Four Families, One World: A Mome Rath Meets Beverly! May 29-June 5, 2011

[kwitcherkicken99]

Hey........ I resemble that statement! So it's no surprise to you that I've been woefully behind on all my trip reports......... not the least of which is my own! I'm not sure I can even show my face there!

So I spend the night catching up on everyone's trip reports........ only to find yours OVER! I'm so sad!

I know! It's so hard to keep up with everything going on. I can barely keep up with my own schedule, let alone everyone else's!

You're gonna sneak me into the GM lounge in December, right????????

Um... YEAH!

Your autograph books look amazing. You do great work. One of the reasons I've been MIA is because I've been doing some scrapbooking. It's been really good for the soul.

I'm so far behind. I actually got caught up in April and I haven't scrapped since, with the exception of the kid's books. I've got a long road ahead!

I'm so sorry about your DD's ears. I think we've all been there. We lost a special lovey of my son's on a trip once and I wasn't sure if he'd get over it. And we lost Katie's special baby blanket on a trip too. You'd think we'd learn! And it just kills me that those things NEVER show up. I mean, does someone actually TAKE that sort of stuff home with them or something? And no one would throw away something like that, right????????

We did get DD's ears back... two weeks later. I just can't see how in the world it would take that long to get turned in. I have no doubt someone ended up with them and turned them in several days later. We weren't anywhere remote enough for a CM to not see them. :

Are you getting closer to having an answer about your job for fall? I have my fingers crossed for you!

I found out on Friday that I have been assigned to a life skills class at DS's school this year. It's going to be a challenge for me as I'm not a very patient person, but it is a rewarding position nonetheless!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

It was the morning of our departure and the condo was buzzing with clean up. The easiest solution to the day was to get the kids out of the condo so work could get done! Leia and Debbie took all of the kids down to the pool.

I took a moment to get more laundry done but there was one more thing on my list that I needed to do.

I needed to hit up the outlet store.

I took off for about an hour to check out the treasures at the Orlando Premium Outlet Mall. There was a lot of stuff for DCL and I was bummed that I couldn’t find very many preschool aged things. I did find a Duffy bear dressed for winter for E’s and my trip in December and my “big” purchase was some pins.

We didn’t pin trade or even really collect pins before now and so when I saw a MNSSHP 2010 pin there, I grabbed it to accompany our September trip and stop at the party. It’s a spinner and SUPER cute! I also grabbed a Casey at the Bat, Peter and the Wolf, and one of my favorite-est of all time cartoon shorts, Alice Blue Bonnet and Johnny Fedora.

Don’t judge.

I also grabbed two copies of a WDW coloring book (one for the kids to color in right away, and the other to make photocopy sheets for their birthday parties). I also grabbed a shirt and pants for DH.

I went back “home” and finished up laundry. I also got started on lunch for the group. We got everything packed up in the cars and set off for home.

It was a crazy week with ups and downs, highs and lows, but it was something that I really needed. We made it back home in the middle of the next afternoon after dropping Debbie and Linzie off just south of Indy.

I couldn’t believe the trip gauge when we pulled into the drive:

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I'm so jealous!

Alice Blue Bonnet and Johnny Fedora, I love that short!

 

[annmarieda]

So sad it is over... but ....

....

....
not long till December. (course...that is what I am trying to tell myself.)

 

[Caretames1]

Such a sad way to end a Disney World trip..........leaving Disney

I want to thank you for your autograph book directions! I went to Hobby Lobby and got a 5.5x8 inch sketch book and instead of covering to front cover, I actually sent it though the printer and printed one of the lovely DISigns I got on the creative boards!,
Then, I did the same for the autograph pages, I only added the Character meals and for sure M&G's I want to hit. I also added 10 MNSSHP themed pages for our party night, (don't know how many character meets there are during MNSSHP, but must be close???)
We still have a few pages to fill in Kadence's book from Jan., so that should do. Thanks!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I'm so jealous!

Alice Blue Bonnet and Johnny Fedora, I love that short!

I will try to remember to post a picture of the pins...

Another way to extend my TR!!!

So sad it is over... but ....

....

....
not long till December. (course...that is what I am trying to tell myself.)

I know! I feel like we waited forever to be able to book our ADRs... now we're to the point that we don't have ridiculous countdown numbers!

Such a sad way to end a Disney World trip..........leaving Disney

I want to thank you for your autograph book directions! I went to Hobby Lobby and got a 5.5x8 inch sketch book and instead of covering to front cover, I actually sent it though the printer and printed one of the lovely DISigns I got on the creative boards!,
Then, I did the same for the autograph pages, I only added the Character meals and for sure M&G's I want to hit. I also added 10 MNSSHP themed pages for our party night, (don't know how many character meets there are during MNSSHP, but must be close???)
We still have a few pages to fill in Kadence's book from Jan., so that should do. Thanks!

That sounds great! I knew that I wanted something special for the kids (even though on BOTH trips I had to buy a new WDW autograph book because we filled the others) and that was the easiest way for me!

I intend to take the remaining books in December and do some damage with them, but I think E wants me to make her one...

RIGHT????

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

SO... I get the genius award for the day...

I sat down at the computer to start hammering out our Photopass pictures. Well guess what? The computer I put them on (and the one that has my photo software on) is currently on its way to Rosemont, IL with my DH...

... for the next five days!

So... you are just going to have to wait to see them... for a bit longer.

Then I got the great idea to share pictures from this past weekend from the NASCAR Brickyard 400 in Speedway, IN. Then again, I realized all of the good ones (along with my photo editing software) are now 3 1/2 hours away from my person...

#GENIUS#

So, again, you will have to deal with literary descriptions, and I'll share my photos later.

I got to spend the weekend rubbing elbows with NASCAR's elite. My newspaper, while not covering the actual event, gets 2 media passes to the Brickyard 400. I got one of them.

The credentials weren't that great (the LOW end of the totem pole) BUT I got to park in the infield within spitting distance to the driver's living trailers and the infamous pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I went down to Indy on Friday to the practice session/media day and got in on a "Meet the top 12" press conference. I got to take pictures of Dale Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, and Tony Stewart. I missed the first interview because I didn't get to IMS until 11:15a. The junket started at 11a. I saw a lot of TV personalities too.

I'm REALLY glad I went to the practice. All summer I've been photographing little league... and let me tell you... cars travelling 165-180 mph is quite different! I spent the first 35 minutes of "practice" just trying to get a car in the frame! I kept laughing at myself.

I did technically have a garage pass, but since it was designated a 'cold' pass, I couldn't get in the garage while the drivers and crew were working on the cars. I could have gone in during the time of the press conference, but what fun is a picture of a car without its driver?

I gave up and went home, eagerly awaiting my return on Sunday (I skipped qualifying day). I was told that I needed to leave my house at 4a.m. to beat traffic, so begrudgingly, I did...

There is NO TRAFFIC for the Brickyard 400 at 5a.m. There is for the Indy 500... not the Brickyard...

I got to my parking spot a little after 6a.m. and grabbed a couple drinks in the media center, then I went back to my car to try to get some sleep. It was too dang hot in there, even with the windows open, so I only got about an hour of sleep. Groggy-eyed, breakfast was out in the MC. I ate, watched the local NBC station do their morning broadcast and headed out into pit lane to see what I could find. Again, it was super hot at the track that day, so only a few cars had been pushed out into pit lane, but all the tool boxes and special "thingies" were out on display. I felt so bad for the guys who had to sit in the hot sun and lube nuts in preparation for the upcoming pit stops.

I parked in turn 1 after hearing from my counterpart that US Women's soccer star, Hope Solo, was parading around the media center doing interviews and a lot of the people up there were going nuts (she eventually rode in the pace car throughout the race). I took a stool to stand on and I'm glad I did. There is a break in the fence at 6 feet, and I'm not quite there. Having the stool helped a ton.

I didn't get any super exciting car shots, it was a quiet, safe race (only 1 big tie up near the end). With 30 laps left, I went back to the MC to dump my stool someplace safe, then I went toward the pits to see how far I could get in. I got in. I wasn't supposed to, but a nice old guy let me through.

I tried to get into Victory Lane to no avail, I got stuck behind some much taller fly boys, but I was able to get out onto the track for the brick-kissing. I grabbed a couple shots and then headed back into the A/C for a press conference for the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Jeff Gordon and Regan Smith's conference was already going on, so I snuck in and grabbed a couple pictures.

The Menard family was still out celebrating (it really WAS a big deal that day) and so we were told we had a 1/2 hour before Paul would make it into the conference room. He took a little longer than expected, so the emcee grabbed his dad, the car owner, and crew chief and started without him!

It was a special weekend that I don't think I'll ever forget. It's one thing to get to go to these events, but I think it was extra special since I had never seen a race within the track walls - we always watched from home. The Menard family has been ever present at IMS for many, many years and it was neat to be a witness to the whole weekend!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I will try to remember to post a picture of the pins...

Another way to extend my TR!!!


I know! I feel like we waited forever to be able to book our ADRs... now we're to the point that we don't have ridiculous countdown numbers!


That sounds great! I knew that I wanted something special for the kids (even though on BOTH trips I had to buy a new WDW autograph book because we filled the others) and that was the easiest way for me!

I intend to take the remaining books in December and do some damage with them, but I think E wants me to make her one...

RIGHT????

I do... but all the crafty directions you gave have got me a bit inspired, I might want to give it a shot myself and if I screw it up then I can use you as my fall back

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Hang on... I messed something up here...

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

As promised, a picture-laden post! I’m not putting these in any particular order, but I can now see in my own face that I was tired at the end of the trip. I went from genuine smile to my patented “camera smile”.

Up first, a moment from the Town Square Theater when we visited the princesses. FINALLY, DD was excited for a meet and greet!

Remember when I mentioned the fact that my kids weren’t keen on other people taking their picture? Point and case closed! (But I look good! )

DD was excited at first, but her look turned evil! She was staring down Alladin!

One of our group shots. I was a little bummed that the Hat was still blocked (in the front) from the giant stage they put up for Star Tours re-opening, but this one was a great view!

Our last shot of the trip. Even after a week of Florida sun, I still look like an albino! I swear that I had a tan by this point!

One of our two magic shots. The photographer didn’t give him any direction, that was just his face…

There’s nothing like giving a hug to a (wo)man who can’t control his arms!

This is probably my favorite shot on the disc. ‘Nuff said!

We ARE a good looking crew!

I was surprised DS was the only one that wanted to meet Pooh Bear. He ran up to that silly old bear and gave him a proper squeeze.

I love this angle for this shot!

Ahhh! Sweet relief during the mommy time out. After that drink, she didn’t care at all!

On TT! Love that the other lady (not part of our group) joined in on the fun!

Here we go with the shyness again… Tiana and Naveen were so good to the kids.

She eventually lightened up.

Another fun shot from DHS. This was really close to a few groups member’s faces on the first ToT drop.

Okay, here is the shot I told you about earlier! DD was not having anything to do with Mickey that day!

The Photopass photog assistant saw what she was doing and started cracking up. The photog asked what she should do. Told her to just go for it, I wasn't going to hold up the line for her mood to come around!

One last picture… This is actually from the other day. DD fell asleep in DH’s chair, hugging her Disney maps!

 

[mom2rtk]

Jenn, those are awesome! I really wish I had more shots like that from when they were really little. You will cherish those forever. And please tell me that last one will be the closing page on your scrapbook???

So when does the new job start?

We're getting ready for the new schoolyear here. I'm WAY relieved that Katie and Timmy are settled in their schools and not moving to a new school or anything of the sort. We're in overdrive trying to get Robbie ready to start college.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Jenn, those are awesome! I really wish I had more shots like that from when they were really little. You will cherish those forever. And please tell me that last one will be the closing page on your scrapbook???

So when does the new job start?

We're getting ready for the new schoolyear here. I'm WAY relieved that Katie and Timmy are settled in their schools and not moving to a new school or anything of the sort. We're in overdrive trying to get Robbie ready to start college.

I start school tomorrow, too! It's going to be quite an adjustment. The high school times I'm used to was 6:50a-2:05p. The elementary school is 8:30a-4:00p. :: At least I'm at DS's school so that will save me a stop in the morning.

::raises right hand::

I solemnly swear not to spy on my kid at school.

My nephew, DS's BFF (our Disney travel buddy), and another kid DS knows from the YMCA will ALL be in the high ability class. Thank God they have two sections. Talk about a fearsome foursome... DS and his BFF are in one section, my nephew and the other boy are in the other.

As for me, they actually don't know what teacher I'll be with or what I'll be doing. For all I know, I could end up being a rotating para that has cafeteria duty... They scheduled me for life skills, but everyone I talked to said they pulled the life skills classes out of that school. Guess I'll know in a couple days what I'll be doing!

IDK how I'll set up the scrapbook yet. I usually go in chronological order, and that day was our first day!

When does Robbie start school? Moving in is a crazy time and I know you'll think of tons of last minute things. Do you ever watch Gilmore Girls? The episode that Rory moves into Yale cracks me up!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

Not to steal the show but I wanted to post a link to my travel blog for those that might be interested in reading about my adventures which start TODAY!! I leave in an hour for Yellowstone National Park. So anywho for those that would like to travel along with me click the link below and be sure to comment often makes blogging more interesting for me

Erica's Travel Site


Anyone is allowed along for the ride, should be a good one

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Not to steal the show but I wanted to post a link to my travel blog for those that might be interested in reading about my adventures which start TODAY!! I leave in an hour for Yellowstone National Park. So anywho for those that would like to travel along with me click the link below and be sure to comment often makes blogging more interesting for me

Erica's Travel Site


Anyone is allowed along for the ride, should be a good one

Tee-hee...

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Since the race was cancelled this week, well, here you go.

He is just a pretty man.

Speaking of pretty men…

I’m openly not a fan of Montoya, but he’s just pretty too.

Here’s my boy!

I couldn’t believe how close the networks jam the microphones in the guy’s faces. I’d be claustrophobic.

Look! It’s Mr. the King! (really, it is!)

Me with the trophy before the race:

Pushing Tony Stewart’s car onto pit lane via Gasoline Alley

Jimmie’s tires marked and ready for the race

Two of the best drivers of this generation

Gordon went to congratulate Paul Menard on his victory after the race as he headed over to the press conference. His family greeted him at the gate, he has a beautiful family!

I put this one up, because doesn’t Paul Menard’s dad remind you of Ed Wynn (Uncle Albert)?

See what I mean??

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

Erica's Travel Site

So one last shout out now that I have returned to civilization and have use of the internet I have posted my trip for all to view. It has a great surprise at the end and is most definetly worth reading