Grand Prix

Lillian's Monkey Car "Shelby" won 1st place for design at the Awanna Grand Prix.

Birthday trip

For the past 9 years (since we were dating) Rob and I have traveled in the month of November to celebrate our birthdays. Some big trips and some small, some times near and some times far but always together.

This year he surprised me with a trip to a place I love- all arrangements made by him in secret!

For two weeks leading up to our trip, Rob gave me clues to our destination. (I make a horrible detective).

And then the day of our trip finally arrived...
Cheers to our our next adventure.

 One happy Lady.... I am going to Disney World!

 First stop, Epcot

and a meet and greet with the characters :)

 A HUGE highlight for me... Goofy hugging Rob
(Meeting characters is definitely more a me thing then a Rob thing.... marriage the art of compromise)

 A quick game of Rock Paper Scissors

 Before heading over to meet Minnie

 We enjoyed lunch in China (Pot Stickers, Spring Rolls and Honey Sesame Chicken @ Nine Dragons Restaurant) and wandering around the world. We rode several rides including Figments World of Imagination (not nearly as cool as when I was six but a fun trip down memory lane), Soaring (Rob's favorite), Mission to Space and the Test Track.
Then we shared a beer in Morocco on our way to Japan for sushi.

Returning to Epcot together was fun- walking around the world and visiting the different countries that we have actually been to was awesome- a live stroll down memory lane.

We finished at the park and  decided to head to Giodannos for pizza (yum yum) before heading back to our hotel.

 It was an early morning start on our second day as we headed to Hollywood Studios. We enjoyed riding Rockin' Roller Coaster, Star Tours, and Tower of Terror. Plus seeing shows like Beauty and the Beast. It was fun to amble around to the different rides and shows, enjoying one another's company and the time together.

The last surprise of the trip (and there were several) was attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. 

 We watched the castle change to a frozen wonderland by Elsa and Olaf.

 Attended the evening parade (Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade)

And met a few characters too.

Checkout the newest Dwarf...

 The real Grumpy was not too thrilled with his replacement.

It was a magical, fantastic, awesome birthday trip.
I am blessed to have a husband that knows me so well and makes my dreams come true.

Boy and His Toys

Cooper is becoming quite the big boy... he is starting to enjoy going up to his room to play on his own.

 He loves his R2D2

 And playing picnic with his Rescue Bots

 There is always time for a juice break

Kitchen Stories and Picnics

Just a normal Monday night at Casa de Sparkman.

Rescue Bot Picnic sandwiches

 and reading homework while cooking dinner

Halloween

It was a very cold and rainy night on Halloween (even a few snow flurries too).
But the two little Sparkles headed out in the cold for trick or treating with Daddy.

Here is our little Fire Chief and our very own bag of Jelly Beans :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you, the Sparkles

Breakfast and Balloons

The Sparkles

Disney World

Rob surprised us with a day trip the Magic Kingdom and the promise to return for a week long adventure very soon. I was over the moon excited (I love Disney) and the Sparkles were pretty excited too.

After we told the Sparkles that we were going to Disney we asked that they make a list of the most important things to do since we were only there for 1 day.

Here was the list.... (it took all day but we managed them all)

Madison- Ride Space Mountain

Lillian-
Meet Belle
Meet Anna and Elsa from Frozen (well she actually wanted to meet Olaf but Madison said that was unlikely since we were in Florida and it was too hot)

Cooper- Mickey Mouse

As a family we also wanted to ride the new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster.

We arrived at the park just as it opened and headed straight back to Fantasy land.

Planning our adventure:

We first waited in line for the 7 dwarves coaster (Elsa and Anna already had a 90 minute wait and Belle was not open yet).

 There were neat interactive games to play while you waited in line. Lillian enjoyed the gem barrels the best.

 Riding the coaster... Can you spot Cooper behind Lillian?
It was his first big boy ride and he loved it.

 Then off to the teacups- a family favorite for sure.

 The Sparkles LOVED driving cars on the speedway

 and shooting aliens on Buzz Lightyear

 We finally met Belle just before lunch!

 Then it was on to Splash Mountain

 A quick visit with Woody and Jessi

 Then back to Fantasy land to ride Dumbo (Someone was very sleepy and needed a quick nap while we waited).

 The girls also enjoyed meeting Ariel in her Grotto.

While the girls and I waited to meet Anna and Elsa- Daddy and Cooper enjoyed exploring the park together.
They rode Buzz Lightyear again

 Watched the 3D Mickey show

 Stopped by the castle

 Rode the Carousal

 and ended on the People mover (Cooper loves this ride... thanks Nana :)

Cooper even caught a nap while he waited for us- we were in line over 2 hours.

 But it was well worth the wait to see the smile on Lillian's face (and Madison's) when they met the two newest princesses.

 We also snagged a quick picture with Tinker Belle before the parade (the wait was less then 5 minutes)

 And to end our evening.... we finally met Mickey Mouse.
Mickey Mouse even sang the Hot Dog song with us :)

Until our next Disney adventure (which will be very soon)