How 1 trip turned to 2 and now turning into 3!! Update Pg 40 Days 3, 4 and 5!!

[Leonsmom]

Hey you!! I'm having Jill withdrawls! Get a new computer will ya please!??! My goal for this afternoon is actually to update this crazy thing! Lots of changes and I think they're ironed out now. There will be an update and photos on here before the end of the day just for you!

Feel free to steal ideas as you see fit!

Whew! You weren’t kidding about the update. Not only did you make it to page 3, but ALL of page 3 . I am back, computer seems to be running smoothly. I haven’t tried to do any designs yet. Too many other things to iron out right now. I have to recreate a lot of my settings and move things around. Once that is done I will be designing again, as long as time allows. At least I can work on my PTR in between though, I was getting DIS withdrawl! I put in a small update but nothing compared to yours. Sheeeesh, that had to take you ALL day!

Sorry for the lack of follow up here-things have just been too crazy!! Between working (turning more into full than part time), 4th of July, Dan and Corbin's birthdays (more on that in a minute) and trying to get things figured out for our trip to MI next month all sprinkled by my computer giving up on me and my washer breaking, I've had something going on constantly.

I think we may be living parallel lives

I tried to make a deal with him to be three for another year but it didn't work out so well...so he's going to be four for three years now-that's the deal!

Tooooo cute! I was just saying to Ron that Leon is becoming such a little man, then I asked “How do we stop that?!?”

I LIKE the back of his shirt ….. who did that??? LOL

Where did you get those Disney tattoos?

Carter got a litte bit of "static" from the toys!

I love this pic!

Then we had a cake at our house on their birthdays-that's the crazy part of me. Yes we'd had cake Friday night and again Saturday night, but it wasn't their birthday so it didn't really count!

[/CENTER]

Well if you are crazy then so am I. Leon is very spoiled he always gets two Birthday Parties with a cake at each. One party with the family on his actual B’day and one with friends. The apartment is too small to have everyone over at once. Last year he had three parties – take a look – I made a treasure chest cake and a pirate island cake for his parties.
I love that hamburger cake! Did you make it?

This should have been in the previous post but I'm too lazy to edit today-thanks Kari (rumblytumbly) for the cute DISign I used to make Corbin's birthday shirt. Jill-did you happen to see the back of Corbin's shirt???

Yes I did – I love it!

Wednesday, 9/17
DH and I are leaving work at noon to come home, change our clothes, pay the nanny (this is important!) and head to Disney!! We’re planning about 5 ½ hours on the road with potty breaks and the like. Depending on the traffic, it might take a little longer than that. Once we get to Mickey’s house, we’re going to check into our room, dump our luggage and try to find some dinner. I don’t have a clue right now as to where we’re going to eat-probably somewhere in DTD so Mommy can get a bit of her shopping fix after we eat. If the boys are not up for shopping (who wouldn’t be???), we can go back to the room and hang out or go swimming depending on the time.

You want to get them in the mood for shopping? Tell them about Once Upon a Toy – and just an idea…. Tell them they get to fill a box full of Mr. Potato Head parts. So they can decorate a head for the room window decoration. Leon can’t wait to do that. I am bringing down 3 heads (ha! that sounds funny) I picked up at garage sales. We each get to decorate our own to put in the window.

Thursday, 9/18
We have an ADR at 10:10 at Crystal Palace. I had an AWESOME ressie at 7:something but moved it to accomidate DMIL. (what was I thinking????) My senses did get the better of me and I quit trying to add her to anything at all-we’re just going to show up with her hoping it’s not a huge problem since Carter’s still in a high chair.

We also have an ADR at Chef Mickey’s at 1:00. We will not be able to eat at both places! I want to eat at Chef Mickey’s since we ate their on our last trip and everyone liked it. This will be (I have decided) our “family” meal on every trip!

That leaves me to decide what to do about Crystal Palace??? Should I just cancel all together or try to swap for another day or just not each very much at either and enjoy the characters?????

Here’s what I think – stick with tradition and do Chef Mickey’s and keep trying to get a super early ressie for CP another time. One of the benefits of breakfast at CP is that it gets you in before park opens – if you still had the 7am I would have said do that one.
Also I think it is a good call on not going crazy to add her, I’ve heard plenty of times of people showing up with just one extra person.

Corbin is NOT a fan of loud noises at all so they may end in my carrying out a screaming, crying child. I’m sorry for any of you that have to hear that!

Leon too. I am going to TRY to get him to put earplugs in for the fireworks, for everything else we have been practicing him covering his ears.

If they're out, I'm going to try and beg DH and DMIL to take the boys back to the room so I can stay and have fun at the party.

I hope you get to do that! Your pics are great. I love macro setting. What kind of camera did you get?

Saturday, 9/20
Once we're rested and ready to go, we're heading to EPCOT. This is the only park DMIL asked to go to. This is also the park that we're "celebrating" DH and Corbin's birthdays. Dinner will be at Coral Reef at 4:20. I've already requested the diver and personalized menus for my DH and DMIL. I cannot wait! I'm also working on ordering a custom cake, hopefully Nemo themed, for us after dinner. After watching IllimiNations, we'll head back to the room to get some sleep.

Are you planning on using Disney transportation or your car back and forth to the parks?
Personally I wish we had a car for the duration of our stay, it would save so much time!
I am jealous of your Coral Reef ADRs and the diver thing. I want to plan a trip in Feb for my 40th Bday do you think its bad to plan my own Bday surprises??? LOL

Sunday, 9/21
As for once it's time for her to go, we'll either stay at Disney for a couple more hours (since we're driving and she's flying) or we'll head to the outlet malls so Mommy can shop some more!

Do BOTH.!

I mailed off my (huge, heavy) box to Betsy at Memories by Betsy. She's going to work with Mickey and crew to get some extra special baskets put together for our room.
Again, from Ebay, some trading pins:

Wow you are totally out doing yourself! I am sooooo jealous of your pins. How much were they and how many did you get??? What a great assortment – especially the dwarf ones and of course the piratey ones. I was going to bid on some but I just felt the lots were too big, now I am jealous! What was the sellers name?

Some stuff from Target and Dollar Store for the boys:

I love that flashlight!! I got to find one…..Target?

Betsy is also passing a list on to Mickey of some things for him to pick up for our baskets. Mickey's making everyone some special ears with their names on them which will be a lot of fun!

I was thinking of getting them in advance too, but I figure at Christmas time there will be so many options that I will wait. I think I want a santa hat with Mickey ears.

I Love this Pic!!

Thanks to the Creative DISigns board, I've gotten tons of amazing ideas! That board has cost me almost as much money as our Disney trip!

I am afraid of that too!! You’ve been BUSY! They all came out great!!
i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn227/newtodis/Personal/dsc_0243.jpg[/IMG]

In preparation of the Disney meeting, I put together a "Disney Bible" for our friends.

We are so alike

Ok...back to the Disney meeting. Angie's been going to Disney forever so she's not new to any of this. But because they'll be going so close together, they're getting APs for their trips which is new for her.

She may be able to get a discounted room with the AP, also if you don’t have the DDP and she gets the DDE you can all benefit. One DDE card covers the member and up to 8 guests dining with them (20% off)

We're talking about carpooling down instead of driving two vehicles. I just have to make sure we can find our luggage thing for the top of the van as we won't all fit luggage and everything inside the van!

On top of the van?? In winter? Really?

Saturday, 12/13 (Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday to ME!)

Sunday, 12/14
Another sad Disney day.... We have to go back to reality! But, we are having an amazing breakfast in the CASTLE!!! We haven't been able to add our friends to this ADR yet but we're trying like crazy! Our ADR is at 8:05 so it should be pretty cool. I'm very much looking forward to eating in the castle.

To prepare for all of these princesses, which my boys know nothing about , we looked on youtube yesterday to check some of them out. Corbin keeps telling me that I'll get a princess dress if I'm good! [/QUOTE]
I hope you get all 6 of you on – but if you can’t maybe they can get a romantic dinner just the two of them so you don’t miss out on being a princess for your b’day!

That also means that Angie and I will have time to do something without the boys! I've got to look into this!

Ahhhh, HELLLOOOOO! SHOPPING!!! LOL!

If you're anything like me at all, you love to make lists. Grocery lists, packing lists, lists to keep track of your lists... DH hates my lists with a passion. He has even gone so far as to hide my lists and thinks this is hilarious! It will come back to get him...don't you worry!

Me? Make a list? NEVER! Hahahahahahahahahahaha….

Please know that I did not write or make any of these things unless specifically described. I do not want to take credit for someone else's work.

Need ID for the kids? Here you are (I plan on using something similar to this with a current picture of the kids attached):
http://themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/id.shtml

Great links I will be using this one.

I also have touring cards that another DIS'r sent to me that I'd be more than happy to forward along. She took the time to put everything onto notecard sized paper to print off and laminate. They've great. I can't wait until it's close enough for me to finish these and print them out!

Still have my email???

We've also joined the TGM site. I'm not sure that I love it yet. I do like logging in to see how many days until we leave! Other than that, most of it's here on the DIS for free. I'm going to put some of his tips to work on our trips to see if we'll be using his site again.

I like the least crowded parks thing. He breaks it down into morn and eve which is good since we are doing breaks inbetween. I also like the park touring plans.

Now get out there and get planning people!!
Thanks Jill for sparking me to sit down and get this all done! Let me know what you think!

I’m going, I’m going! And your welcome. I LOVE it !!! But what’s not to love????

 

[Grace and Mickey]

Just read your trip report,I got lots of i deas from it Thanks!!( i'm the one you helped to be able to copy planning pages) Your sons are beautful!!! my Grandson will by 2 in Dec. Have you done any thing to get him used to the characters? Our 2nd family trip planned for Sept 2009, so I'm looking forward to reading more of your reports.

 

[newtodis]

Whew! You weren’t kidding about the update. Not only did you make it to page 3, but ALL of page 3 . I am back, computer seems to be running smoothly. I haven’t tried to do any designs yet. Too many other things to iron out right now. I have to recreate a lot of my settings and move things around. Once that is done I will be designing again, as long as time allows. At least I can work on my PTR in between though, I was getting DIS withdrawl! I put in a small update but nothing compared to yours. Sheeeesh, that had to take you ALL day!

Glad to see you're back!!! Nice to have you back-and no you can't leave again! Yeah I really updated! I need to make a list (imagine that!!!) of what I still need to do. I've completely abandonded my MI trip and the lists needed for that! We've only got like three weeks

I think we may be living parallel lives

Yeah I was beginning to think that for a while!!!

Tooooo cute! I was just saying to Ron that Leon is becoming such a little man, then I asked “How do we stop that?!?”

I know I just want him to stay a baby. We've been having the "Great Baby Debate" at our house for a couple of months now. I'm back and forth between "just one more"/"maybe it'll be a girl this time"/"are you crazy?? another baby??" I don't know what I would do with another child!

I LIKE the back of his shirt ….. who did that??? LOL

An amazingly talented woman that I know. Maybe if you ask her really nice (or beg her and bribe her) she'll make you one too!!

Where did you get those Disney tattoos?

Those came from the party store. Corbin insisted on them when I picked up the balloons for his party. It was easier at the time to just buy them instead of fighting before the party. I also ordered a set of 75 (seriously when will I use 75 tattoos??) Cars ones from Disney shopping. Email me your address and I'll send some to you!

I love this pic!

Yes this is one of my favorites! That was worth buying a new camera!

Well if you are crazy then so am I. Leon is very spoiled he always gets two Birthday Parties with a cake at each. One party with the family on his actual B’day and one with friends. The apartment is too small to have everyone over at once. Last year he had three parties – take a look – I made a treasure chest cake and a pirate island cake for his parties.
I love that hamburger cake! Did you make it?

No the hamburger cake is from Publix (grocery store here). I wish I would have made him one. We even celebrate half birthdays with a special treat at our house. My aunt used to make mini hamburgers out of vanilla wafers for the bun, dyed coconut for the lettuce, I can't remember the rest but I remember them (one of the few things) from my childhood.

Yes I did – I love it!

It's very cute isn't it!!

You want to get them in the mood for shopping? Tell them about Once Upon a Toy – and just an idea…. Tell them they get to fill a box full of Mr. Potato Head parts. So they can decorate a head for the room window decoration. Leon can’t wait to do that. I am bringing down 3 heads (ha! that sounds funny) I picked up at garage sales. We each get to decorate our own to put in the window.

I was debating the potato head parts. They don't play with the parts we have now but I was thinking maybe Disney parts might change that???

Here’s what I think – stick with tradition and do Chef Mickey’s and keep trying to get a super early ressie for CP another time. One of the benefits of breakfast at CP is that it gets you in before park opens – if you still had the 7am I would have said do that one.
Also I think it is a good call on not going crazy to add her, I’ve heard plenty of times of people showing up with just one extra person.

Thanks I'm going to keep trying. If all else fails I guess I'll cancel CP. Thanks for the reassurance! I hope we'll be ok adding her on. Free dining is a money saver but a pain for the schedulers.

Leon too. I am going to TRY to get him to put earplugs in for the fireworks, for everything else we have been practicing him covering his ears.

Corbin covered his ears during the "Happy Birthday" song...I'm going to have them check his hearing out at his doctor's appointment just to be sure everything's ok.

I hope you get to do that! Your pics are great. I love macro setting. What kind of camera did you get?

I got a Nikon D60. I love it just for the speed alone!

Are you planning on using Disney transportation or your car back and forth to the parks?
Personally I wish we had a car for the duration of our stay, it would save so much time!
I am jealous of your Coral Reef ADRs and the diver thing. I want to plan a trip in Feb for my 40th Bday do you think its bad to plan my own Bday surprises??? LOL

We're driving so we'll have our vehicle there.

Let's go in Feb!! Come on!! I'll plan your birthday surprises for you!

Do BOTH.!

Secretly, I'm thinking we will but of course can't tell Dan that!

Wow you are totally out doing yourself! I am sooooo jealous of your pins. How much were they and how many did you get??? What a great assortment – especially the dwarf ones and of course the piratey ones. I was going to bid on some but I just felt the lots were too big, now I am jealous! What was the sellers name?

I'll add the names to your email. I got a couple of different lots. It worked out to about $2/pin.

I love that flashlight!! I got to find one…..Target?

No Ebay actually. They probably got it at Target. I do love Target though!

I was thinking of getting them in advance too, but I figure at Christmas time there will be so many options that I will wait. I think I want a santa hat with Mickey ears.

I want to get the boys Mickey Santa hats-for pictures of course!!!

I Love this Pic!!

Thanks! Gotta love it!

I am afraid of that too!! You’ve been BUSY! They all came out great!!

Thanks. If you need help, I'm almost an expert!

We are so alike

Yes we are-not a bad thing at all!!

She may be able to get a discounted room with the AP, also if you don’t have the DDP and she gets the DDE you can all benefit. One DDE card covers the member and up to 8 guests dining with them (20% off)

Yeah we're doing the DDE for sure. I think they're almost 100% sure they're doing APs. Depending on if they're staying on site or not, they might do the dining plan.

On top of the van?? In winter? Really?

Yeah-we live in SC. It's only 5 1/2 hours and "winter" here is nothing like in MI! Our SC winter is like MI summer!!

I hope you get all 6 of you on – but if you can’t maybe they can get a romantic dinner just the two of them so you don’t miss out on being a princess for your b’day!

Thanks! If worse comes to worse, Dan and his friend Sandy may go do something else and the girls and little boys will eat with princesses!

Ahhhh, HELLLOOOOO! SHOPPING!!! LOL!

I like that idea!! Much easier to shop without the boys in tow.

Me? Make a list? NEVER! Hahahahahahahahahahaha….

You've got to be kidding me!

Great links I will be using this one.

Good-I'm glad there's something there you can use. I thought for sure you'd already have everything!

Still have my email???

Yes I do believe that I do! I'll hunt it down and forward that along to you

I like the least crowded parks thing. He breaks it down into morn and eve which is good since we are doing breaks inbetween. I also like the park touring plans.

Yeah I like the least crowded park thing. It'll be interesting to see how accurate it is.

I’m going, I’m going! And your welcome. I LOVE it !!! But what’s not to love????

Awww...thanks!

Just read your trip report,I got lots of i deas from it Thanks!!( i'm the one you helped to be able to copy planning pages) Your sons are beautful!!! my Grandson will by 2 in Dec. Have you done any thing to get him used to the characters? Our 2nd family trip planned for Sept 2009, so I'm looking forward to reading more of your reports.

Glad you were able to get some ideas from it!!

Thank you-I do happen to think they're pretty cute!!

YAY!! My "baby" will be two in November. We didn't really "do" anything to expose him to characters. Carter's pretty good with like the Santa/Easter Bunny at the mall. We kind of just walked through the park and pointed out the characters for the first couple of hours just so the boys got to see how big they were when we went in Feb. My DS4 was more afraid of the characters-he did not like when they approached us (at a meal for example). He much preferred us going up to them (like waiting in line).

Yay!! You've got lots of time to plan. Keep checking back! And check out Jill's (leonsmom)'s trip report-she's going in between my two trips and has awesome ideas too!!

 

[Leonsmom]

I know I just want him to stay a baby. We've been having the "Great Baby Debate" at our house for a couple of months now. I'm back and forth between "just one more"/"maybe it'll be a girl this time"/"are you crazy?? another baby??" I don't know what I would do with another child!

Yeah I REALLY wanted to have a second child, but given our financial difficulties over the years, Ron was against it. He wanted another child but not while we were in debt. Know that Leon will be turning 6 this year - and me turning 40 - I just don't see it happening. luckily I have my brand new baby niece to dote on.


Those came from the party store. Corbin insisted on them when I picked up the balloons for his party. It was easier at the time to just buy them instead of fighting before the party. I also ordered a set of 75 (seriously when will I use 75 tattoos??) Cars ones from Disney shopping. Email me your address and I'll send some to you!
That's so nice but you will have to let me give you some money for it

I was debating the potato head parts. They don't play with the parts we have now but I was thinking maybe Disney parts might change that???
Leon doesn't play with them alot but I do. I actually use them at Halloween - I decorate small pumpkins with the parts. I can't wait to decorate the resort window with them.

Corbin covered his ears during the "Happy Birthday" song...I'm going to have them check his hearing out at his doctor's appointment just to be sure everything's ok.
I am sure you don't have anything to worry about. He's probably just sensitive to certain sounds



I got a Nikon D60. I love it just for the speed alone!
Oh yeah, I'm jealous!!


Let's go in Feb!! Come on!! I'll plan your birthday surprises for you!
How cool would that be!! It's still in the air we still don't have all the money to pay for the first one



I'll add the names to your email. I got a couple of different lots. It worked out to about $2/pin.
Wow, $2 a pin that's great.


Thanks! If worse comes to worse, Dan and his friend Sandy may go do something else and the girls and little boys will eat with princesses!
That's a great idea


YAY!! My "baby" will be two in November. We didn't really "do" anything to expose him to characters. Carter's pretty good with like the Santa/Easter Bunny at the mall. We kind of just walked through the park and pointed out the characters for the first couple of hours just so the boys got to see how big they were when we went in Feb. My DS4 was more afraid of the characters-he did not like when they approached us (at a meal for example). He much preferred us going up to them (like waiting in line).

One thing that I have been doing with my DS is looking at this Best Character Photos thread with him. He now knows what to expect and he's asked me to write a list of the ones he hopes to see.

Yay!! You've got lots of time to plan. Keep checking back! And check out Jill's (leonsmom)'s trip report-she's going in between my two trips and has awesome ideas too!!

Thanks for the mention

 

[newtodis]

Thanks for the mention

I emailed you the files as requested I'll send you some tattoos too-I'll never use 75 of them! My kids will look all sorts of crazy with that many! Can't wait to start birthday shopping for Leon!!

Have you tried selling some stuff on Ebay to make some extra money?? (sorry I just butted my nose into that topic!) It could be your Disney money. I think I'm going to put some stuff on there just because I need to get rid of some stuff!

Anyone out there who has suggestions----I need some good songs to put on cd for the boys to listen to in the van on the way to MI and Disney in the next couple of months. I can't listen to DVDs the entire way.

Ok off to order my photo book on shutterfly before the "free stuff" offer expires!!

 

[newtodis]

Hey y'all!

Not much of a Disney update today but an update none the less.

We'll start with the non-Disney updates:

*Packing for MI: The craze has begun. I've been setting stuff aside and trying to keep things out if I think we may need them for MI. The good part about this is the most the stuff can be left in our luggage for our Disney trip. I still have a couple of dvds to pick up (thank God for a dvd player!) and keep them wrapped up so they're "new" and will hopefully keep them entertained on the trip up north.

*DMV mini-crisis is OVER!!! I've only lived here for 6 months and FINALLY was able to get a driver's license. Thank you to all of the illegal immigrants and people who make fake documents for all of the extra steps I had to go through to get mine.

*I ordered my books in time to get my free prints! Now I just have to go back and get my "free" prints. I even made small books for all of the grandparents and had them sent to all of them. This will be the first time my dad and step mom will have seen their second grandson and the second time they've seen Corbin. (The only time they saw Corbin was when he was 9 months old at our wedding!) I've sent them Christmas cards and such but nothing like this so we'll see what happens. They used to live about an hour away from us and couldn't make the trip down to see them so I guess a book will have to be good enough.

*Dan's going to class next week so it'll just be the boys and I. Should be interesting to say the least.

Disney updates:

*Corbin and Dan's birthday cake: Finally got their cake ordered at our Coral Reef dinner in EPCOT. I decided (yes me because I'm a cake snob and just very picky!) that the boys would like a white cake with white buttercream icing. The part that's for the boys is the Cars picture on top. It's also supposed to say "Happy Birthday Daddy and Corbin". I cannot wait to see their faces!

*Dec Baskets: I've decided that I'm going to make the boys lanyards. For Corbin, I got him a blue Cars lanyard on Ebay and picked up some new Cars pins for him.

For Carter, I got him a red Cars lanyard from Ebay and will pick up some "shishes", Dis or Cars pins for him.

I got Dan a firefighter lanyard on Ebay and picked up some firefighter pins for him. Of course, once he saw the boy's lanyards he asked if I was getting him a Star Wars one so I guess I need to get a couple of Star Wars pins for him.

Still TO DO for Disney:
*Pre-order our photopass cd for the trip
*Gather everything for Dec baskets
*Make shopping list (take Christmas shopping list)
*Update ME info on our ressie - right now it's got all of us listed and the wrong times!
*Update my Disney Bible and get more page protectors
*Keep calling to get better ADR times
*Pick up DVDs
*Start shopping list of things to pick up now and day before we leave
*Call to confirm ADRS, cake order, room ressie
*Call about having balloons in room - can only call 7 days in advance
*Get any info from DMIL that she needs - make list for her of where/when we're staying
*Clean out van
*Pack van activity bag
*Pack "pixie dust" secret bag in Mommy's suitcase
*Make "pixie dust" candy bars (Thanks Telynn!!!)
*Work on touring plans
*Fill in blanks of spreadsheet
*Save money for gas, souvoniers, meals, presents, pictures, ect.
*Research Disney outlets and keep addresses and directions
*Send "big give" box out when we're back from MI
*Keep updating PTR
*Get supplies for camera - extra battery, camera bag, bigger memory card

Ok I'm sure there's lots more to do that I'll think of once I start focusing on all of it when we're back from MI.

Ok off to catch up on my DISign requests and figuring out what DH needs to pack for class for the week. Then, I've got to start my Christmas list (gifts I need to buy for) and get ready to go to MI.

 

[newtodis]

Not much more on the Disney front to update on... I need to make time this week/end to get some calls made.

On the home front, I started Christmas shopping already (yay me!). Thanks to Disney shopping, I got the boys very cute lawn chairs for next summer. I also got myself a Tink rain jacket and compact Mickey umbrella for Disney. I also ordered a couple of very cute hat/blanket combos for friends with babies.

Dan's gone this week, so I've been on the dis a little bit more than normal-which is good I guess.

We're getting together with our friends for our Dec trip in the next couple of weeks to get a "trip plan" together and see what they like to do and what we like to do and all that good stuff.

Plans might be slightly changing (again!) for Disney in Dec. A close friend has a foster daughter who is expecting and may be looking to put the child up for adoption. We've asked that she consider our family as an option, so we may have a baby to go along with us! It will all be worth it in the end. All we can do at this point is pray that all goes well and she makes the decision that's best for the baby. We haven't even told our family this is an option yet so they'll be a bit and when they find out. Dan's grandma has been asking for a girl since I was pregnant with Corbin! No pressure at all.

Ok time to get the boys off to bed and get ready for work in the morning...yippee!

 

[newtodis]

We purchased our APs on Saturday night before the prices went up!! Now we're just waiting for them in the mail and hoping for an AP or Visa discount code for the Dec trip.

On another (unexpected) note...

So, we've been renting a house since we moved here to SC from MI. It's very nice and we like it but need to quit paying rent now that our other house has sold. Corbin really wants his own room so we started looking for 4br, 2 bath. The kids and I drove past one last week while DH was gone to class. Corbin said it was the house for us because "it's on sale for people like us!" I'm not sure what kind of people he thinks we are but hopefully it's good!

That house didn't work out so much really....we looked at it and didn't love it. We went the same day and looked at like 10 other houses-yes they really all can start to look the same! We did find one, the second one we looked at, that both Dan and I actually agreed upon which is amazing! There was another HUGE house we looked at (like 2600 or 2800 sq. ft.) but it's a pre-forclosure so we don't have the time for that. Also, not too sure about the neighborhood it's in. We agreed that the second house we looked at will work out for us for the time being. Dan and I have agreed that this is not our house we'll keep forever, but will work until we're more familiar with the neighborhoods and where we want to be. It will also give us a couple of years to save some money to use as a down payment. We're going to go look at the house this weekend with some friends (the ones going with us in Dec) to see what they think about it as they're more familiar with the area. They think it's a good deal for the size and location but I want them to see it in person.

We'd already gotten prequalified for a loan but the program that we're currently prequalified with ends 10/1/08 so we really don't have a lot of time to mess around here. We're leaving for MI in 12 days and have to have a contract on a house before we leave.

If all goes well, we'll put in an offer on this house, go to MI, come back for a couple weeks, head to Disney, then come home to close on the house and pack everything and move. In the new house, we'd have a room to finish (drywall and carpeting) before my mom comes in November for Thanksgiving. Then we're off to Disney the beginning of December and back to MI for Christmas!

Hopefully it all works well.

Back to Disney news, our Sept trip is paid in full and now I'm calling to see who cancelled their trip at the 45 day mark to work on my ADRs. Hopefully I'll get lucky that way.

The Dec plans are going well. I sent the AKL CL staff a tin of popcorn from the Popcorn Factory to thank them for answering my endless emails and questions. They've really been helpful with everything! We've gotten our friends into every meal except for just a couple.

I think the only things that I'm going to need to get for our Sept trip will be some snacks and fruits and stuff like that for our hotel room. We got the boys some new dvds for the MI trip and they'll still be new enough for our Disney trips that we shouldn't have to get anything else. I've also got a bunch of travel sized stuff that we're taking to MI that I'll be able to use for Disney.

I've really been slacking a bit on the Disney planning as this house situation kind of fell into our lap. It will all work out the way it's meant to. It would be very nice to stop paying rent and actually have something to show for it if we can work it all out.

Ok off to start trying to dig out a packing list from 7 months ago when we moved here.

 

[newtodis]

Another non-Disney update:

So we took our friends over to our house that we were going to put a purchase offer on yesterday. Our agent mentioned another house that had just come on the market (less than 24 hours) and wanted us to just take a look to make sure we wouldn't kick ourselves for not looking at it. So we popped over there (it was a street over from the first house) and took a look. I fell in love! The second house is much larger than the first and still has a "bonus" room (aka money pit) that needs to be finished (drywall and flooring. The "problem" with this house is that it's a forclosure and we don't know that we'll have time to close with our current mortgage. When we looked at it, there were no other offers and by the time we decided that afternoon, there were already two other offers. We're faxing in our offer in the morning and hoping for a boatload of pixie dust for everything to happen in time. We also have to find someone to finish our lease (6 months).

Our other option is to buy the first house and have them take over our lease in exchange for us buying their house. Our agent thinks we've got a good chance with us.

Finally the other option would be to finish out our lease and wait until the spring and try to find a house then. We're just trying to avoid paying rent if we can be paying on a house.

Nothing like trying to fit too much stuff in too little time! Hopefully it'll all work out in the end. I know it will work out like it's supposed to but that's sometimes hard to understand when you're in the middle of the moment.

On a somewhat Disney note, I started packing for our MI trip today. Since we'll only have about 3 weeks from coming back from MI to leaving for Disney, I'm going to leave all the travel stuff right in the suitcase. I cannot wait to get back and start packing for Disney!! We're ready to go! I need a Mickey break from life.

Ok...I've got to go fill out more loan paperwork, sign our offer and get the kids ready to go swimming in a couple of hours at a friend's house.

 

[lmillercrew]

Make sure you pack some warm clothes. It was 68 for the high today in NW Ohio! I can't believe that it's early August. Have fun on your MI trip

 

[newtodis]

Make sure you pack some warm clothes. It was 68 for the high today in NW Ohio! I can't believe that it's early August. Have fun on your MI trip

Holy cats that's crazy!!! I set aside my favorite sweatpants (yup sweatpants in August!) for the drive. DH loves to have the AC on full blast and I'll freeze otherwise. Then, of course when we stop someplace, I'm dying because it's so hot and people look at me like I'm crazy! Hopefully it's a little bit warmer than that. I packed the boys a couple pairs of jeans...maybe I should throw in a couple more!

I'm sure it'll be fun. Lots of guilt trips thrown in, but all in all, the boys will have a good time seeing everyone and that's what's important.

 

[lmillercrew]

It's warmed up a little now. I haven't run my air conditioner for a week now. It's supposed to be in the low 80's for the rest of the week. It's definately not the kind of weather I expect for August. Upper 80's would be better. We have such long winters that I want to enjoy the 3 short months of summer that we have. I hope you have a great trip and that all guilt aside, you have a good time.

 

[newtodis]

It's warmed up a little now. I haven't run my air conditioner for a week now. It's supposed to be in the low 80's for the rest of the week. It's definately not the kind of weather I expect for August. Upper 80's would be better. We have such long winters that I want to enjoy the 3 short months of summer that we have. I hope you have a great trip and that all guilt aside, you have a good time.

Thanks! I've got an Auxiliary meeting tonight but I've got tomorrow off (actually I'm heading in for a couple hours in the morning and bringing the boys with me---should be VERY interesting!!). Then I'll have the rest of the day to pack, clean and finish laundry. Hopefully we won't freeze-that's all I'm worried about. Don't need sick boys-if I take time off now I won't have time off for Disney!

Thanks for the weather update. Hopefully all will go well!

 

[newtodis]

Note to self...don't try and take boys to work again. Actually, they were pretty good. They only had one incident (at the worst time!) where they were screaming and I was on the phone with one of the chiefs. Thankfully, mommy's still got a job (at least until tomorrow I guess!).

As for Disney, we were able to use our discount for the general public to save about $200 on our December room. We couldn't much find anything with our AP discount unfotunetly. To save with the general public code, we actually had to push our vacation back to 12/13-17. I'm hoping that with us now going Saturday-Wednesday it will be less busy. Now we're also there for 2 MVMCPs so if we like one, maybe we'll hit another. (Did I mention that I LOVE Christmas???)

With the date change means ALL new ADRs. This was the thing I was truly most afraid of when DH switched the dates. Thankfully we're staying club level so I emailed them to see what could be moved around instead of having to be on the phone myself. Hopefully they'll have some good news for us. I did not let them try and change our CRT ressie since I know how hard that is to get.

We're also waiting on our friends to try and get a room. There are several options for them with the AP discount so that's very cool. They can stay at CSR for what they could stay at POP for!! I know they'll do the math and hopefully she can convince her husband that for about $50 more, they can stay at a much nicer resort (or so I've read!).

Also, the club level staff told me that our room is on the 4th floor (I'm not sure how they know this soon!) so it won't be a problem at all for our friends to come and visit us in our room. That's wonderful news! It should really be a lot of fun.

We're heading off to MI on Tuesday night. Dan's already agreed that we're going to drive at least 6 hours the first night, which should only leave us about 7 or 8 more hours to drive on Wednesday. It will be nice to get there and out of the van! I can only take so many hours of dvds (Disney or not).

No really big plans while in MI. I'm most looking forward to getting my hair done on Thursday morning! I miss my hairdresser. I haven't gotten a hair cut or anything since we moved here in February. Thursday night Dan's mom is having a bunch of people over to her house for a cookout so we can spend some time with everyone.

We're also getting our family pictures taken on Friday morning. Friday night we're heading to a Great Lakes Loons baskeball game. This is one of Corbin's favorite things to do!

Saturday morning we'll just hang out a little bit, knowing that we're leaving that afternoon nothing will be a lot of fun. We're also going to visit the boy's old daycare so they can see their friends. Corbin still talks about his "girlfriend" Rachel. They shared their first dance at our daycare provider's daughter's wedding and he still talks about it almost two years later!

Ok off to fill my DISign requests and finish packing. I started packing the van this afternoon. Yes I know we don't leave for another two days, but had I left it in the house, I would have unpacked and repacked for two more days. Now it's out there so it's harder to get to. Basically, it's just the cooler and snack bags that are out there-nothing major yet.

Have a great night everyone!!

 

[lmillercrew]

I'm most happy that you are getting your hair done!! I COMPLETELY know how you feel about loving your hairdresser. When DH and I lived in Minnesota, I would get my hair done when I went back home to Nebraska because I loved my hairdresser! Good luck and safe travels!
P.S., it's getting warmer up here

 

[newtodis]

I'm most happy that you are getting your hair done!! I COMPLETELY know how you feel about loving your hairdresser. When DH and I lived in Minnesota, I would get my hair done when I went back home to Nebraska because I loved my hairdresser! Good luck and safe travels!
P.S., it's getting warmer up here

Thanks for the understanding! I knew I wasn't the only one!! I've been watching the 10 day forcast on weather.com and it's looking ok for us-not too hot, not too cold. I'm sure we'll tough it out either way.

Can't wait to get back and start planning for Disney!

 

[newtodis]

Hi All!! We're back! Boy is it good to be home!!! NEVER again will we drive to MI...Mommy about went crazy this time! It took us 16 hours there and 19 hours home....way too much car and togetherness for me! I'll add pictures to my mini-MI TR once they're on the computer.

All in all, the trip went well. The drive up went pretty well actually. We were able to get out of work at 5 and be home and on the road by 5:30. We stopped for dinner on the way (McDonald's which is a huge treat for our kids!) and stopped after driving about 6.5 hours. The next morning we were up and on the road. I cannot stand driving in the mountains so I drove for a bit in the morning then let my DH have his share of the driving (which seemed like forever!!) until we got out of the mountains, then I drove of course.

Did I mention DH drives like a Grandma? I love him but the guys in his office tell him he should live in a local retirement community because he drives so slowly.

Anyways...back to the trip. We made it to MI about 6:30-we should have been there about 5 but DH swore he knew a faster (not on the expressway) way which turned out to be terribly wrong. He's vowed to listen to his wife now when it comes to these things!

Wednesday night we headed to dinner at the "Wolf restraunt" as Corbin calls it. We met some family there and had a nice time with everyone. Believe it or not, I only got a little sick from eating something there which is great for me!

Thursday morning, Grandma kept the boys and Dan and I went our seperate ways. I went to get my hair done and visit my old workplace to meet a friend for lunch while Dan went shopping. Yup, a man who likes shopping...for himself. He bought some stuff for the guys at his office (cigars and a baseball cap) and of course, things for himself. My lunch was wonderful-it was so nice to catch up with my friend. I love her so much and we would truly do anything for each other.

On a brief side-note, I'm not close to my family. My parents divorced when I was quite young (it was final when I was in 5th grade) and I was left to raise my brother, 4 years younger than me. My dad left and we didn't have much contact. He would call and I would be terribly excited to see him. He wouldn't show up, leaving me terribly frustrated and upset. He would call weeks later, getting my hopes up again, being a child and not knowing better. I finally made my decision to write him off and quit accepting the calls. My mom decided (please note, this is my knowledge of the situations) not to work as my father was supposed to be paying child support and such. We (my brother and I) ended up in foster care and being evicted from my mother's house. My brother ended up moving to my dad's house and my mom and I moved to another family member's house which was utterly disturbing. I ended up living with my dad and step mom (think Cinderella's step mom literally) for two years to finish high school and get my driver's license as my mom's license was suspended and she couldn't help me get mine (which I learned by going to jail with her when she was arrested for driving with a suspended license). As a graduation gift, my step mom gave me some boxes. Thoughful huh? As you can see...not close to my family at all, which made the decision to move from MI to SC very easy for me.

So....back on track. Dan's family is the total polar opposite of mine. They're together all the time, live about 10 minutes from one another and talk constantly. The two friends that I went back to MI to visit I would do anything in the world for. I don't easy bond with anyone (wonder why? ) and this is the first time ever that I've moved away and actual went back to visit anyone I'd been friends with. A huge step for me.

After nap, we headed to the boys old daycare and they had a blast! It was just like we'd never left which was wonderful for the boys. All their little friends were there and they had such a good time playing with everyone.

Thursday night, we had a bunch of people over to Dan's mom's house. It was nice to see everyone. I'm terrible in social situations like this as I'm terrified that I'll say the wrong thing and upset someone or look like a fool. (I know...silly, but kind of part of the upbringing) I pretty much just say hi and leave it at that or find something to do to occupy myself without talking to anyone. Our night ended with my best friend's (that our third trip will be with!!!) son and Corbin swimming in the hot tub in their underware and she and I with our feet in the hot tub and drinks in hand Pretty good ending I'd say!

Friday morning we went to have family pictures taken. Then we stopped at a dollar store that Dan's mom told me about because they had scrapbooking stuff. When I actually have 5 minutes, I love to sit and scrapbook. I need to make a bit more time to do it. Maybe I'll make some time soon.

After nap, we went to the new children's museum before we had to leave for dinner and the baseball game. Carter had a high fever and ended up sleeping through dinner. The boys had fun at the baseball game which was nice. It was a very late night with a sick little man. He did enjoy a funnel cake at the game which was good to see him eating something.

Saturday morning we kind of skipped most of our plans to get on the road not knowing how Carter was doing and what was wrong. (Our nanny's son had croupe on Monday and Tuesday before we left so we were fearing the worst) We stopped at Bronner's (a HUGE Christmas store in MI-and one of my favorites!!) for a few minutes then pretty much only stopped for a bathroom break until time for bed. We went swimming (tried to) in the chilly outdoor pool at our hotel then went back to the room to sleep.

Sunday morning we got started much later than we'd wanted to (9) which I knew wasn't a good start for the day. The good news was that Carter was feeling better. We're still giving him the Tylenol/Motrin regimine until we're 100% sure the fever's gone at this point. Dan ended up driving the entire day since the majority of the day was through the mountains and I was not about driving in them. We got home about 8:30 and it was a huge fight to get the boys to bed.

Today was crazy busy at work-moving three people into new offices, then a Christmas party meeting then a meeting here at our house. Just wanted to check in with everyone. Now I get the fun task of unpacking our stuff and catching up on everything that happened while we were gone.

The fun part is that I don't have to totally unpack since we're going to Disney so soon!!! That will be very helpful! And the 5 hour drive compared to this last trip will be a piece of cake!

I still need to call and try to add DMIL to the ADRs....I'm hoping for a bucket of pixie dust and a miracle. I've also got to work on the Dec ADRs since I've had to move dates on that. Ugh! It'll all be worth it in the end.

Ok I'm off to bed tonight to try and get some sleep...thank goodness it's a long weekend this weekend...I need it!

 

[lmillercrew]

Sounds like you had a nice visit. Sorry your little one isn't feeling well. That was a long way to come for only a couple of days. But, at least you were able to come and you had safe driving. Sometimes I wish my DH would drive like a grandma. He's scary sometimes Only 23 more days on your ticker. It's getting close for you

 

[DisneyFun08]

Here's some Pixie Dust! :
Hope you were able to add your DMIL to your ADRs!

Glad Carter is feeling better, and that you had a good visit with everyone in MI.

 

[Grace and Mickey]

Hi just got caught up. Your trip is really getting close Sound you had fun in MI you where kind of close I live in OHIO. I been to Bonnner's it a awesome place, Love the hand painted personizied oraments you can get. what did you get? Looking forward to reading your TR when you get back. say HI to Mickey for me.