DHHIR Family Reunion 7/31-8/7/09- a great time had by MOST! Final Updates 10/16 p.8

[podsnel]

This is an awesome TR!

Thank-you! I'm glad you found me!!

So does that mean NO!!!!!!

YES! That's NO!!!!!

Loving your TR! We are going for the 1st time this fall. I didn't know they had the refillable mugs there, too. Can you post a picture?

Also, do you have a great packing list you can share? What do you bring for the room?

Thanks!

I have a mug pic for you- just need to get my computer cleaned up first, which will happen this afternoon (I hope). You should be very excited to go, it's so much fun and sooooooo beautiful!! Don't really have a packing list, sorry, but we just bring clothes and bathing suits and personal items (shampoo, etc) and anything else we buy at the Piggly Wiggly which is VERY close by and well stocked. We also bring beach chairs, because the ones you rent have to stay back in a line with all the others and we like to sit in the surf. The resort supplies beach towels, so you can take that off your list. The room has starter stuff (laundry detergent, dish soap, toiletries) but I brought those new sheets that are both detergent and dryer sheet in one to do laundry. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!

Hi Ellen! I was catching up on your DISmoms gone wild thread, and followed you over here - I'm looking forward to this TR - I'll be back to catch up later.

I'm so glad you came, Tammie!

OK- my computer is CONSTANTLY running out of disc space, so I'm having it looked at today- then I should be able to post again later!

 

[podsnel]

Here it is! The one mug I have left (of the 2 I bought-DS12 left one in Big Murgie's Den when he was shooting pool one day, and didn't let anyone know until 1 1/2 days later), the other was purple where this one is green, so you can have a choice of 2 colors-

I LOVE my mug- drink my coffee from it everyday!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

HHI looks like a great resort! Too bad it was so rainy - seems to be a theme for your trips this year - just sayin' Love the boots

Your evening out with Disneyaholic was so nice. What? You sent a $3000 check to one of those axemurders on the DIS? And you lived to tell about it! As for the pool games, I guess the family could have figured out how to throw rubber duckies at the CM by themselves

 

[podsnel]

As we were unloading the cars, both the families from Ohio and Florida (with Grandma) arrived- along with a DOWNPOUR of rain! On this vacation, it rained everyday at some point, but it never rained for a whole day or even most of a day, so that was just fine- we'll take it! Although, unloading luggage in the rain is probably not the funnest activity in the world, but lucky me, I'm the unpacker, so I was GOOD! The cousins were all sooooooooooo happy to see each other!

One BIL & SIL began making dinner and it was ready in a flash. First the kids had taco meat and then the adults-

Originally we had planned (as in MY family of 4) to either get take-out or go out to dinner every night, because I just don't like to cook on vacation. It's mainly because I cook ALL THE TIME at home. For EVERYONE. For EVERY holiday, event and gathering, for many, many, many people. And I love to and am very happy to. (Just this week I made Gazpacho for 100 people) The only break I ever take from this food frenzy is on vacation- partly because I don't want to cook without all the "stuff" I have at home and I don't want to lug it all down and lug it all back, but also because I want to try every restaurant there IS and when I cook I miss out on all those great places!! And HHI is LOADED with GREAT places to try!! But.......

I felt really awful going out and getting food for dinner when they were all eating in. So they were nice enough to share their meals with us, because they always had so much (although FWIW, only ONE couple wants to cook like that again next year, guess who.... Everyone else concluded a little cooking was ok, but more restaurants and take-out should be in the mix next time, it was too much work. Go figure.). Sunday night there was supposed to be a campfire, but that was cancelled because of rain, so there was indoor insanity scheduled in the Community Hall instead. The rain, however looming, had stopped long enough for some of us to go inside the CH and some of us to try fishing out on the pier-

Then it was back to the pool for a swim, and the adults had a good time catching up-

I ALWAYS laugh when I'm with DH's little brother-

Soon we went back to our villas and called it a night- a WONDERFUL first night, all together at DHHIR.

But tomorrow....The s*** hits the fan!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh Oh!

 

[podsnel]

On Monday morning the sun was shining and the birds were chirping, it looked like any other gorgeous day on Hilton Head. But it was not to be just any day. It was to be the day one SIL & BIL would use as the starting point for all things miserable for the rest of our stay. But I digress. After making breakfast for the kids, and refilling my refillable mug, we made our lunches to bring to the beach (which I don't usually do, I usually just buy lunch up there, but I didn't want to make anyone feel bad) and they were put into one cooler, while the world's largest cooler was filled with beverages a plenty (in case we got stranded for a month or 10 over there) for 300 of our closest friends (who never showed up on this trip, but don't worry! We were ready for them EVERY DAY!). Why so much stuff? Because that's what this one family does on EVERY vacation, and GOD FORBID we try something different. Even though I had explained HHI to all very clearly- to me, HHI is not a "Beach vacation". It is a "wow, I'm in a beautiful, woodsy, marshy, nature, golf & tennis filled place that has the beach TOO." The TOO implying that the beach is not the ONLY or primary focus. There is something for everyone there. But the people who do not like DHHIR? Well, I think most of them are disappointed it is on the marsh rather than the ocean, and there is no way to make that better. So let's just say that when the cooler clan could not park in the lot at the beach house because all the spots were filled(mostly by cars without DHHIR parking passes), well, that went over like a lead balloon. (And this is probably MY only complaint about DHHIR- they really need a gate on that parking lot, like they have at the resort, so that the spots are just for Disney guests.). Anyway, two SILs (in seperate cars) went back to the resort and took the shuttle back. One got back in 10 minutes. The other, whose car we didn't unload, well....it took her a good hour to get back. What horrible, horrible luck. I rode my bike to the beach with half of the kids, and I stayed up at the pool with all of them (and my MIL) where they ate lunch and had a blast playing ping-pong and volleyball in the pool for hours. My SIL was REALLY PISSED (and I don't blame her) by the time she finally got back and went down to the beach. I got ice cream for all the kids, and they were all having a blast, and that was all great. My MIL went down to the beach for the first time in YEARS (even though she lives in FLA, she just doesn't go) and THAT was fantastic. Oh well.....when the afternoon's clouds looked ominous, we rode our bikes back and got ready for dinner out with the adults (the kids were all going in Kids night out). Sorry for the lack of photography, but I didn't have my camera because the day before it died (my Olympus underwater one) and I didn't bring the SLR to the beach. Anyway, here we all are, at Shelter Cove right before going in to a lovely dinner at the Ocean Grille-

The food was really delicious, and the portions were very large. We shared a cross section of appetizers, then moved on to dinner. This was a special meant to be shared , a whole fish for 2-

A swordfish special-

I believe this was Seafood au gratin-

Outside the restaurant-

And across is Disney!

(Pics are kind of out of order, sorry about that!) We had dessert, and then rolled back to the resort- Oh! And FWIW, we all gave Ocean Grille two thumbs, way up!

On the walk back, we stopped to listen to Shannon Tanner. He is very entertaining, he was doing alot of family music, like the unicorn song, and then he sang a country song (which i don't know, but my SIL & BIL loved) about kids growing up too fast in the blink of an eye...SUCH a tearjerker!! BIL & SIL danced-

And then walked back across the bridge to DHHIR-

Cont'd in next post-

 

[anewmac]

im waiting for the continuation LMAO

Food looked yummy and that sucks what happend to your SIL's!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Looks like you managed to have a lovely day in spite of.... waiting for more!

 

[kshattuck]

Thanks so much for posting your HHI trip report! We were there for a weekend (TOO SHORT!) in July and it was fabulous! We can't wait to return. I think you described it perfectly -- the beach is there, too.

So bummed about the parking spaces! We were actually surprised to find two parking places (and many more!) the weekend we were there. I didn't even pay attention to see that they were allowing non-resort guests to park there. Grrrr....

LOVE your TR! Can't wait to read more!

 

[podsnel]

Back at the villas, we picked up the kids that needed to be picked up from Kids Night Out (they had said we could release them at the end with the older kids, but this didn't work out for some reason) and there were some mixed reviews- the teenagers LOVED KNO, because they went mini-golfing and to an arcade, plus met other kids their age (which my DN13 then danced with the next night at the pool party!). The younger ones went on a scavenger hunt around the property and played pool, ping-pong, etc on the way. Most of them had a good time, but there were a couple kids who were bored (but to be fair, those kids don't like to do anything structured, so not sure if there was any chance they would ever like it.). DNeice7 met a few friends, which was good for her, since there was a lack of other girls in our group for her. So, some kids then went in the pool, some came back to the villas, one went in the hammock with her aunt and uncle-

And then all the kids went to sleep on the livingroom floor together- they LOVED sleeping together like this!

Oops! I forgot- Monday morning the 4 brothers had gone golfing together at Planter's Row- they really enjoyed themselves, we can't remember the last time they all golfed together! DH had booked it the night before at Last Minute Tee Times, I think the rate was $65pp. He said the course was ok- not the nicest manicured one he's seen. But they did all enjoy their time together.

So, since they had a nice morning together on Monday, on Tuesday morning it was our turn- the women were signed up for the Hilton Head Island tour with Carol. I remembered Carol from last year, she did the DVC tour I enjoyed. Well, it was just us in the van for this tour of the island, which was very nice, especially because they truly tried to accomodate her (she is 83 and VERY capable, but a few less stairs and steps is always a plus!).

On the way to the van, we saw a blue heron cooling himself off in the tree above our heads-

Not that it was HOT, or anything! (Actually, it really wasn't all that bad). We were off! Carol did a great job of explaining everything we were seeing from the van, like the Gullah cemetary, as well as various restaurants, etc on the island. We went to Mitchellville and Port royal Sound, and walked out to a deserted beach- well, except for the 10 million tiny mosquitos that live there. Wish I had put on some bug spray!!

There's Carol!

Our next stop was the Coastal Discovery Museum, where we admired the butterflies in the butterfly house and the amazing art that was displayed.

The butterflies of HHI- the large one in the center is a luna moth, which Carol says she does see down there, but at other times of the year. I've always wanted to see one- hope I get lucky down there one day!

MIL had a seat in the art gallery- she was really enjoying herself-

Such gorgeous trees-

Next we were on to Harbourtown, where we were given free time to shop or go up in the Lighthouse. The Liberty Tree is beautiful-

Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

My MIL had decided to take a break in one of the chairs in the shade while the rest of us explored. Me with the SILs-

At this point, I asked if anyone wanted to go up into the Lighthouse to see the view. 2 SILs just said no thanks, I guess it was a little hot and they didn't want to get hotter. But my ONE SIL made a point of very patiently, very slowly, telling me that this was something she would do with her CHIL-DRENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. Good thing she enunciated each and every letter and syllable in CH-IL-DRENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN because God knows I am one stupid Mother, and I need all the help and lessons on how to be a better Mother that I can get! I actually told her when I came down from my self-centered & self-indulgent trip up to the top of the lighthouse that this for ME was NOT something I would do with my CH-IL-DRENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN because one of them is afraid of heights and the other one couldn't give a s*** (Probably this is all due to the fact that I am such a crap Mother). Anyway....

The lighthouse costs $3, and is a very easy walk up in case you are on the fence about it. It was built for tourists, and has manageable stairs to climb (as opposed to a real lighthouse that seems more like you are climbing a ladder). I was glad I went up, the views were gorgeous in all directions-

Wow, just look at that! I am soooooooooo booking DH a tee-time at that course next time! It's spectacular!!

Yes, it's ALL about me-

And back down-

I ran into a store and was able to purchase the most lovely pottery & pewter coffee canister in one of the shops before we were back on the van and headed through Sea Pines. Then it was through Shipyard and back to Disney, where they dropped us off at our Villa (again, to accomodate MIL). A very nice little experience for 5 women who knew nothing about HHI. Carol and the driver (a very nice man whose name I can't remember, so sorry!) were just great!

Next up- an unexpected DISmeet!!

 

[irish dancer]

I am loving your report, thanks for sharing! We are headed to HHI in March for Spring Break and I cannot wait. We went once two years ago and I feel like we've only just scratched the surface of what there is on the island.

Our kids did the KNO and loved it, they went to see Horton Hears a Who at a local theater and DH and I had a very nice leisurely dinner.

The HHI tour sounds wonderful, right up my alley! You are certainly brave to vacation with your MIL and BIL/SILs!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Beautifull tour pics Ellen! Thanks for sharing! I guess we all can't be perfect Moms, right? P.S. Some of my DL report is up.

 

[anewmac]

Love seeing the kids "camping" out, mine love to do that to even at home LOL.

And isnt your SIL just a JEM! Im with you though something ya just got to do for yourself ... specially when you know what your CHHILLLLDRENNNN will or will not like!

 

[podsnel]

I am loving your report, thanks for sharing! We are headed to HHI in March for Spring Break and I cannot wait. We went once two years ago and I feel like we've only just scratched the surface of what there is on the island.

Our kids did the KNO and loved it, they went to see Horton Hears a Who at a local theater and DH and I had a very nice leisurely dinner.

The HHI tour sounds wonderful, right up my alley! You are certainly brave to vacation with your MIL and BIL/SILs!

Can't wait to hear more!

That's how I felt after just one trip to HHI last year- we had barely scratched the surface! Last time we didn't leave the resort a whole lot, and I left without really knowing what was on the island- the tour helped remedy that, and now I understand how and where everything is. Plus- the activities at the resort are so great- I wanted to do more of them, but cut them out this time to try and be more a part of the group. I will never do that again (where this one SIL/BIL is involved).

And FWIW, we are going on vacation together again next year, we DO all enjoy being together and it is a lot of fun. The BEST thing was that we were ALL away- usually, when we go to Fla to visit MIL & two bils and families, they are just going about their lives (doctors appointments, sports practices, dance rehearsals, etc) and we see them in between all that- this way, we were able to enjoy each other a LOT more, so 90% thought it was perfect. Of course, one couple felt we should have not done ANYTHING other than be together and enjoy the CHIL-DRENNNNNNNNNNNNN frolicking at the beach, but noone (including my MIL) agrees with their view.

Beautifull tour pics Ellen! Thanks for sharing! I guess we all can't be perfect Moms, right? P.S. Some of my DL report is up.

I'll be over in a minute! Can't wait to read about DL- still planning to go there next year at the end of August-

Love seeing the kids "camping" out, mine love to do that to even at home LOL.

And isnt your SIL just a JEM! Im with you though something ya just got to do for yourself ... specially when you know what your CHHILLLLDRENNNN will or will not like!

Thank-YOU!!!!!!!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Beautifull tour pics Ellen! Thanks for sharing! I guess we all can't be perfect Moms, right? P.S. Some of my DL report is up.

Tammie- I can't find it. Do you have a link to your TR? Thanks!

 

[CRdisMom]

My childrennnnnnnnn would not have wanted to climb that either but I would have. Good for you to do that. Love the butterflies. It looks really neat. Can't wait to hear moreabo your bsil and bbil

 

[podsnel]

My childrennnnnnnnn would not have wanted to climb that either but I would have. Good for you to do that. Love the butterflies. It looks really neat. Can't wait to hear moreabo your bsil and bbil

Coming right up!!

 

[podsnel]

When we arrived back, everyone was down at the pool, having a good time playing around- shuffleboard, ping-pong, splashing around the waterslide- it was all fun.

A very sweet woman came up to me and said, "Excuse me....are you Podsnel?" I LOVE it when that happens!!! It was Jejojuel, and I was so happy to meet both her and her DH! We talked for a little while about DCL, she is surprising her kids with their first DCL cruise this November, it's so exciting!! Anyway, here we are-

I wish we had run into each other more often, but we didn't see them again until our last day.

Well, it turned cloudy again, so we left the pool to pursue other activities. Some of the boys went over to Big Murgie's Den to play checkers and shoot pool. And lose a purple refillable mug. Oh well.

The bad weather didn't last very long, though, so we were soon outside again. Some played basketball and some played horseshoes, both right outside our villas-

My youngest DN wanted to play, too, so he and DS10 started their own game-

THIS is my favorite thing, I think, about DHHIR- there is soooooooo much to do that is free of charge, that your kids can go do by THEMSELVES and they are safe because it is all there on that Disney island.

My MIL really enjoyed watching it all from her rocking chair on her balcony. Did I mention that my MIL LOVED this place? All of it? The resort and the whole island? She told us that many times on this trip, and she made a point of thanking me for finding it when we were at dinner the night before, saying that she couldn't IMAGINE a more perfect place for our family. Wasn't that soooo nice?

Soon it was time to head in for dinner- two of my SILs had planned an Italian night- one was making pasta, the other was making bobolis and salad. I helped with the bobolis & salad which were being made at our villa.

The kids having some tv time before the BIG Tuesday night BASH!!!!

Next up....it's time to PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CRdisMom]

we cook every weekend at the lake cabin with the inlaws and bil/sil. My heart goes out to all of you that had to do the dishes while on the trip.