January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Snowbird TR's!

PAMOUSELOVER
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2057834

BellaSoleil
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2054317

Jenjolt
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2067347


Sarbah77
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=29780016#post29780016

Dancegrl624
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=29180755#post29180755

Momof2disneyboys (Dining Report)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2079590

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

DH and I have started attending a new church. This was our second visit there. So far we really like it. Everyone is super friendly. This older couple invited us over for brunch today - it was so nice. Our DS really likes this church, too. He just turned 6 and is relly starting to ask a lot of questions. Both times after church he's asked when we are going back, so I guess that's a good thing. They have a TERRIFIC kids program.

That's so great! It is important to find a Church that is a good fit for the parents and the children! I hope things continue to go well there for you and that you have found your new Church home.

 

[Monny2AE]

Thanks for posting the list of TR's! It will take me quite a while but I WILL catch up on everyone's reports!

 

[pamouselover]

Hi Snowfriends!
Just wanted to say KATE YOUR COFFEE HELPING MATT WIN?

 

[MAGGIED]

Good morning Snowbirds... another busy day here.... get to go out in the additional 8 inches of snow we got overnight... have I ever mentioned I HATE SNOW!!!! Atleast at this time of year.... enough is enough already.... so today I updated my PTR... I am including the Disney trivia emails I am sending to my traveling companions... its been tons of fun... since one of our travelers is a first timer I thought it would fun to get her really confused with an overload of information.... just kidding....

hope you all have a great day!!!

 

[coffeehousemom]

Hi Snowfriends!
Just wanted to say KATE YOUR COFFEE HELPING MATT WIN?

Hmm it might be I did get him stocked up when we saw them last at Christmas. Chuck has been super busy compiling all Matt's interviews etc & getting them burned onto a disc for Matt & his family. We are going to go see them real soon I think in a couple of weeks i'd better try to remember what coffee he ordered last time & get some more LOL.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi Everyone,

Well, speaking of planning for next trips, we bought a new van yesterday! Believe it - our trip in January made us realize we need a better, roomier, more "luxurious" minivan for the family, so we bought a used (2005) Grand Caravan SXT with a 6 disc DVD changer, stow N go seats, 3 zone AC, sunroof, leather, etc. etc. It's awesome. Since we know the kids enjoy driving vacations, we feel we'll use it a lot. Plus we got a phenomenal price on it. Got it with a warranty that will take us over 100,000 miles, so we feel really good about it.

Have a great day.

Congrats!!! We paid off our suburban in Dec & it's such a great feeling! But, it'll be 3 years in july and I am thinking....do I need another one!Of course not! But, I like to dream! Ha!!

Happy Sunday, Snowbirds. I've missed all of you and finally took a few moments to catch up on what's been happening. Like Soleil said, we aren't planning on another trip to Disney for a few years - probably 2011. But, I do enjoy reading about everyone else's planned trips.

DH and I have started attending a new church. This was our second visit there. So far we really like it. Everyone is super friendly. This older couple invited us over for brunch today - it was so nice. Our DS really likes this church, too. He just turned 6 and is relly starting to ask a lot of questions. Both times after church he's asked when we are going back, so I guess that's a good thing. They have a TERRIFIC kids program.

Well, I just wanted to touch base with all of you. "Talk" to you again soon! I can't wait to catch up on everyone's TR. Is there a list somewhere?

There is nothing like finding the church that fits your family is there? I know the feeling!!! We love our church-home and we have a good childrens program also--I work with 4th-6th graders on Wed. nights. I hope you settle in quickly and find where the Lord wants you to work/minister! Keep us posted!!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hi Everyone,

Well, speaking of planning for next trips, we bought a new van yesterday! Believe it - our trip in January made us realize we need a better, roomier, more "luxurious" minivan for the family, so we bought a used (2005) Grand Caravan SXT with a 6 disc DVD changer, stow N go seats, 3 zone AC, sunroof, leather, etc. etc. It's awesome. Since we know the kids enjoy driving vacations, we feel we'll use it a lot. Plus we got a phenomenal price on it. Got it with a warranty that will take us over 100,000 miles, so we feel really good about it.

Have a great day.

Congrats on the new van! we have taken many road trips with our vans over the last 6 years. Ours that we have now is leased, and the lease is up in June. We've decided to turn it in and stick with our station wagon (which is a Passat and I love!) and the truck. We'll see how long that lasts - try to save up some $$ - as my DH is a CAR FREAK! He is ALWAYS looking at vehicles. I can't begin to tell you how many vehicles we've had in our almost 12 years of marriage. I literally could not count them!
So if anyone wants a three year old Chevy Uplander, come on to MN in June and it will be really cheap!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Shelly - You ROCK! Thanks for posting all the trip reports! Looks like I have lots of reading to do! YEAH!!!

So DH and I are driving to work today and we pass a car. Don't know what kind - now I wish I would've paid more attention, but at 7:00 a.m. my eyes are barely open! Anyway, back to the car....it's tail-lights contained a hidden Mickey!!! It was sideways, but there! TOO COOL!

It's the little things that make me think of Disney!!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

That's so great! It is important to find a Church that is a good fit for the parents and the children! I hope things continue to go well there for you and that you have found your new Church home.

There is nothing like finding the church that fits your family is there? I know the feeling!!! We love our church-home and we have a good childrens program also--I work with 4th-6th graders on Wed. nights. I hope you settle in quickly and find where the Lord wants you to work/minister! Keep us posted!!!!

Thanks. So far, so good. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Pluto_fan]

So DH and I are driving to work today and we pass a car. Don't know what kind - now I wish I would've paid more attention, but at 7:00 a.m. my eyes are barely open! Anyway, back to the car....it's tail-lights contained a hidden Mickey!!! It was sideways, but there! TOO COOL!

It's the little things that make me think of Disney!!

I know what you mean...I've been seeing Hidden Mickeys (mostly my imagination) all over the place!
I did see a real one the other day--not really "hidden", but I had never noticed it before. We were watching "Miracle", the Disney live-action movie about the 1980 Olympic hockey team. If you haven't seen it, it's a GREAT movie! Anyway, near the beginning, when players are getting dressed for the team tryouts, Mike Eruzione is wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt! I was so excited when I noticed it!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Thanks, Shelly, for posting the trip reports again. I'm trying to catch up on them when I have a chance.

I'm still jealous of all of you who are planning your next WDW trip, but the big news here is...we are moving to Belgium this summer! We're really excited about it. And, Disney-related, we'll only be about 2 hours from Paris! We've visited Disneyland Paris once, in 2001. That was before the Studios were open. It was lovely, and I'm looking forward to going back! Of course there are thousands of other places in Europe we also want to visit, but it will be nice to know we're not too far from a place that feels like "home away from home".

 

[sharadoc]

Congrats on the new van! we have taken many road trips with our vans over the last 6 years. Ours that we have now is leased, and the lease is up in June. We've decided to turn it in and stick with our station wagon (which is a Passat and I love!) and the truck. We'll see how long that lasts - try to save up some $$ - as my DH is a CAR FREAK! He is ALWAYS looking at vehicles. I can't begin to tell you how many vehicles we've had in our almost 12 years of marriage. I literally could not count them!
So if anyone wants a three year old Chevy Uplander, come on to MN in June and it will be really cheap!

Thanks for all the good wishes! We're really getting excited about our upcoming Disney trip, now that we have the new vehicle.

We looked at an Uplander - there are some fantastic deals out there, but the Stow N Go seats are what we loved about the Grand Caravan. The storage is unbelievable!

We avoided buying something for a long time. We took our January trip in our 1999 Caravan and did just fine, although we had NO room for our stuff. We looked like a cartoon, stuffing bags into the windows, on the roof, wherever they fit! Both kids had to sit with a big bag, or a cooler, blankets, pillows. Now, we'll be able to put all the bags in the back, and only have the entertainment stuff in the seating areas.

Honestly, Disney trips are what made us buy the van. Our plan is twice a year, 7 days in parks each time. The drive was easy last time, and should only get easier, although what will August travel be like? We hope to travel Saturday-Sunday on the way down, and Monday-Tuesday on the way home. Normally we would want to avoid workdays, but we think weekend beach traffic will be bad all up and down the 95 corridor through northern Florida.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Shelly - You ROCK! Thanks for posting all the trip reports! Looks like I have lots of reading to do! YEAH!!!

So DH and I are driving to work today and we pass a car. Don't know what kind - now I wish I would've paid more attention, but at 7:00 a.m. my eyes are barely open! Anyway, back to the car....it's tail-lights contained a hidden Mickey!!! It was sideways, but there! TOO COOL!

It's the little things that make me think of Disney!!

I know what you mean...I've been seeing Hidden Mickeys (mostly my imagination) all over the place!
I did see a real one the other day--not really "hidden", but I had never noticed it before. We were watching "Miracle", the Disney live-action movie about the 1980 Olympic hockey team. If you haven't seen it, it's a GREAT movie! Anyway, near the beginning, when players are getting dressed for the team tryouts, Mike Eruzione is wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt! I was so excited when I noticed it!

I love that movie!!! Of course, half the team and Herb Brooks were from MN and I love hockey!!!
My kids are finding Mickeys all over the place too - even if it is a little "iffy" - they see them everywhere! It's so fun!

Thanks, Shelly, for posting the trip reports again. I'm trying to catch up on them when I have a chance.

I'm still jealous of all of you who are planning your next WDW trip, but the big news here is...we are moving to Belgium this summer! We're really excited about it. And, Disney-related, we'll only be about 2 hours from Paris! We've visited Disneyland Paris once, in 2001. That was before the Studios were open. It was lovely, and I'm looking forward to going back! Of course there are thousands of other places in Europe we also want to visit, but it will be nice to know we're not too far from a place that feels like "home away from home".

WOW!! How cool! Is it through a job? When I was a kid one of my friends moved to Brussels for her dad's job. They spent about 6 years there, came back and we went to school together again! Now we're still close friends, been in each others' weddings etc. I hope you will have a great experience!

Thanks for all the good wishes! We're really getting excited about our upcoming Disney trip, now that we have the new vehicle.

We looked at an Uplander - there are some fantastic deals out there, but the Stow N Go seats are what we loved about the Grand Caravan. The storage is unbelievable!

Yup, I wish I had the Stow N Go!!! The uplander's seats just don't do it for me which is one reason why I'm all to happy to return it! If we get another, we may go Dodge. It is very reasonably priced compared to Honda and Toyota too! Enjoy!

 

[MAGGIED]

Thanks, Shelly, for posting the trip reports again. I'm trying to catch up on them when I have a chance.

I'm still jealous of all of you who are planning your next WDW trip, but the big news here is...we are moving to Belgium this summer! We're really excited about it. And, Disney-related, we'll only be about 2 hours from Paris! We've visited Disneyland Paris once, in 2001. That was before the Studios were open. It was lovely, and I'm looking forward to going back! Of course there are thousands of other places in Europe we also want to visit, but it will be nice to know we're not too far from a place that feels like "home away from home".

WOW... that is so exciting.... You'll have to go back to Disneyland Paris... its beautiful.... we were there about 15 years ago... I am sure it has changed alot but it was lovely!!! I think it was just the Magic Kingdom when we were there.... what is taking you across the ocean??????

 

[Dancegrl624]

Thanks, Shelly, for posting the trip reports again. I'm trying to catch up on them when I have a chance.

I'm still jealous of all of you who are planning your next WDW trip, but the big news here is...we are moving to Belgium this summer! We're really excited about it. And, Disney-related, we'll only be about 2 hours from Paris! We've visited Disneyland Paris once, in 2001. That was before the Studios were open. It was lovely, and I'm looking forward to going back! Of course there are thousands of other places in Europe we also want to visit, but it will be nice to know we're not too far from a place that feels like "home away from home".

Wow! How exciting!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Yep, we are excited about the move!
DH is military (US). He's going to be working at the NATO headquarters. I'm sure it will be interesting and different to work with military folks from other countries. In his office he will be working closely with a German and a Brit. It will be a three-year assignment (unless something unexpected happens, which is always possible!), and then we'll return to the US.

OK, I have a minivan question. We have a Toyota Sienna, which we've been happy with. It's a 2000, before they had the fold-away rear seats. I think the fold-away seat would be really handy...but now that we have 3 kids, there is always someone in the back seat. So does anyone make a split-rear-fold-away, where someone could sit on one side and we could fold the other half away? I think when they first came out it was a single bench, so it was all or nothing, but we haven't looked in a while. We're thinking it might be about time, though, as things are starting to go on our old one. Thanks!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

HI ALL!!
Question for you Medical people! And crazyred!! I think I need to see a Chiropractor. What should I ask about? How do you find a good one? I have reason to believe I need an adjustment, and have heard some real horror stories! As with all things, people love to scare you to death!! Anything I should know, or say/not say?

 

[pamouselover]

Shelly - You ROCK! Thanks for posting all the trip reports! Looks like I have lots of reading to do! YEAH!!!

So DH and I are driving to work today and we pass a car. Don't know what kind - now I wish I would've paid more attention, but at 7:00 a.m. my eyes are barely open! Anyway, back to the car....it's tail-lights contained a hidden Mickey!!! It was sideways, but there! TOO COOL!

It's the little things that make me think of Disney!!

I bought fish lasy week I meant to telyou all about called Mickey Mouse fish.
I had heard about them,but never seen them. DS noticed it right away Dh I had to tell. He then had to goggle them because he thought I sharpie the fish.
KATE You better!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I bought fish lasy week I meant to telyou all about called Mickey Mouse fish.
I had heard about them,but never seen them. DS noticed it right away Dh I had to tell. He then had to goggle them because he thought I sharpie the fish.
KATE You better!

We bought those with a gift card Santa gave us last year for our new fish tank...unfortunately they went to the great big Disney in the sky pretty quickly. We're evidently not fish people. The tank is now apart and downstairs waiting for the next yard sale.

Yep, we are excited about the move!
DH is military (US). He's going to be working at the NATO headquarters. I'm sure it will be interesting and different to work with military folks from other countries. In his office he will be working closely with a German and a Brit. It will be a three-year assignment (unless something unexpected happens, which is always possible!), and then we'll return to the US.

OK, I have a minivan question. We have a Toyota Sienna, which we've been happy with. It's a 2000, before they had the fold-away rear seats. I think the fold-away seat would be really handy...but now that we have 3 kids, there is always someone in the back seat. So does anyone make a split-rear-fold-away, where someone could sit on one side and we could fold the other half away? I think when they first came out it was a single bench, so it was all or nothing, but we haven't looked in a while. We're thinking it might be about time, though, as things are starting to go on our old one. Thanks!

I know the Mazda 5 is a smaller minivan that only seats 6 but it has four captains chairs instead of a bench and they fold away. Very cool.

Not a minivan, but I just saw a commercial for the Toyota Venza stationwagon looking thingy...TOO COOL!!!