A Magical Vacation

Well, we're back from our trip to Hong Kong. It was a really great family vacation. We all had a fun time!  The rain held out and we had sunshine for the whole trip. Which was good and bad. The sun was so intense and the humidity was high.  The kind of hot weather that makes you sweat just standing.  Thank heaven for the many air conditioned shops and rides so we could get a few minutes of relief from the heat.  The pool also helped to cool us off.  In fact, I think Morgan would have been happy if we stayed at the pool the whole time.  There was a water slide that she went down no less than 100 times.  She LOVED it!  

The park was the perfect size.  About the same size as Boblo Island, for those of you that remember that park.  It consisted of 4 "lands": Main Street, Fanstasyland, Tomorrowland, and Adventureland.  Morgan's Favorite ride was the Tea Cups.  Between the two days we visited the park, she went on it 6 times.  Molly even rode it once and enjoyed it too.  "It's A Small World" just opened in this park about 2 months ago.  It was a little annoying, but air conditioned, so we rode it twice. 

We had breakfast and dinner with the characters which was a lot of fun!  Morgan enjoyed meeting Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto.  Molly wasn't too sure about them, but they were good about keeping their distance when we told them she was shy.  Morgan says her favorite characters are Mickey and Minnie.  Personally, I liked Daisy.  She was spunky and funny!  

A big highlight for Morgan was meeting the princesses.  We didn't see any on the first day in the park.  So it was our mission to meet them on the second day.  And we did.  In fact, we walked right up and were the second people to see them that day. Morgan was in awe of the 4 beautiful women and had a hard time talking to them.  But they were great!  They asked her if she had met them before at any other parks, where she lives now and who was her favorite.  Aurora (aka, Sleeping Beauty) and Belle are her favorites.  

We celebrate Mark's birthday while we were in Hong Kong.  When we checked in they gave him a pin to wear that says "It's My Birthday"!  He only wore it for a picture, but the girls and I made him pin it to the backpack he wore around the park.  Also, when we got into the room there was a card for him with a picture of all of the characters.  At dinner on the night of his birthday, I had arranged for a cake for him.  The staff all sang Happy Birthday and presented him with a balloon and party hat.  He was thrilled, as you can imagine.  

Overall, it was a really great trip.  We may even go back in a couple of years so Morgan can enjoy it more, and Molly can appreciate it too!  And we'd like to see more of Hong Kong.  I was really impressed with the airport.  More like a shopping mall with a runway.  And the surroundings were beautiful.  It was very green and mountainous.  Although maybe we'll go when its a little cooler.     

Pictures & Video coming soon!

Hello From Hong Kong

Well the Girls (Morgan, Molly, and Kristen) were out by 19:45 tonight. They are all exhausted from the first full day at Disney. I roped into taking a phone conference tonight so I have been on the phone most of the night. As for the first day at Disney.

We got up early as you can imagine and went to the second hotel on Disney and had Breakfast with the characters in the Hidden Garden. (Pictures Posted Later) Then it was back to our hotel for a quick nap for Molly and for Morgan and I to take a quick dip in the piano swimming pool. The water was great, not to cold but yet refreshing. The pool has a great water slide and Morgan went down about 50 time in and hour. I had to go with her the first time and then she did not want me any were near her when she went down. She said she is a big girl and does not want dad there to help her. This broke my hart a little, but it was fun watching her go down and it game me a chance to work on my tan.

Once Molly was up from her nap we went to the park. All I have to say is WOW. Great little park, just the right size for us. We started with Main Street and went on to Space Mountain. Morgan tried Space Mountain roller coast but did not like it. Kristen and I loved it but could not convince Morgan to go again. We were able to ride Space ships and Morgan was able to drive a car with Kristen. We then moved on to the main castle. Molly and I went back to the hotel for a nap and Kristen and Morgan stayed at the park for a while longer and rode the Dumbo, Carousel, and the tea cups (3x). They then came back to the hotel and we all went swimming.

Kristen had made reservations for all of us to have dinner at the hotel and they surprised me with a birthday cake and all the staff signing. (Uncalled for) Any ways it was nice and I got a card from Mikey and the gang. They made me were a pin that told everyone it was my birthday. (Again Uncalled For).

All in all great day and a birthday I will never forget. We will get pictures and videos of the girls up tomorrow or over the weekend. Have a great day.

All Aboard for Disneyland!!

We are leaving today for Hong Kong to visit Disneyland.  Morgan is so excited.  She has her clothes picked out, knows the itinerary, and the list of princesses she wants to meet all packed up.  She is going to school for a couple of hours this morning, then we will pick her up and head to the airport.  We are staying right at Disney but won't get to the park until Thursday.  We're hoping the rain holds off while we're there.  Right now there is a 40% chance of rain, so we'll see.  We'll be back on the weekend with pictures of course.  

M-I-C.....see you real soon!! K-E-Y...  

Speed Demon

Well as mentioned in an earlier post Molly is on the move.  I have been home off of work for a long four day weekend and have had some time to spend with the kids and play with some of my toys. (Cameras and computer)  Any ways Molly has been so cute todays and has not stopped talking since she got a chance to talk to her Grammy and Poppy this morning.  She has just been a little lover and snuggler with me and has not wanted anything to do with Kristen today.  This is a nice change of pace for me and Kristen needed the brake. I have had the opportunity to make another video of my youngest daughter.  I am not to proud of her or anything.  Well have a great day and enjoy the short movie of my little star.

Molly's New Hairdo

Molly's hair has been getting very long and we are debating if we want to cut it or let it grow out.  As you can see from the picture this is one of the new styles Kristen is trying with Molly to keep her hair out of her eyes.  Kristen and I are still trying to figure out if she looks like an alien or a cute baby.  This hairdo is better in my mind than the alternative.  Usually Kristen buts her hair in a single pony tail in the middle of the top of her head. I personally like this look better.

We have had a good weekend and are preparing for the upcoming trip to Hong Kong.  Morgan as you can imagine is very excited and can not wait to she Mickey and the gang.  She has started marking the days off the calendar till we leave.  I have also started marking off the day as well because this means a few days off of work.  This also means no phone conferences till all hours of the night for a few days as well.

We are excited as well because the family pictures that Kristen setup for us last weekend should be here in the next few days.  I think Kristen has sent out a sample of the pictures that were taken.  We will share the rest when we get them.  The lady that took the pictures for us was very nice and easy to work with.

Well that is it for now from Mark.

Molly Walks!

Well it was bound to happen!  The little one is starting to walk and become very independent.  Enjoy this short video of her walking.

Pictures from last weekend's photo session, Enjoy!