January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Dancegrl624]

Hello everyone, it's Rick (Kazooie01's hubby). Joni just started her second round of Chemo today and has treatments through Saturday. She is doing very well, and last week even went into work (All week long, I think she was bored at home). It's seems that the first and second weeks are the toughest on her of course. She says "Hi" and wanted to let you all know she has been trying to keep up with the thread and how everyone was doing.

We'll be back on soon (Hopefully, back soon just to talk about Disney Planning!!!), take care everyone.

Thank you for posting again. We always miss her when she's not around. Give her a big hug from all her Snowbird buddies!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hello everyone, it's Rick (Kazooie01's hubby). Joni just started her second round of Chemo today and has treatments through Saturday. She is doing very well, and last week even went into work (All week long, I think she was bored at home). It's seems that the first and second weeks are the toughest on her of course. She says "Hi" and wanted to let you all know she has been trying to keep up with the thread and how everyone was doing.

We'll be back on soon (Hopefully, back soon just to talk about Disney Planning!!!), take care everyone.

Thanks for checking in! You tell Joni that her Snowbird cheerleaders are rooting for her! Go Joni Go! Stay Strong Girl! We know that your wonderful husband will be taking excellent care of you!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Rick~Thanks for the Joni-Update!!!Tell her we are praying for her and just hang in there!!!! She has a wonderful hubby and a great Disney Anniversary trip to look forward too!!! Ya'll need to check on that other thread with all the countdown chains and stuff. It's on the Dissign(?) board. She may really like doing that--tearing a link of the chain every day might be fun for her!!!

Meghan~ I took Kipper and Gracie on their first Disney trips at 17 & 18 months old. Diapers aren't that big of a deal and you can do the baby swap. Just skip Hawaii--you know you would rather hang out with us Ha!!!! You are gonna really enjoy that.

Becca~ Hope they get ya'll all straightened out before long--you have a lot going on right now!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Soleil- I really hope all your house troubles are over soon so your spirits will be back up to match your name!

Shelly- good luck to you selling your house too!!!

Becca- I hope YOUR graduation trip is all YOU want it to be. Traveling with family can be tricky. Our last 2 trips to WDW were part of a grand gathering with my sister and my parents. We went into it with the agreement that we could all go our separate ways but you still feel guilty if you aren't together. Don't tell my family but I'm looking forward to this Jan when it will just be me, dh, and the kids.

Hey ladies, just checking in!

I am kind of freaking out. I just took a new job two weeks ago and they have sent us to our state's capital for training for the whole week! Andy's at home with the boys and I'm in a strange hotel room all alone. Sounds great in theory (I AM almost done reading Angels and Demons and now that I figured out the wi-fi am spending some uninterrupted Dis-ing time). It's just weird!! The hotel is very nice, I just don't sleep well away from home!! Guess I better take a benedryl so I can sleep!!

Shelly-I didn't know you were selling/buying! Congrats! I hope everything goes smoothly for your family and the Shopaholic family!! Buying a new home is so exciting and stressful! I tell all my clients it will be "all-consuming." Kind of like planning a Disney trip!

Hope you got some zzzzz's! I hate sleeping alone too. I love the time alone but not at night.

GUESS WHAT?????

My dear sweet wonderful husband gave me "Official" permission to plan for a January 2010 trip!



I am still hesitant to make a ticker just yet or add my name to the list but ......

I'm Going to Disney!!!!

Our dates will likely be January 23-30 but we will have to wait and see what airfare out of MSP will look like - right now it's sitting at about $120 CD pp one way! Not bad but I know I can get better!

YAY!!!!!! We're definitely going to have a big ole Snowbird meet! Perhaps those of you with trips planned in the beginning of Jan should change it to the end so we can ALL get together!!!

Hello everyone, it's Rick (Kazooie01's hubby). Joni just started her second round of Chemo today and has treatments through Saturday. She is doing very well, and last week even went into work (All week long, I think she was bored at home). It's seems that the first and second weeks are the toughest on her of course. She says "Hi" and wanted to let you all know she has been trying to keep up with the thread and how everyone was doing.

We'll be back on soon (Hopefully, back soon just to talk about Disney Planning!!!), take care everyone.

Thanks for keeping us updated! I love that you have Livestrong in your siggie...keep living strong Joni!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Meghan~ I took Kipper and Gracie on their first Disney trips at 17 & 18 months old. Diapers aren't that big of a deal and you can do the baby swap. Just skip Hawaii--you know you would rather hang out with us Ha!!!! You are gonna really enjoy that.

My mom keeps telling me that the young ones are easy to do Disney with. However, my first trip was when I was 2 yrs old and my little sister didn't go until she was 2 either. So, I have no idea what she's talking about! I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I would enjoy Disney for our 10 year anniversary, but I really want to go to Hawaii, go on a cruise, etc. We went to Toronto on our honeymoon, so I'd like to go somewhere exotic (and warm) for our anniversary. Plus, my DH doesn't want to go to Disney without Madison.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Jenny, enjoy that time alone--but be careful!!! I think I too would spend my time reading!!!

Just finished Angels and Demons! Great book! Thinking about finding a book store for a good John Grisham.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I have a funny little story to tell:
Tonight I went to Target (not unlike many other days) and it was cool, so I put on my OLD Disney World sweatshirt. I think I got it around 2000! There's no fuzzy left on the inside.
I go up to the cashier, really friendly young man, who I have seen before. (Did I mention I go there often?) He asks, when did you go to WDW? Me: well almost every year, but this is really old. We were just there in January though. Him: How can you afford to go that often? [I could be a millionaire for all he knows] Me: I shop at Target! He laughed! We started joking that I could be in an ad for both Disney and Target and that they should pair up!
Who do we know in advertising that could set that combo up?? My two favorite places!
I hope you're all having a good evening - this is our first Tuesday with no gymnastics (finally done for the year)! It was so nice. I got a nice long walk in with the dog, DH cut the grass, and my aforementioned trip to Target. Too bad I forgot about laundry OOPS.
Rick/Joni - you guys rock! I'm sending all good positive vibes and prayers your way!
Meghan - go enjoy Hawaii! We went on our honeymoon, so this next trip we will take the kids. Our goal is to take them to all 50 states before they are adults. It counts if you travel through and just stop in a state. Feet on the ground is the rule!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

My mom keeps telling me that the young ones are easy to do Disney with. However, my first trip was when I was 2 yrs old and my little sister didn't go until she was 2 either. So, I have no idea what she's talking about! I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I would enjoy Disney for our 10 year anniversary, but I really want to go to Hawaii, go on a cruise, etc. We went to Toronto on our honeymoon, so I'd like to go somewhere exotic (and warm) for our anniversary. Plus, my DH doesn't want to go to Disney without Madison.

SO true! Our kids were 11 mos and almost 3 when we took them. Other than having to have two strollers, it was pretty easy. The little one napped in the stroller and otherwise was fairly kept buckled up, so she wasn't going anywhere! The older was mostly toilet trained, but we used pullups in case. It really was easy - they couldn't express any opinions about what we were doing!
I totally get it about going somewhere warm and exotic! It is so much more relaxing and romantic! Plus, it's always a nice change from the cold climate. When is your anniversary?
My DH would never go to WDW without our kids either. I, on the other hand, would at least consider it!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Just finished Angels and Demons! Great book! Thinking about finding a book store for a good John Grisham.

That was a good book. My DH and I finished reading it a few days before the movie came out. We saw it while the DS's were in school. I have a bunch of book that I need to read. I have almost all of Karen Marie Monining's books to read, and then my sister gave me 3. Now I just have to stay away from the DIS long enough to read.

 

[snykymom]

We want to go to Hawaii in 2012 for our 10 year anniversary, so we will need to start saving for that sometime after this trip. I don't think we'll get back to Disney for awhile. I want to dance on my dance team again this upcoming season (Oct 09-May 2010) and then we've been thinking about having one more little one. I don't like the idea of bringing diapers and such with us to WDW, so we'll most likely wait to go again until our yet to be determined child is potty trained. So, that probably puts us going to WDW again in 2013 or 2014!!!!! I don't even want to think about that.

Meghan, remember that it's easier to deal with diapers than with a newly-trained kid! Having to know where every bathroom is in every park because the 3 year old needs to go NOW ! Or having to fight with him/her to put on Pullups ("But Mommy, I'm a big girl/boy now and I don't need diapers!) . Not my idea of fun!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Meghan, remember that it's easier to deal with diapers than with a newly-trained kid! Having to know where every bathroom is in every park because the 3 year old needs to go NOW ! Or having to fight with him/her to put on Pullups ("But Mommy, I'm a big girl/boy now and I don't need diapers!) . Not my idea of fun!

Maddie was three and a half on her first trip and it was wonderful. We had our stroller (which held everything for us) and made frequent potty breaks. Me and diapers really don't get along real well, so having to deal with them on vacation does not sound like fun to me. I don't know why I'm thinking so far in advance. Another child is way in the future still. Maybe it's because I know this is going to be our last Disney trip for awhile and I'm planning for the next trip? Who knows. Maybe I'll change my mind by then because I'll be itching to go back sooner!!!

 

[danceintherain]

My nephew will be with us in July, he'll be 11 1/2 months. I'll let you know how it goes.
My sister isn't planning on taking him to the parks very much though. She thinks it will be too hot for him. (I really don't know where she's getting that idea from...they live in Georgia, and keep their thermostat on like 80 or higher) They'll have their car though, so they can completely go by his schedule.
If I was to take a baby I'm not sure how I would do it.
My Mom took 4 of us by herself when the oldest was only 6, so she's not taking to my sister's decision to not be in the parks very much very well. I think my sister should do whatever makes her and the baby happy.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Becca~ it will be hot!!! Ha!!! I went the last trip with my parents for my graduation and we went the week of my birthday. The last week of July, which is usually about the hottest week here with our heat index. Something about being out on that asphalt all day it just soaks up the heat rays. Maybe she could bring a baby wash cloth and keep it wet for him to hold or put on his little head. Make sure ya'll drink plenty of water too. It's amazing how fast you can get dehydrated. Maybe ya'll will have some cloudy days w/out rain that could help keep you cool!!! How is the planning coming for you?

 

[danceintherain]

Becca~ it will be hot!!! Ha!!! I went the last trip with my parents for my graduation and we went the week of my birthday. The last week of July, which is usually about the hottest week here with our heat index. Something about being out on that asphalt all day it just soaks up the heat rays. Maybe she could bring a baby wash cloth and keep it wet for him to hold or put on his little head. Make sure ya'll drink plenty of water too. It's amazing how fast you can get dehydrated. Maybe ya'll will have some cloudy days w/out rain that could help keep you cool!!! How is the planning coming for you?

Oh I know it will be hot. I'm not thrilled about the time we ended up deciding on, but it was either July or not at all, and since I'm not paying for the trip...I figured let's just go.
The planning has halted for the moment, because both my sister's and my Mom broke their phones. (I have no idea how that happened...they did go to the beach the other day though) I've been trying to get a hold of them for a couple of days to ask some questions, like where the house is located, and then my brother told me today that their phones are broken. I would like to at least know how far away it is so I can plan how early I'll have to start pulling people out of their beds to get there early.
Other than that I can't really plan that much. I know what I WANT to do, but I'm basically at the mercy of the other 5 people. (DH knows he should do what I want to do)
I plan on explaining to them why they should do what I want to do with the aid of the Unofficial Guide's cheat sheets, but I have a feeling it's not going to go over very well. They're all very stubborn, and even argued with me about some wedding stuff.
I wish I could work it out so we could have multiple cars, but it would be way too expensive for Logan and I to drive one with the underage driver fees. I was really looking forward to having even the Doubletree buses so if we wanted to leave... we could.
I'm hoping the heat works towards my advantage. The rest of my family is way less in shape than Logan and I. By the time it hits mid-afternoon I think they'll all be ready for a dip in the pool, or a nap.

I'm just going to go with the flow as much as possible. I'll be with my family next week for my little sister's birthday...well I guess my little brother's birthday is next week too, so I hope to talk to them all about it then. (we were supposed to be at Disney right now, but with Logan's class schedule and other problems, it didn't work out)

 

[Monny2AE]

Just wanted to share this thread I came across...OH MY... it ideas out the wazoo!!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2179996

 

[Mndisneygirl]

That is one COOL thread! I better start making some lists for our next trip! I feel very unorganized. I hate not knowing park hour etc. I guess I'll make some lists and tentative schedules and then start deciding what I'm going to make for the trip. I'd like to do something for the in-laws that are joining us to make it more special. Even though I'm sure the teenage boys will think I'm crazy. But, they've been going to WDW for years, so maybe they'll be into it and think it's cool. I know my SILs and MIL will love it all. They loved the t-shirts from our last trip.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Well my boys are officially out for summer. WOO HOO!! I get to sleep late!!
The AC guy came this afternoon, and our AC only needed freon. While he was here, I started watching a movie with the boys, so they would stay out of his way. Even though he told us it would take all night to cool down the house, by the time the movie was over, it was down to 79. Joey fell during the movie, so the rest of us went and "snuggle bunnied" up in mine and DH's bed and took a nap. When we woke up at about 5:30, the house was down to 73, and we were cold.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Glad that AC got fixed!! It's suppose to start heating back up down here today as soon as all that rain clears out!!!!

Oh my word!! That thread was unbelievable!!! I would love to make some of that stuff!! The luggage tags are really cool.Gotta question---if you have one of those cute little luggage tags, do you still have to have the one from your airline? I like the little tiny cards that said 'because you were so sweet today' and all that---those would be cute to make for the kids at home when they do something kind for someone, or just if they are being really good that day.

Shelly & Soliel~ how goes it on the buy/sale?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Do any of you use Tour Guide Mike? I am curious about it. I always plan all our trips, but I am always open to inside tips or extra planning tools! I would like to check it out if any of you think it's worth it----if not I would hate to spend the $$$.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I used TGM. I found it to be just okay. It basically tells you the things we already know- don't go to a park on EMH days. Some people swear by it, but to me it wasn't that big of a deal.