And the Rain, Rain, Rain Came Down, Down Down - or Oy, Fay! Updated 10/1. The End.

[cmp1111]

You have been busy, Love the Test to T about Waldo,

I was just so excited to find him!

I didn't realize you were in Epcot the whole day, your boys did good for such a long day.

Thanks, except for Woody's popcorn meltdown, I thought so, too!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

We spent the full day in Epcot, too, but didn't make rope drop. We were following in your footsteps but were about 45 minutes behind.

And, um, the boat ride is boring? I LOVE Living with the Land. Someday I'll have a greenhouse just like that in my yard.

 

[cmp1111]

We spent the full day in Epcot, too, but didn't make rope drop. We were following in your footsteps but were about 45 minutes behind.

Were the lines OK for you?

And, um, the boat ride is boring? I LOVE Living with the Land. Someday I'll have a greenhouse just like that in my yard.

I love Living with the Land as well, but I guess 6 year olds don't. How does #3 feel about it?

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

The lines in the morning weren't bad at all, but by lunch things were starting to get crowded on that side of the park. I know the stand-by time for Soarin' was posted as 70 minutes, and the posted wait for M:S green was 30, but we walked right on. That was strange.

And my boys enjoy Living with the Land. I guess I've created a second generation of botanical dorks But they mostly go on because they know I like it. We even did the Behind the Seeds tour two years ago. That was very cool.

 

[cmp1111]

The lines in the morning weren't bad at all, but by lunch things were starting to get crowded on that side of the park. I know the stand-by time for Soarin' was posted as 70 minutes, and the posted wait for M:S green was 30, but we walked right on. That was strange.

That is weird, although I will say we've only ever done green and never, ever had to wait for it.

And my boys enjoy Living with the Land. I guess I've created a second generation of botanical dorks But they mostly go on because they know I like it. We even did the Behind the Seeds tour two years ago. That was very cool.

Good for you! Woody loves to plant stuff and has a green thumb - he's the only one in the house who can keep plants alive - but they didn't want any part of it.

 

[cmp1111]

I left D & the boys in Innoventions around 3:30. I didn’t think it would take me that long to get to the American Pavilion, but if I’d waited and done the game, I’d be late.

I may or may not have stopped in France and gotten a glass of wine…

And then I stopped in Japan because this was happening:



And then my wine was somehow gone and it was still only 3:50, so I may or may not have gone to Italy for some more…

But then I felt it was time to make my way to America. When I had walked past on the way to Italy, I had kind of glanced around, but didn’t see anyone.

So when I approached from this side, I wasn’t sure necessarily exactly we were meeting. But I saw a lovely blonde lady, so I waved. And she waved, and yes! It was Mo, and her darling niece Kelly. We chatted for just a bit, no awkwardness at all, and pretty soon we saw a few more people coming up.
Mo and Z prepping to hug:

It was starting to rain again a bit, so we moved under the portico where the American Experience lets out.

Mo & Z:

Then Mel & UnBob showed up! Here’s Yani, Z, Kat, UnBob & Mel:

Janet and her crew showed up as well, pretty soon! Sorry, no good pictures of them yet. I know around this time I had a text from V that she running a little late (THAT was the time! ), and I should let Jo know she’d just meet us at Germany. Pretty soon T called as well – she was stuck under the now ridiculous downpour and would be along as soon as she could, and I think she said LL was also stuck at SSR still. It was hard to hear, as we who were there were all gabbing away a mile a minute!

Jo soon arrived, but had left her family at Germany due to the rain. It was so good to finally meet her in person!

We decided we might as well all head that way, as the rain hadn’t yet stopped, but had slowed. Poor Mo was poncholess, but Janet had an extra, so she and Kelly huddled up and did a very interesting dual duck walk along…

We left Jo to deal with the check-in and all just continued chatting away.

Mel’s a little blurry, but so cute:

Kat, with Flat Katt and Flat Rachel:

Z & Flat Rosie:

Angela and her DH had arrived, so here’s Angela & Jo:

Mel, Janet, Flat Dawn, Flat Rachel, and Flat Katt:

Way too many pictures still to come, so continued in next post…

 

[cmp1111]

Kate (Sharkb8boohaha) had arrived as well, so here are some of the DIS kids, Kate’s 3, Kelly, Janet’s Jimmy & Andrew, and Jo’s Jessica & Ellie:

D & my boys showed up, pretty much right along with T’s family, LL’s family, V & Leo… It’s getting to be a blur. Jo mentioned that they were a little worried about seating us all together, even though she’d been so clear making the ADR.

I was talking with the kiddos – I had Leo, Maddie, Buzz & Woody all together and I said, “Hey, you’re all going to be in first grade!” Leo very solemnly said, “I already am! I started school!” He’s so sweet.

Maddie spent quite a bit of time telling me all about her doll, Belle, and the new outfits she had for her. She was just chatting away – again, not like we’d never met.

And again, I know at some point but not quite when, we did get to see Lessa (LifelongDreamer) & her family for a few minutes. They weren’t joining us for dinner, but it was great to meet them!

After a bit – no idea how long – they called us in to the tables. V had put together a seating chart, based on tables of 8, very thoughtfully considering ages of kids, size of families, etc. But when they called us in, we had 4 tables of 10 (we were 39 all told) instead. So, poor V’s plans went straight to heck, and we all scrambled to get seated with our families, etc. D had gone after a beer whilst we were waiting, so I had to track him down. I sent Buzz & Woody in with Kat & Z. I hope they were well enough behaved. Thanks, ladies!

My family joined Janet and her family (including mom & dad) to make up a table. The very nice waiters and waitresses figured out who was with whom, and took our drink orders. I got a good beer recommendation. The waiter asked if I wanted small or large. Now, I’m thinking it’s probably 12 vs. 16 oz. or so, so I said, “Oh, why not the large?”

HAAA!

Here is my mug of beer, next to D’s first to-go one. It’s probably a 16 oz., so imagine how big mine is. I could barely lift it!:

We all had a run at the buffet. I found lots of good looking stuff. And yes, I ate the wiener salad. And YES. I LIKED IT!!!

The boys like meat, so they were perfectly happy as well. Buzz in particular loved the schnitzel.

Yes, that is a full pork schnitzel hanging out of his mouth.

Meanwhile, the show was going on. I know there was some dancing and such even in the midst of us all going back and forth with plates. Buzz was asked to dance by our waitress:


And Mo was dancing with Kate’s #2:

And T was doing the chicken dance sitting down:

But Jo was up and dancing! LY, Jo!


(She said, “You’re not videoing this, are you?”) Heh, heh, heh.

Maddie asked Woody to dance, but sadly it was just as they were shutting down to do more organized stuff on the dance floor.

Still more pictures to come, so next post...

 

[cmp1111]

We all just continued eating, talking, and dancing. By now we’d taken over the entire 2nd tier on our side of the restaurant.

Flat Dawn, Flat Rachel & Flat Katt with the plate of good German food:

Flat Rachel & Flat Katt dive into the Wiener Salad!

We gave the kids the camera for a bit. One of them got this rather serious picture of Jimmy:

I don’t think I mentioned all the swag. Despite our “no presents” pact, many people brought stuff. Kat had nicely asked me if I wanted to go in with her on glow rubber bracelets, but she did all the work. Thanks! But others had whole bags of fun stuff for the kids. So once they got into those, much playing commenced.

Evan, Buzz & Woody:

Ellie, Michael & Leo:

Maddie & Jess:

Woody, Evan & Leo:

And the DISers were having fun, too!

Jo & Me:

T & Me:

Kat & Ellie:

V & Flat Michelle:

V & Janet & Flat Michelle:

Kate’s #1 & V (I love her expression!)

Andy, TE, Waldo & T:

Mo & T and something funny!

Me & Mo:

Finally all full and paid up, we headed outside for group photos. And no, I didn’t finish my beer, but I did get it in a go cup…

Group pictures in next post…

 

[cmp1111]

All the DISers:

Look, we found Waldo!

The DIS kids:

And finally we got the spouses to join in. They were good sports!

We were all cracking up that whilst we were having the photo shoot, random strangers started taking pictures, too. I don’t know if they just figured someone was famous amongst us, or what? It was hysterical, though!

We all stood around and talked for a bit. Jo and her family had (big surprise!) stopped to get TT FP’s when they came in. We still had the ones from earlier, and Janet had some from VERY early in the day...

Some folks had to go, needing an early night for driving home on Sunday, or for schoolwork. Others had different plans… It just wasn’t enough time. Someone mentioned on Janet’s TR that it was like a wedding where you just have too many people you want to talk to, and not enough time. It made me doubly regret having to cancel the TL meet on Friday, as well as missing the Tambu Lounge the night before. Next time, OK?

Mo & Kelly, Janet & Andrew, Jo’s family and mine all decided to go use our TT FPs together. We had a fun walk back out into FW. At one point, Jo asked me if Mo had a tattoo. I just lifted up her shirt (just the back, people, I hadn’t had enough beer for the other! ) and checked. We all cracked up because it certainly wasn’t something you’d normally do to someone you’d really just met. It’s just another case of us not being strangers, you know?

We had a short wait using our FPs, and D got this photo of Jo, Mo, Me & Janet:

And then Andrew, Buzz & Woody waiting in the queue:

Buzz & Woody were TOTALLY enthralled with Andrew, by the way. He was very patient with them, gave them nicknames, and totally just kept cracking them up.

We all had a ball. Jo’s family decided to call it a night, and it was SO hard to say goodbye. Both the girls gave me big hugs. D said he really loved talking to David. More time, next time, I swear.

But Mo, Janet & I had plans to go watch Illuminations. Jim had taken Jimmy on the Mexico boat ride whilst we did TT, so we went to meet him over there. D said he’d catch up, and went and took this:

Mo & I decided drinks were in order, and stopped at the Cantina. Yes, I did also buy D & I a margarita. So I did manage to get both wiener salad and margaritas, living up to the pre-trip title!

We mentioned this on Janet’s TR, but we both did just leave our kids with her – once again proving how comfortable we all were with each other. Thanks again, Janet!

D met up with us and took the kids waiting on the show to start:

We all watched Illuminations, then split up to go back to our respective resorts.

It was just a fantastic night. Thank you, Focker Friends!

 

[Hedy]

that looks like such a fun time.

 

[cmp1111]

that looks like such a fun time.

We had a ball!!!

 

[Goofyluver]

I may or may not have stopped in France and gotten a glass of wine…

Say it ain't so.

And then my wine was somehow gone and it was still only 3:50, so I may or may not have gone to Italy for some more…

We decided we might as well all head that way, as the rain hadn’t yet stopped, but had slowed. Poor Mo was poncholess, but Janet had an extra, so she and Kelly huddled up and did a very interesting dual duck walk along…

No video of that. Dang.

After a bit – no idea how long – they called us in to the tables. V had put together a seating chart, based on tables of 8, very thoughtfully considering ages of kids, size of families, etc. But when they called us in, we had 4 tables of 10 (we were 39 all told) instead. So, poor V’s plans went straight to heck, and we all scrambled to get seated with our families, etc.

Oh V.

Here is my mug of beer, next to D’s first to-go one. It’s probably a 16 oz., so imagine how big mine is. I could barely lift it!:

I"ll remember this if there is any craziness later.

(She said, “You’re not videoing this, are you?”) Heh, heh, heh.

Great dancin' Jo.

Finally all full and paid up, we headed outside for group photos. And no, I didn’t finish my beer, but I did get it in a go cup…

Of course.

HI my friends!!!

We were all cracking up that whilst we were having the photo shoot, random strangers started taking pictures, too. I don’t know if they just figured someone was famous amongst us, or what? It was hysterical, though!

Well, you're famous to me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh. You're installment on wieners and fockers was so great CE!!! I sooooo wish that I could have been there. I hope that I get to meet ya'll next time.

 

[cmp1111]

No video of that. Dang.

Too wet to have the cameras out.

I"ll remember this if there is any craziness later.

Great dancin' Jo.

Notice how I made sure to post this whilst she is sleeping?

Oh. You're installment on wieners and fockers was so great CE!!! I sooooo wish that I could have been there. I hope that I get to meet ya'll next time.

Thanks, Jen. I hope so, too. We would have LOVED to have you.

 

[englishrose47]

I'm so glad I joined you in Flat form at least !! Looks like you all had a blast!! Any Fockers going in May for a mini Focker Fest!!!????

 

[cmp1111]

I'm so glad I joined you in Flat form at least !! Looks like you all had a blast!! Any Fockers going in May for a mini Focker Fest!!!????

You know we missed you, Rosie.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

It looks like you all had a blast! I'm so glad that I got to stop by for a brief meet with you all before dinner.

 

[cmp1111]

It looks like you all had a blast! I'm so glad that I got to stop by for a brief meet with you all before dinner.

Me, too!

 

[dismom9761]

Hi! I am late but finally here. You are doing a fabulous job and I look forward to reading more. The pics of the Focker meet were awesome.

 

[DisneyJo]

I'm going to try and quote some bits but first, OH NO YOU DIDN'T!!!!!!!

And then my wine was somehow gone and it was still only 3:50, so I may or may not have gone to Italy for some more…

So it should have been you up dancing then

That's a fantastic shot!

Jo soon arrived, but had left her family at Germany due to the rain. It was so good to finally meet her in person!

You too

You can see how much it rained looked at my fringe (bangs)

Here is my mug of beer, next to D’s first to-go one. It’s probably a 16 oz., so imagine how big mine is. I could barely lift it

It was funny seeing you with that

But Jo was up and dancing! LY, Jo!(She said, “You’re not videoing this, are you?”) Heh, heh, heh.

Yeah cheeky I thought you were taking a photo

We were all cracking up that whilst we were having the photo shoot, random strangers started taking pictures, too. I don’t know if they just figured someone was famous amongst us, or what? It was hysterical, though!

They were weren't they and looking at us funny, there again we were a little noisey weren't we

Jo and her family had (big surprise!) stopped to get TT FP’s when they came in.

And your point is?????

At one point, Jo asked me if Mo had a tattoo. I just lifted up her shirt (just the back, people, I hadn’t had enough beer for the other!

It's because I asked to see yours then we started saying who had tattoos so you decided to see if Mo did

Jo’s family decided to call it a night, and it was SO hard to say goodbye. Both the girls gave me big hugs. D said he really loved talking to David. More time, next time, I swear.

You were so sweet, I think I had enough hugs to last till next time we meet

Great dancin' Jo.

Thanks

Notice how I made sure to post this whilst she is sleeping?

Yep, thanks for that

 

[cmp1111]

Hi! I am late but finally here. You are doing a fabulous job and I look forward to reading more. The pics of the Focker meet were awesome.

Hi, Amy! Thanks so much!

I'm going to try and quote some bits but first, OH NO YOU DIDN'T!!!!!!!

I told you I would...

So it should have been you up dancing then

Yeah, really.

It was funny seeing you with that

I felt a bit awkward. I had no idea.

They were weren't they and looking at us funny, there again we were a little noisey weren't we

Maybe a little...

You were so sweet, I think I had enough hugs to last till next time we meet

Aww, thanks. I'm a hugger.