Drew's Wish Comes True...

What a great start!

I can't imagine how tired you all were by the time you got to GKTW. I'm glad you made it there safely with all the bad weather.

Love the jacuzzi pic! :rotfl2:

Grampa Bob looks so sweet!
Thanks Heather

We were so very tired. Thankfully it was nice and warm still in FL :)

The jacuzzi pic is one of my favs from our trip :)

Grampa Bob was so very sweet. I just had to hug him :)
I love the picture of my little birthday buddy sleeping!

Aww..thanks. She'll be so excited when I tell her.
 
I am loving it already! I love the blanket sleeper pj's! They are my most favorite! (don't tell anyone but I contemplated trying on a pair for me this year!)
Thanks Jessica.

Blanket sleepers are our favorite too. I don't let Drew sleep with more than one blanket because of his seizures so they play double duty :) My sister bought them all a new pair before our trip
I can't believe how late it was when you arrived, but the west coast / east coast thing is so hard!
It is hard. If by chance we ever go again I will definitely book an earlier flight.
I can't wait for more! We were there a couple of days that you were (at disney) and I looked around in hopes of seeing you'll!
Are you kidding me??? If I had known I would have given you my cell number. I would have loved to meet you.

Were we even in the same parks on the same days?

Th - DHS, GKTW
Fr - GKTW, US-IOA, MK-MVMCP
Sa - MK, DHS
Su - GKTW, SeaWorld
Mo - AK, Epcot, MK
 
I'm glad it was the best trip ever! And I love Madilynn's surprse for Miss Heather! :love: I know she will too!
 

Are you kidding me??? If I had known I would have given you my cell number. I would have loved to meet you.

Were we even in the same parks on the same days?

Th - DHS, GKTW
Fr - GKTW, US-IOA, MK-MVMCP
Sa - MK, DHS
Su - GKTW, SeaWorld
Mo - AK, Epcot, MK

We totally decided last minute to go, DH's idea.
Saturday we did Universal, both parks
Sunday we just did Downtown Disney. Dallas and DH went to Disney Quest also.
Monday we did Epcot though!

We saw 2 kids the entire trip from MAW or GKTW, one had a MAW button on and the other GKTW. One boy was about 4 and we saw him in toontown, the other we walked past also at the MK. I so wanted to give the parents a big hug but thought they might think I was a bit nutty!
 
Monday we did Epcot though!
Oh man. We got to Epcot about 3pm. We at at Garden Grill:eek: and we saw the 6:45 showing of the Candlelight Vigil. We left at park close

We saw 2 kids the entire trip from MAW or GKTW, one had a MAW button on and the other GKTW. One boy was about 4 and we saw him in toontown, the other we walked past also at the MK. I so wanted to give the parents a big hug but thought they might think I was a bit nutty!

LOL If a random person had come up and just hugged us I probably would have thought they were nutty.........until they said they were from the DIS :)
 
So after our very early morning arrival to GKTW we were all so very tired. Steve was elected to attend Orientation while I was elected to wake the kids and get them ready for the day. :rolleyes1

Steve got back from orientation and none of us had moved. So plan B was for Steve to go pick up my mom and Brittany from POR and I was to wake the kids and get them ready for the day:thumbsup2

When they all got back we headed off to explore the village.
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First stop
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Madilynn loved this horse. She spent a good half hour rocking and talking to the lady there.
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I made the kids get something to eat before Ice Cream because we were headed to the park and I didn't want to hear "I'm Hungry" as we walked throught he gates.
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Finally it was time for some ICE CREAM
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Tough Decisions
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We took a few minutes to enjoy the sunshine while Steve went to check out a Camcorder.
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And we're off to Disney Hollywood Studios :cool1:
 
Oh man. We got to Epcot about 3pm. We at at Garden Grill:eek: and we saw the 6:45 showing of the Candlelight Vigil. We left at park close

LOL If a random person had come up and just hugged us I probably would have thought they were nutty.........until they said they were from the DIS :)

We probably left Epcot around 4:30 or so. I know we made it to MGM for the 5:30 showing of Indy. I really wish this would have been a planned trip and we could have met, atleast for a moment! I feel like I know you guys and all the wish kids so well and love keeping up with the families once the trip has passed to. They all touch my heart so much. The wish kids are so special, but the siblings are just as much so too and the parents. I know everyone must deal with so much!

I am loving the update and the ice cream palace pictures have me wanting ice cream! Since it is only a little after 9 am I should probably hold off for a while.
 
After a short drive we finally come upon…
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Ryan had been making fishy noises from the back and when we saw the sign he froze.
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We loved all the HUGE trees that were decorated all over.
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Our first ride was Star Tours. Ryan was a bit scared for a minute or so but once he knew what to expect he was fine. Everyone loved it.
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We walked up and down the streets of America. It was so funny, the little kids thought they had actually been from NY to CA in a matter of minutes LOL
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Trying to figure out which way we needed to go, we stumbled upon
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Mater is Brittany’s favorite Disney Character and Lightning is one of Ryan’s.
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Next up was the Back Lot Tour. I had no idea what a wait and how time consuming that would be. The kids loved watching the pre-show. Ryan thought the water catching fire was something else. This was the only ride/attraction that they didn’t let us bump on.
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We finally got onto a tram. I thought I had sat everyone appropriately. However……….
This:
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Turns to This:
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And causes This:
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Poor baby girl was so upset she had gotten wet. The rest of us were laughing. The boys had been sitting in front of Madilynn but fought for the other side when I said I thought the right side got wet. They were bummed they had moved.

Drew was walking right along when he got a surprise
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Ryan thought it was great fun and spent quite a bit of time there. He was soaked and so happy.
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We went down to ride Midway Mania but it was closed. Thankfully Buzz and Woody were just across the way. Ryan was in heaven. They were so good to him. They spent so much time interacting with him and all the other kids. He was in total awe of them. He’s my smiley boy but I’ve never seen his face so lit up. I can’t wait to see the photopass pictures. I was too busy watching him to remember to take pics myself.

Ryan absolutely loved these and wanted to take them all home. Thankfully he settled on a picture with them.
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Then we were off to see One Man’s Dream. It was a nice little show. Just long enough to rest our feet. It even kept the kids attention. The older boys are just at the age where history is exciting to them.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid was a must see. Ariel has always been Meagan’s favorite. It too was a nice little show. When we came out Steve took Ryan, Drew & Madilynn to get autographs from June and Quincy from Little Einsteins. They thought that was very cool too.

By now the older kids were ready for something “not 5-yr oldish” so we got in line for Tower of Terror. Zander was fussing he didn’t’ want to ride. Everyone else wanted to give it a try so I told Zander to suck it up. I had never ridden it before and I’m sure it will be quite sometime before I do again LOL I grabbed the poor kids arm that was sitting next to me (no he wasn’t related). So the rest of the ride I held my shirt so the poor kid wouldn’t have a huge bruise by the time the ride ended.
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Ryan & Madilynn absolutely hated the ride. They cried and cried when we got off. Everyone else thought it was good but only Meagan & Brittany thought it was good enough to ride again. Mom and I sat with the little two to calm them down and I bought our picture.
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Steve and the rest of the kids headed to Rocking Roller Coaster. I guess Zander started fussing at the last minute about riding it too but Steve once again told him to suck it up. They all LOVED the ride and rode more than once.

We all met and we were off to Christmas at GKTW
 
We were a little late getting back to the Village so we ran to join the festivities as soon as Steve had parked the van. There was a group there that was handing out presents to all the kids. Madilynn didn’t waste any time at all joining in on the dancing.
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The kids all got snow cones and then we were off to visit the Jolly Old Man himself.
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Afterwards the kids all got to pick a gift from GKTW. Thankfully Gramma has arms able to hold snow cones and gifts for half of the kids. We found a box to put the gifts in and Steve ran them to the van.

Meagan posed for a few pics to send home.
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Drew had his picture taken with Mayor Clayton & Miss Merry.
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Next was a quick stop by the cookie table. The gals there were so nice. One kept trying to convince Ryan to put more and more and more of EVERYTHING on his cookie. It was cute.
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We headed back to our villa and ordered pizza. The kids opened their gifts and we had a nice relaxing time.
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We all got a good laugh out of Meagan & Brittany's gifts (Girl age TEEN)
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At least now they had their own barbies to play with Madilynn.

I started the kids baths - they all wanted a turn at the jacuzzi. I was getting jammies and stuff ready while Steve ordered dinner and ran to get new camcorder batteries & discs from the Media Center. I sat on the couch for a minute when one of the kids mentioned that Drew was in the bath. I ran in - he was under the water seizing. My heart sank. How on earth could I have left him there. We don't allow baths at home for that very reason. I felt absolutely horrible. Thankfully he was ok. I finished washing him up and got him out. We waited a bit for the rest of the baths.

After pizza Steve drove Gramma & Brittany back to POR while I bathed the rest of the kids and got them tucked into bed.

Next up: US-IOA, MK-MVMCP
 
I started the kids baths - they all wanted a turn at the jacuzzi. I was getting jammies and stuff ready while Steve ordered dinner and ran to get new camcorder batteries & discs from the Media Center. I sat on the couch for a minute when one of the kids mentioned that Drew was in the bath. I ran in - he was under the water seizing. My heart sank. How on earth could I have left him there. We don't allow baths at home for that very reason. I felt absolutely horrible. Thankfully he was ok. I finished washing him up and got him out. We waited a bit for the rest of the baths.


OMG!!! I was hoping that the seizures wouldn't be too severe during the trip. YIKES!!! I would have lost my mind. Glad he was okay.
 
I swear, you just made MY heart stop beating for a second! I cannot imagine what yours did!

The girls barbies are super cute! Was Drew okay for the most part while there?
 
So after our very early morning arrival to GKTW we were all so very tired. Steve was elected to attend Orientation while I was elected to wake the kids and get them ready for the day. :rolleyes1

Steve got back from orientation and none of us had moved. So plan B was for Steve to go pick up my mom and Brittany from POR and I was to wake the kids and get them ready for the day:thumbsup2

When they all got back we headed off to explore the village.
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First stop
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Madilynn loved this horse. She spent a good half hour rocking and talking to the lady there.
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I made the kids get something to eat before Ice Cream because we were headed to the park and I didn't want to hear "I'm Hungry" as we walked throught he gates.
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Finally it was time for some ICE CREAM
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Tough Decisions
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We took a few minutes to enjoy the sunshine while Steve went to check out a Camcorder.
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And we're off to Disney Hollywood Studios :cool1:

Ha ha ha...I love plan A and B!! lol...

I would STILL be asleep!

And you got ICE CREAM FIRST!!!!! YEAH!!!! Well...food, then ice cream! But still!!!

Wow...there's more!!

Hollywood Studios sounds like fun! You guys got a LOT done!!!!! :) We didn't get that far in 2 days at DHS...but we are slow. :)

And the Christmas party looks like so much fun!!!! :woohoo:

I love the Barbies!


OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!! He had a seizure in the bathtub! Oh no! Gosh...Bless your heart!! :love: I bet you were terrified.
 
Loving your wish trip!!
Barbies are cute :)
Siezing in the bath OMG!!! I'll bet you nearly had a heart attack. So sorry that had to happen, I am wondering whether or not Drew got another bath for the rest of the visit.
Looking forward to reading more, love all the photos, keep up the good work!!

Oh and Zander??? Suck it up!!....LOL
 
OMG!!! I was hoping that the seizures wouldn't be too severe during the trip. YIKES!!! I would have lost my mind. Glad he was okay.
Thanks you. It was such a horrible moment. I was so angry with myself.

For the most part Drew's seizures were ok. He had 20-50/day. All but one day he did really well in the mornings and it was afternoon/evening that they would come one right after another. Thankfully his magnet stopped them all within a matter of seconds.

I swear, you just made MY heart stop beating for a second! I cannot imagine what yours did!

The girls barbies are super cute! Was Drew okay for the most part while there?
It was so incredibly scary.

We still get a kick out of the barbies :)
Drew was ok. He got tired (we all did) and some days his seizures were a lot higher than others but I was at peace. Even when the seizures came one right after another for a good half hour I knew we would be ok. He was cold and once we fixed that they would go away.
Ha ha ha...I love plan A and B!! lol...

I would STILL be asleep!

And you got ICE CREAM FIRST!!!!! YEAH!!!! Well...food, then ice cream! But still!!!
I don't think Steve was too happy we moved on to Plan B LOL

We were so tired though and I didn't want to start our first day off with grumpy kids.

We love the Ice Cream Palace

Wow...there's more!!

Hollywood Studios sounds like fun! You guys got a LOT done!!!!! :) We didn't get that far in 2 days at DHS...but we are slow. :)

And the Christmas party looks like so much fun!!!! :woohoo:

I love the Barbies!


OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!! He had a seizure in the bathtub! Oh no! Gosh...Bless your heart!! :love: I bet you were terrified.
The Christmas Party was one of the highlights for Madilynn. She loved dancing the night away. She just giggled and giggled the whole time. They make sure every little detail is covered at GKTW.

I still get a pit in my stomach when I think back to that night and the bathtub
Loving your wish trip!!
Barbies are cute :)
Siezing in the bath OMG!!! I'll bet you nearly had a heart attack. So sorry that had to happen, I am wondering whether or not Drew got another bath for the rest of the visit.
Looking forward to reading more, love all the photos, keep up the good work!!

Oh and Zander??? Suck it up!!....LOL

Thanks :)

Barbies are cute.

Yes, Drew did get another Jacuzzi. Momma was just smarter this time and sat on the side of the tub until he was done.

And Yup, Zander had to Suck it up a few times this trip LOL
 
Ah, seeing the pictures brings back such wonderful memories! I can't wait to hear more about it!

Carol
Thanks! I can't wait to read more reports either. It's like a piece of your heart is still at GKTW. I wish we didn't live so far away. We all need a place like that to easy our heavy hearts
We probably left Epcot around 4:30 or so. I know we made it to MGM for the 5:30 showing of Indy. I really wish this would have been a planned trip and we could have met, atleast for a moment!

I am loving the update and the ice cream palace pictures have me wanting ice cream! Since it is only a little after 9 am I should probably hold off for a while.

Thanks Jessica. I wish it had been a planned trip too. Someday I hope to meet some of you Big Give Angels.

I'm sure the GKTW standards apply to our DIS friends too -- It's never to early for Ice Cream :banana:
 








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