12/04/09 Rescheduled

I was supposed to have a photo shoot today. Outside. This is what all day has looked like. I got some shopping done, but not for Christmas.

12/03/09 Penguin Shop

Aubs had the Penguin Shop today. When I was in elementary school they called it the Secret Santa shop. She picked an ornament for Shawn and I but decided she couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to us. The other ornament in this picture is one of two that Helen and I each bought for gifts. I cannot remember who they were for only that we each got one and that Mom put it into my ornament box when I moved. Aubs also bought herself a bottle of Magic Disappearing Ink. I hope she doesn't use it in the house.

12/01/09 Moon At Twilight

I loved the way that the moon was glowing yellow with the sunset.

Photo Safari Four Park Challenge

I don't know what possessed me to try this. It was a very long day that consisted of the following:
3 Parking Lots
6 Trams
4 Monorails
4 Parks of Disney Magic
1 kajillion steps. I am sure this is what my pedometer would have said if I had remembered to wear it.
2 very tired legs

I have no idea how far I walked today. I decided before I started that I would walk every non attraction* section of each park. Between the walking, tramming, monorailing, and driving I am pretty sure I covered over 30 miles. I am basing this estimate on the fact that the Disney Marathon goes through and around all 4 parks without doubling back, like the trams and monorail trips.

I reached Animal Kingdom this morning at 10:30 this morning hence the safari title. I reached my fourth park at around 3:25 pm. Once I made it through the gate at Epcot, my last stop, I slowed down a bit. I no longer had to beat the sun for the perfect flashless photos. Once I got the additional challenge photos I tasked myself with I rewarded myself with a glass of Rosa Regale. Yum. The pictures below are some of my favorites. Once I realized that I would be able to make it through the park in record time since I was alone, I decided to up the difficulty. My three challenges were self portraits, trees, and Santa lookalikes.

I had so much fun I may come up with future Safari ideas if anyone else would like to play.

For a minute I forgot it was 80 degrees and thought I might be somewhere with real seasons. Our unseasonable weather has caused fall to come to Florida.

Me and Bill

Because during an escape to Disney one really needs to be reminded that they should have finished their Christmas shopping instead of a Photo Safari. I am just glad the Toy Soldier seems to agree. (At Epcot I managed to find a few gifts so that took the edge off a bit. Or maybe that was the alcohol.)

The Lilo and Stitch Tree. It was so cute. I had to have a picture. Okay, three.

*Animal Kingdom has some walking tours that I skipped. They do not usually decorate the animal enclosures. As I found out they also do not decorate Asia, Africa, Rockin' Rollercoaster, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, or Futureworld.

Challenge #1 Self Portraits

Animal Kingdom walking in.

Hollywood Studios at a window display on Hollywood and Vine.

Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland.

Epcot in American adventure in front of the Giant Gingerbread House.

Oh, did I mention that I have lost 20 pounds? :)

Challenge #2 Trees

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Each of the parks has a very large tree outside of or just inside the main entrance.

Challenge #3 Santa

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

After the first two parks had men that looked just like Santa I thought I should go for four. I am pretty sure the last one was the real deal. He was jolly, helpful, and wearing red.

Saturday

Blogger has decided to post the pictures in the reverse of my choosing and also the reverse of how they happened. Today was an eventful day and we have not been home for too long. Aubs had ballet this morning and it was parent participation today. I asked Amanda if she would mind taking some pictures for us. Aubs and Jack are particularly close with two of the assistants and they played photographer for Mellie and me. Amanda may just be responsible for both the cutest and most embarrassing photos of Aubs and I ever taken.

We mailed a letter to Santa while we were at the mall with my cousin Danielle and her boyfriend. If you mail your Santa letter from Macy's they will donate $1 per letter up to 1 million to the Make A Wish Foundation.

We went to see the Nutcracker today. Don't worry photos were allowed. It was put on by a local company and was absolutely amazing. A coworkers daughter was Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy. They told us she had an off night this evening but I honestly couldn't tell. If this was a bad night for her I cannot wait to see her on a good day. She was breathtaking and definitely had a presence on the stage.

Dr. Seuss Tree

We have this tree growing in the corner of the yard. I have no idea what it is. To me it looks like it should be in a Dr. Seuss book instead of my yard.

Moon

The moon is really beautiful here tonight. There is a giant ring around it tonight. I tried to capture it on film but the telephoto was too close and my 18-55mm didn't quite work out. I did however end up with a lovely picture of the moon. Unfortunately I hadn't grabbed the tripod on the first trip out so to keep myself from moving I laid on the ground and held my breath. The other unfortunate part was that the neighbors drove up as I was doing this and since he is a deputy his mind went to worst case scenario and he almost called 911. We had a good laugh about this. I did not realize that so many fun stories would be generated by the Photo A Day challenge.

Happy Birthday Jake

Happy Birthday Jake. We love you and miss you.

I wanted to get a Marines ornament for our tree but have not been able to find one. I thought Patriotic Mickey would work for now.

We Needed A Little Christmas

We have been in a decorating frenzy this weekend. Aubs and Shawn put up the outside lights yesterday. Today we put up the family tree as well as all of the candle holders and little counter/table top items. We have had some Rudolph figurines up on a display shelf for a few years. We had been keeping them in the boxes because they are collectibles. This year we decided to take them out and enjoy them. We now have a little Rudolph scene under the tree.

Aubs ended up with a 3 foot tree for the snowmen. When we tried to put the snowmen on the tree I had bought for them we realized that it was not nearly big enough. We had a spare tree in the garage and put that up for her. I ended up using the IKEA tree for our Irish ornament collection.

I couldn't figure out which photo to post so I put two.

Reason #67...

...That I love IKEA. These delicious little cinnamon rolls from their Swedish Grocery section. I am not a big fan of icing on my cinnamon rolls and was very excited to find these. They are delicious. Aubs loves them too. I also threw in my coffee because I found a very yummy Christmas Blend at Barney's Coffee and Tea. It is a cinnamon amaretto blend. I don't usually like the flavored coffees but this one is just right.

In case anyone is wondering I most certainly put the cinnamon rolls on that plate for the picture.

So Far So Good

Alternately titled: Why I Am Pretty Sure My House Will Not Get Cleaned Today.

Eight Years

Today is our eighth wedding anniversary. Shawn brought me these flowers last night since I have to work this evening. With all the preparations for Black Friday I forgot to put in a request for today. We usually wait until the weekend anyway and I have Sunday off. I guess this is my public apology to my husband.

I love you baby. I hope we are together for many more years.

Holiday Magic

Okay not exactly but maybe just a little. I have noticed lately that the leaves are changing. We have had a much cooler fall than I remember. I have been meaning to take my camera with me for the past couple of weeks. I finally had it with me on Thanksgiving and pulled off to the side of the road at dusk and snapped a few shots.

I have also been wanting to do a fun handmade Christmas project. I couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to make and today I decided to make another Advent Calendar. Aubs and I made one last year and had a ton of fun and ended up with a great keepsake. The numbers on the right side each contain a chipboard ornament that has been run through the Xyron sticker maker. I folded a tab so that Aubs can easily remove them from the pocket. I will try to take a picture on Christmas Eve so everyone can see the complete tree. I also added a picture of last years Advent Calendar.

I am also going to try to do a Photo A Day until Christmas. I have never done one of these before so we will see how it goes.