Disney World 2012

Well, we thought it was about time to take the princesses to Disney World in Florida. Mostly for selfish reasons, we decided it would be best to surprise them, and tell them about it as we were driving into the Magic Kingdom. We were so successful, that they were asleep when we got there.

Welcome to the place where dreams come true! Which is convenient, since you are already dreaming.


It didn't take long for Laura to perk up. It's a small world, Peter Pan, and the carousel made for a great start.


And of course, a lollipop.


Make that 2 lollipops.


Disney knows how to show off, even a Grinch like me is impressed by the Castle.


No trip to Disney is complete without a visit with Mickey!


Given that our girls are princesses, their #1 goal was to meet as many as they could. First off was Aurora/Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty/Princess Scary Blue Eye Shadow.


Of course, Belle in her castle ball gown.


Laura made a point to tell Cinderella that she played HER in her preschool play.


The girls' favorite princess is Rapunzel, so he had to endure a very long line for her. Rapunzel was great, and who knew, the kids loved it.

BTW: They could rename Disney World to 'Line World' or 'Queue World'. I am pretty sure they have a team of psychologists on staff who study how to make you sit in line and tolerate it.


You have to ride the teapots, and the ladies loved it.


Even Mimi enjoyed them!


Dumbo was ok. If was just a 35 minute wait for a 1 minute, it would be ok. However, it made it tougher that some other girl in line purposefully poked Laura in the eye when she told her she wanted the pink dumbo, while the responsible(?) adult just watched. Come on, we're trying to have a civilization here!


Well, the highlight of the trip was dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table INSIDE the castle. The girls were bouncing off the walls, to be sure. Here snow white stopped by to make sure she was having a good dinner.




Aurora with another visit.


Ariel! Anna was really looking forward to a visit with Ariel.


And a visit by Belle in her peasant dress (I guess the formal gown was just too much to wear all day)


The Animal Kingdom Safari was really cool. I vote they could use more animals at the Animal Kingdom, but that's just me.


Baby Elephant getting a drink.


They got to visit with Pooh.


Emily's favorite, Eeyore


And Tigger.


Laura got to visit with Jasmine and Aladdin.


But Anna was a little sleepy.


Back at the room, they kids took turns sleeping in the Bayou.

Birthdays!

Busy days in the Gillespie house.

2 Birthdays and a trip to New Orleans. Whew, glad that's done, just in time for Christmas, which usually keeps the kids on an even keel.

Anna was very excited to show off her new ballerina clothes and coloring book.


Look dad, boxes!


They each got to decorate a cake themselves, and blow out the candles.


My attempt at a mickey mouse cake. Not bad, but from this angle mickey may have had one too many Mickey's before the party.


Laura showing off her ballerina dress.


Emily and the kids made a gingerbread house, Anna's eating the gingerbread man.


Emily did a great job with the house, look at those bows.


The next weekend Laura got her first 'Friends' birthday. 11 Preschoolers plus some school age cousins makes for a VERY full house. We survived, and managed to avoid tears. Here Anna is pinning the belly badge on the care bear. (My knowledge of Care Bears has gone up dramatically in the past year.)


Laura's clothes included a flowery dress and a care bear cape. She picked all her own clothes.


Here she's making a wish.


Blow out those candles!

Welcome Winter

We had the first snowfall of the year. Naturally the kids wanted to get out and play in it.

Winter's back!


Anna loved eating the snow. Just no yellow snow, ok Anna?


Emily trimmed some evergreens, so Laura planted a new 'tree'.


Laura was proud of her little tree.


Anna and her snow mustache.

Happy Halloween

Halloween is here! The whole family got involved.

Anna wanted to be a pink spider. Emily did a great job making the costume.


Laura changed her mind a couple of time, but ended up being a graceful ballerina. She even made the costume herself with clothes from around the house.


Emily as a candy corn witch. It's ok, she's a good witch.


I threw together an Indy costume.

Princess Laura

Not to be outdone, Laura had her photo shoot too. Since she's a princess, she chose to wear all her princess dresses. She helped me pick out and set up the background and was more than willing to ham it up during the shoot.

Laura as Iradessa, the light fairy.


I think this is Ariel.


Laura makes a great Rapunzel, but at least she lets us cut her hair.


Rapunzel giving a kiss.


Laura as Rani, a water fairy.


Strike a pose!


Laura showing off her arm muscles. Flex!


Thanks, Laura, that was fun.

Anna's hat

Anna enjoyed trying on my hat, so naturally I have to take some snapshots.

"My hat now, daddy!"


Don't even think of taking it back.


The fedora / flower combination is a good look.


Usually I see this smirk right before she's going to cause mischief!


Ohhh, The iPad!!!


Laura, let me have a turn!

Up in the Sky

In order to catch some fall colors, we visited the Hyland Hills park in Bloomington. They had an event where they turned on the chairlifts and took you to the top of the hill to get the great fall views.

Laura was SUPER excited to ride 'The Chairlifter'. She wasn't even nervous about flying 20 feet in the air.


Emily and Anna on the chair lifter.


Laura loved watching the trees go under her and see all the kids running down the hills.


Here's our feet dangling above the slopes.


You can see downtown Minneapolis off in the distance. After the chairlifter, the kids played games, looked through telescopes, saw raptors from the nature center, and ate smores right off the campfire.