January 02, 2005
Epcot Part 2 and Universal
On Thursday, we got up bright and early to be at Epcot when it opened so we could do a few rides in the morning before heading off to Universal for the rest of the day. Eduard and Aaron joined us on Misson: Space, Test Track (their 2nd time on the ride), Spaceship Earth, and the Imagination ride with Figment.
In the afternoon, we went with Betty and Aaron to Universal Studios Theme Park, which is actually 2 theme parks in one. Universal has movie rides and simulations (we hit E.T., Back To The Future, Jaws, and Twister) based in replicas of U.S. towns and cities like Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, and Amityville (the setting for Jaws). Islands of Adventure has more roller coasters and stomach-dropping rides in lands like Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, Toon Lagoon, The Lost Continent, and Jurassic Park.
Betty and Aaron took a quick nap to get ready for our big afternoon!
Karen poses with the Blues Brothers right before their concert. They had an "Air Supply" CD in their car...great taste!
The HULK Roller Coaster - what a rush it was!
Brian goes on the Unicorn Roller Coaster!
We met the whole family for dinner at Islands of Adventure's Mythos Restaurant, named Best Theme Park Restaurant in the World in 2003 and 2004.
After dinner, we went back through Seuss Landing to Universal to go on E.T. and Jaws with our Express passes. We're glad we saved these two rides for last. We stopped by Curious George Goes To Town before heading out for the night.
Epcot Part 1, Cirque, and The Magic Kingdom
We arrived mid-day on Tuesday the 28th and met up with Emily, Shachar, Betty, Aaron, Eduard, Carrie, and Sam at Epcot in the World Showcase. We accompanied them to Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada before heading with Emily and Shachar to the Energy ride featuring Bill Nye (the science guy) and Ellen DeGeneres. It was a great first afternoon. Check out a great group pic on Emily's site.
Tuesday night, we went with the whole gang to La Nouba, Cirque du Soleil's Orlando show in Downtown Disney and Karen's first Cirque experience. It was AMAZING!
Wednesday, we spent the whole day at the Magic Kingdom with Bill, Liz, and Annie, traveling to the different lands and going on rides in each. We were transformed for the day into our ten-year-old selves, found out the wonders of "Fast Pass" and had a FABULOUS time hanging out with Bill and the girls.
We stuck around for dinner, a few night rides, and the Disney SpectroMagic parade. We also got to see a few fireworks on our way out. Quite a day!
Disney Digs
We just returned from our trip to Disney with Brian's family. We stayed with Ann/Mom, Bill, Emily, Shachar (Emily's boyfriend), Betty, Aaron (Betty's boyfriend), Eduard, Liz, Annie, Doug, Barbi, Brooke, Lisa, John, Carrie, and Sam (Carrie's younger brother) about 2 miles from the parks in this rockin house.
front
kitchen
dining area
living area
game room
pool and hot tub
our bedroom
mickey bedroom (betty's room)
August 04, 2004
Maine Vacation #2
Brian decided on the spur of the moment to turn our lackluster Independence Day weekend into a fabulous retreat in Freeport. He found an awesome B&B, Brewster House, right on Main Street in downtown Freeport. We spent all day Saturday shopping - and buying - lots of clothes and wandering around the town, with nowhere to be and noone to see. It was pretty fabulous!
Maine Vacation #1
At the end of June, Karen took her first few days vacation from Jumpstart to join Cheryl and the girls at Higgins Beach in Maine where John's family has a house on the beach. We played, movied, beached, crafted for the July 4th parade, and more...a much needed escape and some good quality sister and niece time.
Sara Anne shows off her do
Best friends
The cutest almost 4 year-old in the world
Bug chasing time
Chillin' on the couch
The newest member of the Higgins family - Evan Daniel
Grace helps with parade prep
And Cheryl tries to help too
Beach time!
June 13, 2004
St. Louis - Part Deux
After Betty's graduation and lunch we got on a plane at Bradley and headed out to St. Louis for Beth and Kevin's wedding. We met Koonal at the airport where Aunt Judy and Uncle Gil picked us up for a fabulous and activity-packed weekend. Once again, I forgot to bring my camera to the main event, but the outdoor ceremony and reception were gorgeous, the rehearsal dinner was at the very cool St. Louis zoo, and Aunt Judy helped to run a hospitality suite full of delicious food out of the Frontenac Hilton all weekend long. We got to reunite with many of the guests that we met at Aaron and Cyndi's wedding in May - including the band!!
Thanks to Aunt Judy and Uncle Gil for being such awesome hosts and taking such good care of us. We spent some much-needed quality time with Koonal too (who just finished his first year studying public policy at Georgetown).
The St. Louis Arch
Who are those cool kids?
The Mighty Mississippi
In line for the "ride" to the top
Doors to the top...
Our door...
Our pod awaits...Karen wasn't nervous at all...
Views from the top...
Busch Stadium - Home of the St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Court where the Dred Scott case was heard
Illinois river boat gambling
Trains
Brian and Karen at the top
Heading down...
The end
Ted Drewes
After the Arch, we were hungry and tired, so we just had to go to Ted Drewes, another famous St. Louis landmark!
St. Louis Cardinals Game
Gil and Judy got us some fabulous seats at the Cardinals/Astros game on Sunday. Because the Cardinals lost, Judy says we can't go with them ever again - so sad.
Thank You!
