11/27/04 the sequel.....

[missmulan]

i'm glad i bought several 8 x 10 because i took one of my formal night picture and sam's club was able to "reprint" it to a 4 x 6 and make christmas cards out of them. they do not use the regular kodak digital print scanner, they have another "higher tech" machine that is used for that purpose. whew, i thought! so call your local sam's or costco if you need it professionally scanned to make christmas cards.

i had prepared all my 12 x 12 scrapbook pages weeks before my cruise and now i'm not even motivated to put the pics in because of how they turned out. boo-hoo! can i turn the clock back and try it again????

 

[CurtS]

Kim and Darci: don't feel bad. I downloaded pictures every day onto a laptop, so I didn't keep track of the number of pictures I took. I was shocked when I started to review them and realized that there were nearly 800 pics--I didn't think I was THAT prolific in anything! Of course, of the 800, about 400 were fuzzy, various shades of mottled colors, looked down-right psychodelic or appeared to have been taken by a 3 year old (which was entirely possible). Of the ones remaining, none will qualify for Christmas cards--the kids either looked drunk, stoned, clownish, asleep or had their hands some place that was too embarrassing to send to anyone. I suppose I could crop and paste then tell people to use their imaginations as to what the scene really was! It was a true pleasure meeting all of you on the cruise. I would have loved to have spent more time sitting down to a MaiTai and talk but unfortunately Steph and I had two children tied to our hips and had enough trouble keeping track of the other four when we weren't drinking! Yes, I'm a bit depressed today--it's been cold and dreary since we've gotten back and all I can do is look at those wonderful photos of the trip--even the psychodelic ones!

--Curt

 

[april riddle]

Ok now I feel better - most of our pictures weren't the greatist either - I took most of them with our cannon rebel and thought they would be great - the best pictures I have our from our kodak digital. Wish I had taken most of the pictures with that one. I almost talked DH into getting the cannon rebel digital in St. Thomas which was over 400 dollars less than what they are here. (plus they had the lens included so that would probably be another couple of hundred I think). Well it has been dreary here in my part of NC and rainy and I made up for being off for two weeks by being at work non stop this week. We did rebook for next year - we are going to go on the western on Dec 3 - but I really did love going to St. Thomas - starting to think we may change our ressies. It is hard to believe that we have been home for a whole week now. I guess I need to start decorating for Christmas - and get my shopping done. Next year I am going to get all my shopping done before I go so I don't have anything to stress out about when I get back. Everyone have a great weekend.

 

[dzneprincess]

Oh wow! I did not get any new post notification to this thread! Looks like yall have been ahving a party without me! LOL OK when are we going to share our pictures?
Curt I have a couple of pictures with Chloe and Claire and my kids that turned out cute. The ones that we took in the port hole while waiting for Gailyn? Remember? I would be happy to share them with you. MY pictures all turned out great, EXCEPT the ones at the shows, but that is to be expected since we were not very close and of course could not use flash. I did rebook on board, much to my DHs dismay! LOL At this point I have a 4 day Wonder for 09-18-05 booked for just DH and I. I was also able to get thr OBC for my 05-27-06, and I also booked 09-16-06 Magic. I am thinking about putting together a girls only trip.....I am not too sure about the Sept 06 booking though......

 

[Popovich]

We got home late from WDW Thursday night. Everyone went to work and school on Friday. Greg and I had a Christmas party last night with the neighbors and a party with the kids at church later this afternoon. I think I need a vacation to recover!!!

I woke up this morning and came straight to the computer to check our thread. I loved reading your posts!! Greg has confirmed that I'm a Dis addict!!! He and the kids are still in bed.

I want to say a BIG Thank You to Wendyleigh for taking the time to put the scapbook pages together for me and to Amanda for starting our thread and to all of you that we met on the cruise. Each of you are special and added to the magic of our trip . I feel so blessed that we were able to go on such a wonderful trip and meet such great people. Thank you also to Diane, Kim, Amanda and Curt. Your kids made the trip even more special for Nicole and Matt. Wendyleigh I never did catch up to you again to answer questions about the Vacation Club. Feel free to email me with any questions! pops2003@aol.com.

We took about 800 digital pictures but I don't know how they look. I'm taking three disposable cameras in today. Thanks for the tip about Sam's and scanning pics from the ship.

Monika in Shutters have me a web address for IMAGE.com. She said we could print a release for any pictures that we bought on the ship to have them reprinted. Their phone number is 305.476.3666 and the manager is Alexander Melendez for whoever asked about possibly ordering additional pictures.

I will try to go through our pictures and post any good ones of our group. DH will have to help me because I am computer challenged!

We did rebook for November 26th Eastern next year and I'm already looking forward to it . I can't wait to go back to St. Thomas and do more shopping and go on the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel again and DH wants to do the SNUBA trip that Millie tried (thanks Millie for sharing the info with us).

I would agree with Amanda that the ladies get together was a must do, but next time I'll suggest brunch over the tea.

Well, I'd better finish unpacking.

Gailyn

 

[Popovich]

Congratulations Travis and Jackie. Great picture of the two of you! What a nice engagement photo!!! Sorry that we didn't get to meet.

Have a great day everyone!!!

Gailyn

 

[dzneprincess]

WElcome home Gailyn and family! WOW no fair the rest of us have been back to reality for a week already! LOL HOw was the rest of your trip? I told my DH how I ran into you all at DD on last Saturday and he couldnt believe me! Coincidence or what? LOL

 

[kim bremner]

It's now freezing here in Chicago so I know Curt and family are close enough to be freezing as well, and a long winter ahead.

Darci - we originally booked with Southern elegance but cancelled. We were one of the first off the ship because we had a 10:50 out of MCO (which we made with lots of time to spare) and had a ride with Art's shuttle. We never saw the guy but I feel bad. I will give them a call on Monday. I'm glad you let me know.

I'm so sad we aren't going with you guys next year but got some news from doctor when we returned that we will be undergoing infertility treatment and I just hope a new little one will be in our lives next year and that is about the only thing I can think of better than a cruise. If treatment doesn't work out we are looking into adoption. Since so many of you had dealt with infertility and adoption you know we will be too broke to be going on any cruises. Please keep us in your prayers.

Two weeks til Christmas, hope none of you get run over at the mall....

Kim

 

[Popovich]

Kim, I'm so sorry to hear your news, but I wish you and John the best of luck. I'll keep you in our prayers . Several of our friends have undergone fertility treatments and I'm happy to say all have gotten pregnant. My college roommate has twins, Greg's housemate from law school now has 4 boys (only 1 set of twins!!) and my best friend has 3 children - no twins.

Amanda, WDW was great. As you know from DTD, Saturday was cool but the rest of the week was sunny and high 70's or low 80's. We ran into to NJ Cruisers as soon as we walked into MK on Sunday!!! Both Matts were thrilled to see each other. That was a nice surprise.

MVMCP was wonderful but VERY crowded. I won't buy tickets again for a Sunday night Christmas party. Next year we'll go on a weekday!! The Osborne Light display at MGM was fantastic. Our best memory of the park was of Matt when he found out he was tall enough to ride Space Mountain. He was soooo excited. He did the "GO Matthew GO Matthew dance" and told me "This is the best day of my life".

Greg just downloaded pictures from the camera. There are some cute pics of the boys together and a couple of the girls. The group shot at CC of the adults turned out well too. I'll try to get Greg to send them. Amanda, Kim, Curt and Diane if you would like me to send pics, let me know your email address.

Anyone going back on the Magic in Mid Oct '06 for the Western double CC cruise?

Have a great weekend everyone.

Gailyn

 

[dzneprincess]

I cant wait to see everyones pictures. I have uploaded a few at photobucket http://photobucket.com/albums/v295/dzneprincess

 

[NJ Cruisers]

Hi everyone. We've been home for a few days. I wrote one long note but it got "lost" and I was too tired (late at night) to write it again.

We had a fantastic cruise .... thanks to all of you. Matt is still talking about all of his friends - Max, Matthew, Ian and Chase. That really made this cruise special. We booked again for Nov 26, 2005 and Matt is already doing a happy dance. (SO AM I).

We finally saw the sun today - for the first time since we've home. Matt said "Look ... it's the sun!!!" in a really stunned and shocked voice.

It was so funny seeing Gailyn and family on Sunday at the Magic Kingdom. My Matt said "there's Matt". It took a while for me to figure out what he was talking about - I thought he was seeing his reflection. It's a small world ...

Hope this note makes it to the board ......

Diane

 

[dzneprincess]

Good to hear you are home safe and sound Diane and Rick! I think that is funny that you all saw each at the MK! Timing was everything when I saw Gailyn too! Threw me! LOL I cant believe no one rebooked one of the special itineraries for 2006. I was hoping to cruise with some of yall again. :-(

 

[april riddle]

Funny how we see things differently...........we had originally booked for the week of Thanksgiving and when I found out that the ship would not be going to Key West I thought long about it. I wanted to do the corny thing about taking a picture of the most southern tip of the US and had really thought that key west might be fun. I don't like the beach that much since I burn to a crisp and so thought that we wouldn't really enjoy Castaway Cay as much. I really did like going to Castaway but I thought the water was a bit chilly and was glad that I had made that decision. We we back on the ship before two and DH and DS's went to the movie in the afternoon. I know most people just love it but we all thought it was just OK. I wonder if there are others like us out there.

 

[dzneprincess]

Hey april, do you have any pictures of CJ and your boys? I have like, I think a total of 5 pictures of CJ for this week long trip! LOL I was hoping you had some you would be willing to share?

 

[missmulan]

aprilriddle: castaway cay did not meet my expectations either. in fact, i thought it was very stressful. we took the time to have breakfast first, got off and waited in a long line to take a picture with Mickey. then another photo op at the "fresh catch" area, then another at the "seasons greeting" sand castle. then we took the kids to do the whale dig thing, there was a shorter line to check them in. we took them out an hour later just to "hang out" at the beach but all the lounge chairs and umbrellas were taken already. searching for some empty spots was not fun! The water was a little cool and then the clouds came rolling in. needless to say, there was another long line getting back on the ship. i wanted the kids back in the lab to "rehearse" for their D Sea U ceremony. At 4:00, the line was already long.

next time i know not to eat breakfast first. just wait for lunch.

 

[disneyfan73]

Hello,

Wanted to share a few photo from the trip. I have day 1 - day 3 uploaded. I will work on the others soon.

http://client.webshots.com/album/231368892NCWYUe


Later
Jeff

 

[CurtS]

Good morning everyone!
Gailyn--glad you made it home safely. I agree with Amaqnda--even though you deserve the long rest, we're all jealous that we had to deal with reality for a week already!

Kim--yes we are having horrible winter weather. The wind was 30 MPH and reached 40 MPH gusts last night and the temperature was in the 20s with sleet and snow. Quite a shock from the 80s just 10 days ago!

CC was okay for us, but also a bit disappointing. Chris and I got to do a lot of snorkeling, but the cold water temps really made it difficult to stay out very long and the babies were only able to stay in the water a short time before they started turning shades of a mostly unattractive blue. On the other hand, Steph thought my lips and fingers looked good in that color and wanted me to keep it (I found if I stand outside in this weather long enough with no clothes on, I can achieve that look again, but that's another story).

Amanda--thank you for the offer. That is very kind of you. I'll send you a PM with an e-mail address if you want to send them to us. The girls seem like they had a lot of fun and, strangely, I only only have a few pics of Chloe and Claire, all with Disney characters.

Kim--I'm sorry to hear you won't be going next year. We'll pray that everything works out well for you. We were in a similar situation but,for us, infertility treatment was not an option (thus, the plethora of children we have acquired!), so if you need anyone to talk to let us know.

We talked seriously about re-booking, but won't be doing so for a few years. The cruise was great, but we've got to deal with some issues before we try it again. We find that the effects of prolonged foster care surface at the most exciting of times and this was no exception.

Talk with you soon!

--Curt

 

[traceycooper]

Hi everyone, i'm sooo jealous to see so many of you have re-booked, i keep dropping hints to my DH but he turned round the other day and said Tracey we havent even got the money for a deposit, like that would stop me!!!!!
But i'm afraid common sense has had to be listened to & i'm planning for 2006 as we are both hitting the big 40 then & i will need to be cheered up for that!
On a good note i got the job i applied for before the holiday & will be starting in the new year so maybe i'll be able to save more for the next cruise!!
Thanks all who shared their photos, depressed me even more, we watched our video last night (all 5 hours of it) my brother thought it was funny cos i videoed all the meals at Palo's brunch!!!
Cruise highlights:
Meeting Darci & family & some of you guys
St John & Trunk Bay
Fireworks on pirates night

WDW highlights:
Wishes
Osbourne lights
Mickeys Philomonic (sorry i know its spelt wrong!)
to all XX

 

[CurtS]

Congratulations, Tracey!

It was great meeting you and your DH!

I agree with you--I'm happy for all of the folks that re-booked but sad that we won't be going back for a while. But I figure our time will come eventually--I just hope we aren't taking a bus from the nursing home to the airport!

--Curt

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Curt,
I love your sense of humour! I should be doing some college work now but i'm too depressed, sorry we didnt get to talk more at the meet, but thanks for recommending Arts shuttle for our transfers they were great & i would definately recommend them to anyone.
Better go and look busy! Take care