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

[newtodis]

Here is the picture of baskets for this trip:

The bag is for our friends who are going with us, the top right is for Corbin, bottom left for Carter and bottom right for Dan.

Can't wait to get to Disney!!

 

[Grace and Mickey]

yea Lynn back!!
How are you feeling? The baskets are cute!
We have always opened one present on Christmas eve, (usually new P.J.)
Looking foward to your final prepations for your trip

I wonder if Jill is having fun?

 

[lmillercrew]

The bags look great Lyn. I'm kinda glad you're not driving up here during Christmas. We've already had some snow and ice. It's safer to stay down there.
Welcome home!

 

[newtodis]

yea Lynn back!!
How are you feeling? The baskets are cute!
We have always opened one present on Christmas eve, (usually new P.J.)
Looking foward to your final prepations for your trip

I wonder if Jill is having fun?

The bags look great Lyn. I'm kinda glad you're not driving up here during Christmas. We've already had some snow and ice. It's safer to stay down there.
Welcome home!

HI GUYS!!! It's good to be back!

Thanks for the compliments on the baskets. I think they're cute!

I talked with Dan about it last night and we're going to let the boys choose one present from Mom and Dad to open on Christmas Eve and the rest they'll open Christmas morning.

I'm looking forward to our trip plans too! I really need to sit down this week and get them done! It's crazy. I'm not even excited yet because I've just got too much going on! I want to get the done this week so Sunday I can pack since we're leaving next Friday!

I hope Jill's having fun! She's supposed to be home on Saturday I think so hopefully she'll check in before I leave. I cannot wait to hear what a great time they had! I'm sure it was fun for them seeing the Christmas decorations and everything else.

I'm so over not going up there. I know that sounds terrible but I'm cold when it's in the 40s here in the mornings-I don't know what would happen to me when I go back to MI and it's 40 below!


Alright...small Disney update...

Our friends, Angie and Sandy, decided they're not going. They're saving their money for the adoption in February so it'll just be our family. So, I'll bring their basket back to them and give it to them with their Christmas gifts. It'll still be fun but we were looking forward to going to Disney with them.

I'm hoping to sit down tonight (since Cars is on the ABC Family channel tonight it should be quiet!) and get some plans in place. I need to figure out what places we're eating at and what ones we're going to cancel. I also need to order Carter a birthday cake somewhere while we're there.

We're renting a condo thing this time so it'll be a different experience for us for sure! I'm hoping we can get an early 2009 trip in with some friends from MI and take advantage of the buy 4 get 3 free nights promo they have going on. Then we can stay at AKL like we'd planned to this time. The boys will get to open their "car ride" presents (that were supposed to be for MI) on the way to Disney since we're staying here for Christmas. Now I just have to get everything packed up and mailed to MI so it's there by Christmas. That's the worst part!

Ok more to come later!

 

[lmillercrew]

So, you weren't going to stay on property because your friends were going and now they're not going. Does that upset you that you could've stayed on property or are you o.k. with it? So the adoption thing is going through?? That's good for them.

 

[newtodis]

So, you weren't going to stay on property because your friends were going and now they're not going. Does that upset you that you could've stayed on property or are you o.k. with it? So the adoption thing is going through?? That's good for them.

Yeah we cancelled our stuff for them to stay with us. No I'm not really mad...saving the money is a good thing since Santa's bringing a Wii for Christmas We'll stay there-I made Dan promise that!

Adoption appears to be going as well as it could be at this point so that's wonderful! I need some good snuggle time rocking a new baby!

Alright...I emailed the girl that we rented our condo through to see about a smaller one since we won't need three bedrooms anymore. There's a 2 bedroom available which I think will work for us better. The bonus---it's about $140 cheaper! That's always great! I just have to talk to Dan about switching and make the change. We only have until Saturday to make changes before it costs two nights worth of money to change! Right now it's only $10 which is certainly doable.

I also think we might come back Tuesday night and work on Wednesday (12/17) since I've got a lot to get done here before the holidays hit. If we did that, I'd probably swap our vacation days to be able to leave in the morning on Friday and spend the day at Disney before checking in to the condo Friday night. Even if we left at noon, that's better than nothing right!

I think I'm going to use our Disney gift certificates/cards we have for some meals. CRT's already paid for so we don't have to worry about spending anything on that at all. If I use a $50 gift card/meal and pay the difference out of pocket, that reduces our cost quite a bit. The boys are really good about not begging for stuff while we're there so I'm not too worried about having a lot of spending money. If I go that route (I need to make sure I can pay with two methods of payment at a time), that takes care of another three meals so that's pretty darned good! I'll let the boys get something small but honestly, I don't see them asking for much-especially with the baskets.

I think that's about it on the Disney front right now. I'm kind of making it my "goal" to see how "cheap" we can do Disney just to have a point of reference for the future...that way when Dan tries to say we can't afford it, I can show him how cheap it really is!

On the Non-Disney front, Dan's mom called last night to tell us she's coming with her other grandson (Dan's nephew) for a few days the week after Christmas! That didn't take long at all! We'd just called the night before to tell her we wouldn't be in MI for Christmas! So, we'll have house guests again very soon!

Last night was a long night. Corbin has really been hard headed about quite a few things lately and would NOT eat dinner last night. This is fine in our house-there are no snacks and when you're hungry, dinner is there for you (within reason of course-it's not out all night). So, the "deal" was that if you ate your dinner, you got to watch Cars on tv last night. Carter ate no problem (without even understanding eating=Cars I'm sure!) but Corbin didn't want any part of it. He started with the crying and telling us we never feed him anything and he never gets anything. (I personally love this arguement because I walk him to the playroom filled with toys and ask what's his and how he got it if he "never gets anything!" Yup I'm that evil!) So still no eating is taking place and crying still abounds. We told him he didn't have to eat but wasn't welcome to watch Cars with us as he didn't eat anything. This sends him further into hysterics and now he's having a harder time breathing. We continue to tell him to "get his body in control" (that's the phrase we use) and if he cannot that he needs to go to bed because he's clearly tired. While, this goes on for about half an hour. Now his poor little face is red as a strawberry and he's really having a harder time breathing. Dan tries his EMT "skills" on him to get him to slow down and listen to what we're saying to him. No such luck...eyes start rolling back in his head and he's still carrying on about not wanting to eat. (he must have his father's thick skull!)

Finally I got right in his face and had him look at me. I took a deep breath and blew in his face. He stopped and did the same to me. After a couple of minutes he was back to "normal" but darn....all that nearly passing out over not wanting mac and cheese?????

Of course, right after that was when Dan's mom called and he had to tell her all about how mean and evil I am! (as true as it may be!)

Alright...I should get back to work now...I've been trying to write this for you guys all darned morning and I'm just now finding a minute to finish it!

More later!

 

[newtodis]

Alrgiht...I just sent the email to change our trip from 12/12-17 to 12/12-16. We're also moving to the two bedroom condo. It feels so awesome to save even more on our trip! I also put in the time off stuff so I'm not working at all next Friday!

Now, I just need to get a plan together to figure out what we're doing while we're there! It's the little things!

Feel the Christmas love!

 

[newtodis]

Ok I guess I'm not the only busy one this time of year!



So I looked at all of our ADRs last night and we narrowed it down to four...

12/12 We'll just eat on the way down-depending on when we leave (Dan wants to leave first thing in the morning which I'm totally ok with!)

12/13 We have an early Tusker House ADR (we'll probably go here every time since we loved it so much last time!) before AK opens. We also have a very late (like 7:00) ADR at Sci-Fi tonight. I'm hoping the boys make it that far-this is one of the places I'm looking forward to trying this time.

12/14 We have CRT this morning before MK opens! I think I'm looking forward to being in MK before it opens than anything!

12/15 This morning we have the EPCOT breakfast scheduled.

I think that's it for ADRs. We'll only be cancelling 1900PF, GFC and one other I think. I'll have to update that when I get home since I'm trying to do this from memory!

I watched part of the Disney holiday special that was on last night and I'm in the mood now! I also made Dan promise another Christmas at Disney since we're being so cheap this time! He's agreed which is good.

Alright...today's a busy day. Tomorrow morning is breakfast with Santa and tomorrow night is the department Christmas party. I have to be at the station at 8:00 tomorrow to get ready for breakfast, stay for the party with the boys and watch the parade afterwards. Then it's home for the boy's nap, off to pick up balloons for the evening party and to the club house to set up by 5:00. I'm going to help set up then come home so Dan can go to the party. I really don't feel like going since I'm so far behind with stuff at home. I've got a ton of and other chores to get done if we're going to leave next Friday for the weekend and Dan's mom will be here in three weeks!

More later!

 

[newtodis]

Alright....here's what I've got together in the "early" phases! (I still can't believe that I don't have something in place by now!)

12/12
We're leaving once the boys get up Friday morning (generally about 5:30!). We're heading straight to Disney Friday morning. I'm not sure what park we're going to go to this morning-I like to see the castle first thing but I'm also hoping to hit the Disney VISA meet and greet in EPCOT. Once we're done at the park, we'll head over and check in to the condo.

12/13 (Happy Birthday to..... )
We have breakfast at Tusker House at 8:10 then we're heading off to AK. We have to do the safari, ride some rides and hopefully check out a show. We'll also check out Camp Mickey/Minnie to see who we can see. Depending on how the boys are doing, we'll head back to the condo to rest then back to DHS. We have ressies at Sci-Fi at 7:00 for dinner. Hopefully it's not too late for them to eat.

12/14
We get to start Sunday morning with breakfast at the CASTLE at 8:05. We're going to head off to the MK for a bit this morning. We were going to go to MVMCP but with not staying on site now and not having someone to stay with the boys so we can stay until the end, so we'll have to find another park to go to for the afternoon.

12/15
This morning we're going to have breakfast in EPCOT with the princesses then off to explore a little bit. We also don't have a park plan for this afternoon either.

12/16
We need to figure out what to do this morning before heading back to reality. I'm sure that won't be hard to do!


So my main "goals" of the trip are to get a good picture of the boys with Mickey dressed as Santa or with an actual Santa. Other than that, I really don't care what happens!

I also emailed in expressing our interest for the "announcement" (at the top of the disboards page for the Travel Channel casting call) for the 4 year old birthday. They're taping the day before our vacation so maybe they'll email us back!!!

I did my running around this afternoon to get all of the grocery shopping and stuff done to have one less thing done this week. Hopefully the only other thing I'll need to pick up is milk.


On a non-Disney note, the Breakfast with Santa and Town Parade went well yesterday. Corbin rode in the ladder truck and I pushed Carter in the stroller. Carter made it about half an hour before just napping the rest of the mile and a half.

I ended up not going to the party last night. I knew good things would not come of it and I was so right! Dan came home after midnight and is VERY hung over this morning! Dan got an award for his promotion and I received an award for Auxiliary Member of the Year. I very much appreciate that and can't wait for Thursday's meeting to express my thanks!

Alright...I've got to finish getting laundry folded and everything else into the suitcase.

Have a super evening!

 

[lmillercrew]

Your plans sound wonderful. Let me just say, that while you are enjoying DisneyWorld, I'll be at the firm Christmas party. I'd much rather be seeing Mickey Mouse than to go where I'm going.

 

[newtodis]

Your plans sound wonderful. Let me just say, that while you are enjoying DisneyWorld, I'll be at the firm Christmas party. I'd much rather be seeing Mickey Mouse than to go where I'm going.

Ok come on!! There's always room for one more!

So I emailed Betsy this morning and asked about cancelling the basket for our friends. She's going to give me back the stuff that I sent her and the one thing she can't return so that's one less thing to pay for and haul back. I feel bad but she can return everything so I guess I don't feel too bad about it. I've already got their Christmas gifts done or I wouldn't really have cared.

Alright...tonight I have to finish the laundry and dishes. Tomorrow night is packing. Wednesday night I'm going to bake and grocery shop for the "last minute" stuff (hopefully on my lunch hour). Thursday night I have an Auxiliary meeting then I'll come home and pack the van so we can leave bright and early Friday morning. Boy am I ready to see Mickey!!

 

[newtodis]

Ok so Thursday on my lunch I'm hoping to get a bunch of "last minute" grocery shopping since Thursday night I have my meeting. We're going to our friend's house on Wednesday night to hang out for a little bit (it'll only be a little bit since they have a dog and Corbin's allergic). Tonight I've got to get everything packed and loaded into the van.

Corbin's so very excited this time and I love it! Every time we say Disney or Mickey's house or anything, Carter grabs a hand and says "C'mon!" and heads you to the door to get shoes on! That's my boy! I told Corbin this morning that we would leave for Disney as soon as he got up on Friday morning (usually 5:30). Dan and I talked last night and we plan on being on the road by 6. That'll put us in Disney around noon and Corbin chose to ride the monorail to the Big Ball (EPCOT) first so I guess that's where we'll head first. I want to try and hit the Disney Visa meet and greet but I don't know if we will or not.

Once we're done at the park, we'll head over to the condo to check in and see what we're in for over there. It looks great from the website and pictures and stuff so hopefully it works out well for us. I've got a tote of snacks and food since we'll have a kitchen. Carter lives on "toes" (mashed potatoes) so I picked him up a couple of packages of instant, just add water ones to take with us. He'll be happy with that!

I'm still trying to figure out how I can make the DTD AP stuff on 12/13. We've got an ADR for TH at 8:10 and I want to meet Goofy Santa at 7 am. If we could be there in line at 7 I think we'd have a chance but I don't know if I'm willing to risk that or not. We want to be finished up with breakfast to be able to get on the safari right away to see the animals since that's Dan's favorite ride. I'd also like to walk up near the tree this time for the boys to get an "up close" look at it.

Alright...back to my Disney research and planning!

 

[lmillercrew]

TOES!!! How cute is that!! I wish Abby ate mashed potatoes.
I can't believe that you leave on Friday! That's crazy. It came so quickly, for me anyway. I hope you have great weather and have a great time!

 

[newtodis]

TOES!!! How cute is that!! I wish Abby ate mashed potatoes.
I can't believe that you leave on Friday! That's crazy. It came so quickly, for me anyway. I hope you have great weather and have a great time!

Yeah he's funny!

It came quickly here too that's for darn sure! I was running through the house packing this morning like a crazy person! It's 83 there today (and 76 here!) so we're looking forward to that a lot!! Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[newtodis]

Alright...we're leaving on Friday for the next trip and this one's not wrapped up yet! Boy do I ever suck!! I'm hoping to have some free time this morning to finish up (I mean work!) so we can move on to the next trip. I'm really sorry everyone! I didn't intend on being such a slacker with this...life just got too darned busy.

 

[Leonsmom]

Okay so I need to take some time to catch up on your plans, but before you leave....please,please, please PM or email me the address of where you are staying in Orlando, Mickey left something in my suitcase for your boys! I need to send it out ASAP!!!

Also what day, is your birthday?

Love ya babe.

 

[newtodis]

Okay so I need to take some time to catch up on your plans, but before you leave....please,please, please PM or email me the address of where you are staying in Orlando, Mickey left something in my suitcase for your boys! I need to send it out ASAP!!!

Also what day, is your birthday?

Love ya babe.

I got your email and responded to it already. I don't have a "real" address...I'm sorry! I copied what came from the booking voucher I got when I paid for it and the phone number. I also mentioned maybe trying to get in touch with Betsy (that made your basket) memoriesbybetsy.com since she's going to be delivering something for Carter's birthday. She might just be able to bring another package over with her...I don't know how she does that. You're too sweet! Thanks so much...that darned Mickey! He's leaving things all over the place!

My birthday's Saturday (12/13). My friend Marcia's told everyone I'm turning 21 and we're hoping for lots of free drinks when we go out once I get back!

Don't worry about catching up...get started on your TR! I'm taking my laptop with me (we get free wifi at the condo!) so I'll be checking in on you!

Have a super duper day!

 

[Grace and Mickey]

Hi!!
Sorry I have not been around just busy.

All you plans look wonderful. I sure you will enjoy eating at the CASTLE.

I love riding the monrail all the way around. I hope your are able to get some great pictures with Santa Mickey should make cute christmas cards>

On your birthday (Dec 13th) will we also be celebrating Landen birthday he be 2 hope you have a fun birthday
How long is the drive from your home to WDW/
Congrad on your award
I'll be thinking of you and your family while you enjoy the magic of DISNEY.

 

[lmillercrew]

It's o.k. Lynn! Don't sweat it. Just get done what you need done and go and have fun. TWO DAYS by the way!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

I'm going to wish you an early Happy Birthday because if I don't, I'll forget. (I know, bad friend) Happy Birthday Lynn. Okay, here's my birthday song for you... (pretend he's singing, not rolling his eyes) Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Lyyynnnnnn, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!
How did you like that? I know I'm the next American Idol.