Day 2 - Hollywood Studios

Our first park stop was Hollywood Studios. I found a website that had premade itineraries and we used these as a guide, didn't follow them 100%. The first "rule" we broke is the itinerary stated to arrive at the gate 30 minutes prior to the park opening, that didn't happen on any day. We normally got there an hour after the park opened.

We knew about the FastPass, but weren't 100% on how it worked. The itinerary said, arrive 30 minutes prior to the park opening and as soon as you get there get a FastPass for the Toy Story Mania ride if the wait exceeds 20 minutes. Well, we got to the park an hour after it opened and Mom and Ali went to get FastPasses for Toy Story Mania, when they got there the return time for the FastPass was between 7:00 p.m. and 7:20 p.m., which was fine, however they needed all of our park tickets and they only had there own. So they didn't get FastPasses. The wait for the ride exceeded 1 hour, which is very rare for this time of year, but Hollywood Studios doesn't have many rides and this is rated one of the #1 rides in all the parks. (It is new and the recent movie, which all makes sense.)

So it was time for a Disney Live show, so we went to that

Disney Live!!
Then Avery got authgraphs from Goofy and Pluto

Chicken house in the Hanna Montana - The Movie

Walt Disney's original plane

Getting back to Toy Story Mania ..Story, by the time we went back with all of our park tickets the FastPass line was sold out, so we kept watch of the wait time on an iPhone App (very neat app). The wait went from 60 minutes, to 90 minutes to 120 minutes to closed... Yikes what were we going to do as this was a must in Avery's eyes. Well, it just closed for a little while, technical difficulties I guess. Well, we ate an early dinner and they walked by the ride, it was a 90 minute wait. What to do, if we want to ride, I guess we get in line. There was a lady getting off with her grandkids and I asked her if it was worth the wait and she said absolutely, so we get in line. We were in line for an hour, but it didn't really seem like it as there was plenty to look at while we waited.

Avery and Ali with their 3-D glasses on, yes the ride is 3-D

Our family after riding Toy Story Mania!!

Picture with Woody and Buzz

The lights on the buildings danced to Christmas music

What Avery liked best at Hollywood Studios was the Toy Story Mania!! ride, which ended up being worth the wait.

Day 1 - Downtown Disney

On the evening of our arrival we went to Downtown Disney where there are lots of shops and fun things to look at.

Waiting for the bus to pick us up at the hotel to take us to Downtown Disney

Entrance to Downtown Disney Downtown Disney's Christmas Tree

Yes, these are built out of legos. Can you spot Avery?

We ate at Planet Hollywood and the waitress was explaining the menu,

we laughed so hard because Karter was showing so much interest

Cheers!!

Before we left Downtown Disney we made the important purchase of an Autograph book so Avery could get the characters autographs at the parks!!

Walt Disney World

We wanted to take Avery to Disney World during the off season before she starts school, so this year had to be it. We first talked about going in January or February 2011 since Karter would be going along and we thought it would be easier the closer to one he was. Then we thought that it would be good to go during the Christmas season to see all the added extras they have. This past June we made the decision and booked our trip for December 2010. Now that we are back I think we made the best decision. Although the weather was unseasonably cold, lows in the 30's and never got out of the 50's, Karter was a trooper hanging out in the Baby Bjorn and we didn't have to rent an extra stroller for Avery because being it was cold she didn't poop out on us and if she needed a ride she would get into Karter's stroller.

Now for a post for each of our days.......

Neighborhood Winter Fest

The first weekend in December our neighborhood had a Winter Fest, even though it was 80 degress outside.

Avery's 1st Camel ride (Ali's too)

2010 picture with Santa

Karter is 9 Months Old

Our baby boy is going to be a year old in just 3 short months. This past month was very busy. His bottom 2 teeth came out, he survived his first stomach bug, he enjoyed his 1st Thanksgiving (especially the outcome of the football game : -) ), we had to move the crib mattress down, he started crawling and he enjoyed his first trip to Disney World (once I get all the pictures in order I will post about the trip).

At his 9 month check-up he weighted 20 lbs and 15 ozs (60 %) and was 29 inches long (80 %).

Dewberry Farms 2010

Some of the crew gathered at Dewberry Farms this past Sunday. The weather wasn't too nice, but the kids had a good time and it wasn't crowded at all - which meant no lines!!

All bundled up

jumping on the pillows
Karter trying out the slide with daddy

Avery going down the slide SLOWLY....

These are some really cute kids, don't you think??

Thank goodness we have 11 more years until Avery drives, but looking at her skills on Sunday she needs another 20 years!!

bag swing

riding the ponies

The kiddos, Karter even got to participate in this one.

Silly faces!!

Looking forward to next year, Karter will get to enjoy the activities!!

Karter is 8 Months Old

Can't believe Karter is 8 months old. He is a happy, smiley and lovable little guy. He loves rolling around on the floor and spitting his food at you when he eats. When he sits he rocks back and forth, so it won't be too long and we will have a crawler. He will turn in circles while sitting to see what Avery is doing, when we call his name or to reach for a toy. He is trying really hard to pull up and he giggles while doing it. He is just a happy little fella!!