kschafer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
- Messages
- 4,216
Hi Everyone 
First, let me explain the title of my TR. It really has 2 meanings.
1.I grew up in Iowa with parents who love to travel. We went lots of places when we were kids like Yellowstone and the Rockies
Various locations around the Midwest
California and Utah
And lots of summers in Michigan because my parents both grew up there and most of my extended family still lives there
But both sets of grandparents also had winter homes in Florida. This meant regular winter breaks which often included trips to WDW (I even have faint memories of the ticket system from years ago)
Here's us with my dad's parents (on the right) and aunt and uncle (on the left)
Same trip (I know you are loving the matching outfits!)
Another trip with my Mom's parents (grandpa only in the pic)
I loved Disney World as a kid but the last time I was there was when I was a teenager. When I got married in 1997
, my hubby and I were going to go for our honeymoon but money was tight and we choose something different (nice, but not Disney). I have wanted to go back ever since but over the last 11 years we purchased a home, multiple cars and had 2 kids and just never quite got there.
Fast forward to Christmas 2005 my parents told the family that for their 40th wedding anniversary in 2007, they wanted to take everyone to Disney. This includes my family and my brothers and their families, 8 adults and 6 kids ranging from 7 months to 5 years at that time. WOO HOO!!!
So the planning begins.
Summer of 2006, my younger brother and I are talking and think perhaps postponing the trip 1 year would make it nicer for our youngest. I know, I know, lots of people around here think that kids are never too young to go but we knew this would not be a trip we would do again and thought postponing the trip would be best. My parents and older brother agreed. The only wrench in our plan came along when that winter my older brother and his wife announced they were expecting their third child add baby to the list of travelers so much for waiting so the kids were older!
So Im finally going back to WDW better late than never!
2. In June we packed up and left for the trip I had been waiting for all this time!! Yes, I realize that it is now October, let me explain. I used the Dis TONS for trip planning
but didnt really discover TRs until after I returned. This trip really brought out the addiction in me that had probably laid hidden for so long. After discovering TRs, I have enjoyed trips through many other Disers and thought it was time to give back by writing one of my own. 
So here we are better late than never!!
I hope you join me for this walk down memory lane. Please say Hi
and let me know if you decide to hang around.
First, let me explain the title of my TR. It really has 2 meanings.
1.I grew up in Iowa with parents who love to travel. We went lots of places when we were kids like Yellowstone and the Rockies
Various locations around the Midwest
California and Utah
And lots of summers in Michigan because my parents both grew up there and most of my extended family still lives there
But both sets of grandparents also had winter homes in Florida. This meant regular winter breaks which often included trips to WDW (I even have faint memories of the ticket system from years ago)
Here's us with my dad's parents (on the right) and aunt and uncle (on the left)
Same trip (I know you are loving the matching outfits!)
Another trip with my Mom's parents (grandpa only in the pic)
I loved Disney World as a kid but the last time I was there was when I was a teenager. When I got married in 1997
, my hubby and I were going to go for our honeymoon but money was tight and we choose something different (nice, but not Disney). I have wanted to go back ever since but over the last 11 years we purchased a home, multiple cars and had 2 kids and just never quite got there.Fast forward to Christmas 2005 my parents told the family that for their 40th wedding anniversary in 2007, they wanted to take everyone to Disney. This includes my family and my brothers and their families, 8 adults and 6 kids ranging from 7 months to 5 years at that time. WOO HOO!!!
So the planning begins. Summer of 2006, my younger brother and I are talking and think perhaps postponing the trip 1 year would make it nicer for our youngest. I know, I know, lots of people around here think that kids are never too young to go but we knew this would not be a trip we would do again and thought postponing the trip would be best. My parents and older brother agreed. The only wrench in our plan came along when that winter my older brother and his wife announced they were expecting their third child add baby to the list of travelers so much for waiting so the kids were older!
So Im finally going back to WDW better late than never!
2. In June we packed up and left for the trip I had been waiting for all this time!! Yes, I realize that it is now October, let me explain. I used the Dis TONS for trip planning
but didnt really discover TRs until after I returned. This trip really brought out the addiction in me that had probably laid hidden for so long. After discovering TRs, I have enjoyed trips through many other Disers and thought it was time to give back by writing one of my own. So here we are better late than never!!
I hope you join me for this walk down memory lane. Please say Hi
and let me know if you decide to hang around.
I’m 36. I have been a high school science teacher for the last 8 years but left this year and now work at my Alma Matter, the University of Northern Iowa. I am the outreach coordinator for the College of Natural Sciences planning programs for the public and local schools. I also teach an Earth Science course to future elementary school teachers. I love my job and it is only ½ time which means I have extra time in my life and a lot less stress from when I taught full time. I am a roller coaster junkie!
)
) for the winter and ended up buying a place. Now someday, my kids will get to think back fondly to their winter break trips to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Florida just like I do!
. Their plans were to come and spend a couple days at Disney before meeting up with the whole group followed by a few days with my parents at their place.
They arrived early and spent a couple days with my parents at their new house before coming to Orlando for the big week. They only stayed 1 additional night before heading home.
). I never have been back to Iowa but have a couple cousins who still live there but have lost touch. I think it's great your family is getting together finally to celebrate your parent's anniversary (here's a 
Can't wait to read more. 
I didn't mention that they paid a HUGE chunk of this celebration for them. It meant a lot to all of us to make this happen. Mom always said how much she loves the memories of bringing us to WDW as kids and she wanted to do the same with her grandkids 
I have so much respect and admiration for good teachers. I loved my students and "teaching" but all the extra responsibilities were too much for me to choose to stay in for the next 30 years. 
I'll be back later today with adventures of Day 1
I'm glad you're okay. Your boys weren't in the van with you, were they? Take care of yourself. Thank goodness you were wearing your seatbelt!
