December 14...Who's with me?

[slindamood]

Here we are on formal night last year - I am next to Micky, DD is next to Minnie. DH is the tall one in the middle - he is easy to find in a crowd.

A week from now - we will be halfway between Columbus and Orlando. Time to pack!!!

http://home.columbus.rr.com/parents/fam/mm2shsleh.jpg
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-Suzanne

 

[4nana]

"It's beginning to look alot like Christmas"


How is everyone doing with the hustle, bustle of Christmas and getting ready to cruise?? Among the rush, am dedicating today for decorating the house, tree and get the Xmas cards signed. Going over list and checkin' it twice, about 90% ready, with piles ready to go south.
Unfortunately 3 of the grands have suffered w/a 48 hr virus this week. I won't go into details, I feel so bad for them, the 18mo old has it now and it is not fun... believe me. Keeping our fingers crossed all get well and stay well ^i^....Friday is almost here!!
Everyone take care and try to stay well.

Ohhhh....I found the "lime green " ribbon and got enough for our group!!!!

Am working on a picture link

 

[Henn1313]

Started packing today! We have a busy week ahead. I guess that will help the week go by fast. I think we're trying to bring too much. Packing for 6 is not easy. I know something will be forgotten. Still looking for lime green ribbon. We are all so excited! Happy packing everyone!! Next sunday we'll be sailing!
4Nana--- My little one just got over a little flu bug too. Better now than later in the week! Hope they feel better soon.

 

[lillilace]

After cleaning up from a big Xmas dinner today, I'll be doing a little ironing then getting everything ready to put in suitcases. We have a little more than cruise packing because we will be staying in Orlando after the cruise until Jan. 4.
Tomorrow , 8 yr. old DS will be having his front permanent tooth capped after falling on ice Thurs. and breaking half of it off!!
Better than breaking a limb I guess.
I for one am certainly looking forward to a relaxing vacation.
Can't believe it's getting so close to going. Here's to everyone staying healthy! See you all soon!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

Has everyone booked their excursions? Should we wait or go ahead and book? Want the butterfly farm and Trunk Bay! Thanks! Time to pack!!

 

[luv2tvl]

If you know what you excursions you want to book, I'd say go ahead and book them! That way it's one less thing to do when you finally get on board and you don't have to worry about them being full!
Have fun packing!

 

[Target]

Well, I posted a reply and it didn't take, so here we go again!

We booked our excursions at 60 days out. Me and my DD14 are doing the Pinel snorkel on St. Maarten, the whole family is doing the sub ride at St. Thomas (DD6 and DH can't swim), and DD14 is doing parasailing at Castaway Cay. It's only money....that leaves us half the time on each place.

4nana, reserve one of your green ribbons for me, since I didn't get the chance to look this weekend! (busy decorating house, doing laundry, buying and decorating tree, doing laundry, took DD6 to birthday party, doing laundry, took DD14 to ice hockey practice, doing laundry, finished Christmas shopping, doing laundry, wrapped gifts, doing laundry, went to church, doing laundry)

WHEW! I need a vacation! The baskets are ordered from The Perfect Gift, everything is packed but the clothes (those are folded and piled high to be picked through tonight and packed), kennel is reserved, the convertible is reserved for use on Friday, and United just filed for bankruptcy! That is who we are flying! Oh well....no worries. I am not complaining because our flights are GREAT! I am sure they are flying, so no sweat here. My husband thinks I am having my midlife crisis (I'm 39) by reserving the convertible. We have never reserved (or owned) one before! I just want to feel the wind in my hair!!

See you all soon....if not at check in, then on Monday at 11:30 in Lumiere's!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

Just needed a little coaxing I guess!!

 

[4nana]

Target and Dec 14 cruisers...

YES, I have enough "LIME GREEN" ribbon for everyone !!!

Ooooh Target, the wind blowing in your hair sounds so adventurous! You go girl!!! You only go around once!

Whose bright idea was it to cruise a week before Christmas??
I am really going to need this vacation ~ all the planning and getting ready for cruise, plus decorating and shopping for Christmas is taking it's toll!

Keeping fingers crossed all stay well ^i^. Thank goodness our grands are better and recovering from their terrible virus.

lillilace ~ of all the luck, sorry about your sons tooth.
Hope all goes well there.

Tooth Fairy ~ If you are sure you would like to do an excursion, why not book it now? If you really want to do something I would hate to see you wait and take a chance on it being booked. Our group decided to do a non Disney all day outing on St. T. We will be met by our guide in the morn ~ sight see the island, shop, lunch, swim at our choice of beach, visit Coral World and the men are going to Parasail and return to ship by 4pm. Probably tired, sunburnt and ready for a shower, nap and room-service..
LOL!

 

[luv2tvl]

4nana- that's so sweet that you got enough ribbon for everyone! Like Target my weekend got away from me and I didn't get around to ribbon searching....

Target- I changed my flights (I'm using frequent flyer miles) and I'm now getting into Orlando around noon on Friday instead of 2pm. My hubby isn't getting in until around 11pm (he is not using miles and HAD to work the whole day...), so I have the whole day to relax by the pool.... don't forget to look for "Omaha" if you are up there!

Have fun with the convertible, I acutally own one (I live in Nebraska- and yes it's really silly to have a conv. here!) and it's the best feeling in the world to cruise around with the wind in your hair! Have fun.

Nobody worry about United, I work in the travel industry, and they are NOT going to cease operations any time soon... don't fret! You'll all be just fine!

 

[Henn1313]

My 4.5 year old DD will be joining your family on the sub ride! She was too little to do the 12 metre regatta with the others. We'll see you there!

 

[Target]

Henn1313,
Doesn't that excursion sound fun? My DD6 is going to be amazed at all that is "under the waves." I am looking forward to it. I just picked up a rolling duffle to stick in the bottom of our suitcase for our water, soda and juice we will purchase in Orlando to take on the ship. Especially with the drink stations closed now, we will be bringing on our own drinks (we don't do alchohol-although I may try one of those tropical thingies!). I was going to have The Perfect Gift deliver the water and soda but at $1 a can, it is cost prohibitive. Cheaper my way.

Will finish packing tonight and will try to relax tomorrow and Thursday.....this is gonna be fun....

 

[Henn1313]

oops, I got confused. We are doing the semi-submarine at St. Maarten. Still looking forward to meeting you at the Lunch!

 

[4nana]

Last minute thoughts...

Lumiere's 11:30 luncheon ~
It being the dressier of the dining rooms....does that apply to lunch?? What is your clothing suggestion????? Are we wearing causual like nice top w/ capris or more dressy dinner type, should our men wear jackets???

 

[luv2tvl]

11:30 at Lumieres on Monday, right? Just want to make sure I don't miss it!
I don't think the guys have to be that dressy. If I remember right from past cruises, you saw just about everything in the dining rooms for lunch....

Everyone will also have to come to one of the Keroke nights so you can hear me sing... (that's my favorite thing to do, and I think there are TWO nights of it!) Wahoo....

2 more full days of work.... I'm worthless!

 

[slindamood]

Hey Dis Gang - - AFter all these months (and years) It's almost here - and Ohio is in the middle of an ice storm and winter storm warning!! All I care is that it will be clear to fly out on Saturday. Each ice storm makes the cruise all that much better.

4Nana - Lunch at Lumieres is casual - nice shorts, & t-shirts are fine. No jackets. Usually not tanks or very short-shorts or swimming suit coverups , even though there is no prohibition. Just did not see them - custom, I guess.

Two more days of work!!!!

See you soon - -
Suzanne

 

[Target]

Okay all! I am packed!!! For the four of us, there are three checked bags and we each have a small carry on (husband's is the camera equip). One carry on has toiletries, one has swimwear and christmas gifts for some friends in FL, and the other carryon has our semi formal wear with one other outfit (incl shoes). This way, if everything else is lost, we can still attend the semi formal and formal nights and have a shorts outfit for the week (just need to wash every night). I also split up everyone's clothes among the checked suitcases. I used the vacuum bags for the big suitcase, and it weighted in at 65 pounds! Hope they don't check the weight at the airport! I packed an extra rolling duffle for the drinks we will be buying. That will be an empty bag for the ride home (souvies). Also, one of the carry ons will be empty of the christmas gifts so we can redistribute some of the clothes (since I don't know if I will be able to find a vacuum to use those bags again!).

I think all is ready and we are heading off to a hotel by the airport tomorrow night (Thursday). We don't want to fight DC traffic to get to the plane in the morning. Also, we can leave our car at the hotel while we are gone. A little safer than the airport parking areas, I would imagine.

Looking forward to seeing you guys at Lumieres on Monday.

4nana, Samantha is dying to see Tyler! We have a little Christmas gift for him and Bethany. They have been writing almost every night. Thanks so much for hooking them up! It is going to be great seeing them meet for the first time!

I have today and tomorrow at work. I am worthless as well (see-I am spending my time here!). The ice storm today didn't help....but it did delay coming into work by an hour! I'll take it!

See you all soon!

 

[4nana]

Target ~ girlfriend, you have it all together don't you?!

We are very excited and about half packed. My gosh, it is
a task to get this gang ready! Anything that isn't bought, too bad!! Anxious to just get on the plane Friday morn., sit down, breath a sigh of relief that we've come this far and probably CRY !! Can't wait to see my Seattle daughter and family!

Yes, I think Ty and Sam will enjoy recognizing another kid on the on the ship, even tho he will be very shy at first. He got her the cutest -----? Hum, no can tell, but I know she will love!

It is pouring rain here, but the ground is still covered w/plenty of snow as I dream of some warm Caribbean weather.

Target - I will look for you in your convertible w/your hair blowing in the wind. If you see a 15 pass. van, trailer w/ 25 pcs. of luggage, carseats, strollers, diaper bags, etc....you will know it is us...LOL!!

Take care all ~ can't wait to meet everyone at our luncheon!
Suzanne, thanx for your advise, casual it is.

 

[luv2tvl]

Well, I hope everyone has a safe trip to Orlando in the next couple of days.
I am pretending to work today, and then bright and EARLY tomorrow I am off to Orlando.
I can't wait to meet you all on Monday (or if I see someone before) at the lunch at Lumieres....

 

[Target]

Emily,
We are heading to Dulles Airport tonight to stay overnight and we fly out at 8:50 am on United. We can leave our car at the hotel since we are staying there tonight. No rush hour traffic to deal with either! I will look for you at the Hyatt pool, but, as you said, if we miss each other, I will see you Monday at Lumiere's. Hard to believe it is actually happening. My family is getting visibly excited (a rarity). Just a warning, my DH is very shy (not is private!) and probably won't talk much at lunch on Monday.

I am still debating the surial bath, and probably won't decide until I am stepping foot onto the ship....too many pros and cons....

I actually cleaned the house last night (since packing was done) and the family watched the second of our four Christmas movies (tradition each year)! "Christmas Vacation!" What a hoot! We already watched "A Christmas Story" and will see "Jingle All the Way" and my favorite "Holiday Inn" with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire when we return. Certainly in the mood for the holidays now!

See you all soon!!