Happy Halloween

This year Donovan was Darth Vader and Allison was a Princess. They got to Trick or Treat with Violet (their cousin).

Allison was leading the pack, she was a girl on a mission!

Fall FUN

Our Family Tradition I see you!

1, 2, 3, 4...I declare a leaf war!

Where Dreams Come True

Just two weeks ago we went on our first family trip Disney World. This was Allison's first time flying and Donovan's third. We stayed on WDW Animal Kingdom Park at the All Star Movies Resort. Each building and courtyard was designed around a Disney movie. We stayed in the 101 Dalmatian's. There was also: Mighty Ducks, Fantasia, Toy Story and Herbie.













Our first day at WDW we spent at Epcot. We visited The Seas Pavilion, road the Nemo ride and went to Turtle Talk with Crush, Journeyed through our Imagination with Figment and much more. We were limited on some activities because Allie did not meet the minimum height requirement - a theme throughout our stay, but, we did not let that stop us from all the fun we had. Donovan especially loved the Spaceship Earth ride and Pavilion.

We had lunch with the Fairytale Princesses at Akershus Royal Hall (Norway). Allie was so excited. She saw, talked and had pictures taken with Snow White, Jasmine, Mulan, Belle and her favorite Ariel (The Little Mermaid).

Next day we hit both Animal Kingdom and part of Magic Kingdom (Tomorrowland and Toontown). We started the day at Animal Kingdom breakfast with Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy. After breakfast we went on the Harambe Safari. Very neat experience for all of us. We booked from there to the Magic Kingdom via the Monorail. Donovan thought the monorail was "Awesome".

Kids loved the Buzz Lightyear ride-we went on at least 4 times (Got to love the FastPass). Took the Tomorrowland Transit Authority ride a few times to avoid the rain shower. Matt and Donovan, went on the Stitch ride - not one of Donovan favorites - while Allie and I cooled off and shared a ice cream cone. Now, off to Toontown, rode the Train, stopped by Mickey and Minnie's houses and stopped by the County Fair for Allison to have more pictures with "Her" princesses. Tried to end the day with the Spectro Magic Parade, but the weather just did not hold out.

On Wednesday we went to NASA. We got lucky and got to see a rarity for NASA...a shuttle on each of NASA's two launch pads-Atlantis on one and Endeavour on the other. This was "dreamland" for Donovan. He is a Space Freak like me! We got to see the crawler/transporter, walk through a "shuttle" and took the bus tour.


Back to WDW Thursday to finish up Magic Kingdom. Friday we spent at Hollywood Studios (MGM). Allie's highlight of the day was going to see Playhouse Disney on Stage. She was in her element. She was singing and dancing and have a blast! We had lunch at Pizza Planet - Donovan loved it. Toy Story has been is favorite movie since he was a baby.

No one wanted to go home! Can we PLEASE STAY!

We'll be back...when Allie is taller (at least 40 in) so we can enjoy the rest of WDW.

For All The Moms Out There

Year of Destruction

2008 maybe the Chinese Year of the Rat, but for the McKinney's it is the Year of Destruction, oops, I mean Construction.

We had many projects in our house that we planned to complete in our first few years living here. But, we got involved in a few side projects. The first was in 2002, Project Donovan and our most recent was in 2005, Project Allison. Since these took most of our free time, not to mention sleep and sanity, we put our home projects on hold. We have agreed to take a slight break for any further side projects to finally complete our original house projects.

I painted and gave Donovan's room a new look. He wanted a "Sports" room. You may remember me mentioning it in a previous post "Smurfette". Well, I finished that and even got a thumbs up and "Way Cool".

We also (Matt deserves all the credit actually) put in new windows in the living room, our bedroom, breezeway and parlor. We have to finish the trim and one more project is off the list.

Oh, did I mention also on the list is siding, new front doors, new front windows, new kitchen flooring, and new front porch and roof.

Currently the front porch/roof project is underway. Stay tuned to more updates!

Happy Birthday Bubba!

We tried something different this year. We had two parties.

Our family party (SPEED RACER THEME) was hosted at Auntie Jess's Clubhouse at her apartment complex. One word...WONDERFUL. I was so much more relaxed and was actually finally able to participate and enjoy a party. A DEFINITE MUST DO AGAIN!

The Clubhouse is huge, lots of run for the kids to run and play. It also has a full kitchen.














Our guests were even able to watch "Pirates" in their Movie Room!














The following weekend we had a friends party at National Golf Center. This was great, no set up, they ordered the pizza, no clean up and the kids each got a goodie bag from the Center. Highly recommend this!!! Donovan invited his soccer team and a couple good friend from school.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONOVAN! Can't believe how fast the years go. Six years and First Grade this year!

Donovan has lost...

HIS FIRST TOOTH! (His lower left central incisor)

Yet just another sign that my little man is growing up...no denying it (as much as I try to). The tooth has been loose for a few weeks now and it came out while he was eating a marshmallow - that's right a marshmallow! He is so excited. Of course he told me the Tooth Fairy is going to leave him fifty dollars. It was fifty cents when I was little, inflation I guess ;) I do wonder...what does a tooth go for now adays?