Trip Report Readers Chick Chat and Guy Gabbing Thread!

[Wicked Sisters]

What a beautiful photo of Lily in her prom dress. Even though we have never met I have often thought of your family since the awful accident as having read your reports I feel I do know you all. With all the wonderful support you are receiving from her friends and community it shows how much Lily was loved. What a beautiful plague to receive in honour of Lily’s cornea donation which as time goes on will help with the grieving. I think you and your family are so brave participating in the functions of the next few weeks and being there for Ethan and Lily’s friends will mean such a lot to them. Have a wonderful time in Dollywood.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

I just want to wish all the UK magicians a happy Coronation day. King Charles has just left Buckingham Palace as I write this.

 

[Darstarr]

 

[Tuvalu]

Kona’s “hiding place.”

 

[rshell68]

Kona’s “hiding place.”

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Pay no attention to that cat behind the curtain.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

For all lovers of the MPB, a friends son, who is very talented, made the plaque for my hubby. @Tuvalu, I thought you may like this.

It's 3d printed, resin snd painted work, and is absolutely brilliant. Measures 28cm diameter. Now looking to fix it to a wall.

 

[k8einwdw]

Our crew has spent the last few days at the beach in St. George Island, Florida - unfortunately 5 hours away from WDW, so we couldn’t pop over for a day like J and I did on our last beach trip.



We shared a house right on the beach with J’s parents. J and I had travelled to SGI back in 2016 with his parents, who had been a couple times before that. This was L’s first visit. We really enjoy SGI because it’s a pretty small island, and most restaurants and shops are within walking distance of the area where we stay. It was a quick 5-minute walk from our house to Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream, which we enjoyed on more than one occasion.




L had mixed feelings about the beach - he loved digging in the sand with J. Actually, let me rephrase that - he loved watching J dig a big hole and then climbing in it. He was not a fan of the water though. He loves the pool at my parents’ house, but I think the waves made him nervous.





I think the highlight of the trip for L was hanging out on the back deck, where he could see the beach and watch the dolphins play.




On Mother’s Day, we went out for dinner at Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe, where seemingly everyone else on the island chose to dine as well. L’s Nonna and Poppa treated him to a plushie from the gift shop while we waited for a table, and of course he named his new fish Nemo.




Yesterday, we spent a few hours shopping and walking around downtown Apalachicola, and today, we are making the long, boring drive home.

While it was no Disney trip, it was nice to get away for a few days, and we have plenty to look forward to coming up. L will be turning two in less than three weeks, and in October, J and I will be going on a trip just the two of us for our tenth anniversary. Then, we’ll be headed back to WDW the week after Thanksgiving for our annual trip, staying somewhere new and very exciting for L!

 

[Swissmiss]

I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again anyway: L is just too cute

 

[k8einwdw]

I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again anyway: L is just too cute

Thank you! He is looking less like a baby, and more like a little boy every day.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Our crew has spent the last few days at the beach in St. George Island, Florida - unfortunately 5 hours away from WDW, so we couldn’t pop over for a day like J and I did on our last beach trip.

View attachment 716915

We shared a house right on the beach with J’s parents. J and I had travelled to SGI back in 2016 with his parents, who had been a couple times before that. This was L’s first visit. We really enjoy SGI because it’s a pretty small island, and most restaurants and shops are within walking distance of the area where we stay. It was a quick 5-minute walk from our house to Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream, which we enjoyed on more than one occasion.

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L had mixed feelings about the beach - he loved digging in the sand with J. Actually, let me rephrase that - he loved watching J dig a big hole and then climbing in it. He was not a fan of the water though. He loves the pool at my parents’ house, but I think the waves made him nervous.

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I think the highlight of the trip for L was hanging out on the back deck, where he could see the beach and watch the dolphins play.

View attachment 716941
View attachment 716963

On Mother’s Day, we went out for dinner at Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe, where seemingly everyone else on the island chose to dine as well. L’s Nonna and Poppa treated him to a plushie from the gift shop while we waited for a table, and of course he named his new fish Nemo.

View attachment 716943
View attachment 716944

Yesterday, we spent a few hours shopping and walking around downtown Apalachicola, and today, we are making the long, boring drive home.

While it was no Disney trip, it was nice to get away for a few days, and we have plenty to look forward to coming up. L will be turning two in less than three weeks, and in October, J and I will be going on a trip just the two of us for our tenth anniversary. Then, we’ll be headed back to WDW the week after Thanksgiving for our annual trip, staying somewhere new and very exciting for L!

What a fab place to stay right on the beach. So relaxing. Where has that two years gone and Lincoln is looking adorable as ever, and definitely looks cheeky

 

[cgersic]

Thank you! He is looking less like a baby, and more like a little boy every day.

I was just going to comment on how grown up he looks! So sweet!! Glad you got a little time away.

 

[k8einwdw]

What a fab place to stay right on the beach. So relaxing. Where has that two years gone and Lincoln is looking adorable as ever, and definitely looks cheeky

We loved being able to walk right out to the beach! And he is definitely cheeky, and testing more boundaries every day!

I was just going to comment on how grown up he looks! So sweet!! Glad you got a little time away.

It’s crazy how different he looks from this time last year! Time really does pass so much more quickly when you’re a parent!

 

[MickeyCB]

I'm not sure how we're going to make it through the next few weeks. Next week Brian and I are presenting scholarships that our family and friends collected money for to some of Lily's classmates at the senior awards banquet, then the following week is graduation. They are presenting her honors diploma to us at Baccalaureate and some of her friends are doing something special that night to honor her. Then we will attend the graduation ceremony to support Eithan and her friends. They are going to have an empty chair for her with her cap and gown on it. Then we have lots of graduation parties that we will make an appearance at because I made photo books for all her friends and have gifts for them.

Hi Amy, I haven't been on this thread for awhile, but have been thinking about you and your family. Please know you all were in my thoughts as her senior year has come to a close.

 

[TheMouseFan]

We made it through graduation and the end of the school year! Only a couple more graduation parties to attend, then it feels like we will be able to start trying to move on a little bit. The Baccalaureate service was a beautiful tribute to Lily. They awarded us her honors diploma.


One of her best friends made a shadow box that they had displayed right up front for the whole service and then gave to us.


That same friend then read a heart breaking letter that she had written to Lily. Another friend then sang There You'll Be by Faith Hill. The senior class then presented us with a knockout rose bush as a living memorial. They also all signed a hoodie that they gave us. And one of her classmates handmade a blanket for us.

They chose not to say anything specific about Lily at the actual graduation ceremony, so as to keep it celebratory, but they had a cap and gown and her cords on a chair for her along with a lily.


Her cords were for National Honor Society, honor diploma, and 4 years as a Top Scholar.

Now that it is staying a little warmer here in Ohio, we planted a lily garden plus added the rose bush from her classmates.







The windchimes were from my cousin and his wife. They sound beautiful. Brian told me today that he feels like Lily is singing to him each time he hears them.

Thank you for all of your continued support. It means a lot to me.

 

[Tiggerish]

We made it through graduation and the end of the school year! Only a couple more graduation parties to attend, then it feels like we will be able to start trying to move on a little bit. The Baccalaureate service was a beautiful tribute to Lily. They awarded us her honors diploma.
View attachment 719197

One of her best friends made a shadow box that they had displayed right up front for the whole service and then gave to us.
View attachment 719198

That same friend then read a heart breaking letter that she had written to Lily. Another friend then sang There You'll Be by Faith Hill. The senior class then presented us with a knockout rose bush as a living memorial. They also all signed a hoodie that they gave us. And one of her classmates handmade a blanket for us.

They chose not to say anything specific about Lily at the actual graduation ceremony, so as to keep it celebratory, but they had a cap and gown and her cords on a chair for her along with a lily.
View attachment 719199

Her cords were for National Honor Society, honor diploma, and 4 years as a Top Scholar.

Now that it is staying a little warmer here in Ohio, we planted a lily garden plus added the rose bush from her classmates.
View attachment 719203
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The windchimes were from my cousin and his wife. They sound beautiful. Brian told me today that he feels like Lily is singing to him each time he hears them.

Thank you for all of your continued support. It means a lot to me.

That’s beautiful, Amy. Thank you for sharing it with us.

The tributes at graduation reflect the impact that Lily had on her friends and classmates, but as a gardener myself, the rosebush (knockout speaks to her influence as well as her beauty) and most especially the lilies and plaques are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Sending warm and supportive thoughts to you always.

 

[Bullseye1967]

We made it through graduation and the end of the school year! Only a couple more graduation parties to attend, then it feels like we will be able to start trying to move on a little bit. The Baccalaureate service was a beautiful tribute to Lily. They awarded us her honors diploma.
View attachment 719197

One of her best friends made a shadow box that they had displayed right up front for the whole service and then gave to us.
View attachment 719198

That same friend then read a heart breaking letter that she had written to Lily. Another friend then sang There You'll Be by Faith Hill. The senior class then presented us with a knockout rose bush as a living memorial. They also all signed a hoodie that they gave us. And one of her classmates handmade a blanket for us.

They chose not to say anything specific about Lily at the actual graduation ceremony, so as to keep it celebratory, but they had a cap and gown and her cords on a chair for her along with a lily.
View attachment 719199

Her cords were for National Honor Society, honor diploma, and 4 years as a Top Scholar.

Now that it is staying a little warmer here in Ohio, we planted a lily garden plus added the rose bush from her classmates.
View attachment 719203
View attachment 719201
View attachment 719200
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View attachment 719205

The windchimes were from my cousin and his wife. They sound beautiful. Brian told me today that he feels like Lily is singing to him each time he hears them.

Thank you for all of your continued support. It means a lot to me.

My wife is here on the boards but not real active. Her real love is gardening and when I told her your story she proclaimed " we will make a lily bed for Lily". The only problem was I didn't have time to put in another bed. Tennessee soil is crap and mostly clay and rock. So here is our once rose garden but now Lily garden. The roses are mad but the lilies have gone nuts!
We have ordered a sign and this will always be Lily's garden. I will post a pic when we get it. It is kind of strange that this new garden is so huge compared to our other lily garden that has been around for years.

 

[Swissmiss]

We made it through graduation and the end of the school year! Only a couple more graduation parties to attend, then it feels like we will be able to start trying to move on a little bit. The Baccalaureate service was a beautiful tribute to Lily. They awarded us her honors diploma.
View attachment 719197

One of her best friends made a shadow box that they had displayed right up front for the whole service and then gave to us.
View attachment 719198

That same friend then read a heart breaking letter that she had written to Lily. Another friend then sang There You'll Be by Faith Hill. The senior class then presented us with a knockout rose bush as a living memorial. They also all signed a hoodie that they gave us. And one of her classmates handmade a blanket for us.

They chose not to say anything specific about Lily at the actual graduation ceremony, so as to keep it celebratory, but they had a cap and gown and her cords on a chair for her along with a lily.
View attachment 719199

Her cords were for National Honor Society, honor diploma, and 4 years as a Top Scholar.

Now that it is staying a little warmer here in Ohio, we planted a lily garden plus added the rose bush from her classmates.
View attachment 719203
View attachment 719201
View attachment 719200
View attachment 719204
View attachment 719202
View attachment 719205

The windchimes were from my cousin and his wife. They sound beautiful. Brian told me today that he feels like Lily is singing to him each time he hears them.

Thank you for all of your continued support. It means a lot to me.

Absolutely beautiful. I hope the garden and wind chimes bring you comfort and peace.

 

[TheMouseFan]

I knew you guys would understand this conversation I just had with Brian! He has a coworker who is leaving tomorrow to go to Disneyland and DCA. She asked if there was anything I needed from there. My response was "of course there is, I just don't know what it is without seeing everything!"

 

[joshsprincess921]

We made it through graduation and the end of the school year! Only a couple more graduation parties to attend, then it feels like we will be able to start trying to move on a little bit. The Baccalaureate service was a beautiful tribute to Lily. They awarded us her honors diploma.
View attachment 719197

One of her best friends made a shadow box that they had displayed right up front for the whole service and then gave to us.
View attachment 719198

That same friend then read a heart breaking letter that she had written to Lily. Another friend then sang There You'll Be by Faith Hill. The senior class then presented us with a knockout rose bush as a living memorial. They also all signed a hoodie that they gave us. And one of her classmates handmade a blanket for us.

They chose not to say anything specific about Lily at the actual graduation ceremony, so as to keep it celebratory, but they had a cap and gown and her cords on a chair for her along with a lily.
View attachment 719199

Her cords were for National Honor Society, honor diploma, and 4 years as a Top Scholar.

Now that it is staying a little warmer here in Ohio, we planted a lily garden plus added the rose bush from her classmates.
View attachment 719203
View attachment 719201
View attachment 719200
View attachment 719204
View attachment 719202
View attachment 719205

The windchimes were from my cousin and his wife. They sound beautiful. Brian told me today that he feels like Lily is singing to him each time he hears them.

Thank you for all of your continued support. It means a lot to me.

What a beautiful tribute your community has done for Lily. I know it must've been difficult, but heart warming at the same time. Your family is often in my thoughts.

Your garden is absolutely beautiful just like Lily.

I haven't been in this thread in awhile so I'm just seeing the pictures of her in the prom dress. Thank you for sharing.

I hope you all have a great time in Dollywood.

 

[k8einwdw]

Lincoln is TWO today!!