Who knew choking each other would earn us fastpasses?

[nessz79]

What terrible weather! I can't wait to see the graduation pics .

 

[MissLiz]

Shoot, I live here and I pray like that every time I have to drive on the highway!



You should have seen me driving to the city when I had my ob appts with my youngest. DH worked in the same building as my ob/gyn, so he'd just meet me there, but I had to drive down there myself. I hated it!

I try to avoid the highways around here as much as possible.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Yay! A Lisa and Family Road Trip!

UGH...rain is the worst! That wind was crazy! I'd have been praying too!

LOL...I can't believe you saw a tractor trailer fire! I guess cars on fire on the side of the road are not as uncommon as I thought!

Cracking up laughing at the "John napping and on the phone" comment! LOL!

 

[Believeinfairytales]

I could travel with you guys anywhere. Everywhere you go sounds like an adventure. I'm with you on the praying - I pray like that when I'm traveling, too. Traffic scares me. Traffic and rain together - well - that makes me a basket case!

I laughed aloud at your description of the comforters. I'll admit it - they look a little strange. But your view of the pool and the river beyond it (though we can't see it right now) is pretty awesome! I can't wait until the part where you get to see Lacey!

 

[Dug-says-HI-THERE!]

wow, I am finally caught up with you CHOKING TR, so far....you all look like you're having the BEST time!! I love the ongoing theme of your husband on his phone....maybe you should ban his phone from future vacations??

 

[Angies1274]

Hi Lisa! First of all, I'm so happy you found Lacey's graduation pictures!

I loved all your pics of Laugh Floor! Yay! that Hunter's joke got chosen!

So glad you decided to do a mini-TR for Lacey's graduation! But...boo on the terrible weather. On our way back last week from the lake it was pouring out and the traffic was terrible. I definitely understand how you were feeling... I said a few prayers myself that day.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Landry]

Hey Lisa. I'm enjoying the trip report(s). I just wanted to recommend Google Maps instead of MapQuest for navigation. I used to use MapQuest a few years ago, but I feel much safer using Google (plus Google hasn't sent me 3 miles past my hotel before like MapQuest did).

 

[jenseib]

I agree about google maps. I think Map quest is off alot of times. In fact it has my house in the wrong spot! LOL!

 

[mickeystoontown]

The next morning, surprise, surprise, I got up before John and Hunter. I went outside to see what our view was like. Here's a little video I took.



See how nice and quiet and pretty it was! And, then, I took pictures:

There were picnic tables and benches down by the river for the hotel guests to use.

I called Mama to see if she was awake and she was. She was going to go down and get her some breakfast from the continental breakfast. I wasn't ready yet so she said she'd go ahead. I finished getting ready and so did Hunter. Here's what he was doing when I got back from downstairs:

He's not really asleep. He's just acting like a nut! Guess what John was doing? Yep, you guessed it, talking on the phone with his brother. I have a picture of him standing on the balcony with no shirt on and his underwear sticking out because his shorts were sagging. I know I said he'd kill me if I posted the one of him in the backseat shirtless..well, you can imagine what he'd do to me if I posted the one with his underwear showing! Probably strangle me....give me CPR....and then kill me! Just kidding!

John and I ate our breakfast out on the balcony while Hunter ate his cereal while watching Cheaper By The Dozen on television. It was nice and quiet and serene outside. I called Lacey and she said they were going to the church a little later and that they would have practice. It really wouldn't do us any good to get in a hurry to get to her apartment or to the church because she wouldn't have time to visit with us anyway.

Once we finished our breakfast (which could now probably be considered brunch), John said he was going to jump in the shower. Hunter was still watching television. I walked over to Mama's room to see what she was doing. She wasn't doing anything so she and I decided to walk down a block or two and visit this really cool country store. They have a little bit of everything and we like to walk around in it. I asked Hunter if he wanted to come and he said he'd just stay put in front of the television. Go figure?

Mama and I walked down to the store and found all sorts of goodies. They have every kind of homemade jam or jelly you can imagine. They also have huge wheels of cheese and a meat market. The fresh baked breads smell heavenly too. I found the exact brand of laundry soap that I need to make my homemade laundry detergent. I have looked all over our town for that brand and could never find it.

The one item that we couldn't find was a delicious pickled cauliflower that we had bought there the last two trips. We were both really disappointed to see that they didn't carry it any more.

We paid for our items and walked back to the hotel to see how the boys were doing. They were finishing up getting ready and we thought we'd all go for a walk down by the river. Mama said she would stay in the room and see if she could call her sister.

As we walked out of the hotel, we could see that it was cloudy. Great! It was going to rain again! I put my purse and Hunter's backpack in the trun of the car before we walked down to the river. I asked Hunter to take a picture of John and I:

Hunter said he felt a drop of rain and then John felt one too. I ran down to the river and took a picture and then the wind went nuts. There were leaves flying everywhere and then the rain really started. The two pictures that I took before the downpour:

The back of the Hampton Inn:

We barely made it underneath the garage before the bottom fell out of the sky. My hair was all over my head and our clothes were damp. Our car was parked out in the open and not under the cover of the garage. John figured since he was wet, he might as well sprint out and get the car and park it in the garage since there were some parking spaces available. He parked the car and we went back up to the room.

Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

We really didn't have time to go do anything because the best way to travel around Helen is by walking. The traffic is bumper to bumper to bumper and some streets are no left turn during certain hours of the day. The graduation ceremony is not a traditional ceremony. It's very laid back and not a dressy affair. So, it didn't take long to change our clothes. My hair, however, was a different story. It was all over the place and curls were springing up. Shoot! I guess I will be wearing a ponytail.

We called Mama and she was ready so she came over. We sat for a few minutes and then went ahead and left because we were afraid the traffic out of Helen and into Cleveland would be backed up just like it has been during our previous visits. Wouldn't you know it! There was zilch traffic going out of town. Going into town was a different story. It was backed up for miles and miles and miles.

I called Lacey and told her we were going to waste some time because if we came to the church now we would be an hour early. They were still in a meeting so she couldn't come out and visit with us. So, we did what every red blooded American would do at a time like that. We pulled into Walmart! It is a brand spanking new Walmart too! Mama found her some really cute capris and a top. I found a cute top. Hunter found a Subway that had a pizza. John talked on the phone while Hunter ate. We made our purchases and were on our way to the church.

Lacey met us in the reception area and it was sooooo good to see her again. I don't like going months without seeing her. Of course, she had to ooh and aah over how tall Hunter had gotten. We talked with some of the other parents and went in and sat down.

Soon, the ceremony began. I said before that the graduation isn't a traditional ceremony. There's no cap and gown. There's no dressing up. It's just a wonderful tribute to the students and what they have done that year.

Have I mentioned how much I hate my camera? Well, if I haven't, I do! It has a stupid delay on it and it takes forever to take a picture sometimes. I have had a few people look at it and see if there's some way to take the delay off but there's not so I'll just continue to hate it until I can get a new one. Anyway, the music began and the students started walking down the church aisle. Lacey did her classic tongue out and fingers up to me which I missed taking a picture of. Hey, I never said she was the genteel quiet Southern girl. Here she is walking down the aisle. She's the second from the right. Jesse is right behind her:

The pastor came up and started talking about all of the things that the students had done that year. How proud he was of all of them. They played a slide show that had some really serious moments and some really silly moments. Yes, I cried. I couldn't help it. What can I say? I cry at commercials so you know I cried watching the slide show.

Then, one of the Mission leaders recognized a wonderful man who helped with the Mission:

Next, they handed out Certificates to all of the students. Yep, the delay was bugging the crap out of me! Here's Lacey.

Can you see her? Heck no! Stupid stupid camera! You can see that she's not wearing shoes though. She wasn't the only one not wearing shoes. There were two other girls who were barefooted.

Now, before you go thinking that Lacey was born in a barn, raised by a pack of wolves or just dug herself out from under a rock, I must come to her defense. The Mission students travel all over the place to conventions. At those conventions, they do dramas and paintings and are usually wearing scrubs or costumes and going barefoot. Otherwise, their clothes and shoes would be ruined. So, they are all accustomed to having no shoes on. Some thought it would be only fitting to go barefoot all the way through to graduation. Lacey was one of those. That being said, she's never like wearing shoes and she says that when she gets married she will either wear fliip flops or no shoes at all. She's serious!

Here's one of Jesse....my future son-in-law. At least I was able to get his face in the picture:

After receiving their Certificates, the students stood down front. This is another bad picture. I tried to lighten it up but it looks like they are all demon-eyed.

The families of the students were called down to the front of the church and were recognized. We held a group prayer for the students.

There were a few other awards given out to some of the students and to alumni. The first year that Lacey was in the Mission, there were different leaders. They chose to resign so that they could focus on having another baby. They were recognized at the ceremony for their continued work with the Mission:

They also recognized another alumni, Josh Bugg. He is an amazing young man. He has cerebral palsy and a rare blood disease which requires that he have a complete blood transfusion every two weeks. He calls it "going in for an oil change". He is the one who started the baseball team for the mentally and physically challenged. The team started out with just a few players and supporters. The team has grown and the supporters turn out by the hundreds. We are proud of Josh!

I won't bore you guys with more graduation pictures. Let me just tell you that it was a moving ceremony and each and every one of those students deserved the praise they were given and then some! The dedication that those students have shown to the program is amazing. I only wish that all young people had the strength and courage to stand up for what they believe in.

Once the graduation was over with, we stood around a few minutes and talked with Jesse parents. They are wonderful people. They had to leave and head back to Tennessee. I found Lacey and asked her to follow me outside because I had a little gift for all the students. I had also made a basket of Louisiana goodies for her Mission parents. Each Mission student has a set of Mission parents who take good care of them and take our places while the students are away from home.

I wish I had thought to take a picture of the gifts. They turned out really cute. I bought them all some Bath and Body Works lotion (shower gel for the two guys) and a Mickey keychain from Disney World. I couldn't think of what to wrap them in so I bought some red fabric that had black Mickey heads on them. I cut out a large circle of fabric and gathered it around the lotion and tied it with a bright red ribbon. Then, I hooked the keychain from the ribbon.

Lacey went back inside and her Mission parents came out with us. Hunter took a picture of me digging around in the back of the car:

And I guess he was taking a picture of the mountain in the distance or maybe the dark clouds?

We thanked the Mission parents for taking care of Lacey so well. They were truly a God send and if I hadn't known they were watching over her, I would have been a nervous wreck. It started sprinkling rain so I sprinted back in and told Lacey we were going back to the hotel to change. She and Jesse would be there in just a bit.

Hunter took a few pictures as we were driving through Cleveland and then on to Helen. Did you guys know that Cleveland, Georgia is the original home of the Cabbage Patch Kid?

Pictures driving down the road:

***Okay, so I know I said up next was our stroll through Helen but it'll have to wait 'til tomorrow.

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Hey there! Better late than never, I always say!

Do you have any idea where you're going to stay next trip? When are you traveling?
:

We are going Jan. 21st-30th. Touring Plans give that week 1's, 2's and 3's with only one 4 on it's crowd calendar. It's a toss up between CSR and CBR. We stayed at CBR our first trip and didn't know enough to ask to be closer to the main building and we we way way out in the Trinidad South section building 37 such a far walk when your 5 mos. preggers! We've also stayed at CSR and LOVED it. We stayed in the Cabanas building 8B and loved being close to the main building and a bus stop. I would sort of like giving CBR another try but DH loves the Pepper Mart and the new room redos look so great we may end up back at CSR.

I see that you are on the fence too did ya'll make any decisions?

 

[Woth2982]

All caught up! Joined in this weekend! Sounds like you all have had some adventures this year! Looking forward to seeing what is next!

 

[aprilisis]

I'm loving your Georgia TR!!! That hotel looks great. The setting is so pretty. I can't wait to read more! I finally have internet at home, so I will be able to keep up with my TR subscriptions.

 

[MHTeacher]

OK---a lot to comment on; hopefully I won't forget what I wanted to say.

It looks like a wonderful graduation ceremony. I know you are so proud of Lacey!

I did know that about the cabbage patch babies---and ---did you know that you can take a tour of the factory?

We love the laugh floor at Disney. Once when we were there, we got seated, the show started and the first joke was said. As it was, this bright light above me went on, and I started praying, "No, please, dear God, do not let me look up at that screen and see myself!" I managed to look up there, and it was Kevin-my husband! HA

 

[Run4Disney]

Hi Lisa, I'm still here reading along.

Wow, that wasn't just a rain storm, that was a monsoon. I'm glad that you were able to wait it out at the gas station. I hate driving in rain too, it does frazzle the nerves.

My husband has the same whiteish Disney hat that John is wearing. I had to laugh when I saw the sticker on John's hat because my husband gets the stickers too and usually puts them on his shirt or luggage. Yes, my husband is in his 40's and travels to big business meetings with Mickey Mouse stickers on his luggage! I have another sticker story for you. One time DH and I were having lunch at Cosmic Rays and a teenage Cast Member who was passing out Sonny Eclipse stickers to everyone came up to us to ask if we wanted a sticker. I could tell that he was embarrassed to ask us (we don't have kids) and he was shocked when we both very excitedly said, "YES! We want a sticker!!" We immediately put the stickers on our shirts. I could tell that he thought we were maybe a bit "off" in the heads.

You always make your family trips sound like so much fun. Can't wait to read more.

Rhonda

 

[Run4Disney]

Oh, I forgot to say that I have 2 Vera Bradley backpacks like yours. One is bright pink with paisley and the other is brown and green. I use them for Disney trips. They are just the perfect size.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Lisa, I am loving your report! I love the way you put the links up, it makes so easy (although then I miss all the chatter and banter lol).

Love the way your family loves being together and so enjoyed Lacey's graduation tr too!

I love your mama! I lost mine two and half years ago, and seeing you all travel together at WDW and at Lacey's graduation, really brought back some happy memories for me. Hunter and your mama are just like my son and his "grammy" were.

Gosh, Hunter has gotten huge!

 

[Mommy2BnB]

You are growing your hair out. It looks great! I like it longer. That was cute that Lacie went barefoot through her graduation. I have a cousin that got married barefoot.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The closer we got to Helen, the slower the traffic started moving. It was backed up for miles on our way out of town. We actually lucked up and it was only backed up to the outskirts of town. I took a picture that I took looking behind me at the traffic but I can't find it right now. Just take my word for it when I say traffic was horrendous. You wouldn't think that a little town like Helen, Georgia would have such traffic problems.

Here's a pic Hunter took out the window while we were sitting in traffic:

The town is really cute. All of the buildings are Bavarian style. Even the gas stations have the same type of theme to their buildings. As we were sitting in traffic, Lacey called to say they were sitting in traffic too but they were about a mile behind us. We told them where we were and reminded them which hotel we were staying in. After about 45 minutes, we finally reached the street to the Hampton.

Another 20 or 25 minutes passed and Lacey and Jesse arrived. We were all starving and ready for some food! The best way to navigate around Helen is to walk. So, we all walked down a couple of blocks and went to the same restaurant we went to a couple of years ago, The Safari House. Everything on their menu has African names but the food is all American.

We were seated outside on the patio. We ordered the fried jalapeno strips with ranch dressing and chatted with each other. Lacey and Jesse showed us pictures of their trip to Washington, DC. They visited Lincoln Memorial, The Smithsonian Museum, the Holocaust Museum and the Vietnam Memorial along with a few other places. Oh, and where was it that Jenny and Forest Gump ran through the water? I can't think of the name right offhand. Anyway, Lacey had a picture of her with her foot in the water.

I forgot to take pictures of the food because we were looking at pictures of Disney on my camera. If I am remembering correctly, John and Jesse both ordered a New York strip. Mama and I ordered the hamburger steak with mushrooms. Lacey ordered some kind of sandwich and Hunter ordered fried catfish. We loved it all except for the catfish which wasn't the fault of the restaurant. We are just used to our catfish being done the Louisiana way, not the Georgia way.

Once we were done eating, we wandered around the town a bit. There's one main strip of road going through Helen and most of the shops are right on the strip. There are alleyways between some of the buildings that lead to more shops. Helen was really hopping that night and there were people everywhere. There was a live band playing that night too.

I took a picture of the wooden toy shop window because it had a Disney painting on it:

More pictures walking around town:

Hunter just couldn't get enough of Lacey and was constantly giving her hugs. Here's one of them hugging in the middle of a shop. Of course, the were hamming it up since they knew I was taking a picture:

One shop owner was really getting into character. I just had to snap his picture:

The next shop we went to had all sorts of windchimes and stones and then the most hideous stuff you could imagine. I didn't get many pictures because there was always somebody in the store looking when I wanted to take pictures of the tacky/hideous stuff.

John and Jesse found a nice shady spot to sit and chat:

Oh, and there was one other thing that I really wanted to take a picture of but there were too many people walking by. Near one of the shop doors in one of the alleys, there was an automatic pet watering bowl. You know, the ones with the big water bottle on top and the dish on the bottom. On the water bottle was a sign that said "For Pets Only!". We all thought that was the craziest thing ever. What human would get down on their knees and drink from a doggie dish?

Lacey said that Jesse's Mission parents were expecting them to come over and spend some time with them that evening. We were okay with that and said we would do some more looking around. Mama was tired but we could keep looking. Lacey said that they'd all walk back together since they parked at the hotel anyway. We told Lacey that we'd see her in the morning and we hugged Jesse goodbye since it would probably be the last time we would see him this trip.

Continued in next post

 

[nessz79]

I love the pictures! What a cute town! I had no idea something like that was in Georgia!