Wednesday February 22, 2006
OK
. Just a few days left and we are all outta here. I just talked to Heidi and she is frantically trying to figure out how she is going to get everything done, working her two plus jobs. She is not packed, she has to go to the dentist, pedicures, manicures, haircuts, cleaning and her list goes on and on
.
I thought I was in control since I started preparing over nine months ago. The last minute change from Cozumel to Costa Maya kind of put a damper on things and stopped me in my tracks. I lost the desire to over prepare. However, luckily my food shopping for when Heidi and the family gets here was done, my hair was done, Mickey ice cubes made, Mickey cheeses, Mickey candy, Mickey Christmas ready to go (I had a bunch of Mickey presents for everyone still under the tree).
My house was clean and my biggest problem was keeping up with the falling leaves because I wanted to have it perfect when Heidi got here. The turtle tanks were clean, laundry done, and well, packing
that was done the first weekend in January (I am bad).
I put my Mickey flag up got my Mickey doormats and coasters out, personalized Mickey pillowcases wrapped (for all). I was VERY prepared. The kids had their lists and they were done. All I had to do was relax
well, how do you relax when you are 3 days away from a week cruise to the Western Caribbean?
Tonight was my last night at work. Travis had been informing me of how many more minutes I had to go till my cruise, and now we were into the 4,000s. My other friend from work, Patricia, had given me a wine bag with Mardi Gras beads hanging from it that said Bon Voyage, Karen!!!
. BEAUTIFUL beads!!! That set me off!! It all became real when I got into my car after work. I was now ready to go!!!
Thursday February 23, 2006
OK
today Heidi comes in with the family tonight!!! I did my VERY, VERY last minute shopping and cleaning and really did not have to stress much as they were not coming in until 8:30. Amber now was on vacation along with me. We all did last minute exercising and tanning. We tied all the loose ends together and all got in two cars so we could ALL meet the Wests at the airport!!!!
Hugs and kisses, smiles and tears appeared as they all came in off the tram. It was a great feeling and we all could tell by looking at each other that this vacation was well deserved along with well needed. We got their entire luggage (this was a test to see how much room we would have) in the truck and car. That alone was enough to make you laugh!!
We arrived at the house and since everyone was wide-awake and since there was a ton to do tomorrow, we did our Christmas right away. Matching Mickey pjs for everyone, matching shirts, matching jackets for the girls, matching Tink pjs for the girls, matching sand dollar necklaces (hand made by me from sand dollars we picked out of the bay water). We had matching bags and matching visors and matching everything. The guys each had a Disney tie and I could not believe my ears
. No complaining!!! The best was yet to come when I gave out all the red Kappell Family Reunion T-shirts. STILL smiles!!!! This WAS going to be magical!!!! J
Ryan and the older kids went to Ambers and everyone crashed for the night. The next morning all I wanted was for everyone to get together for brunch.
So before we went to bed, Heidi and I relaxed and watched Survivor together (well, in between passing out on the couch!!). It was evident we were exhausted.
Hi guys! For those of you who missed my Part One report... here it is. I am going to desperately try to get some pics to Heidi (somehow) to post that will go along with this report before I try my next day. Sorry it is long, but it is all ready to go into my scrapbook this way. I have had MAJOR computer problems and I don't even know if I will be abole to emailyou tomorrow, but don't think I have forgotten you!!!! Hope all is well with everyone! I am still trying to recoup.
Selena... you are just to darn cute!!!
You make me smile!! OK.. bye guys! Karen
Friday, February 24, 2006
Believe it or not . . . this morning was one of the parts of vacation I was looking most forward to!!! Why, you ask?? Because this morning I was going to give everybody a dose of Mickey Magic to get them all in the mood. I went to great lengths to get everyone excited. For brunch I served Mickey scrambled eggs, along with bacon and fresh fruits, desserts and the best part
my Mickey waffles!!!
After brunch, as I finished all my last minute tasks, the older kids went their own way for the afternoon to the mall as Doug and Larry went to get Cubans, and as Heidi and I hopped over to the Hard Rock for a little while. Incidentally, the older kids ended up there and we bumped into them! That was cool.
Around six in the evening, Heidi and I picked up pizza and headed home and tried to relax for one last moment before the craziness started. Mark and Kit came over and visited with all of us and Kit, as usual helped me out by giving me a foot massage in between me doing last minute hemming. We made some chocolate martinis . . . by the way, if you are not used to drinking these on a regular basis
pace yourself J, that is a word of advice from someone who knows better
now!!! (Hahaha) J
Afterwards, the guys packed up the truck as we toasted to our family vacation and as I went around writing down what everyones expectations were. We all set our clocks and I passed out as the others went to bed slowly thereafter. The older kids were to meet us at 7 a.m. sharp in the morning.
