Disney World Vacation - Day 2

We spent almost all of our second day at the Magic Kingdom. We woke up early since the park was open for extra "magic hours" for families staying at certain resorts. We were able to ride quite a few rides before the park officially opened to the public. We spent the morning on rides and then went back to the hotel for a swim after lunch. Then we went back to the Magic Kingdom in the evening for more rides, dinner, and fireworks. We rode: Buzz Lightyear (many times!), It's a Small World, the Carousel, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride, Haunted Mansion, The People Mover, Tea Cups, Peter Pan's Flight, the Racetrack, and Pirates of the Caribbean. William loved everything. Alex and I enjoyed everything but Space Mountain. We could only handle that one time! The boys also went shopping for their souvenirs.

Buzz Lightyear Ride

It's a Small World said Goodbye to us!

Waiting at the racetrack

Phil and Will on Thunder Mountain Railroad

Will's purchase: Minnie

Alex bought Pluto

Night Racing

Alex's High Score

Mine Ride

Mine Ride

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

On the ferry back to the hotel

Disney World Vacation - Day 1

We just got back from a wonderful Disney vacation. The boys had a four day weekend and we took them out of school one extra day. On Thursday morning, we drove to Detroit to catch a flight down to Orlando. Then we hopped on the Magical Express which took us to the Polynesian Resort. We were able to check into our room right away and then the boys spent the afternoon in the pool. They spent the majority of the time going down the water slide. Then we watched the nightly torch lighting ceremony before taking a quick ride on the monorail. Then we had dinner at a restaurant at the hotel and were able to watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and the water parade from the beach at our resort.

On the airport shuttle

The view from our room

Will on the water slide

Alex on the water slide

Our room was on the top floor - 4th room in from the right.

The Polynesian Lobby

Our room

Torch Lighting Ceremony

1,000 Blog Posts!!!

Can you believe it? This is our 1,000th blog post!

It all started on Monday, June 4, 2007:  Addition - Day 1

Who knew when we finished the addition, that the blog would keep going?Addition - It's Done!

We had a fair amount of press in the past 10 years:
Phil's a Pretty Big Deal Around Here

GR Magazine

Antiques Roadshow

On the Town

Names and Faces in Business
Phil on TV


We've taken some pretty great trips:
Las Vegas 2008
Aruba 2009
Cruise 2010
Tampa
Myrtle Beach 2011
Cincinnati 2011
Cincinnati 2012
Charlotte 2013
St. George Island 2013
Chicago 2013
St. George Island 2014
Disney 2015
Niagara Falls 2016
Cottage 2016

And made some exciting announcements:
William's First Pictures
Alex's First Pictures

And we've had our fair share of celebrations:
Aunt Erika's 100th Birthday
William Martin Maguran
Maran and Josh's Wedding
William's First Birthday Party
Cieslak's 40th Anniversary Party
Alexander Gene Maguran
Allison's Naming Ceremony
Oma's 100th Birthday
Alex's First Birthday Party
Goodbye to Anderson Drive
First Day of Kindergarten
Katie and Will's Wedding
Kindergarten Graduation
Emma's Naming Ceremony
Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone


It was so much fun going back through all these posts - even though I just skimmed the titles it brought back a lot of memories. It is nice to have a record of all our milestones and adventures. One of these days, I'll actually take the time to read through them all. I hope you continue to enjoy our weekly updates!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Ken!

On Saturday, we went to Grand Rapids to celebrate Uncle Ken's 70th birthday. We went out for a nice family lunch at P.F. Changs and then back to the Hofmeyer's for birthday cupcakes and presents. After the party, Grandma and Grandpa took the boys back to their house so we could walk around the lake. It was such a beautiful day!