Disney highlights

We had a great family vacation at Disney World over fall break...6 days/nights was just about right in order to hit all of the attractions, but of course we could have used an extra day of relaxation at the Saratoga Springs resort!  The weather was perfect, but the secret is out on fall break being the best time to go there as the crowds were more than we expected.  I was so glad my parents wanted to join us for most of the trip and that they were able to share in the excitement of Disney with their granddaughters! 

I asked the girls to share their top 3 favorite memories from their first experience at Disney.  Taylor liked the rock 'n roller coaster (starring Aerosmith) and the American Idol experience at Hollywood Studios, and she enjoyed both the Princesses and Lilo & Stitch character meals and getting many pictures/autographs from her other favorite Disney characters (21 total) throughout the parks we visited.  Nicole also really liked meeting the characters as well as Mickey's PhilharMagic 3-D show and a number of the various rides at Magic Kingdom (Dumbo, Aladdin's magic carpets, mad tea party, astro orbiter to name a few).  Cindy enjoyed seeing the excitement on the girls' faces when meeting the characters, and she loved the Fantasmic show at Hollywood Studios.  And as for me, Animal Kingdom was my favorite park as I enjoyed the 2 shows there - the Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo musical; and loved the Expedition Everest roller coaster and the Kilmanjaro Safari rides there.  Also, Space Mountain is still the most thrilling ride at Disney World, and Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain were my other favorite rides.  Disney World is quite the adventure and one that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.  The way in which it continues to grow, I'm sure we'll be making a return visit someday!

Bound for the most magical place on earth

Our much anticipated trip to Disney World begins today and it couldn't have come at a better time with the sad week we had in losing Sunshine last week.  Taylor and Nicole are most looking forward to their first visit to the Magic Kingdom.  At ages 10 and 8, we believe they are at a great age to remember the experience.  I went to Disney World for the first time in 1976 when I was 8 years old, and my first visit to Disney Land was in 1979 (age 11).  My second trip to Disney World was in March 1995 when I met my parents there for a long weekend trip.  Not sure the occasion other than my parents were likely scouting the place for a future trip with their granddaughter Emily.  I remember spending most of our time at Epcot; a day at MGM Studios (Animal Kingdom wasn't open yet), and 1/2 a day at the Magic Kingdom.

My last trip to Disney World was 15 years ago in 1998 when Cindy and I joined my parents along with Vicki, Paul and Emily.  Emily was 5, and Cindy and I were still newlyweds.  Vicki posted this picture on my facebook page the other day wishing us a very merry trip.  I remember all these trips well and I'm looking forward to making some new memories with my girls and my parents who are meeting us there today.

Goodbye Sunshine

The moment I have long dreaded has come today.  Sunshine, our dog of 15 years, is being put to rest today.  The past several months have been difficult seeing her struggle with the onset of dementia and her loss of interest in being the highly sociable pet that we fondly remember.  Last Monday I believe God opened my eyes to this realization and He began preparing me to let her go.  After Cindy and I came to an agreement that “it was time”, it became more and more evident that our decision and the timing was right.  We shared this with the girls last night and we all shed tears, and hugged on her knowing that this was for the best for her.  We prayed and asked God to be on the lookout for her tomorrow.

In the summer 1998, during our first year of our marriage, we became proud “parents” of Sunshine.  Cindy didn’t have a dog growing up but fortunately for me it wasn’t a hard sell when I told her that I wanted us to get a dog.  When I was growing up we had 3 dogs (not all at the same time), and my favorite was our cocker spaniel named Sunshine.  So without hesitation I began searching the paper for cocker puppies and this led us to a breeder in Brighton, TN.  We chose the cutest puppy with reddish-blonde fur and named her Sunshine.  For the first 5 years of our marriage (until Taylor and Nicole came along), Sunshine received all of our attention; after the girls arrived, she accepted her place in the family as no longer the center of our attention.  We struggled with the news that Taylor had pet allergies but we managed this condition the best we could without seriously considering getting rid of Sunshine.   As she got older, Sunshine battled numerous ear infections, which ultimately led to the removal of her left ear canal in ’08.  Of course she had to wear the “cone of shame” during her recovery, but ultimately this surgery, and a change in her food diet, resulted in minimal future skin and ear infections for her.

They say a dog is man’s best friend.  I believe this to be true because of their genuine loyalty and how they teach us about unconditional love.  When I think of Sunshine, I’m going to remember all the years of enjoyment we shared with her.  We’ll miss you girl…