** THE ELLING FAMILY **: 2014

Monday, December 22, 2014

R.I.P. Harley!!

Saturday, December 20th, was the worst day of my life. Harley hadn't been feeling well for a few days, puking and not eating. So a vet appointment was made. We did some blood work to find out that Harley had kidney failure that was beyond repair. So the decision had to be made to have him put to sleep. I don't think I've cried so much in my life!

Harley was my first baby, we got him when we were pregnant with Evan. So to let him go was extremely hard. The memories creep in and I find myself either smiling or crying…..mostly crying. The kids are doing alright too, we're all finding our own ways to heal our hearts where Harley is missing. Harley has been a part of their lives since they were born……so to not have him around…..there is an obvious void. Even Brutus still searches for him, and he has become more 'needy' than typical for himself. I caught myself crying today as I vacuumed the floors……Harley would typically chase around the vacuum, what I wouldn't give to have him chase that darn vacuum again!!

Harley would have turned 9 years old next month! I sure hope his first Heavenly Birthday is the best!!

Harley: January 28, 2006 - December 20, 2014

This is the first day we brought home Brutus……I love how protective Harley was (is) with his kids! He had this same protectiveness with Ella too!! :}

This picture was taken back in March of this year……makes me smile!!

This is an awful picture of everyone but Harley……and I typically wouldn't post it, but this is one of the last pictures that was taken of Harley. I sure am going to miss this little guy!! He was the best for cuddling!! :}

Rest In Peace Harley……You were Loved dearly and we miss you like crazy!! Love Daddy, Mommy, Evan & Ella!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

To Sum Up Disney…..

All in all I had a BLAST at Disney!! I admit, I was very skeptical before we went, and I thought that the crowds and rude people would just do me in, but I was wrong. Not to say there weren't a few times when I was stressed out and wanting to go back to my room or just lounge at the pool…..but I stuck it out and would pep back up. It's hard to be in a bad mood when surrounded by all this Magic….Literally!!

The kids had a blast, Joe had a blast…..so much we're already planning our next trip!! hahaha….not really, but we will be going back within the next 5 or 6 years (hopefully).

We stayed in Disney's All Star Music Resort (basically the cheapest one they offer!!)…..and I was very happy with the room we had. We upgraded to the suite so at night Joe and I could stay up after the kids had crashed and not disturb them. We had a kitchenette and two bathrooms!! It worked out perfectly. When we would get in late from the parks, we could each rush a kid through a bath and get them to bed in quick time!! Glad we made the upgrade!! We were bussed directly from our resort to each park every day, so we never had to drive or pay to park……it was convenient!!

Here is my favorite video from the trip……Ella getting to dance with Belle!! She was smitten!! You can read about the experience in the Magic Kingdom 12-3-14 post. (I hope this video loaded, because I've never done one before…..and I'm not sure it's working!!)

Hollywood Studios 12-4-14

Our last day was spent at Hollywood Studios, not counting Friday that we spent at Downtown Disney!! There wasn't as much to do and see at this park as there was at the other parks….but we made a day of it and the kids found their most favorite ride in this park!! The Star Tours ride, which is basically a flight simulator made to feel like you are traveling in space…..like Star Wars……we did this ride several times, and right up until the park closed at night and they would literally not let us back in line!! The kids loved it!!

My tiny warriors!!

We had to take in the Muppets 3D Movie……the Muppets are Joe's favorites!! It was awesome!!

We also had a lunch reservation at the Sci-Fi Theatre……which was pretty cool. There are small tables in front of us in these car seats, and there is a screen out front where they showed movies from the 1950's…..basically like you were eating at the Drive-In!! Cool, except for the tiny tables and the way too dim lighting!! But cool experience.

We then roamed and found some characters!!

Green Army Man!! (Toy Story)

Lightning McQueen & Tow Mater!!

Phineas & Ferb…..with Perry spying in the back!!

Mr. Incredible!!

Frozone!!

Big Hero 6!! (new Disney movie that's in theater's…..)

And a couple of my favorites!!

I think Ella's in this picture somewhere too……hahaha

Sulley & Mike Wazowski!!

This is 'Lights, Motors, Action.' It showed the 'behind the scenes' of how stunts in movies are done!! And Lightening McQueen made an appearance!! It was pretty cool!!

This was secretly one of my favorite things we did while at Disney……it was the Frozen Sing-Along!! It was basically a short summary of the movie, in theatre form……and every time it was a part in the movie where a song was sung, the music was played and every little girl (and her mom!) sang as loud as possible…….it was so much fun!!

There were a few 'streets' in Hollywood Studios that were decked out for Christmas……and this was AMAZING to see!! We weren't going to stay in this park too late, just because there wasn't much to do, but we sure are glad we did. Every inch of every building was covered in lights and it was magnificent to see……and every now and then they would set the lights to music!! I have a video I will attempt to post (in another post)…….and it really doesn't do it justice, but it's still cool!! If you are in Disney during their Christmas season……put this on your list of things to not miss. Our friends (who were in Disney at the same time) recommended we stay long enough to see this, and I am glad they did, because we would have missed it otherwise. Thanks Lesjac's!! :}

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

And the final Character!! Seems perfect!!

Getting a little Love from Mickey!! Perfect way to end our trip!!

Joe got a little jealous…… ;}

Magic Kingdom 12-3-14

And so came the moment Ella had been waiting on since we booked this vacation over 1 year ago!! We were not able to get a fast pass for Elsa and Anna, and on Monday when we were in the Magic Kingdom there was always a 90 minute wait for these popular ladies!! I wasn't willing to wait that long. So the planning began……up at 6:00am to be waiting at the gate when they opened Magic Kingdom on Wednesday morning…….then it was a mad dash back to the Castle to get in line!! Well, not really a mad dash, because the park workers 'literally' walked the crowds (in an orderly fashion…hahaha) to the back of the park to deliver you to either this Character spot or the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride (the most popular ride right now)…….We didn't make out too bad……we had autographs and pictures done and were out of there by 8:33!! SUCCESS…..well, if you don't count the early hours we spent 'waiting' before we were really in line……the things we do for our kids!! ;}

This girls face says it all…...

And after we left the room…..you exit through a store that has clothes and toys for those Characters…..and there stood this adorable Minnie statue dressed as Elsa…..too cute!!

After that we got right back in the line next to this crazy line to see Cinderella and Rapunzel!! The Glass Slipper was on display!!

Cinderella!!

Rapunzel!!

Oh these faces were priceless…….

Merida!! (from Brave)

Ariel!!

Getting our Wonderland on!! :} Tea anyone?? Joe and I rode this the first time with the kids, and Joe wouldn't let them spin it fast……which was probably good for both of us!! So next time we sent them on their own……good idea until Ella got to the gate and the lady said she had to be 7 to ride alone!! What??!! She had already ridden rides by herself…..and this was a spinning tea cup……and she's almost 7 anyway…….and she's a big 6 anyway!! Nope, park rules the lady said. So when that lady left the ride……we instructed Ella to tell the 'new girl' she was 7!! Yes, she knew she was lying (obviously), but it was ok, cause she's soooo close to turning 7 anyway!! ;} shhh, don't tell Disney!!

Alice and The White Rabbit!!

After the iconic tea cups…..why not the iconic Dumbo!!??!! Fun rides to pass some time!!

It's true what they say……It is a small world after all…..and you will sing this song the rest of the day!! You're Welcome!! ;}

Monday when we were in the park, we happened past this 'little' Jack Sparrow show…..we were too late to get front row 'seating', and the kids were too far back to be selected for the fun!! So on Wednesday we made sure we had the schedule of shows and got front row seats!! The kids were in heaven……they LOVE all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies……and I think Miss Ella has a little crush on Jack Sparrow, but she'll deny that…..while blushing!! ;}

Front and center…..hoping they both get chosen!! :}

Evan got chosen first…...

Then Ella was chosen!!

Listen up kids…..you're about to get a sword fighting lesson from Jack Sparrow!!

Ladies First…..he said!!

Then Evan was up…..

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me!!

Then there was this incredible encounter with Belle!! We had a fast pass for 'Enchanted Tales with Belle.' We had heard from some workers that the kids who participate in the play, get a really cool opportunity to meet Belle. So of course Ella was excited……Evan, not so much!! hahaha……so as luck would have it, Ella was chosen to be the Beast!! When the cape is forward on Ella, she was the mean Beast and had to **ROAR** at Belle……when the cape was pushed behind her, she was the nice Prince.

And of all the kids in the play, Ella was the only one who got to dance with Belle…….the look on her face this entire time was completely worth this whole trip!! She was in such awe!! I was so happy she got to have this experience…..it was totally cool!!

Taking her bow for a fantastic performance with Belle!! I was so happy Ella got chosen for this!!

Evan just got his picture after the play was over…..and he was fine with that!! ;}

After those last two experiences…..the rest of the day was a breeze!! We bought some Mouse ears with each of the kids' names embroidered on them, picked up some souvenirs and met a few more Characters before calling it a night!!

Best.Day.Ever!!!