We're Engaged!

Walt Disney World has always been a wonderfully magical place for CJ and I, and this trip was no less an exception. We left for "the World" they day after school let out. This trip had Joe and Cousin Shaun coming with us, and Joe's Mom (Julie), Step-Dad (James), Sister (Madeline), and Nephew (Mikey) flew down mid-way through our trip to join us. It was on Tuesday, June 16th that the most magical of all days occured. It was around lunch time when the boys and I were walking from our resort villa to have lunch at the resort restaurant. We had been attempting to meet up with Amil, our Disney Vacation Club rep, while on our trip - but to this point we hadn't been able to get in touch with him. On our way to lunch there is a preview center for the Vacation Club, and Joe said that he was going to stop in to see if he could catch Amil. I said I would come with, but he insisted that I go with the kids to start lunch, and I agreed cuz let's be honest when it is over 100 degrees outside, it is easier to agree than insist. So, off we went, and as Joe promised only a handful of minutes later he joined us. Joe explained that he was able to talk to Amil, but unfortunately it was brief as he had just arrived in his office from out of town, was super busy, and leaving to go out of town again the next day. Joe said to keep my phone handy though as Amil had promised to call. Just as Joe said it would happen, my phone rang and it was Amil on the other end apologizing that he would not have time to get together with us to take us out for ice cream. Amil did however explain that he had a surprise set up for us, and that we needed to be at Cinderella's Castle at 4pm, and "look like we're looking for something." Ok, so anyone who knows me and my zest for Disney trips - I have a plan for everything for every day. I know which parks to avoid and on which days and at what times... and though the Magic Kingdom is indeed my favorite of all the parks, I know instinctively it is going to be stroller hell at 4pm - I really didn't like the idea of being in that park that early. But, hey! If it means I get my ice cream, why not. We did have reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern at 530pm that evening anyway. So, I kinda dragged my feet about it, but agreed to go. We returned to our villa and Joe announced that he was going to change into a cooler shirt. Imagine my surprise when he pulls out his nice button down shirt and starts to iron it... I asked Joe, "what are you doing?" to which he replied it was the coolest shirt he had. I was like, ok fine whatever. But then he is in the bathroom shaving--- now I am upset! As I said to Joe, I was still in the same clothes that I had been sweating like a pig in all day, my hair is piled on top my head, and now I was going to look like trash and he was going to look great. Now I felt like I had to change, and I didn't really want to! Thankfully Joe is patient, most especially when I am about to throw a fit. He suggests that I put my dress on because it would be "cooler anyway". And I know that he is right, but I pouted anyway because putting the dress on meant fixing my hair, and I really really had no desire to do either. Joe's persistence won out (as usual) and I changed and curled my hair. In the mean time Julie and James were headed out to the Magic Kingdom and had said they would meet up with us after our dinner. I was an inch away from telling the boys they could go without me, but finally, the boys and I were on our way to the castle. When we got up to the front the cast members were busy roping it off as there was an afternoon show coming and they were also preparing for the night parade. Joe freaked a little wanting to know how we were supposed to get in the castle if it was all roped off and I told him we had to head around the back of it. We arrived in the back of the castle, and just as I predicted it was indeed stroller hell, crying hot babies, whining fighting sweating parents - and Joe again freaked a little because 1/2 of the castle was again blocked off. I tried to remain calm as I again explained there was going to be a show. Keep in mind at this point I think I am the only one aware that there is a restaurant on the second level of the castle. Joe said he was going to try to find someone who could help us figure out where we were to be, the boys followed him, as I waited at the back entrance. I was so mad! I can remember thinking that I just wanted my ice cream and to get out of the chaos. That's it just give me my ice cream so I can be on my way! Well, Shaun came running up and said, "hey Carrie - Julie and James are here!" Ok, this is the one moment where I will admit the wheels started spinning in the direction of, "hey - what's wrong with this picture?" I mean, I knew they were in the park, but what were the chances that they would be here... So, I follow Shaun inside the castle and sure enough there they were and I was like, "hey what are you guys doing here?" Joe is so slick! He was Johnny-on-the-spot with, "I told them about our surprise and asked them to meet us here!" Went right over my head, I was like oh cool! Great! Joe says then that we get to have our pictures taken with Cinderella - that was all I needed to improve my mood! Pictures with Cinderella is waaaayyyy cooler than ice cream! I was so impressed with our DVC rep - what a surprise this was I thought! So, Madeline and I had our pictures taken - it was a lot of fun for us both! By this time it was getting close to us having to head in the direction of our dinner reservations, so I was like ok guys time to get movin'. But Joe said, "the guy said we were to wait to be seated upstairs." I was in disbelief! I was trying to grasp why we were so lucky that our rep would get us reservations at the castle for dinner, a place both difficult to get ressies for on top of expensive. The whole way as we climbed the curved stair case to the restaurant, James was going on about how cool this was, and sorry for hanging on our "coat-tails" but it was too cool to miss, and that maybe they should think about joining the vacation club if this is how they treat their members. I ate it up, I was in total agreement - I couldn't believe how lucky we were and was saying how much I would have to thank Amil. We were seated and had a nice dinner as well as an entertaining show by the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella's mice friends, Suzy and Perla.
When we had our pictures taken with Cinderella, the photographer had told us we would get 2 packages, and as we waited for our dessert, I noticed the photographer to my left which in turn reminded me that only one of our 2 picture packages had been brought to our table. Joe was sitting to my left and I turned to tell him we needed to catch the photographer about our other package. As I came back around a covered plate appeared in front of me, and I said more to myself than anyone else, "What's going on?" It was our waiter, who had been standing behind me but I never noticed. He lifted the cover of the plate as he said, "Did you order this princess?" he revealed this: James said I made a funny noise and that is when he realized he was missing the action as he tended to Mikey. It felt like the whole room had gone silent. Poor Joe was expecting the ring to arrive after dessert, so he was struggling to get down on one knee, in between our chairs. It didn't matter - my answer was yes! Can you see everyone in the background applauding?

This man really knows me - I had never told him what a dream it would be to have him propose at WDW, muchless at Cinderella's Castle!

After all of us had settled down, Julie explained the special family connection to this heirloom ring, and the story of her childhood connection with her grandparents and Disney World brought our connection full circle. I was so honored that she was willing to share with me this part of her family.

Pictured below is Joe and I with his Mom, Julie. She was instrumental in helping Joe plan the wonderful proposal. She had enlisted the help of our disney travel consultant Tammy to re-arrange our dinner reservations among other things.

CJ was happy, estatic actually... though judging by the mean mug he is wearing in this picture, you would never know it! lol!

and then we got our dessert! A white chocolate slipper with chocolate mousse on a sponge cake pillow, with berries. The words and decorations were all in chocolate syrup. I am sad to report that we never had the chance to actually eat it though...

And I can't forget Joe's favorite part of the story. As we were wrapping up our dinner at the castle, several other guests had come by and wished us congratulations. There was one gentleman who walked up to us and said that his 19year old daughter was too shy to approach us but he wanted us to know that what Joe had done had made his daughters day. He said that his daughter hoped that she would have someone surprise her as well someday, but she said that if I didn't tell Joe yes, that she would take him. lol! Just barely engaged and there's still girls trying to snag him! Sorry ladies - Prince Charming is all mine! (And he really is Prince Charming - did you know that not only did Disney use the German version of Cinderella, important to both our heritage, but in the opening scenes Prince Charming was hunting a deer! Unfortunately those scenes were cut from the final movie, but knowing it is enough for me!)

For all those wondering - we have indeed set a date for the wedding. We will be married on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 --- go ahead... ask me why a Tuesday.... Well 1st we were engaged on a Tuesday, but most importantly it is because we are getting married in Disney World! (and they have weddings every day!). We are going to be booking everything September 25th, and would love to hear from anyone who wants to join us for the wedding! We will be returning to Wisconsin on Friday, May 28th, and on Sunday, May 30th we will be holding a special repeat of the ceremony followed by a reception.

Spring Review

Spring had definitely flown by for us! But before I get to the really good post - the one that everyon has been waiting so patiently for, I figured that I would take some time to review our spring happenings! Easter was beautiful, as it was stressfull. With Dad's heart surgery on the horizon at the time, we needed a distraction. The Easter Egg Hunt at Mom and Dad's was a lot of fun! Haley looked adorable in her new Easter dress, and CJ was dashing in his suit that he has been getting a lot of use out of. Even Shaun and CJ got into the spirit of things and

searched for the eggs hidden just for them. Though a little joke played by Sarah helped liven up the hunt for CJ a bit more than expected!

At the end of Spring Joe's cousin Travis, and his wife Nikki, host a Memorial Weekend Party that re-knowned in East Troy as being The Party of the year. With live music from the country artists David Marshall Band people come from all around. CJ enjoyed some ladderball competition with his friend and neighbor Brady.
Joe showed off his special TRV's Pub t-shirt. His status as a pub regular earned him a shirt with his name on it - thanks TRV!
Travis gets the bonfire started! Joe had been waiting and working months for this fire by collecting 50+ christmas trees just for this occasion.
This spring Laura and I attempted to kick off our goal for a healthier lifestyle, so we headed down to Chicago's Millenium Park for the workout of our lives!
Chicago was host to SELF Magazine's workout in the park, and with the added bonus of seeing Biggest Loser Star Trainer, Jillian Michaels, Laura and I bought our tickets and headed south. Though we never did get to see Jillian, we definitely had our butts kicked working out. Despite the mud, it was cool, and we had a great time! We plan on returning next year.
Before our field of a lawn was trimmed for the first time, we had a pleasant surprise in the form of this tulip that randomly sprung up in the back yard. Joe's sister, Janelle, reported that she too had the same phenomena in her yard, and it was determined that it must be their Grandma Marilyn's way of letting us know that she was still with us.
After the appearance of Grandma's tulip, Joe and I were inspired to attempt a garden of our own, and we bought ourselves some seeds, a starter kit and off we went. Everything started out well, the seedlings seemed to be taking off...
but to date we have one stalk of corn, no beans, some onions, some baby carrots, and the tomatoes, peppers and pumpkins have all died off... We will try again next year!

8th Grade Graduate!

On June 10th CJ's took his rite of passage, by participating in East Troy Middle School's 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony. It was a wonderful event. After we went over to Lauber's for some celebratory ice cream (Grandma and CJ stand outside the parlor). Pictured below CJ receives his 8th Grade Diploma from his homeroom teacher, Mr. Parr, who predicts that CJ, "will go far" CJ stands with classmate and neighbor Kayla (who swiped CJ's fidora) and later with his longtime friend and classmate Timmy.

Progress

Small changes have been happening at the house. Because we are not going to finance any of the remodeling of the house, we are doing small projects here and there. Currently Joe and his good friend Danny have been working on replacing all the cast iron plumbing and preparing for the installation of our water softener and laundry appliances (that have been patiently waiting in the garage). Joe worked hard one weekend and put in our camp fire. Eventually the the stone will lead a pathway to a deck off the back of the house. We have enjoyed the nights sitting round the fire with family and friends roasting some smores and counting the stars.

On Mother's Day, Joe's Grandpa Walt surprised us with a great present. Joe and I had just been talking about how we could cut our lawn that was actually more like a field. We sat down to dinner with our parents, sisters, and family and wondered where Grandpa was - he was late and Grandpa prides himself on being timely. In the middle of dinner we hear this noise, CJ comes running in the dining room to report that Granpa Walt was outside... on a tractor? Sure enough! Grandpa had fixed up a tractor for Joe and I and drove it almost 2 miles from his house to ours! I caught a couple pics of Joe mowing the lawn, like the happy homeowner that he is. Cj has been making good use of the fire pit as he has become more social. Below CJ enjoys a campfire and smores with his friends on the last day of school.