Now, this was a sad morning. We were leaving later that afternoon. We ate our breakfast, packed up and did a final check.
Under the bed?
Check!
Bathroom drawers?
Check!
Under the couch?
Mr. Potato!
QUELLE CATASTROPHE!!
TV cabinet?
Check!
Kitchen Cabinets?
Check!
Keys?
Check!
kids?
Kids??
KIDS!!!!!!
Check!
We have to check out of the timeshare by 10AM (too stinkin' early if you ask me!) and the maids are generally standing at the door by the time we are even out. We had an "incident" here a few years ago, where they tried to charge us hundreds of dollars for damages that we did not do (thankfully the credit card company saw it our way!). So, I took pictures and Corey took a quick video to document that the room was in good shape.
Check!
I checked us out and waited until the maid gave the all clear for the room and we were off!
But, off to where??
We decided to go to Downtown Disney for awhile. It is very hard to find a decent parking space in here on a Saturday, or any other day of the week, in our experience! So, we were jumping for joy (well as much jumping for joy as one can do while buckled into a van! Darn strap burns!) when we saw
THE PRIME PARKING SPOT!!!
Whoot HOO
It was right next to the sidewalk that goes right next to World Of Disney!!!
I was so happy, that I had Corey take a picture!!!
We have never gotten such a good spot!!
So, we were off to World of Disney!!
The girls and I browsed at the pretty princess things for awhile and the boys took off to parts unknown. After awhile, I wandered into the jewelry section. I'm not real big on jewelry, but I do like to look in here. And the mirrors with the villains are pretty cool!
A few years ago, we were in here, on our last day and Arminda asked to pin trade with a CM named Gail. After looking at Gail's pins, Arminda told her that she was looking for a light up Buzz Lightyear pin for her brother. The CM asked her, "Were you going to trade one of your own pins for one for your brother?" Arminda told her that she was, because Corey had seen it earlier in our trip and really wanted one. (actually Arminda probably said a LOT more than that, but I don't recall now!) The CM told us to wait right there for a minute and took off. I thought she might bring us back one of those little certificates that they give out, which are very nice and sweet. But, when Gail came back, she handed Arminda the exact pin that Corey had been looking for! And, when Arminda tried to hand her a pin in trade, she told her to keep it. It was such a magical moment! Corey was really excited to get the pin, but when we went back with Corey so he could thank Gail, she was gone.
Back to the present, or rather back to about 9 months ago (goodness, I could have had a Disney "souvenir" in the amount of time it's taken me to write this trip report!):
As Arminda, Lydia and I were browsing the cases, I happened to look up at the CM that was assisting another guest, and lo and behold, guess who it was!!!
Really, Guess!
It was GAIL!!!
I was so excited to see her! Just then, Corey walked over to me too! So, I called him over and quietly told him who the CM was. After she was done helping the other guest, I approached her and told her how special she had made our last day all those years ago! I was almost in tears! Corey then finally got a chance to thank her himself! Gail looked really pleased, and told me that I had made her day! It was so nice to finally get to see her again and give Corey the chance to thank her himself. And, Gail was so gracious, it was just wonderful!! I wish I had thought to get a picture of us together!
Obviously, we had our share of dud CMs this trip, but then you run into a CM like Gail and all the bad CMs don't matter so much! This is what Disney was suppose to be about! CMs like Gail, the ones that go that little extra to make a guest's trip that much more magical. Perhaps to them what they've done doesn't even seem like a big deal but to two little kids, it's the stuff of dreams! This is why I love Disney! This is why we keep coming back every year!
ok, where's my Kleenex, I think I need a moment....
All better now..
We found Brian and told him about meeting Gail again, he thought that was pretty cool! Oh, and I bought a really cute set of Chip and Dale earrings!!! So adorable!! They are all blingy!
Aren't they cute!
I got that picture from this site, you can buy them here:
http://www.treasurekingdom.com/mm5/...de=0108DLChDa&Category_Code=DDD&Store_Code=TK
After we left the store, we were all very happy! We went over and each got our free chocolate. mmm chocolate.... That's the main reason I love going to DTD!!! We walked around awhile longer and just tried to soak up as much as we could while we still had a chance!!!
But, the time had come for us to say good-bye to Florida
and head back to Michigan. So, we got back in the van and headed to the airport. We had a plane to catch soon!
After we parked the van, one of those luggage guys (thieves as Brian referred to them earlier in the trip report) started loading our stuff up on his cart. He was rushing me, and I honestly didn't appreciate it. It isnt' easy to unhook two carseats while someone keeps telling you to hurry! I had one of my bags sitting aside, because my glasses were in it and I didn't want them crushed. But, before I knew it, that luggage guy had thrown the bag on the cart and then threw a huge suitcase right on top of it!
I almost fainted!
I was less than pleased with him!
Thankfully, the paper towels I had wrapped them in earlier in the day cushioned them enough and they were only slightly bent when I got them out of the bag.
We walked to the terminal, checked our bags, and then went over to the mall section of the airport. We were pretty early, it had been a lot quicker to check out luggage than we had planned. So, the kids and I decided to check out the
Disney Store to kill some time. I figured this would be a better place to wait than the boring gate. We also had to go check out the guy in the glass box.
That never ceases to fascinate me!
There was no one in line for security, so we figured we had plenty of time, so we stayed over here quite awhile people watching and letting the kids run around a bit. We then decided to head on over to our gate. We got through security very quickly and were soon on our way. When we got there, my family was already waiting. We were all on the same flight home. This made me wonder if we had missed them earlier or how long they had been waiting at the gate.
This is the first time I learned that Casey had gone to the ER when they got home and that she was still quite sick. But, as you recall dear reader(s) I didn't make you wait that long to learn how she was doing!
Before too long, it was time to get on the plane. I think we were in B this time. Mom and Dad didn't get on with us so we were all settled before they came on. We had saved them some seats near us though, since Mom was in charge of Sawyer.
We settled in, and soon the plane was up up and away!!!!
But, wait a minute, something does NOT feel right!
The plane rocked
and rolled
and dipped
and swerved
as if there were a two year old flying it!
I was in serious prayer mode at this point! I am not scared of a little turbulence, but this was crazy! The plane did these dips and rocking for quite awhile, then smoothed out for awhile. Soon though, the dipping, swerving and swaying started again. It was so bad that the pilot ordered the flight attendants to buckle up!
At this point my Dad, who was sitting in front of me and next to Brian decided to get up and use the bathroom! An announcement came over the speaker for EVERYONE to stay seated and buckled up! Brian had tried to grab my Dad and stop him before he got up. And, when my Dad sat down, Brian explained to him that even the flight attendants were not allowed to get up! I think my Dad had been sleeping. I'm not sure though how he even stood straight with the plane like it was!
When the plane evened out again, the flight attendants took our drink orders (Southwest, free drinks, free snacks, 2 free bags per passenger, gotta love it!) Corey and I requested a whole can of pop, and the flight attendant happily brought it to us. She also gave us a few extra snacks for Lydia.
As we were descending, the plane was still rocking back and forth and just before we touched down it gave quite a violent heave to the left (the side I was on) !!!
Oh dear lord save us! (not a curse, an actual prayer)
I kept thinking that at least we were all together!
It was a bumpy bumpy landing!
As soon as the plane came to a stop the entire cabin broke out into applause!!! We were all so happy to be down on the ground again!!!
The rest of my family was off the plane before us, I was having trouble unbuckling the carseat. So, we were the last ones off the plane. As we were leaving, the flight attendants started talking to Lydia. Somehow the conversation turned to how much Lydia loved pretzels. Before we knew it, they were handing Lydia a HUGE bag of pretzels!
She was MORE than pleased! T
Thankfully she was persuaded to share some!
We soon met up with the rest of my family waiting near the bathrooms. Mom kissed me good-bye and we gave them some pretzels and they took off. We all took a bathroom break and then meandered to the luggage area.
I quickly found our bags and Arminda's carseat (Britax Regent, you can't use them on a plane) and was ready to head out. But, then Brian came over to me with a bag with a "Heather's Last Name" tag on it.
He said, "I think Heather left a bag."
We figured that there weren't too many people that would have luggage with "Heather's Last Name" on it, so I decided to open it and make sure it was theirs before we took it home with us. I unzipped it and immediately saw the autograph book I had made for Tessa, so I was sure it was theirs. I was feeling pretty happy that we had found it!
So, we packed all our bags onto the stroller and headed out to catch a shuttle to our van.
OH
MY
GOODNESS!!!
It was W I N D Y!!!
Not just a little windy!
Knock you off your feet and embed dirt into your eyes windy!
It was AWFUL!!!!
The kids and I sought out shelter in one of the bus shelters. It offered some protection from the wind but now much from the BITTER COLD! Oh yeah, we were back to Michigan!!
What a welcome!
Soon another family came along, and we did our best to all squeeze together to let them in. It was a bonding experience!
It took FOREVER and a day for our shuttle to come! The other families it turned out were all waiting for the same shuttle.
The ladies all ran onto the shuttle and left the guys to deal with the luggage!
Soon enough we were back at our van. It was good to be home, but we were sad the vacation was over!
As we turned to look towards the airport, we saw this
A RAINBOW!
Arminda thought it was a very nice welcome home!
I hooked up the two carseats and we were off! Home again home again jiggidy jig!!!
Ok, you want to stop reading there or do you want to hear what happened on the way home????????
Ok, I'll tell you!
We were hungry so we decided to stop at a McDonald's and eat. This McDonald's was off the highway, but one of those exits that seem to deposit you smack dab in the middle of:
Nowhereville
Population: Several shady looking characters
It was next to a "massage Parlor" if that gives you a clue.
Brian, Corey and Arminda jumped out of the van and went on in. Leaving me and Lydia alone.
Nope, happy I was NOT!
Of course, Lydia's shoe had come off, and I could NOT find it anywhere! I feared it had fallen off in the parking lot! I searched and searched for about 15 minutes and FINALLY Corey came out to check on me!
He's such a nice boy!
Then, Brian and Arminda came out to see what was up. I can't say that my words to Brian expressed gratitude that he had finally come to check on me after 15 minutes.....
But, after a few "words" we decided to just carry Lydia in in her stocking feet.
We ate and headed back home.
I thought about calling Heather when we got home to let her know we had her bag, but it was late and I didn't want to wake her up.
I should have called her! The next morning I had a frantic email from Heather saying that they had LOST a bag!!! Apparently she had been up late trying to locate it, and I could have saved her a lot of grief with one phone call! I felt bad, but she was just grateful that Brian had found the bag!!!
This is kind of sad, finishing up the Trip Report! We had such a wonderful time, even if we did attract the grumpy CMs! Being with my family makes me happy! I'm always amazed at families that don't get along. My family is my world, and that's the way I like it! I'm grateful that we get to spend so much time together. These trips to Disney are priceless memories. Even the bad experiences draw us closer, something we can complain about together! And, anyone that knows us knows that Heather and I DO like a good Complaint Fest! But more than anything more than even the memories of certain events, is the memory of the feeling of love that we all have for each other. The closeness that only comes from spending a week in the same house with your Mom and Dad and brother's family! The two weeks of getting to see your sister and her family every day (or close to it!)! The small moments that end up meaning so much, the ones that you can't plan, that's what makes it all so special. Of course having the best sister in the world helps! And, the best Mom! I love all of you so much!
Here's a little Slide show I made of some of my favorite pictures:
http://www.slide.com/r/AL7Khz9IZT87...previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original
It might take a minute to load, I had a lot of favorite pictures! There is music too, but it doesn't seem to load real quick! You can turn the music off too.
If you've read my trip report, I'd love it if you'd leave a comment or send me a PM! It means a lot to me to read what you guys have to say!
Teresajoy, over and out............
My favorite part was the pictures of Lydia after she got her face painted.
The shots through the Mickey mirror are really cool! And she and your DH look so happy!
Sounds like you all had an awesome time, and I'm jealous of your long vacation! I love all of the customs, they're great! I can see the love that all of you have for each other, and it makes happy.
Thanks for posting!!!
AFTER 
We all love Disney and can appreciate the ups and downs, the good times and the bad, the successes and failures that life throws at us.
