12 Days Til Christmas!

Hello everyone,

With the holiday season in full swing I haven'e been able to update this as often as I had hoped! I can't believe Christmas is only 12 days away! I also can't believe that I go home in just 19 days! It is razy to think how fast this time has gone by!

Bob and Shar and the whole gang were here for thanksgiving! It was a lot of fun to have them all around, especially for the holiday. A lot of my friends were having a hard time accepting the fact that they were not with their families for the holiday so it was nice to have them around. At the last minute everyone thought it would be fun if I joined them on their Disney Cruise. With my excellent discount it was pretty cheap for me to go along so guess what?! I went along! The trip was amazing! They had suites so I ended up just bunking in Bob and Shar's room all week! (I wasn't so keen on sleeping alone at night! There was SOO much food!!

We set sail Sunday to Nassau. On Monday, we docked and went to the Atlantis hotel to their water-park. It was a little cold and it was raining but it was nice because there was no one there! We were able to get in a lot of the water-slides and then head back to the boat! We set sail again and on Tuesday we stopped at Castaway Cay (Disney's Private Island). It was really nice for most of the day! Nettie and I did Yoga on the beach in the morning while everyone played in the water. In the afternoon Bob, Shar, and I took a bike ride while the others swam with the stingrays. Then we played sports on the beach for a while before heading back on board. Wednesday was our day at sea! Most of the day it was sunny and I even got burned! The girls all had passes to the Rainforest Room (the spa) and so we hung out, sat in the sun, ate food, played bingo, and did I mention ate food! We docked early Thursday and departed our seperate ways! It was so much fun to get to know everyone a little better! By the end of the trip we all felt more like brother and sister rather than what is it second and third cousins!?

Since the Naperville gang left me I have been working a lot! I picked up some extra hours and I am trying to stay busy. Luckily my family comes in 7 DAYS! I have started to get pretty home sick. (surprise surprise Brooke is getting home sick... no one would have ever guessed!!!) I am very excited about getting to see everyone for Christmas.

I miss everyone very much and will see everyone soon! Love you all!

This is from the last time my family was here!!

Its Almost Turkey Day!

These are our Christmas Outfits! Darling right!

Wow! Time is going by really fast! I am working a lot right now. Most of the college program people have been moved to Park Greeter so it has been somewhat boring but we are making the best of it!

My friend Andrea from work came two weeks ago with her husband and daughter. They were at Disney for a few days then went to Daytona for the rest of the week. I took off Thursday and we all went to the Magic Kingdom. It was a lot of fun seeing her! They stayed at The Nick hotel and we went back that night and swam at the pool! It was a pretty cool pool!

Then on Thurday night Dan came to see me again with our friends Nathan and Julie! They were here until Monday morning.

They were suppose to get in around 1230 on Thursday night but did not end up getting in until around 3. IT was a late night but Friday morning we got up and went to Blizzard Beach! IT was a beautiful day! It was 85 and sunny with a nice breeze. We did all the water slides and pretty much wore ourselves out climbing all the stairs. That night we went to Downtown Disney and at at Capt'n Jacks. While we were there the spaceship launched so we could see it! It was very interesting. It was just like a line of fire going through the sky.

Saturday morning we went to Epcot. We had extra magic hours so we got there early and did a few rides. Dan and I ate in France for lunch and Julie and Nathan ate in Morocco.

Then we hopped over to the Magic Kingdom. We played around there all day and then the boys went to the ESPN zone while julie and I stuck around for the fireworks and parades.

Sunday morning it was a little hard to get up! We all were very tired! We did end up going to Animal Kingdom and doing the Safari, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur ride. Then we headed to Hollywood studios for more extra magic hours. Little did we know it was SUPER SOAP WEEKEND! Yes all you crazy soap fans! We made it through all the stuff we wanted to do and even had time to eat at the 50's Prime Time Cafe!

Overall, the weekend was a blast! It felt like catching up with long lost friends! They left early monday morning and I went back into my Disney Bubble.

This week my friends Rach and Ben are coming into the Orlando area. I will be meeting up with them on Wednesday for some Disney fun! Then on Thursday Bob and Shars gang come down. Yes this includes Bob, Shar, Doug, Nettie, Clair, Abby, Sylvia, Dave, Misty, Caleb, Luke, and Lilly! I am looking forward to seeing them all! They will be here until Saturday and then they will head out to do the Disney Cruise!

I can't wait till me family gets here for Christmas either! only 29 more days accoding to Aunt Jeanette!

Dan and me in front of Cinderella's Castle! Its all decorated for Christmas! Its Beautiful!

Nathan, Julie, me, and Dan at the Magic Kingdom! We had a great weekend!

M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E!

I will be working on Thanksgiving this year but on Wednesday night they do have a dinner for us so at least I will be eating some Turkey close to Turkey Day! I hope everyones Thanksgivings are wonderful as well! Love you!

GoodBye October!

Halloween Season is FINALLY over! The Magic Kingdoms first Halloween Party was on September 5th and tonight was the last party! Going into work today I didn't even realize that today was actually Halloween!

A lot has been going on since I posted last.

Last weekend my family was here to see me! Mom, Dad, Shanna, Betsy, Aunt Joni, Tyler, Scott, Erik, Aunt Shar, and Uncle Bob all came down for a fun-filled weekend! My mom, Shanna, Betsy, A. Joni, Scott, and Erik all came in on Thursday night! They got in really late so we went to Perkins to eat a late night snack. The next day we got up and went to the MAgic Kingdom. Of course... where else would we go!? We did different rides and ran around the park crazy like! We also took time to eat at our favorite spot, The Liberty Tree Tavern. I had to go to work that night so they all stuck around to see me in my wonderful costume! My mom went crazy taking pictures of me! One of my managers even took over my turnstile so that I could go get my picture taken with them. My mom looked like a crazy tourist running around with her camera!! It was Hillarious!

While we were at the parks Shannas Wallet was stolen from our room. This started a wonderful adventure! We had to get Security, managers, and eventually the police to deal with it. Shanna had to cancel all her credit cards. Needless to say it was a mess!

Tyler and my dad's flights got delayed so they got in even more late than everyone did the night before!

Saturday morning we got up early and went to the park. I had arranged for my mom, dad, Shanna, Aunt Joni, and tyler to go on a tour of Magic Kingdom. It started at 9 so we were there for the opening. I took BEtsy, Scott, and Erik around MK with me. We got a lot done. We had Breakfast at the Bakery and Lunch at Cosmic Rays. I think they enjoyed being able to run free in the parks. The tour last until 2 so after they all went back to the hotel to nap. Tyler joined us at Hollywood Studios where we did a few rides. We then met back up with everyone to go to Epcot. We went to dinner in China. (excellent place). We then hopped back to MK to do Haunted Mansion and Pirates. Uncle Bob and Aunt Shar joined us late Saturday night.

Needless to say by Sunday morning we were all ready for bed and slept for a long time. My dad had to fly out early to go back to work so he went to the airport sunday afternoon. Beforehand we picked up Heidi and went out to lunch. It was nice to get a good meal!! After my dad went to the airport the rest of us headed to the Halloween Party at MK. It was nice to be a guest for once! We went trick or treated and rode a lot of rides! I think everyone enjoyed the parades that I watch everyday as well! We decided to do Splash Mountain at midnight which was a lot of fun! We got stuck both times we rode it that night but it was well worth it!

My Mom, Aunt Joni, Aunt Shar, and Uncle Bob all went as Hippies or something of the sort. They had on wigs and funky shirts! IT was great! The kids all went as Double Dare people. Double Dare was a game show on Nickelodeon when we were growing up! We did a "physical challenge" during the break in the parade. All together we had 5 physical challenges. The teams were boys vs girls! The first challenge was on Space mountain. The goal was to keep your hands up the whole time. I lost it for the red team by putting my hands down on the last drop! UGH! The next challange was on the Buzz Lightyear Ride. The girls dominated this event by scoring the most points and beating ZURGE!

The last 3 challenges came during the parade. We had hats with cups on them and we had to see who could get the most marshmellows in their teammates cups in two minutes. This one we tied at. The next one was a hula hoop competion which the girls won again. The final one was the game where everyone on the team holds hands. THe person on the end holds the hula hoop and passes it over themselves. It must go all the way down the line and back without breaking the chain. AGAIN, the girls won! Needless to say the RED TEAM WON!!

The next day everyone left me again!! SAD i know! I was really excited they were here!

Sorry this is just a bunch of jibber jabber! This Monday I have the week off so I am going to fly home. Betsy has her play this Friday and Missy should be having her baby (anyday now Missy would be great!) Matt also gets sworn into his whole lawyer thing this Thursday! I hope everything is going great for you all! Love you all!

Hi Everyone!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry, I have been really busy lately!

This past weekend The Hanna's came to see me! Rick had a work conference so the whole family came down for a fun weekend! I had to work on Thusday and Friday but they came to a Halloween Party at the MAgic Kingdom! It poured down rain that night so it wasnt much fun for them but it was fun to ssee them! On Saturday I went with them to "the other park" aka Universal. Islands of Adventure was fun. We went to the park in the morning and did a few rides. Then Jorja, Ashley, and I went to Universal and did a few rides over there! We had a lot of fun shopping in the I Love Lucy Store. (Yes a whole store dedicated to her!) We also witnessed a girl throw up right in front of us during lunch which was wonderful! Ha ha! That night we went to a party for Rick's work! It was fun! We made a video of us singing to the ABC 123 song! and took pictures! The boys enjoyed playign Rock Band with the other teens! It was awesome to see them!

They left Sunday and by Monday I had other visitors.

On Monday Kathy came into town with her mom and Tony. (Kathy is Uncle Dan's wife)
She has a work thing in Florida this week and said that she couldn't come to Florida without brining Tony to Disney World! I joined them on Wednesday and Thursday in the parks! We went to Epcot on Wednesday (Which I havent been to since the dancing in the rain). IT was fun to see Tony's reaction to all the rides (he is 14 months old now). We went to Magic Kingdom to watch the parade and Fireworks as well! Crazy Cousin Brooke (thats me) also let him try his first lemon! He loved it! He just kept wanting more! He has just started walking in the past few months and always wanted down or out of his stroller to walk. We kept telling him that one day he will want to be back in that stroller!

On Thursday we went back to the Magic Kingdom and did a lot of different rides! Kathy also squeezed her way into getting us a table at Liberty Tavern! (her tactics worked many times while they were here) She had also gotten us seats at The Coral Reef in Epcot right next to the Aquarium. After dinner we went to thier hotel and watched the water parade and the halloween fireworks from the Magic Kingdom! It was so much fun to see them.
When Tony was 4 months old I went out to D.C. to nanny for him for a week! Let's just say he has changed a lot! Kathy thinks he remembers me because he was fine with me holdign him and apparently he doesnt let many people hold him!

Well I am back to work now. Doing the same thing day in and day out! Last night a few friends and I went to Steak N Shake! It is a regular thing for us! My friends and I always try to find people we work with to take that have never been to steak n shake! Last night we had two people from Vegas and one from the Netherlands that we took there! Mark is going back to the Netherlands at the end of next week so we made him go before he heads back home! Everyone enjoyed it! But who doesnt enjoy steak n shake after work at 12:30 AM!
Monday I have off work and so does Heidi! This is exciting because due to our work schedules we never see eachother any more! We have a day planned which includes a stop for salad and breadsticks at the OG (Olive Garden!) Then Thursday is when my next visitors come! My Mom, Dad, Shanna, Betsy, Aunt Joni, Tyler, Scott, Erik, Aunt Shar, and Uncle Bob are all coming to see me! I am so excited! Heidi's family was just here this past weekend and I was really jealous! I have Saturday and Sunday off to spend with them! I cant wait!
I hope everyone is doing well! Miss you all!

(Sorry for no pictures my camera is still broken!)

Update for October!

The past week has been very busy!


The Zimmers were here and I had a lot of fun showing them around, going out to eat, and playing in the park. On Monday we went to the Crystal Palace to eat with the Winnie The Pooh characters. It was a lot of fun to see the kids get excited when they came to our table. On Wednesday we ate at the Sci-Fi Dine-in at Hollywood. It is suppose to be like a drive-in movie. You eat in cars and watch old movie clips! It was really godo and a lot of fun! The best dinner was on Thursday night. Because they had 15 people they qualified for grad gatherings. With this you get to do extra things in the parks. We did a Safari Celebration Dinner at Animal Kingdom. After the park closed we got to do a special safari and then had dinner! It was a lot of fun! Friday morning was my last day with them and we went back to the Animal Kingdom forbreakfast. Mickey, Donald, and Daisy were all there to greet us! The Zimmers stayed on unti Saturday but on Friday Dan came to visit me!

This was at the Safari Celebration! This was the whole group that came down to Disney with the Zimmers!

On Thursday, the grandparents watched the kids and we went to Disney Quest at Downtown Disney. It was fun, but not if you get sick on virtual rides!

Dan was here from Friday until Sunday for our 5 year anniversary! It was a lot of fun! On Friday we went to Animal Kingdom so that Dan could meet Heidi on the Safari! We also did Expedition Everest! Then we went to Hollywood Studios for The lights Motors Action Stunt show, tower of terror, and Rockin' Roller Coaster! We finsihed off the evening at Magic Kingdom where Dan met a lot of people I work with. Heidi came and joined us for the Spectro Magic Parade and Wishes Fireworks!

On Saturday we ate lunch at the Willdreness Lodge (Same place I ate with Mo and Lee). Then we went to the Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom for the evening! We took lots of pictures that I am hoping to have soon.

On Sunday, we went to Downtown Disney to do some shopping before Dan headed back to Illinois! My camera broke wile he was here so he took it home to get it fixed! He is going to get the pictures off of it and send them to me so you can see all of the pictures!

This week I am back to my normal routine! Atleast until THursday that is!

On Thursday Aunt Jo Jo is coming with all the kids! They are doing "that other park" (Universal) and I pan on joining them on Saturday!

Next week, Aunt Kathy is coming with her mom and Tony! I am excited to see how big Tony has gotten.

On the 23rd, my mom, dad, shanna, betsy, Aunt Joni, Tyler, Scott, Erik, and Uncle Bob and Aunt Shar are comign to see me for the weekend! We are going to do the HAlloween Party and my mom, dad, Shanna, TYler, and Aunt Joni are doing a behind the scenes tour of Magic Kingdom! I can't wait to see them all.

I am also planning a trip back to Bloomington for Novemember 5th through 8th! Betsy is doing her fall play that weekend and I am going home to see it! In addition, one of my best friends Missy and her husband Jeff are having a baby at the end of the month and I can't wait to see him!

I hoe everyone is doing well! I will upload more pictures when I get them!

Love you all,

Brooke
This is Princess Katie and me at the Halloween Party! She will be five in a few weeks!

An Update!

Mo and Lee treated me to dinner! I had such a good time when they were here!

Bystrys you were right in saying taller than the trees and higher than the mountains. This is also know as 130 feet. Cinderella's castle is 13 stories high or 130 feet. Aaron was also right in that Disney planned it to be this tall. If it were any taller it would need a light on top of it for planes to see it!

In addition Aaron was right it the fact that there are NO BRICKS in Cinderella's Castle. It is a steal frame and made to look like it is brick! Exciting I know!

The Zimmers come tomorrow! They are very excited. I don't think the two 2-year-olds fully understand but Katie the 5 year old is very excited! I can't wait to see them!

Mo sent me pictures of when she was here so I thought I would show you all a few. Mo is my boss in Normal at Katie's Kids and her and her husband Lee came down for a week!

The Magic Kingdom has been decorated for Halloween since August!

This is Mo and I on Splash Mountain! Lee wouldn't go! We got soaked!
On Wednesday this week we had Blast Off. It was a college program only party in tomorrow land. We got to ride space mountain with the lights on and had FREE food (good for any college student) It was a blast!

They always have Characters for us to meet at our parties! This was outside the Indy Speedway! I love their costumes!

This is on Space Mountain! The lights were on!

This picture is from when Carly came to see me! We had such a great day! She had a wonderful first trip to WDW!

Love you all,

Brooke

OK next Trivia...

In October of 1971 Walt Disney World opened. It had Magic Kingdom and what three resorts?

TRIVIA

My second set of visitors are currently packing. The Zimmers come on Saturday and Daniel comes the following Friday! I am very excited!

So, My life right now is not very interesting. I figured I would enlighten everyone with Disney Trivia.

Here is the first Trivia Question:

How many bricks are in Cinderella's Castle and How Tall is it?

Any guesses? (NO GOOGLE or search engines!)