[Cheriemek]

I joined PP in 2004 when I was planning my last trip to WDW (yes! It has been 5 years). At that time there were 11 of us, and I thought we were a huge group. We had a fun time, and vowed to return. A lot has happened to our family in the past 5 years, but here we are, less than a month from our next family vacation.

I come from a family of 5 girls. We all stayed in the area, and see each other often. Our 2004 vacation included 3 of us girls (Cheryl, Julie & Carrie). DS Susan couldn't go, but we took her step daughter, ML. ML's mom had died of cancer when she was in first grade. She is close in age to my youngest, and we all love her, and it was fun to show her WDW. The other sister Laurie has 4 kids, and could not afford to go with us. It was hard to talk about going to WDW in front of those kids, as they obviously wanted to go.

Life happens within those 5 years. Julie has twins. Carrie has three children (yes, in 5 years). Susan dies of lung cancer. Laurie still can't afford to take the family to WDW. I plan on going to WDW this year no matter what, as it has been too long. Julie says yes. Carrie decides to have Laurie watch her baby for the week, and take the other two kids. Even though my kids are old (oldest is 23), they all want to come. OK, we're all set. Except....

I am trying to keep ML as close to us as possible. I took her with us on the Disney cruise we went on in 2006. She is a junior in HS now, and has her own group of friends, and doesn't spent much time with my DD. We talked about the trip in front of her, and she said "I'm going too, right?" . I want her to stay close to her cousins, who also love her, so we were happy she felt like she belonged. She's coming with my family.

Cousins....there were still the 4 kids of my sisters who would not be going. They aren't little - they are from 11 to 20. Oldest three babysit for Carrie quite a bit, youngest plays with Julie's son. Carrie said she would trade babysitting for a trip to WDW. Julie says she will take the youngest to hang out with her son.The kids were very excited!

One last person. My oldest DD wanted her boyfriend of 6 years to come. His family took her on vacation last year. He will be in Thailand for an internship, and will miss the first few days, but he will be joining us. So, altogether, that makes 21 !!!

When we go, we go big! Here is our cast of characters:

Me, Cheryl, indeterminate age
DH, Don, as young as me
DD 23 Meg, recent college grad with BioMedical Engineering degree
DD 22 Kara, recent college grad with Speech Pathology degree
DD 20 Tricia, figuring out what she is going to do with life, working part time jobs
DD 15 Mariah, just finished sophmore year

DSister Julie, 43
DBIL Tony, 49
DNephew AJ, 9
DTwins - Lauren and Andrew, will turn 4 last day of trip

DSister Carrie, 38
DBIL Blake, 40
DNiece Kelly, just turned 4
DNephew Ryan, just turned 3

DNiece Natalie, 20
DNiece Katie, 17
DNiece ML, 17
DNephew Mike, 16
DNiece Jacki, 11
DDBoyfriend Chris, 23

NEXT - Where are we going to put all of these people???