~He didn't drink the Kool Aid.. He bathed in it!August TR~12/13 PG45 The End

[Disneyfreak616]

What a great lunch! I realllyyy want to try the Plaza someday! I want a milkshake now haha.

Ugh that is so scary! It doesn't even look real! I would have jumped too when I saw him.

Sorry you were feeling sick after CoP. But I LOVE your pics of Main Street and Caitlin's Castle. LOL. The one with the balloons is awesome!

Awww that pic with Mickey and Minnie is adorable. What a cute idea!

Can't wait to hear about the Flag Ceremony!!!!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

What a great lunch! I realllyyy want to try the Plaza someday! I want a milkshake now haha.

Ugh that is so scary! It doesn't even look real! I would have jumped too when I saw him.

Sorry you were feeling sick after CoP. But I LOVE your pics of Main Street and Caitlin's Castle. LOL. The one with the balloons is awesome!

Awww that pic with Mickey and Minnie is adorable. What a cute idea!

Can't wait to hear about the Flag Ceremony!!!!

You definitely need to try it! It is such a fun place!

Yeah it was crazy! I really wish I had taken a picture of the real kid!

I started feeling better after but I was surprised the turning of the room made me feel sick! Thank you! I love those pictures too!

Thank you! It is definitely my favorite pic!

Coming up soon!

 

[Aussiesalad]

Yum that milkshake looks amazing!!!
And the photo of you two sharing it is priceless! Awwwhh
You guys look really good together!

Oh creepy children...why must you ruin our photos?

That picture with Minnie and Mickey is so adorable! I Love it!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Yum that milkshake looks amazing!!!
And the photo of you two sharing it is priceless! Awwwhh
You guys look really good together!

Oh creepy children...why must you ruin our photos?

That picture with Minnie and Mickey is so adorable! I Love it!

It was!

Aw thank you!

I really wish I had gotten a picture of the actual kid!

Thank you! I love that pic!

 

[marDgreen88]

Hello! I am finally all up to date with your TR and I finally gathered enough courage to start posting on the boards. Your trip seems amazing so far! I mean being at Disney is amazing in itself, but getting proposed to in the castle (I guess I should say Caitlin's Castle ) is like COMPLETELY awesome. What a dream come true. Yall make such a cute couple and it looks like you had a great morning to go along with your engagement! I love when the park is less busy. So awesome. That kid at the Plaza though... ew I think I would have had nightmares!
Anyways, love the TR and I love that you and your mom switch off, so cute! Keep up the good work yall!

 

[Pinkgirl]

Brill update Caitlin. Looking forward to flag retreat.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hello! I am finally all up to date with your TR and I finally gathered enough courage to start posting on the boards. Your trip seems amazing so far! I mean being at Disney is amazing in itself, but getting proposed to in the castle (I guess I should say Caitlin's Castle ) is like COMPLETELY awesome. What a dream come true. Yall make such a cute couple and it looks like you had a great morning to go along with your engagement! I love when the park is less busy. So awesome. That kid at the Plaza though... ew I think I would have had nightmares!
Anyways, love the TR and I love that you and your mom switch off, so cute! Keep up the good work yall!

Welcome!!

Thank you it was quite a trip!

It was completely unexpected and it was wonderful!

Thank you! I think we are pretty cute too

It was the creepiest thing ever! I really wish I had taken a picture of him!

I am glad you are enjoying our TR!

Brill update Caitlin. Looking forward to flag retreat.

Thank you!

My mom should be updating soon

 

[MEK]

Another great update!

What's up with chuckie boy? Imagine being his parents? So funny that your mom actually screamed.

I've had that vegetable sandwich and it is yummy good! Love the Plaza food!

Too bad you were getting the spins. From your probiotic? Did I read that right.

I just have one word for you - Align! Best probiotic on earth. I should be their poster child. I love that stuff.

Can't wait to hear all about the flag retreat.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Another great update!

What's up with chuckie boy? Imagine being his parents? So funny that your mom actually screamed.

I've had that vegetable sandwich and it is yummy good! Love the Plaza food!

Too bad you were getting the spins. From your probiotic? Did I read that right.

I just have one word for you - Align! Best probiotic on earth. I should be their poster child. I love that stuff.

Can't wait to hear all about the flag retreat.

Thank you!

It was pretty scary! She jumped she didn't scream I need to give her some credit

It was so good! I can't wait to go back!

Yep, I wanted to try align but it was super expensive and usually the Target brands are as good as the actual ones. I was fine at home but for some reason the rides at Disney really bothered me

Coming up soon!

 

[marDgreen88]

Welcome!!

Thank you it was quite a trip!

It was completely unexpected and it was wonderful!

Thank you! I think we are pretty cute too

It was the creepiest thing ever! I really wish I had taken a picture of him!

I am glad you are enjoying our TR!

Thanks so much! I really am enjoying it, looking forward to reading more in the future for sure!

 

[Enchanted88]

I'm all caught up!! Great update!! I can't wait to read about the flag ceremony!
Btw, I noticed your wedding date, and we'll be at DW at the same time!! lol We are going to be there the 14-21st! I hope you have a magical wedding! Since it's at Disney, I'm sure it will be!!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I'm all caught up!! Great update!! I can't wait to read about the flag ceremony!
Btw, I noticed your wedding date, and we'll be at DW at the same time!! lol We are going to be there the 14-21st! I hope you have a magical wedding! Since it's at Disney, I'm sure it will be!!
Can't wait to read more!

Thank you! I told my mom today we need an update!

Awesome! Maybe we will run into each other Thank you! I am very excited for it!

 

[dawnbu40]

The Flag Retreat Ceremony.....

For those of you unfamiliar with the ceremony here is a little background...it takes place daily at 5pm at the flag on Main Street. Each day a "Veteran of the Day" is given the honor of assisting the MK color guard in the ceremony. This veteran can be currently enlisted or not and does not have to be an American. If any of you from other countries have served your nation you are eligible to participate too!
Along with the honor they are given a special certificate commemorating the day and a special pin. The entire ceremony is photographed by a PP photographer and the Veteran is allowed to select an 8x10 and a 5x7 to keep.
(having it all photographed made me so glad I had pre-ordered the PP cd! Between the engagement and the flag ceremony alone we had TONS of pics!)


We got to the flag at 4:45 and Josh was given his directions while Caitlin, Dale and I were lead to the "family viewing spot". I can't stress enough how excited we all were! We are all very patriotic and the ceremony always chokes us up but to have our newest family member participating was just so thrilling!

After the Color Guard team gave Josh his directions they asked about his "Just engaged" button. I can't tell you how excited the CMs were that they were just engaged that day! They all kept saying "we get vets everyday and we get a lot of engagements but we've never had someone do both the same day!" They then wanted to meet Caitlin and see her ring. She went over and met everyone and visited until it was time for the ceremony.

The ceremony begins with several children leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. (TIP- if you want your family to participate in the ceremony but lack military service volunteer to lead the pledge)

The the Dapper Dans sang "God Bless America" while the marching band accompanied them

Then the flag retreat began...

At this point the CM who had directed us to the family area came over and told us that Josh would be carrying the flag down Main Street and we were to fall in line behind him in THE PARADE! Ok now I didn't realize we would get to march down Main Street (even if it was just a short ways) Ever since I was 6 years old I have wanted to be in the MK parade so this was an absolute dream come true! Icing on the cake!

As we were heading down Main Street I suddenly became aware of all the people watching and I remember thinking "WOW! Josh is going to be in all these people's vacation pictures and home movies. That is really cool"

At some point during the ceremony the photographer got this picture of Caitlin and I think it totally captures how proud and awed she was by the experience.

Josh paraded the flag down to that little alcove on the right side (if you're facing the castle) of Main Street. When we got there they did a little ceremony honoring Josh as the Veteran of the Day and presented his certificate and pin. Then it was time for anothe photo session!

The Veteran of the Day

The cute couple

The proud parents

Then a CM appeared and introduced himself as the Manager of the stores in the area and loudly announced that the Main St shops wanted to wish Josh and Caitlin congratulations on their engagement and he presented them with bride and groom ears! We were so surprised and it just added more magic to an already incredible day!

Of course the photographer needed to take more pics....

The he told Caitlin it was her turn to do the proposing....

That was the last of our photosession and after lots of "thank yous" for all the magic we left the park and headed to the monorail back to the TTC.

I took this last picture on the monorail and I think it sums up the day. They look so happy and in love but truly exhausted!

At this point its only about 6pm so there is lots more of that day to share! I'll save that for Caitlin.

Thanks for reading!

 

[MEK]

Yep, I wanted to try align but it was super expensive and usually the Target brands are as good as the actual ones. I was fine at home but for some reason the rides at Disney really bothered me

It is super expensive and the only reason I don't switch is because I swear it keeps me from having a return of the EVIL -D! I want to try a less expensive brand, but I am afraid. I order it from Amazon (cheaper there) or use a Costco coupon when they have one. Fortunately, I have a letter from my GI doctor which allows me to be reimbursed for it with my FSA account.


OK - Dawn - I am waiting for the flag retreat!!!!!!

 

[Pinkgirl]

Thank you for a fabulous update. You must be so proud to welcome Josh into your family.

 

[dawnbu40]

Thank you for a fabulous update. You must be so proud to welcome Josh into your family.

Aww thank you for reading!

Yes we are. Dale and I feel blessed that such a fine young man is our new son

 

[okw19]

Wow, what an update, Dawn! It brought tears to my eyes. You can really tell how proud you guys are of Josh.

What time did you have to get to Guest Services to request this? I would love to honor my granddad while we are in Disney! He would love to do this.

 

[LilAnn]

Aw, I totally love that Mickey/Minnie "engagment" photo! So sweet!

I was totally emotional just reading about the flag retreat, so I can only imagine what it must feel like to actually have someone in your family and that you care about in it.

I had two fave photos from the latest update. I absolutely love the photo of Caitlin watching on. You are right, you can see the love and pride in her facial expression. Priceless.

And the very last shot. Perfect. It's such a great candid shot, not posed, and just captures the moment perfectly. You can see that they are in love, had a great day, and are just truly content. loved it!

 

[dawnbu40]

Wow, what an update, Dawn! It brought tears to my eyes. You can really tell how proud you guys are of Josh.

What time did you have to get to Guest Services to request this? I would love to honor my granddad while we are in Disney! He would love to do this.

Aww thank you! He is a wonderful addition to our family and we all are proud of him

We were able to enter the park just prior to opening that day since we had an adr and Josh and Caitlin stopped there before going to the castle. I would suggest going to the MK rope drop and immediately going into City Hall and requesting your granddad be Veteran of the Day. I have read that if you get to City Hall and that day is booked that you can arrange for another day during your visit. Good luck!

 

[dawnbu40]

Aw, I totally love that Mickey/Minnie "engagment" photo! So sweet!

I was totally emotional just reading about the flag retreat, so I can only imagine what it must feel like to actually have someone in your family and that you care about in it.

I had two fave photos from the latest update. I absolutely love the photo of Caitlin watching on. You are right, you can see the love and pride in her facial expression. Priceless.

And the very last shot. Perfect. It's such a great candid shot, not posed, and just captures the moment perfectly. You can see that they are in love, had a great day, and are just truly content. loved it!

Thank you!
Between the proposal and the flag ceremony that whole day was very emotional!
I love both those pictures too