Disney: Epcot

I really need to finish documenting our Disney trip because I am about to forget what we did. My mind is going fast...


We had to be at Epcot at 8:30am on Saturday because Madison was participating in a workshop from 9-12:00. Once she was with her group and the park opened we went straight to Soarin' and did all of the rides near there. Then we went to the Nemo ride.



We were able to pretty much walk on any ride we wanted. It was getting time to go pick up Madi in Italy so we fast-passed Soarin' again for her and then headed to the World Showcase.
While we were waiting for Madi, a bunch of the characters came out and we got so many pictures and autographs. We were just missing Madi!




Madi was so worn out after her workshop. They were able to partipate in a mock audition, learn a dance routine, and perform it with Goofy. She had a great time but she was ill, hungry and had a headache when it was over.

We headed to Mexico for lunch and to cool off. I think I have mentioned before how hot it was the week we were in Disney.

We had a great table right in front of the water/boat rides and pyramid. You just can't see it behind us :(

Now that we were fed, we were ready to ride. Our favorite ride at Epcot was Test Track.

We also liked Mission Space. This was the only ride Cooper did not ride, but they had a playground inside that he loved!

I am pretty sure we rode every ride at Epcot except for one. Here they are cooling off in the water. Russ and Cooper were still all smiles even at the end of the day.

We stopped on the way out of the park and got our Mickey and Minnie pictures made.
The wait was about 30 minutes which was the longest line we had waited in all day. I didn't care, but my family was d.o.n.e after this.



And that is the end of my pictures. We actually left Epcot and went back to the hotel to get our car and then went to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. Russ wanted some wings and I wanted some sweet tea. It was the only place we didn't have to wait.

We had a great trip and have lots of fun memories. I am already planning our return... (Sorry Brandon! Cooper really needs to go back to that Lego store - I mean he only mentions it 27 times a day)

Way Back Wednesday

Madison Hope Lockridge at the Doctor's office for the very first time.


Madison Hope Lockridge at the Doctor's office last week getting her 11 year old shots.

Helping the Homeless

Last Tuesday Madi, Russ, and Bo went with a group from our church (led by my brother) to a place downtown called Rescue Atlanta.

They were so excited about going, but not really sure what they would see. They did know they were going to feed/serve homeless people. On the way to the church I stopped by McDonalds and fed them so they wouldn't be hungry. I talked to them about these people and what to do. Don't stare, Don't be scared, etc. I did everything I could to prepare them for this. I think I was more nervous than they were.

My brother sent us these pictures from his phone and I just melted.

Here is some of the youth that went.

Madi fixed the drinks.

Russ was handing out the silverware and Bo was the bread boy.

While the others were serving the food, the rest of the group were walking around talking/praying with the people. Lee said all of a sudden he saw Bo walking with this lady (part of Rescue Atlanta staff) with this man. He said he got a little nervous and walked over closer to them. And this is what he saw... Bo praying with them.

Then another man down on Bo's level thanking Bo for praying with him. Priceless!


I know I am a proud momma/aunt, but those pictures just melt my heart. I am so happy they got to experience this ministry. We are so fortunate to get whatever food we want whenever we want it. I didn't need to fill them up with McDonalds before they went. I really don't think they would have even been hungry. They got to experience real hunger that night. People who came through the line more than once to get as much as they could.
Good job Madi, Russ, and Bo for showing the love of Jesus to them! I didn't need to prepare y'all for anything.

Lee brought them home around 11pm and they were already begging to go back next week.

Disney: Downtown/Magic Kingdom

The day we had been waiting for - for almost a year - had finally come! We found out last summer that Madi's dance group had been accepted to dance at Disney on June 19. Here is Madi at the stage. Go SDI!

We arrived at Downtown Disney around 10am to meet up with everyone. We ate breakfast at McDonalds and I was disappointed because by this point I was dying for a McD sweet tea. They didn't have the styrofoam cup and the tea was not good.

We waited at McDonalds for all of the girls. Brandon took the boys to the Lego store. The Lego store was heaven for Cooper.


Madison got to perform 4 dances. They wore their company ensemble (leotards/skirts) because you could not have any costume changes. Here is the stage. It was right on the water.



This is all of the company dancers in front of the T-Rex waterfall.


Madison got a nice, drawstring bag that has Disney Performing Arts on it for performing at Disney. The tour guide told them since they were performing at Disney they were considered Cast Members that day.

And because I really needed a styrofoam cup with sweet tea in it - we went to Chickfila for lunch before going back to the hotel to change and head to Magic Kingdom.

We got to Magic Kingdom around 3pm. I wasn't upset about getting there that late because they stayed open until midnight.

The parade was starting right when we got there. I love Disney parades!


This is as close to Goofy as Cooper would get without his sister and brother. We did get his autograph though while we were waiting for Brandon, Madi and Russ to get off of Splash Mountain. Cooper could have ridden it, but he did not like the looks of that big hill.

It was so hot - Russ wanted one of those fans with the water spray on it. I must say it was the BEST $20 bucks we spent while we were there.


Magic Kingdom was definitely the most crowded park we went to. We rode pretty much everything we wanted to though - except Space Mountain :( - it is closed for refurbishing until Winter 2009. Cooper's favorite ride was the Barnstormer Roller Coaster. We rode it twice and he even put his hands up. Madi and Russ loved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

I didn't take many pictures at this park. I think it was so hot I didn't have any energy to get the camera out. We had a great day and did not leave until 11:45pm. I can't believe we stayed that late. We were so tired!

Once we rode the bus back to our hotel, took quick showers, and dove into bed... it was 1:30am. That wouldn't have been so bad except for we had to be at Epcot the next day for Madi's Performing Arts workshop at 8:30am.

What were we thinking?

This is How we Celebrate

When it's your birthday in our family, we like to celebrate "Birthday Weekends" or sometimes "Birthday Week".

On Friday, Cooper celebrated his birthday at Chuck E Cheese with his cousins.


Cooper loves to play SkeeBall. Most of the time it stayed in his lane :)


McDonalds was Cooper's choice for his birthday lunch after church.


His party started at 4:00. He picked out a Power Rangers theme. I just made appetizers and we had cake/ice cream.


Cooper was ready to open presents. Here he is with his family and friends.


He loved all of his presents!




I know he is mine and I'm biased, but don't you love his smile??

We surprised him with a Toyota Cruiser. Madi had a Barbie Jeep (which she loved). We never got Russ one because he never acted interested in one. Cooper loves being outside and when your child has every (Star Wars, Batman, Power Rangers) toy - you kind of run out of ideas...

Cooper would give anybody rides. He was not so ready to share the driver's seat yet.


Our party ended with Bo, Sophie and Reed spending the night. They played, ate pizza, and went to sleep watching Hotel for Dogs. When I checked on them at midnight only Russ and Sophie were still up. Thankfully for me, they all slept until 9:20am.

I hope you had a great 4th birthday weekend, Coop!

Dear Cooper,

Happy Birthday! Today you are 4 years old! You are so excited about this birthday. This morning when you woke up you had the biggest smile on your face. I love your trademark smile. It always makes my day when I see your smile.

You are all about legos, Star Wars, Batman, and Power Rangers right now. You love to play with your figures, but you also love to be outside playing ball. You usually love to play baseball. Right now, you are very in to golf. Daddy even made you your own putting green in the backyard. Nana and Papa got you a real putter for your birthday and that is all you want to do.

You say the funniest things! Although you do not like us to laugh at you after you say something funny. You usually make this screeching noise that sounds like a pteradactyl is in the room. I must say you are getting much better with that though.

You still love your hot tea. Even at a restaurant you order your "sweet tea" with no ice. You are such a good eater. You eat lots of fruits, especially oranges, and vegetables I have to remember to buy for you.

You start out most sentences with "Momma..." and end every sentence with "Momma." You still have a hard time saying t's instead of c's and p's instead of f's. You have the cutest voice I have ever heard.

Cooper, it has been a fun 4 years with you. You are a blast! You are my sweet boy and I love you so much!
Momma

Disney: Hollywood Studios

Our first day at Disney was spent at Hollywood Studios. Here we are waiting for the bus. It was how we traveled everyday to the parks and was worth the wait.

I loved Hollywood Studios. It was my favorite park!

We went and fast passed Tower of Terror and then watched a little of a HSM 3 show and then rode the Great Movie Ride. Here is Madi beside the horse that Mary Poppins rode.

We ate lunch at the SciFi Drive in Theater. It was neat! I really don't think the food at Disney is all that great. You definitely pay for the experience/atmosphere. This restaurant was cool!

We headed straight for Tower of Terror after lunch. Loved it!
Unfortunately we didn't get to ride Rock n Roller Coaster. They had given out all of the fast passes and we were going to come back and wait, but we ran out of time. Cooper wasn't tall enough to ride this anyway.

The streets at Hollywood Studios are so cool.

By about 3pm we were dying for something to drink. We were waiting for the Block Party Bash to start and I decided to go get us something to drink while they stayed and saved our spot. Well, I didn't make it back in time and then couldn't cross the street to get back to where we were sitting. I pretty much missed the entire parade. Brandon had the camera and only took this picture of Madi. One of the dancers pulled people out onto the street to dance and Madi got picked. Thankfully, he got this picture.

I finally got back with the drinks and it started to POUR!!! We ran to the nearest gift shop and waited and waited until it let up enough to make a run for it to Star Tours. I am so sad I didn't get a picture but it was raining and we were soaked!
Cooper is all about Star Wars so he loved this ride!

We ran again to our next stop which was the Stunt Show. Here we are on metal bleachers while it is thundering and lightning. We were covered from the rain at least. Then, they decided to cancel the show due to the weather. So, we ran to the Toy Story ride and waited. Can you tell how soaked we are?

While in line we saw a Green Army Man. Madi ran out and got our autographs while Russ snapped the picture of her.

The Toy Story ride was sooo neat! We waited in line for this ride forever! Again, all the fast passes were given out. It was worth the wait though!


We couldn't wait to eat at the Pizza Planet. Toy Story is one of our family's favorite movies. Honestly, this was one of my favorite meals the whole week.


We had a great time at Hollywood Studios! We also rode the Backlot Tour, saw the Muppets 3D, and watched Ariel's Adventure. We finished running from place to place and were completely soaked by 10pm. It did stop raining eventually, and never rained again while we were at Disney.