How Much Do You Ladies Charge to Haunt the Castle? -- Departure Day up (See index

[that's nice]

Actually I did start it ...and noticed both of you missing.

But thats OK, I know you are both busy too. I'm not too far into that one yet as I am really trying to work on my cruise one from Sept more. But I do have more than 1 update.

I haven't posted on yours yet.... let's just say I'm currently tracking your thread.

 

[KatMark]

This is the day I have come to dread the most...our last day. I don't mind leaving Disney so much because I know I have Nicki to look forward to (the trip later this week will be hard when we have to say goodbye to her though because we won't be going to Marco after), but the leaving Marco means we are leaving "our" family and going back to Chicago.

I always wake up a little earlier on our last day and I woke up to this:

Before we went to get my morning you know what, we went down to the dock because Mark had seen a manatee out the window. We did our best to get pictures, but I'm not sure any of these will actually show you the manatee

Coffee gotten and breakfast done, we headed down for our last day at the pool. The morning was planned for me to be at the pool with Mark and then I was going to pack after lunch while he enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at the pool.

We had another visitor at the pool this year

Mark quietly going to say hello

A little closer

And closer

Nope, I don't want to see that human up close

Nicki and Todd recommended a place on the Island to us for lunch that we had never been.

Oh my...it was outstanding (and another relocated Chicagoan ran the place)

It was all kinds of pork and it was scrumptious. As we were waiting for our lunch to arrive, in walks Todd. Seems he was on the Island for his hair cut and Nicki and he decided to grab lunch and they ended up where we were.

Food porn:

After lunch, we stopped at one of the gift shops to pick something up for Andy and then Mark went back to the pool while I went upstairs to do a load of laundry and pack.

Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

Mark took the camera with him down to the pool in case he saw any more dolphins or manatees. Along his walk to the pool, he took these

Mark returned just as I was finishing my shower and took his so we could head to our last dinner

Da Ru Ma has become our traditional last dinner of our trip with Todd and Nicki (well, except last year because Andy was with us and we wanted him to be able to go and he flew home before us).

My pina colada

Group shot (we get a much better one after the meal)

Food porn

My favorite picture of the trip:

The bill settled, we headed to Starbucks, another last night tradition (continued in next post because I don't think all of the pictures will fit in this post)

 

[eandesmom]

what a great last picture, you all look so tan and relaxed and happy!

That lunch looks seriously yummy, Jeff would be in heaven. I just love the view from that pool, sigh. What a lovely last day!!!

 

[KatMark]

We arrived at Starbucks and made it perfectly clear before going in who was paying and that there would be no crying when we left. Of course, I lost the battle over paying for the coffee...she might be little, but she can be mean.

Mark's dessert...I have no idea what it was and didn't care...it was our last night

Todd's lollipop

Andy called while we were there and I talked to him for a bit, then Nicki and he talked for five minutes and then we hung up and just chatted and enjoyed our last hour together.

And the four of us

Todd and Mark

Me and my little sister

It was time to go. It was time for that dreaded last walk to the car after a meal with our friends.

We started the walk out and I had to send Mark back into Starbucks because I couldn't find my phone. He is going to wop me one of these days because I'm always losing it. Well, not really losing it, just misplacing it. I need to put it in the same place at all times.

Anyway, all of us back in the parking lot, and guess who starts with the tears? Let's just say it was NOT me and leave it at that.

We did all of our hugs and our kisses, and then another round of hugs and kisses and then some giggles and then some more hugs and kisses and it was time to go.

Mark and I headed back to the condo as we had a very early flight. We took our last pictures on the dock as we do every year and then we hit the sack.

Up next, going home day and souvenirs (I'm throwing in souvenirs because I think I have only ONE picture from going home day)

 

[KatMark]

Actually I did start it ...and noticed both of you missing.

But thats OK, I know you are both busy too. I'm not too far into that one yet as I am really trying to work on my cruise one from Sept more. But I do have more than 1 update.

Where is it? Tell me so I can at least subscribe and then try to get caught up before I leave and then again when I get back.

Another relaxing day in paradise!

Mark is silly.

When are you moving there again?


I have to post on my PTR thread. I can't have Barry beating me with post count on there too.

It is paradise...so quiet and calm.

Yes, Mark is very silly.

Moving there...two or three years, I hope (although my youngest informed me I won't move if they give me grandbabies).

Oh yes...we don't want Barry beating you in a race and on a PTR.

I haven't posted on yours yet.... let's just say I'm currently tracking your thread.

what a great last picture, you all look so tan and relaxed and happy!

That lunch looks seriously yummy, Jeff would be in heaven. I just love the view from that pool, sigh. What a lovely last day!!!

Thank you, Cynthia (I almost missed your post as I did one more post after you posted a response.

The lunch was out of this world...it was really good.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I loved re-living all the updates! Sadly I am no longer that tan and I really miss it!

 

[elaine1109]

Kathy, Loved the updates this morning and the pictures are great!! Unfortunately your son is right it was our plan to move down there also after we totally retired but now with the wonderful grandkids we are talking about only renting for a couple of months in the winter. It would be too hard not to see them all the time!! Have a wonderful trip this week I hope Mark is totally surprised. Happy early birthday to him!! Elaine

 

[mickeystoontown]

I KNEW that there would be tears from someone when you said your goodbyes. I can't say that I blame you though. It's so hard to say bye to good friends who live so far away. At least you knew that you'd see them soon. Well, you, Nicki and Tood did.

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, finally caught up again. So, did we establish that it was Mark who got all weepy at the goodbyes?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Always sorry to see the great times come to an end.

The beach looks just perfect, between the weather and the gleaming white sand.

Mark should never have to grow up. Life has too many humorless grown-ups as it is.

Love your dinner choices. All of the meals look really good. I'm especially a sucker for good bbq.

Sorry you had to say goodbye...but looking forward to the big reveal!

 

[MEK]

I hate reading about goodbyes, but since I can't see pics right now, I'll come back and read it all over again. sniff sniff

 

[pas130]

Awwww Kathy, sad to say goodbye...to vacation, little sis...and that amazing beach....but you'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccccccccccck....

THIS WEEK

 

[aras4007]

Looks like you guys have a great time with Nicki and Todd. Your view is amazing! Were you the only ones on the beach??? It always looks empty!

I can't believe our trips are in just 3 days!!! SOOO excited. I am going to keep my eye out for you guys. We are going to MVMCP Sunday!

 

[mommy2mrb]

your last two days look so relaxing! love the sunrise photo
cool you got to see so many dolphins, manatees and birds!

only 3 more days until you are back at your happy place and getting to see Nicki & Todd....can't wait to see the surprise revele to Mark!

 

[jenseib]

First link in my signature. Oh the places we go the people we see.

 

[mommy2mrb]

FYI started my PTR

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3028844

 

[WDisneyMom]

GREAT updates! Marco Island looks so beautiful and relaxing...love it.

Those are some really wonderful pictures of all of you at the end...you all look so happy and relaxed

 

[englishrose47]

I have a feeling Judy is gonna want to add Marco Island to her desired places to visit after I show her the dolphin pix !! How far is it from WDW!!I am thinking of a possible side trip one of these visits to WDW !!!
All your pix are gorgeous Kathy and the food is yummy!!!

 

[KatMark]

Toes done in Minnie red: