60 Candles, 30 Million Lights, Best Friends&Family at Disney--Priceless (New 5/23)

[KatMark]

I think I read your last couple of updates, but maybe never commented due to my hiatus from the DIS this weekend.

Anyway - love each and every picture of the four of you. I especially love Mark's picture with the dog ears on the santa hat. How did he NOT buy that one?

You needed that hiatus, I've heard.

It's funny...we didn't buy much of anything when we were there since we bought stuff in September. I think this year we will wait until December to buy.

Hope you're feeling better, Kathy.

Thank you.

hey Kathy, just checking to see how you are feeling...hope better

Thanks for checking on me.

Kathy...I truly hope you're on the mend

Thank you for the hug.

DO I have to text you???? You are starting to get me worried.

You didn't have to text me as someone else did a couple of times as you know.

I hope you feel better. Stomach bugs are not fun!

They are not fun at all and I hadn't had the stomach flu in a long time.

Feel better Kathy!!!

Thanks, Rosie.

Spent my free time getting caught up tonight! So sorry to hear you have been sick.

I do think we will both be in WDW at the same time in DECEMBER! Shhhh...its a secret though. I haven't posted it on Facebook since family will try to talk us out of it... and its a recent development!

Tammy, it is so good to see you back here. Thanks...I'm feeling better.

You will have to let me know if you are there so that we can say hello. Message me on FB and let me know your dates and I won't say anything on your FB page. And the heck with he family who will try to talk to you out of it.

Hope you're feeling better!

Thanks, Amanda.

Hi Kathy! I hope the crud bug has moved on and left you feeling better by now.

Thanks, Brenda.

Hi Kathy, just trying to catch up. Sorry to hear that you are sick! Hope you are feeling better FAST!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Karin. I'm almost at 100% but trying now not to get the upper respiratory thing that Andy had last week. My house smells like a can of Lysol.

Kathy, do hope you are feeling better. A stomach bug went through here too and and it really saps your energy. Sending get well hugs!

After the stomach thing went away by Tuesday night, it was the feeling of weakness...I was just drained.

What she said.....

It started last Sunday for us. Today looks like it could be more normal, finally. Hope you are on the mend, as well. I am so rarely ever 'throw up' sick, and when I get that way, it always makes me think of people having to go through chemo, knowing that days and weeks of nausea are ahead of them , because it's such a yucky state to be in. Makes me appreciate every good day.

Feel better soon!

Thank you. I never had the chemo when I had my breast cancer, but the radiation made me tired. I don't know how people with chemo deal with that so frequently. And I hear you on appreciating every good day.

Hope you are feeling much better fast. I had that stomache bug before Christmas. It was NOT fun! And I really didn't feel back to myself for the better part of a week and a half. Will send you some pixie dust for a quicker recovery!

I am feeling better...thank you. It certainly wasn't fun, and I'm sorry you got it right before the holiday...yuck.

Loved the photopass photo of your group outside MK! And I totally agree with you on the GF. I could not stay there, either. Just not a good fit for our group. Too froo froo! We did the monorail tour of the decorations as well in 2010, and then headed over to the Wilderness Lodge. The music playing in the lodge and the decorations there with the fireplace going was so homey.

I'm really sorry we didn't get to WL but I plan on rectifying that this December. It's not a resort I have a desire to stay at, but I've heard about the decorations and hte homey feeling and really want to try it.

Kathy! I'm worried about you - hope you are getting better? All caught up again - so many fun hat pics!

Please don't worry...I'm getting all better. I'm glad you enjoyed the hat photos.

Thanks for sharing the new FL pics- can't wait to see it! Funny how your kids took so long to get there, and yet it seems like they found their own magic - that's what it's about!

Yes, they did find their own magic and we had told them they didn't have to hang with us the whole time. I just wish they had told us sooner so we didn't wait so long for them.

Love how the 4 of you can just "be" and have such a great time together!

After my breast cancer and losing my dad and then Mark's mom, we decided life is just too darn short and that we need to live and enjoy every minute. What better place to just "be" with our besties than at Disney.

I hear Dole Whips cure anything. We need to get you one, quick!

The only problem is I don't like Dole Whips.

Looks like she was posting on Facebook last night, so that's a good sign. Yes! Somebody fly in a dole whip quick! At our house, otterpops make a good substitution too!

Yes, I posted on FB...you caught me. I think a box of Disney popcorn would have helped.

 

[KatMark]

I hope you are feeling better. Finally all caught up!
Agree with you about the GF. When mom, Lanie & I were there in 2010, we walked in and saw those decorations and smelled the gingerbread house, my mom actually said, "oh, Christmas time could change my mind about this resort" and I agree. We had lunch at GF Cafe before going back to the Poly and it was fantastic.
But with the way the deluxes are priced these days, I'd have to win the lottery before I could ever afford it. Even with the 40% pin I used on the Poly, it's just not in the budget even in low season and I'd rather go to the World than not go at all to be able to stay in a deluxe.

I'm going to go PM you on FB now because we are trying to sell our place and would love to know where your F-I-L's place is.....

Thanks, my friend. I just don't know if I'd like the GF...even at Christmas. And I know I could never talk Mark into staying there. The deluxe prices are ridiculous. You ought to look into renting points...it is such a good deal if you get the right person.

Got your PM and keep me posted.

Kathy, I am soooooooo happy to hear that you are doing better!
Take it slow - we will be here when you are ready!

Thanks, Karin. We are going to have a very laidback weekend. We even gave up working the wrestling tournament this weekend (first one we've missed in nine years) so we can both rest up.

It sounds like you need more Starbucks...

I'm glad you're feeling better now!

Andy, my son--not you, went and got me my coffee on Tuesday morning before they went Downtown to see the Charlie Brown exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry and on Tuesday, I threw on my sweats and went myself. I'm NEVER too sick for Starbucks.

I'm glad I'm feeling better too.

happy to hear you are feeling better....get some extra rest this weekend!

Thanks; Mark is going into the City to our favorite meat market so we can stock up in the freezer, and then I am going to work on finishing up Markie's scrapbook from his last two years of college that I never got around to doing.

I'm glad to read you are feeling better. It seems everyone is getting sick this year, and being hit hard!

Thanks, Mel. It's been a bad year. I think part of the problem here is the weather did not get really, really cold until about a week ago and the germs weren't killed off.

It’s not like we’re all going to stop reading the DIS or something silly like that,
Good to hear that you’re getting better.
Take your time and heal up proper.

We’ll be right here when you get back.

Thanks, my sweet friend.

So that's what YOU call it huh???

You are very, very bad, Marvin!

Just when I was getting used to "coffee on the verandah"..........

Maybe you ought to work on your 18-month old TR?

I am so far behind on everything I had NO IDEA you were sick! POOR SWEETIE!!! Take it VERY easy this weekend!

Judy, no worries. You have enough on your plate without having to worry about me. I plan on not doing a whole lot this weekend (scrapbooking and we may go to a movie). The house will wait until next weekend.


Marv you are SOOOOOOOOOOO Bad...

Yes, yes he is.

 

[KatMark]

I hope I didn't miss any responses. Thanks again for all of your concern...it means a lot.

We have a very "relaxed" weekend planned. I will try to do an update tomorrow or Sunday when I can use Andy's computer (for some reason, mine freezes or drops me when I post pictures...I really need a new computer) and I need to catch up on everyone's threads.

I bought another frame when we were out shopping last weekend and while I was home sick I put the photos in. Here it is:

And, as a proud mom, here is Markie with "his" boys from the youth wrestling club he runs in Dubuque. Out of all of the boys in this picture, he took 17 of them to the state preliminary tournament to qualify for the State Championships this Sunday. Out of those 17, they had 9 Champions and 7 additional qualifiers. The one and only boy who did not make it lost in overtime in the third place match but will go as an alternate. Join me in wishing them the best of luck this Sunday. So proud of how he is giving back in the sport he loves:

 

[annmarieda]

They are not fun at all and I hadn't had the stomach flu in a long time.

I had not either... maybe a slight bug here or there that I was able to fend off... but not a- "living hell" sort of night followed by sleeping all day and then woozy the next - in over 10 years.

Yeah...stomach bug hit me night before last. Not fun... certainly not.

 

[KatMark]

I had not either... maybe a slight bug here or there that I was able to fend off... but not a- "living hell" sort of night followed by sleeping all day and then woozy the next - in over 10 years.

Yeah...stomach bug hit me night before last. Not fun... certainly not.

Ann, I'm so sorry you got hit too. It really zaps your energy and takes a few days to recover. Feel better soon.

 

[eandesmom]

Andy, my son--not you, went and got me my coffee on Tuesday morning before they went Downtown to see the Charlie Brown exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry and on Tuesday, I threw on my sweats and went myself. I'm NEVER too sick for Starbucks.

:

Now THAT is a good sign!

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, I'm so sorry you got hit too. It really zaps your energy and takes a few days to recover. Feel better soon.

Thanks Heres to both of us feeling 100% again soon!!!

 

[goofy4prez]

Why is it I am currently picturing a frying pan?

Glad to see your back on here and beginning to feel better... You had me concerned.


As for the frying pan; She don't go for any of those light weight aluminum ones either, oh no, it is a good old fashioned nice and heavy cast iron skillet as her favorite choice of weapon.

 

[DMGeurts]

I hope you're starting to feel better Kathy... The stomach bug is the worst!

Love the frame!

And good luck to the wrestlers!

D~

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

When you are too sick for coffee... you know its BAD...

I'm so glad that you are feeling better... too many nasty bugs around and about this year making so many sick...

I think that you and Mark should have gotten the Mickey and Minnie aprons... so cute...

I agree that the GF does a knock out job with the decorations... it's just a bit "cold" for me... I think because of it's size... but yet I don't feel that with the AKL so I'm not sure...

I agree about the Contemporary too... I was surprised their decorations were a little weak... (It's funny because I've liked the photos of BLT that I've seen)...

Congrats for Markie and his boys... I think that all of our kids need caring adults to get involved with them and help them actualize their potential ... and kudos for you for raising him...

 

[englishrose47]

Glad you are feeling better Kathy !! Great pix of the Team !! You have every right to be proud !!!

 

[WDisneyMom]

Glad you're feeling better, Kathy! Lets just hope this weather doesn't stick around too long!

 

[pas130]

So glad you're feeling better Kathy & back to posting

 

[WDisneyMom]

Ok, where is this favorite meat market and what is it called?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So glad you are feeling better, Kathy. Mia, Sophia and Michael are in FL now and arrive at Disney for Sophia's first visit tomorrow! Only time for one day at the MK, including CRT! Then on to visit more family...hopefully this summer Sophia and I will go for a few days.

Congratulations to Markie and his boys! Will send good thoughts on Sunday!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I was back on page NINE!

The holidays really made me fall behind on the DIS, but I'm slowly coming back now. Enjoying your report, as always! You had some awesome PhotoPass Photographers!

Glad to hear you are feeling better too! This winter has been a tough one for so many people.

 

[blessedmom4]

LOVED the collage and the fact your back! I hope that means you are feeling MUCH better! You were missed!

 

[KatMark]

Now THAT is a good sign!

It is a very rare occasion when I can't drink my coffee.

Glad to see your back on here and beginning to feel better... You had me concerned.


As for the frying pan; She don't go for any of those light weight aluminum ones either, oh no, it is a good old fashioned nice and heavy cast iron skillet as her favorite choice of weapon.

Thanks; it was not a good week last week. I have one of those heavy cast iron skillets...I think I may follow your wife's very wise ways.

I hope you're starting to feel better Kathy... The stomach bug is the worst!

Love the frame!

And good luck to the wrestlers!

D~

Thanks, D. I would rather have a nasty case of bronchitis than deal with the stomach flu.

Thanks...I'm happy with the frame too.

The wrestlers did pretty good. 10 of them placed in the top 3 so a good weekend overall.

When you are too sick for coffee... you know its BAD...

Oh trust me...I had my coffee (the only thing that kept me going)

I'm so glad that you are feeling better... too many nasty bugs around and about this year making so many sick...

I think it is because we didn't have a really deep freeze for the longest time and all the germs were everywhere. Now, we had an ice storm yesterday, it's 50 degrees today and they are talking record high tomorrow of 65 before dropping back to 30 on Wednesday and then the teens the rest of the week.

I think that you and Mark should have gotten the Mickey and Minnie aprons... so cute...

If I cooked more, I'd think about it.

I agree that the GF does a knock out job with the decorations... it's just a bit "cold" for me... I think because of it's size... but yet I don't feel that with the AKL so I'm not sure...

The size is intimidating for sure; yet, when we stayed at AKL it didn't feel that way to me either.

I agree about the Contemporary too... I was surprised their decorations were a little weak... (It's funny because I've liked the photos of BLT that I've seen)...

I've not seen photos of the BLT decorated.

Congrats for Markie and his boys... I think that all of our kids need caring adults to get involved with them and help them actualize their potential ... and kudos for you for raising him...

Thanks; they have both made me proud on numerous occasions. I give a lot of the credit to my dad as he watched them while I worked.

Glad you are feeling better Kathy !! Great pix of the Team !! You have every right to be proud !!!

Thanks, Rosie.

Glad you're feeling better, Kathy! Lets just hope this weather doesn't stick around too long!

Thank you. This weather is just too weird for me.

So glad you're feeling better Kathy & back to posting

Thank you friend.

Ok, where is this favorite meat market and what is it called?

It is called Paulina Meat Market and it is in the City of Chicago. They carry everything and we love it. We had their pork chops last night and they are so much better than what you get at Jewel or Dominicks.

So glad you are feeling better, Kathy. Mia, Sophia and Michael are in FL now and arrive at Disney for Sophia's first visit tomorrow! Only time for one day at the MK, including CRT! Then on to visit more family...hopefully this summer Sophia and I will go for a few days.

Congratulations to Markie and his boys! Will send good thoughts on Sunday!

Thank you, Christine. So excited that Sophia is going to experience the MK.

They did pretty well yesterday; but, as Mark said, there is always room for improvement.

I was back on page NINE!

The holidays really made me fall behind on the DIS, but I'm slowly coming back now. Enjoying your report, as always! You had some awesome PhotoPass Photographers!

Glad to hear you are feeling better too! This winter has been a tough one for so many people.

Hi, Brook....good to see you back. My illness last week has put me so far behind again. I am hoping to catch up on everyone's threads tonight/tomorrow. I want to get an update of my own done since it's been 11 days.

There have been so many sick people...it is unreal.

LOVED the collage and the fact your back! I hope that means you are feeling MUCH better! You were missed!

Thank you, Judy. I am feeling much better. Thanks for missing me.

 

[KatMark]

I apologize for the delay in getting an update done. With being sick for three days, then crazy busy at work and my home laptop is on it's last leg and I can't update there, I'm long overdue for this update (11 days since the last one ). So let's get to it.

I left you with us just returning to the Magic Kingdom and having photopass pictures taken just as you passed through the ticket gate.

We stopped by the tree for a few pictures (no PP photographer, so these were taken with our own cameras).

My camera battery was dying a quick death, so I didn't take a lot of pictures as I wanted to save them for dinner and for Wishes. So a lot of this is going on memory.

We found another Photopass photographer and stopped for some more pictures (Nicki wanted a lot of PP pictures and I know when not to argue with my little sis):

I think we may have gone to ride Pirates of the Caribbean and then walked back to the front of the park to meet the kids to head over to our dinner reservations.

Up next..."it is with deepest pride
and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight.
And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a
chair as the dining room proudly presents -
your dinner!"

 

[jedijill]

Glad you are feeling better and back to posting!

Jill in CO