12/29/07 Western - New Year's Eve

[birkner]

Just checking in on the board to wish everyone a great holiday and to celebrate being closer to that Sailaway Party every day!

Noel -- that sounds like an amaaaazing dinner!

Enjoy the Feasting, DISfolkes!

Mike C

Mike:

Thanks for the compliment. I love to cook and being retired gives me more time to plan and cook!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Noel

 

[birkner]

I'm back -- I'm here -- I'm heading to the West Coast next week (PM you Noel! -- will be in San Jose)

DS15 was in a play this past weekend -- Romeo and Juliet where he played the part of the prince -- he liked being the authority person and being able to yell at the crowd.

Well GTG to work. See you guys in 6 weeks

Jim:

Please do PM me. DH may be going to China on Monday after Thanksgiving but I would love to get together for lunch or dinner. I will know later today if he is going for sure. He can't leave before Monday as Sunday is DD Sam's 22nd birthday.

Any pics to post of son performing in Romeo and Juliet??

Noel

 

[iloveokw]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We will be doing our annual road trip of two places and 8 hours driving in one day. Thank goodness Melissa has her driver's permit. We would have flown Mike's Cessna but the weather doesn't look like it's going to cooperate.

Just a heads up, but I checked my reservation near the Port at the Residence Inn and saved $21 today. Yippee. That will pay for part of dinner that night.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

 

[birkner]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We will be doing our annual road trip of two places and 8 hours driving in one day. Thank goodness Melissa has her driver's permit. We would have flown Mike's Cessna but the weather doesn't look like it's going to cooperate.

Just a heads up, but I checked my reservation near the Port at the Residence Inn and saved $21 today. Yippee. That will pay for part of dinner that night.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Your Melissa is going to be so jazzed that she gets to drive I will bet!!

My DH John will be so jealous when he hears your DH is still current. He has been way too busy the last few years to stay current with his pilots license. What kind of Cessna does he have?

Wahoo, that you saved some money!! Sounds like the DOD to me instead of dinner!!

Hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday with your family!!

Noel

 

[JimV]

Here is DS15 from his part as the Prince in Romeo and Juliet this past weekend. The play was set in the post-Civil War South as a way of illustrating the tension between the Capulets and Montagues (the families of Romeo and Juliet). That's why he is in period costume...

And here is a shot of my kids from this past weekend. From the left DD18, DS13, DS15 and DD20...

So now you know. BTW, the kids are much better looking than the dad -- they get it from their mother's side, I guess.

 

[birkner]

Here is DS15 from his part as the Prince in Romeo and Juliet this past weekend. The play was set in the post-Civil War South as a way of illustrating the tension between the Capulets and Montagues (the families of Romeo and Juliet). That's why he is in period costume...


And here is a shot of my kids from this past weekend. From the left DD18, DS13, DS15 and DD20...


So now you know. BTW, the kids are much better looking than the dad -- they get it from their mother's side, I guess.

DH and I loved the pics you posted. I bet your DS had loads of fun thought I am sure it was hard work. What an interesting cut on the Romeo and Juliet scenario. I have heard of different versions but a southern one is a new one for me.

Your Kids are really very nice looking young adults. I am sure the gene pool from your side has had some effect!!

My next younger sister Karen was the performer in our family. She was often the lead in both high school and University. She was the only one of us girls who could sing and loved to act!! I was never bit by the acting bug but was on the debate team. Surprise, surprise!!

Perhaps your DS13 and my GD13 will see each other in the Stack!! I know Aspen is sure looking forward to this cruise!

Noel

 

[JimV]

Thanks for the comments Noel. I really liked the Civil War motif as having one side be from the North and the other from the South gave the audience an immediate feel for the kind of antipathy they would have for each other. However, they still used the original Shakespearean language. Next play is a version of the 60s comedy Get Smart and Alex is starting to read the script in anticipation of trying out for that production. He's an interesting combination of Computer/Robotics geek, acting, jazz band musician, and youth group leader at church that aspires to be a commercial pilot/aeronautical engineer -- it will be interesting to see how he turns out.

DS13 is now only DS12, and as I mentioned before he is a special needs kid. He will probably not be at the Stack since he is not comfortable with chaos and prefers the company of kids a little younger since he is VERY bad at reading social cues. So I expect he will be hanging around Ocean Quest much more than the Stack and we will discuss where he is at with the OQ staff when we get on board.

DS15 is MUCH more social. The problem we have with him is that there are 18 yo young ladies who are just waiting to swoop down and start dating him when he turns 16 (the age where we said he could start dating 1:1). The girls have been positioning for months now (sigh). It will be interesting to see how this goes on board this year versus when he was 13 on the last cruise.

We meet DD20's BF this weekend when they come home from college and he is spending the weekend at our house. She is going to be 21 next month and she is a college junior majoring in Spanish, Social Work with an emphasis in cross-cultural ministry. She has spent some time in Argentina on short-term mission trips and is considering a longer stay this summer (or else working in a Mexican orphanage or migrant farm worker ministry). She also has an interest in economics and business as a means of helping the poor raise their standard of living.

DD18 is my quiet daughter, freshman in college -- currently a family counseling major but that will likely change into some kind of young child emphasis. Cancer survivor (brain tumor when she was in first grade). Make a Wish Kid (went to WDW for the first time as a family with that wonderful organization). In fact I would rather call he a Cancer Thriver instead of survivor since she went from a <5% odds of survival without major deficits to an all-A student in High School.

Many things happening in our busy family -- last Thursday was DS12's choir concert, Friday was DD18's band concert and Saturday we finally went to the play. This week Thanksgiving prep, unfortunately we have some nasty family scenarios to deal with at the holidays which somehow seems to bring out the worst in some family members

They are all great kids, and DW (Ann) cannot wait to spend our cruise together as our first all-family major vacation (outside of the beach house) in years.

But, now, I must finish picking up my study as that is my ONE assigned task from DW before we have the house cleaned tomorrow in prep for the 18+ people coming over on Thursday...

Hoping everyone has opportunity for much Thanks-giving this week!

 

[birkner]

Thanks for the comments Noel. I really liked the Civil War motif as having one side be from the North and the other from the South gave the audience an immediate feel for the kind of antipathy they would have for each other. However, they still used the original Shakespearean language.

DS13 is now only DS12, and as I mentioned before he is a special needs kid. He will probably not be at the Stack since he is not comfortable with chaos and prefers the company of kids a little younger since he is VERY bad at reading social cues. So I expect he will be hanging around Ocean Quest much more than the stack and we will discuss where he is at with the OQ staff when we get on board.

DS15 is MUCH more social. The problem we have with him is that there are 18year young ladies who are just waiting to swoop down and start dating him when he turns 16 (the age where we said he could start dating 1:1). The girls have been positioning for months now (sigh). It will be interesting to see how this goes on board this year versus when he was 13 on the last cruise.

We meet DD20's BF this weekend when they come home from college and he is spending the weekend at our house.

Many things happening in our busy family -- last Thursday was DS12's choir concert, Friday was DD18's band concert and Saturday we finally went to the play. This week Thanksgiving prep, unfortunately we have some nasty family scenarios to deal with at the holidays which somehow seems to bring out the worst in some family members

But, now, I must finish picking up my study as that is my ONE assigned task from DW before we have the house cleaned tomorrow in prep for the 18+ people coming over on Thursday...

Hoping everyone has opportunity for much Thanks-giving this week!

I appreciated your commentary on the Shakespearean play with the North versus South theme. Very interesting and creative idea to use that theme while using the Shakespearean language.

With you DS being a bit less socially adept, I think you are correct in having him in Ocean Quest. The Stack seems to be a real social hive and would probably be pretty uncomfortable for him.

My oldest son Mark was a lot like your DS15. I can remember the older girls and even women swarming around him at about the same age. He is a big talker like me so I think that coupled with his good looks (think Tom Selleck) was a big draw!! You probably need to set some real guidelines for him on this cruise like for example, no going into ANYONE's room without parents being present. Just a suggestion.

I really understand the holiday scenario. We have to do separate holidays with the in laws of both my DD and my husband's sister. DD's husband's family is livid that they are going to be away at Xmas which means we will not see them during Thanksgiving to keep the peace. DH's sister's in laws will not attend any celebration that is not strictly "their" family. If I don't send airline tickets to my siblings, they don't come anymore as Mom and Dad are gone. DS can't come as it will "upset" his wife as she hates California. She is always worried that if he spends too much time back here he will wanted to move back. I could go on and on!!

Good luck on cleaning the study!! DD and DH are cleaning the guest room as DD is not satisfied with the way it looks for BF when he visits. She hates the paintings in the room etc.

Sigh......Can't wait for this cruise!!

 

[Ky Cruisin]

Hey Jim,

What a nice looking family you have. Is everyone cruising? Im' jealous that you had everyone together for a picture!!

Hey girls, sounds like our DH's have flying in common. Mine would be jealous too, he isn't current. After a severe MVA in 2002 he hasn't been medically able and it was truly a passion of his. He flew 152's and 172's and his dad had a King Air, but sold it because no one was flying. My DH then turned to motogp racing. If he couldn't fly in the sky, he will do it on land!! HA!

A side note... is anyone dressing in pirate attire for Pirate's Night?? My kids do, but I kind of had an urge to myself, just checking around? Also, about the lanyards. I noticed on another thread, the new Castaway Club lanyards have made their appearance, so I guess I will wait for them. Do any of you collect pins? If so are you bringing any? (I wish this guy would come and do laundry at my house!!)

Pam

 

[JimV]

We're talking about Pirate's night this upcoming weekend when we are having a family vacation planning meeting. Let you know after that.

Thanks for the comments Pam. We had been trying to get a picture for months for insertion with our Christmas cards, finally got around to doing it and at the same time having everyone generally presentable.

Continuing to work on the study...

 

[iloveokw]

Jim: Sounds like our DD15 and your DS15 have alot in common. She loves hamming it up on stage also! When the relatives get on your nerves this week, just keep telling yourself the cruise is coming soon. My mom hates it when I say "you can pick your friends not your relatives" LOL.

Noel: Mike has a Cessna 172. He has been flying for about 25 years and has his instrument rating. Melissa DD15 got ground school for xmas last year - but she is so busy we aren't sure when she will learn to fly "Tweety".

 

[birkner]

Hey Jim,

What a nice looking family you have. Is everyone cruising? I'm jealous that you had everyone together for a picture!!

Hey girls, sounds like our DH's have flying in common. Mine would be jealous too, he isn't current. After a severe MVA in 2002 he hasn't been medically able and it was truly a passion of his. He flew 152's and 172's and his dad had a King Air, but sold it because no one was flying. My DH then turned to motogap racing. If he couldn't fly in the sky, he will do it on land!! HA!

A side note... is anyone dressing in pirate attire for Pirate's Night?? My kids do, but I kind of had an urge to myself, just checking around? Also, about the lanyards. I noticed on another thread, the new Castaway Club lanyards have made their appearance, so I guess I will wait for them. Do any of you collect pins? If so are you bringing any? (I wish this guy would come and do laundry at my house!!)

Pam

Pam:

That is just what type of planes my DH John flew when he was current. It just takes too much time for him to stay current so he hasn't flown in years. He never took up any other "flying" type sports except skiing down the black diamond KT22 run at Squaw Valley!!

Not sure what we are doing about Pirates night either. Will keep you posted.

I don't collect pins but GK's have a few. They may or may not bring them on the cruise, I will have to ask!!

Noel

 

[birkner]

We're talking about Pirate's night this upcoming weekend when we are having a family vacation planning meeting. Let you know after that.

Thanks for the comments Pam. We had been trying to get a picture for months for insertion with our Christmas cards, finally got around to doing it and at the same time having everyone generally presentable.

Continuing to work on the study...

Jim:

We need to have the family planning meeting soon with DD and her family.

I am hoping to do a picture of the three of us on Thanksgiving for our annual Xmas card.

DH got his picture taken yesterday for his China visa so looks like if all goes well he will be leaving next Tuesday for at least a week. It is amazing that he will actually only be taking 6 days off from work while he will be gone from December 22-January 7. We are flying in on Sunday January 5 to Las Vegas for CES so we get an extra few days at company expense.

Hope you get that study done!!

Noel

 

[birkner]

Jim: Sounds like our DD15 and your DS15 have alot in common. She loves hamming it up on stage also! When the relatives get on your nerves this week, just keep telling yourself the cruise is coming soon. My mom hates it when I say "you can pick your friends not your relatives" LOL.

Noel: Mike has a Cessna 172. He has been flying for about 25 years and has his instrument rating. Melissa DD15 got ground school for xmas last year - but she is so busy we aren't sure when she will learn to fly "Tweety".

Kathy:

My GD10 is also quite the performer. She loves to sing and we call her the drama queen!! Nothing is ever easy with Bailey!!

We are going to have a peaceful stress free Thanksgiving this year since there are so few of us. The house is decorated, the table is set and all Samantha and I have to do is be sure the food is on the tables.

I passed the info on to DH John. I am sure he and Mike will have lots of flying stories to exchange. Seems to me John started on his instrument ratings but never finished. I will have to ask him for details.

He learned to fly at John Wayne airport in southern California. I think can still remember the tail of the aircraft he flew 77Fox but don't hold me to the numbers. If you ever have flown out of John Wayne you know that it can be a tricky airport because of the traffic and the noise abatement procedures.

Noel

 

[JimV]

DS15 is also interested in aviation. But when we checked with the colleges that have aviation programs, it was pretty consistent that typical PPL groundschool didn't have the level necessary to enable him to test out of the harder college programs, so we are opting out of pilots training until he hits college.

The study got done but not until 4:00 AM I had a lot of filing to do (DW suggested just throwing it all in a banker's box, but I just couldn't do that)

 

[birkner]

DS15 is also interested in aviation. But when we checked with the colleges that have aviation programs, it was pretty consistent that typical PPL groundschool didn't have the level necessary to enable him to test out of the harder college programs, so we are opting out of pilots training until he hits college.

The study got done but not until 4:00 AM I had a lot of filing to do (DW suggested just throwing it all in a banker's box, but I just couldn't do that)

Does your DS want to be a pilot for a living or for fun? Most of the pilots that I know of that wanted to do it for a living went into the military but that may have changed over the years.

4 AM!! EEEEK!! I am pretty anal also and want to file everything so I can find if I need it at a later date!! If I throw something in a box, dimes to donuts, I am gone to need and won't be able to find it!!

 

[JimV]

He wants to (a) have his commercial pilot license as well as (b) a major in aeronautical engineering so that he can meld his various passions...

It will be interesting to see how this morphs the next few years. But, he cannot go the military route because of uncorrected vision issues which will prevent him from pursuing a military academy option.

But hey everyone, I want to wish you a day full of Thanks for tomorrow -- and I am thankful I am leaving snowing/rainy Michigan in a month and a week for sunny Florida and our CRUISE

But decisions this weekend -- activities, pirate night, what we do when we get there, fish extender, T-shirts and more. Oh the angst of the compulsive vacation planner when needing to engage other people.

Hey -- do you think they will be showing National Treasure II on our cruise? That was one of my kids favorite recent movies and one that our whole family would enjoy seeing together. I need to check what other releases Disney has during Christmas to see what else might be showing.

 

[iloveokw]

I couldn't guarantee it, Jim, but everytime we've cruised and there was a newly released Disney movie - they showed them on board. Mike and Melissa saw POTC 3 (twice) last June right after it was released on our 3 night. Melissa is really looking forward to seeing National Treasure 2 on the cruise!

 

[birkner]

He wants to (a) have his commercial pilot license as well as (b) a major in aeronautical engineering so that he can meld his various passions...

It will be interesting to see how this morphs the next few years. But, he cannot go the military route because of uncorrected vision issues which will prevent him from pursuing a military academy option.

But hey everyone, I want to wish you a day full of Thanks for tomorrow -- and I am thankful I am leaving snowing/rainy Michigan in a month and a week for sunny Florida and our CRUISE

But decisions this weekend -- activities, pirate night, what we do when we get there, fish extender, T-shirts and more. Oh the angst of the compulsive vacation planner when needing to engage other people.

Hey -- do you think they will be showing National Treasure II on our cruise? That was one of my kids favorite recent movies and one that our whole family would enjoy seeing together. I need to check what other releases Disney has during Christmas to see what else might be showing.

\

I thought you can do the vision correction surgery these days for the military???

Planning is so time consuming!!

Our family is hopeful they will show National Treasure II as we loved the first one.

 

[Ky Cruisin]

Hey guys,

How weird!! We were just talking about the same thing!! But we had gone a step farther. We were preparing yourselves by watching National Treasures Movie. My DH is a movie fanatic!! I can't believe he hasn't called Disney to see what will be playing.

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Pam