Friday, December 31, 2010

Heading to Orlando...

This morning we got up before the sunrise to get to LAX.

We got some goodies and we loaded onto the plane!

A little over four hours later we were in Orlando!!!

We arrived a little ahead of Jammy and Granpa so we filled the time playing some new card games (thank you Santa!)

Lou was so very happy to see them!!! Talk about a welcome!

Sorry this isn't the best photo (I was in the back of a bus when it was taken) but Libi was so excited to see the Walt Disney World sign that she actually squealed!!! Totally awesome-- I might have cried a bit... just a bit :)

We got to our hotel, but there was a bit of a snafu with my folks reservations....

luckily there were cartoons and friends to keep Libi occupied and the issues was resolved without any tears (from any of us!)

Our luggage was finally delivered so we did a quick change and headed out to dinner.

To get to dinner was quite an adventure. We took a boat...

to Downtown Disney.

While we walked to the bus we passed some cool presents which Libi requested to have her photo taken with. We then took the world's longest bus ride to travel less than two miles and made it to...

the Boardwalk resort...

for dinner at Kouzzina!

Yes, we got to eat at Iron Chef Cat Cora's Greek inspired restaurant-- what a treat!!!

Libi was hungry and tired at this point-- so this blurry photo with a cranky child kind of sums up our meal.

Happily, Libi's worst behavior is still pretty amazingly good behavior for most three year olds-- that is why Ron and I were still able to smile :)

Our grouchy girl wouldn't pose with Jammy and Granpa, but I still think the photo is cute.

This poor little blank stare explains why she was cranky-- too much travel, not enough sleep!!!

There were so many great things about the restaurant-- there was an open kitchen! I love when restaurants have open kitchens!

They really love their olive oil there...

and with every meal they do an olive oil tasting. Ron liked the more full-bodied version while I was a fan of the lighter one-- we are ying and yang, complementing each other perfectly :)

To get back to our resort we took a different boat which led us to Hollywood Studios to take a bus. Their tree looks great-- but I'm not sure if we will get to see it again so I snapped a few photos!

During a stop at the food court to grab a cookie and some water Libi was given a balloon and a New Years hat-- she was in heaven!

Actually, we all got hats. Don't we look festive????

Happy New Year's from our family to yours!

Walt Disney World - Day 1

I'm trying to sum up the day in five photos--all taken with my iPhone. Here goes:

Libi has been so excited about this trip since we started planning back in the spring. This is Libi in the airport thrilled to see the Disney logo at the shuttle check-in.

Our big activity of the day (besides checking into our hotel) was starting off our vacation with a nice dinner. Heather chose Kouzzina for our welcome dinner. Owned by Iron Chef Cat Cora, Kouzzina had some very delicious (and spicy) Greek food inspired by the American South.

Cat Cora is known for her collection of olive oils. She has many on display at Kouzzina.

We all got New Year's hats when we got back to our hotel after dinner. Libi said, "Look, it matches my dress!"

It was a long day of travel for our little one. Tomorrow is Epcot and Libi can't wait. Disney Parks are fun, but far more fun through the eyes of a child. Happy New Year!
Ron
Ron Ippolito • rippolito@gmail.com

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Getting ready for the big trip...

Tomorrow is a big day for us!!! We had lots to do, but we didn't want to miss the chance to have lunch with Aunt Janet and help her with her campaign!

The rest of the day was full of packing-- and who wants to see pictures of that??? So instead I will put a photo of a clean girl who is very excited to be leaving tomorrow!

Speaking of exciting... Santa made another stop at our house tonight while Libi was in the tub. It seems that he forgot to give Libi some items for her trip, so he made a special drop just for her.

She was beyond excited to hear this news!!!

Santa brought an Ariel backpack (or packpack as Libi calls it) stuffed with lots of card games for the plane...

new princess PJ's....

and even a Walt Disney World guidebook that doubles as a journal for kids! Awesome!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Lunch and dinner with family...

Today we took Daddy with us to lunch at Pop's house. Libi wore a shirt that used to be mine-- which Nana and Pop brought back for me on one of their Maui trips with Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob.

Libi spent her time today looking through many bags of toys long forgotten.

She and Daddy also did lots of magic tricks that involved a disappearing baby that would reappear in Libi's ear!

After nap and a quick hair re-do...

in which someone was less than cooperative...

We went to have dinner at Grammy and Grampy's house.

It was such fun to hang out with Aunt Andrea and Aunt Violet before our trip!

It was also fun being attacked by the tickle monster!

My amazing Tamron camera lens died at the zoo on Monday (yes, I've had a lot of death this year-- even my appliances!) Today my darling hubby grabbed me a brand new lens just in time for the trip, which I was having fun with tonight after dinner.

It was nice being with family-- but I'm ready to blow this joint and head to Orlando!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A playdate with Grammy and Grampy...

We are still spending most of our time playing with our new toys. Poor Cinderella from MeMe and Pop Pop looks like she is bound and gagged.

After nap Libs went to play with Grammy and Grampy. This photo shows the time Libi was ready to come home.

Ron snapped a few photos of the fun that happens at Grammy and Grampy's house.

While Libi was away we did some more prep for WDW.

I'm glad Libi had fun with her grandparents, but the big news is that....

the new Project Life is in the house!!!!!

I am doing year three with this amazing album and I'm loving every minute of it :) I was so thrilled that I put it together about ten seconds after I opened it! Let 2011 begin!