Grumpy and his wife and possibly the DIS Food Porn Queen are going to Disney

[KatMark]

Happy Monday morning, Kathy! Bless his heart - only someone with a Disney heart could ump in drizzle!!

Hope everyone is having a good Monday!

Good morning, Christine. Yes, the man may be "short" in height, but he has a HUGE Disney heart.

Morning, Ladies! I haven't seen you in a while, Christine.

Glad that there's a big Disney heart that enjoys a few spins on Dumbo yet. Somehow it makes umping in the rain all worth it, doesn't it??

A Disney trip would NOT be complete without a ride on Dumbo (let me tell you, if we found out ahead of time that Dumbo was going to be shut down, I'm 99.9% sure the man would make me change our dates ).

Umping in the rain and getting banged up. The man with the big heart covered for someone who had to back out at the last mintue and he did a 3rd grader game. Okay, Mark LOVES kids, but doing a third grader game with kids who have no idea how to be a "catcher" was brutal for him -- a huge black and blue mark on his thigh. Poor baby.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey Kathy,

I'm back and all caught up. I had to say that I love the picture of you two kissing in front of the fountain. Too cute for words!

 

[KatMark]

Hey Kathy,

I'm back and all caught up. I had to say that I love the picture of you two kissing in front of the fountain. Too cute for words!

Hi, Lisa. I saw on your PTR that you were back (and I reported there that we've missed you ).

Thanks...I look at that picture and I think, good Lord, my husband is not really into this.

 

[Stefy]

DTD after Epcot, not a bad idea to finish off the day with some shopping

Great photos of your sons, you must be so proud of them

 

[SoonerGirl]

Umping in the rain and getting banged up. The man with the big heart covered for someone who had to back out at the last mintue and he did a 3rd grader game. Okay, Mark LOVES kids, but doing a third grader game with kids who have no idea how to be a "catcher" was brutal for him -- a huge black and blue mark on his thigh. Poor baby.

Hey now my 3rd grader (going to be 4th grader) lets very few balls get past him, he's a very good little catcher! His coach was a catcher in college, so he's got a good teacher. Of course, I have seen many in rec leagues (and some who play competitively too) who are not so good, so I do feel for Mark - it can't be much fun to be in defensive mode the whole time trying to avoid getting hit with the ball.

 

[KatMark]

DTD after Epcot, not a bad idea to finish off the day with some shopping

Great photos of your sons, you must be so proud of them

Hi, Stefy. Yes, shopping is always fun -- as you know.

Yes, we are very proud of both boys.

Hey now my 3rd grader (going to be 4th grader) lets very few balls get past him, he's a very good little catcher! His coach was a catcher in college, so he's got a good teacher. Of course, I have seen many in rec leagues (and some who play competitively too) who are not so good, so I do feel for Mark - it can't be much fun to be in defensive mode the whole time trying to avoid getting hit with the ball.

Hi, Michelle. I'm sorry...no offense to your son. These are the "in house" games he does with third graders that really don't have a clue. Unfortunately, the in house program here has gone downhill the last five or six years. Andy was a catcher and, although I remember a few getting by him, he took to the position really quick.

 

[that's nice]

Howdy stranger!!!!!

I have a few minutes so I'm just stopping by to say hi and to wish you and your Blackhawks luck in game 6!

Miss you guys!

 

[KatMark]

Well, I promised an update tonight for our last afternoon at Disney before heading off to Marco Island. I wasn't going to do it because I'm suffering the blues today. My best male friend is undergoing a procedure tomorrow to have a very large lump removed from his lower back. I am very worried about him as he had cancer about four or five years ago and underwent chemo, many lump removals, etc. But perhaps by doing my update, it will keep my mind occupied. So here goes.

We will have our last meal at the place that has now become a tradition for us for our last meal either before we head to the airport or to the beach (obviously, this time it is on the way to Marco Island this year):

We love everything about this restaurant. After all the "heavy" meals we've eaten all week, we like to end our trip on a nice, simple meal. And the food here is very good (I truly think the Plaza has the BEST french fries in all of Disney) and the desserts are simply .

Here are a couple of tempting pics from the end of last year's trip.

(this was one of my favorite photos last year)

I timed this meal so that when we are done, we should be exiting the restaurant just about the time the parade comes by so I can take a few pictures:

Up next, saying goodbye to Disney World.

 

[KatMark]

Howdy stranger!!!!!

I have a few minutes so I'm just stopping by to say hi and to wish you and your Blackhawks luck in game 6!

Miss you guys!

Thanks, Tim. I miss you too (as I said on your thread). Last night's game was awesome. I hope we can hold on to that intensity going back to Philly.

 

[KatMark]

Although it is always hard to say goodbye to Disney, this time it will be a little easier as we will be going to see good friends that we have met here on the DIS. We are so looking forward to spending quality time with Nicki and Todd.

And just before we see this as we exit the MK

we will do what has now become a new tradition for me. As those of you who have been with me the last 22 months know, I lost my dad after a long illness a week before our 25th anniversary trip in 2008 (anyone who wants a little history, can read my trip report from that trip and on the first page is a little bit about that trip:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1952195&highlight=yet+another+spectacular

Dad ALWAYS bought Andy and Mark balloons whenever he was on an outing with us -- be it Disney (which he was only able to do twice, once with each of the boys), the zoo, Great America, Kiddieland, the park, wherever. So in memory of my dad, I have decided that just before we leave the MK on our final day, that I will buy a balloon and present it to a child to put a little extra "magic" in their trip. It was very difficult the first year (Mark had to do most of the talking); last year it was a tad easier and, although there were tears, I was able to do it without sobbing. I think this is something that my dad probably smiles down on when I do it. I would have liked to have ended the "Disney portion" of my PTR with a picture of a balloon, but it is one of the few things I don't have a picture of.

Okay, I'll start with our drive to Marco Island in the next day or two. Thanks for sticking with me.


***Since I didn't have a picture of a balloon, I thought this was the next best thing. Wrestlers have this thing about tattoos. Markie got his first one during his spring break trip (with my permission) on his back in 2008. I told him at that time it would be the ONLY one. When we got back from our 25th anniversary trip, Markie came home the next weekend (I don't remember why). He said to me, "Mom, I got another tattoo." I just gave him one of MY looks. He said, "don't me mad until you see it." My boys for some reason or other (I never knew why), called my Dad "Putz." Mark had this done while at school while we were gone as a tribute to my dad/his grandpa:

Now, how could I possibly get mad about that?

 

[KathyRN137]

Dad ALWAYS bought Andy and Mark balloons whenever he was on an outing with us -- be it Disney (which he was only able to do twice, once with each of the boys), the zoo, Great America, Kiddieland, the park, wherever. So in memory of my dad, I have decided that just before we leave the MK on our final day, that I will buy a balloon and present it to a child to put a little extra "magic" in their trip....I think this is something that my dad probably smiles down on when I do it.

Kathy, I think that is a beautiful tradition. I just know it makes your Dad smile!


Kathy

 

[MEK]

I missed so many great updates over the weekend - busy, busy, busy. I could hardly stay caught up with my TR.

I love your pictorial pre-trip plans. Just perfect. I love the picture of you and DH kissing in France. I think that is my favorite!

I think its great that both your boys are coaching youth teams. That is so awesome and such a rewarding way to give back to the community. My younger son already told me he wants to be a soccer coach. Your boys are both very handsome. You must be proud.

I can't wait to see pics of Marco Island. I know they are coming!

 

[tinacaplan]

That was a very moving update, Kathy. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hi, Michelle. I'm sorry...no offense to your son. These are the "in house" games he does with third graders that really don't have a clue. Unfortunately, the in house program here has gone downhill the last five or six years. Andy was a catcher and, although I remember a few getting by him, he took to the position really quick.

I wasn't offended Kathy, I was just playin' - I should have put a smilie in my post to convey that, sometimes I forget that things don't necessarily read how I'm thinking it when I type!

The Plaza looks like someplace I need to try - looks great for a light lunch!

Your new tradition to honor your dad is beautiful, I'm sure it makes him very happy

 

[All7OfUs]

Just a quick, last minute good-bye before we head out on vacation. I'll be back to catch up in a couple weeks! Love ya!

 

[KatMark]

Kathy, I think that is a beautiful tradition. I just know it makes your Dad smile!


Kathy

Thank you, Kathy.

I missed so many great updates over the weekend - busy, busy, busy. I could hardly stay caught up with my TR.

I love your pictorial pre-trip plans. Just perfect. I love the picture of you and DH kissing in France. I think that is my favorite!

I think its great that both your boys are coaching youth teams. That is so awesome and such a rewarding way to give back to the community. My younger son already told me he wants to be a soccer coach. Your boys are both very handsome. You must be proud.

I can't wait to see pics of Marco Island. I know they are coming!

Thanks, Mary Ellen. By both the boys coaching, it keeps them involved in the sports they love and helps the community. Thank you for saying they are handsome.

Yes, I promise Marco Island pictures will be forthcoming in the next couple of days.

That was a very moving update, Kathy. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you, Tina.

I wasn't offended Kathy, I was just playin' - I should have put a smilie in my post to convey that, sometimes I forget that things don't necessarily read how I'm thinking it when I type!

The Plaza looks like someplace I need to try - looks great for a light lunch!

Your new tradition to honor your dad is beautiful, I'm sure it makes him very happy

I knew you weren't offended. I just wanted to clarify that not all 3rd graders can't play the catcher position (with my luck from previous experience there WOULD be that one person who was offended.

You really ought to try the Plaza. It is cheap enough to pay out of pocket, but we always use the dining plan (we don't use the dining plan for "the best buck, but what we like, enjoy and where we get good service).

Thank you; I think my dad is very happy too.

Just a quick, last minute good-bye before we head out on vacation. I'll be back to catch up in a couple weeks! Love ya!

Liesa, you are such a sweetie to stop and say goodbye before your trip. I'm going to miss you. SAFE journey and a wonderful trip. Love ya right back!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Kathy, I loved your update. I got a bit teary though, but in a good way. That's such a nice tradition that you have.

 

[MHTeacher]

Hope your friend's procedure goes well.

I think that your tradition with the balloon is a beautiful way to honor your dad's memory!

Enjoy your trip to the Marco Island!

 

[KatMark]

Kathy, I loved your update. I got a bit teary though, but in a good way. That's such a nice tradition that you have.

Thank you. The first year was really difficult; poor Mark had to explain to the family we chose what we were doing because I was crying so hard that I couldn't even talk; last year was a little easier--still some tears becasue I still miss my dad, but it was easier and I was able to do it on my own last time.

Hope your friend's procedure goes well.

I think that your tradition with the balloon is a beautiful way to honor your dad's memory!

Enjoy your trip to the Marco Island!

Thank you; I'm hoping it goes well for him too and that it is good news.

Thanks; Dad loved giving the boys balloons.

Marco Island pics in a day or two.

 

[deslynnpatterson]

hey Kathy! I am just catching up on your PTR i have been away from the boards for a week or so life has became so busy! The food at the plaza looks very good! We are trying it the first time this year-- and i totally agree with the having a light meal for a change. But the end of the week i actually get sick of eating Can't wait to hear about your Marco Island