Leaving the hubbies and kids behind - A May 2010 PTR, TR has begun!

[cdotla]

Katie - what terrific photos you have of what obviously was such a great trip filled with family memories! I hope to one day be the "grandmom" in photos like that!

SoonerGirl - thanks for the tutorial on linking to a single post!

 

[Megablocks]

It must have been so nice having a house to go back to with a private pool. I have to keep on reminding myself that these pictures are from two years ago so the kids are obviously older

I love the picture of your parents with the anniversary cupcake -- that is so cute!

 

[manntra]

Loving your trip down memory lane!
Awesome PP of your entire group!!
Love the CP although I think I am skipping it this trip...or maybe not I can't remember! hahahaha

Tracy

 

[MeMom]

I love seeing the grandparents having so much fun with all of you. I know the feelings behind those happy faces.

We've tossed around the idea of getting a house a few times, and as the family grows we might. Of course, if Trent ends up staying down there, we'll have a house with some pretty cheap rent.

We're big fans of Crystal Palace, too.

 

[MEK]

Great PP picture of the whole group! Another really fun flashback. All the kids look like they are having a fantastic time - and the adults look pretty happy, too.

How I could use a dip in the pool - right now!

 

[sunny_stace]

I love your "historical" flashbacks! I forgot about the picture of your mom and dad's anniversary cupcake! I love love love that photo! I think it's one of my favourites of all time! So sweet! Not much longer now till you add to your history!

 

[kschafer]

Looks like a great day! I bet that pool was inviting after a long hot day in the park

To do a link to a single post - just click on the number at the top of the post, that will bring up just that post, then you can copy the address from there. Hope that makes sense!

Thanks, I'm gonna go back and try that!

It is HOT in June and a pool right out the back door was amazing! It's funny how much simpler a dip is when it's so close. No bags, no sunblock because of the screen "porch". Just throw on a suit and hop in!

Katie - what terrific photos you have of what obviously was such a great trip filled with family memories! I hope to one day be the "grandmom" in photos like that!

When I finally get to my older pictures, you will see that all of our trips as kids were with grandparents and I love that my kids will have that memory like I do! There were several times I thought of them on that trip

It must have been so nice having a house to go back to with a private pool. I have to keep on reminding myself that these pictures are from two years ago so the kids are obviously older

I love the picture of your parents with the anniversary cupcake -- that is so cute!

Yeah, I sometimes forget how quickly they are growing up! My parents have always been openly affectionate with each other, it was a sweet gesture.

Loving your trip down memory lane!
Awesome PP of your entire group!!
Love the CP although I think I am skipping it this trip...or maybe not I can't remember! hahahaha

Tracy

Time to review the trip plans is it? CP is the only repeat restaurant for me. I couldn't resist taking a 9:00 am ADR. I figure we'll try to arrive 20 or 30 minutes early and really soak in a quiet Main Street USA!

I love seeing the grandparents having so much fun with all of you. I know the feelings behind those happy faces.

We've tossed around the idea of getting a house a few times, and as the family grows we might. Of course, if Trent ends up staying down there, we'll have a house with some pretty cheap rent.

We're big fans of Crystal Palace, too.

Your girls are very lucky, that's for sure!

Maybe someday when Trent has his own family you can rent a bigger place for all of you. I LOVED having the space of the house when it was all of us together. The kids had a blast playing and the parents loved having them in another room

Great PP picture of the whole group! Another really fun flashback. All the kids look like they are having a fantastic time - and the adults look pretty happy, too.

How I could use a dip in the pool - right now!

Honestly, I'm not big on swimming and it's just not warm enough yet for me to think about being wet outside. We are members at our local Y that has a wonderful heated rec pool but I dread that trip back home after going! (but the boys sure love it!)

I love your "historical" flashbacks! I forgot about the picture of your mom and dad's anniversary cupcake! I love love love that photo! I think it's one of my favourites of all time! So sweet! Not much longer now till you add to your history!

Your trip isn't very far now at all either! Have you shared any of your plans?

 

[MHTeacher]

Loving the flashback. That picture of your mom and dad feeding each other anniversary cupcake is too sweet! They look as if they're having a blast in every photo!

 

[eyor44]

Your parents look so happy. Those are some great pictures with them. I read your other report where you told about why you have the affection for CP. That's a great story and you have a great DH!

 

[kschafer]

Loving the flashback. That picture of your mom and dad feeding each other anniversary cupcake is too sweet! They look as if they're having a blast in every photo!

One thing I admire a lot about my parents is they find so much joy in life. Instead of complaining about aches and pains, they choose to enjoy the moments. I had almost forgotten that my Mom had angioplasty only a week or 2 before we left on this trip! she was tired and rested more than normal but enjoyed everything she could during our time together.

Your parents look so happy. Those are some great pictures with them. I read your other report where you told about why you have the affection for CP. That's a great story and you have a great DH!

Once upon a time, he was a very romantic guy. Jobs and kids have pushed some of that aside but his is a very sweet man!

 

[kschafer]

Day 3 of our trip was a planned day off. We figured each family could decide what they wanted to do and as it turns out, many of us ended up at the parks. My younger brother had promised his daughter a princess day so she got all dressed up and their family went for a few hours and focused on toontown where they met the characters.

My nephew was less convinced he wanted to meet these furry things!

Before the trip, my brother and I agreed to split some child care duties to give the other an evening out with our spouses and this was the night for Greg and I. Mom and Dad decided to ride with us and we got some pics together before splitting up

We decided to hit Mission Space knowing we wouldn’t get to do it with the boys

Then we decided to spend the evening exploring WS

We didn’t want to wait for a good spot for Illuminations knowing we would be back with everyone the next night but we did enjoy it from the back of the crowd then headed back to the front to meet up with Mom and Dad

This was unfortunately the beginning of a rough 24 hours. When we got to the designated meeting spot, my Dad was there alone. He asked me to go into the nearby restroom to check on Mom who had been complaining that she wasn’t feeling well. As I got there, she was just coming out and reported that dinner hadn’t set well with her. We returned to the house and my SIL said my younger brother also wasn’t well. I woke up in the middle of the night to hear Daniel getting sick in his bed and when I took the sheets to the washing machine, I discovered 1 niece and 1 nephew were also sick

The next day was supposed to be our family Epcot day including dinner together at Biergarten but it was clear we were going to have to scrap those plans to give everyone some recovery time.

Next: do we get to have an Epcot day?

 

[MHTeacher]

This picture is precious!

I love the picture of Japan at night---that's beautiful!

Oh, it's never good being sick, but especially during vacation. Hope it didn't ruin too many plans.

 

[Cory's Gal]

Love all those photos Katie! The big group pic did turn out great!! I have a hard time just getting the 4 people in my family to look at the camera!! Your evening tour around WS looked beautiful! What a nice time for you and Greg!!

 

[MEK]

Great update Katie! I remember what a great time you had this evening. The calm before the storm! I know the answer to whether you made it to Epcot or not. I will keep it a secret!

 

[sunny_stace]

Katie your family takes such lovely photos! I've been realizing that I don't have one nice photo of my mum and I! I'm going to show her your pictures before we go!

And yes, I leave in less than 35...well, 34 days! (it's after 11pm so I have decided on 34!) 33 if you count the day before in Detroit at the airport! I haven't done any PTR or anything because we all know how well I kept up my TR from last Christmas! I never did finish it! Perhaps I'll do a quick one before I go. Besides, I don't have much set in stone besides ADRs and my Backstage Magic Tour! I'll probably spend most of the time alone since my mum plans on staying by the pool! (She better hope it warms up!)

 

[kschafer]

This picture is precious!

I love the picture of Japan at night---that's beautiful!

Oh, it's never good being sick, but especially during vacation. Hope it didn't ruin too many plans.

I love that pic of my niece

I must confess to not taking too many scenery shots, those are hubby's. We balance each other out though because he rarely takes pictures with people in them

Love all those photos Katie! The big group pic did turn out great!! I have a hard time just getting the 4 people in my family to look at the camera!! Your evening tour around WS looked beautiful! What a nice time for you and Greg!!

My last trip prior to 2008 was when I was a teenager filled with romantic thoughts. I remember very clearly walking around WS one evening with my family and dreaming of being with a boy. I had no idea it would take 20 years to return but that was one of my big wishes for this trip, to spend an evening with Greg in WS

Great update Katie! I remember what a great time you had this evening. The calm before the storm! I know the answer to whether you made it to Epcot or not. I will keep it a secret!

Everyone else won't have to wait long, probably tomorrow!

Katie your family takes such lovely photos! I've been realizing that I don't have one nice photo of my mum and I! I'm going to show her your pictures before we go!

And yes, I leave in less than 35...well, 34 days! (it's after 11pm so I have decided on 34!) 33 if you count the day before in Detroit at the airport! I haven't done any PTR or anything because we all know how well I kept up my TR from last Christmas! I never did finish it! Perhaps I'll do a quick one before I go. Besides, I don't have much set in stone besides ADRs and my Backstage Magic Tour! I'll probably spend most of the time alone since my mum plans on staying by the pool! (She better hope it warms up!)

That's funny your mom wants to sit by the pool. I guess after a Canada winter, she deserves to spend some time that way! Good luck on your quest for a gret pic of the two of you.

A quick PTR would be great so we can at least think about where you are each day and wonder what you are doing next!

 

[kschafer]

The plans for day 4 loomed in front of us in a haze of sickness and laundry! Clearly we were not going to make our Epcot plans for this day. We hung around the house much of the day just hanging out and letting the sick ones sleep. Most of the kids had recovered by the afternoon but the adults were having a harder time shaking the bug. We decided the following day would be our make-up day (thank goodness for built in rest days!)

My pictures remind me that Greg went to Kennedy Space Center on this day. Originally we were both going to go on a day off but with so many people sick, I stayed to help with the kids.

My Mom and brother were still not quite up to par the next morning and decided to stay and rest. One of my nieces was not quite right and either my SIL or my youngest nephew were also not quite up to touring so they also stayed at the house. SO our slightly smaller group headed out with the plans to return to the house after lunch and check on everyone.

We started by joining the heard toward Soarin and naturally, everyone loved it! My nephew wasn’t big enough to ride so we did the kid swap and those not on Soarin rode Living with the Land. That was a surprise for me, I didn’t think I would enjoy it but as it turns out, even the kids found it fun.

We spent a lot of time at these stops throughout the day

We headed this way

then visited with Crush and looked around the tanks. I don’t really know why but I was underwhelmed with the Seas.

We went for a ride with Figment, grabbed FP’s for Test Track then called it a morning. We returned to find the others feeling a bit better but another niece was starting to feel poorly so she did not return to the parks that evening. Mom and Dad decided to go to church so they didn’t join us either but eventually some of us wandered back to the park.

First we used our TT FP’s

Again my nephew was too small for this one but he LOVED the cars!

We grabbed a few PP pics (notice Daniel’s shirt…he had spilled fruit punch all over himself on the way into the park!)

Then wandered into WS

We decided to grab some food and took it to wait for Illuminations. My older brother’s family was also in the park this evening but doing their own thing, we met up with them for the show

This was one of my favorite nights at the park. June is HOT but it does get tolerable once the sun goes down. We had watched Illumnations from near Italy and took a long, leisurely stroll back to the front of the park. We enjoyed the music and lights while others rushed out. When we got to the fountain at Innoventions plaza, it was dancing to the music and we stopped to soak in the moment. It was nice to just slow down and take it all in!

I’m sorry to say this night was the beginning of round 2…I woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach bug (and really regretting my choice of a brat with sauerkraut for dinner!) A few others were also not feeling well but I was unconscious for 24 hours so I couldn’t tell you who! The day after Epcot was our scheduled AK day but again we were lucky to have 1 more day off scheduled so we postponed that until our last day together at the house. I wasn’t feeling up to walking around in the heat knowing we had 5 more park days ahead of us so I stayed and did laundry and got ready to move over to OKW. I’ll just throw in a few pictures others took since I wasn’t there.

They stayed only until lunch or so, I think they were hot, it was crowded and the kids were very happy just coming back to the house to swim and play on their last day together.

Coming up next, we move onsite!

 

[MEK]

You know - I actually forgot that you got sick too! and I also don't remember - Did You ever make it to AK? Sort of a depressing way to spend you last day at the house, but I know you still have lots of vacation left!

Can't wait to see your pics tonight!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Ugggggg, I'm so sorry about all the sickies during that trip! That's awful! I sure hope you've reached the end of them.

I also just wanted to comment on how cute your parents are - what a wonderful example they seemed to have set for you

 

[eyor44]

Love all the pics. Looks like y'all had a great time. Can't wait to hear/see more.