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

[kschafer]

i don't know if you guys have seen the story on the news about the professor shooting his wife and 2 other people in athens or not...hue said that tom tanner's (another victim) 8-year-old daughter saw it all happen. anyway, i'm sure all those involved would really appreciate any thoughts and prayers you could send their way! what a crazy world we live in.

I didn't hear much about this which is surprising because yesterday my brother mentioned to me that Tom went to our high school. He graduated with my brother (3 years older, I didn't really know him well but the name rang a bell once he mentioned it) and they remained in contact through facebook. so sad to happen to anyone but it really is terrible to think about when you know the victims. Their families are in my thoughts

I say keep you NYC trip! Wash your hands, keep hand sanitizer nearby and enjoy your life!!

 

[KristinAnne]

Don't panic yet. I know it's been turned into more of a pandemic as of today, but I'm sure they'll say if it's not safe to visit NYC. I think you should go and have fun!

 

[shannon47142]

when is your trip to NYC?

 

[hlrababy]

Hey Dawn!!!!!!!!

Just dropping in! I am caught up with your updates after being gone for a few days!!

So glad Brett got to see Margot!!

 

[punkin413]

OMG! I literally just busted out laughing!!! My DH had the same sort of thing happen to him recently...he was changing a diaper thinking my DD1 was done doing her thing...but apparently she was NOT and she pooped all over his hand as he was wiping her! And he did the same "GET IT OFF!" thing!

I am so happy that Brett got to see Margot!! I just hate that Jordan gets to hold her over his head and make all the decisions for now. But hopefully soon it will get better. Thats all you can ever hope for right? Things to get better when they are bad.

I love Luke sleeping in the stoller. Macey has never fallen asleep in a stoller in her four years.

Awesome news about Sherman. Glad he is better.

I still suck at finding and qouting pictures but Ray looks hardcore with the tink clip on his backpack!

i hate it, too. she has an attorney now so i'm hoping we can start dealing with someone who's sane! i love that ray has tink on the back pack. at night when she's glowing green everyone always makes comments about her!

Dawn,

I went to see Dane Cook last night and he was awesome! Glad to hear things are starting to look up.

awesome!!!! i can't wait!

that's such a strange story, so sad. I'm praying of course.

thanks. the guy is still missing. i'm wondering if they're going to find his body somewhere soon. i know that sounds morbid but i can see him taking his own life after all that.

I loved the update! Those Space Mountain pictures are too funny!

I'm glad your brother got to see Margot, if only fora little while. Hopefully things continue to get better.

thanks! (for both!)

Oh my goodnes, Dawn! I just saw that story on CNN. How sad. I can't even begin to imagine. I'm so very sorry for everyone involved but especially so for the children. How as a child do you deal with that? Knowing one parent harmed the other? Or seeing your parent killed? I have no words. I will certainly say some prayers for everyone.

Hang in there, my friend. You've had a lot going on lately!

i know. just horrific. like i said above, i can just see them finding his body somewhere soon. i can't imagine facing my kids ever again after doing that. thanks.

Hey Dawn! I finally got a chance to get all caught up.

Congrats on becoming an aunt! (im way behind with that one lol) I'm so sorry that Brett is going through all the trouble with Jordan, it's such a shame that some people cant just be adults, for that baby's sake. Shes only hurting her daughter!

Those Casey's hotdogs in your last update made me sad! My BF and I were eating those at 7pm yesterday

Lovedddd the pics from your anniversary weekend! What a calm, serene place. You definitely both deserved that!

thanks! i am learning with age that most people are idiots. well, most people except my friends and family and of course my disfriends!

ray would be so jealous to know you guys were eating casey dogs! he loves that place.

That story is so sad Prayers for all involved!

thanks.

I will pray for everyone involved.

What a terrible thing to happen to your community.

Life is so crazy and unpredictable for sure, love the ones you care for because you just never know what could happen.

Sorry this touches you personally.

So sad for the children, I hope he turns himself in and it ends peacefully.

definitely! thanks for your kind words. they still haven't found him.

You remind me of myself! I always do that, "this time last year i was..". I promise to try and make my TR as good as possible for you so you can enjoy it!

thanks.....i'll need it!!!!

I am all caught up with the Trippie.

I have to say your castle photo is amazing!! Funny you getting stuck behind the tall man...happens to me all the time!! I Love the pics of you and Anna on Space Mountain...those are hilarious and the one of Anna screaming looks very Blair Witch like.

I am so glad that Sherman is doing better and that Brett got to see Margot for awhile, hopefully this is a step in the right direction.

I know what you mean about remembering trips my DH is the same way...about a week before the trip he will say, this time next week we will be leaving for Disney, etc. Then the whole week after our trip he will say this time last week we were at...

FYI: I am starting a PTR for our June 2009 trip if you wanna join it.

I will remember that family in my prayers.

it does look very blair witch, doesn't it? i will be checking out your PTR soon! thanks.

That was my moment of silence for those victims in Georgia.




That's my moment of silence for you and Ray's trip this year. Can you have a moment of silence for my trip also? I just cancelled today and am in mourning. Happy to hear that your fur baby is feeling better. Also, good news on the baby visit with Margot. Hopefully the visits will be more frequent.

oh, i'm so sorry to hear about your cancellation! are you guys going at a later date? i hope so.

the pictures from sm crack me up!
It looks like an x-ray!!:rtfl2:

i'm glad you enjoyed them!

for Sherman, glad to hear that he's feeling better. Hearing any animal is sick or hurt makes me weepy especially right now, our 16 year old cat Annie has an agressive non treatable cancer. It's been very hard for us as we lost her sister a year and a half ago. SO a happyfor you that he's getting better.
for Brett that he got to see Margot ! It's so sweet that he was excited about changing a diaper! I have a friend who went through a very similar situation and things have worked out for them. Hope everything works out in the end for Brett and Margot, and all of your family.

Loved the picture of Luke sleeping in the stroller. Don't you wish you could power nap like that at Disney World, and how super cool would it be to wake up in the Magic Kingdom !!! We've all woken up at Disney World but usually we're in a hotel room. I keep wishing for that but it just dosen't happen, I keep waking up at home !
Lynn

thanks! sorry to hear about your annie. i'm such an animal person - i can't stand to see them in pain.

waking up in MK would be the BEST!

 

[punkin413]

Your making me homesick!

We have also decided to skip WDW to take the kids somewhere else so they don't think the whole world is WDW! It's going to be tough to skip it though! I'm not sure I'll make it!

it stinks but it has to be done. i can't force ray to go every year because then he'll end up hating it. i want him to continue to like it so i'm willing to go like every other year!

Aw, wasn't this the night that you were all dressed up before you went to eat while walking through Epcot?

yep, that's it!

Yeah, maybe, buuuuut you can console yourself by saying, "The next time we go, we'll be strolling around World Showcase behind a stroller."

As for Wishes, Ray will smile at you, and you will smile at Ray, and you'll both snuggle up with your little soft-skinned round-faced bundle of joy. Those fireworks will be the biggest and brightest you have ever seen on that magic night. You might shed a tear, but it'll be a happy tear!

you're totally right! i can't wait. it will be an amazing experience, i'm sure.

I agree! There is NOTHING like Disney with your little one!

Love the castle pic - it looks like a postcard! Love all the pics of Luke sleeping too Too funny.

I also had fun living vicariously through your pictures of your anniversary weekend....that cabin & view were soooo gorgeous. Although I too would have been pretty unhappy with that brutal hike!

I am glad Sherman is feeling better - and I hope things with your brother continue to get better too

yeah, that hike was crazy. i knew going into it that we'd have to do it, though. so i was mentally prepared. thanks for the encouragement!

I remember reading about your WS tour (you and Ray holding up SSE) and your wonderful dinner at Narcoose's! That was a great day for you two.

yep, that was such a great night!

I wouldn't go, BUT when I took the Disney personality quiz, I was most like Marlin (Nemo's Dad)! And boy is that an accurate assessment! So I may not be the one to ask.

This whole swine flu thing is kinda freaking me out too. I am not usually a germaphobe but 45 out of 66 are in nyc? a little scary!

A little off subject how was your dinner at Narcoossee's? I was going to put that in our adrs but I am not sure if I want to spend 2 ts credtis on it or not.

yeah, it is kinda scary but now that i know a lot of that is at one school in queens i'm not so worried.

we LOVE narcoosee's. we've been twice now and both times it was great. i will put the links below so you can read both times in my TRs. the first time was in may 2007 and the second time was april 2008.

1st time - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19167933&postcount=472

2nd time - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25897996&postcount=777

Yeah, the whole swine flu (or whatever they're calling it now) would totally freak me out, too! I'm not saying you shouldn't go, but just be careful!

i know! so freaky.

It's so hard not to freak out a little bit over this swine flu thing. I would hate to see people start putting their lives on hold because of it. Don't cancel your trip. Just keep living!! Wash your hands more, carry anti bacterial stuff and I'm sure you'll be fine. Beef up your vitamins!

i agree. thanks!

still go!!! the only reason there's so many cases there is because of the school in Queens (not Manhattan) where like 20 kids went to Cancun for the spring break. Just take precautions like washing your hands alot/bring anti bacterial gel with you and stay away from sick people! You'll be fine! Go and have a greatttt time

thanks so much. now that i know the thing about the school in queens, i'm a little less worried. i will be stocking up on antibacterial gel.

Yes! The whole country is freaking out over nothing. It's mainly contained to one school in Queens and the media's blowing it way out of proportion. Bloomberg and some of the top doctors in the city have made several press conferences saying that all cases have been very mild and there's nothing to worry about. Of course you should be careful (wash your hands, and like I told Lessa, don't lick anything random ) but it's not as bad as the media's making it out to be. Like the doctors said, people seem to forget that tens of thousands of people die from the regular flu every year in the US alone. People are just freaking out because this is something new, and you know how the news can get with it's coverage

I've been running all around the city lately and I'm not even worried. Go, wash your hands, and have have fun!

ditto (what i said above) - thanks for your thoughts! i appreciate it. and i will be sure not to lick anything random.

*sigh*with you

Oh yes a very different experience when you go with your own children.

i'm sure.

I didn't hear much about this which is surprising because yesterday my brother mentioned to me that Tom went to our high school. He graduated with my brother (3 years older, I didn't really know him well but the name rang a bell once he mentioned it) and they remained in contact through facebook. so sad to happen to anyone but it really is terrible to think about when you know the victims. Their families are in my thoughts

I say keep you NYC trip! Wash your hands, keep hand sanitizer nearby and enjoy your life!!

so sorry you knew him. just such a sad thing to happen.

thanks - as of now i'm going! as long as it doesn't get really bad. if they close the airports then there's not much i can do!

Don't panic yet. I know it's been turned into more of a pandemic as of today, but I'm sure they'll say if it's not safe to visit NYC. I think you should go and have fun!

thanks - me too!

when is your trip to NYC?

3 weeks from friday.

 

[punkin413]

AI SPOILER AHEAD.....SCROLL DOWN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!!!

okay.....another moment of silence, please, for matt who just got booted. he was my favorite and i'm sad. now i'm voting for danny and chris.
















also, this time last year ray and i were back at SSR after a full day at MK. we were making a HUGE change in plans to go to epcot the next day instead of mini golf and AK again which was a great surprise for me since i had no plans of forcing ray to go to what he used to call "hellcot".

this is not an update. sorry to disappoint. i just had some pics i've taken over the past few weeks that i wanted to share.

first, our neighborhood easter egg hunt. this was the saturday before easter. here's all the kids after the hunt.

me and anna enjoying the beautiful weather!

hunting for eggs!!!!! check out the boots. he's stylin.

this is a little girl in our neighborhood named katie. she was born in 2007 with a lot of medical complications and almost didn't make it. now she's healthy and thriving and SO CUTE!!!!!! i just smile when i see her big blue eyes. such a cutie.

this is anna and her sister trying to get pictures of their boys, luke and anna's nephew, will. they were SO not interested in taking pictures.....there was candy to be eaten!

here are a couple of videos. this one is of luke eating a sour piece of candy. he's such a goofball!



this one is of luke doing the robot!!!!! anna said the first time he did it they had just watched "pinnochio" and the recent remake of "when you wish upon a star" was playing during the credits and he just started doing it. must be something he learned at school.



okay.....the next pictures are of luke's t-ball game this past saturday. it was SO CUTE! a bunch of 4-year-olds basically just being 4-year-olds wearing baseball uniforms. me and ray were cracking up.

here's luke throwing the ball around before the game.

during the game. you can see anna in the blue and chris in black - they are assistant coaches.

getting ready to bat!

luke's first at bat.....



getting ready to run!

coach anna.....

luke's second at bat. he gets a triple - watch when he gets to third base. he walks over to the fence because someone over there had a dog. who cares about baseball....i wanna pet the dog!



there was a little boy named jake that batted after luke that i filmed because he's HILARIOUS!!!!!



good game, good game, good game.....

having an after-game snack with chris and his best friend jonah....

continued in next post: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31589656&postcount=1748

 

[punkin413]

the rest of these are just pictures i've taken the past few days. everything in my yard is starting to bloom.....it's so pretty! spring has become my favorite season as i've gotten older. i just love watching everything become pretty again! the pollen bugs me but not enough to make me dislike this time of year.

this is part of my butterfly garden outside my office window. ray and i just planted a bunch of butterfly-attracting plants and flowers out there. it works, too!

shermie!

tink says hi from her perch atop the bird bath.

i looked across the yard at one point to find eli laying there, chewing on a stick. such a dork!

we put the umbrella up to clean the pollen off the table and a wasp had started a nest underneath it. we didn't have any wasp killer (which i went to home depot today to purchase!) so ray decided to fight him off with a broom.

eli's thinking, "what in the world is my crazy father doing now????"

i love spring! hope you all are having the kind of weather we are here. i know you're all not but i at least hope it's getting warmer where you are!

 

[tinkgurl]

Haha, this update was so cute!

Luke is adorable playing ball! Whoa, Coach Anna could kick my butt with those arms!

Haha, "eli's thinking, "what in the world is my crazy father doing now????" The perfect caption for that picture Dawn!

 

[IluvXU]

You can tell you are farther south than us... your yard, trees, flowers are just weeks ahead of ours. Luke's game looks like so much fun, we have our first softball game this weekend.

As for AI---- I am so sad too. I loved Matt... what an awesome story! I would have thrown a party if it would have been Adam leaving tonight- he is too full of himself and such a drama king... not for me!

 

[VandyFan10]

thanks. the guy is still missing. i'm wondering if they're going to find his body somewhere soon. i know that sounds morbid but i can see him taking his own life after all that.

I agree. Have been thinking this is what has happened. I just wonder how long it will take to find him.

Those are BEAUTIFUL!!!! Mine decided not to bloom or grow this year

This is about as funny as Matt out back going after the bee's with a tennis racket. Unfortunately I haven't been able to spend as much time outside (especially on my deck) b/c of those crazy buzzing and stinging creatures. Between the bees and the 2-3 different types of wasps we have they can chase me back in the house pretty quickly And I've been keeping my eye out for the hornet(s) we saw last year

That video of Jake is HILARIOUS!!! I had Matt watching it...we were both

I would have thrown a party if it would have been Adam leaving tonight- he is too full of himself and such a drama king... not for me!

Meeeeee tooooooo!!!

I think that's is a great explanation - Drama King....he does have a good voice, not my style but just don't really like him for some reason

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Great update! Even thought it's not Disney. I love these kinds of updates. So far this has been a hot Spring! I swapped out the baby DS's closet today. Put away all the Winter/Fall stuff and pulled out the short sleeves and shorts. I think we're done with Winter. How's your fur baby doing? All better now?

 

[MaceysMom]

Thanks for the links! We are definitley going to eat there. It looks so good!

The Easter egg hunt and tball game were so cute!!!! I love the kid that wouldnt get out of the dirt. That would for sure be my kid! She goes to gymnatics and half the time she lays on the floor and laughs.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Fun update! Luke is too cute in all his baseball gear!

Your azaleas are gorgeous! I was just thinking of taking a pic of ours for a PTR update -- great minds!

Ray is cracking me up chasing the wasp with a broom! Did he get it?

 

[timandlesley]

Hey Dawn, Happy Spring! Love the pics and video you posted as always. Luke is a riot (my favorite is the robot video - too cute!) . So glad Sherman is feeling better. You guys must hide a ton of eggs for that hunt, Luke's basket was full! T ball is halarious at that age, you captured it well : ) Your garden looks beautiful, love the tink bird bath, I want a Mickey gnome, have you seen the pics of them?
Well, have a good day!
Lesley

 

[DisneyLaura]

Don't you love watching little boys playing baseball - they pick flowers, play with the dirt, have a seat on the base while they wait. I love it. Both of my boys decided against baseball, which for DS10 is a good thing because he's in a cast now, broke his ankle on a trampoline. Luke is so cute. Love your azaela bush, so pretty. Mine died a couple of years ago

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I miss Easter egg hunts outside, Luke did very well collecting the eggs!

The first year I was in Auburn, I was so excitted to have an outdoor egg hunt for Aaron.
The problem was I didn't think about the chocolate. It all melted....
What a mess, I learned after that to put only candies.
The city would put on a huge hunt for the kids and it was so much fun.
Seeing as we usually have snow here, the hunts are now indoors...

Luke is good at baseball, in no time he will be the star!
He is just too funny, it must be so comical to watch him.

Beautiful yard, Your azalea bush is so full and pretty.
The Tink bird bath is adorable.

Did Ray succeed in getting rid of the wasps?
I think your pup is thinking "our hero"....

 

[AussieAngel]

Aww, such cute photos!! I love the baseball photos and videos - hilarious!! And such pretty spring photos too! It seems like only a couple of weeks ago, you had all that snow!!

Your lady statue in your butterfly garden scared1 reminds me of the statue from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil! Do you know it?! The original statue is in Savannah. Hmmm, you love Savannah, right!? Maybe you bought it from there!!

Our weather is certainly not getting any warmer... it's the opposite, in fact!! (Funny that!) It's starting getting reeeeally cold. We had our first proper frost this morning!! Brrrr! Which is weird, because literally 2 weeks ago, I was wearing skirts and flip-flops! Where did the summer go!?

Thanks for all your fun photos!!

 

[castmemberb4]

Glad to see Sherman up and about.
I love that pic of both of them, Eli is protecting his stick !

 

[MRNsMommy]

Winter will probably always be my favorite time of year, but I agree that as I've gotten older, I definitely enjoy Spring more and more. But I have to enjoy other people's gardens and flowers b/c I do not have even the slightest hint of a green thumb! I guess I just need to hire a gardener or something if I ever want anything beautiful in my yard!
Loved all the pics! Luke is just too stinkin' precious! And, yeah, I am pretty much completely envious of Anna's body! I think I'm going to print out a pic of her, tape it to my treadmill and fridge and use it as my motivation!