A Festival, Flowers, Friends, & The Fab Four - Adventures both old & new - UPDATED 4/25 About This Page:

[mestitch]

Alright folks, it’s that time again. Time for me to start up another pre TR that will turn into a great, gung ho, funny update after update, and then slowly begin to drag out into not so funny updates happening about once a month, if we’re lucky. But what can ya do? There’s all this pre excitement about the trip that I just have to get out of my system before my brain explodes (if Lost doesn’t cause that to happen first that is). And then there’s the post trip excitement where I just have to share all the great and funny things that happened. But then there’s the end of the trip blues that kick in and I get into this stage of not wanting to relive the dreary details of coming home……… Oh who am I kidding? I’m just lazy! There’s no other excuse than that. So no promises of quick finishes in this TR. Just hopes of a complete one in a somewhat timely manner.

So what is this trip all about? Most of you already know since my big mouth loves to talk about it on the boards So first, let me begin by introducing you to the cast (or in the case of this TR title…the Friends part)

First, if you’re reading this you probably already know me

Hi, that’s me….
I’m a lover of all things Disney, especially Epcot and my beloved blue alien. My favorite Disney movie is obviously Lilo and Stitch, but I can’t watch it. Andy doesn’t understand how one can have a favorite movie yet one won’t watch it again b/c one cries like a danged fool for like a flippin’ hour after the movie’s over, blubbering about how it’s so sad to think about not having memories and yada yada yada.
I am also a lover of all things Who (as in “The”) I would marry old Roger Daltrey and he’s older than my dad! (only a year though….) I have a thing for all things British, too, for some reason. I Eddie Izzard, Kim and Aggie (the How Clean is Your House ladies), Top Gear (and all 3 of those boys on that show), and Gordon Ramsey. The BBC America is my best friend.
When at Disney I consume the majority of Harp found on property.

And second, you should know my DH, Andy..

Hi, that’s Andy.
Andy is lover of all things Beatles. His favorite Disney characters include those from Monsters Inc. and his new fav Disney movie is Ratatouille. He also consumes a large majority of the Guinness and Heineken on property when we go to WDW.

Andy and I have been married for almost 5 years (5 years this Nov.) This is our 8th trip to the world together since our honeymoon in 2003.

Now, to introduce some people you may or may not remember. Back in the summer 2006 we went to the Outer Banks with my in-laws as well as with Kevin, Lori, and their little girl Audrey. So you have seen these folks before if you happened to read that TR a looooong time ago. And if you didn’t read it, you really shoulda, good stuff in that thing

So, without further ado…. I introduce (or re-introduce whatever the case may be)

Kevin
Kevin and Andy have known each other since 1996. I say known each other as opposed to have been friends because when they met Andy was apparently dating the girl of Kevin’s dreams. When said girl proved to be the mega beast that she was (a little Drop Dead Fred for you there) the friendship that shook the world began. I mean what better way to form a bond than over some crazy chick? I have known Kevin as long as I’ve known Andy, 11 years now. I met them both in 1997. We’ve been like the Three Amigos ever since. “Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas? O yes El Guapo, you have a plethora of piñatas.”

I digress….

The reason I love Kevin so much is for the same reason he loves me. Our "blunt tell you how it is, not gonna be fake about it", attitudes. He appreciates mine and the feeling is mutual. Also, you have to understand that Kevin is one of the funniest people I know. He’s a stage actor, acting in a ton of plays when he was in college. And at the same time, he’s a big ole Southern boy loving his Nascar. So it’s funny to see that he covers the whole spectrum, from end to end. The first time we all went to the Outer Banks together, back in 2001, we were serenaded by Kevin the whole way (we're talking a 2 day road trip here people) and his 2 Live Crew knowledge as well as his O Brother Where Art Thou. Talk about a music range. And of course, we have video footage of it all But the 2LC is totally inappropriate for the boards. Heck it was totally inappropriate for my young innocent ears back then

So basically what I’m saying is, when you hang out with Kevin, you have a good time

And things like this tend to happen….

The next friend is Kevin’s wife.

Lori
Kevin and Lori got married a year after we did and we were so happy for Kevin that he finally found a gal that meant so much to him. I don’t have as much to say about Lori b/c really, I haven’t spent that much time with her. The week at the Outer Banks was about the extent of it, but I do know she can have a good time, just like the three of us So I’m hoping things will go well this trip.

Then you have their precious little girl, Audrey. Now if you read the old TR, the last time you saw Audrey she looked like this…


And now, this is the most recent pic I have her and it’s from last October.

Check her out!!! She is a walking, talking, playing MACHINE! Kevin comes up every now and then and spends the night with us and brings Audrey. When he leaves, we are the most worn out we’ve ever been in our life. And I’m a teacher, I’m used to kids….what is the deal?

But needless to say, we are so very excited to take her with us to Disney and see the world through her eyes. It’s definitely going to be a different type of trip, but I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us.

So now you know who we are….
Coming up: This trip has been a looooong time a-coming…

[jimmymac]

WOW! Your TR is off to a rockin' start. You certainly have a way with the written (well, typed) word . Looking forward to the next installment

[emtpej]

A great start!
(I still think you look very much like 'Juno' star Ellen Page: All Photos of Ellen Page )

[RobDVC]

Originally Posted by mestitch

We’ve been like the Three Amigos ever since. “Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas? O yes El Guapo, you have a plethora of piñatas.”

Oh My Gosh... one of my favorite lines in that movie, and what I say to Margaret every time we walk into the Mexico Pavilion.

[jhoshowski]

Great start, Melissa! I can't wait to hear how you guys manage WDW with a little one in tow (can you say "practice")?!?

[PrincessSharon]

This is gonna be good! Hurry back with more!

[mestitch]

Sharon I just saw your countdown and we're going to just miss you!!! Dang it woman! I want to meet you!!

[WHMom]

Great start, Melissa! I think you guys are going to have a fab time!!

[TiggerTails]

Great start! FAB!

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by mestitch

Sharon I just saw your countdown and we're going to just miss you!!! Dang it woman! I want to meet you!!

I know! And this is like the third time that we'll miss each other by days. Maybe there's hope for us this Christmas.

[patclairesmom]

Great Pre-TR. Have a great time. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip especially F&G Festival.

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Melissa!!! I can't believe how much Audrey has grown!! She is going to have a blast with you guys!!!

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

Melissa, here's why little Aubrey tires you out: you're used to being a teacher, and when you're a teacher, you get to wave goodbye to the little buggers as they leave your classroom! When you're a parent, you're almost always exhausted because they are so much work and they just...don't...leave...

Looking forward to hearing about this all new kind of trip for Melissa and Andy! You'll find that it is rewarding in a whole new way!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Melissa More please

[Lemap760]

Great start. Going to Disney with a young child is a completely different experience. Have a good time.