The Winkler's will return in 2011! LOTS of pics pg1

[aksunshine]

Hello everyone! Yes, we are going back! WOOO HOOO!!! I had already planned to, but seeing as Isabelle will be 9, it is a must!

If you have never had a chance to follow along on one of our journeys, my previous trips are linked in my siggie, with the exception of last year. I never got to finish it.

We have been visiting WDW every year since 2006. It was a fun, but short trip. We spent most of our week at the beach, b/c my DH, Matt, isn't a theme park fan and I was worried he would be miserable. He had gone to Epcot when he was 5 and remembered being miserable. He also went to Sea World that trip and loved it. I, on the other had, had been to MGM/DHS one day when I was 14 in the middle of summer, and one day whaen I was 3 to MK. So I planned one day at MK and one day at Sea World. Our DD, Isabelle was 3 and I was 6 mo pregnant with our son Levi.
Just arrived to FL!

Seeing the ocean for the first time.

Last day at the beach

DTD

Too early...

Breakfast at CRT

Fantasyland

Sea World

Last morning WDW

It was AMAZING! Matt even came home bragging! Since then he has bragged to everyone he meets that vaguelly mentions a trip to Disney. His greatest love? The Disney dining plan!!! LOL! That and Eeyore, but don't tell him I told you!

 

[aksunshine]

Then, on May 11, 2006 at 7:43 AM, Levi Douglas Winkler greeted the world...
Waiting to be "put under the knife"!

Here he is!!! 7lbs. 15 oz, 21" long

Isabelle gets to see Levi for the first time!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Am I first????? I'm never first!!!!

You were 6 months pregnant in the pic with Cindy???? You look amazing!!!!

 

[aksunshine]

2006, as well as MOST of 2007 was a good time for us.

 

[aksunshine]

Yes, Kristine, lol! It looks like you are first!!! I am trying to resize pics, they are huge!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

I'm here, I'm here!!!

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Joining in

 

[aksunshine]

In September- October 2007 we took the most memorable WDW vacation of all! 10 marvelous days....The link to the full TR is in my siggie. Here are some highlights...

Levi LOVED MMCH!!! I let him watch it most of the day waiting to leave.

First day, bus to Epcot!

First day at MK

Here is a link to video of Levi getting dizzy on the teacups!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc7z4E7Hoi8

AK
The first character Levi seemed to like... He didn't like "face" characters.

HDDMR

After...

Lovin to play...

 

[aksunshine]

Hi Kristen!!! Glad you made it!

Welcome Sara!

I think I figured out how to change pic size as I am uploading, but the others....I think they may have to stay big.

 

[aksunshine]

Chef Mickey's

Levi's idol...He wouldn't take his eyes off...

At the Beach

These are the last photos I have of Levi before he died. This is the day we came home.

Watching MMCH

Only a short week after breakfast with Mickey, we were struck by a truck running a red light. Isabelle, was treated at the first hospital and released, with the images of our accident to haunt her always. Levi didn't make it... Matt and I almost died, as well. We were bounced in and out of 4 hospitals. We didn't find out about Levi until he had been declared braindead for over 24 hrs. It was 10 days after the accident before we got to bury him.

 

[aksunshine]

Since then, we have gone back with Isabelle and relived our memories of Levi. I always feel a bit closer to him there.

2008- Thanks again to the DISboutiquers and the BIG GIVE!

Shhhh!!! I am not supposed to post this! It was a special request from a friend!!! But it needs to be shared! LMAO!

 

[aksunshine]

2009

 

[aksunshine]

I think I have given enough background...LOL! I am going to try to move on with what I am planning!

 

[aksunshine]

Last summer, I got a copy of the Disney Cruise line DVD. Isabelle and I eagerly put it in. WOW! Since then Isabelle has asked dozens of times to take one. We already had our trip last year planned, so I told her next time. Originally, I had planned to take advantage of the 'kids sail free' this winter. But last time I traveled pregnant it didn't end well, so I told her soon. For financial reasons, we put of a trip I was planning for November/Dec 2010. It was going to be too close. So here I am.

What is exciting is that we can plan a cruise on the new Dream! Sort of get our feet wet, with a 4 night trip.

The cruise I am looking at is 4 night Bahamian on June 3. Who is with me??? Likely, we will stay in an inside cabin, to save $, but I haven't totally decided.

Now wait a minute, you say! What about WDW?

Not forgotten!

I am planning 6 nights in WDW before the cruise!

 

[aksunshine]

So here is what I am planning....

6 Nights at Beach Club Villa. (plan to rent points, unless we buy into DVC before then)
Tickets w/ Park Hopper (first time we've ever felt the need to have PH)
DDP- MAYBE Deluxe! Matt loves the food!


Why BCV? Well, last year we FINALLY made it to Beaches and Cream. I have wanted to go FOREVER! That is why I made Isabelle the Ice Cream dress in 07. Matt and Isabelle absolutely fell in LOVE with Stromalong Bay! I, probably, would prefer BLT, but I told Isabelle next time we went and it was warm we would stay there.

Here are the dates-
WDW May 28- June 3
DCL June 3- 7.

May 31---Matt's Birthday!!!
June 1---Will be Gabriel's 1st Birthday!!!

The one thing that is up in the air right now is if we will plan our Vow Renewal for this trip...

 

[jessica52877]

Coming along for this journey. Loved the background photos. I just love seeing you all!

 

[aksunshine]

Aww, thanks Jessica!!

 

[aksunshine]

Ok, I have a question... It has been a while since I had a baby. How much food are they eating around a year? I know it varies, but I can't remember! I am wondering how much baby food I am going to need. The cruise leg is what really worries me...

 

[aksunshine]

Right now my biggest planning dilemma seems to be Memorial Weekend. I want to celebrate Matt and Gabriel's Bdays on this vacay. Unfortunately they fall on May 31 and looks like June 1 (scheduled c-section). I am pretty sure I prefer them to be celebrated at WDW. But I know the earlier in May the better the crowd. The heat is a whole different issue... .

The cruises I am looking at are; 4 night May 22 (arrive in WDW May 26, which would be all of Memorial Weekend) or June 3 (in WDW before cruise) and 3 night on May 26 (in WDW May 29.
There is a 5 night cruise on May 29. I LOVE the idea of a longer cruise. What I don't care for is the cabin choices, b/c it makes it so much more expensive. And I worry that celebrating bdays on the ship may not be as fun. I could be wrong...

And speaking of heat...How big of an issue is it going to be? Matt doesn't like heat and crowds, so I am ALSO starting to wonder if a trip to WDW in October might be better. Then take the 5 night in May. ??????

 

[aksunshine]

I wanted to share the latst ultrasound pic of Gabriel. This is from a couple of weeks ago.