Disney World, Part 1

This year the PICPA held their annual conference at Disney World. This worked out perfectly for us, because our kids are at a great age to enjoy most of the rides and we were able to get a deal on our hotel.

We flew out of Latrobe (another plus - it's only 10/15 minutes from our house) on Friday evening (June 20th) and made it to Orlando around 8:45 that night. Once we had our luggage, we made our way over to the Disney Magical Express Bus. The airport is about 30 minutes from the hotel, so we didn't get there until after 10:00.

Goofing around on the bus

We stayed at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It is a beautiful hotel right on the water (and directly across from Magic Kindgom). We pretty much just checked in and went to bed.

Saturday morning, we all slept in a little and then met Tim and Diana for breakfast at this cafe on site. After breakfast, we all went to Hollywood Studio's. We had fast passes for a few rides - the first one being Toy Story Midway Mania. Grace was a little unsure about it, but everyone else had a fun time shooting at the different things. We also watched the Muppet 3D show (cute), took the Backlot Tour (Tim was even in a "Movie") and let the kids play in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids area.

Tom and Tim left during all this fun to attend some classes. We probably stayed another hour and a half and as we were walking out, saw that we could go meet Buzz and Woody and the wait was only 20 minutes - so we did that. The kids were a little scared so I had to get in the picture with them. Tommy was a big boy and handed them both the "autograph" book to sign though - a big step for him - he is usually deathly afraid of people dressed up in costumes.

Waiting to see Buzz & Woody

We rested up at the hotel that afternoon and then went back to Hollywood that night for dinner and to watch Fantasmic. After sitting there waiting for the show to start for about 45 minutes, they cancelled the show because of the weather moving into the area. :(

Other than that snag, the first full day was a success.

Father's Day

On Father's Day, the kids and I took Tom out to breakfast at Kitchen on Main in Ligonier. It's one of our favorite breakfast places around.

After breakfast, we went to Dick's to get Tommy some stuff for t-ball. He wanted the pants, shoes, bat, etc. Tommy is a huge sports fan - so I'm sure Tom was excited to get all that stuff for him (plus a few other things).

Look at all that gear

First t-ball practice on 06/18

Once we finished spending all that money - haha - we came home to do some cleaning. Tom mopped all the floors and I cleaned the baseboards and doors. What a fun Father's Day so far!

The rest of the day was relaxing though, Tom sat outside watching the Pirates game (and I think golf) and drinking beer. We grilled steaks for dinner and then watched a movie together that night.

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy ever!!!

Tommy's Soccer Party

On Saturday the 14th - we had Tommy's 5th birthday party at Mammoth Park from 11 to 1:30.

There were 10 kids there and I had their coach from Soccer Shots (at school) come to do practice and a game. All the kids had a lot of fun playing soccer - plus they liked the game against the parents at the end.

Time to play the parents

Prize Time

After the soccer part of the party, everyone sat down to a boxed lunch. We had the following food:

• Pulled Pork Sandwiches with bar-b-que
• Pizza Rolls with marinara sauce
• Ham Sandwiches
• Macaroni Salad
• Mac-n-Cheese
• Fruit
• Chips

The first to go were the pizza rolls - which was not surprising.

Box Lunches

Cupcake Cake

Party Favors

Grace guarding the food table

After eating, the kids went over to ride the BIG slide before a few of the kids had to leave for t-ball games. The rest of the time, the kids just played on the playground, hit the ball around and played frisbee.

Tommy & Madison (his GF)

Grace & Johnny (her BF)

Family photo

After it was over, we came back to the house to open presents - Tommy said it was the best birthday party ever! :)

Cruising

On Sunday, June 1st, I took the kids to Idlewild for the first time this year.

While we were walking around trying to find guest services, Tommy wanted me take his picture "driving" on the Lincoln Highway. About 5 minutes later we found the line to pick up our season passes (it was a little long). Tom was lucky, because they let me get his without him being there.

Hanging in the shade while we waited to get our passes

After that, we headed over to the little kid rides and they pretty much rode every ride twice.

She looks like an old pro at this driving thing

Tommy's arm cracks me up in these pictures...

Tom met up with us after he finished golfing and we each took a turn riding the mouse ride that was out of commission last season.

The kids had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back.

Field Trip to the Zoo

On Wednesday, May 28th, Tom went on the school field trip with the kids to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

I wasn't sure how it would go on the bus - figuring that the kids would fight about who got to sit by daddy, but they all squeezed into one seat. Haha - I wish I had a picture of that!

Once they got to the zoo, the children whose parents were there got to go off and do their own thing, which Tom and the kids took advantage of.

These 2 are so cute!

Whew - that's a big one!

Really Tom? Are we still in high school? (Okay - it did make me laugh)

According to all 3 of them, they had a lot of fun (except towards the end - when some people started getting grouchy...).

Hey there pouty.

On the way back to school, Tommy and Grace took a nap on their daddy. I'm sure that was super comfortable. :)

Thanks for being a great dad and spending your day with the crowd at the zoo!