Surprise!!!

[amytheobald]

Ahhhh!!!!

 

[pawn626]

Great Story I Am Tearing Up Is There More?

 

[tyandskyesmom]

WOW!!! Those are the kind of secrets I would love my husband to keep!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow!!! This is a great report!!! I can't wait to read more. I do not know how you kept the secret. I would have told within an hour of knowing. Looking forward to the next installment!

Erika

 

[Disneychix]

What a great memory! That is one special husband!

 

[bucket o' butter]

We all walked up to the Kona Cafe and ate breakfast together. I had heard so much about Tonga Toast, I had to order it. It was everything I dreamed about and more, especially more. I wasn't hungry the rest of the day! But it was sooooo worth it. I think Julie was pretty stunned during the entire breakfast and I can't imagine what was running through her mind. Thirty minutes earlier she and Brian were headed to breakfast, then off to the wedding of a friend of Brian's. Now she has all of her family around her for a family vacation. That brings up an entire different topic though!!!

A few months ago, Julie had decided it was time for us to take a family vacation. We usually do this every few years and we were due. Of course, we all knew we would be taking one in July, only Julie had in the dark. When she asked what we were doing this summer, I mentioned we weren't doing a lot. Didn't really have the money for a trip this year, but maybe next year we could do something. Her mom and dad said the same thing. We did everything we could to postpone her. Once we said next year though, she was on the ball. (She really should be a travel agent for Disney. That is her true calling!!!) She had it all planned out. She thought we could spend a week at Disney and then a week at the beach in Destin. She even thought of our financial situation (remember, I told her previously that we couldn't afford a vacation) and said we could stay at Shades Of Green for a few days and then maybe we could save enough money to stay at the Poly for a few days. After discussing with Brian on what we should do, we decided to let her make reservations and we could just cancel them after this whole thing was over. I tell you, she was determined to plan this family vacation! One day earlier this summer, she was visiting her parents (who live in the same city as us) and we stopped by to visit. She announces, quite proudly, that there have been a few changes in our plans for vacation '09. She couldn't find somewhere on the beach that didn't cost an arm and a leg, so she used their timeshares and booked two units at Orange Lake Country Club. She went ahead a paid for it and said we could pay for it when we got the money. She was afraid the units would not be available if she waited to consult with us. For those of you who know about timeshares, this isn't a vacation you can cancel without a hefty penalty. So, guess what, we are heading to Orlando again next year. (See my new countdown timer below). I think we are going to focus more on Universal Studios this time, but are still going to spend a few days at Disney. We went to Orlando once to do Universal and didn't plan any Disney time. I had major Mickey withdraw symptoms and vowed never to do that again! Ha! Ha!

After the whole surprise was over, I asked Julie is she realized now why we were putting her off about the vacation. Of course she did now, but had no idea at the time. She thought it was odd that I, being an avid Disney lunatic like herself, was not more excited about going to Disney next year. Anyway, it turns out that we are going. I guess I better start saving my money again!

I will get back to the wedding in my next post. Hopefully tonight, but now my dh is on my back about going to Home Depot to get some things for the roof! Why is it that men like that store so much?

DH with DS8 - waiting to surprise Julie

DD12 - waiting to surprise Julie

DS14 - typical expression of a teen-ager!!!!

 

[amytheobald]

Still loving it...I want more, hurry, hurry!

 

[janloz]

Loving the TR, we are doing something similar in Dec. My inlaws are surprising my DS10 and DD7 at WDW during our trip. My MIL has health issues and they didn't want to tell kids they were going since they might have to cancel if she has issues this year and then have the kids disappointed. So the plan now is that we (DH, kids, my mom and myself) fly USAir and arrive around 2pm and in laws fly United (all out of same airport) and arrive at 4pm. We will take the kids to Epcot and then inlaws will meet us at Le Cellier for dinner and surprise the kids. Then SIL flies in 4 days later and will surprise DS at CM 11 bday breakfast. It is very difficult to keep the secret for the 15 months of planning while trying to make all the plans.

 

[bucket o' butter]

Loving the TR, we are doing something similar in Dec. My inlaws are surprising my DS10 and DD7 at WDW during our trip. My MIL has health issues and they didn't want to tell kids they were going since they might have to cancel if she has issues this year and then have the kids disappointed. So the plan now is that we (DH, kids, my mom and myself) fly USAir and arrive around 2pm and in laws fly United (all out of same airport) and arrive at 4pm. We will take the kids to Epcot and then inlaws will meet us at Le Cellier for dinner and surprise the kids. Then SIL flies in 4 days later and will surprise DS at CM 11 bday breakfast. It is very difficult to keep the secret for the 15 months of planning while trying to make all the plans.

Now that I look back, the secret was sooo worth it. Just to see the look on the kids face when we got to the airport and then to see Julie's face on the morning of her surprise. Your kids will love it and it will hold special memories for them!

 

[bucket o' butter]

I hope I can tell this story and make it as humorous as it really was. Sometimes that is hard to come across in writing.

It all began after breakfast. FIL Bob and I were to pick up scooters for grandparents at 8:30 A.M. right after breakfast. Our plan was to get the scooters and ride them down to the room for grandparents to use to go over to wedding at GF. (It was quicker to walk to the GF from Poly than to take monorail due to location of wedding chapel) Anyway, we met the guys from Randy's Mobility in the lobby. They gave us the instructions of how to drive them since neither one of us had driven one. Pretty simple. Squeeze the handle for go, let go of the handle for stop. I could do that, I thought. There was even a control for speed. Basically, turtle speed verses rabbit speed. Well, we took off and all was well. DH and DS8 walked along behind us. I was amazed at how fast these things could go. We cut through the Nive building. The building was empty so I took off. I stopped before the door and looked to the left and to the right. No people in sight! I depressed the accelerator again to cross the walk to the Samoa building. Wow! These things really move quick. Suddenly, from out behind a bush, comes a Polynesian maintenance golf cart. I guess I panicked and instead of stopping, I squeezed the handlebars. We all know what happens when you squeeze the handlebar. You don't slow down, that's for sure. CRASH!! Right into the golf cart. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but I was told by the DH and FIL, that it was pretty comical. In the rush to try to stop the cart, I put my feet down. Well, that didn't help because I was still depressing the accelerator with my hand! The two maintenance workers immediately stopped to see if everyone was okay. I was more ticked off at myself, and mortified. Once we figured out everyone was okay, I started to take off. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. I had damaged the front wheel in my little mishap. Now I had to call the guys from Randy's to let them know of the mishap. DH didn't want me to tell them that I hit something, but it was clearly evident that I did. Unfortunately for me there was no getting around that one. They hadn't even made it out of the parking lot when I called. I told them that I had a "little mishap" and the front wheel was damaged. They immediately returned and saw that it wasn't going to be an easy fix. I apologized all over myself, but they kept saying not to worry about it. They could fix it easily at the shop. Many people had crashed the scooters before. I wasn't the first and certainly wouldn't be the last. They said one guy had even driven his scooter into the hotel wall and put a hole in the wall and knocked the entire front of the scooter off. At least I didn't do any damage to anyone or anything except for the scooter, and of course, my ego. DH was never going to let me live this one down. I am still reminded of this incident at least once a day! Randy had another scooter in his truck and replaced the wrecked one with it. I ever so slowly and carefully drove it from the parking lot to the front lobby for grandparents to use. I then had to tell the whole family, who by this time was waiting for me in the lobby to walk over to the GF what happened. I figured if I couldn't laugh at myself, I was going to have a very difficult week. I wish I had a picture, but no one had a camera nearby. Just use your imaginations!

 

[nurtz]

]

Once we said next year though, she was on the ball. (She really should be a travel agent for Disney. That is her true calling!!!)

My husband definitely thinks I should plan vacations because he insists that is all I do in my free time!

I tell you, she was determined to plan this family vacation!

Like a dog with a bone!

Now that I look back, the secret was sooo worth it

Speaking as the person who was surprised, it was the best gift ever! I still have a hard time believing they pulled it off!

 

[nurtz]

So, guess what, we are heading to Orlando again next year.

Well, Brian and I do have those annual passes that we got with the vow renewal to use! That's my excuse and I am sticking to it!

I guess I panicked and instead of stopping, I squeezed the handlebars. We all know what happens when you squeeze the handlebar. You don't slow down, that's for sure. CRASH!! Right into the golf cart.

Unfortunately, I missed that little incident but I am sure it was comical like "Crash" (I mean Mel) said!

 

[tink1957]

Just found your report & I am really enjoying it so far. What a wonderful surprise for Julie & your kids. I want to surprise mine with a Disney cruise next year but don't know if I can pull it off. Thanks for sharing your crash with us, don't feel bad, I crashed our car while on the way to Panama City, FL a few years ago just before we got to our hotel. At least you can laugh about it & no harm was done except to your pride.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[bucket o' butter]

Okay, we're off to the GF Wedding Chapel. We had to leave our kids behind at the hotel due to Disney limiting the number of guests that can attend the weddings. The total number of guests Brian and allowed to have was 18. After that, the price skyrocketed! It was already expensive enough for Brian and frankly, my kids had no desire to sit through a wedding. Our problem was DS8. I was very hesitant leaving him in the room with DD12 and DS14. You know how siblings get and they can all be pigheaded. So, DH found the pirate cruise that coincided with the wedding. Perfect! We couldn't have asked for anything better.

Wrong! DS had no desire to go on this cruise. I think a lot of it had to do with not knowing anyone. He is relatively shy when he doesn't know people. When he gets to know you though, watch out. He doesn't shut up!!! We just told him he was going to go. There would be no arguing. DH walked him over the the Pirate Cruise thinking he would cheer up as soon as he saw the boat and the other "pirates". No deal! Here is the picture that was taken right before they sailed away!

How pathetic!!! He is a good actor and should win an academy award for his performance.

DH stayed until they sailed away and then walked over to the ceremony. He arrived with about 2 minutes to spare. I didn't think he was going to make it. Weddings aren't exactly his thing, but I would hope he would make it to his sister's ceremony. Ha! Ha!

Back to the 18 guest limit. I haven't figured that one out yet. The wedding chapel was huge. Could have held well over 100 guests. A few extra would not have cost them anymore money. But, it is Disney, and as much as I love all things Disney, they do suck the money out of you faster than you earn it!

The ceremony was very nice. It was a relaxed atmosphere. Their three sons stood up with Julie and Brian. All the guys wore shorts and Hawaiian shirts. Brian ordered a Hawaiian wedding dress for Julie.

Julie walking down the aisle with her dad, Bob

Back to the dress. This was another issue we had in the planning. Since Julie didn't know she was attending her own wedding , getting her to bring the correct attire was going to be difficult. At first Brian was just going to tell her to go shopping for a dress for the "make believe" wedding they were going to. I had some bad vibes with that plan, because I know what I would shop for if I was attending someone else's wedding. It would be a nice sundress, but not a white dress. Brian was a little apprehensive on ordering a dress in fear of getting the wrong size. I suggested ordering two sizes of the same dress and then to send one back. He had found a dress he liked on the internet and went ahead and ordered it. He had it shipped to Julie's mom for her to bring to Florida. In the end, it all turned out. The dress fit nicely and Julie looked great!

The kiss!!!

As I mentioned, the ceremony was great. I loved the sand jar idea. I don't know if this is a Disney thing or this is new to weddings everywhere. All the members of the family had a jar of colored sand. They all poured some of their sand into a larger jar making a very pretty design. They then had a "souvenir" of the wedding. I never did ask Julie how the sand jar did on the way home. She will have to let us know.

 

[ktmetke]

I love this trip report.......you guys have me in tears....so romantic!!!!!

 

[bucket o' butter]

Just thought I would post some pictures of the ceremony. I'll add more to the trip tomorrow evening. But for now, enjoy the pictures!

Julie and Brian posing after the cermony

The making of the sand jar

The actual ceremony

Julie's reaction to seeing her mom for the first time at Disney

Brian walking down the aisle. I said it was a very relaxed atmosphere.

 

[bucket o' butter]

One other thing I would like to report that I forgot to mention before. It is about Brian. He is a very quiet person, at least he is at family functions. Doesn't talk unless he needs to. In all honesty, we don't see him except for a few times a year because of his work schedule, so we really haven't had a chance to get to know him. In fact, until this whole situation, I am not sure if I have ever had a real conversation with him. I have learned a lot about him over the past two years and I have to say that I think Julie is a very lucky person to have a guy like him!!! Way to go Brian! You have really impressed us and I know he impressed, and shocked, Julie!

 

[amytheobald]

What a beautiful renewal! He did a good job on the dress too. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[nurtz]

When he gets to know you though, watch out. He doesn't shut up!!!

Amen to that one! That kid is a talker! I hope he ended up having fun on the pirate cruise...I don't think I got to talk to him about it.

The dress fit nicely and Julie looked great!

Thanks, but it's a good thing he didn't order a size smaller!

I never did ask Julie how the sand jar did on the way home. She will have to let us know.

The sand jar survived the plane trip, although it had to be checked when we went through security. I nicely asked the lady NOT to spill it and she obliged! It is sitting on the mantel above our fireplace. What a special memento and memory of the ceremony. It was nice to have our sons involved like that.

 

[nurtz]

I have learned a lot about him over the past two years and I have to say that I think Julie is a very lucky person to have a guy like him!!!

Yes, I am!