Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Disney World

Last winter Denna had contacted me to inform me that they were planning a trip to Disney World for their kids spring break and that if we would like to join them there then we were welcome.  It took all about 2 minutes before I called her back and told her that Chris and I were in and to plan on us being there for at least a couple days.

Spring Break finally arrived and with the plans confirmed, Chris and I jumped in our car, made the 7 hour trek, and arrived at Disney World that evening.  We sought out Chris' family, said our hellos, and then settled in for the night in order to prepare for the fun that awaited us the next day.  

We were planning a full day, open until close, at the Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom!


Waiting for our turn to enter the Haunted Mansion.


Loving Splash Mountain.

 The majority of the morning and afternoon we were able to spend with Kelsie, Braden, Brianna, and Emilee.  We had a blast running around and managed to get on the major rides pretty fast.  It was just so much fun being able to spend some time with them.  They are all growing way too fast.

After lunch the kids decided to meet up with some of their friends and so we took this time to get together with Linda and Charlie and act like kids again.

One of my favorite rides of all times.  The Tea Cups.  Chris did all the work and we just sat back and loved every minute of it.

The video is really choppy for some reason, but I'm sure you get the point.  I can't stop laughing because it's like the best time ever and Chris never has time to enjoy it because I make him do all the work.  Poor guy.

Inside Space Mountain.

And then, after taking in the beautiful firework show over the castle, we finally managed to stumble upon Dan, Denna, and their little ones and spent the rest of the night with them riding all sorts of rides until the park closed.  When the night ended we were beat to say the least.  

The next day, we planned the same, open until close at the Animal Kingdom.  I was really excited for this day.
The Tree of Life was awesome and had so much detail.  Loved it.

The very first ride we went on was this Dinosaur one and it was so fun!  I love every facial expression in this photo.  Classic.


The rest of the morning and early afternoon we just went on all the smaller rides and looked at exhibits while waiting to use our fast passes for the two most popular rides in the park, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris.  The waiting was so worth it.  Expedition Everest was a blast!  And then after lunch it was time for the Safari.






The rest of our time that was spent in the Animal Kingdom we rode Expedition Everest over and over and over again.  I never thought it was possible to get tired of a roller coaster, especially one as fun as that, but 8 rides later I found out once again that nothing is impossible.  

Since Animal Kingdom closed early we were able to park hop and visit Hollywood Studios for the remaining hours that that park was open.  We managed to take 2 turns on the Tower of Terror and 1 on the Rockin' Roller Coaster.  The time spent in that park was fast but still fun.  

The day before we left, Chris and I were going to split from the group and visit Universal Studios.  But our constant moving and long days took its toll on us and we just couldn't wake up early enough in order to get there at opening and the close time was super early.  So we just couldn't justify that amount of money being spent with not very many hours to play.  Instead, as the rest of the family went back to Magic Kingdom, we enjoyed a nice lunch and took in a matinee before meeting back up with Linda and Charlie to enjoy a little shopping at Downtown Disney.  It was a very nice evening.  We had dinner, walked in shops, and finished with dessert at the Ghirardelli store.  

 Before we could call it a night Chris forced me to pose with Woody at the Lego store.  Like literally forced me.  He would not take no for an answer.  It was so awkward (as you can tell from my hesitant smile and the way I'm trying to fold into myself in the picture).  And now he is forcing my hand once again by making me put it on this blog.  Here Chris.  I hope you're happy;).

Our little Florida trip went by way too fast but the fun didn't end there.  We had two extra passengers with us on our journey home.  So really, the fun was just getting started.

Monday, May 14, 2012

The Golden One

On March 27th I, Daneile, turned 27 years old.  Thus marking my one and only, Golden Birthday.  My "Birthday Week" was fabulous.  It went a little something like this:



Day 1:  Chris totally played hooky from work and treated me to lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and I treated myself to two sales rack shirts.

Day 2:  Midnight Premiere of the Hunger Games.  Ashley and our friend Erin made shirts for everybody to wear to the movie.  Mine said, "NO I will not volunteer for you!" and Ashley's said, "If this was the Hunger Games, you would be dead already."  Chris and his friend joined us for the premiere and I will just put this out there........  The movie was awful!  Ugh!  Chris and I couldn't have been more disappointed...... and bored! 

Day 3: Birthday dinner at Bonefish!

Day 4:  Since Chris and I were going to be out of town for my actual birthday, Chris decided to give me the opportunity to make my wish early.  Here he is putting his artistic skills to work and making my cake so pretty.

Isn't it so pretty and festive?


Yikes!  27 lit candles.  This is starting to get scary!  I'm gonna have to keep a fire extinguisher on hand for just this occasion in the future.

Birthday Girl making Birthday Wishes

Day 5:  We found ourselves making the 7 hour drive to the "Most Magical Place on Earth."

Day 6:  The entire day was spent in the Magic Kingdom.  I loved every minute of it.

Day 7:  After a whole week of nothing but fun my birthday finally arrived.  With my birthday pin on I walked through the gates of the Animal Kingdom ready to conquer it all.  The pin allowed complete strangers to offer me endless birthday wishes and I was on cloud nine.  I really wanted the opportunity to cuddle with a gorilla, unfortunately it was the one wish Chris was unable to make come true.

I was spoiled rotten with texts, videos, spontaneous birthday song singing on roller coasters, and countless birthday wishes from fellow theme park goers.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  Thanks to all for making me feel so loved and special.

My Golden Birthday was nothing short of absolutely amazing.