ELEVATE! Is that a whale out there? A three-generation cruise to Alaska!UPDATE 8/29

[RGirl]

I can't get over how pretty the scenery is! Really!

I think all the talking & standing around would be too boring for any young kid. I know Reid would have been very impatient with that & whining to go back to the boat for sure.

The dogs are all so cute!!

Yeah, I have to admit that, being from the Pacific Northwest, I am used to snow-topped mountains and incredible views - and, sadly, it does become commonplace. However, I lived away from here long enough to appreciate it, and the views in Alaska were especially spectacular - nothing could beat Tracy Arm for me, however.

Honestly, the excursion was really fun, but it was kind of silly that they had SO much talking - down to the exact food they cook for the dogs on the trail, etc. And some of it really was just rambling by people who were really into what they do with no perspective on how much others might be interested in it. I enjoyed learning about how it works out on a race with the dogs, but even I was kind of after a while - I can't imagine that any child would have withstood boredom. I think part of it was that our group happened to get the most talkative guide - she was very nice, but her level of detail was, well, a bit much. And it was especially difficult for a child to sit and listen while other groups within view were taking off on a dog sled or playing with puppies.

 

[shan23877]

You know, I thought Willow did as well as any kid her age without siblings to blow off steam with could do. To be totally honest, I might have been getting a little antsy to be done and return to the ship myself.

I probably would have been too. To be honest, Bryan and I were just as ready to leave the Luau as Maddie was.

Yes, the views in Alaska are beyond amazing. It was worth the price of an excursion just to get views of the beautiful Wonder with mountains in the background. And we really did enjoy the excursion a lot - it just went on a bit longer than it probably should have.

The outhouse situation was hilarious. She was whining that she had to go potty - which is a common antic when bored.

Sounds familiar. We went about 6 times at the Luau.

So I showed her the potty, and she insisted that she absolutely did not have to go potty. However, the lecturing and talking went on so much longer that I had to admit the child was going to need to go potty. At that point, I had to basically FORCE her to go. That kind of sucked, but we eventually worked out a deal where I would hold her over the horrifying "situation" with the door open enough that we were not enclosed in there but closed enough that no one was going to see, etc. It was quite an ordeal! But no one peed her pants on the way back to The Wonder, so all was good.

OMG! That's hilarious! Poor girl, I don't blame her at all. I can imagine Maddie reacting exactly the same way. Those little buildings are just so gross. Maddie has used a port-a-potty once and pretty much swore never to do it again. Luckily I don't plan a lot of outdoor activities for us.

Though, for some reason Maddie loves to pee outdoors. When she was 3 we drove to PA to Sesame Place. We drove through the night, and as you know when a 3 year old wakes up from a dead sleep and says she has to go, you stop. She did a lot of business along the side of the highway that trip, and ever since she's had a thing for tinkling outdoors. Sometimes when I'm working in the yard she asks if she can go on our lawn!! Crazy kids.

I'm glad that you got it sorted out though, I'm guessing that she would have been pretty upset if she'd had an accident.

 

[RGirl]

I probably would have been too. To be honest, Bryan and I were just as ready to leave the Luau as Maddie was.

OMG! That's hilarious! Poor girl, I don't blame her at all. I can imagine Maddie reacting exactly the same way. Those little buildings are just so gross. Maddie has used a port-a-potty once and pretty much swore never to do it again. Luckily I don't plan a lot of outdoor activities for us.

Though, for some reason Maddie loves to pee outdoors. When she was 3 we drove to PA to Sesame Place. We drove through the night, and as you know when a 3 year old wakes up from a dead sleep and says she has to go, you stop. She did a lot of business along the side of the highway that trip, and ever since she's had a thing for tinkling outdoors. Sometimes when I'm working in the yard she asks if she can go on our lawn!! Crazy kids.

I'm glad that you got it sorted out though, I'm guessing that she would have been pretty upset if she'd had an accident.

Phew! I'm glad to hear there are other adults who get as bored as the kiddos!

OMG - that is so funny about Maddie and the outdoor peeing. I am almost peeing myself laughing!!!!

I remember once when Willow was much younger (hmm, must have been 3) we were driving back from Portland - in the Pacific Northwest, there is NOWHERE to stop on a trip like that for long stretches. She was whining away about having to go potty. And we kept telling her there was nowhere to stop. Finally, I said, "Okay, I get it - you have to go" and just pulled off on the side of the freeway. I opened her door, got her out of the car, and told her to just pee right there on the side of the road - no one was going to see, cars were going by at 65 miles per hour, the car doors were blocking her, etc. OMG - I might as well have asked her to jump inside the outhouse potty or something. There was NO way she was willing to pee on the ground. She was adamant that she could hold it no matter how long it took. I was frustrated because I knew she had to go, but there was no budging her. So I buckled her back into the carseat and we continued on. That child was not kidding - she held it until the next town (quite a ways away) - anything to avoid peeing in the dirt, I guess!

 

[shan23877]

Phew! I'm glad to hear there are other adults who get as bored as the kiddos!

OMG - that is so funny about Maddie and the outdoor peeing. I am almost peeing myself laughing!!!!

I remember once when Willow was much younger (hmm, must have been 3) we were driving back from Portland - in the Pacific Northwest, there is NOWHERE to stop on a trip like that for long stretches. She was whining away about having to go potty. And we kept telling her there was nowhere to stop. Finally, I said, "Okay, I get it - you have to go" and just pulled off on the side of the freeway. I opened her door, got her out of the car, and told her to just pee right there on the side of the road - no one was going to see, cars were going by at 65 miles per hour, the car doors were blocking her, etc. OMG - I might as well have asked her to jump inside the outhouse potty or something. There was NO way she was willing to pee on the ground. She was adamant that she could hold it no matter how long it took. I was frustrated because I knew she had to go, but there was no budging her. So I buckled her back into the carseat and we continued on. That child was not kidding - she held it until the next town (quite a ways away) - anything to avoid peeing in the dirt, I guess!

That's hilarious! Poor kid must have high standards and a bladder of steel!!! I wish Maddie was a little more averse to peeing in the dirt-not very lady like!

We used to drive to FL twice a year when I was a kid (my grandparents and I). The route that grandpa preferred was through Alabama where there were very long periods of time without any where to stop. So, I learned the "roadside squat" at a very young age.

I totally get bored. This last trip the B&tB show was delayed 25 minutes and I was so bored that I wanted to get up and leave. Bryan was looking from Maddie to me wondering who the 5 year old was. Thank goodness for iPhones!

 

[RGirl]

That's hilarious! Poor kid must have high standards and a bladder of steel!!! I wish Maddie was a little more averse to peeing in the dirt-not very lady like!

We used to drive to FL twice a year when I was a kid (my grandparents and I). The route that grandpa preferred was through Alabama where there were very long periods of time without any where to stop. So, I learned the "roadside squat" at a very young age.

I totally get bored. This last trip the B&tB show was delayed 25 minutes and I was so bored that I wanted to get up and leave. Bryan was looking from Maddie to me wondering who the 5 year old was. Thank goodness for iPhones!

Be glad she is not too picky!!!

When I graduated from high school, my parents took us on safari to Kenya (yes, we were VERY lucky). There was one place that we stopped, and the "bathroom" was literally a hole in the sand behind a wall. I think of that every time I am "grossed out" by a bathroom. It is good - I have very few qualms about where I pee now.

I am so glad I am not the only adult who gets bored. Honestly, I cannot just sit and stare into space - it does NOT work for me. I need to be doing something!

 

[amandaw]

Honestly, the excursion was really fun, but it was kind of silly that they had SO much talking - down to the exact food they cook for the dogs on the trail, etc. And some of it really was just rambling by people who were really into what they do with no perspective on how much others might be interested in it. I enjoyed learning about how it works out on a race with the dogs, but even I was kind of after a while - I can't imagine that any child would have withstood boredom. I think part of it was that our group happened to get the most talkative guide - she was very nice, but her level of detail was, well, a bit much. And it was especially difficult for a child to sit and listen while other groups within view were taking off on a dog sled or playing with puppies.

I'm not going to lie - I think I would have gotten bored & frustrated with all of talking, too! That just sounds like a little much. And I am very impatient when people go into wayyyyyy too much detail on things. Even in books. I don't like it when authors are overly descriptive (I'm talking to you Anne Rice!). I find myself skimming & skipping pages & eventually just putting the book down because I can't take it!

 

[RGirl]

I'm not going to lie - I think I would have gotten bored & frustrated with all of talking, too! That just sounds like a little much. And I am very impatient when people go into wayyyyyy too much detail on things. Even in books. I don't like it when authors are overly descriptive (I'm talking to you Anne Rice!). I find myself skimming & skipping pages & eventually just putting the book down because I can't take it!

Yeah, this excursion would have totally frustrated you!

I was really getting bored myself. And I felt guilty because I knew that these people were so excited about what they did with these dogs - and they were all folks who had kind of chosen a new way of life and dedicated it to living with the dogs and racing in these races. But, well, I have NOT given up my life to dog-sledding, so I could have used a tiny bit less information about it. I mean, I do actually cook for my dog (don't ask - it sucks, but it works), but even I did not need the details on firing up the cooker out on the tundra to cook up some chow for the dogs versus how you would feed them if you made it into camp. And I can assure you that my five-year-old child had zero interest in that. All of that said, I did appreciate that these folks really had given up a lot to live like this and were trying to share it with us. I just felt bad that no one had told them the most effective way to get their message across.

 

[shan23877]

I'm not going to lie - I think I would have gotten bored & frustrated with all of talking, too! That just sounds like a little much. And I am very impatient when people go into wayyyyyy too much detail on things. Even in books. I don't like it when authors are overly descriptive (I'm talking to you Anne Rice!). I find myself skimming & skipping pages & eventually just putting the book down because I can't take it!

I have tried so many times to get through Ann Rice books, and I just can't!!

Stephen King can be too much sometimes too. I have had his latest on my nightstand for months. I'm scared to start it.

 

[shan23877]

Yeah, this excursion would have totally frustrated you!

I was really getting bored myself. And I felt guilty because I knew that these people were so excited about what they did with these dogs - and they were all folks who had kind of chosen a new way of life and dedicated it to living with the dogs and racing in these races. But, well, I have NOT given up my life to dog-sledding, so I could have used a tiny bit less information about it. I mean, I do actually cook for my dog (don't ask - it sucks, but it works), but even I did not need the details on firing up the cooker out on the tundra to cook up some chow for the dogs versus how you would feed them if you made it into camp. And I can assure you that my five-year-old child had zero interest in that. All of that said, I did appreciate that these folks really had given up a lot to live like this and were trying to share it with us. I just felt bad that no one had told them the most effective way to get their message across.

I honestly doesn't sound like anyone (other than a dog-sledder) would really be interested in all that information. Poor Willow, I can just imagine her looking longingly at the people playing with the puppies while you guys were stuck with Chatty McDogfood.

 

[amandaw]

Yeah, this excursion would have totally frustrated you!

I was really getting bored myself. And I felt guilty because I knew that these people were so excited about what they did with these dogs - and they were all folks who had kind of chosen a new way of life and dedicated it to living with the dogs and racing in these races. But, well, I have NOT given up my life to dog-sledding, so I could have used a tiny bit less information about it. I mean, I do actually cook for my dog (don't ask - it sucks, but it works), but even I did not need the details on firing up the cooker out on the tundra to cook up some chow for the dogs versus how you would feed them if you made it into camp. And I can assure you that my five-year-old child had zero interest in that. All of that said, I did appreciate that these folks really had given up a lot to live like this and were trying to share it with us. I just felt bad that no one had told them the most effective way to get their message across.

OMG! Yeah, I would have been falling asleep! Willow did great to make it through that. Can I tell you how much of a Mr. Whiny Pants Reid would've been during that? He gets bored even when he's doing things he like. That would have been painful for us.

I have tried so many times to get through Ann Rice books, and I just can't!!

Stephen King can be too much sometimes too. I have had his latest on my nightstand for months. I'm scared to start it.

I can't even tell you how many Anne Rice books I have not finished because of her high level of detail!! When the Witching Hour came out, I wanted to read it & love it sooooooo badly. Yep, didn't even make it half way through. I do not need 3 pages describing a room!!

I honestly doesn't sound like anyone (other than a dog-sledder) would really be interested in all that information. Poor Willow, I can just imagine her looking longingly at the people playing with the puppies while you guys were stuck with Chatty McDogfood.

"Chatty McDogfood"

I'm crying I'm laughing so hard!!!!!!!

 

[shan23877]

OMG! Yeah, I would have been falling asleep! Willow did great to make it through that. Can I tell you how much of a Mr. Whiny Pants Reid would've been during that? He gets bored even when he's doing things he like. That would have been painful for us.

Maddie too! Like shopping! (usually one of her favorite things) I always want to say "We're doing nothing but buy you clothes that you've picked. How can you be unhappy? For the 12th time we'll get you popcorn when we go to Target!!!"



I can't even tell you how many Anne Rice books I have not finished because of her high level of detail!! When the Witching Hour came out, I wanted to read it & love it sooooooo badly. Yep, didn't even make it half way through. I do not need 3 pages describing a room!!

I felt the exact same way about Interview with a Vampire! I really wanted to like it, still haven't finished it. Refuse to see the movie too!



"Chatty McDogfood"

I'm crying I'm laughing so hard!!!!!!!

 

[RGirl]

I have tried so many times to get through Ann Rice books, and I just can't!!

Stephen King can be too much sometimes too. I have had his latest on my nightstand for months. I'm scared to start it.

Okay, here is the key to Stephen King - read the first 3/4 of the book and then throw it away. That fool jumps the shark like no one else in the world. If you quit the book 3/4 of the way through, you will have really enjoyed it. If you keep going after that, you just want to torture yourself.

I honestly doesn't sound like anyone (other than a dog-sledder) would really be interested in all that information. Poor Willow, I can just imagine her looking longingly at the people playing with the puppies while you guys were stuck with Chatty McDogfood.

Chatty McDogfood - YES!!!!!!

OMG! Yeah, I would have been falling asleep! Willow did great to make it through that. Can I tell you how much of a Mr. Whiny Pants Reid would've been during that? He gets bored even when he's doing things he like. That would have been painful for us.

I can't even tell you how many Anne Rice books I have not finished because of her high level of detail!! When the Witching Hour came out, I wanted to read it & love it sooooooo badly. Yep, didn't even make it half way through. I do not need 3 pages describing a room!!

"Chatty McDogfood"

I'm crying I'm laughing so hard!!!!!!!

Okay, I feel a lot better. I do have to say that, at some point during all this chatty-chat-chat, get some cocoa, no you can't touch the puppies because they're resting until a certain time, etc., the bus to take us back showed up. Willow was thrilled! But then it turned out that the bus driver was just going to hang out for a while. Willow kept asking her to take her back to the boat so she could swim. The driver got a kick out of it, but I don't think Willow was too thrilled that she thought it was a funny joke.

 

[amandaw]

Maddie too! Like shopping! (usually one of her favorite things) I always want to say "We're doing nothing but buy you clothes that you've picked. How can you be unhappy? For the 12th time we'll get you popcorn when we go to Target!!!"

Ok, what is with kids & wanting to eat at Target? Every single time we go (which is more than I like to admit), Reid begs to get something from the food place. We have eaten lunch there once or twice. But, really?

I felt the exact same way about Interview with a Vampire! I really wanted to like it, still haven't finished it. Refuse to see the movie too!

Yep, I couldn't make it through that book either. I did see the movie. It was really good. Did you read/like the Twilight books? I'll hold back on my opinion of them for now.

All this talk of books has me hankering for a really good book to download on my Kindle. I'm in the middle of Andy Cohen's book. I love Andy but I'm struggling to get through this book.

Okay, I feel a lot better. I do have to say that, at some point during all this chatty-chat-chat, get some cocoa, no you can't touch the puppies because they're resting until a certain time, etc., the bus to take us back showed up. Willow was thrilled! But then it turned out that the bus driver was just going to hang out for a while. Willow kept asking her to take her back to the boat so she could swim. The driver got a kick out of it, but I don't think Willow was too thrilled that she thought it was a funny joke.

I would have been mad that I couldn't touch the puppies. Really? You're going to dangle a cute puppy in front of me & then tell me I can't cuddle it? That's mean!

I'm with Willow - I wouldn't have been to happy with the bus driver either.

 

[shan23877]

Okay, here is the key to Stephen King - read the first 3/4 of the book and then throw it away. That fool jumps the shark like no one else in the world. If you quit the book 3/4 of the way through, you will have really enjoyed it. If you keep going after that, you just want to torture yourself.

The only one of his that I've really enjoyed is Delores Claiborne. Never finished any of the others. Have you read the JFK one? It looks good, but I'm afraid. I probably would have written him off years ago, but he's really funny as a columnist in Entertainment Weekly.


Chatty McDogfood - YES!!!!!!


Okay, I feel a lot better. I do have to say that, at some point during all this chatty-chat-chat, get some cocoa, no you can't touch the puppies because they're resting until a certain time, etc., the bus to take us back showed up. Willow was thrilled! But then it turned out that the bus driver was just going to hang out for a while. Willow kept asking her to take her back to the boat so she could swim. The driver got a kick out of it, but I don't think Willow was too thrilled that she thought it was a funny joke.

Poor Willow-she's dead serious and the driver thinks she's funny.

Don't touch the puppies????? That's just mean.

Ok, what is with kids & wanting to eat at Target? Every single time we go (which is more than I like to admit), Reid begs to get something from the food place. We have eaten lunch there once or twice. But, really?

Seriously! She thinks that we should get popcorn every time we walk in the door. She's the same way with a food court. It's like a 5 star restaurant to her!

Yep, I couldn't make it through that book either. I did see the movie. It was really good. Did you read/like the Twilight books? I'll hold back on my opinion of them for now.

Nope. Not going to either. I'm not really into Sci-Fi (probably why I can't get through Ann Rice. ) I haven't seen the movies either. I did buy the first Hunger Games book though. Haven't started it.

All this talk of books has me hankering for a really good book to download on my Kindle. I'm in the middle of Andy Cohen's book. I love Andy but I'm struggling to get through this book.

Ok, you opened the can of worms:

Have you read Rob Lowe 'Stories I only Tell my Friends'?
Do you read any Jennifer Weiner? Her new one is called "The next best Thing" It's excellent

How about any Elin Hildenbrand? Her new one is really good too. I'll look up the name of it if you want.

I know you're into sports: The Dream Team is great

Sisterhood Everlasting-I didn't realize that it was a sisterhood of the traveling pants book when I got it. It's great.

Jen Lancaster. Any of them. I love her

Curtis Sittenfeld? American Wife and Prep. They're both amazing.


I could go on and on. I am currently out of stuff to read though. (if you don't count the 15 books that I don't want to start for various reasons)

I need more bookshelves.




I would have been mad that I couldn't touch the puppies. Really? You're going to dangle a cute puppy in front of me & then tell me I can't cuddle it? That's mean!

I'm with Willow - I wouldn't have been to happy with the bus driver either.

Not letting you hug the puppies is mean. Mads would have lost her mind.

 

[amandaw]

Seriously! She thinks that we should get popcorn every time we walk in the door. She's the same way with a food court. It's like a 5 star restaurant to her!

So glad to know my child is not the only one who feels this way about the Target food court. Seriously!!

Nope. Not going to either. I'm not really into Sci-Fi (probably why I can't get through Ann Rice. ) I haven't seen the movies either. I did buy the first Hunger Games book though. Haven't started it.

Good - don't waste your time on the books or the movies.

Hunger Games is really good though! I even got Ed to read that Trilogy & he is not one to read.

Ok, you opened the can of worms:

Have you read Rob Lowe 'Stories I only Tell my Friends'?
Do you read any Jennifer Weiner? Her new one is called "The next best Thing" It's excellent

How about any Elin Hildenbrand? Her new one is really good too. I'll look up the name of it if you want.

I know you're into sports: The Dream Team is great

Sisterhood Everlasting-I didn't realize that it was a sisterhood of the traveling pants book when I got it. It's great.

Jen Lancaster. Any of them. I love her

Curtis Sittenfeld? American Wife and Prep. They're both amazing.

I have not read Rob Lowe's book but I've heard it's really good so I may need to look into it.

I know a lot of people like her books, but I don't care for Jennifer Weiner. I've read 1 or 2 of hers & I just can't tolerate them.

I'll have to look into your other recommendations. Thanks!

I could go on and on. I am currently out of stuff to read though. (if you don't count the 15 books that I don't want to start for various reasons)

I need more bookshelves.

Have you ever read the Red Tent by Anita Diamante? Wonderful book. May be my favorite book ever.

Don't touch the puppies????? That's just mean.

Right?!?

 

[megan511]

I love the pictures! That pic of the Wonder with the mountain in the background is gorgeous. I would blow it up and frame it. Or send it to DCL to put in the brochure.

The dogs are adorable. I'm sorry the excursion wasn't as fun as you were thinking though. My kids would have been trying to get back to the boat too! That's too funny about Willow and the bus driver and Willow and the outhouse.

Chatty McDogfood

I wanted to jump in the book talk if that's ok. I actually love Stephen King (don't throw things!) which books did you read that you didn't enjoy?

The Hunger Games are fantastic.

Twilight is awful. I had never even heard of it until the first movie came out and Chad (yes, you read that right, my husband) wanted to see it. I thought it was atrocious. My SIL is obsessed with it though.

In regards to Andy Cohen's book I had the same problem Amanda. I liked the stuff at the beginning about him and his parents and I liked the Bravo stuff. The CBS stuff dragged and I was stuck there for a while.

I may check some of these other books out. I love to read I just have not had time. My good friend gave me Fifty Shades of Gray to read. I had no desire to read it at all until she gave it to me and said its really good. She didn't think she would like it either and since I trust her opinion I guess I will give it a go. I haven't been motivated to start it yet though.

I visit Target all the time, we call it our second home. I have successfully avoided the food court every time. I do not want to open that can of worms.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great Friday!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Chatty McDogfood

I may check some of these other books out. I love to read I just have not had time. My good friend gave me Fifty Shades of Gray to read. I had no desire to read it at all until she gave it to me and said its really good. She didn't think she would like it either and since I trust her opinion I guess I will give it a go. I haven't been motivated to start it yet though.

I visit Target all the time, we call it our second home. I have successfully avoided the food court every time. I do not want to open that can of worms.

1.

2. My MIL found Fifty Shades on my bookshelf and took it down to borrow it. How do you tell your MIL that it might not be appropriate reading material for an 84 year old proper granny?

3. Target Food Court Herman Story: Had to do major shopping, socks to sweatshirts, for 4 kids in one morning. Planted them at a table at the food court with Grandma, and plucked them out one at a time for a shopping whirl. They drank refillable soda for 3 hours!

Thanks RGirl for letting us hijack your wonderful trip report... now back to the regularly scheduled programming!

 

[CandleontheWater]

You guys are cracking me up!

I'm sorry that the dog sled excursion wasn't all you imagined it to be, I would have been disappointed with all the chit-chat too! Seriously, they needed more dog petting and sled riding, I'm doubting anyone signed up to hear about dog food!

I'm going to have to go back and check out those book selections, I'm currently book-less and bored. I even read all the twilight books, because I had nothing else to read and we had them in the house. Why did we have them in the house? Because my husband read ALL of them a few years ago- he is such a 13 year old girl! (and yes, he has also read the Hunger Games )

Seriously, don't read them. Once you pick them up you can't stop reading, not because they are good, but because they are so gosh darn awful you keep thinking "there is no way these can get any worse" and then they do! They were so awful it was hilarious, but I did feel like I needed to wash my eyes out after I finished to cleanse them from all the horrible melodrama.

 

[megan511]

1.

2. My MIL found Fifty Shades on my bookshelf and took it down to borrow it. How do you tell your MIL that it might not be appropriate reading material for an 84 year old proper granny?

3. Target Food Court Herman Story: Had to do major shopping, socks to sweatshirts, for 4 kids in one morning. Planted them at a table at the food court with Grandma, and plucked them out one at a time for a shopping whirl. They drank refillable soda for 3 hours!

Thanks RGirl for letting us hijack your wonderful trip report... now back to the regularly scheduled programming!

That's funny! I have hidden that book under my bed. Even though I am a grown woman, I'm pretty sure if my mom ever saw it she would tell me I'm not allowed to read it. I can only imagine what I would say if my mom asked to read it! I do know that my MIL has read it as she posted it on Facebook.

That is a great idea about the food court! I may steal it!

You guys are cracking me up!

I'm sorry that the dog sled excursion wasn't all you imagined it to be, I would have been disappointed with all the chit-chat too! Seriously, they needed more dog petting and sled riding, I'm doubting anyone signed up to hear about dog food!

I'm going to have to go back and check out those book selections, I'm currently book-less and bored. I even read all the twilight books, because I had nothing else to read and we had them in the house. Why did we have them in the house? Because my husband read ALL of them a few years ago- he is such a 13 year old girl! (and yes, he has also read the Hunger Games )

Seriously, don't read them. Once you pick them up you can't stop reading, not because they are good, but because they are so gosh darn awful you keep thinking "there is no way these can get any worse" and then they do! They were so awful it was hilarious, but I did feel like I needed to wash my eyes out after I finished to cleanse them from all the horrible melodrama.

I know my husband would have read Twilight if he thought I would let him live it down. as soon as we got home from tht movie he went on Wikipedia to find out what happens in the other books. I tell him he is a tween girl all the time (with love of course.) He also watches iCarly and has Bieber fever.

 

[shan23877]

I love the pictures! That pic of the Wonder with the mountain in the background is gorgeous. I would blow it up and frame it. Or send it to DCL to put in the brochure.

The dogs are adorable. I'm sorry the excursion wasn't as fun as you were thinking though. My kids would have been trying to get back to the boat too! That's too funny about Willow and the bus driver and Willow and the outhouse.

Chatty McDogfood

I wanted to jump in the book talk if that's ok. I actually love Stephen King (don't throw things!) which books did you read that you didn't enjoy?

IT was the one I couldn't handle. Pretty much stopped there. I'm hoping I'll like the new one though.

The Hunger Games are fantastic.

Twilight is awful. I had never even heard of it until the first movie came out and Chad (yes, you read that right, my husband) wanted to see it. I thought it was atrocious. My SIL is obsessed with it though.



In regards to Andy Cohen's book I had the same problem Amanda. I liked the stuff at the beginning about him and his parents and I liked the Bravo stuff. The CBS stuff dragged and I was stuck there for a while.

I liked it, but I read it when we were at the hotel with horrible cable and spotty internet access. That may have had something to do with it.

I may check some of these other books out. I love to read I just have not had time. My good friend gave me Fifty Shades of Gray to read. I had no desire to read it at all until she gave it to me and said its really good. She didn't think she would like it either and since I trust her opinion I guess I will give it a go. I haven't been motivated to start it yet though.

I visit Target all the time, we call it our second home. I have successfully avoided the food court every time. I do not want to open that can of worms.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great Friday!

Good for you! Seriously hold firm. You buy them a snack ONCE so that you can get your shopping done in peace, and BAM! you have to every. single. time.

1.

2. My MIL found Fifty Shades on my bookshelf and took it down to borrow it. How do you tell your MIL that it might not be appropriate reading material for an 84 year old proper granny?



3. Target Food Court Herman Story: Had to do major shopping, socks to sweatshirts, for 4 kids in one morning. Planted them at a table at the food court with Grandma, and plucked them out one at a time for a shopping whirl. They drank refillable soda for 3 hours!

That? Is brilliant.

Thanks RGirl for letting us hijack your wonderful trip report... now back to the regularly scheduled programming!

Yeah, thanks Roni!

You guys are cracking me up!

I'm sorry that the dog sled excursion wasn't all you imagined it to be, I would have been disappointed with all the chit-chat too! Seriously, they needed more dog petting and sled riding, I'm doubting anyone signed up to hear about dog food!

I'm going to have to go back and check out those book selections, I'm currently book-less and bored. I even read all the twilight books, because I had nothing else to read and we had them in the house. Why did we have them in the house? Because my husband read ALL of them a few years ago- he is such a 13 year old girl! (and yes, he has also read the Hunger Games )


these poor husbands are all getting outed today!

Seriously, don't read them. Once you pick them up you can't stop reading, not because they are good, but because they are so gosh darn awful you keep thinking "there is no way these can get any worse" and then they do! They were so awful it was hilarious, but I did feel like I needed to wash my eyes out after I finished to cleanse them from all the horrible melodrama.

So glad I never started them.