New Years Resolutions Review

Each year I make resolutions, and each year I review them.  Here are the 2015 resolutions, and the review.

ORIGINAL POST - with diagnosis written in, in Blue.
I think 2014 I fell off the Resolution Map.  2012 was one of my best years for making and keeping/being productive for resolutions. Then I went back to work full time and I lost it.  I tried to rekindle in 2013, and did one main thing - solved the full time job thing while unknowingly walking into a ridiculously stressful thing.  So that was it.  No resolutions and focus for 2014.  So, resolutions for 2015… make some?  Let's be bold and daring and put it all out there.  This is what I think I need to do for 2015:

1. Focus: Be as simple as possible in the execution of all things, and relax.  Not everything can get done, do the best I can with what needs to get done immediately.
I have to say, I have become more efficient.  I am really good at executing many things at once, and getting ahead of the game.  Unfortunately, this was not my original intention.  I think the intention was to do what needed to be done quicker so that we could focus on the good things in life.  Instead, I get what needed to be done quicker and then see how much else I can get done in the newfound time - still ignoring the more important things in life.  Note to self for 2016 resolutions...

2. Stop Eating Like a Big Fat Pig: In the past, my resolutions were not so aggressive, but they did say lose 10 pounds. I have a lot more than 10 to go now.  I need to stop the uncontrollable eating by figuring out why it happens.  I need to eat better in general, more fruits and veggies.  Less cheese and starch.  I need to remember I like fruits and veggies, and I like to cook.  I should cook.  When I go out to eat, I don't always have to get the worst thing on the menu, I like lots of stuff.  And, if I am full… Don't eat!  If I am not full, eat something small so I don't get ravenous and explode.  I know this.  I need to do this.  Good luck 2015 me.  We will start next week because I am tired this week and don't want to think about it...
I lost 10 pounds.  And it wasn't from less eating.  I still eat like a big fat pig.  See later resolutions, but again, a note for 2016.  No one wins when I shove my face with food.

3. Children, more: Less housework, less organizing, less ignoring the kids and more playing, being, talking, doing with them.  Having them help me with laundry, with dinner, with everything.  This is the same from 2013.  I need to do this.  My poor son has the stomach bug and today I did my nails while we watched a movie.  Then he pooped his pants, the couch, the bath mat, everything.  But my nails were wet so I passed the issue - which included a devastated and really sad and upset little boy who just wanted a hug from his mommy - off to my husband.  Who is this selfish being?  (well, to be fair to me I was up with said boy from 2:30am on…).  But still.  Stop it.  Go back to #1, and focus, dammit!
This continues to not happen with me. 

4. Less Party:  I have had many, many episodes of party lately.  The most recent one was epic in ridiculousness and inappropriateness and cannot be written on the web.  Nothing too terrible, but certainly nothing too smart either.  This is after an epic holiday partying session.  I have become known as the person who stays up late partying with other people's husbands, as inevitably all of the other ladies go to bed, and my husband with them (separate rooms people, and nothing funny happens with me and the men, get your mind out of the gutter!!!).  But, really.  I am now 35.  Not 20.  It is time to grow up.  & Drink lots of water, in between my wine.  I worry though that if I have less party, so will so many of our friends because I think I bring the party and ensure it continues…  Maybe I am wrong.  2015 experiment.  If we hear, wow - that was a comparatively tame evening to ones we had last year, I will know…  Or, maybe all of us are getting older so I am doing everyone a favor?  Or maybe it has nothing to do with me…  though I have been told I am an alcohol pusher.  Not for 2015 people!
Ok.  I drink water between wine, and since NYE of 2015, I have not stayed up later with a friend's husband at all!  I have learned to go to bed earlier! Yay, me.  But less party? Absolutely not.  More party.  I party harder, more controlled, and get more sleep and less hungover the next day.  I have mastered running long runs after a night of drinking.  I have found balance. Can I keep this going into 2016?  I HOPE SO!

5. Read:  I miss this, I did this well the past few years but have fallen off the wagon.  There are a ton of good books out there and so many that I have already purchased.  I also did not get rid of my audible membership and have like 10 book waiting so I better get on this!  Related to this - go to Book Club more and read the books this time!!!
Didn't happen, 2016 it will.  We had the best Book Club reunited event in December this year (the only book I read this year, and the only time ALL of us who went to book club actually read the book.  I love those guys.  I gave them all napkins that read: "My book club can drink your book club under the table."  We are continuing this, dammit.

6.  Stop Stressing:  My job has become very stressful, and I am not sure if I can do it all.  Things have reached a new level of stress and I have stopped sleeping.  I need to learn to shut it off (the stressful overall parts) and be able to jump back in and focus on them when I am physically there or needed.
Still working at this, will always work at this, but honestly -- it has gotten better.  I hope!

7. Be Mindful:  Kind of opposite of number 6, but I think it can work in tandem here…  I owe it to my job to be thinking about my job more, and in different and exciting ways which will invigorate me too.  I have become so stressed that when I am away I shut down and forget about work - but I cannot do that either.  In order for my job to do well I have to remember to tell everyone all about what I do, think outside the box about what we could be doing and meet and mingle with new people too.  
Also still working at this.  Need to not make this a NYResolution, but a life lesson for the boys, it is all about balance and enjoyment. 

8.  Purge:  Get rid of all of the baby things that we no longer need.  So someone else can use them before they are outdated or recalled. This is from all years, and this is the one thing I did really well in 2014.  I hope to continue this and I have a few ideas in mind of where things can go.  Once and for all I need to admit that there will be no more mini-me's and stop talking about that, focus on the kiddos I got and making room for their bigger boy toys.
OMG I got so good at this, this year!!!  I did, it was hard to let those little guys - who are now bigger guys, go..!  But now there is room for stuff, and new stuff which keeps them happy, and fancy stuff which they are old enough to know not to touch.  I am starting to embrace this.

9. Sleep: self explanatory. See #6.  Stop freaking myself out in the middle of the night.  
Except for last night, the last 3 months have been a "dream" for me.  I figured it out.  No ipad in the middle of the night, don't start thinking about work, there is nothing you can do about it anyway at that time.  I think the kicker was when someone broke into our house at 4am in June.  It set off weeks and weeks of me being unable to sleep, thinking there was someone in our home.  I stopped worrying about work and house stuff, and only worried about the psycho killer who I thought was again in my home.  Anyway, after figuring out the alarm, and starting to feel safe again, then came sleep (and perspective for previous ridicoulos things that woke me up).  Don't get my wrong I still wake up in the middle of the night and worry, but then I make myself go back to bed.  And do.  Or do I go back to be because of the upped alcohol intake?  See 2016 resolutions.  And, note, I will also be getting an awesome guard dog in 2016 too...

10. Relax: Take deep breaths.  Try yoga?  Find a new way to have something for me-time that is also productive.  No need for spa days.  Let's try this.  I have "verbally" committed to running a 1/2 marathon in 2015.  November.  Disney.  Should I write it down that I commit to it as well?  I ran one 5K and think I can do it…  Maybe I can?  Maybe running can help me to process, relax, be mindful, listen to books, think about eating better, etc.  Eh.  how could something so horrible sound like it might be the magic bandaid?  
I re-read this, and this is the whole reason why we make resolutions, people.  Sometimes they work.  In 2015, I ran 3 1/2 marathons, in as many months.  I ran 425 miles, 55 miles of which were in races.  One of my 1/2's ended up a 7miler, because of inclement weather - and instead of pouting I woke up at 5:30 two days later and ran 13.1 by doing circles around my hotel, wearing the original race bib.  I got back to the hotel room only to wake my boys up and still have the best look of surprised I have ever seen on my husband's face.  My last 1/2 of 2015, I shaved 10 minutes of my first 1/2 time, with only a difference of 2-1/2 months.  Productive, yes. A chance to process, relax, yes.  Cheaper than going to a spa a day or two here or there - not sure, really...  There are lots of hidden costs in shoes and race fees.  Am I more mindful?  Haven't listened to books, but listened to 100s of dirty rap songs.  Am I eating better - yes, and no.  But mostly, yes.  I eat more because I just ran 9 damn miles.  But I pick better things because tomorrow I have to run 10 damn miles.  How could I have called this something so horrible, just less than a year ago?  Make resolutions people - try something new.  You never know what will happen.

Having a Hard Time

With the new year almost upon us, there is really only one "semester" left before my Jamesy joins my Joelly in school.  At the same time, my job is getting more demanding and requiring one more work day a week.  Gone are the field trips to Boston practically, maybe James and I have 3-4 left in us, if we are lucky.  And, this summer, with all that will be going on - probably no field trips for the boys and I as I would have hoped, no beach days.  I'm kinda devastated.

It's always hard to go into work on Tuesday morning, it is like a Monday times 10.  This morning I would have burst into tears if anyone tried to speak with me in the time between James' drop off, and my first work phone call at 10.  I ate chocolate at my desk.

I'm trying to remember all the good things - it isn't like all the busy is bad.  It is really good -- vacation time from work is spent at the lake, or maybe this summer with friends in Montana.  I take a day for sanity here and there, to get the house in order and to get caught up on my running on those days, so I can be around when I am with the boys on weekends.  It's not the end of all.

I guess it is just hard to fathom that it is the end of an era.  I had a hard time when I was at home when the boys were little - but I had a great time taking them out and about.  We had some great adventures those guys and me.  We picnicked on the mall in DC, in central park, and on the Boston greenway.  We rode the swan boats, and have been to the aquarium, and many museums, many, many times.  I'll never forget the great nap time in the car rides home, or how it was always a good plan to take them to liquid fireworks after the Stone Zoo. Or how I would get together with all my Historic New England colleagues and their babies for a big zoo trip each year.  Or that time Joel Andrew asked the Aquarium lady if he could see the leafy seadragon and I was like - sorry he is making things up and she was like - no he is not, it is on the 3rd floor. I guess I should stop whining, and be happy I got out so many times with them, dammit!

Not to mention - this era maybe gone, but a new era comes in (I sound like the Lion King).  We will enjoy new things, like playing card games and dominos together; weekends away with friends where it is all about the family's doing something new together; more and more.

In the meantime, James and I technically still do have a bunch of Monday's left.  And, if I created a list of top 5's - must do this spring, they would be:

• Aquarium.  It's fun there. And, he will go out with me afterwards to eat seafood.  (or even better, food truck!).
• Big Zoo trip - with Historic New England, maybe we can make it happen one last time!
• LegoLand - This one I may need to do on a weekend, with Daddy.  Or, maybe Daddy and Joelly take a day and play hokey and we get it done in March sometime!
• Science Museum - though it would also be sad not to bring Joelly to this one.  

You know what, when I actually start to write this down, I realize that it is really only an Aquarium trip I am missing.  And, maybe another eye spy with my little eye visit to the MFA or another art museum with James and Ama and Grumpy, too.

Jingle Bell Half Marathon

This past weekend I rant the Jingle Bell Half Marathon in Atkinson, NH.  It certainly helped that it was about 48 degrees and a beautiful day out -- especially when I hear that in year's prior, it was a slushy cold mess.  Here are my thoughts on the race!

Results:
409 78/170 F3039 JULIE WILLIAMS Hampton Falls NH 36 F 859 2:01:29.5 9:17


Plusses: Super close to the house; easy parking; pretty setting; well-run; indoor bathrooms; not too many people; soup after the race!

Minuses: I didn't have any friends there with me!; the time of year is very busy and could be a weather disaster; the last 5k of this race is a B.

Big Points:

I Run Fast, But Not That Fast
This was the fastest I have run yet.  I shaved a full 10 minutes off of my time from Smuttynose, I did a good job!  I spent most of the race following very athletic people, and I was doing a great job at it too!  I finished in near the 2-hour mark!  Waa-hoo!  BUT - I was still only in the top 50% for both my age group and overall.  REALLY?  Who are all these crazy people who are super fast?

What's that Place Smell Like Now?
The setting for the run was awesome.  The country club was a nice facility, and there were indoor bathrooms with hardly ever a line.  No one seemed to trash the place, it was festive, there was plenty of close parking - and did I mention it was only 25 minutes from my house?  There were lots of flyers though to suggest that people better be on their best behavior in order for us to keep getting to run here.  And, I can totally understand why -- it is a fancy country club, really.  We were in the ballroom for registration.  And, for the after party.  I'm hoping no one was getting married in there later that evening, how do they get the gym smell out?  But, again - people were really nice, the volunteers for the race were picking up like crazy.  I'm hoping there were no incidents and they can do it again!

I Showed Up Too Early
I was probably in the top 20 first people there.  Whooops.

That last 3 miles was a B.
Like, a big B.  Lots of slow gradual hills flanked by big windy hills.  Even the road back was longer than I remembered on the way out -- and it was a slow gradual uphill.  Which leads me to the next point:

I Could Have Made it in Under 2 Hours
Not sure why I checked this, but the girls that I had been following the whole race, seriously, from mile 1 to mile 10.5 - finished 1 minute and 45 seconds sooner than me, because I lost it in the last 5k.  I slowed down to get my last water and then could not fast-up again.  I think I need to train for longer runs next time.

I Need Friends
I had no friends to run with, or to cheer with at the end.  It was just me.  I actually posted on two of my running facebook pages for people to look for me to cheers me, I was desperate.  It seems like this was a run where everyone knew about 10 other people.  I do like running alone - when I run with others I think all of us inevitably go slower.  But, not about speed - moreso it is a nice challenge to be able to do it alone.  But, when it is over - where is the party?  That's what I sorely missed!  I think I need to start going on the group runs with my running clubs.  Maybe that is what will get me through the winter?

Here's hoping this won't be my fastest time ever, or my last run until spring!  I'm not sure about either, but I'm proud for today!

Disney Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon

Disney's Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon
Saturday, November 7, 2015, 10:00pm
ENDED up being 7 miles, 11:00pm due to severe weather in the area.  What a bummer.

Place	Name	Bib	Age	Div Place	Gender Place	2.9 Mile Split			Clock Time	Net Time	Hometown
1215	JULIE WILLIAMS	2822	36	85	437	26:05			1:19:19	1:03:06	HAMPTON FALLS, NH

Men	4268
Women	8622
Total Finishers	12890

Things I Loved:

• That it was not a crazy running crowd.  There were people there who were never going to run for one second, they just wanted to be apart of the experience and meet the characters, etc.  There were corrals from A-L, and me, who just started running, was in E.  L was a 1/2 mile from the start line.  Took the pressure off.  
• The characters along the way.  I didn't stop.  I PR'd and kept running to get to the end as fast as I could (I was so upset about the distance change that I had decided I was just going to go).  BUT - if I do a Disney run again, it might be my first of the year, and I WILL take advantage of the stops, and I will enjoy it and have fun.  They had some awesome characters out and about.  I get so caught up sometimes about beating my old time that I won't even stop to drink water, I think a Disney race is a fun chance to get out there and do the distance and enjoy the fun.  Maybe this is my way of one day completing a marathon.
• The organization and the hype.  Everyone in the park would cheer for you if you had a medal the next day, or if they knew you were going to run that night. Before the start of the race there was a DJ who got everyone excited, fireworks, a spectacle.  It was incredible the work they put in and the finish line did not disappoint. The organization at the starting area, and the finish line was incredible.  The shuffled 13,000 people through there well.
• Having a friend to share the experience with, to take pictures with before hand and get to the venue with, and to meet up afterwards.  We both ran our own race (which I think is good!) and then we both enjoyed the fun of it together before and after.  I knew I missed this at Smuttynose.  I hope to have friends for more races moving forward. 

Things that were tough:

• UM, THE FACT IT DID NOT END UP BEING A 1/2 MARATHON!  I can't help but think that Disney just didn't want to deal with the hassle of keeping things open another 45 minutes, and it was a money decision that cut the 1/2 in 1/2.  But, I do recall standing with Heather in the field and jokingly telling her that she should duck, because she seemed to be the tallest of the 15,000 of us in an open field with lightning all around. I get why they delayed it, but I do not get why the halved it.  But, I still had fun.  It is done. 
• GETTING THE BIB!  We are on a Disney vacation with the family first and foremost, where I got to run my race for a small portion.  So, going to the ESPN place, which is far from all other Disney places, to pick up my bib at one table, wait in a line for my souveniers, then wait in another line for my tshirt, was crazy.  This alone will gobble about 4 hours of your vacation - if we did not expedite it with the cab from the airport waiting for me as I rushed as fast as I could.  I would have loved to instead of spending 45 minutes in the line to get my souveniers - which by the way, the necklace I ordered - because I am new to running and I think I thought that would be my medal when I signed up so many months ago - broke within two hours of owning it!  Anyway, instead of spending that wait time in line, I would have gone to the convention - but even those lines were crazy.  I met an event coordinator and told them if they had a VIP option with you just check in at your hotel and all your stuff is in your room I might have paid a million dollars for that!
• The Millions of People Who were not Runners.  I know, I say this is a plus in the first paragraph under things I loved, but I am giving the dark side of it now.  I was worried I would be pushing through everyone trying to get my PR I worked so hard for, while people were busy taking pictures with Mr. Incredible.  A selfie under the christmas lights or the Epcot ball.  In reality, this worry did not come to fruition for me - with the race being cut short and more likely, the fact that I got into a early corral the reason for my ability to not be hampered in the run.  Always submit your times and get into a corral serious runner people for your Disney race.  Always. 

PERSONAL AWESOME MOMENT

Yep, ran the race and finished in the top 10% of 13,000 people.  (forget that part above when I tell you about the fact that most of the people were not runners).  You think that would be the personal awesome achievement, but it was not.  I was pissed that I didn't get to run the half I wanted.  It bothered me.  So two days later I woke up at 5:30am in the hotel, didn't tell the boys - and ran 13.18 miles out of 4 loops around my Disney hotel and finished a half marathon at Disney in just under 2 hours and five minutes.  Sure it wasn't timed, but I came to Disney to run a 1/2 marathon, dammit!

Joel Andrew - Getting Old

For the second time, Joel Andrew was picked to be the Beast at Disney World.  He is now 6, in first grade, and this is the first trip he can read, the first one he can go on upside down roller coasters, the first one he did not have a stroller.  He was a big boy here, and we knew it.

He still has the magic, and believes in the characters, but would ask things like, is that the real Mickey, or is that the Mickey helper?  His father got him to go on - and love Rockin' Roller Coaster many times. Though I think Splash Mountain is still not a favorite.

He still sits at restaurants patiently, and does not demand to go on any ride he sees right in front of him, and will just go with the flow.  I am waiting for more whining and this all to end soon.  I hope it does not.  He would whine about walking, and about being hungry a few minutes after leaving a restaurant, but other than that he was an awesome vacation companion and all around great guy.

I hope the Magic keeps coming for this guy.  There is still a ton left for me!

James Morris, Explosive Guy

James was a treat this trip.  Super happy, super excited, super dancy and super fun.  Then he would pass out.  In a restaurant, or on me while carrying him home.  Exactly the sort of thing I always wanted.  My little exhausted-had too much fun guy - carrying him home and snuggling with him at night.  He would wake up each morning ready to go though!

As for rides, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was his favorite.  We called it "Hi-Ho" and he would ride it forever.  BUT, it was the only roller coaster he would ride.  He cried on Thunder Mountain and of course on the Yeti one.  He would not even think about going on Splash Mountain.  When the older boys broke away from us with their dads, and it was just he and I in the park, he asked to go on the carousel with me, and we did, and he smiled.

He is so excited to meet the characters now, and will always say "cheese" for a picture.  I took him to the Disney Jr. thing at Hollywood studios - where you sit on the floor, which smells, and things fall at you for the ceiling, and all the adults are cramped by the end and all the toddlers are freaking out because Sophia and Mickey and Jake are on the stage.  I thought we were too old for it, but he loved it and I wonder if this might be the last time now.  In reality, I think he just liked doing something a little more his speed, and not being pushed on some big ride.  He liked being with me.  And that made the smelly smells and the back aches of this ridiculous show which I have watched what seems like 90 times now, all go away.

He loved the trip, he had his rough patches, and he is excited to grow up.  But I am excited to have him at this stage.  Occasional whininess and all!

PS - Addendum to this post.  I created the post with the photos and titles weeks ago, and went to fill it out tonight.  I then realized my original intention for the post was to tell the story of my son, in the airport, on the way home.  He is wonderful and all, and a ball of fun and all, but also known as being a bit crazy.  We get to the airport, and we go through security and who is stopped - not me, not Joel, not Joel Andrew, James.  James has to get the "metal test" where they put the wand on him.  They search his backpack, and sure enough there is a bottle of water hidden at the bottom of the bag.  They test the metal wand thing, and I see on the screen: "explosives detected."  WHAT?  Joel Husband reminds me he probably touched all of the hand rails and benches that are right next to where Disney lets off fireworks, but still!  Our one of a kind man.

Top Tips from this Disney Trip

It's been almost a month since our trip, so I am not sure I can remember these tips.  What did we learn this go-round?  Let's see if I can sum it up in a few words.  Nothing long winded.  Just simple, straightforward, good things to know about Disney. Go!

Get the My Magic Experience app, and link everything - fast passes, dining reservations.

Eat at the Quick Service Min & Bill's Dockside Diner in Hollywood Studios.  Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese.  It sells beer.

Sometimes, giving into the Disney and paying extra for the holiday party or the party after the half marathon is really worth it actually.  Damn you, Disney commerce!

Eating dinner in the main dining room of Be Our Guest really is more magical then the dining room to the right.

Let the Disney photo people take your picture, and make sure you have the photopass thing linked to your Magic Band, and the My Disney Experience.

Get to the Parks when they open, and book your Fast Passes for starting no earlier than an hour after Park opens.

Food & Wine is delicious.  Go to Epcot then.  But it is busy.

Said before - La Cava de Tequila for a margarita.  They sell an avocado margarita that is becoming all the rage.  I still like the classic San Angel margarita.

Going with friends is so fun, all get on the same ride, which takes your picture and make a funny photo.  This photo - if you touch your band to it at the end of the ride - will automatically show up on your app.

Get a drink by the pool.  Eat breakfast in your room. Have an ice cream with your kids at 10am.

Disney With A Big Group of People

Well, it's no secret.  I am a bit of a control freak.  And, when it comes to Disney and planning for Disney, so is my husband.  So, if you add other people into the mix - who knows what can happen?  What happened with us - all great things!  We had a wonderful trip with friends this past November, and we have friend/family trips scheduled for the next trips as well.  We have come a long way since the family stressed trip of 2010...  And, I think a few things I have learned about traveling to Disney with large parties/friends and families are:

1. Meet ahead of time to lay out the basics.  What do you want to do, what does everyone else want to do?  What is the thing you do not want to do? Where should we eat, and where should we stay?  Do you have park hopper passes (very important when planning some days)?  What kid of a meal plan do you have? Do you want pool time?  What time do you wake up?  These can help everyone map out the perfect group meeting times. 
2. Get some unforgettable group photos: Get together in groups of 8+ and try your hardest to get in your own "boat" or car on one of the rides that takes pictures.  We have an awesome shot of everyone on Splash Mountain, LOVED IT!
3. You do not need to do everything together.  Give people their space, their own time to do what they want to do, they do not want to follow your schedule 100% and vice versa the same here.  This means if you are going with a big extended family, suggest one big family meal a day and everyone do whatever they want other than that.  It is hard to walk through crowds with four people let alone 18.  And, even harder when Aunt Mary does not understand about the importance of making a Fast Pass reservation you have for Seven Dwarfs when she really wants to go on tea cups.  Don't stress about it.  We'll see you in an hour, for a Mickey ice cream, Aunt Mary. Not a big deal!  (at one point this was a very big deal for me, just sharing what I learned here!).
4. Pick some great places to eat as a group! More romantic restaurant settings, or those without a conducive theme should be reserved for smaller gatherings.  For example, Paris in France, Sci-Fi Diner in Hollywood Studios, Brown Derby, etc.  They are good for small groups, and could be ok for big groups but if you have cousins or friends involved who really want to hang and not necessarily sit still, then there is a list for your large group.  They include places with music, characters, dancing.  And, buffets or family style that will allow for everyone to go at their own pace and speed.  Our favorites this trip included Germany's Biergarten in Epcot and Tusker House in Animal Kingdom.  Kids were occupied, and it seems with the long tables these places were meant for big groups.  I heard Japan was also awesome (though I missed that one); I could also imagine Winnie the Pooh in the MK being great; Ohana at the Polynesian; we liked Primetime 50's though it was slow... Maybe Mama Melrose might be better for Hollywood Studios.  
5. Someone's late for fast passes?  That might not be good.  But someone late for dining reservations?  It is actually OKAY! I freaked out this trip when we were 15 minutes late for one of our check-ins.  We are crazy about our dining reservations and from past experience I thought if you are late, you lose, AND you are billed.  First person in the party there just tells the check-in desk, and then it is easy.  No problem.  I was shocked!  "We will accommodate you when you are all here, no worries."  That made life so much more awesome and easier for the remainder of the trip.  
6. If the older crowd doesn't want to go on a ride, don't push em.  I was surprised at how crazy the rides were for me - I guess I am getting to be an older crowd!  Those rides are pretty crazy. There is so much more in Disney then bench sitting for them to do while waiting too.  Parade? Shop?  Country Bear Jamboree?  Everyone can still have fun while waiting for others on a ride. And with cell phones, you just meet up when you meet up.

We had a great time with our friends, and made some amazing memories that the kids will have forever.  Look at this picture below of Laurel and Joel with Goofy and their siblings, it is sure to be on their Save the Date. Looking forward to more trips in the future years to come!