Jack the Transformer

Transformers - More than meets the eye.

Transformers - Robots in disguise.

Autobots (and Jack the Elf) wage the battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons.

Jack the Elf may have to make himself a Lego car tonight!

Crustbreakers 2011

This past weekend we headed up to York for the Crustbreakers' Christmas Party. We always love to go to this party because we get to dress up and have a great time with family and friends. Somehow we managed to not get a group picture this year but every one in the family was there and looking pretty snazzy.

Before we left for the party

Neal (aka Uncle Bo) and Jackie before the party.

On Sunday before we left, we tried to get a picture of all the grandchildren.

This is the best one of the older grandchildren.

Banks wasn't feeling well (only later did we realize he REALLY wasn't feeling well when he threw-up in the car on the way home). Collins was not camera-ready and it showed. Hughes & Kate were great listeners. And Charlotte, well, she was very concerned why we were taking pictures of them and not consoling Collins.

Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug!

First Haircut

Collins got his first haircut last week at 14 months. He was looking a little shaggy/rattail-ish. We took him to this new posh place named Our Master Bathroom and his stylist was his mama.

Before Picture

We wet it in the back to show how long and scraggly it was.

I evened up the back and cut the wisps of hair above his ears. He looks much more polished now and is ready for his close-up.

Lookin' Good!

Day 4 - Epcot

On Friday, we went to Epcot. We went to the Nemo ride first and then went to Turtle Talk. After that, we walked and walked and walked.

The boys inside Bruce's mouth. I guess that's their scary faces.

Belle and the Beast

Hughes did not want his picture taken at this point. Collins wasn't really sure what was going on at this point.

Pooh and Tigger

Funny sidenote: yesterday we were down at Charleston Place looking at the trains and this lady had a Pooh teddy bear taking pictures of it in different poses inside the hotel. Weird? yeah, I know. Anywho, I pointed it out to the boys and Banks said, " yeah, but that's not the real Pooh". You gotta love their innocence.

PopPop and Collins jamming to some Beattles coverband

Horsing around.

And, the real reason we came to Epcot was to see and hear the Christmas Story. When we were there it was narrated by Mira Sorvino. It was beautiful besides the three little boys I had surrounding me who couldn't appreciate the singing and were constantly having to be told to "shhh".

Epcot at night.

We said our farewells to Mickey and Minnie and vowed to come back in a few years. The boys need to grow a few more inches and reach deep to find the courage to ride some roller coasters before we come back. It was a great Disney vacation and I am thankful that I have the best parents who would forego their Iron Bowl weekend to spend the week at Disney with me and the boys.

Thanks BecBec & PopPop, you're one in a million!

Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving Day, we celebrated with a quick lunch with buffalo chicken wraps and hit Downtown Disney. It was the easiest Thanksgiving dinner Mom ever prepared. All she did was pay and throw her trash into the trashcan.

We spent about an hour in the Lego store. The boys were in heaven.

Making their Lego men.

Family Shot with the Lego Family

Riding a bulldog

While the big boys were playing in the outdoor Lego playpark, Mom and I took Collins into the shops and did a photo montage. Who needs to buy all these silly hats when all you want is the picture?

Donald Duck

Hey Mon! Don't Worry, Be Happy.

Abra Cadabra

Seriously, Mom?

Dumbo!

Hughes building. He could have stayed there all day long.

Banks racing his Lego car. He came in 5th.

Next, we went to play putt putt at Winterland Summerland. This is a Disney course and it was great. One course was a Christmas/winter theme and the other was a summer theme.

We choose to do the Christmas course. We like to play putt putt in our family and it's always a competition.

Happy Thanksgiving from our Air Stream to yours!

Hughes playing the ice hockey hole.

Banks ready to go.

The ice castle with moat. You had to time your stroke so that your ball would go over the draw bridge and not into the water.

Collins only wishing he could play.

Frosty shot water from his pipe!

PopPop trying to take the lead.

BecBec started off strong but then fell apart.

This hole you had to time your ball to go under Santa's feet and not get blocked by them.

I started off a bit slow but I'm proud to say I pulled myself together and managed to tie it with Dad. The boys played a hole ahead of us and we weren't keeping their score. They still have a lot to learn as Banks sometimes swings his putter like it's a wood and Hughes picks his ball up and places it right beside the hole.

We had a great Thanksgiving Day and ended it with some midnight shopping at Target for the Black Friday sales - the girls did the shopping, the boys slept at the condo. The day was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

Day 3 - Hollywood Studios

On Wednesday, we went to Hollywood Studios. I knew to go to the Toy Story ride first to get fast passes and I did except we didn't make it into the studios until 10am and the fast passes were already out for the day! We didn't let it dampen our spirits.

At the front of the park. I promise they were excited.

After the Star Wars ride with BecBec and PopPop. Collins and I stayed out to go get fast passes for the adults for Aerosmith's Rock'n Roller Coaster. That has got to be the best roller coaster EVER! I warned Dad to take his hat off but didn't think to tell him to hold on to his eye glasses. Lucky for him, he's still got quick reflexes and managed to snag them before they were lost forever. Mom screamed through all of the loops, twists, and turns. I got to ride it twice and it was awesome!

The car stunt show was most definitely a favorite. Well, except for the explosion at the end. Collins was not a fan of that. Banks was shocked that the REAL Lightning McQueen was there along with Finn McMissile. Cars2 is absolutely on his wish list from Santa.

Before the cars stunt show.

Watching the motorcycle make the jump.

Afterwards, we headed to the Honey, I Shrunk The Kids playground. Unfortunately, every one else in the park had the same idea. It was very crowded and we didn't stay for long.

Collins liked crawling on the back of the ant. Really, Collins was happy all of the time. He was happy in his stroller, he was happy sipping my smoothie, he was happy waiting in line. He was a fantastic baby the entire trip. Well, all for except maybe the last hour in the car on the trip back home. He was fed up by then.

Showing off the mouse ears.

Snack Break.

Salute with the Green Army Man from Toy Story

Well, since the fast passes were all out for the entire day we were left with no other options but to either skip the ride or wait in line. We decided to wait in line for TWO hours. What were we thinking? The boys did pretty well with the wait and finally it was our turn.

Hughes pulling the "ball popper".

Banks playing the game, too.

I can't say the experience/ride was worth a two hour wait.

Tomorrow: Thanksgiving Day and PuttPutt