How "just one trip" became three (babies)... update 6/29, huge triplets photo update

[Code]

Funcrastination

We were good about getting things done on Saturday, but my brother invited us out on his boat Sunday and all productive thoughts were put on the back burner in lieu of wakeboarding! Snowboarding is my true passion, but I've been wakeboarding since my brother got his boat last summer and am really starting to enjoy it.

Making this video hurt a bit... Prepare for a laugh at my expense..


I believe the look on my face is something along the lines of "oh crap"...

Fun XShot picture...

Dear, Can I Have $400?

Photography is an expensive addiction, and I'm only just getting started

This is the object of my lens lust:

If you aren't into photography, feel free to skip the next paragraph

I obviously bought the E-510 with the 2 lens kit, 14-42mm (28-84mm) f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm (80-300mm) f4.0-5.6. They are great little lenses (emphasis: little), so I'm well covered outside during the day, but obviously a bit slow for indoors without a flash so I found myself wanting a low light lens pretty quickly. The lens above is the Sigma 30mm f1.4, and I'm just about to order it I know I'm really stretching it to add another big expense to the trip, but I think it will be worth it, and not just for the trip. Lease "left it up to me", which I know is begrudging approval at best, but in this case, I'll take it

13 days!

We crossed over the 2 week mark (13 days by the time I post this!) We have a lot to get done still and I know that these 2 weeks are going to blink by. I'm not the panicking type, but I am becoming, shall we say, acutely aware of the time left. More excited than nervous though!

Go to 13 days - The four legged kids - 8/23

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That sure does look like a lot of fun but also very painful!

 

[Abby's Dad]

I obviously bought the E-510 with the 2 lens kit, 14-42mm (28-84mm) f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm (80-300mm) f4.0-5.6. They are great little lenses (emphasis: little), so I'm well covered outside during the day, but obviously a bit slow for indoors without a flash so I found myself wanting a low light lens pretty quickly. The lens above is the Sigma 30mm f1.4, and I'm just about to order it I know I'm really stretching it to add another big expense to the trip, but I think it will be worth it, and not just for the trip.

Looks like you've got your bases covered - good range and flexibility, and you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want to with this setup, and not feel like a pack animal . That XShot is getting some good use and it looks like you enjoy it, but that is one of the reasons why I take the pictures - so I don't have to be in them

 

[mvazul]

Awesome lens!! I would really love to get a new one, but there are so many I would like I can't decide. I think I would love a fish eye some day. I really like the results of those. Before that, I think I need to get a 50mm. I miss the one I used to have.

I used to have a Minolta HTsi 7 35mm. For lenses, I had a 28mm, a 50mm and a 300mm. I didn't use the 28mm much, but I used the 50mm and 300mm all the time. But, all of them - along with my camera - were stolen. $1000 worth of camera equipment. I was absolutely sick. Thankfully, our homeowner's insurance covered it.

So, I bought new. I was very much a traditionalist and didn't think I would ever switch to digital. I was wrong!! I took the opportunity to do a ton of research and decided on the Nikon D50. I absolutely love it and am glad I switched. I had really wanted to stay with Minolta, but the glass on a Nikon is so much better. Plus, the Nikon kit was only $100 more than the Minolta. I couldn't pass it up. If you would like to see some of my work, just click here.

Okay, I have hijacked, again!! Sorry!!

Thank you to both of you for the compliments on my castle picture. I only have it in a 5x7 right now, but would love to get a gallery wrapped enlargement done.

Michelle

 

[Code]

Looks like you've got your bases covered - good range and flexibility, and you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want to with this setup, and not feel like a pack animal . That XShot is getting some good use and it looks like you enjoy it, but that is one of the reasons why I take the pictures - so I don't have to be in them

Awesome lens!! I would really love to get a new one, but there are so many I would like I can't decide. I think I would love a fish eye some day. I really like the results of those. Before that, I think I need to get a 50mm. I miss the one I used to have.

I could spend us into poverty on lenses, an external flash, a monopod, filters, etc etc etc.. I've had to restrain my gadgetlust and realize that what I have already is great for a total amateur. The fast prime is the only lens I need (ok, want ) to feel like I can grab just about any shot I want to. Though.. you know.. I could really use a wide-angle too..

Must have been awful to have your gear stolen. At least you were covered! I'm planning on getting scheduled protection through our homeowner's insurance for the camera and lenses before we leave. I believe I was quoted $15 per year for zero deductible protection, seems worth it to avoid a $250 deductible if something happens.

No hijack! I love talking about photography too I tried going to your site but it complained I don't have Flash. I do have Flash but it probably has something to do with being on Linux. I'll take a look from home!

 

[Lease]

The four legged kids

We've done lots of planning and preparing for this trip, but we can't forget the family members that won't be going with us.

This is Willow, I adopted him the day he turned 8 weeks from a shelter. Don't let this picture fool you, he is always running wild through the house. He's about 4 and half years old now. I'd say he's my cat, he'd probably say he's my cat too. He's a sweet kitty to me and tolerates Code most of the time. On one hand he'll curl up in my lap and purr every chance he gets on the other Code and many of his friends have scars from this 10 pound ball of fur I'm worried about leaving him for over a week, last year I went on a business trip for 9 days and he spent a couple days looking for me and was really clingy when I got home. At the other end of the spectrum is Leo.

Before we bought our house the people living in the apartment below us were given a three day notice to evict. The day the notice went up a bowl of cat food, 2 adult cats and 3 kittens appeared on the porch. These wonderful people moved without their pets . We found homes for all of the cats. Luckily for us the woman that took Leo home found out her husband was severely allergic and brought him back. He is the friendliest, most attention seeking, lazy, and loving cat I've ever met. When he adopted us he was in pretty bad shape, his coat was dull and he was so thin. He's now a shiny black 18-ish pound kitty that lives for soft places to lay. We don't know how old he is the vet guessed by his teeth/size/magic 8 ball that he was around the same age as Willow. He'll approach anyone and loves constant attention. I'm not too concerned about him while we're gone since family will be stopping by daily to feed and play with the kitties and he's not picky about who he'll approach. I've had to apologize to a plumber while repeatedly pulling Leo off him.

It's amazing how we can spend all this time getting excited about our vacation and making sure every detail is planned, but the one thing we worry about is our 'kids'.

Go to 12 days - Mom's WDW Souvenir Box - 8/24

 

[abbybeth]

We've done lots of planning and preparing for this trip, but we can't forget the family members that won't be going with us.

This is Willow,

At the other end of the spectrum is Leo.

These wonderful people moved without their pets . We found homes for all of the cats.

It's amazing how we can spend all this time getting excited about our vacation and making sure every detail is planned, but the one thing we worry about is our 'kids'.

awww your furbabies are gorgeous!!! and good for your for giving those rescue babies a home. I can't believe that those "lovely" people just moved without taking the cats, but lucky for them you guys were there to help out. I'm nervous about leaving my little Zoe behind, she's never been apart from me for more than 24 hours. She's staying with my friend & her husband (and their 2 cats) for the stretch of vacation, and I'll be a wreck over it - it's going to be so hard to leave her!

but it really is amazing how much a part of the family they become

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love your kitties, they are adorable!

 

[Code]

Mom's WDW Souvenir Box

I fired up the scanner again to share some more memories. I enjoy looking through old guide maps, I wish I had one for each park for all 5 years I went.

MK '91, '95 (I think), and '97. (CAAAAKKKKEEEEEE )

Disney: Before & After

Taken on my last WDW trip in '97, age 16...

BEFORE
Waiting at the airport for the flight to Orlando, happy and full of energy...

AFTER
8 days later, waiting for the flight home, even happier and completely devoid of energy...

I don't remember the flight home on any of the 5 trips I took with my family. (Including the one where my brother was throwing up the whole flight 2 seats away)

Pure post-Disney exhaustion.

Extinct Castle View

Skyway was definitely my favorite way to see the castle. Taken in '95.

First Ride: Splash Mountain

Oh boy, here's an embarrassing one...

This was my first ride on Splash Mountain in '93, age 12... I zoomed in on my head for your laughing convenience.

Speaking of firsts, we plan to ride Splash Mountain as our first ride on this trip. It's a carryover of what my family did our last 3 trips. Not a strong tradition or anything, it just feels right to me.

Go to 10 days - GLOWY; Hotel Beds; Shopping for the Tall Man; More Maps - 8/26

 

[Nicole786]

Awesome vintage pictures! I love the guidemaps!

 

[mvazul]

Those guidemaps are pretty cool! That castle cake is absolutely hideous. What in the world were they thinking when they did that??? Thankfully, I never did see that in person. Blech!!

You cats are adorable. I'm sure they will do just fine while you are gone.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love the Splash Mountain picture! I was there the year the castle was turned into that horrendous cake.

 

[prncssmel]

I found your pre-trippie from Abby's when I saw you were from Utah. Me, too.

Congrats on the weight loss! That is fantastic.

Your cats are gorgeous. I am trying to imagine 18 pounds though. He looks small, but that is like 5 of my dog!

So, at this point, I am a little envious of the Vegas wedding people. I never realized there was so much involved in planning a wedding. It will be wonderful, but I have had a few daydreams about just running away.

 

[pierresgirl]

I love the old pics! I could sit and look at anyones pics all day, just love it! Keep it coming!

 

[TheLastPrincess]

Wow!! I love the maps!! That totally brings back memories. I thought the Rescue Rangers were the awesomest thing ever. I had a crush on Chip back then...haha

I remember the birthday cake, unfortunately. Ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lease]

Your cats are gorgeous. I am trying to imagine 18 pounds though. He looks small, but that is like 5 of my dog!

First of all to our pre-trippie. Leo looks like a normal cat when Code holds him the way Willow looks normal when I hold him. Of course I pick up Leo and he reaches from my shoulder to almost my hip. It's like we have his and her cats.

 

[abbybeth]

It's like we have his and her cats.

This comment made me laugh out loud (got a dirty look from my cat - must have disturbed her ... ) that's great

 

[TKDisneylover]

Hello Lease & Code,

I migrated over from another pre-tr and just love yours too. I must be subscribed to 10 reports now, how will I ever keep up??!!

Anyway, it sounds like you've got a great trip planned, I love your itinerary. Mine is in the 4th revision stage, and I still have not gotten my ADR's yet!!

I'm also enjoying your photos & videos, very cool! DH & I visited WDW for the very first time when the castle was pink. To see it at the time wasn't so bad, but looking at your photo's made me realize how awful it really did look. Oy!

Looking forward to reading more! Thanks so much for sharing.

PS: DH & I eloped, we had been together 6 years (since high school) and decided to get married at the Courthouse before we left for a weekend camping trip. It was definitely more economical, unfortunately we could not afford take our honeymoon until our 8th wedding anniversary & chose Jamaica. This year we celebrated our 20th, and plan to wear the anniversary pins. I can't wait!!!

 

[kindakrazy2]

I think I am caught up now!

Score on the new clothes for both of you! And Code - get the new lens!

Another Disneymoon! I had mine there 13 years ago. Yikes! Was it really that long ago?

Your cats are beautiful and they will do just fine without you. Just think how happy they will be to see you when you get back!

Keep it coming you two!

 

[Disneydad99]

Hello I am Subbing ...Great report so far...I am looking fwd to the TR with all the Pics you are going to take!!!!