~A XMAS STORY~decorations, crowds, pixies..AND A BLOODY NOSE~ACTUAL UPDATE 11/9 p190

[xoktenox]

What a fun but very busy Christmas! I'm sure you were exhausted when you got home yesterday and reeeeeally enjoyed that vanilla vodka and cranapple drink

Your nephew was just adorable in that video! And Melanie's kids are too cute, Megan is gonna be beautiful when she grows up and Maddox is gonna be breaking hearts with that smile!

Glad to hear that your Christmas was everything that it should be.

 

[MadiMouse]

Okay, so I'm late!

I have been off the boards for a while due to surgery and life! But, I'm back. Okay, I have to go and catch up!

 

[sueh]

Great trip report so far!
I am planning a surprise trip for December and the holiday pictures are awesome!

Yep - those are the ones! I have one left; we just replaced one this past trip because it had ripped around the neck also. A lovely CM in the Norwegian perfume store in Epcot gave us a new, clear one - no charge!

Is this just for the yellow ones? Or will they give you a new one if the newer clearer ones rip?

Thanks

 

[punkin413]

for all of you who commented on how busy i was, yes, it's ALWAYS like that for me on the holidays when i go home. actually, it's like that every time i go home. my parents are divorced and so i have 2 sets of families i have to see. well, actually 4 if you count my stepdad's family and then seeing my ex-stepmom (she was my stepmom for 20+ years and brooke and brett's mom so i'm still close to her). plus i have to see melanie and the kids when i'm there too. but i figure i'm the one that moved away and so it's my responsibility to make sure i see all of them! it's always crazy though. i'm used to it but ray's not and he hates running around like that!

Good to have you safely home. Enjoy the evening with your Vanilla Vodka & Cran juice. and Ray...

thanks!

Sounds like you had a good, but very busy Christmas. Ours is still on going because my cousin didn't get home until yesterday evening. Tomorrow we're having DD #1's birthday party, and then we'll be officially done! I gotta tell you, chasing after two little ones at a bunch of different family events wears me out. I did manage to get some really good pictures at my in law's though, which was nice because they usually all run from my camera like the plague .

i hope DD1 has a great birthday! and glad you got some good pics.

Looks like you had a fun christmas!

Is your brother really tall or is everyonelse really short?

we did - thanks! brett is 6'5", so he's really tall. i've told him a dozen times i think he should move to orlando and apply for a job at disney playing goofy. i take after my mom's side of the family - they're all short! i'm 5'3". my dad is 6'2" and my sister is 5'9". go figure!

My goodness Dawn.

Reading about your trip made me tired and you had the energy to come home and write about it? Sounds like a fun (and exhausting) trip. Hope you and Ray have had some quiet time together.

i'm just putting off doing actual work! we did have some quiet time together. it's so funny - our life is so opposite of my family's life! we are so quiet and such home bodies and they're just not at all!

Thanks for sharing all of your family Christmas fun. We had the same little HoHoHo plates at our house. Could you put a brownie and some of those white chocolate pretzels on one and send it my way?

Everyone is looking good and seems happy. You got to see lots of people in a short time! I know your dad enjoyed seeing all of his kids together for a short while.

All the little kids are cute, and the video is so sweet. I tell Jill they need to video more, because I regret that I didn't way back then, and I know she will, too. She did video Christmas morning, so that's good.

I wasn't sure what time you guys were meeting in Rivergate. I ended up being here, and thought about calling to see, but my plans were alittle uncertain for the day, so I didn't want to commit. Just gives us a heads up next time, and we'll give it another shot. I know it was so crowded down that way!

We looked at the Princess in Training onesie a dozen times, and I'm pretty sure Jill ended up buying it. I bought the dress that's the same color that had the Mickey ice cream bar on it. Gotta bring these little ones up right!

I'm glad you had a good time and that you made it back home safe and safe, albeit a little exhausted! Have a restful Sunday!

no biggie about meeting us! we will try for it next time. i'm sure i'll be back up there in the next few months. oh, and i'll tell my mom to send some sweets your way.

Wow Dawn, no wonder you are EXHAUSTED, you were super super busy. Looked like you had an awesome Christmas with all of your family and friensd though, thanks as always for sharing it with us.
So, you and Ray don't spend Christmas together? What was he up to?
Lesley

thanks - i did! ray and i usually spend christmas together. this is the first time we haven't since we've been married. see, he had allotted 2 vacation days so he could go wtih me to nashville (wednesday and friday). but back in october my computer crashed (hard) and he had to take off a day-and-a-half to fix it, but we didn't have a choice because i can't work AT ALL without my computer because of the software i have on it. it took forever getting everything back up and running. but if he hadn't have taken those days off i wouldn't have been able to work the rest of that week and we need to eat! so he had to use up 1 vacation day to take care of that. if he would've came with me we would've had to leave on christmas night so he could work on friday and that wasn't happening! and i can't not go up there for either christmas or thanksgiving. my grandparents are getting old and i want to spend time with them when i can. i was bummed but we were on the phone all the time and he was texting me lines from "a christmas story" to make me laugh!

That's one busy Christmas! Hope you had fun though!

yes, it was! i did.

Sounds like you had a good Christmas, but a busy one! I bet it was nice to see your family, but I'm sure you missed Ray. I think that last pictures is sweet.

yep, i missed him. i'm glad to be home!

Dawn..I forgot how much I missed reading your TR's!! I am glad that I found you again!! Yippie So, no DW for you in 2009? I am still trying to convince hubby that we should go, but we are going to start trying for a family soon and need to save money...blah..blah..blah... I just miss the world so much!! Looking foward to reading more!

thanks so much! we are not going to disney next year for exactly the same reason! plus ray just needed a break. so of course i'm willing to give it to him. i don't want him to turn into one of those guys who don't smile in any of the pictures because they don't want to be there!

Thanks for sharing your great Christmas! I can't believe how much you did! Do you do that every year?
Did I see your new ticker? A trip staying at Wilderness Lodge? How great!

yep, every year! (see above.) yeah, that trip is a possibility, not a certainty! it just depends on what happens over the next couple of years. ray wants to go back for christmas again in 2010, so we have quite awhile to wait!

Wow! You were busy!! Thanks for sharing.

you're welcome!

What a fun but very busy Christmas! I'm sure you were exhausted when you got home yesterday and reeeeeally enjoyed that vanilla vodka and cranapple drink

Your nephew was just adorable in that video! And Melanie's kids are too cute, Megan is gonna be beautiful when she grows up and Maddox is gonna be breaking hearts with that smile!

Glad to hear that your Christmas was everything that it should be.

maddox is a HAM!!!! he's so funny.

Okay, so I'm late!

I have been off the boards for a while due to surgery and life! But, I'm back. Okay, I have to go and catch up!

cass!!!!!!! glad you're here! i've been missin you. hope you're doing well!

Great trip report so far!
I am planning a surprise trip for December and the holiday pictures are awesome!

thanks so much! i have many more pics to come!

 

[MadiMouse]

Hey!!! I missed you, too!!! So a baby hunh?
Well, we want to start trying AFTER our trip to the British Virgin Islands. Sorry, this is my present for getting my Masters and I want to partake in some adult beverages. LOL.

Sending maternity pixie dust your way.

 

[troobabiee7]

Welcome home! Wow, what a busy few days you had! It sounds (and looks) like it was a ton of fun though! I'm glad you had a good time, your family's so cute!

 

[lmillercrew]

Glad you had a good time, even though it was busy. I've come to realize that that's what the holidays are all about. Being busy! I'm glad that you were able see your family and spend time together. Looks like Ray and your fur baby were happy to see you!!

 

[aldisneygrl]

WHEW! I'm exhausted, and all did was read it!

Thanks for the shout out to the AL Tide player. I'll have to show DS, and ask him if he knows who that was. I'm sure he will.

Sounds like you had a wonderful family Christmas though.


I have to ask, what is that tatoo on your brother's arm? It looks like somebody's arm pulling somebody else's arm out of the water.

 

[tinkgurl]

Geeze, what a busy Christmas you had! Thanks for sharing all the pics with us!

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

I can't remember if I've commented yet or not, but great TR so far!

We got there at the end of your week, the 13th. I love reading TRs of people who have never been during Christmas before and how much they love it! It is my favorite time of year to go, the crowds and weather can't be beat. I think we will be taking a break for a few years too. maybe. lol.

Your trip home sounds great too! Busy but I know how it is, when you dont see people often you do as much as you can! I'm sure you're glad to be back home though.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[punkin413]

Hey!!! I missed you, too!!! So a baby hunh?
Well, we want to start trying AFTER our trip to the British Virgin Islands. Sorry, this is my present for getting my Masters and I want to partake in some adult beverages. LOL.

Sending maternity pixie dust your way.

woohoo....that sounds like fun! congrats on getting your masters! it will be awhile before we actually start trying - gotta get the finances in order. i don't have maternity coverage on my insurance and it's outrageously expensive, so we're getting all that straightened out first!

Welcome home! Wow, what a busy few days you had! It sounds (and looks) like it was a ton of fun though! I'm glad you had a good time, your family's so cute!

thanks!

Glad you had a good time, even though it was busy. I've come to realize that that's what the holidays are all about. Being busy! I'm glad that you were able see your family and spend time together. Looks like Ray and your fur baby were happy to see you!!

exactly! i love it when we just stay home for the holidays. it's just so nice!

WHEW! I'm exhausted, and all did was read it!

Thanks for the shout out to the AL Tide player. I'll have to show DS, and ask him if he knows who that was. I'm sure he will.

Sounds like you had a wonderful family Christmas though.


I have to ask, what is that tatoo on your brother's arm? It looks like somebody's arm pulling somebody else's arm out of the water.

let me know if your DS knows who that guy is!

it is someone pulling someone else out of the water. it's actually artwork from a mars volta album, "de-loused in the comatorium." brett's a musician (drummer) and that's one of his favorite bands. i just so happen to have that CD in my CD rack near my desk so i took a picture for you....

the quote on the picture is spanish for, "i will die and no one will remember me." yeah....not exactly the jonas brothers! but it's actually really, really good music. they're kind of a cross between led zepplin, queen and pink floyd.

Geeze, what a busy Christmas you had! Thanks for sharing all the pics with us!

you're welcome! yes, it was crazy!

 

[punkin413]

I can't remember if I've commented yet or not, but great TR so far!

We got there at the end of your week, the 13th. I love reading TRs of people who have never been during Christmas before and how much they love it! It is my favorite time of year to go, the crowds and weather can't be beat. I think we will be taking a break for a few years too. maybe. lol.

Your trip home sounds great too! Busy but I know how it is, when you dont see people often you do as much as you can! I'm sure you're glad to be back home though.

Can't wait to read more!

thanks! yeah, we loved the decorations and shows, but we thought the crowds were horrible. at least on friday and saturday. i've never been when it's been so crowded. i hope it dies down again by the time we return in 2010!

 

[disneybound2010]

I usually just lurk on these TR's, but I am definitely subbing to this one! I read some of the preTR and was so excited to see this up now.

I love the condo you stayed in. I actually found their website not too long ago and am considering booking with them...haven't quite made up my mind yet,but they seem like really great people and I LOVE all the detail.

I may start picking your brain in the future as you seem to be the master planner and this will be our first ever Disney trip!

 

[jackdis]

You're report is great - once again! I'm so glad I found it. I've followed you on a few others. You look great, by the way! We are on our way to CBR tomorrow. I still cannot believe it!

 

[hlrababy]

Awww, thanks for sharing your Christmas pics!! Your brother is soooooo tall!!! He and Jordan look so cute together!

That is funny about the Alabama player! My sis is a huge Georgia fan...so I told her I am going to cheer for Tennessee next year just to go against the grain. I refuse to cheer for Tech!!!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

It was fun to see what you were upto over Xmas, wow you were a busy girl!

I really miss the big family get togethers we used to have. So nice that you could all come together for the holidays. I know what you mean about your grandparents. My gramma is visiting us right now, she's 90 and every year I hope its not the last. I have no other living grandparents.

What's up with that huge pig? He's either a pet or a years worth of bacon...

I am pleased to know your gifts were Disney related. You can never have too many Tink mugs.

Glad to see you could meet up with your friends too, especially vandyfan. Your BFF has cute kids.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Joining in! I was reading your PTR for this trip and I got behind so now I'm picking up on the TR instead. Glad to read your review of the condo you guys stayed in. Sounds like a nice place to save money! I bookmarked their web site for future use.

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for sharing all the pictures. Sorry you had to be away from DH, though.

 

[scottny]

ok too much to comment on but all caught up.

great updates and pics.

I loved the decorations at the resorts.

looks like you had a nice Christmas.

 

[VandyFan10]

such cuties!!!!

VERY CUTE!!

She is adorable!! I'm sure this baby girl will be just as beautiful!!

but i got home to see this so i was a happy girl!!!!

How sweet!!!

I wasn't sure what time you guys were meeting in Rivergate. I ended up being here, and thought about calling to see

Oh you should have!! We will all definitely have to get together next time!!




Wow Dawn you were very busy on your trip , and I am SO thankful that I got to see you TWO TIMES!!!! I had a great time and I'm so glad we got to visit while you were here! And THANK YOU for my eeyore shirt! (using Eeyore's friend since there isn't one)

 

[shannon47142]

I love your trip reports and this mini Chistmas one was evne better as you showed us more of your family!!! It appears you had alot of fun with your extended family and that surely is what the holidays are all about--thanks for sharing!