Disney Moms Panel Monday – Kirsten

Straight from my heart – A glimpse into what makes my fellow Panelists so very precious to me.

When the new 2012 Panelists were announced last year, I was excited to learn that several of them were “Hopefuls” that I had been getting to know on Facebook and Twitter. Kirsten was one of them. During one of our conversations, we discovered that our November WDW trips were going to overlap by one day, so naturally we made plans to meet up. I had been on a 12 day Disney vacation with my family and we were in the Magic Kingdom for our last “hurrah’s” on the evening of November 28th. I remember it like was yesterday…it was rainy, dreary and overcast…but we didn’t care. Kirsten and her family had flown in that day to spend some time at our mutual Happy Place before leaving on a Disney Cruise. My family was hanging out in “Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe” when Kirsten and her beautiful daughter met up with us.  It was fun to get to know a new Panelist before the Training Trip even began! I have spent my life having to correct people on the pronunciation of my name (as well as my daughters names), so immediately I asked her how to say hers. I’m glad I did, because I had been saying it wrong in my head. 😉 Kirsten (pronounced k-EAR-sten ) has been such a blessing in my life since the day that I met her nearly a year ago.

Kirsten and I with my frizzy Florida hair at the Magic Kingdom – 11/28/11

We all headed over to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is my youngest daughters favorite attraction. Afterwards my older kids wanted to ride Splash Mountain, but my 7 year old wanted another trip on the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness”. Kirsten’s daughter rode with her again, which was so sweet. Next we headed over to Space Mountain, where this silly photo was taken…

My son, Kirsten and her daughter

Less than 2 weeks later, I was back down at Disney World to welcome the newest Members of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel Family. It was SO wonderful to see Kirsten again…

Kirsten and I – 12/11

Kirsten, Sue and I at the Cocktail Reception…

Kirsten, Sue and I – 12/11

Kirsten and I started texting and talking quite frequently at the beginning of the year. In fact, I believe I’m the reason she had to add an unlimited International texting plan to her phone. 😉 You see, Kirsten is one of our Canadian Moms on the Panel. She and her family live in Ontario and they visit Disney World as often as possible given the distance they need to travel.

A stay at home Mom of 2 active children, Kirsten thoroughly enjoys helping to plan Disney vacations in her free time. She has enjoyed Disney Cruises with her family and they recently became Members of the Disney Vacation Club.

This past August, Kirsten came to visit me in Cape Cod. We spent 2 whirlwind days together as I showed her some of the sites. One day we went over to Martha’s Vineyard…

Martha’s Vineyard bound – 8/12

My youngest daughter really enjoyed the special time with Kirsten and I…

Kirsten – Martha’s Vineyard – 8/12

Naturally, when visiting Cape Cod, a trip to the beach is in order. We had a great time just relaxing with our toes in the sand.

Toes in the sand – 8/12

Next time, Kirsten is going to use more sunblock though 😉 …

Kirsten leaving Cape Cod – 8/12

Each Fall, the Moms Panelists get together for a Reunion at Disney World. This year, Kirsten, Amanda F and I planned the events together. One aspect of the Reunion is t-shirts and Kirsten set out to make some fun apparel for us to wear. That project took on a life of it’s own and she ended up spending months helping to design “bling” tees, jackets, hoodies and so much more. The Panelists are all forever grateful to her for helping to make this fun merchandise available to us, as she dedicated countless hours of her own time to do it.

On the first day of Reunion, a group of us met up at Paradiso 37 to kick off the weekend.

Clockwise from far end of table: Chris, me, Marisol, Tron, Amanda A, Leslie, Wes, Deborah, Amanda F, Marc and Kirsten.

Lunch at Paradiso 37 – 9/27/12

Kirsten, Amanda A, Kathie, Marisol and I had a blast rooming together at the Beach Club. Friday morning we got up early to head to breakfast at Kona with some of our favorite guys.

Clockwise from left: Kathie, Amanda A, Kirsten, me, Chris, Stefan, Jonas and Marisol

Kona breakfast – 9/28

Chris and Kirsten on a bus headed to Hollywood Studios for our official Moms Panel Reunion Dinner…

Chris and Kirsten – DHS bound – 9/28

Kirsten and Leslie ran the 5K together that weekend. She was so adorable all decked out in her tutu and tiara…

Kirsten ready to run the 5K

Here she is at the Moms Panel Fan Meet held at the California Grill on 9/29…

Kirsten at Meet & Greet – 9/29

During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a small group of us headed over to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad together…

Marisol, Kathie, Kirsten and Marc – 9/30

and we paused to watch HalloWishes too 🙂

HalloWishes on 9/30 – me, Chris, Kirsten, Marisol and Marc

As much as I miss my fellow Panelists already (I just saw them a few weeks ago), I am comforted by the knowledge that I will see some of them in December. A group of us are planning to head down to again welcome the newest Members to our special Family. Kirsten is one of them and I simply can’t wait to see her again. We have a “do-over” at Karamell-Küche on the agenda, since we were so ridiculously busy this last time we didn’t get to truly enjoy it together. In fact, there are several “do-over’s” on tap. A trip with less stress sounds heavenly.

The Moms Panel has brought so many priceless people into my life. I often find it hard to believe that just a short time ago none of us knew each other even existed…and now we can’t imagine not having our Panel Family in our lives.

I look forward to making countless more memories with Kirsten and her family through the years.

You can follow Kirsten on Twitter: @CanuckDisneyMom

Want to get to know some more Walt Disney World Moms Panel Moms & Dads? I share a different Panelist with you each Monday! Here’s the link to all of them so far: http://www.memorymakermom.com/category/disney-moms-panel-monday/

Love ya, Kirsten (aka: “Sweet Cheeks”)!