Wednesday, August 31, 2016

August 2016 Photo Challenge

It's the end of August and that means it's time to post my photos from the August 2016 Disney Colors photo challenge on Instagram!  (You can see my photos from the May 2016June 2016 and July 2016 photo challenges at those links.)


This month, I had a harder time finding photos for some of the days.  Thus, I realized I don't take many photos of some of the rides like Soarin' or Carousel of Progress.  I'm hoping to take a ton of photos next month during our Walt Disney World trip!  Eliot's also thinking about bringing his really nice DSLR camera!  Between that, our newer phones and our new underwater digital camera, I'm hoping to have a ton of nice photos I can use for my blog, Instagram and these photo challenges!

Anyways, here's what I picked out for August:

Day 1: The Twilight Zone- Tower of Terror in California Adventure


Day 2: It's Out of This World- Tomorrowland at Disneyland


Day 3: Zip A Dee Doo Dah- Splash Mountain at Disneyland


Day 4: Have a Magical Day- Disneyland Entrance


Day 5: In the Good Old Summertime- Blizzard Beach with Goofy!


Day 6: In the Big Blue World- Finding Nemo The Musical at Animal Kingdom


Day 7: Dreams that Glow- Frozen Float from Paint the Night Parade


Day 8: The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness- Big Thunder Mountain Disneyland


Day 9: Welcome, Welcome, Welcome- Haunted Mansion Stretching Portraits


Day 10: Please Stand Clear of the Doors- When I was a Monorail Pilot!


Day 11: A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow- Carousel of Progress 


Day 12: Nice Work Pal- Old Soarin' Entrance at California Adventure


Day 13: When Can We Do This Again? Mickey in Paint the Night Parade


Day 14: Thousands of Sparkling Lights- Cinderella Castle Ice Lights


Day 15: Take the Dream With You Wherever You May Go- Our Dream Wedding


Day 16: It's A Small World- Disneyland


Day 17: Some Imagination Huh? Fantasmic at Disneyland 


Day 18: Casey Jr's Coming Down the Track- Fantasyland in Disneyland


Day 19: When You Wish Upon A Star- VIP IllumiNations Viewing 


Day 20: Shimmering, Glimmering- Spectromagic


Day 21: Welcome Foolish Mortals- Haunted Mansion in Disneyland


Day 22: Under Da Sea- Ariel Ride in Fantasyland Magic Kingdom


Day 23: Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street USA- Magic Kingdom


Day 24: The Backside of Water- Disneyland Jungle Cruise


Day 25: Here We Go- Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade


Day 26: We Wants the Redhead- Pirates of the Caribbean Disneyland 


Day 27: Keep Your Hands, Arms, Feet and Legs Inside the Ride- Disneyland


Day 28: Where the Magic Lives- Cinderella's Castle


Day 29: Did Someone Say Adventure?  Up Float from California Adventure


Day 30: Like A Grand and Miraculous Spaceship- Flower and Garden Festival


Day 31: See Ya Real Soon!  Only 27 days until I'm back home!!!


I might skip September's challenge on Instagram.  I've got so much to do to prepare for our trip to Walt Disney World and our Disney Cruise!  We'll see how it works out!  °o°

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

One Month Until Our Cruise!!!

Only one more month until Eliot and I embark on our first Disney Cruise!!!  It's getting close and I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!

A few days ago, we got our cruise documents in the mail.  We're officially in the final countdown.  This is really getting real.  We're actually going on a Disney Cruise!!!

Photo Source
Eliot and I have dreamed about this for years now.  Originally, our Disney honeymoon was going to be a Disney Cruise.  But at the time, the price for the one we looked at was really high for a 3 night cruise, and for about the same price, we spent an entire week at Walt Disney World.  (I have no regrets.)

But now, the time is right.  We're going to be on the ship with my family and my Key to the World friends.  I'm really glad that we'll have people who we know on board.  I'm not really sure what to expect, but it's less daunting when you know you have other people there with you!  Plus, my family and a lot of my KTTW friends have never been on one either!  I'm so excited to share this experience with all of them!


If that wasn't exciting enough, it's starting to sink in that we're also going to Walt Disney World next month!!!  Our hotel rooms are all booked.  Our Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets are bought.  I can almost taste the candy and hear the parade.

Now, I just have to get the rest of my outfits planned out.  I've got a few clothing items and accessories I've been setting aside to wear this trip!  And I've also got to work on a mountain of ear designs- for myself, Eliot, and my KTTW friends.  But it's going to be totally worth all the hard work in the end.

I can't wait!!!  °o°

Monday, August 29, 2016

Elissa's College Move-In Day!!!

Yesterday was the day!  Elissa is officially living at University of New England!!!  These past few days have been a blur and a rollercoaster of emotions.  Eliot and I have really enjoyed having her stay with us.  And we're excited for what the school year will bring!

Thursday night, we picked Elissa up from the airport.  Her flight landed as scheduled this time around.  We took a few pictures and grabbed her luggage.  Then, we went over to Walmart to get some food, a few snacks and to do a preliminary scan of the college dorm stuff.  We got home late and Eliot and I went to bed.


Friday, Elissa and I hung out at our house.  Still being on California time, she stayed up a bit later than us, so she slept in.  I got a bunch of computer stuff done while she was asleep.  Then, she and I got ready and drove into town to do a little school shopping at Target.  We must have been there for a long time because the next thing we knew, Eliot was out of work and driving over to meet us there.  We paid for her school supplies and then took her to Long Horn for a macaroni and cheese welcome dinner!


On Saturday, we all slept in.  Once we were all up and moving, Eliot and I took Elissa over to Funtown Splashtown for a little bit of summer fun before school started.  The park was busy, but the lines were still reasonable.  Eliot and Elissa went on a few rollercoasters together.  Then, they split an order of nachos while I had churros.  After, we went to the waterpark for the last hour it was open.  (Elissa opted out- instead choosing to watch from a picnic table in the shade.)  Eliot and I went down three of the waterslides together before I went to relax in the pool.  Eliot met up with me a few minutes later and we swam around until it was closing time.


After we dried off, Elissa, Eliot and I got Dippin Dots ice cream sundaes.  I got a birthday cake flavored sundae with sprinkles and it was amazing.  We hung out for a bit while eating our ice creams, then afterwards, we made our way home.  Eliot and I took showers and then we all watched Descendants before heading to bed early.


Elissa didn't have to check in at UNE until 3:00 so we slept in a little bit Sunday.  She started to organize her school supplies while Eliot and I loaded everything into our cars.  We all got ready and then we went to Amato's for lunch.  After, we still had a little bit of time so Eliot swung by his work and Elissa and I went to Michael's.

Finally, it was time to head over to campus.  We got Elissa all checked in and then we went to her room.  Her roommates had already been there and were both set up for the most part.  (So much for making them all wait to check in at 3:00.)  Eliot and Elissa took her stuff upstairs while I stayed with the car.  Then, Eliot took the car to the other parking lot and I started to help her unpack.


We had a few amusing casualties trying to get her top bunk made, but overall, move-in day went pretty smooth.  Once she started to get settled in, we made a list of things we realized she would need.  Thankfully, the list isn't too long.  We did pretty good!

I had an easier time leaving her there than I was thinking I would.  The closer we got, the more I was worried that I would be an emotional mess.  But we reminder her (and ourselves) that Eliot works about 15 minutes away.  Our house is only 30 minutes away from campus.  We've already made some loose plans with her.  And I'm sure she'll come over to watch some San Jose Sharks hockey games once the season starts in October.  Plus, both of Elissa's roommates seem really nice.  That definitely made it easier for me to leave her there!


So, our mission to deliver her to UNE safe and sound is complete.  Thus, another new chapter begins!  Eliot and I are both very excited to have Elissa so close and we're looking forward to a lot of fun adventures this school year!  °o°

Friday, August 26, 2016

Fun Find: Disney Puppies Video

Hi friends!  I have a special Fun Find Friday to share with you!  Today is National Dog Day.  So naturally, I think of all the cute doggies in the world.  I love dogs.  In fact, Eliot and I are dying to get a puppy down the road.  Right now, our plan is to possibly get one as soon as this spring after our house is (hopefully) fully re-painted.

In the meantime, I watch cute puppy and dog videos online occasionally.  But there's one video I've seen a ton of times.  This is my all time favorite YouTube video.  The Disney Channel has started to put it on during their commercials, and every time I hear the music, I stop, drop, and go to the living room to watch it.  Again.  And again... 



I don't think there's any other video that could ever be cuter than puppies in Disney costumes.  They're adorable.  I love how they even attempted at recreating some of the scenes from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Tangled.  The little puppy in the Olaf costume is probably my favorite.  I love Olaf.  And I love puppies.

So, if you've had a long week, watch this.  You'll feel better.  I promise.  °o°

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Elissa Arrives for College

Later on tonight, Eliot's youngest sister, Elissa, arrives in Maine for college.  On one hand, it's hard to believe that the nine year old girl I first met about eight years ago is ready to go off to college.  But on the other hand, I see what a beautiful, smart, strong and caring young woman she's become and I know it's time.


Later on tonight, Eliot and I will pick Elissa up at the airport.  We'll take inventory of all her dorm stuff in our basement that's been mailed out ahead of time.  We'll take her shopping for any dorm room and college supplies she wasn't able to bring or mail ahead.  Then, the three of us will enjoy one last bit of "summer" on Saturday before getting ready to move her in to UNE on Sunday.


Time certainly flies.  But I have to admit how excited Eliot are to have Elissa so close by.  She's stayed with us for 5-6 weeks over the past two summers for "Camp Cady" and it's been a blast.  From going to Old Orchard Beach, to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Six Flags, the Yankee Candle Flagship Store, going to movies, shopping at the mall, working on crafts, going mini golfing to enjoying all that Maine has to offer, we've had a lot of fun.  And while her primary reason for being here is to get an education, I'm sure that there will be plenty more fun to be had along the way!


To me, this new beginning feels more like a homecoming of sorts.  A welcome home to our favorite summer camper.


Welcome to your new home Elissa.  While California and San Jose will always be home, know that you're welcomed with open arms to your other home.  Eliot and I can't wait to see where this new adventure takes you!  °o°

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

2017 Calendars Are Done

As I mentioned yesterday, Eliot and I have been really busy lately.  Somewhere in the middle of everything, I found time to make my 2017 Mickey and Minnie calendars!  And I'm so happy to announce that they're officially all done!


I've emailed them to all of the people who have been patiently waiting for them.  If you've been waiting to ask, now's the time to send a quick email to my blog email account: mydisneylifeblog[at]gmail.com.  Then, I'll send you back the PDF versions.

As always, I'll continue to post at the beginning of each month right here!  Enjoy!!!  °o°

Monday, August 22, 2016

Sweet Summertime

Hi Friends!  I'm back after an unplanned week and a half blogging break.  Eliot and I have been insanely busy the past week or so.  Every night, my head hits the pillow and I'm out cold.  The next morning, I'm up and at 'em way before my alarm is scheduled to go off.  It's been crazy, but everything is good.


It's hard to believe that we're coming up on the end of August!  Some kids are already back in school!  (What?!?!)  In Maine, most of our kids go back after Labor Day.  I never went back before and that weekend pretty much signifies the "end of summer" here in Maine.  While we haven't done as many fun summer things as I'd hoped, Eliot and I have still made time to enjoy ourselves while still being very productive.


Last Thursday, we went over to Old Orchard Beach to enjoy the weekly fireworks display.  We realized this was the last one we'd be able to catch, since this Thursday, Elissa's flight arrives the same time as the fireworks.  It was nice to walk around the beach.  We'll probably go over a few more times before it gets too cold this fall.


The past two weekends, we've gone over to our local amusement/waterpark, Funtown Splashtown, to have a little break.  Last Sunday, we went on a few rides in Funtown, and then ended the day at Splashdown.  Yesterday, we only had time to make it to Splashtown, but a few hours in the slowly setting summer sun was just what we needed before coming home and heading back to work.  The park doesn't close until the weekend after Labor Day, so we're hoping to go a few more times!


We've both been really busy working on our side businesses.  Eliot's had a few soap orders to make, and when he isn't doing that he's been tirelessly working on new IllusionEar designs.  Our lists of ideas are constantly growing.  He's even surprised me with a few he didn't tell me about!  (New England Patriots Ears!!!)  Right now, we're working on designs for my fellow Key to the World friends since our annual conference is about 5 weeks away.  After that, we'll probably be debuting a TON of new designs in my shop.  I'll be sure to keep you posted, but for now, enjoy this sneak peek!


The main reason I've been away from my blogging is definitely the Olympics.  I've been camped out in our living room watching volleyball, beach volleyball, gymnastics, track and field, rowing, diving, running, swimming and more.  My favorites are always volleyball, women's gymnastics, and swimming, but it's so easy to get sucked in to whatever sport they're showing.  Thankfully, I've been making ears at our dining room table so I've been able to work on orders and listen to the Olympics.  It's been so inspiring watching all of the athletes and hearing their stories!  I'm so proud of our athletes and all of their accomplishments!  Go Team USA!


Anyways, now that the Olympics are over, I'm moving on to what's next.  Eliot's and my biggest priorities are making ears for KeyCon, preparing for our Walt Disney World trip and for our first ever Disney Cruise!  I'm glued to my to do list, but things are definitely getting crossed off.  (More things keep getting added, but they'll get done eventually!)


As I mentioned earlier, Elissa arrives in Maine on Thursday, and Eliot and I will be helping her move onto campus next weekend.  Labor Day weekend, Eliot and I are off to California for a wedding!  We're planning to go back to the Walt Disney Family Museum while we're out there.  I'd love to go to the San Francisco Disney Store and we might do a little bit of sightseeing if there's time.  We'll see!

I'm sure these next few weeks are going to be an adventure.  I'm just going to hang on tight and see where the journey takes me!  °o°