slideshow

Hi! My name is Luke. My favorite auntie (she totally made me say that) wanted me to tell you a little more about our trip to Disney World in December. She didn't take any of these pictures, mind you. She totally swiped them from Nana. Thief. Anyway...


This is me rockin' Auntie's sweet glasses. She pretty much dresses like a rock star. I think I look way better in them though. Plus, look at my sweet ride. It's perfect for waving at the ladies.


Pop and Nana and Great Grandma took me on a boat ride (they made me bring mom and dad though). Note Great Grandma's winter gear. It was about 50 degrees outside. That's swimming weather where I'm from. Wimps. And what's up with Pop's smile? Does he have a fly stuck in his teeth? These are the things I think about....


Yea, it's me. Does anyone else wonder why Nana chose this view of the poor horse? Poor guy. You can tell by my expression that I am wondering the same thing at the moment this picture is being taken. Also, why the heck do they have horses at SEA World. They don't live in the the sea....what? Oh, they pull the beer wagon. Of course. Silly me. I'm sure Uncle Tim took full advantage of that.

So I like to suck my thumb. So what? I think it's cool. You got a problem with that?
As you can tell, I'm trying my hardest to look like I don't belong with these people. I'm mean just look at them? Except for Auntie, the rock star (totally made me say that again), they all look a little needy and crazy. But, hey, that castle was pretty cool. Another crazy factoid. I had a temperature here and Auntie was sick too. But we're made of steel and conquered the Kingdom anyway. Yeah, I'm hard core.


Oh, yeah, I remember this. We were having a serious discussion about actors named Zach and how "they are the cutest ones in Hollywood. You know like Zach Braff and Zachary Levi." (I included links so you will understand who these guys were.) I had no clue what she was talking about, but I like to humor her cause she's 30 and still single. I think she deserves some attention from a boy no matter how old. Plus, that zipper was, like, the best thing to chew on in all of Florida. I WILL listen to her ramble on about Zachs just to chomp on that thing for a couple minutes.


Hey, there's my mom! She says that she loves Auntie and she wishes that she lived closer. Me, too. They must be smiling cause they got to be together for 2 whole weeks.


Dad wouldn't let me do anything but sit on the speeder. If he had turned his head for 2 seconds, I would have been out of there faster than that silly Ewok on the movie. I mean, look at my form?!

I have no idea what this is. I was "NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE" something so intense. I think it was Splash Mountain. Auntie says it's one of her favorites. If it was, why didn't she take ME? I like the water. I like splashes.
Look at the kid in front of them. Uncle Tim said he totally crammed into a seat in between this couple. They had no idea who he was. Now, that's the way to go. Gotta write that one down.....


Please, don't tell me there is proof of this stupid hat. Get it off my head! Now! Mom looks like she's falling asleep and dad has a death grip on me. It's just a boat ride, guys!


My auntie says these are two of her favorite things. Riding the Disney buses and giving me kisses. I agree with the first cause again, I love a sweet ride. But for goodness sake. I have a reputation to uphold. Do I need kisses on the way to Epcot? I say NO! Oooo, but this sweatshirt did have a nice string to chew. That must be why I'm smiling.


Dude, my Pop is so cool. He is pretty much Jack Sparrow's twin. We had just gotten off this sweet boat ride (yes another one) called Pirates of the Caribbean. It had a super fun hill. I got to see anamatronic pirates and ships and cannon balls splashing. I liked it....

So there you go. Hope you enjoyed my little slide show. I'm off to find another sweet ride.....

The EPCOT day

It really is cool up close.
Lunch in Germany. Great entertainment. We had the coolest waitress. She had just celebrated her 20th anniversary of working at Disney. She had come over from Germany when she was young to work there and learn English for year. She ended up loving it and came to stay. We talked to her for a long time.

Lukey played with his cool, edgy Uncle.

Then we walked through France.

All of us big Battlestar nerds (yes, my parents LOVE it too. They started us on a sci fi diet of Star Trek:TNG when we were just little tikes.) were ecstatic to see Adama read the Christmas story. Freakin' Adama! (sorry for the crappy picture, but at least I have it!) So awesome.

He was surrounded by a full choir and orchestra. Amazing.

Then waiting for Illuminations. Photoshoots ensue.
Grandma

The Pops.

Then the bro stole my camera.

He always takes the best pictures of me.

And finally...the big show.

friends in new places

I have to tell you one of the coolest parts of my vacation. It doesn't have anything to do with Mickey or the parks or Disney buses (although all of those things were pretty much awesome.)

A couple months ago, don't remember exactly when, I got a comment on my blog from a girl I didn't know. After looking at her blog, she seemed so cool that I had to comment back. We've been email commenting for a while now. Well, I realized that I was going to be close to her when I went to FL, so I sent her a note asking if she wanted to meet "face to face." She replied with an enthusiastic yes and so we set a date and a time and a place.
I told my family about it, to which my brother laughed. "An internet friend?! She could be a scary stalker." My mom, while verifying our plans for the day, said, "Now remember you don't know her, really. I don't think it would be a good idea to get in a car and go somewhere with her." I laugh about it now (and then, too) because I felt like I "knew" her already. She said the same thing when we met. The thing was that we both loved Jesus, and I knew that was all that mattered.
We met and talked and laughed and had an amazing time. We talked about what God was doing in our lives and what our families were like and what our "real" names were and where we lived since both of us kept it vague on our blogs. It was such an encouraging, fun time. I'm so thankful that God brings friends into my life in all different kinds of ways. I'm thankful that she left a comment and that we've been able to "chat." She is so fun and God is so evident in her life.

It was so cool to meet you, my friend! So cool. Thanks for driving so far to meet. I hope we can do it again. Thanks for being such a glowing light of Jesus. I know He has amazing plans for you in the future!

we nerds travel in packs

Standing in line or waiting for fireworks, warrants an impromptu photo shoot.

Well, one of us wasn't too nerdy. He fell asleep every night in his stroller and had to be carried on the bus. He was so tired the last night, he fell asleep in my arms while chewing on my zipper to my jacket on our bus ride home. It's the only time he isn't squiggly. Isn't it so sweet!
One of my favorite things about Disney is all the kids passed out in their strollers mid-afternoon (nap time) and at night after the fireworks. I love how "family" Disney is. Not like other amusement parks where the teenagers are all over each other and have their hands in each others back pockets. Gross!

evidence

Found in the bottom of my luggage. A napkin from a meal, a Magic Kingdom map, my room key, which doubled as my pass to "extra magic hours," 4 day Hopper pass, Sea World ticket and my movie ticket to Sweeney Todd (loved it. Couldn't believe how many of the songs I remembered.) It's sad when it's over and this is the only thing you have left, isn't it?!

and it looked even more beautiful when it was actually in front of you

Our last day in Disney was at my favorite park, Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, Luke and I were both feeling yucky. We stayed 'til late to see the fireworks. Here's a quick peak at the castle. I took my D50 to the park that day. The rest of the time it was my Easyshare. Man, there is a difference in the quality. Click to see them bigger to get the full effect.

swiped from mom

My hair actually looks pretty here. We were on our Disney safari. I was taking pictures of Luke and not the animals.

Disney transportation. I love those stupid busses. I love that you don't have to pay everytime you get on. I love that the people driving are so nice.

He was done by the time we went home. This picture makes me laugh. He loves to tortue my mom by not smiling when she wants to take picturs.

I'm home tomorrow, so more to come. Can't wait to go through my own! So many to go thru though. Then it's time to get ready for the big New Year's Eve party.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas, everyone!

from me and my Disney lovin' family.
**photos by my mom

back...

...with:

a horrid sore throat

a sick nephew

2 cameras full of pictures to upload

all my Christmas presents to wrap

laundry to do

and a slight case of missing "Under the Sea" on the steel drums every time I get on the Caribbean Beach bus. (I just love Disney transportation. Really, truly love it.)

more to come later...

EPCOT today

The first time I've had time or internet access. We've been having a grand time here. A few highlights...

A safari at Animal Kingdom yesterday.

The Exploration roller coaster 3 times yesterday.

Luke asleep in his stroller.

Fireworks outside of the hotel everynight.

Warm weather, finally!

Disney transportation. I love it!

Meeting a new friend.

OK, off to jump on the bus to EPCOT. Will write again when I can.

first day

I must say that no matter how old I get, Disney still holds that weird special place in my heart. Just pulling up to MGM today on our Disney transportation bus, made me smile a huge smile and do a little skip into the gate. I screamed and laughed and loved every minute of the Tower of Terror. And like my mom says, there's nothing like a Disney park all lit up at night. And at Christmas....it's really is pure magic.
I love seeing the kids everywhere in strollers, especially late at night when they are sound asleep, clutching their newly purchased Mickey or Minnie stuffed animals. Luke was one of those kids tonight sans the Mickey. He LOVED looking at everything. Big eyes full of wonder. He watched the shows and stared at the characters.
So, my favorite part of the day....I don't know. Tonight, after we finished at the park. Oh, wait, I do have to say this.....it was/is COLD here. Like in the low 50's and into the 40's tonight. We were freezing when we left MGM tonight. It's kinda weird to be at Disney and be cold. I had a winter hat and gloves on tonight....
But my favorite part of the day.... I don't know if I could choose one thing. After we finished at the park, we ate dinner at our resort and then headed back out to look around. We rode the monorail to the Contemporary and just happened to see the water parade on the lagoon. (ok, me and my mom ran like crazy people out the door and down to the dock to watch.) My dad asked me how far back I remembered seeing it. The furthest back was about 4 or 5 years old, or at least that's what I could remember. He thinks it was probably before that. The lights are the same. The dragon, the octopus, the flags and stars. So many memories. Maybe that's the best part. The memories that come along with this place. The utter feeling of magic and fun and it feeling ok to be ridiculously excited about Christmas lights and rides. The smiles and laughter and the fun that goes along with it.
And the knowledge that today was just the first day...