The Fullmer Family: Day 7 Saying Goodbye

Today we said goodbye to the Happiest Place on Earth-Give Kids the World. It has been an amazing week. One we will never forget! Instead of spending our last day at an amusement park we decided to have a relaxing day at GKTW. We are so thankful for the organization and volunteers that made our vacation so magical. For one week we were able to be stress free and enjoy everything in life. We are thankful for the experience we had to stay in the village. We were all very sad to leave. The kids talk about GKTW everyday and can't wait to go back to volunteer someday. The kids told me they cried at school because they missed GKTW. They have not said anything about missing the amusement parks, just GKTW. Isaac always says things that make me laugh......the other day he said "I hope one of my kids is sick so I can go back to Give Kids the World". Ahhh what?
As we were leaving they gave us a going away packet. They know it is hard for families to leave so they try to make it special. First they gave Lukie another star like the one they hung in the castle. They also gave us a certificate for a free poster of a picture from our trip. They also gave us a disk full of pictures that were taken of us in the village. As well as a Disney disk full of Disneyworld pictures. We also received a certificate for a scrapbook of our vacation made by a nonprofit organization who makes scrapbooks for wish kids. And the highlight was a Children's Passport. This is a passport that we can use at Amusement parks across the world. We can go to several parks one time each for free for one year! We are planning on using it at Lagoon this summer, and would like to take the boys to Lego Land in California sometime before the year is over:)
We had to go buy a large suitcase to bring home all of the treasures from our trip. We were all very spoiled! Thank you for love of the wonderful memories Give Kids the World and Make-A-Wish, what an amazing time we had:)

Breakfast at the Gingerbread House

This is where the kids got their food from the "Lil' Chew Chew"

Dounuts and waffles

These little waffles were so good! I had to buy a waffle iron when we got home because we missed our yummy breakfasts!

This volunteer (From Utah) walked around to every table and squirted whip cream in all of the kids mouths:)

This is the Cupcake room where the kids liked to eat.

The view from our villa

Saying good bye to our dream home.....

Some other Villas

We spent some time in the castle. This is the desk where Luke made his star.

They had a Valentine party, the boys made Valentines, picture frames, crepe paper flowers, and had candy.

The star tower where Lukie's star is.....

This is the door outside of the star tower where Lukie's star is. I really wanted to take a picture of Luke by the door but he refused to stand there alone. So this is the best I could do:)

Outside the tower.

The tree where the boys made their pillows

Some of the many many stars

Luke's star is in one of these galaxies

More of the castle of miracles

Laughter fills the air at Give Kids The World Village, a fanciful, carefree retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses, and their deserving families. Give Kids The World Village is a 71-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort located near Central Florida’s most beloved attractions. Here, children and their families are treated to week long, cost-free fantasy vacations, complete with accommodations in whimsical villas, transportation, donated attraction tickets, meals, and much more. At the Village, these children learn that dreams really do come true as they and their families are immersed in joy, love, and hope for a few unforgettably happy days. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has hosted more than 107,000 families from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.

Inside the House of Hearts

Amberville. This was Isaac's favorite place. We spent a lot of time here today. They have arcades, remote control boats, video games, pool, table tennis, train, miniature golf, model trains,and basket ball. Isaac said when he grows up he wants to work in Amberville and his wife can bring the kids to play:)

Remote control boats

This is a garbage collector that actually sucks up the trash with his trunk.

Isaac could spend hours playing this game.

Mike and Jayden played a game of Football

This is a life size Candy Land play ground. We really wanted to play here. Unfortunately it was closed during the week we were there.

The Castle of Miracles and the Carousel that Lukie LOVED!

Chocolate dipped Strawberry YUMM!

The pool right next to our villa.

Every week GKTW hangs flags from the countries of those staying in the village.

The movie "Letters to God" is a true story that was partly filmed at GKTW. They have a mailbox in memory of Tyler (from the movie), where anyone can leave a letter for God.

This is inside of the Chapel.

We looked over and Isaac was at the pulpit writing a letter to God. I thought it was really sweet.

This is what he wrote......

This is inside the Gallery of Hope....

A map of the Village

Replica of village

The Corral where kids can ride horses

Our favorite place the Ice cream palace

Boston Market for lunch

Ol' Elmer

Inside Ol' Elmer

This is inside Julie's Safari Theater where the kids can get popcorn, ICEE's and make pixie sticks wherver they want.

Inside the castle is a spa where girls can get there nails and hair done and hand massages. The boys went to the spa to tattoos before we left.

Jayden got a soccer ball.

Air brushing on the tat's

Lukie got a dolphin.

Isaac got 3 tattoos. This one is a boxer on his leg.

Hockey player, and basketball player

Our plane was delayed 3 1/2 hours! We finally arrived home at 1:00am (3:00 Florida time). We were all exhausted. I think my face tells how we felt lol. But the airline was nice and gave us each a $25 food voucher for dinner. Mike, Jayden and Isaac went to Outback Steak House.