Mom and Dad's Dream Trip-34 Yrs in Making-Jun08 SOUVIE PICS PG 51 NEXT TRIP!!???!!!!?

[MegansMom]

I don't know how I missed your update on Monday! Your time at CP has made me even more excited for our breakfast reservation there! Woo Hoo!!

I can't wait to see your photopass pics.

We had a great time at CP--and to think we almost cancelled at the last moment!!! You will enjoy it I am sure!

My BFF swears by the Children's Museum in Indy. I think Megan would love it. I'd love to see some of Kristi's work, if you have photos. Good luck to her and her new business adventure. Good to hear that her first show went great. Getting her name out there is sometimes the best thing. Looking forward to reading more.

I think we will be heading to the museum at the end of this week!!! Can't wait!

Kristi is in the process of setting up a website, so once that is up, I will be sure to share it with you all!!! Her stuff is great! I will try to get some pictures and post them here once I can. She has another show coming up within the next two weeks, so hopefully that will be just as successful!

sounds like you have a very busy summer left! So lucky Megs doesn't have to start school until after labor day, (that is the way it SHOULD be) I hate that my kids already went back, when there is so much summer left!

It was wonderful joining your family for this awesome TR! Thanks for ALL your HELP along the way also! it was great meeting you at Dumbo! Don't be a stranger.... Good luck with your writing etc when that time comes.
Annette

I love that Megs doesn't start until after Labor Day, but this is the last year--next year she will have to start with the rest of the school in the middle of August--for instance, they just started on Monday. Oh well--thank goodness for one more year of preschool!

I am so glad we met each other through this TR!!! I loved running into you--and you can be sure that I will CERTAINLY keep in touch! I will be sure to keep you updated on the writing---I really do hope SOMETHING happens!!! It would be a lifelong dream come true!

Another big fan of the Indianapolis Children's museum. My girls both love it. We have taken Hannah and Emily three times... each time they love it more! Enjoy what is left of summer...

Thanks for the input on the museum--I believe we will be going there at some point at the end of the week! Rest up---just a few more days until Mr. Luke's arrival!!

I'm too sad its over.... I have really enjoyed your trip report and getting to "know" your cute family. You have some amazing parents!!! I am looking forward to the next TR for sure. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I hope Megan enjoys her time in Kindergarten.

I'm so sad too!!! It was so much fun reliving it here with you all!!! I am glad that you have enjoyed getting to know us---the feeling is completely mutual!!!! My parents are so wonderful, and we enjoy all the time we get to spend with them!!! I hope the next PTR/TR get here before you know it--I hope you all can join me again for the next one! We are highly enjoying our summer, but know that it is quickly approaching the end! BTW, Megan is going back to 4 yo preschool this year---kindergarten is next year, sorry if I confused you!!! We are hoping that if we don't get there soon, that we will shoot for a trip next September before she gets too engrossed in kindergarten!!! Stay tuned to see what comes next!!! Thanks again for reading along this year!!!

Sigh. My heart is heavy that your trip is over, Jen.

I am trying to look on the bright side! Great pics and video from CP -- breakfast there for us for sure next time. The last time we ate there was 2004 so I think we are overdue for a return visit.

Fun last rides!

I am still sad that it is over.

Hurray for North Carolina in June, and a Disney trip later in the summer!

I am still sad.

Looking forward to the Photopass and souvenir pics.

Do I have to say it, Jen?

Still a little sad here.

I have thoroughly enjoyed your TR!

Jackie---I know the heaviness your heart feels, because it is the same I feel as well!! I am glad that you enjoyed the last part of the TR---still working on the souvie pics, once I have those, I will post along with the PP pics!! Stay tuned--don't worry though, I'm not going anywhere, so you know that we will stay in touch for sure!!! I'm so glad I have been able to get to know you when you joined in on the fun!!!!

We're still here! Can't wait to see photopass and souvie pics!

Don't worry---I'm still here too!!! I am working on the souvie pics---our camera is broken, but I know you all know that already!!! I am going to borrow Kris's camera, so it will be coming along shortly---I promise!!!! Stay tuned gang!!! Thanks for hanging in there!

 

[MegansMom]

Happy Friday everyone!!! I know it has been a LONG time since last we "spoke!!!" It has been very busy and out-of-routine since Tom was off for so long--I'll tell you more about that later, but right now, I want to share with you all some Photopass Pics!!! ENJOY!!!

I hope you all enjoyed them!!! SO sorry it took so long to put them on here! I am still working on gettting pics of the souvies---still no camera yet!!! My birthday is coming up on the 4th though, so I am hoping to get a new one then!!! We have some great souvies that I want to share with you all!!! Stay tuned later on for that!

I know some of you have September trips coming up---I hope you all have a MAGICAL time, but I SO wish you guys could take me along!! Megan and I are missing it so much, and can't WAIT until we go back to MICKEY'S HOUSE!!!! Since we don't know when that will be, it is harder to play the waiting game!!! I have this crazy notion that I will be picked for the Disney Moms Panel, and then will get to go down in December when they do the training!!! I know, I know---I'm a big dreamer, but hey, I have to find hope somewhere!

September is quickly approaching, and with it comes our month of "CRAZY BUSY TIME!!!" Megan will be going back to preschool on the 3rd, and once that starts, she will then have something on her agenda EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK!!! She will be at preschool M,W,F, she has occupational therapy on Tuesdays, and dance class on Thursdays!!! YIKES!! She has a more packed schedule than most 30yo I know!!! We are trying to ween her away from OT, but her therapist thinks that she is not ready yet. I wish I knew another OT to gain some perspective or a second opinion, because I just want to make sure we are keeping her in therapy because she needs it, and NOT that the therapists needs the business. IF there are any OTs out there that can give me some advice, I would GREATLY appreciate it!!! September is also a Birthday Madness month for us--Mine is the 4th, Kristi's is the 18th, and beautiful Megan is going to turn 5 on the 29th!!!!!! We also have an Aunt whose birthday is the 14th, and she is going to retire this year, so we have parties and get-togethers popping up all OVER the place!!! Miss Megan has requested a princess bash this year, but we haven't worked out all the details yet, so I will keep you posted and share pics when able!!! So that is a little about what is going on with us right now!! Tom's vaca time at home was great--we spent some time at home chilling out and some time around local attractions---just the three of us!! It was so nice to be able to have that time with him---we know that kind of time will be hard to get the rest of the year with his demanding job. Megan really loved all her time with Daddy too! We did make it up to the Indy Children's Museum as well, and had such a GREAT time there that day! I took some pics on a disposable camera, and once developed, I will try to scan them to share them with you---if I can figure all of that out!



I realized the other day that I finished the daily reports, but haven't really finished my final thoughts on the trip.........so here they are!

As many of you know, we were very nervous going into this trip because of the fact that we were traveling during June, and the past few trips we have gone during slower times of the year. We of course imagined the worst when it came to the crowds and dealing with the busier time of year in June. Thanks to great advice from many of you though, we were equipped with the tips and info that we needed to minimize the impact of the larger crowds and we REALLY had a FABULOUS trip!!! Thanks again to ALL of you who provided that advice and input!!! Tom quickly became a FP master, and we really never had to wait much at all for any ride--we seemed to soar through the parks each day!!!
Final Thought: Traveling in June and other busy times is VERY doable--just become masters of the FP system!!! Our favorite time to go is still September (just based on when WE have been there), but we would definitely go in June again if that was the only time we could get there! I would like to explore what it is like to go during late January or February ---if anyone has been during those times, I would love to hear what the crowds and conditions are like!

We once again had a VERY good experience with renting points from a DVCer this year for our trip! We have become so comfortable with renting, I don't know if we will ever book with WDW again! We do hope that one day we will be DVCers ourselves, but we have put that dream on hold until we move and get settled in our "dream home!" We had a great location at OKW this year since we were in building 14! SO CLOSE to the pools, bus stop, and main area---if we ever go back to OKW, I would DEFINITELY request to be in that area again!! A MUST! We felt that OKW did have a little problem with the buses--I think they need to pump in more or something, because they always seemed too few and too far between buses--our wait was quite long at times!!! I think the only other thing missing from OKW is some type of food court or stand that would stay open late so you can fill up your mugs and get late night snacks.
Final Thought: Our location made our stay at OKW WONDERFUL! We would definitely go back there again--as long as we were around the HH area. Our favorite resorts to stay at are still BWV and CSR, but OKW doesn't fall too short of them in our opinion!

To plan out our plans for our daily activities, we relied on where we wanted to go and "best days" for each park according to UG. I really do think the advice we received was right on. With that knowledge and our FP, we seemed to be able to soar around the parks. We will use that info again next time we go--but we do know that next time we go, we want to plan in a few more hotel days to enjoy and crash at the pool. That was the biggest complaint we had about this trip--we really didn't get to spend too much time there, and we really want to make that a priority next time around. We now COMPLETELY believe it is of UTMOST importance to head to Fantasyland first thing in the morning at MK--you get so much done in such a short time!
Final Thought: Use "Best Days" info--really helps! Plan more pool time next time, and ALWAYS head to Fantasyland first thing in the morning at MK!

We used the DDP again this year--just the basic dining. We were still TOTALLY bummed about the tips being removed, but I know there is not much that any of us can do about this situation! Estimating out the tips before the trip and dividing them out into the envelopes I made was GREAT though! It made me feel like we still didn't have to worry about the tips because everything was already taken care of---I just grabbed my tip envelope out of the safe in the morning and went! I will definitely do this again next time! Our biggest complaint though was that since we were such a big group--our tip was always calculated for us, so it would tell us what to pay for tip--still takes away our ability to pay them based upon their performance. DIDN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL!!!! Our favorite new restaurants were Kona Cafe, Boma, and the Grand Floridian Cafe. As always, we still loved Turf Club and Ohanas. The food at Akershus was DEFINITELY not our fave, but oh how Megan loved those princesses!!! We did enjoy our character meals, and know that next time, we will probably schedule some early morning breakfasts with the characters so that we can get into parks early and also not have to wait in lines to see any of them--that is a park lifesaver!!! For that reason, the deluxe dining is starting to look more and more appealing for our next go around!
Final Thoughts: LOVED the DDP as always!! A must for every trip! Definitely going to try for more morning character meals next time, and therefore, we might just go ahead and bump up to the deluxe dining!!!!

Going as a large group was also a concern--not knowing how to keep so many people happy all at the same time, but we all handled it so well!!! We had a lot of great time together, but also were comfortable separating and going in the direction that individually we each needed to go! We had a great time, and I am sure there will be another grand gathering for us in the future! Going on the Wishes cruise was one of the best highlights of the trip for all of us!!! So worth it!
Final Thoughts: You can go with a large group and still have a great time--just realize that everyone is going to need their space and go in their own directions at times. BE FLEXIBLE!!! If you can, book a Wishes cruise at some point--so worth it!

We drove down for this trip due to the ridiculous cost of flying for us, but we all would so have loved to just hop on a plane and fly!! I really hope we can for our next trip!!!
Final Thoughts: Figure out how to find cheaper airfares and FLY next time!! Megan is getting to the point where she is going to not be as content riding in the car for 13 hours!

Final Thoughts on Rides: I could make a list, but I am pretty sure almost everything would be included----EXCEPT the new version of the Tiki Room (oh how they have destroyed that family fave!) We love almost everything there--obviously for different reasons! TSM is a new classic hit! We all missed POTC being open, but will look forward to riding it again next time! I just love it all!!!!!!

Final Thoughts: It was another wonderful trip to WDW---so many more magical memories made that will stay with us forever.....Megan at the BBB, sharing the trip with my whole family, watching Wishes on the cruise......the list could go on for miles! It truly is Megan's magic place where she is the happiest and most relaxed (at most times) more than anywhere else!! For this reason, we will be going back for MANY MORE TRIPS for MANY MORE YEARS TO COME!!! Thanks again to all of you who have shared in our joy and enthusiasm as we planned this trip and experienced with us! I truly treasure all the wonderful "friendships" that have been made as a result of this TR, and I hope we all can stay in touch for quite some time--------you have to stick around and come join my next PTR/TR whenever it starts!!! Thanks so much gang, you made it that much more memorable for us!!!!

 

[Sarilas]

I love the PhotoPass pics! I'll definitely have to pre-order before we go...

We've got a long car trip and are going in mid January (10-18) AND are doing Deluxe Dining... Not that I'm at all anxious or anything!

 

[ampc3]

Hi Jenn, I've missed you Love your final thoughts and all the pics of Megan, she has the most beautiful smile...

Have a Happy Birthday next week, and Emma's bday is in sept too, the 19th..

Hope you get picked for the moms panel , keep us posted and good luck!

Annette

 

[lmillercrew]

AWWWW it's over? I'm so sad I love the pictures of Megan at her BBB appointment. She looks super duper excited! (almost couldn't spell that word. had to say it outloud) Anyway, it has been so nice following your family along your journey. Thank you so much for your advice and input on my hotel selection. We are, well I am, going with POR. Like I said before, just to cheap. Can't bring myself to spend $3000 on a room for a week. DH wants to stay at BC, but he's going to have to wait until we don't have to buy so many park passes. Those cost about as much as our room for the week. I look forward to reading future reports from you. Have a great school year. I know I'm enjoying my kids all being in school.
Lisa

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thank goodness I still have your souvie pics to look forward to!

The photopass pictures turned out great -- I love all the BBB ones -- I know I have said it before, but Megan is such a doll!

I have a dream about getting chosen for the Moms Panel -- wouldn't it be great if we were both chosen and then we could hang out together! Good luck!

Your September sounds like our November as far as b-days are concerned -- Charles, my dad, my niece, and I were all born that month!

Love your final thoughts!

 

[MegansMom]

I love the PhotoPass pics! I'll definitely have to pre-order before we go...

We've got a long car trip and are going in mid January (10-18) AND are doing Deluxe Dining... Not that I'm at all anxious or anything!

I am so glad you enjoyed the pics!! See if you can hop aboard a January Photopass share--it makes it so much easier and cheaper to do!!! I am so glad we did it that way! I am excited for you all for your January trip!!! That sounds wonderful!!! I didn't realize you had a PTR going, so I am going to have to hop over and join in on the fun---I have to live vicariously through someone to feed my addiction!!!

Hi Jenn, I've missed you Love your final thoughts and all the pics of Megan, she has the most beautiful smile...

Have a Happy Birthday next week, and Emma's bday is in sept too, the 19th..

Hope you get picked for the moms panel , keep us posted and good luck!

Annette

I've missed you too Annette!!! I am glad you enjoyed this update, there should be another to share the pics of the souvies and hopefully (if you want to stay tuned) I can come back and update everyone on our upcoming events as well!!

I would SO love to get chosen, but I am trying to keep myself grounded because I know it is probably a pipe dream!!! BUT HEY, a girl can dream!!! Here's a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Miss Emma too!!! Is she getting excited about it?

Hope to "talk" soon, but until then, have a great Labor Day!!!

AWWWW it's over? I'm so sad I love the pictures of Megan at her BBB appointment. She looks super duper excited! (almost couldn't spell that word. had to say it outloud) Anyway, it has been so nice following your family along your journey. Thank you so much for your advice and input on my hotel selection. We are, well I am, going with POR. Like I said before, just to cheap. Can't bring myself to spend $3000 on a room for a week. DH wants to stay at BC, but he's going to have to wait until we don't have to buy so many park passes. Those cost about as much as our room for the week. I look forward to reading future reports from you. Have a great school year. I know I'm enjoying my kids all being in school.
Lisa

Well, there should be a little more to come back for so please stay tuned!!! I am glad you enjoyed the pics--we loved them! I am so glad that you have joined in on our fun---it was so nice to "meet" you here! I am glad that my advice and input could help---I think you have made a great decision for your family! IMO, you just can't go too wrong with any of the WDW resorts---they do it right no matter what the budget!!! I can't WAIT for my next PTR/TR ( ) and I would be so glad if you came back for more! I think Miss Megan is going to have a great year at school---she can't wait, Wednesday just can't get here quick enough!!! Thanks for joining in on this TR!!! Have a great Labor day! AND a MAGICAL trip!!!

Thank goodness I still have your souvie pics to look forward to!

The photopass pictures turned out great -- I love all the BBB ones -- I know I have said it before, but Megan is such a doll!

I have a dream about getting chosen for the Moms Panel -- wouldn't it be great if we were both chosen and then we could hang out together! Good luck!

Your September sounds like our November as far as b-days are concerned -- Charles, my dad, my niece, and I were all born that month!

Love your final thoughts!

The souvie pics will still be on their way as well as more updates on our upcoming events this month!! So stay tuned!!!

I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures!!! Thanks for the compliments on Miss Megan---You are so sweet!!!! Some of those pictures just make me smile SO BIG!!!

Okay Jackie---you and I have been having the same dreams!!! As soon as I heard about the panel application, my first thought and hope was that I would get picked as well as you and Lesley (because I know you two also applied for it last time) and then we would all be together for a FABULOUS time down there in December!!!! That dream has brought me SUCH joy!!! I so hope it comes true!!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us!!!

Isn't it funny how families tend to have birthday clump months???? March is also bad for us---we have Tom, both of his parents, my Dad, Conner, and one of our goddaughters. (We used to also have two of his grandparents, but they have both passed on.) Megan obviously was originally due at the end of November on Thanksgiving, and had that actually been able to happen, my Mom and Dad would have had 3 out of 4 of their grandchildren all born on Thanksgiving Day!!! Josh's birthday is November 27 (and he was born on Turkey Day) and then the next year Maddie was born on November 25--Thanksgiving Day as well!!! Megan was due on November 27--Turkey Day 2003!!!! Wouldn't that have been funny had it come true!!!!

I so glad you enjoyed the final thoughts!!! Stay tuned for more soon!! Have a great Labor Day Jackie!!! Jen

 

[Charleston Princess]

The souvie pics will still be on their way as well as more updates on our upcoming events this month!! So stay tuned!!!

I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures!!! Thanks for the compliments on Miss Megan---You are so sweet!!!! Some of those pictures just make me smile SO BIG!!!

Hurray! You know I love Jen updates!!!

Okay Jackie---you and I have been having the same dreams!!! As soon as I heard about the panel application, my first thought and hope was that I would get picked as well as you and Lesley (because I know you two also applied for it last time) and then we would all be together for a FABULOUS time down there in December!!!! That dream has brought me SUCH joy!!! I so hope it comes true!!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us!!!

Yes, I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed for all of us! I even have September 8 marked on my calendar!

Isn't it funny how families tend to have birthday clump months???? March is also bad for us---we have Tom, both of his parents, my Dad, Conner, and one of our goddaughters. (We used to also have two of his grandparents, but they have both passed on.) Megan obviously was originally due at the end of November on Thanksgiving, and had that actually been able to happen, my Mom and Dad would have had 3 out of 4 of their grandchildren all born on Thanksgiving Day!!! Josh's birthday is November 27 (and he was born on Turkey Day) and then the next year Maddie was born on November 25--Thanksgiving Day as well!!! Megan was due on November 27--Turkey Day 2003!!!! Wouldn't that have been funny had it come true!!!!

I so glad you enjoyed the final thoughts!!! Stay tuned for more soon!! Have a great Labor Day Jackie!!! Jen

That's such a weird coincidence about the Thanksgiving b-days!!!

 

[tmkinney]

Love the photopass pics & your final thoughts! I really enjoyed your TR, thanks so much for sharing. Megan is such a doll, the pics with Snow White are priceless, look how huge her smile is!! Hope you get back to WDW soon, I'll keep on the lookout for a PTR!!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I really hate to see the report end. It was great getting to know you and your family. Great pics and great report! Please do us a favor...when you write your next trip report, please post a link here. I'm subscibed to this thread so it would be the easiest way to know when you have something new for us. Many times I don't read the trip reports and I don't want to miss any future ones you write. I really enjoyed sharing your trip with you!!

 

[MegansMom]

Hurray! You know I love Jen updates!!!

Yes, I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed for all of us! I even have September 8 marked on my calendar!

That's such a weird coincidence about the Thanksgiving b-days!!!

I guess I shouldn't have named it "Final Thoughts" since I do plan on continuing to post items here, but just wanted to put them out there before I forgot!!!! I TOTALLY have the 8th marked on all my calendars, and am looking forward to it just like I would be looking forward to the 180 day mark!!!

Love the photopass pics & your final thoughts! I really enjoyed your TR, thanks so much for sharing. Megan is such a doll, the pics with Snow White are priceless, look how huge her smile is!! Hope you get back to WDW soon, I'll keep on the lookout for a PTR!!

Thanks again for joining in!!! I am so glad that you enjoyed the PTR/TR!!! Megan has been relentless with constantly bugging her Daddy about how BADLY she wants to go back to Mickey's House (That's my girl!!!) that I am sure there will be another trip next year. I have feeling due to Tom's schedule that it will either be in May or September. I would love to see what January or February are like, but that wouldn't work with the demands of Tom's job after the first of the year! OH WELL!!! So I am hoping for either a great May discount (do they ever do that?!?!??!) or hopping aboard for Free Dining for next September----that is if they do it again next year! Stay tuned!!!!

I really hate to see the report end. It was great getting to know you and your family. Great pics and great report! Please do us a favor...when you write your next trip report, please post a link here. I'm subscibed to this thread so it would be the easiest way to know when you have something new for us. Many times I don't read the trip reports and I don't want to miss any future ones you write. I really enjoyed sharing your trip with you!!

I will be posting some other "updates" about things going on this month--Megan's birthday, etc.--- plus once I get that new camera, I want to post some pics of our souvies!!! I am so glad you joined in on the fun! I will be sure to post a link here for my next PTR----so just stay tuned!!!! Thanks! Jen

 

[Charleston Princess]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JEN!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
​

 

[MegansMom]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!​

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JEN!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!​

Oh you SWEET WOMAN!!!! You are the first person to sing Happy Birthday to me so far today!!! Tom had to get up and go in to work super duper early this morning, and I was dead to the world. I didn't even hear him get up, get ready, or leave, which makes me kind of sad because today will probably be a doozy of a day for him, and he probably won't get home until VERY late! Megan, bless her heart, hasn't figured it out yet that today is the day. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! Here's a big squeeze from me to you---

 

[lmillercrew]

I didn't know it was your birthday??? HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hopefully your DH's day wasn't too bad.

 

[Sarilas]

Look, I don't even need words to communicate!

Happy birthday!

 

[cherbear]

First of all, great final thoughts section and I loved all the PP pics!

Secondly....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (now you're finally old enough to drink )

Hope it was a great day!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh you SWEET WOMAN!!!! You are the first person to sing Happy Birthday to me so far today!!! Tom had to get up and go in to work super duper early this morning, and I was dead to the world. I didn't even hear him get up, get ready, or leave, which makes me kind of sad because today will probably be a doozy of a day for him, and he probably won't get home until VERY late! Megan, bless her heart, hasn't figured it out yet that today is the day. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! Here's a big squeeze from me to you---

Hope you had a great day -- looking forward to getting all the details!

Hope Tom's day was better than anticipated!

 

[ampc3]

Happy belated bday Jen, and thanks for the Boo!

 

[MegansMom]

I didn't know it was your birthday??? HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hopefully your DH's day wasn't too bad.

Look, I don't even need words to communicate!

Happy birthday!

First of all, great final thoughts section and I loved all the PP pics!

Secondly....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (now you're finally old enough to drink )

Hope it was a great day!

Hope you had a great day -- looking forward to getting all the details!

Hope Tom's day was better than anticipated!

Happy belated bday Jen, and thanks for the Boo!

Hey Gang!!! Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes!!! It really made my day that much more special!!! Yesterday was a great day---it started out with taking Megan to her ballet class, and Kristi and Mom joined me there to watch our little ballerina!!! It was so much fun!! Megan is so cute in her little leotard---too sweet!!! After class was over, we headed and out to lunch where my Dad joined us. We had a lovely lunch at Cheddar's---I was CRAVING their amazing spinach artichoke dip like no one's business!!! Lunch was wonderful--so glad my Dad could join us! Afterwards, we headed to our favorite nail salon for pedicures all around. Afterwards, we went back to my Mom's house for a relaxing afternoon, where I was surprised by gifts from my parents and my sister---Kristi made me this AMAZING memory book/picture collage of pictures she had taken Megan and me. She did all these neat artistic things to the pictures and created this great book---I will post pics here as soon as possible. My parents gave me this really nice top for the fall with a beautiful necklace to match it. Everyone was OVERLY generous!!! Since Tom was going to have to work late, Mom said that she was going to cook me dinner for my birthday---she made me one of my childhood favorites, her meatloaf!!! My Mom makes a KILLER meatloaf!!! TRULY EXTRAORDINARY!!!! So Mom made me this fabulous dinner, and all our bellies were quite content once we were all finished!!! Around 7:30/7:45, Megan and I headed home to get her ready for bed, and by the time we got back Tom also finally got home from work around 8pm. (Which was actually quite early for close work night!!!) He had Megan give me my present, and she was so proud to finally give me her "diamond pennant!!" It is a beautiful silver necklace that I will post pics of here soon! We then got up to have some birthday dessert--some pink frosted cookies Megan had picked out a couple days ago---then even put a candle in mine. As we started eating the cookies, Tom said to Megan, "Hey, I brought home a surprise Megs......can you go get that bag next to the couch?" I was just thinking he was talking about his work briefcase, and possibly had something from work that he wanted to show us. BUT then Megan pulled out a big red birthday bag, and I realized that Tom had actually gone out and bought a present for me. He was so proud and had the biggest smile on his face knowing that he surprised me! He picked out a BEAUTIFUL, ROMANTIC birthday card---something we usually never do for each other, and it made me cry. He said that he wanted to break his "tradition" of funny cards because he wanted me to know how much he loved and appreciated me. SO SWEET!!! Even after 15 years, our love is still alive and going even stronger than ever! Well, inside the bag, he went ahead and purchased a really GREAT new HD digital camera/camcorder!!!!! This thing is AMAZING, and like Tom said, much better than anything I would have EVER let us buy had I gone out and picked it out myself!! SO, that means all those pictures that I have been wanting to share with you will be coming VERY SOON!!!!!!!!! So, as you can see, it was a GREAT birthday!!! I felt WAY TOO spoiled!!!! A really great day---thanks for adding to it gang!!!! Stay tuned, pictures are coming REALLY SOON!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

Yay you on your new camera!! My DH would've said the same thing to me that yours said to you about not spending that much on yourself. I wouldn't buy a $20 sweatshirt at Wal-Mart because I'm getting my hair done. My DH said get it if you want it. Nope, not me. So glad that you got your new camera