Pre-trip Stuff
Cast: Me (the famous Aunt Candy); Chase (my 11 yr old nephew); & Tiara (my cousins 10 yr old daughter who also calls me Aunt so I guess I should say my niece).
If you have read any of my previous trip reports you know that I love to take my niece and nephews, mom, sisters, you name it on vacation. I do not have children so I love spoiling my family. Anyway, it was Chases turn to get a special vacation with me. I tossed around several destinations but in the end; came back to my beloved Disney.
I started planning the trip Christmas time 2007 but didnt tell Chase right away. You see, we suffered a tragedy in September 2007. Right after Labor day, his dad was riding his bike home from work late at night and he was unfortunately struck by a car. He went into ICU and thankfully was conscious right after the accident. I spoke with my sister and she told me to book the trip. She thought it would be something Chase could still look forward to. Chase knows that I booked something but not where and he doesnt know that I asked Tiara to go as a surprise for him. Tiara knows that she is part of the surprise but doesnt know the destination either. I havent had much time to really enjoy the usual planning stuff with the condition of my brother-in-law. He had broken his neck in the accident and was told he would never walk again. He had some movement in one of his hands and arms and was doing physical therapy. My sister and he have 4 children so it has been a struggle for her and I have been helping to raise the 4 year old. My brother-in-law was coming to terms with the walking and had hopes for his hands and arms as he is a photographer and artist. The irony of the situation was that it was his last day on that job and he wouldnt be riding his bike again during the night time. We waited and waited 6 ½ months for him to be able to be transferred out of ICU for surgery on his neck and enter rehab and learn how to live in a wheel chair. Unfortunately, in March 2008, infection set in and he slowly declined. We lost our beloved friend, brother, son, father, uncle. He was only 40 years old.
It was and continues to be a hard time for all and the focus has been definitely on my sister and their 4 children. They met at age 15 so he has been a part of our family for many many years before they were married. Their children are ages 4-17. Chase has been a trouper and continues to thrive at school and other activities. I thought of cancelling the trip but my sister is so excited for him to go that it has given us all something to look forward to. It has been 2 months since burying my brother-in-law and my sister cant contain her excitement for Chase so I decided that now is the time to tell him and Tiara where we are going. I finally now feel like it isnt a betrayal to my brother-in-law to be happy about this trip and dive back into planning. Chase is traveling to Spain and Germany this summer with his choir but my sister assures me that this 11 yr old will be much more excited about Disney. Go figure!
I bought brochure paper and downloaded all of these fun facts and photos and made personalized brochures for each child. I am going to put them in the mail this week. They are made up like wouldnt you like to go here? and wow, look at the awesome pools they have! I hope to mail newsletters out to them every couple of weeks also with other tidbits. We are booked at Pop Century; my first stay at a value resort. Havent decided on tickets yet as Im still not sure about the water parks yet. I have booked Hoop-Dee-Doo and a Fantasmic dinner package. With all my trips to Disney, I cant believe that I have never seen either show!
Anyway, thanks for reading and I am glad I can now join in on the fun of planning.
Cast: Me (the famous Aunt Candy); Chase (my 11 yr old nephew); & Tiara (my cousins 10 yr old daughter who also calls me Aunt so I guess I should say my niece).
If you have read any of my previous trip reports you know that I love to take my niece and nephews, mom, sisters, you name it on vacation. I do not have children so I love spoiling my family. Anyway, it was Chases turn to get a special vacation with me. I tossed around several destinations but in the end; came back to my beloved Disney.
I started planning the trip Christmas time 2007 but didnt tell Chase right away. You see, we suffered a tragedy in September 2007. Right after Labor day, his dad was riding his bike home from work late at night and he was unfortunately struck by a car. He went into ICU and thankfully was conscious right after the accident. I spoke with my sister and she told me to book the trip. She thought it would be something Chase could still look forward to. Chase knows that I booked something but not where and he doesnt know that I asked Tiara to go as a surprise for him. Tiara knows that she is part of the surprise but doesnt know the destination either. I havent had much time to really enjoy the usual planning stuff with the condition of my brother-in-law. He had broken his neck in the accident and was told he would never walk again. He had some movement in one of his hands and arms and was doing physical therapy. My sister and he have 4 children so it has been a struggle for her and I have been helping to raise the 4 year old. My brother-in-law was coming to terms with the walking and had hopes for his hands and arms as he is a photographer and artist. The irony of the situation was that it was his last day on that job and he wouldnt be riding his bike again during the night time. We waited and waited 6 ½ months for him to be able to be transferred out of ICU for surgery on his neck and enter rehab and learn how to live in a wheel chair. Unfortunately, in March 2008, infection set in and he slowly declined. We lost our beloved friend, brother, son, father, uncle. He was only 40 years old.
It was and continues to be a hard time for all and the focus has been definitely on my sister and their 4 children. They met at age 15 so he has been a part of our family for many many years before they were married. Their children are ages 4-17. Chase has been a trouper and continues to thrive at school and other activities. I thought of cancelling the trip but my sister is so excited for him to go that it has given us all something to look forward to. It has been 2 months since burying my brother-in-law and my sister cant contain her excitement for Chase so I decided that now is the time to tell him and Tiara where we are going. I finally now feel like it isnt a betrayal to my brother-in-law to be happy about this trip and dive back into planning. Chase is traveling to Spain and Germany this summer with his choir but my sister assures me that this 11 yr old will be much more excited about Disney. Go figure!
I bought brochure paper and downloaded all of these fun facts and photos and made personalized brochures for each child. I am going to put them in the mail this week. They are made up like wouldnt you like to go here? and wow, look at the awesome pools they have! I hope to mail newsletters out to them every couple of weeks also with other tidbits. We are booked at Pop Century; my first stay at a value resort. Havent decided on tickets yet as Im still not sure about the water parks yet. I have booked Hoop-Dee-Doo and a Fantasmic dinner package. With all my trips to Disney, I cant believe that I have never seen either show!
Anyway, thanks for reading and I am glad I can now join in on the fun of planning.
