10/4/08-Buccaneers Take the West! Cruiser List in Post #1

[Grandma4ever]

Found us on page two so here is a ltlle bump. I am sure everyone is busy with the holiday. We decided to go visit family. Both Janet and I are wishing each of you a Very Merry Holiday and a Happy New Year. Lois

 

[momm2four]

Happy Sunday everyone! I am so proud of myself. Every year, I tell myself that I'm going to send out Christmas cards. And every year, it doesn't happen.

Well, today, after church I made my boys get in front of the tree and after 624 shots (or maybe it just felt like that many), I got one that is presentable. I even ordered Christmas cards with the picture from Walmart and will address those tonight. I feel like such a real mom, lol.

My next order of business is to start wrapping gifts for my sons' teachers. Between the four boys, I have 12 teachers to buy from. Nothing too big, I promise you, but just a little something to say "Thanks!".

WEll, I need to find a good deal on a laptop. My step-dad is buying my mom one for Christmas, and he needs a little help picking one out. Talk to you guys later!

Lori P.

 

[ashman]

Lori your youngest looks like a dead ringer for one of my kids friends!

Speaking of kids, have your guys told yours yet? We went in Feb of this year but told the kids on Christmas. They had to wait 45 days. Even that seemed almost too long. I have toyed with the idea of not telling them at all until we head to the airport.

 

[karibritt01]

We started planning our trip right after getting home from WDW in June. We told our kids, so they can help us plan the excursions and such. We did this both times we did WDW, and they really enjoy helping plan the vacation. I was worried the first time that it would take away some of their excitement, but it didn't. They still get wild when we get to the last few weeks before we go. I think telling them has made it easier to save money and pay for the trip, and has definitely had them working to save their own money to go.

 

[momm2four]

I went for about 3 months or so (?) without telling them, but they all know now. It's fun talking to them about it. What's really cute is watching my 6 year old find a quarter on the floor, and his first instinct is to run to my room to add to the Disney jar, lol.

Today was a good day. It was my students' last day, and tomorrow I have to work a half day, and I'M DONE until January 3rd! YEAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Lori P.

 

[GGBacha]

Lori, you lucky duck. I have one more looooooooooooong day with students tomorrow. It's crowd control at this point! We're all ready for the break. Great pics of the kids by the way!!

My kids know about the trip. I've had it booked since October 2006. I didn't tell them, however, about the cheat trip that we took on the Wonder this October. They knew we were going somewhere, but thought it was probably just to Gatlinburg. We told them (while on tape of course) as we were pulling out of the driveway. Their expression was priceless!

I guess I enjoy it both ways. It is so fun to prepare for the trip with the whole family. It is also fun to have such a big surprise.

Lori, I told my son about your boys. Maybe sometime this summer we can meet at the mall or something and introduce them. I know it would really be good for him to know some other boys before we go. Faith will have a playmate in her cousin, Emily. Kurt will feel like a loner. Let me know what you think.

We're getting closer every day folks!!

 

[karibritt01]

You're both lucky ducks! I have a home daycare, so I only have Dec 24 and 25, and Jan 1 off. And if that isn't enough... my kids go on break on Fri, and don't go back until Jan 28... got to love those year round schools!

My kids earn allowance for spending money for our vacations. Any money they get for birthday, Christmas, find on the floor, etc goes straight to their Disney banks. Last June they had about $160 each to spend.

I wish I lived close enough to you both to get in on that DISmeet. Tucker will be 10 in May, and would probably love getting to know some of the other kids before going. Avery will be turning 6 while we are on the cruise. She is very excited to be having her birthday in Mexico!

Ashman... been reading your TR. Very well done! Avery loved the pics of your girls on the slide. Hope you work it out and join us for the cruise.

 

[ashman]

Ashman... been reading your TR. Very well done! Avery loved the pics of your girls on the slide. Hope you work it out and join us for the cruise.

Thanks! The slides were one of the favorite parts of the trip for the girls. I think the best tip I got was to bring the suits with you in the carryon. We got on the ship, ate lunch, walked the ship got to the slide and there was only like four other kids in the slide area. It will be interesting to see what a 7 day is like. Most of the folks on the ship were with a Ci-Ci's convention, there didn't seem to be a lot of "Dis-savvy" people there. Those who have done 7 days, were there alot of kids in the pool before the opened staterooms?

 

[kimmcbee]

Sorry it has been so long since I have been around. Had a lot of catching up to do. Has been crazy here with basketball and trying to get ready for christmas.

Leaving for MI on Friday and will be homw for christmas eve. Hoping for good travel weather, but not to sure.

Have a great day talk to you all soon
Kim

 

[karibritt01]

From what I've heard... go straight to the pool and swim, and skip the buffet when you first get onboard. Later in the afternoon it will get crowded, so go explore the ship then. Avery has been terrified of water slides since DH missed the catch at the Coronado Springs waterslide 2 years ago. Your pic of Mini Me walking off the end from so far back helped her out. Then I pointed out they were the same age, and she decided she would try the slide after all!

 

[momm2four]

Lori, you lucky duck. I have one more looooooooooooong day with students tomorrow. It's crowd control at this point! We're all ready for the break. Great pics of the kids by the way!!


Lori, I told my son about your boys. Maybe sometime this summer we can meet at the mall or something and introduce them. I know it would really be good for him to know some other boys before we go. Faith will have a playmate in her cousin, Emily. Kurt will feel like a loner. Let me know what you think.

Thanks Ginger, and we'd love to have a meet. Maybe a Chuck E Cheese would be good. That's a fun environment that they might feel comfortable with. Let me know what you think. They've redone the one around here so that it has better games. My 12 year old still likes to go.

I think I'm going to take a nap. I LOVE Christmas break, lol.

Lori P.

 

[ashman]

Your pic of Mini Me walking off the end from so far back helped her out. Then I pointed out they were the same age, and she decided she would try the slide after all!

This pic?

Yeah the slide is pretty easy at the end, the kids just kinds come to a stop and walk off, it doesn't really dump them at all. Mini Me is 5 in this picture. Another shot at the tail end:

 

[kimmcbee]

Bumping us up to page 1.

Have a great night. Leaving for MI tomorrow, will talk to you all when I return. Have a great Christmas.
Kim

 

[momm2four]

Kim, good to hear from you again! Hope you have a nice trip. Look forward to hearing from you when you return.

Lori P.

 

[karibritt01]

Ashman... it was the 2nd pic that sold her. And the fact that your girls are having so much fun!

Lori... how was your 1st day off?

 

[GGBacha]

When I did my quick check of the board yesterday and posted, I had not noticed that ASHMAN!!! was the one I was replying to! I had so much fun reading your report. That pic of you in the shub is a classic! I really hope you and your family join us.

I did a four day this October because I was in severe withdrawal. It just didn't compare to the seven in our opinion. I liked everything about the Magic better from the cleanliness of the ship, to the relaxed atmosphere, to formal night, etc. Of course the best part was not having to get off the boat in four days!! I can't wait to "come home" to the Magic in just nine months and two weeks!

Lori, my kids would LOVE to meet at Chuck-E-Cheese's. If we get a wild hair to go over Christmas break I'll pm you. If not, let's definitely do it over spring or summer break.

We have had so much sickness and death in our circle of friends and loved ones over the past two months or so. Just today, a former coworker of mine lost her 26 year old daughter to leukemia. She died exactly one year after her diagnosis leaving a husband and a one year old. She was 20 weeks pregnant with their son and was trying to wait for chemotherapy until his birth. While I know they are both safe with the Lord today, our hearts are so heavy. Thinking forward to the time I will spend with my family (husband, children, parents, and sister's family) gives me so much to look forward to.

I'm so grateful for the memories I already have because of DCL and can't wait to make new ones. I'm glad to share the planning with you guys!

 

[momm2four]

My first day (and second) day of my break have been a blur. Shopping, cleaning, as well as taking the kids to a movie have caused the days to melt away. That's why I LOVE Christmas Day. We don't do ANYTHING that we don't feel like doing, lol.

Ashman, I very seldom laugh out loud at things I read, but I couldn't help but laugh when I read your DIS Meet thread. You were so optimistic and positive, as well as very good company for yourself, lol. I almost cheered when I saw that someone else had joined your meet thread.

I am so sorry to hear about your co-worker's daughter. That's just a horrible situation where all you can say is I'm sorry. My heart aches for her parents, her husband and her new baby. I will certainly be remembering that family in my prayers. Situations like this just leave you with so many questions. My best friend's BIL and his wife couldn't get pregnant, until after 6 years, her friend donated an egg and the wife became pregnant with twins. She went almost full term, only to die, at the age of 28, the day after giving birth from heart complications. So tragic.

As far as a Chuck E Cheese meet, we'll be here for the entire Christmas break. I go back to work on January 3rd, but we could still meet after school if you like.

Well, my DH and I are heading to a Christmas party, so I'll write more later. Happy Friday everyone!

Lori P.

 

[glindamood]

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your time with your families and loved ones. To those travelling - be safe on the roads. And to those of you not finished shopping - you best get crackin'!

We had our Christmas Saturday so it is all over for us. The boys were all home along with all their ladies and we had a great time. I am the proud owner of an MP3 player, now if I can just find someone to show me how to use it!

I almost thought we would not have a white Christmas but Mother Nature did her thing yesterday and took care of that. We lost some and got some new. My oldest and his fiancee headed back to Flint yesterday and ended up spending the night in Clare because of the wind and road conditions - much better today.

Well, take care all and have a great holiday!

 

[momm2four]

I also wish you all a Merry Christmas. I finished my shopping this morning! I'm sure I'll think of something I forgot, but that will just make me one step ahead for next year, lol.

Gail, I'm glad you were able to see all your family. We went to my DH's family "thing" on Saturday. Very nice and relaxing. We (DH, his two sisters, their spouses, my MIL/FIL, my four kids and their four cousins) had brunch, napped, took a walk, opened presents, ate some more, played games and finished up with the movie "Next"' (kids watched Underdog downstairs).

It's so nice not to have to go anywhere tonight or tomorrow. I'm kinda cleaning, kinda cooking, kinda surfing the net right now. I do want to head over to Books A Million and see if they have a good book on the stock market for beginners for my DH. Oh....did I say I was finished shopping? LOL.

Almost all of my kids' Santa is in my classroom right now, so I'm heading over this afternoon to wrap that and bring it home. Just have to keep them from finding it before tomorrow morning.

Well, I have a cleaning urge so I'd better do that before it passes. My mom/step-dad are coming in tomorrow night, and I want us to be able to play Skip-Bo instead of cleaning the whole time.

Lori P.

 

[glindamood]

I hope that everyone had a great holiday and you are all still enjoying it. Our day was very quiet yesterday since we had our gift exchange on Saturday. Nick is heading home tomorrow (middle child) but Drew leaves to work at Boy Scout camp tomorrow too so I am just doing an exchange of sorts.

Soon it will be time to start researching our excursions - I had decided to wait until 2008 to do that and it is almost here. Where does the time go? While I really want this cruise to hurry up - so much will happen before it does, namely Drew's high school graduation and then shipping him off to college. He still needs to make that big college decision though. We are waiting on the financial packages to be finalized but so far, Alma is in the lead.

OK - back to excursions (geez I get sidetracked, sorry). What is everyone thinking about for Cozumel? We didn't get there on our western back in 2005 due to hurricane damage so I am clueless. We will do one of the Nativeway stingray excursions but maybe not the same one we did last time as I would like to see some of the island as well and we spent all of our time on/in the water.

Take care everyone and have a great day!