As God as my witness.I'll never be sick at Disney World again~~~wrapping things up...

[vamassey1]

Good for you you! You made EMH with a large group. I know how hard it is to get that many people up, moving and out the door on time and still smiling.

Hunter really got some amazing pictures.

Bailey's cackling was too funny. I can understand where it comes from. I do the same thing every time I ride TOT. It's my favorite ride, can't help but laugh. In our pictures from the ride everyone else looks scared and I have the biggest grin on.

Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[winkers]

Cherie!!!!! You wait until I move and then start posting updates like crazy!!!

Okay - all caught up.

Loved the video of Hunter dancing.

I really enjoyed the shots the kids took. Very interesting perspectives.

Can't believe we made it to day 2!!

And I think I missed your birthday! Hope it was a great one.

You just never know when the writing bug will hit me!
I'm hoping to be on day 3 by July!

The get pictures of things I"d never think of.
I'm glad you're all moved and mostly settled!

Good for you you! You made EMH with a large group. I know how hard it is to get that many people up, moving and out the door on time and still smiling.

Hunter really got some amazing pictures.

Bailey's cackling was too funny. I can understand where it comes from. I do the same thing every time I ride TOT. It's my favorite ride, can't help but laugh. In our pictures from the ride everyone else looks scared and I have the biggest grin on.

Can't wait for the next installment.

We may have had smiles on the outside.........
My kids have always been early risers so getting up in the morning isn't a problem.

Bailie's cackling is exactly like D.Jay's grandma. Every time I hear it I think of her.

I always laugh hysterically on rides too! Even is I'm scared to death.

 

[winkers]

decisions...decisions....

We've decided to take a 1 1/2 to 2 week road trip in August. I just have to decide where. The only bad part about living in the west is it takes a long time to get to somewhere "new". I can drive 6 hours and still be in the same state.

Anyhoo, I thought it'd be fun to get everyone's opinion.

option 1. Oregon Coast, Redwoods, Utah

Option 2. Redwoods, Souther California (a day or two at disneyland), utah

option 3. Mt. Rushmore, Utah, Home

option 4. Utah, grand canyon, home through california and oregon

Notice that Utah is in all of those? Well, we always visit my family in the summer and I've been informed that not going this year isn't an option. Personally, I think they could come to me for once, but that's a whole nother story.

So....what do ya'll think?

I need to decide soon so I can start obsessivly planning!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

decisions...decisions....

We've decided to take a 1 1/2 to 2 week road trip in August. I just have to decide where. The only bad part about living in the west is it takes a long time to get to somewhere "new". I can drive 6 hours and still be in the same state.

Anyhoo, I thought it'd be fun to get everyone's opinion.

option 1. Oregon Coast, Redwoods, Utah

Option 2. Redwoods, Souther California (a day or two at disneyland), utah

option 3. Mt. Rushmore, Utah, Home

option 4. Utah, grand canyon, home through california and oregon

Notice that Utah is in all of those? Well, we always visit my family in the summer and I've been informed that not going this year isn't an option. Personally, I think they could come to me for once, but that's a whole nother story.

So....what do ya'll think?

I need to decide soon so I can start obsessivly planning!

Kind of a hard choice, Cherie! I have down these routes at one time or another in my life, sort of. I guess it depends on if you want Nature, education or city fun!

1. Oregon Coast is beautiful in August! We did a bike ride all down the coast, camping along the way one Aug. The beaches are all different, the towns seem kind of the same - small with mom and pop restaurants, state parks and seafood restaurants and gift shops. Of course the Redwoods are amazing - plan to take a picnic into one of the parks for sure.

2. You can see the Redwoods, then head for L.A.! It's hard to be down there and not do DL of course, There are also awesome beaches, Hollywood is safe to visit in the daytime - really fun to see. Universal Studios is great there - pro ball games, Sea World isn't far - all kinds of "city fun."

3. A road trip to Mt. Rushmore will take you through Montana - there are alot of quaint "cowboy towns" to see - alot of wide open spaces. ALOT. You can educate the kids along the way, and near Mt. Rushmore is also the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is worth seeing, too! You can head South to Yellowstone on your way back West. Lots to see and learn. My family used to take these roads all the time when i was a kid. We're from Minnesota - went back every 2 yrs. (kind of reminds me of National Lampoon's Vacation, "world's biggest ball of twine!")

4. Kind of like Option 3, except lots of desert, but Lots of learning opportunities and lots of nature.

I love option 2 always, but that's because we have nothing here and I long for "city fun." But For a family road trip, I think I would choose Option 3, because you cover more types of areas and I have lots of fond (and not so fond) memories over the years of those roads!

 

[winkers]

Tammie,

I love the oregon coast, my parents took me there several times as a kid. My dad grew up in the Albany area and I still have family there.
Only my two youngest have been to the oregon coast and that was in april when I took my sister to cannon beach.

D.Jay has been to the redwoods and has talked about taking the kids there for years.

5 years ago we made the road trip down to disneyland....we were there a week and that's all we did!

12 years ago we made the trek from here to minnesota for my brother in law's wedding, with a stop at Mt. Rushmore along the way......it was the trip from hell! 2 toddlers with non stop vomit and diahrea! Plus I was 5 months pregnant.
So whenever I think of going there I just feel sick. I've spent a bit of time in Montana and you feel like you drive forever without seeing anything. Pretty, but I'm afraid my kids might kill eachother in between stops.

 

[kenaiwitch]

Just caught up, love your family. My DH and I Disneymooned in feb. I would ALMOST agree with you about the Alaska cold. I love your MIL, she reminds me of my grandma

 

[winkers]

Just caught up, love your family. My DH and I Disneymooned in feb. I would ALMOST agree with you about the Alaska cold. I love your MIL, she reminds me of my grandma

welcome!

I knew I wasn't exagerating about how cold it was!!

 

[winkers]

All morning I had been keeping track of time because I had a mission to get Bailie in to see tinkerbell. She had been so disapointed when we heard they were opening this after our previous trip. So, she was excited to see Tinkerbell and Silvermist her favorite.

Having done my homework, I new this line would fill up fast so we went to toontown at 9:40......when we got there I was surprised to see alot of people already streaming in. So, we followed the line and when we got to the line for tinkerbell, along with 100 of our closest friends , I was shocked to see it already had a 75 minute wait!!!

I couldn't believe it! The cm at the entrance said they had started a little after 9 because there were so many people already waiting.
At this point my stress level shot up and I could hear my pulse in my head.

I was just stunned that disney had opened something early....they get a couple hundred people waiting outside the gates every morning but they don't open early.

If it had just been me wanting to go it wouldn't have bothered me....that much. But I had told Bailie she'd get to meet her. I offered to wait in line with her but she said it was ok. Thank heavens she wasn't a little girl who would have been realy upset.

D.Jay noticed that the princess line only had a 15 minute wait, so we headed there in hopes of seeing my favorite...Belle.


We handed over our camera along with the photopass card and off we went. I still find it funny that at my age I get excited about meeting the characters! I think it just embarasses my kids.


The boys are always so good about posing with the princesses even tho they are mildly embarassed by it.

Bailie's favorite...

I love that her dress is so poofy it doesn't make me look quite so big....

As we were just entering the "dump" shop MIL came up to me giggling....

mil "I have to confess something"

me "what?"

mil "while you were getting your picture with belle I said to D.Jay , cherie must be the beast!"

She was laughing hysterically by this time.

I was so stunned I just walked away.

What the heck did she expect me to say?
I'd like to say that after 17 years as her daughter in law I would be so used to this kind of "foot in the mouth" syndrome from her that it wouldn't faze me.

Quite honestly......I was hurt.
And unfortunatly this is the only time this sort of comment was made during the trip.

I asked D.Jay about it and he said he just ignored her thinking he heard wrong.
What I don't get is, ok so you're going to be rude and make a statement like that to someone else, why was it neccesary to tell me?? Just to make sure any self confidence I had was crushed?

Anyway, I don't think I spoke to her for several hours after that.

We walked around toontown and rode the barnstormer, which Ethan loved. This was the same ride he and I had a melt down about the previous trip when he refused to go on it......bad mommy moment. But this made it all better with a good memory.

up next....senior citizen stalks eeyore........story at 5.

 

[Heluvsme]

Oh Cherie, that was just awful of her to say. You are most definitely NOT the beast, goodness---far from it!! You're so pretty, all your pictures are great...your smile, your eyes, your beautiful hair (that I would kill to have!!).

How inconsiderate of her....some people just lose their common sense sometimes. She's very lucky you had enough decorum for the both of you, because a lot of daughters in law would have let her have it right there!! You're classy and she could learn a thing or two, or a hundred, from you!!

~Dawn

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Tammie,

I love the oregon coast, my parents took me there several times as a kid. My dad grew up in the Albany area and I still have family there.
Only my two youngest have been to the oregon coast and that was in april when I took my sister to cannon beach.

D.Jay has been to the redwoods and has talked about taking the kids there for years.

5 years ago we made the road trip down to disneyland....we were there a week and that's all we did!

12 years ago we made the trek from here to minnesota for my brother in law's wedding, with a stop at Mt. Rushmore along the way......it was the trip from hell! 2 toddlers with non stop vomit and diahrea! Plus I was 5 months pregnant.
So whenever I think of going there I just feel sick. I've spent a bit of time in Montana and you feel like you drive forever without seeing anything. Pretty, but I'm afraid my kids might kill eachother in between stops.

Okay, I vote Redwoods. I was thinking about you when I saw this ad on TV for Trees of Mystery, which is just of the Northern Calif. coast -
http://www.treesofmystery.net/


Here's another great family adventure, and I do mean adventure. About an hour inland from the Oregon coast at Cave Junction, we have Oregon Caves, which is lava cave tours - fun for kids. But the killer is at
Takilma, a hippy town just about 30 min away from there - the name of the place is Out-N-About Treehouses. We took the kids there when they were 10 and 12 - we all had an awesome time! It is unusual, but it is a once in a lifetime experience. It is a treehouse B&B. This guy is a vietnam vet who built these fabulous treehouses. He even has a zip line there now. There are family complexes, all different ones. The one we had we had to use the bathroom in the back door of the main house, but we didn't care - it was worth the experience.

They were on GMA, and I've seen them on Travel Channel, too! Once they got known, the county wouldn't let them be licensed as a B&B because of codes, but they are very safe! So you buy a dated T-shirt and you become their "friends." Their "friends" can stay there free!

Website: http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/treesort/home.html

Happy planning!

P.S. Best sleep I've ever had - wonderful bed with lots of comfy bedding and the tree rocks you to sleep. There's a fresh water pool fed by a spring, and the horses come and drink out of it while you're swimming

 

[bedillamouse]

I feel your pain....I have a MIL who says things that I just sit and stare....thinking...really??? did you just say that??? nooo??butttt well yeah you did and now I don't know what to say to you??? Now I"m hurt....now i"m angry.....Grrrrrr. That's about the time where I walk away and don't say anything eventhough I'm dying to. To be completely honest I don't know if she really realizes what she is saying....at least that the story I'm trying to stick with.

Like a pp said...you have a great smile, beautiful hair (tried to dye my hair your color once....this is the response I got ) you have a beautiful face. You have a great sense of humor and have great kids and a great husband! It's hard but don't let her get you down....she just wants a reaction.

By the way love the cackling video...that was awesome! I went and saw UP recently and there was a dad in the theater who cackled very loudly...it made me crack up even more.

 

[lisalonglash]

Your MIL was obviously having a "senior moment". You know, those times when what she says makes her laugh and makes no sense to those around her! I've worked at seniors homes for several years - it happens a lot LOL

You KNOW you're awesome, never mind her senior moment. Oh, and is there some way you could clone your hair to be transplanted onto my head because mine is flat, thin and mousy brown? Great, thanks!

Oh, about your trip.... you know, Vancouver isn't that far from you. Just sayin'

 

[oregonmommyof2]

I cannot beleive your MIL said that...

My MIL used to tell DH that he could come home as soon as he was done "playing house" with me... She would do everything for him and pay his bills so he could just have fun...

I finally had enough of it after our daughter was born, and he told her to knock off the kidding around like that, and her response was, she wasn't kidding... I told him he should have told her to go ahead and hold her breathe waiting for it to happen...

 

[mouseketeer70]

I wish I could say I can't believe your MIL said that but unfortunately I can because I have a MIL exactly like her! When my husband and I first got married my MIL proceeded to tell me often just how athletic and fit and gorgeous all of his former girlfriends were (this is also how I found out he dated a Hooters girl, I still refuse to eat there). And I was 5'1, 100 lbs. at the time!!!!! Let me just say that I understand your feelings being hurt. Mine still are.
But you know what....some people are just a few nuggets short of a happy meal
Just know that you look great and you are a good person too! Don't worry about what some crazy old lady that should come with free prozac thinks!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Cherie, I'm sorry I missed your update while I was researching. That was really mean to say, especially because she had a chance to think about it before she said it to you the 2nd time. I'm sorry she put a damper on your day.

I'm trying really hard not to be "Monster In Law" to my DDILs

 

[kschafer]

I cannot beleive your MIL said that...

My MIL used to tell DH that he could come home as soon as he was done "playing house" with me... She would do everything for him and pay his bills so he could just have fun...

I finally had enough of it after our daughter was born, and he told her to knock off the kidding around like that, and her response was, she wasn't kidding... I told him he should have told her to go ahead and hold her breathe waiting for it to happen...

Oh no she didn't?!

Most of the time I regret not having any relationship with my in-laws. Stories like this remind me why we don't So sorry you have to deal with it.

 

[winkers]

How inconsiderate of her....some people just lose their common sense sometimes. She's very lucky you had enough decorum for the both of you, because a lot of daughters in law would have let her have it right there!! You're classy and she could learn a thing or two, or a hundred, from you!!

~Dawn

thanks! it's a good thing it wasn't one of my sister in law's, they would have let her have it!

Okay, I vote Redwoods. I was thinking about you when I saw this ad on TV for Trees of Mystery, which is just of the Northern Calif. coast -
http://www.treesofmystery.net/

that sounds like a great place! I'm going to check it out!

I feel your pain....I have a MIL who says things that I just sit and stare....thinking...really??? did you just say that??? nooo??butttt well yeah you did and now I don't know what to say to you??? Now I"m hurt....now i"m angry.....Grrrrrr. That's about the time where I walk away and don't say anything eventhough I'm dying to. To be completely honest I don't know if she really realizes what she is saying....at least that the story I'm trying to stick with.
.

By the way love the cackling video...that was awesome! I went and saw UP recently and there was a dad in the theater who cackled very loudly...it made me crack up even more.

I've learned with mil that she doesn't get subtle hints.......you have to be blunt and to me, quite rude for her to get the point sometimes. Drives me nutts. I always try to think, she didn't mean how that sounded, but after almost 20 years it gets tiring.

I love being in the theater with others who are laughing loudly!

 

[winkers]

You KNOW you're awesome, never mind her senior moment. Oh, and is there some way you could clone your hair to be transplanted onto my head because mine is flat, thin and mousy brown? Great, thanks!

Oh, about your trip.... you know, Vancouver isn't that far from you. Just sayin'

I guess she's been having senior moments since her 40's.
I would love to share my hair but it's super thin! I'm afraid I"m going bald.

I would love to go to vancouver......but now I have to have a passport. And I don't know if I want to fork over the money for 6 of those right now.
About a year and a half ago D.Jay suprised me with a trip to victoria for our 15th anniversary. It was so beautifull, now I just need to go back in the summer!

I cannot beleive your MIL said that...

My MIL used to tell DH that he could come home as soon as he was done "playing house" with me... She would do everything for him and pay his bills so he could just have fun...

I finally had enough of it after our daughter was born, and he told her to knock off the kidding around like that, and her response was, she wasn't kidding... I told him he should have told her to go ahead and hold her breathe waiting for it to happen...

Yikes! that makes mine sound like a warm fuzzy!
MIL wasn't happy at all when we got married, and made it known, but I guess she figures she's stuck with me now.

But you know what....some people are just a few nuggets short of a happy meal
Just know that you look great and you are a good person too! Don't worry about what some crazy old lady that should come with free prozac thinks!

I love that....a few nuggests short of a happy meal! That's describes her perfectly at times!

I'm trying really hard not to be "Monster In Law" to my DDILs

I'm hoping that this is training me on how not to be a mother in law!

:Most of the time I regret not having any relationship with my in-laws. Stories like this remind me why we don't So sorry you have to deal with it.

sometimes family relations are the hardest. I get along with everyone, most of the time. But I tend to let my anger build untill I'm so ticked off that I let the person know everything they've ever done to me.....not so good.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I vote going to the Oregon coast; we just loved it there. However, if you go to L.A., we will be there the first weekend of August, too!

Ignore the MIL and don't vacation together anymore! She should appreciate what a good DIL you are to her and what beautiful grandchildren you have given her.

 

[punkin413]

so sorry bailie didn't get to meet tink. i got there right after rope drop because i was HOPING they'd open early and they didn't open until 9:45. go figure.

that was definitely not nice of your MIL! it's more like that's belle with the beautiful princess cherie.

i think some people lack the "tact" gene. anna's MIL is like that. at their wedding anna had gotten a couple of blemishes on the back of her shoulder right before the wedding (probably stress-related) and was wearing a spaghetti strap dress that would show it (they got married on the beach). her MIL said something like, "oh, honey, you've got to do something about that!" honestly it wasn't even noticeable but of course with her saying that it sent anna into tears. some people just don't think before they let things fly out!