I'm Going Away... FOREVER! Oh, Great! Could You Get Me a Sandwich?? - updated 6/23!

[baseballmickey]

I'm in too. Sounds like fun...

KIM

Welcome, Kim!! Thank you for reading!!

Okay, this last one didn't get me as far along as I thought it would. Next one should get us to at least the start of the trip. I hope.

 

[Chicago Mo]

This is awesome...
I LOVE your plans..

 

[shan23877]

Plans sound great. I'm excited that Bella got to do BBB!

 

[baseballmickey]

This is awesome...
I LOVE your plans..

Thanks.

Plans sound great. I'm excited that Bella got to do BBB!

Bella was very excited. We opted to purchase a dress ahead of time and bring it with us.

I'm not sure what we were most excited for. There were a lot of things to look forward to on this trip as it was coming together.

 

[eandesmom]

I posted our plans onto the facebook page. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen. I suppose in my head I imagined that my family would see our plans and say, "ooh, that sounds good, can we join you for A, B, or C?" But the actual response was more like, "good for you." I can only imagine what might have been said privately on their end about how we were making all these plans without them, but we did all we could to include them in our planning. My conscience was clear.

The good and bad thing about planning that far out is that ability to pay over time...or not pay and then it's a crazy huge amount! I feel your pain about life getting in the way, so glad that things worked out. Too funny on the family, but good for you for not waiting and making your own plans. Major score on that flight, that was our big hold up too and while we purchased earlier than we ever have, we paid more than we ever have and they never, ever went down from that price. Crazy!

I've seen the price on that princess tea yikes! I hope they liked the regular one, can't wait to read about it. We loved it.

 

[baseballmickey]

The good and bad thing about planning that far out is that ability to pay over time...or not pay and then it's a crazy huge amount! I feel your pain about life getting in the way, so glad that things worked out. Too funny on the family, but good for you for not waiting and making your own plans. Major score on that flight, that was our big hold up too and while we purchased earlier than we ever have, we paid more than we ever have and they never, ever went down from that price. Crazy!

I've seen the price on that princess tea yikes! I hope they liked the regular one, can't wait to read about it. We loved it.

I've always struggled with money. Lisa is the saver in this relationship, but at times she can go on little spending sprees. My main problem is that I procrastinate paying things, most often because I don't want to deplete the bank account, thinking "next paycheck i'll have more money and paying this bill won't seem like such a big hit to the account."... and more often than not, a forgotten bill comes out of left field, or a bunch of small purchases sneak up and come the next paycheck, I'm in the same situation.

The deal on the flight down was too good to pass up, and it was gone the next day, and never came back. As I'll touch on in the next update, the flights back home were outrageous!!

The princess tea sounded like such a cute idea and I was all for them doing it... until we started looking at the numbers. just like the FE, we had to get things under control. That meant we had to cut the tea. Lisa and I had done the "regular" tea a couple of times, and Bella had been there for one even though she couldn't partake. It seemed like a good compromise.

 

[afwdwfan]

I remember you talking about the job situation. I know it was a tough time, but I'm glad everything worked out.

I would be so frustrated with everyone else. I'd say you're good. You tried to get input from everyone and include them in the planning process. Just because they're unwilling to speak up shouldn't mean that you have to pass up an opportunity to get ADRs for yourself taken care of.

Heck, the whole FB page is more effort that I'd have put into it. I'd have basically said, we're making plans, if you want in speak up, if not, shut up.

 

[amandaw]

I'm glad the job stuff was able to be worked out for you! I know how tough that can be.

Sounds like y'alls plans were really coming together! I would love to stay at BLT one day. All of the dining choices sound great!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm joining! However, I do think it's prudent that next time, you do photograph the planning process.

 

[baseballmickey]

I remember you talking about the job situation. I know it was a tough time, but I'm glad everything worked out.

I would be so frustrated with everyone else. I'd say you're good. You tried to get input from everyone and include them in the planning process. Just because they're unwilling to speak up shouldn't mean that you have to pass up an opportunity to get ADRs for yourself taken care of.

Heck, the whole FB page is more effort that I'd have put into it. I'd have basically said, we're making plans, if you want in speak up, if not, shut up.

Thanks. We certainly tried. Past experience with my family on vacation prepared us for what might go down. On a previous trip there were certain individuals who got upset because we did our own thing. I also got burned by trying to do too much with my family and leaving Lisa by herself. I was glad we would have a few days to ourselves before the cruise, and our attempts to include everyone else were now "documented".

I'm glad the job stuff was able to be worked out for you! I know how tough that can be.

Sounds like y'alls plans were really coming together! I would love to stay at BLT one day. All of the dining choices sound great!

BLT was great. Eventually I'll get around to showing you the pictures!

I'm joining! However, I do think it's prudent that next time, you do photograph the planning process.

I think you are right. I'll have to take pictures of the entire process for the next one.

Welcome aboard!!

 

[dhorner233]

I'm enjoying the planning but, I can't wait to see the trip!

 

[baseballmickey]

Okay, so I've obviously not been as on top of this TR as I hoped to be. I had thought adding some life updates would keep it moving, but that hasn't happened either... so here's a bit of what's been interfering with the TR...

First and foremost has been the new schedule with Lisa back at work. Up early (though not as early as Lisa) to get Bella ready for school and of course, Jackson can't be forgotten. The little guy keeps me occupied while Bella is getting educated, and before I know it, it's time to pick up Bella. The weather's been nice, so we usually hang out at the playground a bit after school before heading home.

Lisa gets home just in time for me to head off to work. I usually catch a little nap on the train on the way in. And despite my best intentions to do some work when I get home... I'm just too tired. It's weird because I used to be such a night owl. Must be getting old. Like Bilbo Baggins, I feel like too little butter spread over too much bread!

And at least for September and October, my weekends have been mostly about work. That should slow down a bit next month, but I've only had a handful of days off over the past couple of months.

We've tried to make the most of those. Last month we got out east to do some apple picking:

Jackson couldn't wait until we got the apples home!

Bella tried to find the biggest apples she could

and the apples were certainly HUGE this year...

Bella's been playing her first season of soccer:

Jackson has been doing well. He gave us a little scare not too long ago when he had an apparent allergic reaction to an antibiotic he was on. We spent a morning at the ER with him and thankfully it did not get any worse and cleared up fairly quickly.

He just got his haircut the other day:

and here's Jackson rocking the new "do" at the playground:

We went pumpkin picking and we've started getting ready for Halloween. Unfortunately I can't find the memory card with those pictures.

I'll try and do better with the updates... I really hope to get a trip update up before the weekend is out!

Thanks for your patience!!

 

[dhorner233]

Well, at least you have been busy having fun! That's cool the way they trained the apples to grow low to the ground like that so the kids could pick them. Super cute kids!

 

[burly]

The pictures of your adorable kids makes up for the lack of updates.
Such cuties......

 

[amandaw]

Those pictures are all so great!

 

[baseballmickey]

I'm enjoying the planning but, I can't wait to see the trip!

Thanks. I can't wait to get to the actual trip!!

Well, at least you have been busy having fun! That's cool the way they trained the apples to grow low to the ground like that so the kids could pick them. Super cute kids!

Thanks! I never thought kids of mine would be cute. Let's hope they stay that way!!

The place we went apple picking was interesting. We had our hearts on going back to this HUGE orchard in the mountains. (well, they would be mountains to us, but hills to a lot of other people, I suppose) Unfortunately, my schedule didn't cooperate. So we went somewhere closer. This place had so many apples. It was a bit pricey, and our bag was full so quickly. Afterwards we drove to a farmstand to get some grilled corn before heading home.

The pictures of your adorable kids makes up for the lack of updates.
Such cuties......

Thank you. That was my evil plan. Distract you all with the kids while I continued procrastinating with the TR!!!

 

[baseballmickey]

Those pictures are all so great!

Thanks!!! I took so many shots, there were bound to be some good ones!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Sorry the schedule has been so busy lately, but it certainly looks like you've been able to make the best of what little family time you have.

 

[Chicago Mo]

HOW ADORABLE!!! your pictures are amazing!!!
Your family is beautiful!!! Glad to hear Jackson is ok... that's scary stuff!!!
Bella is quite the athlete! How old is she?


shamless plug...
Want to read a train wreck of a PTR? i'd love for you to read and help me!!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Your kids are too cute! And yes, posting pictures of cute kids will always distract people from the lack of updates.