Meeting, Munching, and Merriment!-Updated 7/7-Can you believe I updated this again?

[jnykly]

Great...subbing to yet another FABULOUS TR!!!

Your photography skills are awesome!!! Thanks to the DIS boards , I've been playing around with the settings on our cameras. We only have point and shoot cameras, but it's amazing what those things will do.

We have 25 days until we leave for the World...

My DH is a lot like your DH. He's afraid of heights and doesn't like to fly. He actually didn't start flying til about 2 years ago. He had gotten on a plane for a business trip and got off before it began to depart (had an anxiety attack)...it was the 2nd time he did this (but with a different company). Needless to say, he was worried about losing his job...so being the loving DW I am, I drove him to Boston (from Mississippi mind you )...arrived in time for him to go to his first meeting. I flew back home the next day and he had to drive from Boston to Mississippi alone. This sorta broke him of being too scared to fly (although he now has some little "friends" he takes before take off).

Looking forward to the next installment....

 

[chiefdragon]

Love your TR....the pictures are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing everything.

 

[50 years Too!]

Just have to comment on how amazing your photography is!
I was there at the same time as you, and I swear everything looks even better in your photos than in real life.
Wish you lived in my area, I'd have you become our official photographer!

PS--congrats on the 30 lbs.

Deb

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Well, I left off with DH and I taking an afternoon break before heading out to the Peep Meet at Kona. Once we were refreshed, we headed over to the Poly and valet parked the van.

I thought we were meeting outside the restaurant, but I wasn’t certain, so I called Melinda. She informed me that I was correct, but that they were running behind. So DH and I headed upstairs to see if anyone else was there and to check in. After looking around, we determined that we were the first to arrive, so DH and I began the process of checking in. I call it a ‘process’ for a reason …

See, DH had called prior to our trip to clarify the ressies for this meal. He was confused about the whole Grand Gathering thing, but he eventually ended up getting all of the separate ADRs that had been made for that night linked together to the Grand Gathering number. Aries1980 had made a similar call, I believe. (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, Christine.)

Well, we go to check in and tell them the names for the ADRs and that it’s a Grand Gathering, and the ADRs should be linked, and guess what! They are not! The staff at Kona have no idea that these ADRs are linked to a Grand Gathering. The CM said she would get the manager, and DH and I waited just outside the restaurant.

As we were waiting, I see none other than Christine (aries1980) herself approaching! With her were her darling daughter (sound asleep in the stroller ) and her DH. We chatted for a bit while we waited on the manager to come talk to us. She did, and she told us it might take a while, but that they would seat us all together, and she took drink orders for us while we waited.

Other Peeps started showing up. Sandy (who I have met before, as we live about 3 hours away from each other) and her DH and DD, and UtahMama and her fabulous fam! Backstage Gal (Marita) also came to hang out with us while we waited. Lexmelinda and her family arrived, and there was much mingling and chatting until we were finally seated.

Dinner was great, and the conversation was non-stop. I just have to say, here and now, what a great group of ladies we have on the Peep thread, and I was delighted to meet up with some of them. I really can’t say enough about them! And I REALLY miss them! Is it time for another Peep meet yet? Anyway, here’s a pic taken of myself with Wendy (UtahMama) before dinner. (I just LOVE this picture, Wendy!)

And here’s dinner, which was YUMMY! I really enjoyed Kona, and we will definitely be back… sooner, rather than later!

The crab cakes (which DH and I both had for our appetizer) – these are GOOOOOOD!

My lapu lapu…

Wendy’s dinner, the Coconut Almond Chicken…

And my dinner, the Macadamia Mahi Mahi – so yummy!

My dessert, the white chocolate cheesecake - also very good…

Once we finished dinner, it was time to head down to the beach – quickly! It was time for Hallowishes, and to meet up with more DISers! We got down to the beach, and we saw Hallowishes, but we weren’t seeing the other DISers – namely nebo and smidgy, Disneydad and Disneymom, and Tiggerwannabe. Once the fireworks were over, we were able to find them! And once again, the mingling and chatting ensued. What a fun group!

Outside of Melinda’s DD, Emily, falling by the pool and scraping up her knees, much fun was had! Thank goodness we had those Strawberry Shortcake band aids in our emergency kit.

This was just such a great evening. We met so many wonderful DISers. I don’t have individual pictures of everyone, unfortunately. I was so busy chatting that I hardly took any pictures! That’s right – I hardly took any pictures! But I do have this group shot…

Back row: Disneydad, nebo, Mr. UtahMama, Sandy and her DH, and UtahMama
Front row: Me, Tiggerwannabe, Disneymom, Melinda, aries1980, and smidgy

An out of focus shot of Mimi (Melinda’s daughter) and myself…

I can’t even begin to tell you all the things we talked about that evening. But we had SO MUCH FUN! And all these people we met – well, you just couldn’t ask for a more fun-loving, sweeter, funnier, or more welcoming group of people to spend an evening with. To everyone who was there, thanks for the lovely evening, and we really hope we get to do it again!

We told UtahMama we would call her the next day since we were both planning to be at MGM, and we said our good-bye’s. We walked out with Melinda and her family, and took one last pic.

And we said good-bye to them as well.

We drove back to the resort and discovered a couple new little guests in our room…

And we turned in. The next day was MGM day, and we were hoping to meet up with the UtahMama clan again…

 

[DisneyObsession]

Great Installment!!!

I wish I had been able to make that meet, but at least i have now been to the beach at the Poly and can picture where all of you were! Thanks for the update!

Can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[snowbell]

Another great installment. I cannot wait to hear more. You inspired me to get a better camera.

 

[UtahMama]

Oh Lynda!!! Thank you for cropping my arm fat! You are a good friend!

I loved visiting with you and your "Pretty Pretty Princess" DH. You are the BEST!

I love the food at Kona. I think I like it more than OHana.

For the record, Lynda's Lapu-Lapu was nuclear (nucular). There was rum-vapours making me ditzy(er than usual). She only had 6-7 Lapu's, so she was FINE for Hallowishes (j/k)

That was a great night!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Great installment. It must have been nice to meet the peeps. Maybe someday I will join you guys.

 

[Spartangirl]

I love your Peep Meet pics.........so fun! That's great that so many of you were able to meet up!

The food at Kona looks incredible! We have it planned for both breakfast and dinner in December!!!

Can't wait for more!

 

[lexmelinda]

What a fun night! Thanks for letting me relive it again through your fun installment! I also remember how humid it was that night just by looking at my hair and my "shine" in the pictures.

I call it a ‘process’ for a reason …

Geez.......thanks, Josh, for trying to straighten out that mess! I was actually surprised at how quickly they got us seated AND that we were all together!

I just have to say, here and now, what a great group of ladies we have on the Peep thread, and I was delighted to meet up with some of them. I really can’t say enough about them!

I agree! I love my peeps too!

And I REALLY miss them! Is it time for another Peep meet yet?

YES!!!

Anyway, here’s a pic taken of myself with Wendy (UtahMama) before dinner. (I just LOVE this picture, Wendy!)

That is so cute of you both! What is that cropping-the-arm-fat nonsense that Wendy's talking about?

The crab cakes (which DH and I both had for our appetizer) – these are GOOOOOOD!

And so gone! Off the menu! As is the mahi-mahi!

Outside of Melinda’s DD, Emily, falling by the pool and scraping up her knees, much fun was had! Thank goodness we had those Strawberry Shortcake band aids in our emergency kit.

Thank goodness for Strawberry Shortcake! She wore that bandaid for a week!

Back row: Disneydad, nebo, Mr. UtahMama, Sandy and her DH, and UtahMama
Front row: Me, Tiggerwannabe, Disneymom, Melinda, aries1980, and smidgy

Disneydad....mid-gulp!

An out of focus shot of Mimi (Melinda’s daughter) and myself…

Awww! She turns 18 tomorrow! Where does the time go?

And all these people we met – well, you just couldn’t ask for a more fun-loving, sweeter, funnier, or more welcoming group of people to spend an evening with.

Don't you just wish we'd had more time together???

Awww....I miss ya Lynda!

 

[Disneyfreak92]

I just got the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and, I agree, it is an INCREDIBLE lens!! Unfortunately, I've only been able to take a few test shots of my fur-babies and my husband with it (like, I was playing with depth of field and was taking different shots of his sneakers while he had his feet up on our coffee table ), but I can't wait to get out and use it some more . . . maybe this weekend when I take my class on pet photography!

More great pictures - as usual. I especially love the one of the bride at HM! Can't wait for more!

Thanks! And enjoy the lens! Mine is actually the f/1.8. It really does rock, that lens!

Wow, you just take me back to WDW and make me want to go back today!!
What a great installment!!



I just loved this, we had never been at Disney during this time of the year. I too took picutres of this. i just loved it!






OMG, we wanted to go to HM soo bad, but we left on a Wednesday and the scheduled opening date was that Thursday. We were so bummed we missed it!



Dang humidity, that was the way it was for me when we were dowm there, it is humid here in Houston too, but I guess I don't usually spend hours outdoors. You still look beautiful though.



Ok so the last time we rode this ride it was called "Alien Encounter" and it was SOOO SCARY!! It scared the heck out of me and for sure my DD at the time 9, and ruined her for life, to this day she refuses to go in any of those shows with the special fun effects. Did I metion she is now 16. Poor girl!! I am sure it is now a cute ride, but I don't know if she will ever go back in.





This so cute, where in the hotel is this??

Thank you so much for all the compliments!

I thought the decorations were just adorable!

And I did do Alien Encounter when it was there. Stitch is DEFINITELY different. NOT scary! Rather silly actually. I just love Stitch.

Those alligators are on the path between the main building and the pool.

Took care of it!

Hope you are having a great day shopping today! Find lots of great deals!



Ok thanks to these photos, DH is now considering a new lens.




Ok, explain to me what the express ordering line is. I would like to take advantage of that in January.



Lynda, you look great in that photo! I can really see your weight loss in that photo! Great job!





How cool! I want to "meet" push.


Great installment! Can't wait to read about the Peep Meet!

I had a FABULOUS time shopping! Thank you!

It is a great lens, and as far as lenses go, it's cheap! About $80.

Express ordering is a touch screen where you enter your order and swipe your card, and then you go up to the counter to pick up your food. It's sweet!

Thank you!

I seeing Push! I hope you meet him in January!

Hi, I just finished reading your TR so far. I love it and I agree with everyone your pictures feel that you are right there with you. Can't wait for more.

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the read.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Great...subbing to yet another FABULOUS TR!!!

Your photography skills are awesome!!! Thanks to the DIS boards , I've been playing around with the settings on our cameras. We only have point and shoot cameras, but it's amazing what those things will do.

We have 25 days until we leave for the World...

My DH is a lot like your DH. He's afraid of heights and doesn't like to fly. He actually didn't start flying til about 2 years ago. He had gotten on a plane for a business trip and got off before it began to depart (had an anxiety attack)...it was the 2nd time he did this (but with a different company). Needless to say, he was worried about losing his job...so being the loving DW I am, I drove him to Boston (from Mississippi mind you )...arrived in time for him to go to his first meeting. I flew back home the next day and he had to drive from Boston to Mississippi alone. This sorta broke him of being too scared to fly (although he now has some little "friends" he takes before take off).

Looking forward to the next installment....

Welcome and thanks for reading! We have a point and shoot, and you are right. They can do some pretty cool stuff!

Wow! Sounds like a good reason to fly! I am actually getting pretty excited about flying to CA in January.

Love your TR....the pictures are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing everything.

Thank you for reading it!

Just have to comment on how amazing your photography is!
I was there at the same time as you, and I swear everything looks even better in your photos than in real life.
Wish you lived in my area, I'd have you become our official photographer!

PS--congrats on the 30 lbs.

Deb

Thank you so much! That is so sweet!

 

[monymony3471]

Very nice. Very sweet. And how I wish to have been there.

One day we'll have a Lapu Lapu. Those look delicious!

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Great Installment!!!

I wish I had been able to make that meet, but at least i have now been to the beach at the Poly and can picture where all of you were! Thanks for the update!

Can't wait to hear more!!!

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Don't you just wish you were on that beach right now?

Another great installment. I cannot wait to hear more. You inspired me to get a better camera.

Thanks! What camera did you get?

Oh Lynda!!! Thank you for cropping my arm fat! You are a good friend!

I loved visiting with you and your "Pretty Pretty Princess" DH. You are the BEST!

I love the food at Kona. I think I like it more than OHana.

For the record, Lynda's Lapu-Lapu was nuclear (nucular). There was rum-vapours making me ditzy(er than usual). She only had 6-7 Lapu's, so she was FINE for Hallowishes (j/k)

That was a great night!

Oh Wendy! The "Pretty Pretty Princess" is responsible for the so-called cropping. That's staight out of the camera girlie! And you look MAHVELOUS! Miss ya bunches!

The food was YUMMY!



It was!

Great installment. It must have been nice to meet the peeps. Maybe someday I will join you guys.

It was wonderful to meet the peeps! I hope you can join us one day.

I love your Peep Meet pics.........so fun! That's great that so many of you were able to meet up!

The food at Kona looks incredible! We have it planned for both breakfast and dinner in December!!!

Can't wait for more!

It was a great meet, and the food at Kona WAS incredible. I think you'll really enjoy it!

Thanks for reading, as always!

 

[Disneyfreak92]

What a fun night! Thanks for letting me relive it again through your fun installment! I also remember how humid it was that night just by looking at my hair and my "shine" in the pictures.
Geez.......thanks, Josh, for trying to straighten out that mess! I was actually surprised at how quickly they got us seated AND that we were all together!
I agree! I love my peeps too!
YES!!!
That is so cute of you both! What is that cropping-the-arm-fat nonsense that Wendy's talking about?
And so gone! Off the menu! As is the mahi-mahi!
Thank goodness for Strawberry Shortcake! She wore that bandaid for a week!
Disneydad....mid-gulp!
Awww! She turns 18 tomorrow! Where does the time go?
Don't you just wish we'd had more time together???
Awww....I miss ya Lynda!

It was a fun night, and it was REALLY humid!!! My hair went droopy by the end of the night. And man, I still remember that AC when we walked back into the Poly lobby. It felt great!

I was thrilled that we got seated together, and that we got done in time to make the fireworks on the beach!

Yeah, that Wendy is crazy, right? Not sure what arm fat she is speaking of. She is a beautiful lady!

Ack! That is NOT right! Bring back the crab cakes and mahi mahi!!!

Can't believe she wore that band aid for a week! I'm glad it helped.

Yeah, Disneydad was taking a big ol' gulp, wasn't he?

OMG! She turns 18 tomorrow?!? Happy Birthday Mimi!!!

I sure do wish we had more time, and I miss you too! Pass around more to the rest of your family too.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Very nice. Very sweet. And how I wish to have been there.

One day we'll have a Lapu Lapu. Those look delicious!

I wish you could have been there too! But you did get to talk to us on the phone! I can't believe I forgot to mention that. It was SO hard to hear, but I REALLY enjoyed talking to you. We WILL have that lapu lapu one day!

 

[snowbell]

I got the Sony Digital with 8.2 MP. I know it is not top of the line, but I had one with only 3.2 MP. I cannot believe the difference in the picture quality.

 

[my2boysrtwicethefun]

Great installment!

 

[MA pigletfan]

Lynda! I can't believe i JUST read the Peep Meet installment....so cute! You got some good shots..and it looked so fun!

 

[my2boysrtwicethefun]