From Pop to the Top - Funtastic Adventures in the Summer Sun!

[Happydog]

Hey MeMom and Jill! Welcome back, hope you had a great time! Thanks for the sneak peek! looks like you had a great time!!
Looking forward to the rest of your summer trip and of course the next TR! We leave for Disneyland on friday!

 

[MeMom]

That was so sweet of Jill. Thanks for the DHS pictures because we didn't make it there on our short trip either. The boys opted to visit Animal Kingdom a second day instead of DHS. Which made me very happy because AK is my absolute favorite park. Even more so now since I braved EE and enjoyed it.

Brooklynn had said she wanted to ride Tower of 'Tara' when we went, so Jill said she might run in and do that with her one of the first two days when their passes were still good, but it just never worked out. Brooklynn didn't mention it, even though we went to Hollywood to change buses once, so all was well. We'll do it in March, for sure, because that's one of our friend's favorite rides. We do it twice when she is with us - she goes twice and Jil and I switch up riding and baby holding.

I'm with you on Animal Kingdom. It's different every time because of the animals not being scripted. I'm not much on EE, though, but if Kay decides she wants to do that in March, I will do it one final time.

I like this one.

Thanks. Next time I'll get one of our group to sit on that bench and make some kind of innocent gesture, not knowing the evil that lurks behind them.

At the workshop and I can get on the DIS!

Saturday workshop - YUCK!

So sweet of Jill!!! I love that tin!

She's a good one.

Jill is so good to her Momma! I love the shot of the cauldron too.

She is. She is a very thoughtful young lady, not only to me, but jus in general. She's always doing nice little things for people.

Aw, that is a cute tin. JIll is such a sweet daughter. Love that story.

Not only the tin, but the bag to have room for it. So sweet!

Awww, so sweet of Jill to surprise you like that.

I should have a bunch of daughters...

Love the tin! How nice of Jill to surprise you like that.

I have to decide how I want to use it now. I could easily use it at school, but it might get 'battered' a lot quicker. I'm still thinking about it.

It was very nice of her.

Just got home and can finally see pictures of the tin that Jill got for you. So cute! She is such a sweet daughter! Enjoy those cookies! I can't wait to see how you use the special happy tin!

I know I am going to use it in a way that I see it often. I think it's so cool because it has the characters and the attractions.

I love the pics of DHS. Your tin is absolutely adorable! Jill is so sweet to get it for you. It makes me want to leave now! I am enjoying some quiet time at home. My boys are at their Mimi's house and Jason is at the UT game. The stillness is wonderful. Keep the pics coming!

We just got back, and I'm ready to leave again. I wish we had a holiday trip coming, but we'll make it through until March by bringing a little Disney into the holidays.

I love your photos, Memom!
A little dose of Disney just makes me smile!

I love looking at everybody's pictures all the time. It's fun to see the different angles and the interesting things people take pictures of. I'm glad you enjoy ours.

Aww Jill is so sweet and thoughtful It's a cute tin!

She is very thoughtful. It is one of her ongoing traits.

Aw, that is so sweet of Jill!!! She is very thoughtful and a sweet gal!

I love seeing pics of the villains at the store in DHS. But, I have to admit, everytime I see Malificent I always think of a certain friend named DAWN

I think of my friend at school whenever I'm in that shop, because she's all about the villains.

that's jedi mickey. i got one for ray when i was there without him in september 2007.


great picture!

Okay, thanks for the help. If I ever have grandsons, maybe I will learn more about the Star Wars characters - and we can have a Disney Star Wars party.

Hey MeMom and Jill! Welcome back, hope you had a great time! Thanks for the sneak peek! looks like you had a great time!!
Looking forward to the rest of your summer trip and of course the next TR! We leave for Disneyland on friday!

The October report won't take that long. I didn't take many pictures, to be honest. I feel like I take the same things often, so I didn't take many 'touristy' ones. Plus, with hanging out with Trent, there was a lot of time that we weren't even in the parks. I ended up with 800 and something. Even Jill was surprised when she loaded them on her computer.


*******************************

Earlier, I couldn't remember who went where, but by these pictures, I see that everyone was still in the park, which means I had Bella and the stroller while they were riding this.

Gift shop pictures.

Brooklynn's opinion of the ride.

She later said she liked the ride, but she didn't like the ghosts.


That's it for this morning. I have one more small bunch of gift shop pictures that are from the Animation Courtyard shops, and then a bus picture, so we all left the park together. That'll do it for what I have, but Jill will have more coming, because that day was Wigd's birthday, and we went to hang out with her and her beau later that evening.

 

[reelmom]

Yay for Brooklynn riding Tower of Tara. ToT and RRC are the only rides we have not conquered. Since Evan is becoming a speed freak like Ethan, I see that changing. Evan used to be my ticket out of riding the big rides but that has now changed.

 

[micandminforever]

Once again I love the shopping pictures. The TOT picture was great Brooklynn has truly become a thrill seeker. When she is able to ride Everest you will need to ride with her.

 

[Poolrat]

Star Tours is one of my favorites, too, and I am so excited to see what they are going to do to improve it! We may have to go in May just to see.

Here is an update from the blog about Start Tours. I am so glad my DS got to "close it down" and get his final rides on it. He has some great memorires of that from being able to walk around the hallway to return to the queue to taking pictures for the Cm who was working his last day at the attraction.

Star tours update


Jill you are the best DD a Memom could have. That tin will hold many memories for years to come however you choose to use it.

Brooklyn is a brave one,trying so many new rides. Did you have to bribe her with quarters to do it?

 

[999ghostslover]

Abby is super excited to ride RnRC but is terrified to ride this. I really hope I can change her mind. She gets a pin each trip of her bravest venture so we will see.

 

[daisylove]

I have been doing some brainstorming. I looked at the end of February and the first few days of March, and flights are $122, and on top of that, Disney World is offering free dining. I'm going to talk to Jill and see if she might want to/be able to go during those dates. Then we would just all renew our AP's on next summer's trips. We'll see what she says and if our friend can get off at that time, too. That might be an option, although I would have to 'skip' school for three days.



Oooh I hope that works out case thats when my family will be there too!! 2/25-3/3.
The princess marathon weekend is that weekend so I am doing the 5k with some girlfriends on the 26th and the very last space shuttle launch is the 27th so we will run over closer to the Cape to see it. But if you climb up the treehouse at MK and stand in front of the bedroom facing space mountain you can see the launch as well. Then a couple of days to recover. :0)

We are going for a christmas trip this year. First one at christmas since DS was born so it should be extra special. I will supplement your trip waiting time with pictures. :0)

So glad kitty is better!

 

[burly]

Whew! All caught up . Finally.
Went to WDW myself with my sister. Great trip.
Then home, to lots of working, and catching up in my house. Then computer virus, so no dis. Then you went on a trip, with kitty's woes before leaving.
but i finished it all and i am caught up! It took 45 minutes and 2 cups of tea!
Great report as always, happy the kitty is better!
KIM

 

[DWGal210]

How very sweet of Jill to get you that tin! And it IS very cute!! What a sweet lady.

I love Brooklyn's facial expressions.... That kid is hilarious!!

Happy Sunday!

 

[micandminforever]

I have been doing some brainstorming. I looked at the end of February and the first few days of March, and flights are $122, and on top of that, Disney World is offering free dining. I'm going to talk to Jill and see if she might want to/be able to go during those dates. Then we would just all renew our AP's on next summer's trips. We'll see what she says and if our friend can get off at that time, too. That might be an option, although I would have to 'skip' school for three days.

I love this idea my next trip is end of Feb. first of March, we could have our next Dis meet at Disney World.

 

[tinkgurl]

Aw..she is still a big girl for riding ToT!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I can't believe you just made a terrible day a little brighter... thank you.

I had to make a tuff decision not to go to Disney for New Year's this year.
We have had a really hard time with staffing issues at work lately.

I'm down to myself and another girl for closings. Another manager is coming over to help but that's only temporary.

I can't take time off when there's not someone to replace me.

So....to my surprize....you may be going the same time as us.....we are thinking about going first week of March.......could it really be ..... that we will actually meet .... a dream of mine!

If my vote counted I would say "CHANGE YOUR DATES"

I was so bummed about cancelling, I had everything planned and we were looking so forward to it.

I even picked out new luggage. (which i'm still getting )

It's my DMom's bday that week so the F&G festval will be a perfect gift for her.
I was able to get all the same ADR's but I added Coral Reef instead of Kona.

The weather should be a bit warmer, so that's a plus.

Who knew coming on the DIS would be able to get me out of my funk.

I love all the shopping pics.
I wanted that tin...you lucky lady! You have one amazing daughter for sure!
Do you have pics of that duffle bag?

The baby gorilla is adorable.
I only have a pic of her peeking around her momma's side.
So cute!

I was wondering who this new "cow friend" of Brooklynn's is ....he was so lucky to get to go to WDW!

 

[MeMom]

Yay for Brooklynn riding Tower of Tara. ToT and RRC are the only rides we have not conquered. Since Evan is becoming a speed freak like Ethan, I see that changing. Evan used to be my ticket out of riding the big rides but that has now changed.

Other than the initial being in the elevator, I like that ride. I am always happy when the doors open up.
I guess you have two options: be brave and ride, or have another baby.

Once again I love the shopping pictures. The TOT picture was great Brooklynn has truly become a thrill seeker. When she is able to ride Everest you will need to ride with her.

Eeeewww! I guess I will do it if she asks me to, but maybe she won't ask too often.

Here is an update from the blog about Start Tours. I am so glad my DS got to "close it down" and get his final rides on it. He has some great memorires of that from being able to walk around the hallway to return to the queue to taking pictures for the Cm who was working his last day at the attraction.



Jill you are the best DD a Memom could have. That tin will hold many memories for years to come however you choose to use it.

Brooklyn is a brave one,trying so many new rides. Did you have to bribe her with quarters to do it?

I think she might have gotten a quarter for ToT the first time.

It'll be fun to ride the new Start Tours.

Abby is super excited to ride RnRC but is terrified to ride this. I really hope I can change her mind. She gets a pin each trip of her bravest venture so we will see.

Brooklynn gets a pin for each of her new rides, too. She's building up quite a collection.

RnRC is one that hurts my neck now. I had a wreck (got hot and spun into a telephone pole) a few years back. After that, I have ridden twice, and both times the take off hurt my neck, so I think maybe I am done with that ride. Who knows, though? I'm pretty much game for anything in Disney World...except Mission Space.

Oooh I hope that works out case thats when my family will be there too!! 2/25-3/3.
The princess marathon weekend is that weekend so I am doing the 5k with some girlfriends on the 26th and the very last space shuttle launch is the 27th so we will run over closer to the Cape to see it. But if you climb up the treehouse at MK and stand in front of the bedroom facing space mountain you can see the launch as well. Then a couple of days to recover.

We are going for a christmas trip this year. First one at christmas since DS was born so it should be extra special. I will supplement your trip waiting time with pictures.

So glad kitty is better!

I watched Apollo 11 go to the moon from somewhere along the road over toward the Cape. Wonder how crowded that treehouse might get?

I will be happy to get many. many Christmas pictures!

As soon as Jill does all the money crunching, we'll make a decision on the dates, but this sounds like a good plan.

Whew! All caught up . Finally.
Went to WDW myself with my sister. Great trip.
Then home, to lots of working, and catching up in my house. Then computer virus, so no dis. Then you went on a trip, with kitty's woes before leaving.
but i finished it all and i am caught up! It took 45 minutes and 2 cups of tea!
Great report as always, happy the kitty is better!
KIM

Glad you're back 'home'.

The cat still seems a little slow in his back legs, like he has arthritis or something, but other than that, he's back to pretty much normal. He's not 'talking' as much, though.

How very sweet of Jill to get you that tin! And it IS very cute!! What a sweet lady.

I love Brooklyn's facial expressions.... That kid is hilarious!!

Happy Sunday!

She's a mess. She was singing to me on the phone last night. I was jsut laughing. I wanted to jump through the phone and give her a big old smooch on that silly face!

Jill is a sweetheart, no doubt.

I love this idea my next trip is end of Feb. first of March, we could have our next Dis meet at Disney World.

Sounds like there could be a growing meet in the works.

Aw..she is still a big girl for riding ToT!

I want to ride it with her sometime. Maybe in March or maybe in the summer - whenever she's really ready to go again.

I can't believe you just made a terrible day a little brighter... thank you.

I had to make a tuff decision not to go to Disney for New Year's this year.
We have had a really hard time with staffing issues at work lately.

I'm down to myself and another girl for closings. Another manager is coming over to help but that's only temporary.

I can't take time off when there's not someone to replace me.

So....to my surprize....you may be going the same time as us.....we are thinking about going first week of March.......could it really be ..... that we will actually meet .... a dream of mine!

If my vote counted I would say "CHANGE YOUR DATES"

I was so bummed about cancelling, I had everything planned and we were looking so forward to it.

I even picked out new luggage. (which i'm still getting )

It's my DMom's bday that week so the F&G festval will be a perfect gift for her.
I was able to get all the same ADR's but I added Coral Reef instead of Kona.

The weather should be a bit warmer, so that's a plus.

Who knew coming on the DIS would be able to get me out of my funk.

I love all the shopping pics.
I wanted that tin...you lucky lady! You have one amazing daughter for sure!
Do you have pics of that duffle bag?

The baby gorilla is adorable.
I only have a pic of her peeking around her momma's side.
So cute!

I was wondering who this new "cow friend" of Brooklynn's is ....he was so lucky to get to go to WDW!

Our last day would be opening day of Flower & Garden, so we could go over there that morning and see the festivities for that.

Brooklynn's cow friend is Lola, the traveling cow from school. Each child takes her for a week and then journals their actitivies. This was Lola's first flight and first trip to Disney World, and she did very well.

Jill hasn't taken a picture of her souvenirs yet, so maybe she'll do that and get a picture of the bag, too, since she got one, as well. Her souvenirs are more exciting than mine, although I did get Potato Head parts this time.

Cancelling is a bummer, but really you are just postponing a few weeks, so that's not so painful. Hope it works out that all of us on the report who have mentioned it can be there at the same time. We'll have to meet up for a milkshake, conversation, and pictures.


********************************

Drew's birthday was yesterday. He was 22. I remember waiting by the phone, wishing it to ring and have the social worker on the other end of the line tell me it was time to go and get that sweet baby boy. He was a jolly little chunky baby when he arrived on April 12, 1989. As he became a member of our family, I truly believed there was not another baby on Earth so loved as that one. Isn't that the way all mommies feel? He was an easy, easy baby, a stutterer in speech, slow and deliberate in movement. He has never had it easy in learning new things, even when little. He could draw at an early age - his drawings had detail. A fishing pole was not just a stick, but it had the little round things on it that the line feeds through.

As he grew, books and words made him break out in fear, but he was an excellent roller blader and bike rider and soccer player. He was one of the messiest kids alive, and forgetful. In time, he was tested and diagnosed as ADD - no hyperactivity, though. He struggled his way through high school. Lucky for me, he wanted to go to school for the social life, because had he not had a social life, he could have easily been a dropout. We deem Drew a man of few words at home, and have learned to distinguish his grunts and snickers, but at school, he was voted in the Senior Superlatives as Most Talkative. Jill cracked up when she heard that, and Trent just shook his head and grinned. I bet the kids loved his talking and the teachers did not. He was friends with kids from all walks, and I am proud of him for that. He hasn't been the easiest kid to raise, and he has been responsible for some tears and some fears in me, but he has taught me many things, and he has brought me closer to God than ever a few times, which is a good thing. He has made me a more compassionate teacher. Had I only had Jill and Trent, who breezed through everything and excelled, I would think that all children should do the same. With Drew, I did all the extra behind the scenes studying and memorizing and watching the wheels in his mind try to recall what I had just told him. Having him makes me truly understand what many of my students go through.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Drew, my youngest and most challenging. I love you forever and always and wish you the very best life has to offer you and all of your talents.

 

[stace208]

I would like to have stayed until Thursday and then had a few days to rest up at home before going back to school. That's what my plan is for the March trip. As it was this time, I could have done that and stayed over at Pop with Brooklynn a couple more nights with Brandy and the boys, but I would have felt bad that Jill had to miss out on that. Plus, this was a budget trip all along. By March, things should be looking a bit better in that department, and Jill won't be missing out on time with our cousins, so I won't feel bad about staying until Thursday. She can travel back with Bella alone very easily on Tuesday, and I'll bring Brooklynn back on Thursday. At least that is what I have as Plan A. If Jill is able to stay until Wednesday night by some chance, then we'll probably all just come back together then.

I hope that Jill is able to stay the whole time. But, if not, I know that spending alone time with Brooklyn would be fantastic and something that she would remember forever. My parents were older when they had me and so my grandparents were either deceased or elderly when I was growing up. My sisters have such great memories of doing stuff with them that I never got to experience.

I enjoyed the sneak peek of the fall trip. After I saw them a plan hatched in my head. This coming March is my 40th birthday and we were planning a trip during spring break (Disney was one of the options but we were checking lots of things out...) I suggested to John that instead of going spring break week (our break is right around Easter and prices everywhere are sky high!), that we head to Disney next October for some fall fun. I paused, waiting for the initial "uh, no" and was shocked to get a "Yea, I think that would be lots of fun!) It will be a super short trip and the kids and I will have to "skip" two days of school but it will be fun and a time of year we've never been. I thought we would have to pay to stay at a hotel but points are so low at that time of year that there are several places we can stay with the points we have left over from summer. Score!!

Brooklyn was brave to ride ToT. Ellie tried RnRC (thumbs down) but wouldn't even think about going on ToT. She says the music is TOO scary!

I love that tin!! I've never even seen it. You and Jill are so blessed to have each other to love and spoil!

 

[MeMom]

When church let out today, I looked into a beautiful blue sky and decided that I would ride over to the Nashville Zoo to go to the gift shop and see what kind of rainforest things they had. Drew was home, so I asked him if he wanted to go on a photo shoot, and he was up for it. We had fun just walking at a slow pace taking pictures. It of course reminded me of Animal Kingdom, and I am thinking I might just get a yearly pass to it and go over there a few times a year just to walk around in between Disney visits. They have done a lot of work to the zoo in the last couple of years.

So, if you're interested in an autumn afternoon trip to the Nashville Zoo, come along.

As we neared the entrance, we could see that the zoo had been invaded by ghosts.

I told Drew he might be interested in one of the photography classes they have there.

First up, macaws.

Meerkats.

In here are all kinds of reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

I especially wanted pictures of the emerald tree boa and the blue posion arrow frog for my rainforest unit.

I am hoping Drew's pictures are better.

Do you see the huge anaconda in the water?

My favorite photographer.

Big fish.

Green and black poison frog.

Spotted ray.

This is a scary looking dude!

Throughout the park walkways, there was Halloween humor for us to read.

I told Jill we'll have to bring the girls here next year for the special activities.

 

[MeMom]

We then took the jungle path.

More Halloween hilarity.

On to Alligator Cove.

I'm just kind of rushing through these. I had 126 pictures.

Red panda.

Clouded leopard.

Ring-tailed lemur.

Do you know what this is?

We didn't either.
It's a

Cougar.

Tapir.

Over toward

I sent Jill a picture from here.

She later asked me where I was, and I told her I had gone back to Animal Kingdom.
She said she wouldn't put it past me.

Tennessee fall.

Our summer camp kids loved playing on this playground.

Pretty flowers as we neared the lorikeets.

Lorikeets.

Next up: the savannah.

 

[MeMom]

I was feeling the Animal Kingdom vibes, for sure.

Jackie, you have friends in Tennessee!

The carousel in front of pretty trees.

Gift shop stuff.

More Halloween decorations.

Flora and fauna.

These leaves are huge - like a foot or so long.

Gibbons.

A reason to love Tennessee in October.

Some of my purchases that my students are going to love!

The car and the Pez belong to Bella and Brooklynn.

I took the pictures in Trent's room, so I snapped a picture of some of his trophies.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Any time you guys want to head this way for a zoo meet, give us a call!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Aw, poor Brookie and her expression on ToT. What a big girl for giving it a try!! I love that mug in the giftshop. I've eyed that a couple times so maybe will pick it up next time.

You had me tearing up when you wrote about Drew. I completely know the feeling. I have two kiddos with learning disabilities; one with ADD like Drew and then Michael has Autism. It's such a tough road and really can bring you closer to God. Drew is extremely blessed to have such a loving family, just as you all are blessed with him.

Glad you two had fun at the zoo. Cute purchases MeMom!

 

[Cat0727]

Happy Birthday to Drew! It looks like you guys had a nice time at the zoo today

Aww Brooklynn on ToT; she's so brave! That's a great ride photo! I love how Tanya's looking over to the other aisle to see how Brookylnn's doing

 

[MeMom]

Aw, poor Brookie and her expression on ToT. What a big girl for giving it a try!! I love that mug in the giftshop. I've eyed that a couple times so maybe will pick it up next time.

You had me tearing up when you wrote about Drew. I completely know the feeling. I have two kiddos with learning disabilities; one with ADD like Drew and then Michael has Autism. It's such a tough road and really can bring you closer to God. Drew is extremely blessed to have such a loving family, just as you all are blessed with him.

Glad you two had fun at the zoo. Cute purchases MeMom!

That mug would be one Drew would like, too. I almost always bring him a mug or cup of some kind back, because he uses them. All he got this time was a Mickey krispy treat. He got a nice O'Neill t-shirt from the summer trip that he wears a lot.

The system gives each regular teacher a little money each year to use for the classroom. It goes fast, but it is fun to spend someone else's money.

It's been a rough road at times with and for Drew, but we seem to be on a better path. I treasure good times with him like I had today.

Happy Birthday to Drew! It looks like you guys had a nice time at the zoo today

Aww Brooklynn on ToT; she's so brave! That's a great ride photo! I love how Tanya's looking over to the other aisle to see how Brookylnn's doing

We did. We both like taking pictures, so we don't mind waiting on the other, and we don't feel like we're holding anyone back. I really like seeing him in his element.

I noticed that, too. I wonder why Trent and Tanya are right next to the others. Trent probably picked up the people they're with. He has a habit of picking up strangers and inviting them into the family for different rides.


*******************************

Jarvis came by tonight to get his Disney treat, which Trent had picked out at Goofy's Candy Company Monday night. He was excited about it. He said his mom is doing okay for the moment. She had a rough time and they almost lost her - they were to the point where the doctor was telling them to discuss life support options - but they finally had a break-through and she's doing better at this time.

It was good to see him again, since I rarely do any more. He was talking about the summer trip, and he says he hopes to be able to come along and maybe even get his girlfriend to come, as well. We'll keep our fingers crossed for that. The more, the merrier! He says he thinks the Fourth of July week will work better for him, so I guess we will try to plan our trip for that week again. John has just changed jobs, so hopefully that works for him, too. Jill should be able to get whatever week she wants, and I know I won't have school or church camp that week, so most of us are safe in planning for that week. I've got to look and see what day the 4th falls on next year.

To see some of Drew's pictures, go to my Facebook page.