How our Party of 3 became our Party of 11/Updated w/pics 7/29

[Stephaniecmc]

I love the Disboards and enjoy reading about everyone else's trips so I thought I'd try a Pre-Trip report.

A little background...my DH Brian (34) and myself (Stephanie 30) decided October 2008 would be a great time to take our DS (will be 4 in August) to Walt Disney World for the VERY 1st time. DH and I haven't been to WDW in years, DH was there in 1978 and I was there in 1988. So needless to say I was VERY excited about this!

We seriously start thinking about this trip and know that we need to go in October of 2008 because after that our DS, Mason will be in school and there's no way we can take him out of school...or so we think (more on that later).

So now you know a little background. I'll introduce you to the Cast Members:

DH Brian (34) Brian is an only child and has only been to WDW once in his life. Never gets overly excited about anything fun...just silly stuff that I happen to "mess up" on. He and I have been together for almost 10 years. We will celebrate our 5 year anniversary in WDW..,yeah!!! Brian let's me be me, even though he'll roll his eyes he stills comes along for the ride.

DS Mason (almost 4) Mason is going to be an only child if Brian has it his way. Mason is the light of my life, I absolutely adore this child, I should right? Mason is also the ONLY grandchild between my in-laws and my parents (more on that later). He is your typical little boy, into EVERYTHING! Mason loves all things, especially John Deere Tractors. This child can spot ANY John Deere Tractoer within a 40 mile radius...I swear! I'm rubbing off on him a little bit, he is now requesting MORE Disney movies to add to our collection. **If only I could get him to like the Princesses more!

Me Stephanie (30) I am the planner, I obess with planning. Planning is my life. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I ALWAYS have my planner with me and I know what I'm doing all the time. Scary? Yes, but it's who I am. I am the oldest of 3 daughters and 1 step-brother. I've always taken the "motherly" role with everyone and anyone who will allow me that honor, I guess we'll call it an honor. I love Disney, not as much as some people but I still love it. I've been to WDW 3 times in my life. I really only remember 2 of the trips, but I can still remember walking up Main Street for the first time!

So now you know our Cast (at least the Party of 3 part). Up next, how are party went from 3 to 11...overnight!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

We started discussing our trip all the time. When you're a planner like me you take the opportunity to plan at anytime! I brought my info EVERYWHERE we went. Rewind to December 2007: We were at my dad's and he saw that I had info on WDW. Here's the conversation...

Dad: You're taking my ONLY grandson to see Mickey?
Me: Yes, we're thinking about going in October.
Dad: Not without me you're not...(step-mom in the background) "if you're going, we're going"
Me: WHAT???? (trying to sound really excited)
Brother: We're going to Disney World?
Step-Mom: Yes, we're ALL going to Disney World.
Me: no comment...

So, if my count is right, we're up to a party of 6. Additional Cast Members:

Dad(aka Papa) Jim-I love my Dad so much. He's a great father, grandfather, etc. He's been through alot in his life and he's still got a heart of gold.

Step-mom (aka Mema) Diane-I get along great with my step-mom. She and my dad have been together for almost 11 years. They got married on a beach in Florida without all of us...I think they regret not having their kids there.

Brother (aka Uncle Lucas) Lucas is my step-brother who I just adore! I met Lucas when he was 5, it's hard to believe that he is going to be 16 in August! Lucas has been to WDW many times and just loves it. He's a thrill seeker...can't wait to ride Tower of Terror with him!

After Brian picks me up off the floor from our additional travel companions, my 2 younger sisters walk in the door. Here's the next conversation...

Lucas: Sisters! We're going to Disney World!
Mason: I'm going to see Mickey Mouse!
Sister 1: Oh, when are we going? I need to check my schedule...
Sister 2: How much money do I need to come up with?
Mason: I'm going to see Mickey Mouse!
Me: no comment

So party of 6 is now...party of 8! I'll introduce the newest Cast Members:

Sister 1: Jenna aka Aunt Jenna. Jenna is the middle sister. She works in Chicago at JP Morgan Chase and loves it...most of the time. She has been to WDW 2 times. On her very first trip when we pulled up to the campgrounds she, being a head strong 2.5 year old, that she was going to find Mickey Mouse. **Wonder where Mason gets it from??? She took off from the campground in her quest to find Mickey Mouse. Can't remember how long it took anyone to realize she was gone, but I somehow (at the age of 5) got blamed for not watching her!

Sister2: Stacy aka Aunt Stacy. Stacy is the baby sister. She is a career bartender, NOT a morning person. She is the ultimate night owl and working behind the bar is a great job for her. Stacy has been to Disney World 2 times, I really don't think the first time counts (she was 5 months old).

Now you know the addtional Cast Members.

Diane says it's time for dinner. The dinner table is non-stop talk about WDW. Mason is so excited, cause (you guessed it) he's going to see Mickey Mouse. Brian and I are quitely squeezing each other's leg under the kitchen table. I smile and nod when asked some questions. About half-way through dinner, the phone rings. It's my mom, yes my mother called during family dinner at my dad and stepmom's house. **Nothing uncommon now (more on that later). Here's the conversation:

Diane: Did you hear, we're going to Disney World!
Mason: I'm going to see Mickey Mouse!
**Not sure what my mom is saying on the other end of the phone, so I'll improvise**
Mom: Who's going to Disney World?
Diane: Me, Jim and all the kids
Mom: When?
Diane: October
Mom: We're in!
Diane: Great, I'll let Stephanie know.
Me: You'll let Stephanie know what????

Diane comes back to the table and declares that we have two more people coming to Disney with us...my mom and future stepdad! There is a little bit of silence followed by some laughter. I look over and it's my husband who's laughing. Here's the conversation:

Me: What is so funny?
Brian: I can't believe that we're all going on vacation...together!
Me: What's so funny about that?
Brian: Your mom, your dad, your stepmom, and your stepdad?? All together on one trip?
Me: Whatever!

Party of 8 is now party of 10...here's the additons:

Mom-Terri aka Nana. Terri is my mom. She and my dad got divorced when I was 15. She is a take charge kind of mom, but not nearly as take charge as me. She lives with her fiance, Dan. They are getting married on August 31, 2008. (more on that later)

Future Stepdad-Dan aka Dan. Dan is my mom's fiance, as noted above. Dan and my mom met while they worked together at a country club. They met shortly before my wedding. They got engaged Christmas Eve of 2006. Dan is a very comical kind, fun to be around, and makes great cocktails...which they both LOVE to drink!

Up next...the planning begins. Where we will all stay?

 

[Stephaniecmc]

So many choices we had, where do we stay? I've been dreaming of taking Mason to Disney since he was born. I really did have to fight Brian to take him now. Brian wanted to wait until he was 7 or 8, I said I wanted to see the "magic" in Mason's eyes so we needed to go now!!!

In order to capture as much Disney magic that I could, I knew we needed to stay on-site. I started researching everything, after what seemed like weeks of looking, we decided we would stay at a Value Resort.

Ok, Value it is. But which Value? There are so many choices. I wanted All Stars Movie, Brian wanted Pop, and Mason didn't really care...he was going to see Mickey Mouse.

So, it's our annual Christmas get togther with Brian's family and Uncle Scott comes up to us and says he heard we're going to Disney. Another conversation:

Uncle Scott: I hear you're taking Mason to Disney World.
Brian: Yeah, we're going in October
Uncle Scott: Where are you staying?
Me: Either Pop or All Stars Movie.
Uncle Scott: Why not the Boardwalk?
Brian: Don't know. Steph, Why not the Boardwalk?
Me: The Boardwalk? Are you crazy? We can't afford that, it's a Deluxe!
Brian: Oh, I didn't know.
Uncle Scott: Would you like to stay at the Boardwalk?
Me: Seriously? **I fall on the floor**
Uncle Scott: We're DVC members and you can use some of our points.
Brian: No, you don't have to do that. Oow (I just pinched him)
Me: Please let us know what it will cost.
Uncle Scott: Give me a few dates that you have in mind and I'll see what we can do.
Me: OMG...I'm so excited! We would like to go October 11-18.
Uncle Scott: Slow down Stephanie, email me your dates.
Me: Oh (I thought I could tell him right then and there)
Brian: Thank you!

1 week before Christmas Uncle Scott calls to tell us we're in at the Boardwalk Inn Villas!!! We've got a studio for October 11-16!!!! Uh-oh, what about the other 7 people in the party???

I know have to take the walk of shame to the phone and call everyone to let them know that they are on their own for the accomodations cause WE'RE STAYING AT THE BOARDWALK!!!!

I call Diane first, I figure she'll be the easiest on me. She was, she said don't worry about it, they figure something else out. I called my mom next. Guess what? She had already made accomodations for everyone on her own...offsite at a condo. I tell her our plans and I hear nothing...

Me: Hi, just wanted to let you know that Brian's uncle got the three of us a room at the Boardwalk Inn using his DVC points.
Mom: Oh, what about the rest of us?
Me: I'm sorry, he didn't know that other people we're going with us.
Mom: .........(I don't hear anything)
Me: Mom, are you there?
Mom: I'm here.
Me: Well, is there something I can help you with for your rooms?
Mom: No, I took care of it already. We're staying offsite in a Condo. I used my timeshare and got us a 4 bedroom condo.
Me: Oh that's nice.
Mom: I wanted ALL of us to be together!
Me: Oh.
Mom: I guess we'll just meet up with you in WDW.
Me: Sounds great!
Mom: I have to go.

So there ends that conversation. So it's settled...we're staying in a Deluxe and the rest of the party is staying offsite. Or is it???

Up next, my conversation with Brian about staying in a Deluxe!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

Brian comes home from work and I meet him at the door just like an excited little uppy dog! I can't wait to tell him that Uncle Scott called and we're staying at the Boardwalk Inn Villas!

Brian doesn't seem like he's in a good mood, so I know that my news will cheer him up instantly, right?

Me: Honey, guess what?
Brian: What?
Me: Uncle Scott called today.
Brian: Ok.
Me: We're in for the Boardwalk and we got the week we wanted!
Brian: Nice, how much?
Me: How much what?
Brian: How much is this going to cost us?
Me: I don't know.
Brian: You didn't ask him?
Me: No, I didn't even think about it.
Brian: Well, you better call him and ask him what we owe him.
Me: Can't you?
Brian: No, you're the "Planner" (He really does use his fingers as quotes)
Me: Please call him for me.
Brian: NO!

I walk away and go to my office to make the dreaded call. I just can't do it. I called my mother-in-law to complain to her that her son (he's always her son when I'm upset or mad) won't call Uncle Scott. I explain everything to her and she tells me just to call him. So I hang up with her and try to call him, guess what? The lines busy...wonder who he's on the phone with:

After about 20 minutes I finally get ahold of him. I have my tail between my legs, because deep down inside I know that we cannot afford to stay at a Deluxe. I asked him how much it was going to be. There's a long pause...he finally says the words that I will never forgot: "For you, nothing." OMG, is this for real? I know that this cannot be real. They're just going to let us have their points for nothing? I later find out that they have a few points left and they aren't going until 2009 so they needed to be used. I somehow think my mother-in-law is up to something. Uncle Scott later tells me all we need to do is provide them with a picture of the three of us having the time of our lives in WDW as repayment...I can do that! Woo hoo, we're still staying at the Boardwalk Inn!!!!

I go back downstairs to see Brian with a great big smile on my face and proceed to tell him that it's going to cost us about $20 to stay at a Deluxe. He doesn't believe me and gets mad! It took me about an hour to get him to understand that I'm telling him the truth...Wait! Is that the look of excitement in his eyes???

Coming up...Plan, Plan, Plan...I'm planning my life away!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

Sidenote: I'd like to post some pictures, just trying to figure that out.



My planning has taken on some new heights. I've been informed of a message board...The Disboards! My life soon revolves around everything that everyone says on this board. Brian is becoming afraid, Mason won't talk to me when I'm lurking...yeah I lurked for a quite some time before I acutally became a member. I love it, it's everything I've ever wanted to know about Disney. I've learned so much, I've got my countdown to my ADR's..but first what's an ADR? I soon find out what those VERY important letters mean. I try to get everyone involved in my planning process. I write down all the character dining that I want to get in on, I make spreadsheets, I read, I obess.

Thankfully Christmas is right around the corner, it helps occupy my time...until I open the ultimate gift...The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and Walt Disney World with Kids! Brian just rolls his eyes. He knows that these Disney bibles will follow me wherever I go!

So, it Christmas night and we're at our last stop...my in-laws. We always go there for our big Christmas dinner and make it our last stop of the day. After dinner we always open our gifts. Mason gets to go first, since he's the only grandchild he gets LOTS of presents (remember that spoiled thing?). Then my in-laws, Brian, and I am the last to open the presents. I just love watching everyone open their gifts, it's the best part! Just when I think we're all done, Brian's mom hands out cards. We always get cards for Christmas and there's usually a little cash in each card. This year's there's only one card for our little family, no big deal. I let Brian open the card, and his mom says NO, you open it. Hmmm, what is in this card? I open the wonderful Christmas card and start too cry. Inside the card is a check, a check that is just for our Disney Trip! I'm so excited that I cry even more! Inside my head I start to plan with this check. Airfare? Park Tickets? Food? What do I use this money for?

We get home on Christmas night, I put Mason to bed and I head straight for my computer. I've got to plan more! I come upon something I've never heard of before: Disney Dining Plans??? What? They have dining plans too? What doesn't this company think of? Which one do I choose? Is this the right thing to do?

I'm confused, I turn to all the wonderful DISers. I soon find out that there are mixed reviews about the DDP as I learned to call it. I'm up several hours looking into the DDP and the menus. I make spreadsheets of appoximately how much meals are, I make another spreadsheet of the character dining. I find out what CS and TS mean. I'm exhausted and I head to bed, but guess what?? I'm too excited to sleep! I really do feel like that little kid in the Disney commercial! Brian tells me to settle down the trip is still months away and I need to go to sleep right now!

Up next...how do I sell the DDP to Brian?

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I just knew that I had to sell the DDP to Brian. I printed out all my spreadsheets, menu prices, character dinings meals and more to back me up. Brian and I sit down one night after Mason went to bed and I tell him that we're going to take about $700 and do this DDP. He immediately tells me no and that it's too much money. I then show him the menu prices, the character meals, and the sheets from Disney's Website with the DDP info. He's intrigued but what he sees and says he'll think about it. Knowing Brian, I am confident that he'll say yes to the basic dining plan. He takes my spreadsheets and other info into his "office" so he can review what I spent hours creating and searching for.

I'm thinking we won't discuss this issue for another week or so, boy was I wrong! We discussed it that night and we're doing the Deluxe Dining Plan! He says that because we are breakfast eaters when we go on vacation, he thinks we should try to do more character meals for breakfast and after seeing the prices he agreed that doing the Dining Plan would be cheaper. I one the other hand became a little nervous about this. He says to me, "Trust me, I think we can save money". Imagine that, the man that never wants to spend money is giving me the go ahead to spend money!

Deluxed Dining here we go! Brian seems to be interested in selecting where we eat, he even picks up a book and starts reading it. We make a list of the MUSTS, I really wanted to have lunch or dinner with the princesses, since I am one myself but with my boys I know that is out of the question. Brian is excited, he talks about it until we go to bed...have I converted him to love planning as much as I do???

Next: 180 Days...On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

On January 4, 2008 I was laid off...how does this effect our trip? I was a nervous wreck, how do I tell my son that we might not go see Mickey Mouse?

After a little praying and just two weeks of being unemployed, I found a job! Closer to home and better pay, can't beat that! Our trip was never effected by my lay-off. Or was it?

During my interview I explain that we have a pre-planned vacation in October and I would need one week off, would that be a problem. It was a problem, only because I was in charge of so much. But they really wanted to me to take the job and they would make it work. Yeah, trip is still on!

Fast forward to April...180 mark is fast approaching. I have my list of all the ADR's that I want to make. I'm am confident that I'll get what I want, right? Little did I know that I could have made my ADR's at 190 days because I was staying on site! Oh well, I got most of them:

Here's our ADR's:

Sunday, October 12, 2008
Dinner: Tony's Town Square
Monday, October 13, 2008
Breakfast: Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House in AK
Lunch: CS-not sure where
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Breakfast: Chef Mickey's
Lunch: LeCellier
Dinner: Teppan Edo
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Breakfast: Crystal Palace
Dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lunch: Hollywood & Vine
Fantasmic: Hollywood & Vine

I have a few things that I need to fill in, I'm just going to play that by ear. We would like to go back to our resort for a mid-day break so we'll see what happens. The planner in me doesn't really like that, but I'm going to have to make it work!

I officially join the DISboards, I'm hooked now and there's no turning back. I start seeing another acroynm...MNSSHP. What the heck is that all about? I discover that there is a Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom! We love Halloween, this is great. I must find out more information. I start planning again, I see that people dress in costume. My biggest concern, how do I get Brian to dress up? Will this party take place while we're there? Guess what? It will! We can choose two different nights, which one should we choose?

To MNSSHP or not, that is the question...

 

[pandapooh]

subbing! i'm loving your report so far! Congrats on the new job
I can't wait for the rest of your pre trippie and then your trip report!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

subbing! i'm loving your report so far! Congrats on the new job
I can't wait for the rest of your pre trippie and then your trip report!

My first fan! Thank you so much! I was so nervous to do this, but I love it! More to come very soon!

Stephanie

 

[PrincessToozie]

Definitely subscribing...cant wait to hear more of it!!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

It's April and I've got all my ADR's that I can possibly think of at this very minute. I'm still thinking about what other Disney magic I can get us into when low and behold I find this awesome event call Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! My friend (who we'll call MJ) tells me I MUST go to this, if I am going to be there when this is happening, I HAVE to go! She says I won't be sorry at all. So I'm game until I see that it's a hard ticket event and requires another admission price. Tricky part comes next...convincing Brian that this is a MUST as MJ says. We will need a little Disney magic for that one!

I must go about this in a way that will keep him from questioning the cost. How am I going to do this? I consult with MJ who tells me to tell him I want NOTHING for my upcoming 30 birthday, Mother's Day, anniversary, or Christmas for that matter...all I want is to go to this party. I'm thinking is she completely nuts??? (If you know MJ, you already know the answer is YES). Anyways, I start thinking that maybe that approach isn't such a bad idea.

I come home from work beaming that I have exciting news for my boys! Mason of course is just exciting because...you know! I've tried to explain to him that all of Mickey's friends will be there not just Mickey. Oh well, he'll get it when we get there. Onto MNSSHP, Brian says to me what do you have to tell me now about Disney? I begin talking a mile a minute to him about this awesome party that takes place during October at WDW. He says, "Yeah, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party." How did HE know about this??? I thought that this was classified info?? Here's a little more of our conversation:

Me: How did you know about this? (I sound very stern)
DH: The girls at work told me about it.
Me: When were you going to tell me about this?
DH: I thought you the "Queen of all Planners" already knew (and yes he uses the finger quotes again).
Me: No, I did not...are we going?
DH: Sure, we're going to be at WDW, why not go?
Me: You know it's a hard ticket event, right? (**Hind-sight**Should have stopped talking when he said sure!)
DH: What? We have to pay again?
Me: Well, yes but it's not as much as the regular park admission.
DH: We're not going.
Me:

Up Next: Did you purchase the airfare?

 

[Stephaniecmc]

Definitely subscribing...cant wait to hear more of it!!

Thanks, I always thought my life was boring and no one would want to hear about it.

There's more to come!

 

[Becx N Gav]

I'm loving this report
Sounds like you the family will have a fab time, I do hope you get to go to MNSSHP it's so much fun

Looking forward to reading more, esp. how you are going to plan for 11 poeple Will you all stick together or have some time together and then split up?

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I'm loving this report
Sounds like you the family will have a fab time, I do hope you get to go to MNSSHP it's so much fun

Looking forward to reading more, esp. how you are going to plan for 11 poeple Will you all stick together or have some time together and then split up?

It's been pretty stressful planning for 11 people...just keep reading and I'll fill you in on the details!

Stephanie

 

[Stephaniecmc]

One thing that DH and I agree on is flying! We will not be spending 24+ hours in a van driving down to Floriday from the great state of Illinois! I didn't even think about what the others in my party were going to do, all I know is that the three of us were flying high!

We start talking about what airline we're going to fly. Southwest is a good choice, but their schedule doesn't come out until June 1 and I don't want to wait that long. I know, it's already April, but I don't want to wait. I hate waiting!

I arrive to work and find that my boss has sent me an email from AirTran. She said they had a sale, just a 2 day sale. Sales are good, right? The sale is $99 one way, I can do that! I know they won't got cheaper, so I start calling EVERYONE in our party of 10 at this time to let them know we're purchasing our airfare TODAY! I'm not waiting, prices just keep going up, if you're in let me know and I'll book your flights! Can you believe no one wants to book with us, they want to wait to see what SW does!

So, I start to book our flights. The sale is only good on certain departures days, our departure day is supposed to by Sunday, October 12...so I make an executive descision...the three of us will fly out on Saturday night. I book a 7:07 pm flight out of MDW airport. I can get any last minute things done on Saturday and Brian can still work on Saturday!

Airfare...check!

A few days later, I get a call from my sisters wanting to know what they owe me for airfare??? I told them I didn't book their airfare and now they are mad They both swear that they sent me emails asking me to book their airfare. Oh well, we got ours!

I watch the airfares for the next several days, just to make sure I got a good deal. At this point I'm thinking we've got it made. **more on this later**

Up next...a birthday surprise!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I'd like to take a moment to let you know how & why my divorced parents and their signifcant others get along so well.

In July 2007, the night of my sister Jenna's bridal shower, her fiance collapsed and died. It was the most devastating thing I have ever endured in my life. I still cannot imagine what she went through or is still going through. In a matter of 24 hours she went from planning a wedding to planning a funeral. In the almost three years that Dave was in our lives, he truly felt like a brother to me. I miss him terribly, as does the rest of my family.

So in light of the tragedy, my sister Jenna moved back home with my dad and stepmom. She didn't want to live in her & Dave's house anymore (I cannot blame her for that). Because she was living there, my mom was there 24-7 taking care of her baby girl. My parents soon realized that life is too short and we all just need to get along. My stepmom is a very strong woman, who allowed my dad's ex-wife to practically live in her home during this difficult time. Even though this was a terrible event, it has really brought my family closer. We now joke around that when my mom and Dan get married, my stepmom Diane will be my mom's matron of honor!

Ok, so now you know how everyone can get along and live under the same roof while on vacation!

Back to the pre-trip report!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

We're back to talking about MNSSHP and I convince Brian that this is a once in a lifetime trip and we're going to this party. He reluctantly agrees and now I have to decide what date to I want to get tickets for. I have two choices, I can start our trip off right by going on Monday, October 13 or I can end our trip by going on going on Thursday, October 16. I pick the cheaper choice, Monday, October 13. Now I have to wait, wait until May 1 before I can order these precious tickets. Remember, I hate to wait!

Well, May 1st is a Wednesday and I have to work that day. I know that I need to be on the phone at 6am to get tickets and get my precious ADR for LTT! I'm up at 4:30, shower and get ready for work so I can be ready to make the call. I call at 6:00...all circuits busy. I call at 6:01, I am hold for 35 mintues before a CM gets on the phone to tell me that the computer system is down and I'll have try again later! UGH don't they know I have to work today? Well, it's time for me to leave for work. I call again on my cell phone and am put on hold for 15 minutes, by this time I'm at work. So I put the phone on speaker and start working. Did I mention that I also have a funeral to go today, so I need to get as much work done in the morning as possible? Yeah right, I've got to get these tickets!

After a total of 45 mintues on hold, the computers are still down. I am beginning to think the Disney gods do not like me. I give up for an hour or so. Just for the heck of it, I call again, I get through immediately! I order my tickets and make my ADR!!!! Things are looking good!

As I said before it was Wednesday, the worst day of the week for me. I can't wait for Wednesdays to be over. I have absolutely nothing planned for the weekend, which in our family is very rare! I'm living for the weekend, go home on Friday night and pick up pizza and watch a movie with my boys.

Friday, May 3, I'm at work, but really wanting to go home. Work is dead, nothing is happening. I start to get a headache. We've now made plans to have family dinner at my dad's to celebrate the fact that Jenna finally sold her & Dave's house (which was really something to celebrate). I knew that I had to go there or she would be upset, but deep down I didn't want too. I just wanted to go to bed.

My boss tells me to go home early. It's 4:15 and I work until 5:00, big deal. I"m still out of there in less than 30 seconds...I get home and find my boys dressed nicely and ready to go. I tell them we're not going becaue I have a headache and I just want to lay down. Brian says I HAVE to go and I should lay down for a few minutes. I get dressed in my "comfy" clothes to go to my dad's and Brian tells me that I need to wear something different. I stomp my feet and say I don't want too. He tells me I HAVE to wear something different and that I should fix my hair (bad case of bed head I guess).

So we're off to my dad's house. I should have known something was up when he told me to call my sister and see if she needed ice or anything...he never does that! We stop for ice and then drive to my dad's. Jenna meets us in the driveway..again something she never does. I walk up driveway and the garage door opens....SURPRISE!!!!!

My sister and Brian pulled off the ultimate surprise party for me! Everyone was there, including my boss and MJ! I had NO clue whatsoever. Me, the planner, got a huge surprise! I later found out that the reason MJ was so pursistant on us going to MNSSHP was because I received almost $200 in Disney Dollars to purchase the tickets!

Up next... the not so friendly skies and our addtional travel companion...

 

[bellasmommy0]

I am subbing in, although I havent read it all... I am at work, and can you believe they expect me to do some work.... I will be back later and read more..

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I am subbing in, although I havent read it all... I am at work, and can you believe they expect me to do some work.... I will be back later and read more..

Thank you, the next installment should be quite interesting!

 

[pandapooh]

Yay for being your first fan! I"m hooked on your report.
Waiting stinks when it comes down to planning a trip especially to disneyworld!
I'm waiting to hear more!