January 2012 was a very busy and different month for us and I never actually did any blogs. I have a blog to begin February with a list of things I missed blogging about so I am going to add our two favorites with a blog here (because they are needed for the next post and because this is basically the boys baby books so I want to have them documented for Z).
Trip to Oregon to meet Family for Zachary
To start off 2012 we had just finished getting tubes in Zachary’s ears and made a surprise trip to Oregon to replace our cancelled Christmas trip.
We were with Jered and Allison for a very relaxing and cozy New Year’s by their warm fire and some beach time to take in the views of the big waves.
We spent the beginning and ending of the trip at the Holm’s in Portland.
All bundled up for the cold weather.
Picture time with Gabe & Jered and Nana & Papa.
Meeting Uncle Jamin for the first time.
We were even able to see Yvonne and Toby and have all the boys meet.
Even more bundled up then before hanging with Aunt Janna.
And hanging with Uncle Holm and my naked Nephbabies.
My baby, my Nephbabies and me all dressed alike for picture.
Cuties all dressed for bed. (Zachary actually just worn these jammies two nights ago, they were a little big at this time but he hasn’t grown much in the past year).
Just before the New Year we had a dinner and the Wiens with all the Salem area family all together in one house. We forgot to bring in our camera and it was such a fun packed evening we never went back out to get pictures. Others were taking pictures of and we planned on getting them but we still have not, which is a good reminder for Grandma Luella or Cheryl if you have pictures and are able to please e-mail them our way. We pretty much spent the entire week just hanging out with the family and taking walks. We were lucky to have it work out to see all our area family in one trip, but we missed many of our close friends and hope to be able to focus on seeing them on our next trip to Oregon. It was a fantastic trip and a perfect way to start the New Year.
Disneyworld
Zachary’s first trip to Disneyworld, although he didn’t really know what was going on and the trip was really for us. A bit of a temperature shock going from being bundled up in Oregon to cruisin’ around Disney in the sun all day.
He did meet a few characters. Disney, as well as most theme parks, has a parent line where you only have to wait once and the second person can take the pass the first one received and go straight to the front of the line. This allowed us to still ride the rides efficiently. And the way Disney does it the kid never has to wait in line so the other parent could be changing diapers, feeding Z or just playing around with the characters in the area.
Although Zachary was able to “ride” the Haunted House ride with us, above is the newly renovated line area with interactive tomb stones. The one in the picture plays the instrument when you touch the picture so as a group you can be a band. Although we didn’t wait long in any lines ever since it was off season in mid-January.
Meeting Mickey and Minnie for the first time. He was mostly indifferent but a little scared at first. Now he would be thrilled! He asks for Mi Mooue everyday.
The train ride around Magic Kingdom. This was the first time he really sat up by himself like this and he was watching everything, he looked like such a big baby to me. This was the first time he started to take on the attributes of a toddler in my mind.
We spent the second day at Animal Kingdom, which means…
EVEREST! It is a blast and should be ridden many times.
Have you ever seen a Hippo sleeping? I hadn’t either but they are actual cute despite being the animal that causes the most human deaths in a year (or so I read). And the napping hippo put Zachary to sleep. For those that have not been to Animal Kingdom it is a standard Disney park with little Zoo’s interspersed in each land. This is on a nature walk, it ends with a bat room, not cool, but the rest was cool.
Safari Time! The African Safari is the highlight of the park. And for some reason while were driving through in our Safari bus these two got upset with each other and starting gently fighting (in an animal appropriate way)and chasing each other. The last picture is an action shot of the pull chasing the Giraffe just after the Giraffe moved. We have done the Safari tour many times in our different visits to Disneyworld but this was the best one, you never know what you will get with live animals. Z was less interested than I expected, it was about the same level of excitement as the train ride the day before.
On the train ride to the back area of Animal Kingdom Z had to take a nap. Once the train started moving and the whistle sounding he perked back up. The back area is a petting Zoo (which we skipped because that is gross), an educational area and the backside of the safari. All the elephant cages, etc that look like a regular Zoo setting rather than the free range Safari area. The most interesting part of this are for me was the kitchen and the surgery room. We had not taken the time to do this in past visits but when you ride the rides less you have more time for the other entertainment. We also went to a few of the shows, Nemo and the Lion King Musical with acrobats.
And of course there were plenty of frozen treat stops along the way on both days (although not documented as well as normal).
We ended our day at Animal Kingdom with a couple more times on Everest since the lines were nothing late in the day.
We stayed just across the street from Universal Studios because Austin was going to a training course at that hotel for the week and wouldn’t have to change rooms. Monday Zachary and I took advantage of being around stores and did some needed shopping at Ikea and other places and then met up with Austin for dinner at Margaritaville. Margaritaville is at Universal Walk (similar to Downtown Disney but Universal Studios version), a beautiful view sitting on their entrance lake outside.
A wonderful family vacation, short but very enjoyable with great memories.
January 2012 Random Post
To catch a few other items from last January here is a random post.
Austin and Zachary on Hilton Head, we spent the day watching gymnastic meets and roaming on the beach.
We have planned to stay here (Marriott on Hilton Head) for a “staycation” during the off tourist season but when it is still hot out and haven’t done it yet.
And Zachary turned 10 months old.
This red train sweater is one of my favorite pieces of clothing on him.
And now you are caught up on the beginning of 2012. Next up the end of 2012 and the 2012 Year in Review.
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