Monkeeland Meet & Greet '04
The Monkeeland Meet & Greet '04 was held in Maryland Heights, MO at the Comfort Inn and
Convention Center. People started arriving early in the week and we were all there by Friday
afternoon. Those attending this year's Meet & Greet were: Lucy &
Manda, Kessy, Chris,
Lisa, Laura, Missy
& Petey.
The Meet & Greet started off in Kessy's room, where everyone began to gather, and moved
down the hall to Lucy's room, but not before an ice cube fight was started by someone
whom shall remain nameless... JOE! At one time, all of the Monkeelanders and parents were in
Lucy's room! The total was 15 people in one hotel room and according to one member, it was
very WARM in that room. Some presents had been exchanged in Kessy's room and more were
exchanged in Lucy's room. Petey's presents shouted "Canada", while Lucy's all had a
Pocahontas connection, and Kessy had lovely moons for us. Friday night, Kessy & Joe and Bobby
& Lucy took all four of the teens to MaggieMoo's for ice cream. Things were very squished in
the back seat of Lucy's "Baby Car".
Saturday began with searching for food. One member desperately scoured vending machines for
peanut butter and crackers, but had to settle for Cheetos instead. The gang assembled in the
lobby of the hotel and decided to have a posty signing party and cake about 4 pm. Shortly
after that, a few of the more ambitious members decided to make a "snack walk", as opposed to
a "snack run". Lo and behold, 2 bags of peanut butter and crackers magically appeared in the
bag, making someone VERY happy. Soon, it was time for the posty party and the cake! Group
photos were taken on the staircase and outside and everyone went their separate ways to get ready to go
to dinner. Some of the group headed for the Trainwreck Saloon, while others headed off on
their own. It was determined that the elevator was very dirty, even though a hotel staff
member overheard the conversation and commented that it "wasn't THAT dirty". On the way to the
Trainwreck, Missy changed her name to Mary Ella Burneze Cline. After dinner, Kessy, Lucy and
the girls headed to a gift shop called "Grins", where more posties and other items were
purchased. The gang got back to the hotel and decided to stay up and watch Chris' Season 2
DVDs. Missy's shoulder makes a great pillow and one member fell asleep there. Kessy, Missy and
Lucy decided to go to bed, and it was later reported that two of the teens stayed up til almost
2 AM watching episodes... in slow motion.
Manda had asked everyone to please be in the hotel's restaurant at 8 am Sunday morning, so
we could all have breakfast together and say our "goodbyes". Broots joined the gang at the
table, but even with him there, the mood was very melancholy. No one wanted to say "bye" and
no one wanted to leave. The place for the next Meet & Greet was discussed and it was decided
that New England sounded like a nice place to visit. We toasted to good friends and to being
together. Lucy looked at her watch and said "15 minutes til we have to leave" and Manda started
to cry. Everybody hugged, kissed, hugged again and kissed again. We had one big group hug with
Petey in the middle. Petey broke away and started to play the piano, which was just a ploy to
get Lucy & Manda to stay, and it worked! Finally, Lucy and Manda started to leave, and to
their surprise, everyone followed them out to the car for yet ANOTHER round of hugs and
kisses. Many tears were shed as the group broke apart, knowing that 2 years would seem like
an eternity.
For more photos from the 2004 Meet & Greet, click here.
The 2004 Meet & Greet was such a success! Hope to see everyone at the next one!!
