Oh, yes we are! **home from SSR, with pics and final thoughts, p.10, post 139

[Pixieflip]

Totally off topic...anybody have a kid take the car out for the first time yet? I'm sure you're out there... help me not freak!!! We're letting DS16 take my van out for a little errand tonight. It's a busy part of town, but won't be in the evening. THIS is new territory and I might not be ready for it. AGHHHH!!

 

[wink13]

Our son turned 16 in January and drove to school on his B-Day in a heavy snow. Nebraska winters you better get used to it.

I'm sure he'll enjoy it and be great.

Totally off topic...anybody have a kid take the car out for the first time yet? I'm sure you're out there... help me not freak!!! We're letting DS16 take my van out for a little errand tonight. It's a busy part of town, but won't be in the evening. THIS is new territory and I might not be ready for it. AGHHHH!!

 

[Pixieflip]

Our son turned 16 in January and drove to school on his B-Day in a heavy snow. Nebraska winters you better get used to it.

I'm sure he'll enjoy it and be great.

We're from Nebraska, too. Which is part of the stress of having a brand new driver! The memory of last winter hangs heavy in our hearts!

Great news...he did a good job! He wanted to go to the music store and guess what he did. You'll never guess. He bought a ukulele! I didn't even know how to spell ukulele, had to look it up. He's so funny. He's really into music. He played the trumpet for 3 years, but decided that's not what he wants for the future. He has two guitars, an electric and an acoustic electric, a keyboard, a harmonica and now a ukulele - and he's really quite good at all of them. When we were in Chicago over Labor Day weekend, we had a huge family party and my DH's great uncle came with a ukulele for DS to play with over the weekend. He loved it, and I'm not entirely sure he didn't sleep with it. He has a little band, they practice every week and they lead worship a couple of times a month in the children's ministry - about 75 kids, 4th and 5th graders. Anyway, we all survived releasing him to drive for the first time.

Here he is with DD13 on vocals and another friend leading worship last winter:

Proud mama moment.

 

[wink13]

Glad to hear the drive went well but really a ukulele. That's an interesting choice.

Are you going to MNSSHP while on your trip? We've been to the party several times and my boys love it.

We're from Nebraska, too. Which is part of the stress of having a brand new driver! The memory of last winter hangs heavy in our hearts!

Great news...he did a good job! He wanted to go to the music store and guess what he did. You'll never guess. He bought a ukulele! I didn't even know how to spell ukulele, had to look it up. He's so funny. He's really into music. He played the trumpet for 3 years, but decided that's not what he wants for the future. He has two guitars, an electric and an acoustic electric, a keyboard, a harmonica and now a ukulele - and he's really quite good at all of them. When we were in Chicago over Labor Day weekend, we had a huge family party and my DH's great uncle came with a ukulele for DS to play with over the weekend. He loved it, and I'm not entirely sure he didn't sleep with it. He has a little band, they practice every week and they lead worship a couple of times a month in the children's ministry - about 75 kids, 4th and 5th graders. Anyway, we all survived releasing him to drive for the first time.

Here he is with DD13 on vocals and another friend leading worship last winter:

Proud mama moment.

 

[Pixieflip]

Packing lists. Gotta have them. Live by them. Developed out of past mistakes!

As we look forward to this moment, several things come to mind.

First of all last winter was horrible and I hear we may be in for it again. Ugh. Second of all, what a bonus to be travelling in October and not December!! So many firsts this time. And last but not least, time to get cracking on my lists.

Here are the ones I'm currently working on:

-kids suitcases
-adults suitcases
-first aid bag
-van food
-food for villa (just trying to make that trip to Publix shorter)
-activity bags for everyone
-the dog's bags for her stay at the groomer's house

Here's the basic timeline for that last week.

-Sat/Sun - do all laundry and pack suitcases in living room. Also pack activity bags. Charge DVD players.
-Monday - gymnastics night, dinner and evening at Mom and Dad's.
-Tuesday - Grocery shop for trip. Everyone goes so everyone has a vote and is happy.
-Wednesday - church night. I have to work.
-Thursday - Parent teacher conferences for DD's. High school football game. DD12 has gymnastics. Husker football game on tv, nothing will get done. But we HAVE to load the rooftop carrier to save precious time on Friday.
-Friday - MOPS, dog to groomer - departing as soon as DH gets off work, hoping to leave by 4pm.

Those are mostly evening schedules and I am home working during the day, which allows for me to pick up the slack. But as you know, if you don't plan ahead, you'll be up all night before you leave and that is no way to start a vacation. Not that I would know. Yep, I have to do it all early. Look at that Thursday night! Yikes.

Somewhere in there I will be making homemade rolls for the tradition of taking the hammie sandwiches. My mom started this and my family loves it. We make these little rolls, sometimes you can fit 4 in a sandwich baggie, sometimes only 2, depends on how they raise. I buy the nice Cure 81 ham and slice nice thick slices and cut it to fit the rolls. Add a little butter and that's it. Fill the cooler. Keeps us from doing fast food at least once or twice. They're so good, a little protein, fills you up, can't stop eating them.

Here's the recipe from Blessed Hope Bible Camp in the UP of Michigan - wonder if that's still there? Works great on the dough cycle of the bread maker.

1 cup milk
1/3+ cup of vegetable oil
1 egg
1tsp. salt
1/3 cup sugar
3 cups flour (generous)
1 pkg. yeast

For the 6 of us, I usually make two batches. Each makes 24 to 30 little rolls.

15 days till we leave. 16 days till this moment!

 

[Checkers]

Enjoying your PTR and can't wait to hear more! We will be leaving in about 29 days for WDW and here I sit with my leg propped up because I broke my ankle a month ago and the dr. doesn't want any weight put on it until Oct. 5 at which time my cast will be replaced with a walking cast. If all goes well I will have it off about 2wks. before we leave. (Keeping fingers crossed here.) It is driving me crazy because I can do nothing to get ready. One good thing, all my plans have been made so nothing to do there.

Hope you have a safe drive there and have a wonderful trip. Your family is just adorable and I'm loving all the pictures.

 

[Pixieflip]

Enjoying your PTR and can't wait to hear more! We will be leaving in about 29 days for WDW and here I sit with my leg propped up because I broke my ankle a month ago and the dr. doesn't want any weight put on it until Oct. 5 at which time my cast will be replaced with a walking cast. If all goes well I will have it off about 2wks. before we leave. (Keeping fingers crossed here.) It is driving me crazy because I can do nothing to get ready. One good thing, all my plans have been made so nothing to do there.

Hope you have a safe drive there and have a wonderful trip. Your family is just adorable and I'm loving all the pictures.

Welcome to the PTR! But...

Oh, no!! I hope you get the cast thing worked out for your trip, but also that you are comfortable. Yuck! Be sure to let everyone pamper you so you are good and rested.

 

[Starshine]

I can't wait to hear more too! DH and I will be at BCV from 10/8 to 10/15 so when we get home I'll get to read your wonderful TR. I always find it loads of fun to read a TR from when we are there too, it makes it that much more "real".

 

[MommyBell08]

Loving your TR. Cant wait for more!

 

[Pixieflip]

I can't wait to hear more too! DH and I will be at BCV from 10/8 to 10/15 so when we get home I'll get to read your wonderful TR. I always find it loads of fun to read a TR from when we are there too, it makes it that much more "real".

Where are you staying? How fun!

Loving your TR. Cant wait for more!

Welcome and thanks! We'll have much more, as you know, I have a list...

 

[Pixieflip]

14 Days

Disney Nights

Do you do this? We think it's fun to count down the days and celebrate the milestones as our trip gets closer. Usually, we celebrate as we count down the months, so we'll have a fun Disney night on the date that is the same as our departure. All last year we celebrated on the 26th of every month. I used Christmas decorations on the table, Christmas Disney napkins from a previous trip, and we have a dinner that is from some place at Disney and maybe watch a Disney movie. I got a ton of great ideas from a great thread on this website. I can't find it, can you??

For example, we had a Princess and the Frog night. We made beignets and watched the movie. I used the recipe from the Disney cookbook and they turned out great. We even used a Mickey cutter for a Mickey shape.

Here they are with the traditional powdered sugar:

Here is our shot at using cinnamon and sugar:

Do you recognize my dinner plate pattern??

With everything being so up in the air this year we haven't done our Disney Nights. Time to make up for that...so, tonight is a Disney night. We're having tacos and watching Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros. We want to fully appreciate some of the little touches in design at the Coronado Springs Resort. I'll let you know how it goes.

This weekend I have a scrapbooking retreat, so you probably won't hear from me until Monday. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Go Huskers!!!

 

[CarolynMink]

14 Days

Disney Nights

Do you do this? We think it's fun to count down the days and celebrate the milestones as our trip gets closer. Usually, we celebrate as we count down the months, so we'll have a fun Disney night on the date that is the same as our departure. All last year we celebrated on the 26th of every month. I used Christmas decorations on the table, Christmas Disney napkins from a previous trip, and we have a dinner that is from some place at Disney and maybe watch a Disney movie. I got a ton of great ideas from a great thread on this website. I can't find it, can you??


Go Huskers!!!

We do the special count down days and take turns picking a Disney movie.

I have not done the Disney meals. I love the idea. I have to admit, I did save two black Mickey Mouse kid's meal plates from years ago. I serve my DD15 & DS13 their meal on them.

 

[Tinker74]

LOVE this report!!...What wonderful family memories you have and are creating!...I love that quote of yours.."disney is our thing it binds us as a family"...i know JUST what you mean!...That brought a tear to my eye.

Cant wait to hear more!!!

 

[Oshawa]

14 Days

Disney Nights

Do you do this? We think it's fun to count down the days and celebrate the milestones as our trip gets closer. Usually, we celebrate as we count down the months, so we'll have a fun Disney night on the date that is the same as our departure. All last year we celebrated on the 26th of every month. I used Christmas decorations on the table, Christmas Disney napkins from a previous trip, and we have a dinner that is from some place at Disney and maybe watch a Disney movie. I got a ton of great ideas from a great thread on this website. I can't find it, can you??

For example, we had a Princess and the Frog night. We made beignets and watched the movie. I used the recipe from the Disney cookbook and they turned out great. We even used a Mickey cutter for a Mickey shape.

Here they are with the traditional powdered sugar:

Here is our shot at using cinnamon and sugar:

Do you recognize my dinner plate pattern??

With everything being so up in the air this year we haven't done our Disney Nights. Time to make up for that...so, tonight is a Disney night. We're having tacos and watching Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros. We want to fully appreciate some of the little touches in design at the Coronado Springs Resort. I'll let you know how it goes.

This weekend I have a scrapbooking retreat, so you probably won't hear from me until Monday. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Go Huskers!!!

We are getting closer and closer!!

We do Disney nights as well. Some of my friends think we are crazy but we love the family time. We are actually going to have Disney night tonight also!! We play a Disney board game and have dinner. Then we watch a Disney movie!!
I really love your ideal of the Disney meals!! I might even surprise them and do that next weekend!!

Are you going to the MNSHP? We purchased our tickets for the 12th! Our first time going!!

 

[tigger2on]

The trip we have planned has been in jeopardy several times. The entire time DH was unemployed, we wondered if we'd get to go. Even when he started working in June, we wondered if we should. That other bad situation, well it is resolving itself in our favor TODAY!!! I guess that's why I'm so giddy and ready to write this out to share with my peeps who understand our joy over a little piece of heaven in Florida.

We check into SSR on 10-10-10 and check out on 10-16-10. This will be our first time at SSR and I'm really excited. We like to try new resorts and since BCV was full, probably due to F&W, we are happy to stay at SSR. We've requested a DTD view, but we'll see.

Oh, my parents are going along with us. And they'll be flying and using ME. We always seem to take one set of grandparents or the other. Last Christmas was my inlaws, this fall is my parents. Grandparents are great, we enjoy traveling with them. I'll have to look for a photo of them for you.

Here's where I know a lot of you will groan. We drive 24 hours to get to WDW! I know, I know, but you know what? The cost to fly a family of 6 from here is $1600+fees (we are not a major airport). We can drive for under $600. Driving means we can go more often and to us, that is a good thing. Our usual plan is to drive 15 hours the first day and land somewhere in northern Georgia. Then we only have 8 hours the second day, which seems like a breeze. But arriving at dinner time on 10-10-10 seems like we will be wasting an entire day at SSR.

And so, a new plan was hatched. We are leaving after work on Friday, 10-8-10. We'll drive 9 hours. Then on Saturday, we'll drive the rest of the way. We have made a reservation at CSR for one night!!! We've never stayed there either! I hear great things about it and the kids are super excited to try the pool in the morning. While they swim, I'll buzz over to SSR and check in. If the room is ready, we'll take our stuff and get settled. If not, no big deal, we'll send it to bell services. Not a big fan of leaving belongings in the car all day. After we're all set, we can head to the Magic Kindgom. My favorite.

Sound like a good plan? What do you think?

Up next: Our DVC history...

When did you start driving? How old were your kids?
It takes 24 hours from our home in Ontario and I am really hoping to drive next Oct. as we have a severely disabled dd who will almost be 15 and it would be easier to have our van. Our other children will be DD 6.5, DS 4.5, and DS almost 3. We DO have a DVD in the car and DO allow the kids to eat in the car. Hoping to leave on Fri. arrive on Sun. stay til Sat. and be home by Mon.

 

[dopeygirl76]

Packing lists. Gotta have them. Live by them. Developed out of past mistakes!

As we look forward to this moment, several things come to mind.

First of all last winter was horrible and I hear we may be in for it again. Ugh. Second of all, what a bonus to be travelling in October and not December!! So many firsts this time. And last but not least, time to get cracking on my lists.

Here are the ones I'm currently working on:

-kids suitcases
-adults suitcases
-first aid bag
-van food
-food for villa (just trying to make that trip to Publix shorter)
-activity bags for everyone
-the dog's bags for her stay at the groomer's house

Here's the basic timeline for that last week.

-Sat/Sun - do all laundry and pack suitcases in living room. Also pack activity bags. Charge DVD players.
-Monday - gymnastics night, dinner and evening at Mom and Dad's.
-Tuesday - Grocery shop for trip. Everyone goes so everyone has a vote and is happy.
-Wednesday - church night. I have to work.
-Thursday - Parent teacher conferences for DD's. High school football game. DD12 has gymnastics. Husker football game on tv, nothing will get done. But we HAVE to load the rooftop carrier to save precious time on Friday.
-Friday - MOPS, dog to groomer - departing as soon as DH gets off work, hoping to leave by 4pm.

Those are mostly evening schedules and I am home working during the day, which allows for me to pick up the slack. But as you know, if you don't plan ahead, you'll be up all night before you leave and that is no way to start a vacation. Not that I would know. Yep, I have to do it all early. Look at that Thursday night! Yikes.

Somewhere in there I will be making homemade rolls for the tradition of taking the hammie sandwiches. My mom started this and my family loves it. We make these little rolls, sometimes you can fit 4 in a sandwich baggie, sometimes only 2, depends on how they raise. I buy the nice Cure 81 ham and slice nice thick slices and cut it to fit the rolls. Add a little butter and that's it. Fill the cooler. Keeps us from doing fast food at least once or twice. They're so good, a little protein, fills you up, can't stop eating them.

Here's the recipe from Blessed Hope Bible Camp in the UP of Michigan - wonder if that's still there? Works great on the dough cycle of the bread maker.

1 cup milk
1/3+ cup of vegetable oil
1 egg
1tsp. salt
1/3 cup sugar
3 cups flour (generous)
1 pkg. yeast

For the 6 of us, I usually make two batches. Each makes 24 to 30 little rolls.

15 days till we leave. 16 days till this moment!

The Sammies made me laugh...I make homemade pepperoni rolls for all of our trips....using my Gram's recipe....everyone loves them and there is no need to worry about keeping them cool. I also do a countdown usually about 30 days out with a tear off (post its work great) that has a different disney movie or game. We have Disney BINGO and Disney Scene It so we mix those in....such a fun way to prepare...I've never done the meals....I will be borrowing that!!!

 

[RysMomma]

This seems like it's going to be a great trip report! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Starshine]

Where are you staying? How fun!

Our flight gets in late the night of 10/7, so we're just staying at the MCO Hyatt until the next morning. Then we move to Beach Club Villas until 10/15.

 

[Pixieflip]

LOVE this report!!...What wonderful family memories you have and are creating!...I love that quote of yours.."disney is our thing it binds us as a family"...i know JUST what you mean!...That brought a tear to my eye.

Cant wait to hear more!!!

Yeah, another fellow Dis-a-fied family like us!! Welcome aboard to our trip.

When did you start driving? How old were your kids?

We are a 24 hour drive from Omaha. The first time we did it they were 2,5,6 and 9. We had a couple of little hand held DVD players that we shared with everybody. The key is having a plan. I actually made out a loose agenda for the days. My experience was that if you leave it to them, they eat all the junk food first, mindlessly watch movies till they're numb and are completely whiny and insane halfway through the trip. Can't have that on a 24 hour drive! We'd watch a movie, then turn it off and read/play quietly, then we'd eat, then we'd sing and then we'd repeat. Do whatever you like, but breaking it up keeps it manageable. Also, my stash of surprises actually wrapped in wrapping paper kept them in check - they behaved because they wanted more! It's little things like car-approved crafts, fun food, games, new DVD, etc. I'm actually speaking at MOPS this year on this very topic. Dolly over on the DISign board has helped me pull it all together, but she has some phenomenal activities on her photobucket. Have fun, you can do it!

The Sammies made me laugh...I make homemade pepperoni rolls for all of our trips....using my Gram's recipe....everyone loves them and there is no need to worry about keeping them cool. I also do a countdown usually about 30 days out with a tear off (post its work great) that has a different disney movie or game. We have Disney BINGO and Disney Scene It so we mix those in....such a fun way to prepare...I've never done the meals....I will be borrowing that!!!

Oh, we love those Disney games. We also have a Disney board game, I think it's called the Magic Kingdom Game, is that right? We need to get that out this week, too, thanks for the reminder!

This seems like it's going to be a great trip report! Can't wait to read more!

Glad you're here!

Our flight gets in late the night of 10/7, so we're just staying at the MCO Hyatt until the next morning. Then we move to Beach Club Villas until 10/15.

Oh, the BCV, my favorite. We're eating breakfast at the Yacth Club one morning and I fully intend to wander through the Beach Club, too. Gotta get my fix.

 

[Pixieflip]

My scrapbooking retreat was wonderful. I'm exhausted today, but happy. I power laid out about 60 pages and have completed about 40, so that was really exciting. Probably won't get back to it until after WDW, but it was fun.

Remember in my first post when I referred to that other situation that I'm not going to get into. Well, today just might be the end of it all. Finally. We've been here four times, but today does feel like it should be it. I have some errands regarding this and if all goes well, I'll be back later to give another installment! Wish me luck!