::You're going back AGAIN?!? Our February Family Trip! HOUSE update 4/1!!!::

[Hillary12.8.07]

We're back, again!!! For those of you who haven't read my previous trip reports (check out my siggie!), I just very recently finished up our First Anniversary Trip Report, RIGHT before we left for this trip!! When we were getting ready to leave, I heard OVER and OVER, "You're going BACK to Disney????? You were just there!" Yes, we were. My parents and my DH and myself got season passes back in October, so yes, we have gotten our use and money's worth out of them already! And we're not done yet!!

I feel like I've introduced myself over and over, but just in case, I'll do it again!

I'm Hillary, 26 years old, graduate student living in Augusta, Georgia. I'm graduating in May with my Master's in Education, for School Counseling. I'm currently interning as a counselor at a local middle school and I'm just in love with it. I love the people I work with and the kids there. I truly love going to work every day!!

DH-Andy. Also 26 (as of yesterday!), works as a Network Administrator (aka computer geek) for the Department of Energy.

I have been going to Disney since I was like 3, we had season passes a few times when I was in middle/high school, so I grew up in a Disney family. My family had a camper for many years, and again now, so many of my trips were spent at Fort Wilderness Campground. It's "home" to me.

DH had never been to Disney, until May 2007. We went with my parents over Mother's Day weekend to Fort Wilderness, knowing we'd be back in December for our HONEYMOON at Wilderness Lodge!!! Our honeymoon TR is in my siggie! Then, after we got home I began planning our anniversary trip for the following December!! We stayed a week this past December at All Star Sports, Old Key West, and Pop! Before that though, we spent my mom's birthday at Disney, and also went to MNNSHP, a first for us! All great trips. And then we were just there in February, for a random, Fort Wilderness trip!! Lots of fun!!

I mentioned in my previous TR that I did not take a ton of pictures, as usual. We relaxed a good bit, and I just didn't pressure myself to catch everything in pictures. But I still have a good many, and look forward to sharing it all with you again! I love writing these trip reports, and having everyone else enjoy them and read along with me!

And just as a visual, our cast of characters...

Me and DH (from our anniversary trip)

and my parents!

And just on a personal note, as I've written about in my previous TR, DH and I very recently bought a house!! We actually close on it tommorow (Monday) morning! So we've been very busy with that, which is why I'm just now starting this TR, typically I'd have started already! I've been packing all weekend, we don't actually start moving though until Sunday, so I'm about to go crazy with anticipation. So, this will occupy me some! But just wanted to throw that out there, since I probably wont be as fast with the updates as usual!

Thanks for reading in advance! First installment coming next!





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[IluvXU]

joining in!

 

[KatGarcia]

Just saving my spot! TR away!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Wohoooo I'm here! Can't wait to read all about your TR! Good luck ith the closing today.

 

[VanniGirl]

Looking forward to more - comgrats on the house!!

 

[jess98ac]

I'm in!

I've read your other TRs, but not sure if I've ever posted!

 

[lindseynleah]

I have read you other TR and have to admit I love them!!! I am sooooo looking forward to this one too!!!! Can't wait!!!!

 

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

I'm in, once again.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Glad I perused the trip report board today and found you! I can't wait for the lastest adventures.

 

[A's Princess]

Looking forward to reading more!

How do you do it all - school, internship, new house and a fabulous TR?!

 

[seasideteacher]

Just found you! Excited to hear more about Disney! (We just closed on our house! it is exciting and crazy! But it is wonderful to have your own (in our case little) home!

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

joining in!

YAY! thanks!

Just saving my spot! TR away!

thanks for joining in!!

Wohoooo I'm here! Can't wait to read all about your TR! Good luck ith the closing today.

Thanks Cheryl!!!!!

Looking forward to more - comgrats on the house!!

thanks for joining in on the fun!!

I'm in!

I've read your other TRs, but not sure if I've ever posted!

yay, I'm always glad to see new readers say hello!!! Thanks for joining in!

I have read you other TR and have to admit I love them!!! I am sooooo looking forward to this one too!!!! Can't wait!!!!

aww thanks!!! I love new readers, I'm glad you said hello!!!

I'm in, once again.

yay, good to see you again!

Glad I perused the trip report board today and found you! I can't wait for the lastest adventures.

I'm glad you found me!!! Thanks!

Looking forward to reading more!

How do you do it all - school, internship, new house and a fabulous TR?!

Thank you! lol, its really not that bad. But I can tell I won't be as fast with this one as I normally am-at least not right away! Thanks for reading though!

Just found you! Excited to hear more about Disney! (We just closed on our house! it is exciting and crazy! But it is wonderful to have your own (in our case little) home!

Thanks for joining in!!

I see you have your first trip coming up! I'll have to check out your PTR! How fun!!

And CONGRATULATIONS!!! It IS wonderful, and ours is a little home too, but I love it all the same! Thanks again for reading!!!

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

Thanks SO much for joining in everyone!!! I'm so glad I have interested readers-I'll try not to keep you waiting too long. And actually, I had typed out most of the first installment the other night, and then something happened and it didn't post. I was SO MAD, that's what I get for not typing it in Word first. I just haven't had a chance to re-do it yet!! I will soon, I promise!!

The closing yesterday went fabulous, much faster and easier than I imagined!! I'm SO ready to move now, Sunday morning cannot get here fast enough!! But luckily, I guess, its a BUSY week, I've been busy at work, had a meeting at school last night and then class tommorow night, so this week will fly by, and then we're going to Charleston, SC for a wedding all day Saturday so that will help. I've been packing all evening, our little apartment is beginning to look sad and empty, but at least I'm feeling more accomplished! I still have a loooong way to go, but I'm getting there!!

Thanks again for reading and being patient with me!!

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[tinkerbell87512]

Glad the closing went well! Sunday will be here before you know it. Congratulations new home owner!

 

[lindseynleah]

Congratulations!!!!! Have fun with moving into your new home!!!!!

 

[MickeyLover20]

Can't wait to hear about your trip!!!

 

[KatGarcia]

as long as you are posting house pics too then I can wait for the tr.

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

Glad the closing went well! Sunday will be here before you know it. Congratulations new home owner!

Thanks Cheryl!! I'm so excited!

Congratulations!!!!! Have fun with moving into your new home!!!!!

aww thanks!!! I will, I can't wait to share pictures too!

Can't wait to hear about your trip!!!

Thanks for reading, and being patient! I'm HOPING to get the first installment up later today!

as long as you are posting house pics too then I can wait for the tr.

lol, thanks! I DO plan on posting pictures as well, but thanks for being patient!!!

Thanks everyone for sticking around and not giving up on me!!! I keep having plans to re-do the first installment but time gets away from me! My plan is to do it tonight, I don't have class tonight but we are meeting with my MIL for dinner, and I have a list of stuff to do, BUT, I think I can do it. Otherwise it will be another week since this weekend will be CRAZY! So look for it tonight, I'm going to try really really hard! I really appreciate all the good wishes and the patience!!! I will post some pictures hopefully next week too, after we start moving in! Thanks again!

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[tinkgurl]

Hey Hill! I'm here!

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

Saturday February 21, 2009

We had talked about leaving the night before, Friday, after work and driving halfway with my parents, and staying overnight in Jacksonville. But it had been a crazy week, and we were tired, and just decided to get some rest Friday night and get up early Saturday like we normally do and drive all the way. I had set my alarm early, and like 5 am. And I slept right through it! We BOTH did. It was about 6 when I woke up, no big deal...we obviously needed the sleep!

We got ready, and loaded the car, and had to run by our management building to drop off our rent before we left.

I had to take these pics before we pulled out...my Minnie antenna topper, DH ONLY lets me put it on his car when we go to Disney!

Finally around 7:30 we hit the road! We had lots to talk about, with the whole house thing, so the drive went pretty quickly. We didn't stop until we got to where we get on I-95, we just stopped at our "normal" station to run in and use the bathroom, and get a snack. Side note here-until here, where we get on 95, it is the exact same route we use to go to the beach every summer. We go to Beaufort, SC, which is near Hilton Head...and its the same way, through SC. So we always talk about how it feels weird going to Disney this way, bc its how we used to just go to the beach. And we stop at this same station pretty much every time. Random. yes.

Anyway, after we stopped there and got on 95 the trip goes quicker on the highway. Until we get to south Georgia, from Savannah to Jacksonville is the WORST part. SO boring. We stopped right before we got to Jacksonville for a bathroom break again, and to get some lunch before we got to Disney and everything costs an arm and a leg! I think I slept a little bit in there afterwards, and finally we were getting close! The trip always gets faster once we get closer to Daytona, and I was READY. We made one more stop somewhere near Lake Mary. Eventually we were getting closer, and saw this!...

yay!! Everytime, when we first get there, and go under that sign, DH has to say "Where Dreeeeams, coooooome, truuuuuue", in this silly singsong voice-basically making fun of me. He does the same thing for "Wishes". whatever. I don't care.


We followed the signs to the MK and to Fort Wilderness. We saw this sign and we were home!!!

My mom had called and told us what site they were on, they beat us by a few hours since they had driven from Jacksonville that morning. We got to their site, on the same loop we had stayed on in October when we were there (link to that TR in my siggie!) I was VERY excited to see this....

The Mickey lamp post DH built for them, for Christmas this year. It was our first trip we got to use it!

They needed to go on a Walmart run, and we didn't really have any plans for the day, so we just hung out for a little bit. I got to play with my new camera some...

I took this to show how close we were to the bus stop! You can't really see it, but the stop was right at the end of that road, to the left. It was awesome being that close, and we were really close to the bathroom/showerhouse too. We were on a corner type site so it was just a really nice spot.

We brought all of our stuff in out of our car and hung out clothes and put things away in our "room". I love having our own separate room in their camper, we each have a small closet, and a drawer apiece. And there is a door that we can close so its not like in their old camper, sleeping on a pull-out couch in the middle of the kitchen! It's so nice.

Anyway, we got ready and left for Walmart. We got turned around somehow, using the Garmin, but we found our way eventually. I was excited to see all the Disney merchandise there! They had TONS of stuff, and alot of it was really cute and very similiar to what you get on-site. I had wanted to find some baby stuff, one of my best friends is having a baby girl in June and I am throwing her a baby shower soon. So I found a little purple onesie for her, was VERY excited that it was so much cheaper there! My mom found a few things, and we just walked around looking at everything for a little bit. They needed some other stuff too, mostly groceries though for the week. It was kinda weird, being in Walmart while in Disney...you almost forget where you are in there! We go to Walmart so much at home, its just weird. anyway.

We finally finished up and left. We found our way back to Disney much easier this time. When we got back to the campground we put everything away and they got the grill going, and we got stuff together to cook dinner. We grilled steaks out, YUM, and had salad and something else. Pototoes maybe?

After we ate we cleaned up, and then decided to ride our bikes around for awhile. We rode down to the Meadow, where they have the campfire sing-a-long and movie every night.

Another side story here-my parents always talk about our first trip here, when I was about 4 and my brother was a baby. We stayed on a campsite near the Meadow, and every night while my mom was putting my brother down to sleep, my dad and I would walk over so I could watch the movie. aww.

We haven't been over there though in years, I really don't even remember going. It was neat though-they had two big fires going, and you can buy stuff to make smores and I think hot dogs. There are a bunch of long benches towards the front, and then a few big bleachers in the back. We found a seat, and waited for the sing-a-long to start. It was cute, a guy came out and sang and then Chip and Dale joined him, the kids loved it of course. Then after a few songs Chip and Dale walk around, and actually come to you, to meet the kids. And I guess the movie starts after that. On Fridays and Saturdays they show 2 movies-and that night I forget the first one, but we weren't interested, and then the second was High School Musical. DH was DEFINITELY not interested. That's a joke in our family too-the first trip he went on to Disney, they were doing the first HSM show thing at MGM, and everytime we walked through it was going on, and DH HATED it. anyway.

some pictures...

The campfire is an awesome idea for families with young kids, they seemed to love it. We were getting bored though, so we got back on our bikes and rode around the campground for awhile. That is one of our favorite things to do there, and why we love it so much. I just love riding through all the loops, and seeing all the families hanging out, grilling outside, the kids running around, its just so homey and laid back. Love it.

We stopped off in the Meadows Trading Post to look around, they always have cool stuff in there. We also made our way back to the Settlement Trading Post too, back near the Hoop Dee Doo...there was this AWESOME campsite back there...there were TONS of LA/TX/AL people there for Mardi Gras, and these people were completely decked out. I have a few pictures from another day I will share. It was just so cool.


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