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12-08-2011, 10:42 AM
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#1 |
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DDC 469
Never mind the Kool-Aid, don’t drink the Beverly! If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Along the Nation Ford, SC
Posts: 4,822
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A Thanksgiving Odyssey: Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons (Completed!!!)
Thanksgiving Odyssey  Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Table of Contents: Chapter 1: Five Buses Part 1: Were Off!! Part 2: Space Management Part 3: El Camino Part 4: No Place Like Home Chapter 2: Rock This Town Part 1: If You Show Me Yours... Part 2: Uncharted Territory Part 3: From On High Part 4: A Change in Direction Part 5: Walking to Memphis Chapter 3: Taking a Bite Out of the Apple Part 1: A Place of Healing Part 2: The Fruits of Other's Labors... Part 3: Getting Our Fill Part 4: Rumblings of Mutiny Chapter 4: Balloons Over Broadway Part 1: Zero-Dark-Thirty Part 2: Inside... Looking Out Part 3: Meanwhile, Back at Tesla Corner... Part 4: Celebrities I Do Not Know Part 5: A Bit of Americana Part 6: The Blink of an Eye Part 7: The Study of Pressure and Time Part 8: Giving Thanks Chapter 5: Remembrances Part 1: What Is and What Was Part 2: A Substantial Edifice Part 3: The New Colossus Part 4: Beneath the Surface Part 5: Reflecting Absence Part 6: The Last Hurrah Chapter 6: A Whole Different Animal... That's All Folks!! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = When Homer... and before you say it out loud, Im talking about the classical Greek writer, not the nuclear energy tech from Springfield. Anyway, as I was saying& When Homer first put quill to papyrus with the intention of jotting down a few thoughts about a guy who needed to go out for a few days on a business trip of sorts, I dont think that he intentionally set out to create the literary trash genera of Travel Books. That was the farthest thing from the mind of this great epic poet as he was writing one of the books that every high school student (much to their chagrin) is now compelled to read: The Odyssey.  No... what he had in mind was adventure, intrigue, grand sweeping vistas, monumental struggles, catastrophists and stunning turns of fortune, pivotal confrontations, exhilarating victories, bitter sweet moments and of course& jubilant homecomings. But, if you think about it& these things... these ideas... they are the exact same elements that are required to tell even a run of the mill travel story. With that in mind... I am going to try my best to tell you a story: a story about a group of folks that embarked on their own Odyssey. An adventure that was the culmination of nearly two years of planning and became an amazing finally to what was an extraordinary summer and fall in the lives of a group of very dedicated young people and their families.  Its quite the tale, but its not going to be everyones cup of tea. First off its not a Disney story (which is why I didnt post it in the TR section of the boards). But there were many aspects of the trip that closely mirror a good Disney TR (and believe it or not, Mickey will be making a couple of brief appearances). Hopefully youll be able to find something interesting in the midst of the mindless blather that is to follow. I do promise that Ill give you fair warning when Im about to make a left turn into terra obscura. That way youll be able to quickly hit the back button and be spared the needless loss of brain cells. If you do choose to stay... you will learn entirely too much about high school bands and marching competitions; the care and feeding of teenagers; fundraising and deluxe bus travel; accommodations in the Hackensack area and whirlwind tours of NYC and most importantly... a behind the scenes look at one of Americas modern holiday traditions: The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade...  ...and just what it takes to be one of the very few units that actually performs live music during the event.  If youve had the opportunity (or misfortune) of reading one of my previous TRs, you will already have some insight into the kind of dementia and generally unfocused meandering that is likely to take place here. If not... you might want to take a look at my past efforts and use them as a guide for determining whether you really want to take on the burden of deciphering the broken and disconnected thought process that make up my written musings. Heres a couple of links to those literary disasters; you can go check em out for yourselves... Experiment-627 (A Caribbean Double with a Wilderness Chaser) Youre writing a TR... Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010) I hope you decide to follow along and Id really appreciate it if youd also join in the conversation. Feel free to toss out questions, comments, observations, criticisms, witticisms, or any other ism that crosses you mind. And while Im here, I want to thank you in advance for even checking in here in the first place. This was a once in a lifetime experience for my family and many others in the small town that I call home. I only hope that given my meager literary abilities; I can give this story the presentation it deserves. Like it or not though... Im going to be making the attempt. Just maybe Ill be able to get somebody to listen. 
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 Rob  .. Tamara  .. DS18-Max  I should’a taken that left in Albuquerque (a TR that won’t make it to Disney) Updated 5/18/13 Pg10 Compleated Trip Reports: Thanksgiving Odyssey (Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons) Completed 11/23/12 Experiment-627 (A Caribbean Double with a Wilderness Chaser) Completed 6/14/12 You’re writing a TR? Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010) Completed 7/17/11   Last edited by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes; 11-26-2012 at 03:46 PM. |
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12-08-2011, 10:44 AM
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#3 |
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DDC 469
Never mind the Kool-Aid, don’t drink the Beverly! If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Along the Nation Ford, SC
Posts: 4,822
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Flash Backs
This is something new that y’all have to contend with in my current TR. The trip to New York and the parade are only half the story… The events that lead up to the trip were an adventure in their own right. 01: The Big Reveal 02: You want us to build what? 
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Rob .. Tamara .. DS18-Max I should’a taken that left in Albuquerque (a TR that won’t make it to Disney) Updated 5/18/13 Pg10 Compleated Trip Reports: Thanksgiving Odyssey (Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons) Completed 11/23/12 Experiment-627 (A Caribbean Double with a Wilderness Chaser) Completed 6/14/12 You’re writing a TR? Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010) Completed 7/17/11 Last edited by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes; 02-17-2012 at 10:01 PM. |
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12-08-2011, 10:44 AM
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#4 |
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DDC 469
Never mind the Kool-Aid, don’t drink the Beverly! If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Along the Nation Ford, SC
Posts: 4,822
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Just one more
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Rob .. Tamara .. DS18-Max I should’a taken that left in Albuquerque (a TR that won’t make it to Disney) Updated 5/18/13 Pg10 Compleated Trip Reports: Thanksgiving Odyssey (Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons) Completed 11/23/12 Experiment-627 (A Caribbean Double with a Wilderness Chaser) Completed 6/14/12 You’re writing a TR? Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010) Completed 7/17/11 |
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12-08-2011, 10:47 AM
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DIS Dad #257
Don't underestimate your audience. I'm sure there's a fart joke in here somewhere 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 6,119
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I'm in! Looking forward to it!
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Anyway, as I was saying… Quote:
(see, I can bring any conversation down to my level)
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Me (Mark)
 DW (Mrs. Knowitall)  DD11  DS9  DS7   DIS Dads Club Member #257 Operation Big Thunder: The Dole Whip Conspiracy Rust Belt Road Trip 2011 A Vacation From My Problems (A Sept. 2010 Trip Report) COMPLETED 12/14 Non-Disney Southern Road Trip Report COMPLETE at the DIS Dads webpage COMPLETED TRIP REPORT: Voyage of the Delawareans: November 8-12 4-Night Cruise |
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12-08-2011, 11:20 AM
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#6 |
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DDC 188
I love that middle crease between the two straight sections It's a secret passge to a man cave 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 6,970
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Count me in
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 (me - David)  (DW)  & = 8 yrs old (twins) DisDad Member #188 We're adopting!! Updated - 5/5! Follow the adventure at: http://nicelyfamilyadoptionadventure.blogspot.com |
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12-08-2011, 11:21 AM
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DDC 322
Cold enough for ya? Shocking, isn't it. Oh, wait, thats a taser 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 5,457
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I'll listen!
Unless Mark starts telling fart jokes, then I'm outta here. Just kidding, I probably have a few of my own to contribute. And long bus rides are the perfect place for them. 
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Me - Barry | DW - Bambi [E3yore]| DD(8) - Madison | DS(6) - Evan | DS(1) - Ryder
Current Trip Report: You Seem Taller In Your Trip Reports. An Aug '12 TR About a Baby at WDW Current Half Marathon Trip Report: Nemesis Challenge: MY Side of the Epic Half Marathon Showdown (PTR) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~°o°~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIS Dad's Club Member #322 § "He Who Provides Dole Whips For Tim" § "the almighty Rafiki" - theduck619 You Best Start Believing in Ghost Stories... Halloween on the Dream and WDW 2 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1200 Miles: 2 More Weeks in FL: Patriotic Edition Houston, We Have A Secret: A Texas Vacation With A WDW Surprise Everything Old is New Again! A December 2010 Trip Report Cheese Ball Yak Attack: 2 kids, 2 dogs, 1200 miles - The Sequel. Mar '10 TR 2 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1200 Miles: 2 Weeks and 2 Birthdays in FL Trip Report - Oct '09   |
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12-08-2011, 11:23 AM
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DIS Dad #460
You should always make room for a loophole when you need it 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 8,114
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Andy
 DW DS(3) DD DIS Dad's Club Member #460 Test Track Dummies - 2012 Disdads Fantasy Football Dole Whip Cup Champion They Should Really Put a Bar in Here - Dec 2012 TR That was fun! Let's do it again! - Update 11/15 Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! - My first ever trip report - Complete I will never go to Disney World pushing a stroller! - My effort at a first time PTR.Complete |
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12-08-2011, 11:32 AM
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#9 |
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DIS Dad #572
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,353
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You had me at Trip Report...
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12-08-2011, 11:52 AM
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DDC #644
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,940
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I have a leather-bound copy of the Iliad and Odyssey that I have read several times, without any gun pointed to my head nor threatening glare from red pencil wielding authority figures.
Will this TR be written in the style of epic poetry??? will every character have an epithet??? Even if it isn't and they don't, count me in!
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DW - Lisa, DD(6) - Isabella, DS(2) - Jackson . Numerous Trips as a kid from 1974-1993. WDWCP MK Custodial Spring '94. Off Property, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. Land/Sea @ ASMR/Wonder 2002. CBR 2003. POR 2006. Off Property 2007. DVC @ SSR since 2007.. SSR 2008, 2009.. BWV March 2010. SSR December 2010. BLT/DCL Dream/BCV July/August 2012 DISDad #644 I'm Going Away... FOREVER! Oh, Great! Could You Get Me a Sandwich? A TR In Progress. My First Trip Report - Escape from New York, Dec 26, 2010 - Jan 1, 2011 - COMPLETED! . Our Disney Blog: "Home is Where the Mouse is" Treguna Mekoides and Trecorum Satis Dee |
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12-14-2011, 03:10 PM
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DDC 469
Never mind the Kool-Aid, don’t drink the Beverly! If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Along the Nation Ford, SC
Posts: 4,822
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(…being as I don’t think I’m going to get too many of the ladies to follow along. Most of them wouldn’t be seen over here in our corner of the boards. The beer cans and graffiti alone would send them into conniptions.) Welcome aboard! Quote:
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Against my better judgment (as if I had any judgment), I suppose I’ll even welcome you to the party. Quote:
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You may want to consider raising your standards considerably. Welcome aboard! Quote:
What the heck are you doing signing on to this potential disaster? Epic poetry? Not quite. More like in the style of “South’rn Conversation”. Me and poetry (epic or otherwise) don’t much cotton to one an’other. Here… let me demonstrate: Roses are Red… Violets are blue… I hate rhyming… Zerba! See what I mean. The idea of epithets might be entertaining though. I could refer to myself as “Mangler of Language” (I don’t foresee anyone rushing in to defend me from the implications of that moniker). In any case… consider yourself welcomed to the adventure.
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Rob .. Tamara .. DS18-Max I should’a taken that left in Albuquerque (a TR that won’t make it to Disney) Updated 5/18/13 Pg10 Compleated Trip Reports: Thanksgiving Odyssey (Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons) Completed 11/23/12 Experiment-627 (A Caribbean Double with a Wilderness Chaser) Completed 6/14/12 You’re writing a TR? Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010) Completed 7/17/11 |
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12-14-2011, 03:16 PM
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#12 |
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DDC 469
Never mind the Kool-Aid, don’t drink the Beverly! If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Along the Nation Ford, SC
Posts: 4,822
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Chapter 1: Five Buses (Day 1 - Monday) Part 1: We’re Off!! (and we’re leaving this morning as well)  According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics:
Welcome to the world of two percent! It is estimated that of the USA’s 308 million soles, about 42.5 million got enough gumption to pack a bag or two and actually set out from their nice safe warm homes to travel toward parts known and unknown during the 2011 Thanksgiving Holidays. Using the Transportation Departments statistics, we know that about 850,000 of them were traveling via “bus, train or ship/other”. Just for arguments sake, we’ll divide that number up equally between the three categories and now we have about 283,000 fools that decided to take time out of their holidays to travel to where ever it was that they were headed on a bus. I can personally vouch for about 290 of those fools. I was one of them. As you already know (having mistakenly read this far already), we’re heading to New York, New York to take part in this little soiree…  Well… our kids are actually going for this reason. The adults are traveling along as teachers, chaperones, support staff (my particular category), and a few who were just tagging along for the once in a lifetime experience. This odyssey began at 3am in our house with the sounding of a rather obnoxious alarm clock. By 4:30 we were in front of the local high school setting our bags on the curb and staging all the gear that had to make the trip with us this day.  The buses should be here by 5:00, but since we have a little bit of time, let me introduce you to the players taking part in this little effort. First there’s this rather questionable collection of ragamuffins…  Of all the young’ens current attending Nation Ford High School (referred to as “NaFo” by the students and locals) in my home state of South Carolina, better then one in ten of them are taking part in the instrumental music program. That’s a fairly high percentage for any school. But these kids also have a penchant for working very hard. No, really… That’s how a group from a mid-sized school that is only just starting its fifth year of operation succeeded in getting the folks up at Macy’s to invite them to participate in this undertaking. Now, being as there are better then 160 kids in this outfit (and better then 120 other travelers), there is no way I can tell the story from everyone’s point of view. So you’ll have to settle for hearing it as one small part of the group remembers the events that are to follow. To be specific, this group here…  The boy on the left there is Max; sixteen at the time, and a proud member of the clan of Low Brass in the tribe of NaFo. The lovely girl on the right side (near that rather tall building in the background) is Tamara, proud mother and the stable rock around which my world revolves. That just leaves the scruffy guy there mucking up the middle of the photo. That’d be me… Rob. I could add a few superlatives to describe myself as well, but the bulk of them would be fairly derogatory and won’t really add much to the overall effect of the story (so I’ll just let you draw your own conclusions based on what you read through the rest of the TR). This time around we also had an additional person join the party…  The girl in the back row there is my sister in law: Elaine. Like the rest of us, she felt that this was just too rare an event to be passed up, and figured she might as well follow along. Well that’s the major characters in this “epic”, now I can see that the buses are here so I suspect that I ought to get to work. I’ll send the girls off to find us a decent spot on one of the “parent” buses, while I take care of a few “administrative tasks”.  If you hang on for just a minute or two I’ll tell you a bit more about that “administrative” process, throw out an explanation on the way this TR will work, and give you a look at the drive into the unknown (well… unknown for most of us anyway), but in the meantime, I’m in charge of packing Bus-2 over there and we want to be on the road by six, so I’d best get moving. 
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Rob .. Tamara .. DS18-Max I should’a taken that left in Albuquerque (a TR that won’t make it to Disney) Updated 5/18/13 Pg10 Compleated Trip Reports: Thanksgiving Odyssey (Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons) Completed 11/23/12 Experiment-627 (A Caribbean Double with a Wilderness Chaser) Completed 6/14/12 You’re writing a TR? Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010) Completed 7/17/11 Last edited by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes; 12-26-2011 at 06:54 PM. |
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12-14-2011, 03:29 PM
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#13 | |||
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DIS Dad #460
You should always make room for a loophole when you need it
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 8,114
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Andy
DW DS(3) DD DIS Dad's Club Member #460 Test Track Dummies - 2012 Disdads Fantasy Football Dole Whip Cup Champion They Should Really Put a Bar in Here - Dec 2012 TR That was fun! Let's do it again! - Update 11/15 Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! - My first ever trip report - Complete I will never go to Disney World pushing a stroller! - My effort at a first time PTR.Complete |
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12-14-2011, 04:57 PM
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#14 |
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DDC 188
I love that middle crease between the two straight sections It's a secret passge to a man cave
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 6,970
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I hope there will be a pic of you dancing on the Paino toy at FAO like Tom Hanks in Big
__________________
(me - David) (DW) & = 8 yrs old (twins) DisDad Member #188 We're adopting!! Updated - 5/5! Follow the adventure at: http://nicelyfamilyadoptionadventure.blogspot.com |
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12-14-2011, 05:14 PM
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#15 |
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DIS Dad #412
Double Dog Dare You to post a screaming like a little girl video Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 2,998
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Ahh, school road trips. The joy of getting up at insane o'clock to drop the kid off at the school so she can get on the bus.
Notice I said, "drop the kid off." Never stepped foot on one of those buses let alone let them close the door behind me. You are much braver than I am.
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My Trip Reports
20 Days in Hawaii and Disneyland. Yes, we are Lucky Nuts (A work in Progress) Taking DD and her GF to Halloween Horror and WDW. Are You Scary Nuts? June-11 Trip: Are You Eating, Flying and Sailing Nuts? Quick trip to the World and this time I am not Nuts! Disney for DD’s 16th with her 6 GFs? Are You Stupid Nuts? Disney with DD and DDBF? Are You Crazy Nuts? Disney over New Years? Are You Insanely NUTS? ---- Thanksgiving at Disney? Are You Nuts?   DISNEY DAD #412 |
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