked around World Showcase and caught the Christmas Storytellers in Germany and the UK. We also got to sit and hear the Voices of Liberty sing Christmas carols. Lincoln and I sat up front. His smiles after each song could melt your heart. We visited Character Connection and had pictures taken with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donlad and Pluto

We also moved from Wilderness Lodge to Saratoga Springs. We fly home tomorrow... I can't believe it is over. Time to start planning our next adventure.

An all day Animal Kingdom Adventure

We started the day at the Nemo Musical... people as the puppet characters.  Amazing artistry. 

Next up was a ride out to Rafiki's Plaent Watch where Lincoln pet a goat and a snake.

We took a safari next... saw rhino, lions, elephants, giraffes, cattle, various antelope, Nile crocs, etc.  Excellent safari.

The bird show was next.  I was surprised Lincoln asked to do this again... didn't think there was enough action.  Daddy volunteered to go up on stage and get a close up with a HUGE bird.  Lincoln cheered him on.

From Africa to Asia in mere minutes... we went tiger and bat spotting next.

Jingle Jungle Jammin' parade... the same parade we saw in October but all the floats are "dressed" up for Christmas.  Still fun and we followed it back to Asia for dinner at Yak and Yeti.  Lincoln had been wanted to follow a parade all week - no idea why - but this was a big hit since we did it this time.  We got a lot of close-up time with Mickey since he rides on the back of the last float and we were right at the rope.

Dinner at Yak and Yeti was excellent and by then the park was closing.  We didn't make it to the Lion King show nor did we do anything in Dino-Land... how can people say this park doesn't take a full day?

Tomorrow (Sunday, our last full day) we switch hotels and will probably spend the day in EPCOT.  Want to see some of the Santa "representatives" and we have dinner at the Coral Reef (hope to get a table right by the tank).

More photos

EPCOT tree, Lincoln dancing to the MK party music while waiting for lunch, and Lincoln and Daddy driving.

As tiny as a bug and the 3 year old driver

So we decided that today (Friday) would be all about the things Lincoln wanted to do.  We headed over to Hollywood Studios in the morning to have some play time. 

As we entered Studios, the High School Musical 3 street party was starting.  Mcuh to my surprise, Lincoln wanted to watch… oh joy.  We had a yummy breakfast at Starring Rolls bakery and then headed out for “more fun” as Lincoln keeps saying.

First up was the “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” play ground.   All of the climbing things, slides, etc. are huge blades of grass, tree trunks, spider webs, etc.  It is designed to make you feel like you are teeny tiny down in the grass… really cool.

Lincoln had a good time running around.  He and Daddy went down the slides and crawled through the big spider web… Lincoln got to the top on his own and then needed “help” to get back down.  Daddy to the rescue.

From there, we went over and had pictures taken at Luigi’s with Lightning McQueen and Mater.  Those are all on photo pass – I forgot to pull out my camera or iPhone.

Next up was the Playhouse Disney Live show which features Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins.  It is a puppet type show with a “host”.  Mickey and friends are planning a party for Minnie and the other characters tell stories that help them with the planning.  Really cute and once Lincoln got over the “shy” bug he clapped, sang and danced with the best of them.

We then headed out to catch a bus to Magic Kingdom.  We had decided lunch had to be hot dogs from Casey’s… another of our many traditions.  We also decided on no nap today… Lincoln really wanted to see the parade.

So, after the bus ride over, we went in to Magic Kingdom and got stopped by the short “party parade”.. I don’t know anything else to call it… a few floats, an awesome song… and they sing and dance by the castle every few hours. 

Hot dogs, fries and drinks done we went back up Main Street to try to get Lincoln’s hair cut for the second time this trip.  No luck… too crowded. 

Guess where we went next… to drive cars.  Lincoln loves to give Daddy whiplash.  He got a “Driver’s License” this time.  (that one will go in the scrapbook)

From the cars, we made our way back to Main Street for the afternoon parade.  Had the photopass folks take a few pictures of us along the way.  Lincoln enjoyed the parade… which at this point is really just characters on basic floats to me… nothing spectacular.  I don’t know.

Back to the Lodge by boat… another favorite mode of transportation for Lincoln… and back to the room for more Lego play time.  Dinner was supposed to be at Marrakech in EPCOT but we just weren’t up to rushing over there.  We went downstairs to Whispering Canyon and attempted to “walk up” with no reservations… they told Michael 60 minutes… it ended up being more like 6.  Another yummy skillet… I love the ribs.

And so ended a day of fun for all… tomorrow (Saturday) would be another all about Lincoln day and a first for us… a full day at Animal Kingdom.

Dinner in France and not much else

After nap, Lincoln and I tried to make it to EPCOT for dinner in France at 5PM.  We did not succeed.  It was like a comedy or something… Disney transportation was not our friend. 

We got to the bus stop around 3:45 or so.  No EPCOT bus in sight.  Around 4:30 or so one finally showed up.  Of course, it then had to stop at Fort Wilderness… we got to EPCOT at 4:55 I think. 

Got in to World Showcase and decided to take the boat across the lagoon.  It was unloading so we thought it would be faster than walking around through Canada and the UK.  Got on the boat… and it sat for another 5-10 minutes.

I think we got to the restaurant at 5:30.  Oh well!

It was an excellent dinner as always – the onion soup and crème brulee can’t be beat.

After dinner we had planned to go play the piggy game… sadly (no, I’m not being sarcastic) Innoventions was already closed so we just headed out to the bus. 

We got back to the room and Lincoln and Daddy played with Legos… I never knew car building was so exciting!

Tomorrow (Friday) – Studios and Magic Kingdom… it’s all about play time and parades.

His name... Just Stegasauros