Engagement surprise

L still wasn't able to get in the parks yesterday using her pass so she and her friend stopped by our room when the rest of us were in the parks to set up a magical moment for E and D.

They were surprised when we got back to the room around 10 p.m.

She gave them a picture frame, cookies, champagne, candy, mugs, Disney "Happily Ever After" buttons, balloons and lots of confetti. It was quite the set-up.

I had them pose with the balloons.

Then I noticed that one of the balloons was an engagement ring.

Day 2 at Disney

Andy made breakfast in our room Friday but it was a little challenging to eat with this fork.

We spent the day at Epcot. We watched part of a new "Encanto" dance show.

The lines were so long for the rides. The line for Frozen stretched to China and the line for the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion went outside and down the stairs. We had never seen it that long. We decided to go to England for a break.

Instead of buying lunch, we went to the DVC members lounge and ate a few bags of chips.

Meanwhile at home, August was helping himself to the chips I have for my work lunches. Allison found the opened chips bags on the dining room floor when she stopped by to feed him.

Andy got us in a virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy. The kids started their day at Magic Kingdom but came to Epcot for the ride. It was B's first time to ride it. He liked it.

We met the kids for dinner at Tutto Italia. L couldn't join us because her pass won't let her into the parks because of the holidays.

After dinner we went to Hollywood Studios. I love the Christmas decorations there.

Lots of Santas on the tree.

So old-fashioned.

Last ride of the night - the soinning saucer thing in Toy Story land.

Arrived in Florida

Allison drove Andy, B and me to O'Hare Thursday morning for our flight to Orlando; E and D took an Uber. We thought we had too much luggage and people for Allison's car. We all met up in the United Club for breakfast.

We had to wait until almost 5:30 p.m. for our room to be ready. They were fixing a curtain. In the meantime, Andy and I bought more groceries then met up at Saratoga Springs with L and her friend, B, who is visiting from Iowa. I haven't seen L since July.

We toured a model of the new Polynesian Tower DVC room.

It's very nice.

There are two hidden Mickeys in this picture.

E, B and D searching for the hidden Mickeys in the picture I sent them. D bought himself a nice Goofy hat.

The kids went to Epcot and Andy and I watched the sunset and the boats.

We finally got into our room and went to Disney Springs for dinner at The Edison.

This was our view from our table. Most of the entertainment and action happen on the lower level.

I had a chicken sandwich and Andy had the burger. The only thing we had to eat today was breakfast and a snack on the plane.

View from the second floor of our villa in the Paddock area.

Nice kitchen and dining area.

Busy New Year’s Day

We had a busy New Year's Day yesterday. Andy and I took down all of the Christmas decorations and tree and put them away in the garage and basement. Then we went to Kohl's so I could use some Kohl's cash that expires soon. I found a sweater I can wear to work.

E and D came over and Andy took them to the Field Museum so they could see the new exhibit about cats. Andy called ahead and got free parking in the west lot. That's a nice perk we get along with the free tickets.

I was going to go but decided to stay home and put the decorations away that we had been piling on a table in the basement. I also washed a load of clothes for E and was organizing the entire time it took to wash and dry them.

We had been debating whether to take some food to Disney or shop there or order groceries to be delivered. I looked at the local sales ads and when Andy got back from the museum we went to go to the grocery store and get some bacon, sausage, cream cheese and breakfast sandwiches. (E and D were napping. They were up a long time New Year's Eve. D said he saw the sun come up.) We'll still need some groceries but won't have to spend too much time at the store.

New Years Eve with friends

Our New Year's Eve celebration last night started at Trattoria 225, meeting five of Andy's golf buddies and their wives for dinner.

Andy and I both ordered the chicken. Funny that my boss and his wife were enjoying their dinner at the next table. It was nice to be able to wish him a Happy New Year and tell him thanks for dropping off my paycheck at the house. That's service.

After dinner we went to our friend C's house for conversation.

It was interesting to learn that Andy is the youngest of the golf group though not by much.

We weren't sure everyone would be able to stay awake to midnight so we toasted to the New Year on East Coast time.

Cheers to 2025!

Before we realized it, an hour had passed and they were handing out noisemakers and party hats.

All of us were still awake to ring in 2025 Chicago time.

The party was over soon after midnight though.