The Dever's Disney Vacay - Travel to Orlando

WE'RE BACK!!!  

Yes, we are back from Disney World, our first "official" family vacation; you know, the kind of vacation you actually plan, not just a jaunt to the beach or the mountains.  This was the first vacation we have actually taken as a family and luckily, we were also joined by our dear friends and neighbors the Hermans.  I decided, though, that our vacation wasn't going to end yesterday when we got home.  Luckily I am off of work today due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, but Danny had to work, so I declared today the last official day of our vacation and decided it would be a day with lots of Disney videos and Mickey Mouse Clubhouses.  What better way to end a vacation than to veg out all day in front of the TV and unwind from what was a GREAT but EXHAUSTING trip.  So, as I sit here writing the first of what will be many Disney World blogs, I've got Nemo playing in the DVD player so that Mommy can do all her unpacking, laundry and most importantly blogging.  Not to mention all the pictures I have to go through, edit, and create collages for; 2,247 to be exact (1,423 of mine and 824 of Amy's), that could take an entire day in itself.  So I am glad we planned our vacation around this holiday so we have one more day to enjoy before heading back to work and school.  


Alright, let's get to the first Disney blog.  I can't mention our vacation without mentioning our trip down to Orlando and Disney World.  This wasn't Emerson's "first" plane ride, she traveled to Florida when she was 3 months old, but hasn't been on a plane since then.  So, this was the first airplane trip that she might remember and certainly the first trip that she actually knew what was happening.  We (Amy and I, the planners of the trip) decided to send the girls to school on Wednesday before our flight, hopefully giving us some peace and quiet to get any last minute packing done.  We were thankful that Grammy and Papa offered to drive both families to the airport and then bring our cars back to our respective houses.  We pulled out of our driveways right on the dot at 12:15, and we were on our way to pick up the girls from school.  I was hopeful that Emerson would be asleep since it was during nap time and thankfully she was asleep when I got to her classroom; that didn't last long, though, and she woke up the moment I put her in her car seat.  Emerson was super excited about her plane trip and trip to Disney (she had known about if for a couple of months, and had waited very patiently.)  Emerson got in the car and immediately started reciting all the characters by name...."We're going to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy,"  and so on.  Danny asked Emerson (facetiously), "Emerson, are you a little excited?"  Her response, "No, Daddy, I a BIG excited!!"


Emerson couldn't have been a better traveler, she was a bit anxious to get on the plane and didn't like standing in line, but nothing that some Cheetos and distraction from Ivie couldn't cure.  Once she was on the plane, she did a great job.  She held Mommy and Daddy's hand during take-off and enjoyed looking out the window at the ground, which she insisted was water.  She loved looking at the "crowds" (clouds) and talking about how we were up really high in the sky.  When we could turn on electronics, Emerson sat quietly and watched her movie, ate her pretzels and drank her apple juice.  Emerson even got a set of Southwest wings and an airplane card to color from the flight attendant.    I couldn't have asked for her to be a better traveler...it makes me want to start planning our next Dever adventure. 

Plan B

As I mentioned in my previous blog post (Life's a Beach!) on New Year's Day we were all sitting around after making the gingerbread house that Sissy brought and we decided to go to the movies, especially since rain was headed our way and it looked like we would be stuck indoors anyway.  It was 11:36 a.m. and after looking at the movie times for the cinema 30 minutes away, it was a mad dash to make it to the movie theatre by the 1:00 pm start time.  Mimi and Birdie planned to see The Blind Side; Alice and Aunt Sissy planned to see Sherlock Holmes; and Danny, Emerson and I were going to what would be Emerson's first movie and see The Princess and the Frog.   We got to the theatre with time to spare, Birdie ran ahead of us to buy tickets while we got Emerson out of the car.  When we walked in, Birdie came over and said, "I've got bad news!  The Princess and the Frog is sold out."  Bummer.  Emerson was not happy.  Danny and I looked at each and we could both tell what the other was thinking, NOW WHAT!!!  We promptly told Emerson that we would go back to the beach house and watch a movie there (thank god, I brought Santa Babies, along with several Mickey Mouse Clubs).  With heads hung low, it was back to the car for the Devers.

On the way out of the parking lot, Danny asks if we should get lunch.  Great idea, kill an hour and feed Emerson.  Since we were in unfamiliar territory, I got on my new Droid and started looking for restaurants in the area. The pickins' were slim, but then I spotted our Plan B.....CHUCK E. CHEESE.  Almost similiar to a James Bond move, Danny swerved the car into the parking lot and all was well again.  How could any kid not be happy at Chuck E. Cheese.

Away we went, Emerson was in awe from the second we walked in.  Blinking lights, game noises, lots of games to play, and pizza, it was like kid heaven.  Mommy on the other hand could see the germs multiplying by the second and kept thinking to herself, "Where is that GermX, I can't be out of work next week with a sick toddler."  We ordered our pizza, which comes in a combo with drinks and game tokens, good marketing on their part!!  We found a booth, Mommy loused it down, and then we headed for the games while we waited for our pizza.  Emerson had a great time just walking around looking at all the kids playing games.  She really enjoyed playing the games.  She couldn't quite grasp the concept of skeeball but wanted to try several times.  After playing some games, we headed to our booth to eat some pizza, we had a great view of Chuck E. himself.  Emerson was scared at first but all we had to say was that he was Mickey Mouse's friend and then she was fine with the stuffed, singing character.  After eating pizza, we headed out to play more games and ultimately win tickets for the prize station.  One of Emerson's favorite things to do was to pull the tickets out of the machines after she won them from her game.  The ticket redemption machine was just as fun as one of the real games.  Emerson ultimately won two bracelets and a lollipop for 97 tickets.  Funny that 3 things with a total value of only $ .30 costs $25 in tokens to win.  I guess this would be one of those PRICELESS moments.  Chuck E. Cheese Family Combo $25, additional tokens $5, making your child happy after a movie theatre lets her down, PRICELESS.  We are so glad are Plan B worked.  I love it when your Plan B turns out to be a better alternative than your Plan A!!!  It even helped with that sleeping issue we were having at the beach....Emerson was wiped  out on the way home; she fell asleep with her lolli in her hand.  Here's to PLAN B's!!! 

Life's a Beach!

I was determined to get this blog out before we left for our vacation, it didn't happen.  I also can't believe that I have gone so long without blogging AGAIN.  I am certainly not starting the year off to a good start with keeping everyone up-to-date with the Devers.  Life seems like it didn't slow down after all the holiday craziness, so, here I sit in my hotel room, writing about our trip to the beach after Christmas (trying to get these blogs done so I can update you on our current vacay.)  I will warn you, this is going to be mainly a picture post, as I am wiped out and don't want to go on and on about every little detail of our Topsail Island vacation.   Also, don't judge if you see spelling or grammar mistakes...too late to even worry about that stuff.

We had a day to recover (and pack) after all our Chrismas Festivities.  We then headed down to Topsail Island for some fun with my side of the family.  We have been going to the beach for as long as I can remember (at least 10 years).  We used to go to the beach after Thanksgiving but last year we changed it up and decided to do it the week after Christmas, I guess it stuck.   The whole gang (The Cordicks, The Bandys, The Devers, and some Hamlets) all venture down for a week of fun, festivities, and, most importantly, RELAXATION.

This year, instead of renting a crib, we thought we would try our hand at letting Emerson sleep in a big girl bed (for the first time).  It took 3 adults to figure out and get the bedrails working but the end product produced a pretty sweet set-up.  Emerson wasn't as fond as the adults were and didn't sleep well the entire week.  She wasn't as comfortable in this room (or bed) as she is in her room at home.  It took lots of coaxing for both naps and nighttime to get her to go to sleep.  We resorted to car rides, de-monsterizing the room, pretend sleeping on the single bed in the room, and reading lots and lots of books.  The saddest part was when she would look at you and say, "I want to go home to my bed."  We ALL (and I do mean all) pushed through it and made it work, and Emerson was very happy to get back to her own room and her own BED.

Emerson's first night (EVER) in a big girl bed.  The new Dora (remember her from Christmas Festivities) made the trip and made the bed less scary.   

First sunrise of the week...one of my favorite things!!

Emerson and Birdie were two peas in a pod.  Birdie was farming on Farmville and Emerson was watching Mickey Mouse on her "puter" (pronounced pewter).  Emerson also tried on her new fishing gear on that Mommy and Daddy got her for Christmas before eating a Mimi-made breakfast...nothing better!

Later that day, we took some time to explore on the beach.  Emerson, who wasn't fond of the sand at all last year, didn't have any problems playing in it this year.  She loved watching the water, but didn't want it to get her.  After our romps on the beach....we dipped our feet in the hot

tub to warm them up. 

Some of my favorites from our beach romping....

Emerson got a new saxophone from Thurman (who Emerson affectionately called "Brian" all week) and Alice.  I am sure all the Devers will enjoy this new toy!!  After we got Emerson to sleep, all the adults had a chance to play Dirty Santa.  Poor Uncle Perfect had to open every present because everyone kept taking his presents.

Another sunrise....I'm at peace just looking at it.

A cold day at the park.  We promised Emerson that we would take her to the park...but it was freezing.  We obliged but we weren't out there long.

....and some sunsets!

Harassing Birdie, who was trying to relax in the hot tub.  The hot tub was a big hit with all the men that week.

More beach romping....

We did pictures on the beach in Emerson's portrait dress...but I will save that for another blog..

COMING SOON!!

Happy New Year!!!  Emerson had a great time playing with blowers. 

Aunt Sissy brought a Gingerbread House for all the gals to put together.  Emerson had so much fun helping Aunt Sissy (who is our Martha Stewart) put the house together.  It was great that she got to spend some good quality time with Aunt Sissy. 

After the Gingerbread House, we decided to do a New Year's Day movie.   Emerson's first ever movie....bad idea on our part.  Another story that deserves it's own blog post....

We rouded out our week at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.  We decided to hit it on our way home, even though it was 50 miles in the opposite direction.  Mimi and Birdie were troopers and made the trek too.  Emerson loved looking at all the fish in the aquariums.  We certainly have a water baby on our hands...she loves anything having to do with the water.

We had a great time at the beach and it is always good to spend time with family and just relax.  I hope this will be a tradition for years to come.  Oh, how we'll miss Aunt Sissy's house (Emerson called it Aunt Sissy's house all week).  If only Aunt Sissy really did own this house....there would certainly be more beach blog posts.  Until next year....

Christmas Festivities, 2009

I can't believe it's been 10 days since I last blogged.  That really shows you how crazy everything gets around the holidays.  It seems like just a week ago we were celebrating Thanksgiving, then I blinked and it was Christmas.   This is, certainly, one of my favorite times of year but I hate how fast it goes by and how hectic everything gets.  So needless to say, I am playing blog catch-up for the next couple of days. 

Our family wasn't spared from the craziness that is the holidays, especially Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Opening Presents Christmas Eve at the Dever House

Christmas Eve we headed to Grammy and Papa's house to have dinner with all the Dever clan, Grammy, Papa, Ed, Diane, and Corey (I guess that really doesn't constitute CLAN).  Emerson had a great time opening her gifts from everyone and the dinner was delicious!

Santa, Mommy, and Daddy have some fun!!!

After our Christmas Eve celebration, we headed home to set out cookies and milk for Santa and get the little one in bed, so Santa could make his arrival at the Dever house.  Mommy, Daddy and (Santa) had a great time putting out all Emerson's presents!!

Waiting (patiently) to see what Santa brought. 

(Danny and I both wanted to be in the living room to get Emerson's reaction to Santa, Danny on the video and I, of course, on the camera; so we had Emerson sit on the stairs in our foyer and then

we called her into the living room. )

Emerson was so excited....

here she is rounding the corner at full speed.

Opening presents Christmas morning

with Mommy and Daddy. 

(Emerson was so excited about her new kitchen that it was almost impossible to get her to focus on any of the other presents.  So, we would open a present or two, and then we would go back to playing with the kitchen and so on and so on.)  Emerson quickly learned from her dad to turn packages to the back and open them, it made it much easier.  We admit that we went a bit overboard this year on Emerson.  It is hard not to go overboard the first year that your toddler "actually" understands Christmas.  We had so much fun this year and it made it all worth it; we will, surely, scale it back a bit next year, though!!

Opening presents Christmas mid-morning

with Mimi and Birdie. 

Opening presents Christmas mid-morning

with the Hermans.

Ahhhh....REST!!!!

(Yeah, right!  Must get ready for dinner at our house with the Devers and the Bandys.)

I ended up only taking a couple of pictures of dinner at our house, not enough to even share.  We did have a great dinner, though.  I turned over a new leaf this year and decided to have dinner catered and use paper/plastic goods (GASP!!); I know, I don't believe it myself.  Things were just too hectic this year and I didn't want to spend my time cooking and cleaning, I would rather spend it enjoying my sweet little girl.  So, we had lasagna and chicken divan catered, I made a salad, and bought dessert at Sam's (of all places).  It was great...I might make it a tradition. 

I think by the end of the night we were exhausted.  I don't remember my head even hitting the pillow but it was all worth it.  We had a great Christmas and can't wait to celebrate many more with our friends and family....we are truly blessed!!

The Day After Christmas

No rest for the weary.  We decided to fight the crowds on the day after Christmas and headed to Southpoint for a little shopping, a little returning, a little waiting in line at Verizon, and a little lunch.  It was nice to spend some time, just the three of us.  Emerson had fun and was very patient as we ran our errands.  She was so excited to get to see her teacher, Rosa, at Macy's.  We ended the outing with lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and since I had my camera and new camera lens (thanks Danny!!), I decided to snap some pictures.  It was a chilly day but we decided to eat outside and under the space heaters it wasn't so bad. 

When we got home from the mall, there was a present for Emerson sitting on the porch.  Ms. Betsy, a close family friend, left Emerson an almost life-sized Dora doll and an adorable book.  Emerson was so excited about the Dora doll and didn't want to go upstairs for her nap.  Being a mom, that knew I needed the naptime quiet as much as Emerson needed the naptime sleep, I told Emerson that Dora could sleep with her for nap.  I covered them both up with blankets and hoped that they would drift off to dreamland (at least one of them, and preferably the un-stuffed one!)  I came back in to check on Emerson a bit later only to find them both sound asleep.  Thank goodness, now Mommy and Daddy could start packing for our beach trip the next day...more on that in a future blog. 

We hope everyone had a very

Merry Chirstmas and Happy Holiday!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

from the Dever Dish!!

From our home (or blog) to yours, 

wishing you warm hearts and

lasting memories this season and always!!  

With Love,

The Devers