I'm Back!

 Leaving the house!

 It is going to be a long trip!!! 1500 miles!!

 It is fun to see WDW in your GPS!!!


Hello fans! I'm back from my birthday Palooza trip to WDW, Disney Cruise, Lego Land, and back to WDW for MVMCP!!!! Phew, I'm wore out! Now, I tried uploading all my memory cards and discovered my hard drive is full! :-(    I got about 300 pics uploaded, that is it.

So, I now have to go to the store and see if I can get a bigger hard drive. Pictures and blogs will have to wait. I have all kinds of interesting photos from AKV, the parks, the Dream, Lego Land, and OKW to share with you.

Thanks for your patience!

Cozyflier

Another Countdown or 2 or 3!

Just 7 days and we will be in Red River, NM! Why, you ask? Knowing how I feel about snow and cold! Well, Kevin and the kids, and when I say kids, I mean all FOUR kids want to ski!!!!!! So, we will head to the slopes. Usually I shop, peruse the local digs, and take lots of pictures. However, since I will be going to WDW in March, I will be saving my $$$ for Disney!! So, I'm taking my computer, a good book, and of course the camera! I will sit inside the lodge, watch them warm up on the bunny slope, take my pictures, send the water camera with them which is freeze proof to 10*, and find a fireplace to sit by!

I just found these really nice books at Barnes and Nobel. They are leather bound, gilt edge, and have multiple titles in one book. For example, Jane Austin is 'Seven Novels'. I just finished re-reading 'Pride & Prejudice'. There are 6 other titles in this book and I'm looking forward to reading many of them. I also bought leather bound Sherlock Holmes, I use to read Holmes in junior high. There are 6 or 7 novels in this book also. The best part, these books are only $19.98! I'm hoping to find the Jules Verne book for Kevin, I think he would enjoy that one.

Anyway, I digress. This week will be spent getting ready for the trip. The house sitter is lined up, so R2-D2 and Gizmo will be happy, Chris has a friend watching his place, and I think all the ski gear still fits the kids! That will have to be checked this weekend.

We know that with all the wild weather Red River has received abundant snow, so I know the gang will have a blast and I can already hear the stories of AJ zooming down the mountain and jumping small moguls!

Pray for no broken bones or blown knees. (That is another reason I don't ski)

7 busy days ahead, lots of laundry, lists to be checked and double checked. Oh how I dread packing.  The X-cargo will have to be put on the van, with 6 of us going and all the ski stuff we will need all the space in the van!  The trip should be fun.  Haven't seen Tyler since Halloween.  After we get back home it will only be a couple weeks ~

Then it will be final prep for Amelia and Kev to go to Europe! Wow, the time has gone by fast. It was a year ago that we started planning for their Spring Break trip!

While Kevin and Amelia go to Europe, I will be in Florida as I mentioned above, we had vacation points that had to be used, so AJ and I will spend break at my happy place! Be forewarned! By the end of March this blog could turn seriously Disney!

For now, happy weekend!

Cozyflier

73!

73!!! Can you believe, only 73 days Let me count the ways! ? Lets see, 73 is just over 2 months! How many more times can I use the number 73? Remember, this is our 25th anniversary cruise.

Seriously though, my first ever cruise, I'm soooooo excited, can you tell? Thursday was the day to book excursions. We are swimming with the dolphins. I have a love affair with dolphins (don't tell my husband!). I've managed to swim with them 2 times before and I'd do it a 1000 times more :) However, Tyler, Amelia, and AJ have never had the blessed experience. Kevin did in Mexico with me back in 2007. Only good memory of that trip!

Also, Kev, Amelia, and AJ are going to try SNUBA. Can you figure that one out? The kids are too young to be certified (at least here) for scuba, and Kev wants more than snorkeling. So SNUBA is the new thing! I'll send the water camera with them!

OK, one BUMMER ~ I'm in SHOCK ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I've been wanting to renew our wedding vows on the beach, Amelia and I in white sundresses, the boys in white shirts and shorts, all bare footed, nice and simple. Got the picture?

I talked to Disney, apparently to do this with them, you have to buy the complete package, photos, cakes, steam the dress, 50 guests, strawberries and champagne to the room, souvenir cake topper and cutter, and on and on it goes!!! The price tag for this you ask? $2,500!!!! Needless to say, we aren't doing it the Disney way!!

I'm going to go online, order the bride and groom ears, have them embroidered with our wedding date, and Kev has suggested that we write some vows and let the kids read them and do the photos! We can pick a spot on Castaway Cay that should work just fine! Amelia and I can wear our dresses over our swimsuits! Isn't Kevin lucky he married such a reasonable woman?!!!

So, 73 days and counting and much to do!!!


Cozyflier

Huckleberry Cafe

Go ahead, tell me I'm crazy right now, I'm waiting! I still have Mt. Rushmore to show you and other 'cool' places that we went and I'm blogging about a cafe? YES, I am!!! This small cafe was one of the best places to eat in Big Sky. If you are ever up there, go to Huckleberry's. Best biscuit & gravy in the world!! This little place is 6 miles down the mountain from all the ski resorts, therefore the prices are more reasonable! But I just fell in love with the atmosphere and kept taking pictures. See for yourself.




Speaks for itself!


OK, the 'bar' was decorated in old skis. I found myself fascinated by this and my mind clicked and took this picture. I'm rather proud of it!


When the cafe is busy and you have to wait for a table, you'll be surprisingly comfortable sitting on the ski bench!!



While waiting for your food, you won't be board, there is plenty to look at, you just have to look in every direction!




Since I've been painting the house and my niece has been glazing everything in sight at her home, this floor really caught my eye!
The ski resort has to make summer income, so ski trails are used for mountain bikes! However, I did find the kind of bike I had as a kid - High handle bars, banana seat, and slick back tire! Amelia and AJ were not impressed by Kevin and I reminiscing!
Someday they will understand!

GREAT food, fun atmosphere, and friendly staff. What more could you want in a place to eat in while on vacation? Try out this little cafe, you'll be glad you did!

Cozyflier

Doe, a Deer....

To say we saw a few deer on our trip is an understatement! It is amazing how fast Kevin can stop my van while we are racing down the highway and he spots a deer! Bless him for pulling over countless times so I could induldge my photo habit!

Here is a small sampling.











Now wait a minute, the sign on the road said, curve ahead, NOT Deer Xing!!!!




This fella, he was with a group, when we stopped, he ran along side the road and would pause. Then he would start up again, I think Kev got up to about 16 mph or so. This guy finally lept across the road, RIGHT smack in front of our van! Wow, I love nature!!

Check out Camera Critters for more cool pictures!

Slip, Side, & ?

Sorry, back to vacation pictures! On the Saturday we were at the Huntley Lodge, they had an afternoon of fun activities. Water slides, inflatable jumper, volleyball- well a sand area and net. Fun was being had by all. See for yourself.


Wet Slippery Fun!!!







HIGH Mom!



Kickball on a volleyball court!!!



Don't fret, I Still have Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, & Little Bighorn photos to share with y'all! See, bet you are sorry you read this silly blog now, right?

Have a great week, I have 3 PTA meetings and roofers STILL aren't finished. Oops, that's another blog!

Cozyflier

Really Small Town!

OK, I have to admit, I'm a city girl, born and raised in Chi-town and the suburbs! That is Chicago to you blog friends who might not know the slang! I live in a relatively large city now, 225,000. I've also lived in small towns. With Kevin being a physician, he practiced medicine in rural Oklahoma. Now, I thought a town of 1,500 was small, but while Kevin was driving, the above sign caught my eye. This is a REALLY small town!!!

I also LOVE that fact that in Montana and Wyoming they put the elevation of the town on the signs. I found that unique!

Can you tell I was bored when I actually let Kevin drive some of the trip?!! I was taking pictures of anything!!!!!!!!!

Cozyflier

24 Years Later......

Cave of the Winds, a very cool place, pun intended! Kevin and I went there on our Honeymoon 24 years ago. We hiked all over the Rocky Mt. National Forest. That was then, this is now.

On our way to Montana, we went through CO. Intentionally we stopped so we could take Amelia and AJ up to Pikes Peak and into Cave of the Winds. Kevin loves caves, has always been fascinated by them. I like them too, their beauty astounds me. Nature and the Lord are wondrous. Here are a few pictures from our hike into the cave.



















Please remember that these are 'raw' photos. They have not been doctored or touched up in any program. I've just uploaded to the computer and thrown them onto the blog. I don't own expensive software, and have been too busy with my Mom and painting to mess with photos!!!!!!!

Cozyflier

Zipping Away!

Big Sky Montana, Zip Lining through the mountains having a blast!!









Oh this is so much fun! Even Kevin who is afraid of heights did this!!!!! Yes, he is a pilot and he is afraid of heights. Makes no sense I know!

Anyway, if you ever get a chance to Zip, do it, it is a thrill!!!

Cozyflier

Did You Pop Your Ears?

This is the question I found myself asking the kids on this trip! We live at a measley elevation of 3,280' here in Lubbock. When we fly it is imperative that we 'pop' our ears. The kids have been to the New Mexico mountains skiing, but nothing like Pike's Peak.

Do You Remember This???????????

I'm not trying to date myself, but when I was a kid growing up in Chicago Sinclair Gas was very Popular. Every kid wanted to have a dinosaur!!! In Chicago I'd say around the 1970 Sinclair was bought out by if memory serves Amaco.

Imagine my Shock and Surprise when I drive into Colorado and see Sinclair gas stations all over!!! I even found a Dino for the kids!!!!!!!!!!!




Remembering the good 'old' days!!!

Cozyflier

Trip Stats

2280 Miles Driven in 9 days on the Road,

A Zillion Pit Stops,

41 hours Drive Time,

25 Road Construction Sites,

100 + Deer Seen,

18 Elk,

1 Bison,

1 Hawk,

15 Movies in the Car,

8 CD's,

8 States,

6 National Forests,

6 Hotels,

10 Thunderstorms/Downpours Driven through,

1 Awesome Lightening show,

1 Mt. Peak - gone to the top,

Several famous Mt. Ranges,

1 Famous Geyser; 30+ other geysers,

2 Caves,

3 Zip Lines,

3 Memorials,

?? miles of Hiking/Walking,

2 Exhausted drivers,

2500+ photos taken,

AND,

TONS OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have my computer back!!!!!!! A friend fixed it while I was gone :)))

So, now that 9 loads of laundry are done, and the house is somewhat cleaner, I'm uploading all those photos to see what I have!

I'll start blogging about different parts of the trip. I have lots of topics now, watch out!

Happy weekend,

Cozyflier

Yellowstone Elk

Seen in Yellowstone Park - wish I had a better camera.

Go to :Camera Critters to see other animal photos.

Later, still on vacay and have a 20 + hour drive home!

Cozyflier

Something's Wrong.....

We are leaving town Sunday for a 12 day trip. I haven't started packing! You are talking to the woman who usually packs a month before a trip! I'm use to shipping trunks when we fly and they have to leave a week ahead of time, so I'm really use to having things done early.

However, doing Amelia's room has re-set my focus and caring for Mom. Time is flying by and all of a sudden it hit me, we leave in 4 days and I'm no where near ready!

No piles of clothes set aside, no snacks for the car, no movies for the car picked out, laundry hasn't been run to the end of the earth, and I don't know exactly where the suitcases are!

Guess I better start thinking Montana, Medical conference for Kev, Yellowstone park, and Mt. Rushmore. Oh, and 4 hours with a National Geographic Photographer! Maybe that will inspire me to get in gear and get ready to go!

Did Someone Say Cruise?

Ever since I was about 9 years old I've wanted to go on a cruise! I don't know why, just something I've always wanted to do. Next year, June 8, 2010 will be our 25th anniversary. Kev gave me the OK to use our DVC points and book a cruise for then!!


Yippee, We're, going cruisin!!!! I can't wait, I've been researching everything about Disney Cruises, ordered a free DVD, and have found a countdown banner for this blog but can't get it to load, hmmm.

So, be forewarned, over the next 460 days you'll be getting updated about Disney Cruises as I learn! I consider myself an expert on WDW, but a complete newbie to cruising :)

This will be an exciting adventure and I will learn a lot, I'm sure. First up, getting kids their passports! 5 of us going, our 21 year old wasn't sure about a cruise, college or whether he would be graduating and starting a new job!!




Cozyflier