I'm thankful for...MICKEY!!! My Thanksgiving '08 TR!: TR Update, Last Day!

[Sarilas]

DH and I in front of the Parthenon

All the "kids" in front of the Parthenon

It was amazing to see the Parthenon up close. It has been destroyed twice in its history. They are missing many of the original pieces. In order to rebuild it, they mine marble from the same exact mines which were used for the original construction. It is easy to tell which parts are old (they're darker) and which parts are new (much whiter).

If you ever have reason to be in Nashville you must check out our full size replica of the Parthenon! It's pretty incredible to walk through and imagine what the real thing must've been like.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Those pictures are GORGEOUS! Wow. And you look so pretty in that picture! I'm glad you guys had a great time in Greece, it looks like such an amazing place.

Thanks and thanks!

It was amazing. Thanks for reading along and reliving it with me!

Wow! What an amazing trip - I'm sad your mini-TR has come to an end. Your pictures are amazing - it's like looking at a book or a postcard, except you are in the pictures! I've never been anywhere out of the US except for southeastern Canada and Jamaica (does that even count?). DH went to Europe in high school and regrets not taking it more seriously - it was more about having a good time with friends than enjoying Europe. I would love to take a long trip to Europe some day... It's great that you guys are traveling so much before having kids. But I suspect you'll continue to travel, even with little ones in tow!

Of course Jamaica and Canada count!

I went to France twice when I was in high school and I absolutely know what your husband means. I was way more into hanging with my friends for 2 weeks without our parents than appreciating the beauty of a foreign country and culture.

I sure do hope we continue to travel once we have kids! We'll definitely be traveling within the US because our kids will have grandparents in Illinois, Washington state, and California and great grandparents in South Carolina and Arizona. Europe and the like will most likely not be possible cuz kids cost so much money!!!

If you ever have reason to be in Nashville you must check out our full size replica of the Parthenon! It's pretty incredible to walk through and imagine what the real thing must've been like.

I have been in Nashville, but I did not know about the Parthenon!

I guess I was too focused on finding country music superstars when I was there.

I'll have to check it out next time!

 

[Nicole786]

Everytime i see the trailer for Mama Mia, i think of you!! One day I will get to go to greece, but thanks so much for letting me "tag along" on this trip!

 

[JaxJags08]

I loved your mini-TR! Is it kinda crazy that I was sad that it's over? I mean, I wasn't really on the trip but I just liked looking at your pictures.

No Mama Mia for me, though I have ABBA playing constantly on my iPod. Let us know how it is. I will be watching the new batman movie!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Everytime i see the trailer for Mama Mia, i think of you!! One day I will get to go to greece, but thanks so much for letting me "tag along" on this trip!

Thanks for reliving the trip with me!

So funny that you think of me when you see Mamma Mia! My friend just got back from Greece and he spent 4 days on the island where Mamma Mia was filmed. Skiakos, I think. He said it was awesome there. Next time...

I loved your mini-TR! Is it kinda crazy that I was sad that it's over? I mean, I wasn't really on the trip but I just liked looking at your pictures.

No Mama Mia for me, though I have ABBA playing constantly on my iPod. Let us know how it is. I will be watching the new batman movie!

I don't think it's crazy at all that you are sad that my mini TR is over. I get like that any time a TR ends!

Thanks for letting me relive it with you!

Let me know how Batman is. I want to see it, but not this weekend. I think it's gonna be crazy busy this weekend!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Such beautiful pictures of Greece! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Next trip: WDW? Or do you have something scheduled before that?

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Such beautiful pictures of Greece! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Next trip: WDW? Or do you have something scheduled before that?

Thanks for reading! It was so much fun to share the trip with everyone here.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Now that Greece is just a memory , I have some more trips on the horizon before the big one in November!

The weekend after next, I will go to my parents' house in Chicago. One of my dearest friends (who happens to be married to my cousin!) had a baby boy July 7, and I have to see that little man! Also, a different cousin (who happens to be one of my dearest friends) just got engaged, so I'm going to go wedding dress shopping with her. I did some research and made some appointments at bridal shops for her for the Friday I will be home. I have a whole schedule made up for her. I'm not just commando about Disney! In addition to all of that, my brother and SIL will be in town from Wisconsin, so I'm sure we'll all have a Disney planning meeting.

Then after that, DH and I will go to San Diego for my 29th birthday!!! We're going to hit the San Diego Zoo one day and do a spa day/beach day the next day and a beach day the last day. I can not wait for that!

My bestest friend and her husband will be out here for 3 weeks in September (he's a traveling doctor). One of the weekends they're here, we're going to try to go to her DH's parents' beach house in Mexico.

Hopefully, all of that will help pass the time until WALT DISNEY WORLD in November!!!!

 

[luvfigment]

What a wonderful way to end your time in Greece! It looks like it was a great trip and thank you for sharing it all with us.

Looks like you have a very busy next few months. Have fun and don't forget to keep us up to date on your plans.

BTW not to get off topic but DH agreed to go to Disney in Oct when he is home visiting!!! We will be there Oct 8-14th. Almost the same exact dates as our Disneymoon last year, just 1 day shorter and we are staying at WL. I have now started obsessive Disney planning and already have our ADR's booked. But they may be adjusted as I study things more I just wanted to make sure we could get in to the places we wanted most. Ok enough hijacking of your pre-trippie....thanks again for sharing Greece with us! Talk to you soon!

Oh 1 more question...what are the ages of the kids you do PT on?

 

[jordanyosh]

It looks like you had a great time in Greece.

Isn't great to have family that are not only that, family, but also your best friends. I have 2-3 cousins that I'm really close to. Wendy is like my younger sister.......

Chicago..... Although it'll be warm and muggy for sure.

 

[Native NYer]

Beautiful pictures of Greece. I would never want to come home!

You'll be quite busy before Disney. It'll help the time pass

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

What a wonderful way to end your time in Greece! It looks like it was a great trip and thank you for sharing it all with us.

Looks like you have a very busy next few months. Have fun and don't forget to keep us up to date on your plans.

BTW not to get off topic but DH agreed to go to Disney in Oct when he is home visiting!!! We will be there Oct 8-14th. Almost the same exact dates as our Disneymoon last year, just 1 day shorter and we are staying at WL. I have now started obsessive Disney planning and already have our ADR's booked. But they may be adjusted as I study things more I just wanted to make sure we could get in to the places we wanted most. Ok enough hijacking of your pre-trippie....thanks again for sharing Greece with us! Talk to you soon!

Oh 1 more question...what are the ages of the kids you do PT on?

I will definitely keep you all up to date on my plans!

Yay for your Disney trip!!! It's great that it's almost the same dates as your Disneymoon! Where's your pre-trip?

I work with kids from birth to 18 years old. However, right now my youngest is one year old and my oldest is 13 years old.

It looks like you had a great time in Greece.

Isn't great to have family that are not only that, family, but also your best friends. I have 2-3 cousins that I'm really close to. Wendy is like my younger sister.......

Chicago..... Although it'll be warm and muggy for sure.

Greece was the best.

The family thing is why DH and I will move back to the midwest. I grew up very near most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins, which made for a great childhood. And I want my kids to have that same chance.

I can handle warm and muggy. It's been HOT and muggy here lately. Monsoon season...

 

[MeMom]

Such beautiful pictures of Greece! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Next trip: WDW? Or do you have something scheduled before that?

You know this girl can't sit still! No telling how many mini-trips she'll take between now and November!


Swans - Next time you come to Nashville, just round up all those country music stars you find and hike over to Centennial Park to see our Parthenon, too. We've done some school trips there. That huge (42 ft. high) Athena is something the kids always are in awe of!

Now, keep in mind that when you walk outside, the view won't be quite what you had in Greece.

And if you do come this way, we'll also call in all the Mid-Tn and nearby Disers for a big old-fashioned country potluck supper, too. That would be fun! Everybody can bring their favorite dish (lots of it), and we can just park ourselves in the lounge chairs and talk the day away!

 

[Sarilas]

I second that, MeMom!

 

[JaxJags08]

I don't think it's crazy at all that you are sad that my mini TR is over. I get like that any time a TR ends!

Thanks for letting me relive it with you!

Let me know how Batman is. I want to see it, but not this weekend. I think it's gonna be crazy busy this weekend!

Batman was really good! Heath Ledger was amazing in it! It was pretty sad when he was on the screen for the first few minutes, but I was able to get past that. Christian Bale is my favorite actor and he did not disappoint. There were aspects of the movie that I thought could be better, but overall I definitely recommend it!

Let me know about Mama Mia!

 

[Charleston Princess]

You certainly will be busy up until WDW with all of your traveling!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

You know this girl can't sit still! No telling how many mini-trips she'll take between now and November!


Swans - Next time you come to Nashville, just round up all those country music stars you find and hike over to Centennial Park to see our Parthenon, too. We've done some school trips there. That huge (42 ft. high) Athena is something the kids always are in awe of!

Now, keep in mind that when you walk outside, the view won't be quite what you had in Greece.

And if you do come this way, we'll also call in all the Mid-Tn and nearby Disers for a big old-fashioned country potluck supper, too. That would be fun! Everybody can bring their favorite dish (lots of it), and we can just park ourselves in the lounge chairs and talk the day away!

That sounds like a fabulous idea, MeMom! I would LOVE that!

A big, southern, good food, good friends party sounds like

I second that, MeMom!

I wish!

Batman was really good! Heath Ledger was amazing in it! It was pretty sad when he was on the screen for the first few minutes, but I was able to get past that. Christian Bale is my favorite actor and he did not disappoint. There were aspects of the movie that I thought could be better, but overall I definitely recommend it!

Let me know about Mama Mia!

Maybe we'll go see Batman next weekend.

I'm going to see Mamma Mia tomorrow, so I'll give the review then!

You certainly will be busy up until WDW with all of your traveling!

The perfect way to pass the time!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Guess who's going to be a lot closer to Disney World a lot sooner than she thought?

If you guessed it's me, you're right!

DH and I have been talking a lot lately about our timeline for moving back to the midwest. Originally, our plan was to move back in November of 2009.

However, after many hours of talking, we have agreed to move back earlier. Spring of '09, baby!!!

This all depends on DH getting the right job offer with a company that will relocate us on their dime. So, if you're the praying kind, please say a few for DH and me!

Phoenix has been awesome and I think it was a perfect way to start our marriage. It was just the two of us, starting a new life together. We have had many great experiences and made many true friends out here. But now that we're almost ready to start a family, it's time to move back.

I am SO excited! I miss my family and lifelong friends SOOO much. I miss spring and I miss fall. I miss snow (sometimes) and I miss downtown Chicago. I miss Chicago accents and cultural diversity. I miss it all!!! But not for long!

And you know what? Flights are MUCH cheaper from Chicago to Orlando. And much shorter also. I see much more in our future!

 

[MeMom]

Guess who's going to be a lot closer to Disney World a lot sooner than she thought?

If you guessed it's me, you're right!

DH and I have been talking a lot lately about our timeline for moving back to the midwest. Originally, our plan was to move back in November of 2009.

However, after many hours of talking, we have agreed to move back earlier. Spring of '09, baby!!!

This all depends on DH getting the right job offer with a company that will relocate us on their dime. So, if you're the praying kind, please say a few for DH and me!

Phoenix has been awesome and I think it was a perfect way to start our marriage. It was just the two of us, starting a new life together. We have had many great experiences and made many true friends out here. But now that we're almost ready to start a family, it's time to move back.

I am SO excited! I miss my family and lifelong friends SOOO much. I miss spring and I miss fall. I miss snow (sometimes) and I miss downtown Chicago. I miss Chicago accents and cultural diversity. I miss it all!!! But not for long!

And you know what? Flights are MUCH cheaper from Chicago to Orlando. And much shorter also. I see much more in our future!

Congratulations, and best wishes for all of this to play out just as you want it to!

I am the praying kind, so I will certainly pray for God to open all the right doors for you as you make the steps toward your move. Family is so important, and friends are, too. I know you'll keep the tried and true friendships you've made in Arizona, as well as having your family and lifelong friends to surround you and help you as you raise your children.

I know what you mean about the seasons. When I lived in Florida, we didn't have much in the way of a spring, winter, or fall. Here in Tennessee, we have four distinct seasons, and I do enjoy that. We have just a touch of snow, but not enough to hate it from having to dig out from it all the time like so many northerners do.

It must feel exciting and maybe a little scary to think about moving, but I hope in the end you will decide it was the best thing for all of you. I'm sure your family will be glad to have you closer. Jill and Brooklynn are about two hours away from me. I'd love it if they were even closer than that, but that's where John has his good job, so it is what it is. I would love to see Brooklynn more often, of course. Every time I'm down there, Jill points out houses that are for sale, but I have my job here that seems a good fit for me right now, so I guess we'll just keep things as they are for now. I'm hoping Trent and Kristi will live a little closer when they get married. Drew will be my world traveler. I see him going many places. He knows people from all over the U.S. He has a friend who is actually going to the Olympics in some kind of bike racing, and he's been riding with him and getting the fever to travel. He is thinking of joining the National Guard, too. Who knows with him. He's not much on sitting down for long. His kids will be the ones I'll get a lot of postcards from!

Cheaper flights to Disney World? That seals the deal, right there!

Keep us posted on your plans, and we'll follow you along the way!

 

[pierresgirl]

Wow, that's big news! What made you guys choose Phoenix anyways? I've only been to Chicago once when I was a teen but liked it. What does your dh do for work, can he be transfered within his company or does he need to find somewhere new? Will you work through an agency or an office? I think it's great that you do home visits for kids now. Bella's best friend has a 4 year old sister with Down's and they have someone come and do therapy with her. She has a huge crush on Cooper and he adores her. Congrats!