4/29/06 Eastern Magic...We're Going!!!!!

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Steve,

I got your shout out, it is funny to look back again, it has been 177 days since we left the ship and if you go back 177 days prior to us boarding we were on page 47 and it was November 3, 2005 the post number was only 693!!!

We were leaving for the Food and Wine festival and to meet up with Suzie and Ed, what a great trip that was. We are only 3 weeks today from leaving for Thanksgiving.

Barb, Suzie, Trish, Sue, Lisa, and Steve thanks for keeping this going, I still have fond memories of it all and would hate to see it end.

Tom

The dates for 08 should be out very soon!!!!!!

 

[suziemva]

Gosh, was that only a year ago!?!?! That was a great time, Tom! Really enjoyed meeting you and Julie and the girls! It really seems like so long ago....

Tori asked tonight when we were going to Disney next. We told her that we are going in a few months and we'll see Steve and his family and Aunt Judy and Uncle Dennis....then she asks me "They're going to be on the cruise, too?" Oh, boy! We've created a Cruise Monster!!! She doesn't even think of the parks anymore! Except Tower of Terror since she saw the movie the other night on Disney Channel!

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Page 3?

Is anyone out there???

 

[suziemva]

We're here! Finally got all our plans for January done. We are staying at Orange Lake the 19th thru the 26th and then Wildneress Lodge the 26th thru the 29th. Really looking forward to a nice long vaca!!!! We had a devil of a time booking our flight because of some vouchers we had from our cruise flight . The woman at United told us we had to go to the airport to do everything because they had to confirm by sight that we had the vouchers. Come to find out we should have booked it then gone to the United agent....so after 30 minutes on the phone with the automated United ticket thing we finally got it all straight....it was so noisy in the airport that the automated system kept thinking I was changing or cancelling something! Had to do my credit card 5 times because the agent was yelling over my head to the person next to me! I almost strangled her!!! BUT it's done now!

Even got a great rate for our car! WOOHOO! Passes are paid for, everything is done! I am SOOOOOO ready to go!

Other news.....Ameera will be 4 weeks old tomorrow. She's such a cutie and such a good baby (except when she has little tummy problems then all hell breaks loose with the crying!!! Kinda like colic at times....). Big Sis Tori is such a big help. She has now gotten into playing with her dolls like a mommy. She even got a diaper bag with all the stuff from some friends! Too cute!

Ed's business is doing good. He's got some things in the works that will enable him to not have to renew the PITA contracts he's dealing with now. I never knew adults could be so petty or childish! But we found them! So glad that he won't have to deal with them when the contracts run out! The phone calls and emails are driving me nuts!

So, let's hear what's going on in YOUR lives.....

 

[suziemva]

Question of the day:

Where's Castlegazer and what is she up to?!

 

[rubysmom]

Roses-- <---- that's all the little green monsters I could find (other than ones that were either laughing hysterically, smoking, or about to toss their cookies) to describe how jealous I am of your Club 33 dinner! I can't wait to see the pictures!!! (while you're at it, how about posting some from the cruise, hmm...? The snapfish site is still available, right Suze?) Miss you guys!!

Suzie, you've got to update your signature with new pictures every week or so. After all, the princess is changing every day! Kathy's going to DLR in January and I've already tried to conjure up a way to get there...didn't work out. So, probably WDW is out too. "Don't give up on us, baby" we'll get out there someday!

Lisa! Tell me you were Ginger! I can totally see it, girlfriend! BTW, tell your friend thanks. Never did call to find out who it was, but I'm keeping the note handy to look at when I get grumpy...such kind words will make me smile, despite the fact that they could be written by a or meant for someone else, lol!

Steve--Have you seen Borat? If not...don't. Trust me on this one. Dave & I were either laughing hysterically or so embarrassed to be watching that we hoped no one we knew would see us leaving the theater. No kidding, we felt the need to go home and watch a Disney movie to 'cleanse' our mental palate!! (Sky High did the trick.) But if you have seen it, you may or may not be pleased to know that he and his amazing hammock reminded me of you. (Just for the record, please know that I don't ONLY associate you with that subject...it was very nice visiting with you at RockinBarD and I don't recall bananas being mentioned even once among the group that time!)

Barb, I'm anxious to hear what was the final product for Halloween?? I know the costumes were amazing...do tell. +2 to +4 is like 35 to 39 degrees F, right? Practically balmy!

Tom, Thanks for keeping us going! When, oh when are those sail dates going to be released? Anyone? Anyone?

As for current events with us, nothing exciting except soccer...Mike's doing indoor now, first game ever last Sat, scored 3 goals and has an outdoor soccer tourney next weekend. Sadly, I think this 3-day trip to exotic Mukilteo, WA is going to be our big vacation for the winter. So we're making the most of it and staying in a hotel with an extra star or two on the rating. woohoo! It's a great bunch of parents, so it should be a good time anyway!!

Emma was a pirate for Halloween, of course. She had a modified version of what she wore on the cruise, slightly less skin showing, lol. Super cute and very much in character--I'll post a picture soon. Mike just stayed at a friend's house that night and (with permission) they "forked" another friend's front yard. Big excitement for the preteen...I don't even want to know what comes next year!

TTFN, except for one last shout out....CASTLEGAZER, where are you? We need an update on the (not-so-) new job!

 

[suziemva]

Tori as (modified) Kim Possible and Ameera as a cute little bunny....

She just looked soooo peaceful in her carrier, I had to take a picture.

Sad to say, I haven't had time to do pics but we're trying to do our Christmas card photo this weekend. At least an excuse to take pictures!

Yes, the snapfish account is still open as is the yahoo site. Any questions, just email me.

Still waiting to see Halloween pictures of The Castaways! BIG HINT, Lisa!!

Not much really to update here. Life with a newborn and a 4 year old is never dull....big tadoo today was baking cupcakes with Tori while Ed was at his meeting. Woopee.....

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Remembering last year and discussing what we were going to do! The food and cocktails! Aaaahhhh....those were the days!

 

[rubysmom]

Now that's an angel face!! (both of them, actually!)

Ah, Thanksgiving. I do love this time of year for visiting friends and remembering what's really important in life. Shall we have a QOTD, everyone?

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

I would answer, except we don't have any!! Basically we just try to see all the family (which requires several stops throughout the state) and we always eat too much. Pretty universal stuff, but we'd like to start something meaningful, so what do you think?

 

[suziemva]

We have the new tradition of No Stress. Last year, we all came to the table (leisurely) in lounge clothes! We had no set time for dinner, watched all the football on tv we wanted, ate tons of hors doevres and had a great time! We realized that this was a no stress day in honor of Ed's heart attack (will be 2 years this Thanksgiving). The friends that rallied that night and helped out make us realize we need to enjoy the day and slow down.

Other traditions include the specific food. Fried turkey and streuseled sweet potatoes are a must for our table! And being with the ones we love...family and friends!!! Wish you all could fit around my table this year!!!! We'll be thinking of everyone!

Hard to believe it's just around the corner! We celebrate 16 years married on the 17th and then Thanksgiving the next week! WOOHOO!!!

 

[STEVEMED]

Suzie...I love your tradition.I would love to make that a tradition in my house.

My traditions is turning into working on thanksgiving.I've had two work the last two years and I'm working again this year.

God bless the troops and happy veterans day to everyone.

 

[suziemva]

Sorry to hear that, Steve. But may I say Thank You for being on the job, too. We had such wonderful EMT and firefighters that came to the house when we called that Thanksgiving. I know it kind of stinks to be working and not being with the family but we really appreciated those ones that worked that night!

And a big Thank You also to all the Veterans and Troops serving our country. Thank you for serving. Good Veterans Day to everyone. Oh, and Remembrance Day to our Canadian pals up North!

 

[Lisa D]

Suzie, I promise, I have the picture and it will be coming soon! I promise! Been thinking of you this week - I got a mailer from Snapfish and it's addressed to "Suzie M" at my address because I ordered some of your pictures!

Steve, happy Veterans Day - to me this applies to all of our brave armed forces as well as the police and fire forces who protect us all.

As far as Thanksgiving traditions go, I have great memories of many years getting together at my grandparents ( and later my aunt's ) house with all the cousins on that side of the family. We had a big long table for about 30 people - used to kind of remind me of "The Waltons". Unfortunately this tradition no longer continues but we do Thanksgiving at my house with my mom and my sister's family - and of course Phil always looks forward to the Cowboys playing football (he will never give up on them no matter what).

The Gilligan and Ginger picture will be coming soon!

Lisa

 

[STEVEMED]

Hi guys.Just wanted to pop in and do my best to keep the thread going...

Suzie...How are the plans for January going?

Rubys Mom...Sounds like borat has some explaining to do to the original (I'll have to get my lawyers to look into this matter)


LisaD...Thanks for the Veterans Day shout out but this day belongs to all of the brave men and women who keep our country safe...

Anyone think about the next cruise.My group wants to go next year in April.I'm trying to hold them off until the first week of May so the can see Tommy Boy.(and anyone else who cares to join us)

 

[suziemva]

Steve, plans are going great! We booked our flight and resorts! Got a GREAT deal on our rental car.....so ready to go! I'll be emailing you shortly to see when/if we can get together! Found a CN deal and emailed Barb, but doesn't look like that will happen...big sigh.... Now, I feel like I'm starting to count the days til this vacation! Hard to believe the last time we were there was last May after the cruise! WOW! Feels like forever ago!

 

[suziemva]

Tom and The Queen
Just wanted to send my well wishes for your upcoming trip to The World. Have a wonderful time and a safe trip!

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Suzy,

Thanks honey, we are leaving in 4 days and will be there for 11 nights, it seems like forever since we have been there. The only thing that keeps you going is you have to have another one booked before you even go, always have at least one trip planned that way when you leave you already know when you are going back.

I hope everyone is doing great, Steve keep holding out on those Rhodies, we need to do it the first week in May. I checked into the last week of April and it is 2500 more for us than it was this last May.

Keep up the activity, and we will be back in a couple of weeks.


Tom

 

[suziemva]

Gee, Tom. Heard there were some snow flakes down in Orlando yesterday. Hope y'all are having a good time, though!

Thinking of everyone today.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[STEVEMED]

Hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving

 

[suziemva]

Tom, are you home yet? Dying to hear how everything went!

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? We had a great time with friends and the next day with family. Fried turkey was awesome, again!

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Suzie,

Just got back late on Friday night, had a fantastic time. Went to Thanksgiving with BowTie Joe, crowds were bad at first but the Sunday after Turkeyday it all lightened up, weather was spotty, but I was still at Disney so it really did not matter. When are you guys going in January, just found out that I am going to be in Florida the week of the 8th, so the Queen and the girls are going to fly down for the oldest Princesses Bday that next weekend.

Tom