Up, down and all around...a trip we will NEVER forget - COMPLETE 1/19

[brookelizabeth]

Brook-I will be praying for your grandma (and all of you, sounds like the stress is really getting to everyone).

Also, I enjoyed reading about your breakfast at Boma. Cute story about seeing the same little boy and the coloring books.

I hope the situation/stress clears up very quickly and that your entire family (especially your grandma) is able to fully enjoy the holiday season.

brookelizabeth, I am so sorry to hear about your grandmothers situation. Finding out that you put trust in a person who doesn't deserve it is such a horrible thing! I hope she will get over the stress soon in order to be able to enjoy life and especially christmas again!!

Prayers for your grandmother!

I'll be keeping grandma and the rest of you in my thoughts and prayers

I hope that everything gets resolved soon, so grandma isn't so stressed and that you all cal enjoy the Holidays!!

Paula

Brook, you can count on our prayers for your grandmother, her situation, and for the entire family.

The Renfroes

Brook - You have my best thoughts winging your way for you and your family, especially your grandmother.

I'm so sorry to hear about everything going on - you're all in my prayers.

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

I'm really enjoying your trip report. Your photos are great!

Thank you everyone for your words, thoughts and prayers around this whole situation. We have pretty much decided that despite the fact that the niece and her family live on the same property as my Grandma, and my Grandma is currently living with my Uncle to get her away from it all, we are still going to have Christmas at her house, as we have for as long as I can remember. We aren't going to let this situation derail us, and my Grandma loves celebrating at her home. She'll be surrounded by people who truly love her the entire holiday, and then can return safe and sound with my Uncle. I do believe by that time, depending on how quickly the law works, the niece will be in a small cement room with bars. Which is sad, but necessary at the same time. I just hope this experience knocks some sense into her.

Alright, I am going to be hopefully updating here in just a few! Onward with Boma!


And thank you for your nice comments on the pictures and the TR! I'm happy you are all enjoying it!

 

[thewesterberg]

Brook, your Grandma and the rest of your family are in my prayers. Sounds like your family is pulling together which will be a huge support to your Grandma, plus it will keep the holidays "normal".

 

[brookelizabeth]

When I abruptly left you, we were in the middle of feasting on the wonderful Boma breakfast buffet at the beautiful AKL.

We continued to enjoy our breakfast...

Fresh fruit, caramel roll, there is a scone hiding in there, sweet bread and a muffin.

And before we wrapped up, I told Joe I had to go take buffet pictures for all my DIS pals! ENJOY THE FEAST!

Crossiants and sweet bread

Bagels

Pastries

Muffiny goodness

Cold cereal

Fresh fruit

Fruit and strawberry banana yogurt-which Henry GOBBLED down.

Breakfast potatoes & egg dishes. Note the breakfast potatoes were almost gone. I do believe this is because I ate near the ENTIRE PAN!

Eggs - I believe the left was ham & cheese, the right was just cheese

Plain boring eggs (the way I like 'em!)

This is either oatmeal or quinoa (I can't tell by the pic)

Pap

Pancakes & Waffles. Both Henry approved.

Bobotie, pork and ham, and probably a couple other things were served from these 2 stations-the meat was cooked right there in the fire behind the CM.

And this isn't even everything they have to offer! Joe told me yesterday that he wouldn't mind going here every trip. My response was "OKAY!" So far it's not added to January, but we will most likely attempt to squeeze it in. I give to two thumbs WAY up!

Before we left, I took a few more pictures of the actual resturant as well.

The place was almost bare.

Up next: Could we call this "Home"?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook, your Grandma and the rest of your family are in my prayers. Sounds like your family is pulling together which will be a huge support to your Grandma, plus it will keep the holidays "normal".

Thanks so much! Our family really is pulling together on all this, I have spoken more to my Mom in the last few days than I think I have in the last few months! I know my Grandma is grateful all this was found out and the situation will END, so it's a very good thing-it's just all the waiting and dealings until the ending that are stressful.

Thank you again for your prayers!

 

[kschafer]

Among all the stress surrounding your Grandmother, you still manage to show us a delicious looking breakfast! When I see pics of cold cereal I always wonder how much of it they go through. Sorry but when I go out for breakfast, it isn't to eat frosted flakes! I suppose lots of kids appreciate the familiarity though.

Thanks for the lovely pictures and I hope things with your grandma resolve quickly so you can enjoy the holidays with your family.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Brook, I'm so sorry your Grandmas is in such a terrible situation. Lots of prayers for her and the rest of your family. You sound like a great, strong group!!

Your Boma pics are wonderful!! It all looks so delicious!!! Ummmm, think I could have breakfast for dinner!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I am Soooooo hungry now................ where is the drooling smiley????

 

[brookelizabeth]

With our bellies full and smiles on our face, we finished our meal at Boma and headed out of the restaurant, we had about an hour to wander around AKL before our scheduled DVC pick-up. I was very excited to explore AKL again - I wanted to remember our wonderful dream filled honeymoon, I wanted to take a TON of pictures for my pals on the "Jambo Lite" thread, and since we were going on a DVC tour, I wanted to see if I could truly call AKL Home.

Since we had already explored the lobby area a bit, we headed straight for the doors to enjoy the grounds at AKL.

We saw more construction going on, giving the lodge a facelift.

The pool area is like a beautiful oasis, I love all the vegetation

Soon we found ourselves at the Hakuna Matata playground and had Henry test it out

We continued to explore after getting many smiles and squeals of glee from Henry on the playground.

I haven't gotten a chance to try out this slide...yet.

We gazed out over the savannah, but only saw birds - I am not sure if it was because of the time of day (late morning), or because some animals have been taken off the savannah due to the construction. Regardless, the savannah is still very pretty without animals!

Heading back inside, I continued my picture brigade!

LL-an ostrich egg chandelier! So cool.

Jiko. Someday I will dine here!

A pic from out one of the windows in the hallways of the construction.

Spiffin' it up!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Back inside...

I think the bridge across the lobby is very cool.

"Mom, I want to live here."

And back out!

This is my current laptop wallpaper. Ahhhhh.

And inside again...

Joe's fav...

Soon we were done exploring and soaking in AKL and it was nearing our DVC appointment time. We went outside to wait for the van when Joe suddenly reminded me that I was going to purchase Zebra Domes! Ahhhh! I almost forgot!!!!!!!!!!

But, there was nooooo way my stomach (or Joe's) could handle them at that point. While we were feeling better, we still weren't 100%, plus we had just gorged ourselves at Boma. Had we been returning to the resort, I would have bought them and put them in the fridge; however, we knew it would be a couple hours before we returned and I didn't want them to go to waste. BUT, I ran down to the Mara anyway to get a pic of the lovely Domes for my folks on the Jambo Lite thread. It's our "thing"!

The Mara

A very sad pic of The Domes. I'm sure the CMs thought I was insane for running in, snapping pictures of the place, opening a cooler and snapping another picture and then running away without buying anything!

I scurried back upstairs and outside to Joe and Henry, and just moments later the DVC van pulled up...

Up next: Going $700 over your trip budget doesn't count, right?
(I figured I'd leave a pretty obvious title here since most of you know my "secret"! )

 

[Lady Lallie]

to you and your family while you deal with your situation.

I can't tell you how excited I am to go to Jiko and see all these wonderful AKL light fixtures you have posted. I am going to have to schedule an extra early arrival so I can enjoy them all.

 

[ILuvCrush]

Hey Brook!!

I'm totally enjoying the AKL pics!!!

I just got my letter in the mail TODAY!! We're closed on our DVC purchase... so I'm a partying!! arty:

I love the ostrich egg light... very cool, I didn't notice it the last time I was there!!

Paula

 

[Lady Lallie]

I have to admit I have never been tempted to stay at AKL before due to it's location but after seeing your pictures I really really really want to stay there!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Among all the stress surrounding your Grandmother, you still manage to show us a delicious looking breakfast! When I see pics of cold cereal I always wonder how much of it they go through. Sorry but when I go out for breakfast, it isn't to eat frosted flakes! I suppose lots of kids appreciate the familiarity though.

Thanks for the lovely pictures and I hope things with your grandma resolve quickly so you can enjoy the holidays with your family.

I've been sitting on those buffet pics for a while-I had to provide! Plus, it's a very nice break from the marathon phone calls.

I am with ya on the cold cereal. No way when there are all those other yummy things! I almost didn't take a pic, because it's not like we don't know what it looks like!

Brook, I'm so sorry your Grandmas is in such a terrible situation. Lots of prayers for her and the rest of your family. You sound like a great, strong group!!

Your Boma pics are wonderful!! It all looks so delicious!!! Ummmm, think I could have breakfast for dinner!

Thank you for your prayers and kind words.

I could totally have Boma breakfast for dinner, and lunch! So good!

I am Soooooo hungry now................ where is the drooling smiley????

They really need one!

to you and your family while you deal with your situation.

I can't tell you how excited I am to go to Jiko and see all these wonderful AKL light fixtures you have posted. I am going to have to schedule an extra early arrival so I can enjoy them all.

Thank you for the hugs!

There are SO many cool AKL light fixtures! You will have a ball! Jiko looks just incredible. Yummmmm!

Hey Brook!!

I'm totally enjoying the AKL pics!!!

I just got my letter in the mail TODAY!! We're closed on our DVC purchase... so I'm a partying!! arty:

I love the ostrich egg light... very cool, I didn't notice it the last time I was there!!

Paula

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I didn't notice/recall the ostrich egg light from 2006 either. When I came in that door (the door that leads to the path to The Mara), I looked up and was in awe. There are so many neat details at AKL.

I have to admit I have never been tempted to stay at AKL before due to it's location but after seeing your pictures I really really really want to stay there!

The location is a bit remote, but the bus service there is REALLY good. You don't share busses, and I remember the most we ever waited was 10 minutes for a bus, even when coming back from a park. It felt like longer rides at WL (AKL to DTD was the longest, I remember). I don't know if I just hit a good bus week, or what, but really, don't let it deter you, AKL is truly awesome!

 

[ethansmommy]

Great trip report! Hmmm $700 dollars over budget sounds like maybe you decided to become a DVC member?? Also I hope everything works out okay with your grandma.

 

[Camster0307]

Brook - So sorry to hear the tough time your grandmother is going through. My thoughts and prayers are with her and your family.

Your pictures from AKL are amazing! That Boma breakfast looks soooooo good! I would love to eat there someday but I'm the only one in my family who really enjoys a great breakfast!

And, yes - I'm thinking you CAN call that place home!

 

[Mocharilla]

Aw, Brooke! I'm so sorry your family is going through hard times.

I'm praying for your grandma and your family! I hope that whatever it is that's going on gets resolved in a good manner, and that every thing is okay!

We're all here for you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hugs and prayers for you, your family, and your grandmother!

Oh, Brook, you had to go and take photos of AKL, didn't you???

Those zebra domes -- what I wouldn't give for a container of them right now.

You know, we were going to forego Boma on this next trip so we could devote time to the restaurants on Crescent Lake -- but now...I may have to rethink that -- you reminded me of all the reasons I love eating there.

 

[CJsMom]

So sorry to hear about your Grandmother's situation - sending lots of good thoughts your way! You know I am loving those AKL pictures - even the repeats from the Jambo thread - can't get enough of them!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great trip report! Hmmm $700 dollars over budget sounds like maybe you decided to become a DVC member?? Also I hope everything works out okay with your grandma.

Thank you for your kind words.

And DVC??

Brook - So sorry to hear the tough time your grandmother is going through. My thoughts and prayers are with her and your family.

Your pictures from AKL are amazing! That Boma breakfast looks soooooo good! I would love to eat there someday but I'm the only one in my family who really enjoys a great breakfast!

And, yes - I'm thinking you CAN call that place home!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers through this time.

Boma breakfast is AWESOME. Joe isn't much of a breakfast man either, but he knows I am, so he sucked it up and now he's hooked! Maybe you can convince the girls - or just someday when you can do a solo trip!

Hmmm...home...

Aw, Brooke! I'm so sorry your family is going through hard times.

I'm praying for your grandma and your family! I hope that whatever it is that's going on gets resolved in a good manner, and that every thing is okay!

We're all here for you!

Thank you for your prayers!

Hugs and prayers for you, your family, and your grandmother!

Oh, Brook, you had to go and take photos of AKL, didn't you???

Those zebra domes -- what I wouldn't give for a container of them right now.

You know, we were going to forego Boma on this next trip so we could devote time to the restaurants on Crescent Lake -- but now...I may have to rethink that -- you reminded me of all the reasons I love eating there.

Thank you for the hugs!

I thought about you when I was posting all those AKL pics-thinking it was a good thing you are set on the Beach Club, otherwise I might had caused a change in a certain trip binders outfit!

I know what you mean about the ZDs, I was so disappointed I couldn't enjoy them. But that will make them all the more speical when I can I suppose!

Boma really is awesome if you can fit it in!!!

So sorry to hear about your Grandmother's situation - sending lots of good thoughts your way! You know I am loving those AKL pictures - even the repeats from the Jambo thread - can't get enough of them!

Thank you for your thoughts! I figured you wouldn't mind repeats at all-I know I never do!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I am Soooooo hungry now................ where is the drooling smiley????

Great pics of AKL! That is next on my list of places to stay! Now if I can just talk the Disney Grump into it...................