The Shirey Family Blog - Michael, Joanna and Lincoln

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

Just Stegasauros

Grandma and Grandad are heading home today (Thursday) so we all went to do the traditional Downtown Disney shopping before they left.  I wanted to get as much done as I could so I could send it home with them… this flying stuff and packing small is for the birds!  LOL

Anyway, we hit the Christmas store and the World of Disney before they headed out.  Afterward, Michael and Lincoln went to play at the Lego store and then headed over to T-Rex (new restaurant) where they have a Build-a-Dinosaur place (by the Build-a-bear folks).  I did a little more shopping and caught up with them as Lincoln’s new friend was finishing the stuffing process.  He got a stegosaurus with a shirt and shorts.  Why a dinosaur needs clothes is beyond me but whatever.  We registered him online and had to fill out the info for his “birth” certificate.  When we asked Lincoln what his name was all he would say was “just stagAsaurus” so… that’s his official name.  He does seem to want to call him a T-Rex as well but whatever.

Oh yeah, while we were shopping, the heavens opened up.  It was pouring.  Just in case you were wondering why I hadn’t whined about the hot weather yet… that’s because it was a really cold and windy rain.  We were all wearing shorts and t-shirts and all of our cold weather “gear” was in a car already heading back to Goose Creek.  Ooopsssss.

Back to the Lego store for some more play time and shopping then off to Pucks Express for lunch.  

Tonight we head back to EPCOT for dinner in France and tomorrow we might head to Studios and then MK for the parade… stay tuned.

EPCOT at night

That last picture is Lincoln playing while we waited for Illuminations. Such a good boy!

Another round of the piggy game? I thought we were here for the Christmas stuff...

Yep, you heard me... we had to play the piggy game - AGAIN!  While Lincoln did that, I went to learn to ride a Segway.  Really cool… you can’t even tell you are making it move.  It is so sensitive that the slightest pressure with your toes or heels and it goes.  Fun but over in about 30 seconds. 

We headed off to Germany after that for a fun filled dinner at the Biergarten.  Crazy crowded but always a hit.  Good food, good beer/wine, good entertainment and nice people to share the table with.  Lincoln wouldn’t go down on the floor and dance but he did clap and dance along in his chair.  He even raised his milk glass for a toast or two.  LOL

Dad had never seen the Candlelight Processional so he and Mom got in line for the 6:45 show.  Once we knew they had been seated, we headed up to the America Pavilion to listen and keep Lincoln entertained.  What better way to do that than to go have a chat with the man in the red suit himself.  Santa and Mrs Claus were at EPCOT posing for pictures and making up their lists.  Lincoln went and had a visit… I believe the hippo game (Hungry Hungry Hippo that is) was top on his list this time.  He also told Santa he was on vacation, that this was Disney World and that when he grows up he is going to the big school… that’s his story and he shares it with everyone.  Sweet boy!

I decided to try to shop a bit at that point.  Lincoln and Michael were supposed to be sitting waiting for me.  Instead, every time I picked something up I heard this little voice saying (yelling) “you can’t buy that”!  Not a pleasant way to shop – being heckled by your 3 year old.  (with a little prodding by your husband)

Andy Garcia was the narrator for the Processional and I think he did an OK job.  The whole show is just amazing… will move you to tears.  The choir, the music, the story… beautiful.  Disney does it well.  When the Processional was over, we found Mom and Dad and began our walk around to find a good Illuminations viewing area.  We opted for the bridge between the UK and France… the wind was blowing away from the area and we could sit and lean on the bridge railing. 

OK, so we all know Illuminations is amazing… have you seen the special Holiday ending.  Let There Be Peace on Earth plays with some additional narration and some stunning red, green and white fireworks.  The ending must be more fireworks than the entire normal Wishes and Illuminations show combined.  The sky was so bright Lincoln covered his eyes.  An excellent way to end the day.

(Have I mentioned that I am very disappointed that Disney has removed the Christmas arches between Future World and World Showcase?  If not, this is me mentioning it.  If you have no idea what I am talking about, my apologies.  But this is me putting it out there… I’m disappointed and I hope they “upgrade the technology” so they can bring it back.  They said it was out-dated so they retired it this year – whatever!)