Wow, is it just me or did January fly right by? I mean, it would have taken an act of God for January to have moved slower this year than last year (see: waiting for the severance check, training Etta, and whining Porkchop). But really, I can't believe it's almost February already (and boy do I have a busy next couple of weeks!)
A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday, I managed to get all three boys to go to Disney with me and Asa. It was some kind of miracle. Peyton only exclusively goes to Disney for family events or an Epcot Festival with food he enjoys, so that was a miracle in and of itself. Calib didn't want to go, because he didn't want to miss playoff football- so I promised him if he got up real early we could be back at least close enough to the 4 o'clock kickoff. So out to Hollywoood Studios we all went- and to our surprise it was STILL decorated for Christmas.
With Star Wars landing coming later this year, Hollywood Studios still just kind of seems like half a park, but there is some fun stuff to do. I wanted to make sure we at least hit Muppet Vision 3D. I love this attraction, but I'm sort of worried about it. You see, it sits between the existing Star Wars ride and the new land. And I'm thinking how weird and out of place it will be there once Galaxy's Edge opens. I guess it's possible they could flip the entrance to the existing ride like they did with Toy Story Mania, but just in case, I wanted to make sure to go this time around.
Plus, it's one Asa and I hadn't checked off our list yet.
#3 Muppets 3-D!
I also managed to nab us some Fastpasses for one of the new rides in Toy Story Land we hadn't been on yet. Peyton was less than impressed, but he came along anyway.
It was super fun, even if it isn't that complicated. It's like a funner, cuter, scambler.
So that hard to get Fastpass is checked off our list too!
#4 Alien Swirling Saucers
We're not moving too fast on our list as of late, but now that football and blackout dates are over, we'll have more time to go to the parks. And, while we were once blacked out of Hollywood Studios starting in June, we now have all summer to enjoy the park, before blackout dates start in August.
This was Peyton's first time in the new-ish Toy Story Land, so we introduced him to one of our new favorite Disney park snacks: The lunchbox tart at Woody's Lunchbox. At $3 these things are a steal. And, why is nobody else ever using mobile ordering? I feel like everytime I walk up and see a gigantic line, we place our order on on our phones and it's done in no time.
After we left Hollywood Studios we headed over to Disney Springs, there's a whole new exit and entrance to the park, and it takes you a roundabout way- but you do get to see the progress being made on Star Wars Land.
So, I'm sure you're wondering how I managed to get Peyton to go to Disney. Well, that's because they were having a special sneak peek at the brand new Kingdom Hearts game (which wasn't even out yet when we went). He's been looking forward to the game for years, so when he heard you get a free 15 minute time to play, he was totally there.
They had keyblades on display and everything. Peyton was all taking pictures to send to his friends to show them.
Everyone but me played the demo. Peyton, however, was most excited about it.
Fun fact: Peyton pre-ordered the game after that and got it on Tuesday. It's basically been on the TV in the Family Room non-stop since then.
Anyway, after all that we had worked up an appetite. Disney has some great food, but if the five of us are there for lunch, Blaze Pizza is our go to. With our passholder discount, we order three pizzas, everyone has water to drink and we come in just under $30 for lunch for all of us.
We were headed home by late afternoon, as to not miss the games- but we had gotten up so early, Peyton was napping before we even left Disney property.
We did swing by Costco on the way home though, and Calib decided he was finally going to spring for the really fancy dog bed. He thought Etta would enjoy it (she does- and sleeps on it almost every night, unless Ellie gets there first)- But the boys also seem to like hanging out on it.
PDQ had a couple of BOGO emails they sent us a couple of weeks ago, and so we used those right away. Then I suggested Peyton and Calib sign up for the emails too so when we get those we could go twice. They actually listened to me! So, off we went for lunch one day (Hayden isn't as much of a fan, so he opted to stay home).
Oh, there is some big news around here. So, our back porch screen has been in disarray since we bought the house. There were tons of little tiny tears when we first moved in. Over the course of the last two years, the top panels have fallen and we've done our best to fix it and make it work (although let me tell you, it's pretty scary when squirrels jump on it!), and then when we first got Etta she would scratch at it, creating some major holes.
Oh, and then there was the weed whacker incidents by Hayden.
Basically, it was a falling apart mess.
So, for a graduation present we finally got it re-screened. It took the guys a couple hours to get it done, where the dogs couldn't go out- and the cats couldn't enjoy the porch. They were less than thrilled about it. Asa was also working, so their go-to second choice of the office was closed. Maybel and Etta were less than thrilled. (But look at her just sitting there with a cat, like she gets along with them!)
But once it was all done, it was glorious! Like, we don't get little flying bugs in the house with the doors open anymore. It's AMAZING!
And we could finally powerwash the back porch too. I had been so worried a power washer would just pop out panels and shred what was left, I wouldn't let anyone do it.
It's so pretty out there now. We're loving it. Although it's been a little cold to have the doors open all day lately (I know, I know- it's WAY colder in Ohio- but seriously, we're all suffering, people!)
We also had a visit from the neighbor dog, Allie. She likes to get out of her house, dig under the fence, and visit us when her people aren't home. So, we end up with an extra dog for a couple hours every now and again. I don't feel like we're helping discourage her though.
She likes to hunt lizards with Ellie.
And the boys snuggle with her and play with her whenever she's over. Etta doesn't love it, because she is still not thrilled with unknown dogs. But, everyone else likes it.
And it was an excuse to have to sit outside and watch her, from my hammock, when the weather was nice.
We also had our annual Championship Sunday pizzas here. Calib had bugged me for years to make a cookbook, but the pizza recipes had always been on the Boboli website, so I never worried about it. Luckily, by the time they took it down, I knew most of them and could make my own recipe. The rest of them, I just kind of figured it out- but I did eventually make the cookbook.
Of course we always have the New England Clam Chowder Pizza. This year I had a couple of leftover crab cakes to put on top. I heated them up and then crumbled them on top. It was a nice addition.
They faced off with the other AFC Pizza, the Kansas City BBQ Chicken Pizza. I didn't think I'd like this one as much as I did, I mean it's pretty normal. But it was actually delicious, and the first pizza gone.
Over on the NFC side we had two newcomers! The Ram's California Fresh Pizza is basically a pesto and chicken pizza topped with red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. So good, probably my favorite. The New Orleans Creole Shrimp Pizza had a cream cheese mixture base, and I wasn't so sure I'd like it, but it was pretty decent.
Another Championship Sunday in the books. I really wanted it to be a Chiefs vs. Rams Super Bowl, because my two least favorite teams in the NFL are the Patriots and the Saints. I was prepared not to even watch the Superbowl if they were playing against each other. So, now I'm just glad I didn't get a worse case scenario and I can at least build the snackadium and watch the game.
I do have some sad news to report, too though. My last living grandparent, my grandpa Sattler passed away nearly two weeks ago now. He had been struggling with his health, and he was 96 years old, so it wasn't a surprise, but he will be missed. I'm glad he was down in Florida with me for all those years, before he moved back to Ohio, so I got to visit with him a lot over the years.
His funeral was last Wednesday, and because of things going on here my plan was to fly out very early Wednesday morning and fly back that evening. I got up at 4 o'clock, got to the airport, checked that I was on time and went to sit at my gate. I posted the obligatory Facebook post with the little plane and dotted line for flying from TPA to DTW. Then, someone commented and told me the entire Detroit airport was closed down.
I was like, I mean, that's weird. Nobody had said anything about it. In fact, they were boarding the plane. So I went up to the little stand to ask about it. Since I had such a small window, I was concerned there was a chance I was going to get diverted, I wouldn't end up being in Toledo for the funeral, and I would just spend my whole day stranded at a random airport. While I was standing there, and while they were BOARDING THE FLIGHT, they came over the speaker and announced the flight was cancelled. I checked, but there was no other way to get there in time. I mean, my options weren't great since the ENTIRE DETROIT AIRPORT WAS CLOSED. But there was nothing into Cleveland or Columbus that would get me there in time. So, I headed home. I guess it was grandpa's way of telling me to stay in the nice Florida weather instead.
Luckily, I was getting in some Sattler family time anyway. A couple weeks ago, my cousin, Jake, had already booked his flight to come visit us. He came down here on Thursday for a long weekend. Etta seemed to enjoy his company.
Of course, there was lots of video game playing.
And we had a cookout.
And then Asa, Jake, and I took a trip to Universal Studios. It was a cold day, but we powered through.
Here's Jake being touristy with his map.
After our day at Universal, we stopped by Disney Springs for dinner at the Polite Pig.
Sunday we had planned to go to Venice for dinner in honor of grandpa. But it rained litterally all day, and stayed around 50 degrees. There was no beach in our future, so we settled for playing games and then going out to Ford's Garage for dinner.
He left on Monday. I love having him visit, but 5 boys sure is a lot for one house!
In other odds and ends, Asa is apparently a favorite at the Publix deli.
And even though it's still more of a bush than a tree, we did get our first lime!
We've been moving along on our quest to play all the board games we own this year. Hotels got a little heated though.
Oh, and Jake showed up with trophies for our Fantasy League for both the winner and the loser. Ugh, I was annoyed Calib got a trophy. You know how many times I won, and I never got a cool trophy? Plus this time I only lost by 4/10 of a point!!!
Of course I leave you with the obligatory Waterstraut doggie photos. Etta had her checkup and has to shed a few. So her new snacks are things like blueberries and carrots. But, she seems pleased with that.
And we're all kind of bracing for a very busy two weeks around here. We've got the Superbowl this week (Snackadium construction has not begun), followed by my mom visiting, followed by Hayden's birthday AND Asa's graduation, all that coincide with a Disney trip and even more visitors, and then it's Valentine's Day. So, lots of things.
Asa did get his graduation attire. He couldn't figure out how to wear it though, and everyone just started shouting 'You're a wizard, Harry!'
But anyway, that's what we have on tap, so don't expect much from me until mid-February, when I'll try and catch you up!
