A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities - Final Thoughts & PTR Link!

[All7OfUs]

DISsing is what happens in between REAL life, Brook. We will patiently wait- so please! take all the time you need to take care of the home sale, the finance stuff, Henry and Joe (your hands-down priorities!), and everything else that is on your plate right now. I'll be praying for this very stressful and full situation you have right now!

Liesa

 

[disneyfan61]

Well I was a few updates behind but all caught up now!! First off:

So glad Henry is back to normal & feeling better!!

So nice of the family to stay & watch the parade. Great pics!! I have got to get there for Christmas one of these years!!

Henry looked so cute going thru the cue lines. What a big boy!!

Love the pics of him with the ice cream bar. If someone gave me one I would not be giving it back either

Best of luck selling your home & making your dreams come true. We will be here & wishing you well. NY is such an exciting place!!

Tomorrow I will be off to McDonalds for my Shamrock Shake!! I did not realize they were out yet.

 

[andrews1ma]

This is very exciting! Everything will work out, I am a big believer in what is meant to be will be. The great thing is that Disney will always be there.

I am so excited for you to be back in NY. My DH and I left NY about 4 years ago, DH and I both worked in Manhattan. DH grew up in Brooklyn, and I grew up in Queens. While it was great,we needed a change, something more laid back. We do miss the food terribly, and the culture as well. I could go on for hours about NY, it was my birthplace, my home town for 32 years and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Maybe one day DH and I will move back there as Andrew gets older and has his own family. For now we are staying put though as I do not miss those winters. In saying that though, NY's winters should be a breeze for you guys compared to those MN winters, brrrr!

Sending good wishes your way for everything to work out just as you hope for! Please keep us posted as you get a chance.

Oh and I just posted some pics over on my thread from one of our family visits to MK back in 1978, if you need a good laugh! I thought you would enjoy them as I remember you found that book of old Disney pics I think? at a book store maybe?

 

[A.Mickey]

Wow Brook! I just finally got a chance to come read your update!



I think you are doing what is best for your family! Henry will grow in leaps and bounds with all the culture and education that will be at his fingertips!!

And Joe being able to just be independent and job opportunities will be amazing for your family!!!

I think sometimes to move away from Chicago, but it is really nice to be here with all the culture and things to do so close! I do miss the country sometimes though. I am still trying to figure out what is best for our family.

That is so awesome that you are one step closer to your dream! I will be thinking and praying for you and your family! Even though we won't be meeting this December, I hope you are still coming this summer to Chicago, if not, I know our paths will cross again!

And Disney magic is alive even if you have to....should I say....stay off property! JK! Jason and I stayed off property all the times we went and our 1st stay on property wasn't until 2008!

 

[Flossbolna]

Brook, I missed your real life update so far! I so hope that everything works out the way you hope for!

Selling DVC must be a very hard decission, but it really sounds like the best thing to do. Your holiday plans should not dictate your real life. And moving to NYC sounds so much like the right thing to do for you and your family. I don't like driving myself and I love living in a city where I can be independent from my car. How much more freedom that must mean for someone who doesn't have the ability to drive, I can only try to understand.

When I visited NYC in 2008 I immediately fell in love with it, so I can very well understand you on that level, too.

It would be so fantastic if you could get out of that state in your life where you feel like you are on hold until the next step finally happens!!

 

[ClaireW]

Good luck with the house sale, and hats off to you and Joe for having the courage to follow your dreams and build the life that is right for your family.

 

[burly]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hope all your dreams come true.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a blessing to have a dream and a passion and a partnership w/ Joe where you can make it happen! I am sad about the DVC contract too, but as you said, the magic is alive everywhere at WDW and you WILL be back. Fingers crossed and prayers said that you will get everything that you're looking for. Please keep us posted!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Bummer about having to sell DVC but Disney will always be there.

Hope everything all works out for you.

 

[marieNJkitty]

Prayers to you and your family. I hope you will be able to sell your house and move to your dream city soon! I'm sorry you have to sell your DVC. It is still very magical to stay in a value, just being able to go to Disney and who knows what the future holds!

 

[MHTeacher]

Very Exciting news, Brook! A move to NY in your future sounds very exciting!

Hope you have good luck with selling the house---praying those folks choose yours! I've been there several times, trying to sell, so we could move out of state, and it can be very stressful (and I didn't have to do it during this economy we've been part of lately.)

I know that whatever happens, you and Joe and little Henry are very blessed to have each other, and as long as you're together, everything will be all right!

 

[jordanyosh]

Life gets in the way of our Disney dreams, but you have bigger dreams and really a "real" life. Selling DVC in the short term may be sad, but in the long term, you'll be soo much happier and that's not to say DVC can't be in your future again.....

 

[exwdwcm]

Wow, good luck Brooke! Sorry to hear about DVC, but it seems you know it was worth it for your dream of NYC!! I know it will come true soon!

That is great for Joe- my mom recently underwent brain surgery this past spring for a pitutary brain tumor that was putting pressure on her eyes and ruining her vision (benign). After removal, she has lost vision in one eye and barely has any in the other. She can no longer drive, which has been heartbreaking for her, as she is now finally retired and is stuck at home all the time. So I konw how much having independence will mean to him and that is awesome!! best wishes to you guys!

 

[moparop]

Sending lots of prayers to let this be the one so that you can move on to live out your dreams.

 

[disneydusted]

Hi Brook, here's to hoping all of your dreams come true! A move to NYC and keeping that DVC! Keep us posted...

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am sorry everyone for not yet doing replies, and not providing a TR update! I have been keeping busy with the house and "moving research".

I have a teeny tiny update on the house front.

The potential buyer we had come through last week was in a serious car accident. The agent's exact words were "My client won't be making a bid on your property for two months due to a car accident." First, we feel AWFUL for this person and their condition. I haven't a clue if they are terribly injured and will be in the hospital for that long, or the financial set back is what is halting their home search...we really don't know what happened. But wow. All Joe and I can do is pray for their recovery.

Second, after reading the note from the Buyer's Agent, it seems they fully intended to put in an offer....so....who knows what will happen in two months!

We had another showing last night, a young family, but haven't heard a peep back from their agent yet.

On the moving front, we have made a decision on exactly where in NYC we want to live once the house does sell. We have selected Astoria, Queens. I have friends that live there and have visited a few times. After speaking with her and doing a ton of research, we truly feel this will be a great fit for us. Good schools, neighborhood atmosphere, everything is close by (food, grocery, drug store, etc.), good prices on apartments, and it's close to Manhattan, where Joe will eventually commute for work. Now if we can just get this house SOLD!

Crossing fingers and sending up prayers!



I have a bit of time here, so I'm going to attempt to read and reply to some of you!

 

[jordanyosh]

I like that you used the word peep in your update albeit in a different way...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update!

Love, love, love the pics of Henry with his Mickey Ice Cream Bar! That is so funny that he wouldn't let Joe have a bite

That Christmas parade just looks amazing, I'm so sorry we missed it. That just seals the deal though, I gotta go back and try again!

We ate at CHH on one of our MK days as well, they do seem to be able to handle the crowds pretty well. We found a table without any trouble upstairs too. And you're right, that tuna sandwich is really good!

It was hilarious when Henry wouldn't give it back! And he KNEW he was being a stinker about it too.

The Christmas parade was amazing! It was loooooong too, which I always like. I think it's a very good reason to have to go back for another Christmas trip!

It was nice to be in CHH away from the crowds for a bit. I was surprised at how empty it was upstairs even though it was a madhouse down.

Awesome update BE! I loved all the photos. I think my fav's were the worm's eye view shots of the tomorrowland tower.

The parade video was awesome. I don't know they managed to march and play in those costumes either. It was hard enough marching in a parade in a regular band uniform. Amazing talent they have there.

Thanks! I was pretty happy with how those pictures turned out myself! I didn't even really aim, just turned the camera up in my lap and snapped. Love it when those come out!

It was incredible! The sound of them marching, and being in time, and playing....very, very impressive.

we missed the HoP...both times there were extra magic hours at the MK it was SOO COLD...that we had to miss it.

I too LOVE the CoP...they also tell you not to eat during it...but i gave crackers to caleb during it to keep him busy...my DH nearly had a heart attack..."they said you are not allowed to do that" LOL! they don;t even stay in the room with you!

My brother and DH got ice cream from the Ahola Isle one MK day that was 40 degress outside...I could barely stand to look at them...probably was because I had the chills that day from my bronchitis i was coming down with too! LOL!

You'll just have to go back to see the HoP!

That is hilarious about your DH having a fit about the crackers for Caleb! I always say in my mind, "except for babies and toddlers. They can eat." Seriously! Otherwise, they would get upset and ruin the show for everyone, ya know? Now breaking out some fried chicken or something, that's bad, but some crackers-eh, go for it!

There was NO way I could eat ice cream when it was that cold! You'll find out when I update again I do get my ice cream though...and I enjoy it INSIDE where it was WARM!

I heart the Christmas parade.

You can smell the gingerbreads now?? When I did the Keys to the Kingdom tour last summer they were working on it. So cool"

Yep! You can smell them! How very cool you heard about it last summer! Did they tell you how they did it?! We were just baffled.

 

[brookelizabeth]

A 3 page udpate?!!?! I'm in AWE!!!!!




I can't believe you remembered to check that stinking exit sign!!! That's toooo funny. I didn't think I was stupid enough to exit a door that said Emergency Exit but then again... you never know!!

The problem I had, was I knew that it would move and knew I was at a good point in the show that it would be safe to step out and I did it so quickly because I was aware of the danger that I didn't hear the Please sit back down announcement!! Poor lady. I think her situation was much worse than mine!!! She had to face all of you with the lights blaring. I managed to escape and leisurely walk around the back side of CoP before a huffing and puffing, red face CM came running around the corner asking me if I was alright! And the worst part was he was slowly walking back around with me, when he really needed to get that red card back in the slot to start the ride back!!!! I at least found an out of the way bench so no one would notice the idiot that managed to stop CoP.



Oh memories!!


Brook!! Ty for checking for me and letting me know I am not alone in my mommy-ness brain fog of exiting rides while in progress!


I loved loved loved all the pics. You are gonna make it hard for me not to buy a new camera. I may be holier for some advice!!


The parade shots so make me wish we'd taken more time to do the parades. Just one more reason to go back. Like I need anymore reasons, but still!

Henry saying "No Mine!" is priceless!! Jack-Jack just learned to say "mine" and it's with such conviction it makes me giggle everytime. Except he thinks he can "mine" anything he wants and get it!

Fabulous update, as usual Miss B!

I was SO happy when I remembered to check the Exit sign! It was such a funny incident of the CM freaking out, I will always remember it! And to have the CoP present any kind of danger is slightly hilarious to me!

I did feel really bad for that lady though...EVERY single person turned and looked at her as she re-entered. I was holding back a giggle, but not because of her, but just how ironic it was to your situation! I am certain if you have done it, and I saw it being done, it happens many, many times a day. They really should put "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY" on the door, or something about not exiting during the ride....!

I love the Disney parades. Joe, not so much. I know it's because he cannot see well enough to appreciate the details in them. Eventually I'll get to see them all. We've seen AK's and MK's Christmas -and of course Spectro, which he does like (easier to see at night). I've seen part of DHS', but not enough to count!

Great pictures - I SO love the Christmas Parade!

Isn't it beautiful?!?! Just amazing!

 

[brookelizabeth]

OK so I apparently missed an entire update

I had do a double take when I was looking though the batch of pics from CoP and thought the last pic was part of the ride-

I thought wow they have added a new scene with a high tech "nescafe" machine and such real looking animatronic people

Another great update! So between your TR and a few others that I am reading, including Memoms, I now realize that I must go to Disney for the holidays! I neeeeeed to see that parade! I need to see all the gingerbread houses and smell all the holiday smells. I need to see those lights and hear the music! Just need to sort out a few minor details, silly things like $$$$, time off from work, etc... and convincing my grumpy non-disney-loving DH

Oh and I love that Henry was sitting on your lap while you were posting an update...I miss those days my baby is now 10 and weighs too much to sit on my lap! enjoy every minute!

LOVE your comment about how you thought the Noodle Terrance as part of CoP!!! Wouldn't it be just like Disney to put a Nescafe machine in an attraction?!?! Oh, funny!

Disney during the holidays is beautiful! That parade was incredible. The music, the details, the length of it... I hope a trip some year during the Christmas season works out! It's worth the extra money you are charged! Or, go during early December when it's still value season....!

I love the time when Henry will just sit on my lap and be still. It rarely happens anymore though! Usually if I'm at my computer he'll either try to hug it (when he sees pictures of WDW! Smart kid!) or just point at the smilies. And lately he has begun to want to type. It's pretty cute though.

WOW...i've been keeping up with you on FB but not on DIS. What a lot of great updates!! Love all the pics and loved the Mickey ice cream pop story...how funny is that? Henry is such a smart little boy!!! Hope to keep up to date from now on!!!

I bet you are able to keep up on this TR lately! I was on a good roll again, but then all this house stuff has come up! Ah, real life!

Great update, thanks for all the photos

And we love those Mickey ice cream bars too - but guess what we can get them at our local supermarket? There's a new range of Mickey shaped pizzas, potato shapes, etc and ... ice cream bars
They're small, the chocolates thins and the ice cream is no-where near as tasty (although WDW food always tastes better right?)

My mom found them and, knowing DD (2 1/2) well, stocked up her freezer in case they were a one-time only offer

Say what?!?! SERIOUSLY?! I want Mickey bars, potatoes and pizza! Henry would flippppp. What grocery store do you have? I hope they come here!

Yes, WDW food does always taste better for some reason...and no calories or fat either. Amazing!

Another wonderful update.

It was so sweet of the family to stay for the parade for you. You just have to see the Christmas parade! It always looks so neat on TV every Christmas.

CHH does handle crowds well, I've always been able to find a seat upstairs no matter how crowded it is.

Henry has got to be the cutest little boy EVER! The pictures and stories you tell of him just put a smile on my face.

It was a very nice surprise for me! I wasn't really counting on them wanting to stay so long - I was thrilled! I've never seen the parade on TV either, so it was all new to me.

Thank you for the comment on Henry! He's a great little boy...lately he's been into telling Joe and I that we are "the best!" It's adorable. *melt*