So....how was your summer?

[ckay87]

Now that it's coming to a close, take a minute and summarize some of the highlights of your summer. Tell us about the fun stuff that happened, both planned (big vacations), barely planned (daytrips), unplanned, unexpected.


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We vacationed in Canada and I gotta tell you, it wasn't my favorite vacation. But I was thankful for it and am always happy to be travelling someplace.

I visited Ocean City, NJ for a daytrip for the first time in many years. Just me and one son and it was one of the nicest days of the summer.

I went to a concert on South St. in Philly and it was the BEST day of the summer. I expected to love the concert, but the whole day was amazing. We visited a place called Philadelphia Magic Gardens (a mosaic artist gone crazy), went shopping, accidently met the artist, had dinner, saw the show, and visited with some of the band. I didn't stop laughing all day. Just didn't expect to have THAT much fun.

Spent a weekend camping at an amusement park (Knoebels). Back and forth from the park all weekend long. Much fun.

Danced like crazy to my favorite gypsy/Celtic band, Scythian, at a local music festival (Musikfest).

Daytripped to another Jersey Beach with my little neices.

It was a strange summer. Usually we do some big fabulous family vacation which is the highlight of my year. That just didn't happen. But I had some of the best outings and daytrips ever.

Hope you all have enjoyed yourselves too.

 

[mickeyboat]

What summer? I think we went straight from spring to fall around here.

Anyway - we had lots of company and day trips. Our summer vacation to Lake George was perfect. We are topping off the summer with a weekend trip to PA.

 

[3boymthr]

Over way way way too soon!

 

[Trish Bessette]

THE BEST!!

Because I WON THE TRIP TO DISNEYLAND AND DISNEYWORLD!!! It was truly magical and something I will never forget. Can't believe it was this summer, seems like ages ago

Aside from that spent lots of weekends with friends and family. My two DD's were keeping us busy with all their plans - party here, sleepover here, kids at our house all summer long!

It was a good summer - looking forward to my favorite season in Vermont - FALL

 

[ckay87]

Well, Trish, I can't beat that!!! Congrats on that, wow. I may see my first of Vermont this winter. DH is always trying to talk me into a ski vacation. I'm (much) more of a summer girl.

 

[minniebeth]

Our summer went by wayyy too fast, since what I considered "free" summer never really happened (for me anyway). I think for my kids, it was one of their best.

DS started HS this year so for the whole month of June and first week of July he took summer prep. courses and summer gym so he could have a study hall 1st semester. I woke up at 6am as usual and drove him 23 mis. one way...(his school is far). Thankfully, we had a carpool going too...

My other DDs kept busy at camps and activities so driving driving driving was a lot of what I did.

So, it wasn't all driving, we did do a few really cool things. My DS went to Philmont Scout Ranch backpacking for 2 weeks, it was the highlight of his life (is what he said) and while he was gone, DH, and both DDs and I went to Washington DC with DH's company. We got to attend a conference where part of it was to volunteer maintaining the grounds of Arlington Nat'l Cemetery. It was such a wonderful day!
We stayed 6 days in Washington and then travelled some with DH while he worked. DDs and I got to spend a couple of days at the beach and went camping (FW at WDW style!)

Our family vacation for 1 week before kids' sports obiligations started was in Long Beach Island, NJ with friends we have not hung out with in 17 years since we've moved from NJ. It was AWESOME!

We've been in school for 2 weeks now...back to business!

 

[ckay87]

Our summer went by wayyy too fast, since what I considered "free" summer never really happened (for me anyway). I think for my kids, it was one of their best.

DS started HS this year so for the whole month of June and first week of July he took summer prep. courses and summer gym so he could have a study hall 1st semester. I woke up at 6am as usual and drove him 23 mis. one way...(his school is far). Thankfully, we had a carpool going too...

My other DDs kept busy at camps and activities so driving driving driving was a lot of what I did.

So, it wasn't all driving, we did do a few really cool things. My DS went to Philmont Scout Ranch backpacking for 2 weeks, it was the highlight of his life (is what he said) and while he was gone, DH, and both DDs and I went to Washington DC with DH's company. We got to attend a conference where part of it was to volunteer maintaining the grounds of Arlington Nat'l Cemetery. It was such a wonderful day!
We stayed 6 days in Washington and then travelled some with DH while he worked. DDs and I got to spend a couple of days at the beach and went camping (FW at WDW style!)

Our family vacation for 1 week before kids' sports obiligations started was in Long Beach Island, NJ with friends we have not hung out with in 17 years since we've moved from NJ. It was AWESOME!

We've been in school for 2 weeks now...back to business!

Thank you for sharing. I love to hear what other people do for fun. It gives me a lot of ideas and is what drew me to these boards in the first place.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Well...It rained the entire months of June and July (I may be off by a day or 2, but no more than that).

August was nice. We spent a week in Boston, sailing the Atlantic (really only the harbor), shopping and eating.

Then back home and started to prepare for DS to go off to college. I swear I spent most nights doing laundry or in Target and CVS.

DS left last week and I have 2 more going off to school on next week and the 14th.

I have a Disney trip booked for next year, but all I have is a deposit at this point. If I dont get a good promo, it may be cancelled. I am also planning on a week at the Cape or a Cruise next year...hopefully all these bargains will be there again next year!

All in all...this summer was a wash.

 

[minniecarousel]

Well, we kept my Mom out of the hospital - so that was good. She's 92 and has congestive heart failure, controlled by medication.

We had a facelift done on our kitchen. New appliances, countertops, backsplash and lighting. Looks great (I have to figure out how to post pix on the remodeling thread!)

Planning for our December WDW trip with older DS & DDIL.

Sounds like a lot of people had busy summers. I work at a high school, so the summer always seems to go by fast. Before I know it, I'm back to work & it seems like I never had a summer.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Well, I wrote a book (with two co-authors, but it was still a LOT of work!). That (plus my regular work) took up most of the summer. But we made it by the deadline (September 1st) and now we're gearing up to do edits and revisions.

We saw two plays at the Stratford Festival, and both were excellent (a brilliant Macbeth and a very funny Importance of Being Earnest). We did a wine-tasting tour that started in Niagara-on-the-Lake - a very pretty town.

Then in August, I drove to WDW with my eldest son and my two younger sons (I also have a daughter who didn't come with us). My two younger sons had both been accepted into the Disney International program, so we had decided to drive them down and help them get settled, and take advantage of free dining as well. We had a great week! Ate at Kouzzina's twice, checked out Sanaa (and LOVED it), and had fabulous meals at California Grill, Le Cellier and Tusker House too.

My sons are having a lot of fun working for the Mouse. Be sure to stop by and say hi if you are in Epcot any time between now and next August. Look for Dan and Jeremy, both from Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Teresa

 

[starann]

June was a lil rough as my niece moved out (family drama)

July 10th-13 was a fabulous weekend with 12 friends and their families (we get together every year in CT). It's amazing to see how much the kids grow year to year, and our bond as well

July 25 we left for OBX to visit with friends who live there all year round. They are the family we choose to have.....and are SO special to us. That was a wonderful week.

Aug 8 -15 was a trip to Vegas with my mom. I won the trip with Fantasia and got to hang out each day with some fellow reps and get to know them a bit better!!!! Also was a nice time with my mom.

I did a hospital stay for migranes, but am better now! 2 friends lost loved ones, one a husband at 2 of a heart attack, another a FIL at 63 of a heart attack. These things make me grateful for my family.

Oh, and the best part of summer....DH told me we can go back to WDW next year (sept/Oct time)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

The BIG trip was a week in Denmark with my in laws. We have decided Denamrk is Europe's best kept secret Fredricksburg Palace was the most lovely palace any of us had ever seen. We were there when they opened and started at the top and worked our way down to avoid the tour groups. The result? DH and I waltzed in the ballroom all by ourselves We also were awed by the immensity of Kronburg Slot (castle where Hamlet is set), and fell in love with the village of Roskilde which also has a fabulous viking museum and incredible church (in which every Danish king and most of the queens since the reformation are entombed). The people were amazingly friendly and outgoing. All in all a fantastic week

The planned day trips invovled lots of castles and churches (gotta take advantage of living in Europe!). We really love the little French village of Strasbourg and just wandering the Heidelberg castle. We also took lots of day trips down to Legoland (bought annual passes) because it is so fun.

Unstructured days generally found us on long bike rides (DS10 FINALLY figured out how to ride a bike in March and now loves it) or swimming in one of the big outdoor public pools.

The best surprise place of the summer? Ketterwald. You pay 10-18 Euros (depending on age) and get to play on long (about 20 elements each) ropes courses for as long as you like. There are 6 courses. 1 and 2 are not high but still fun and great to get your feet wet or for little ones. 3 is 15-25 feet up depending on where you are at in the course and a kick! 4 goes as high as about 45 feet (freaky). I did htat becuase no way was DS10 doing it without me and he really wanted to. DD12 stayed safely on teh ground but walked the course from below and shouted up encouragemant as needed. I have yet to be brave enough to try courses 5 and 6 (even higher)

 

[AKL_Megs]

Well, overall, summer was... cold.

Let's see...

On June 26th, my DH and I got married!

On July 6th, we went on our WDW honeymoon... 6 days of great fun!

From July 11th - today, all I have really done is work and house hunt. It's been a crazy summer. Not very "summer-like" at all. No pools, camping, bonfires, late evening walks, drinks on the deck... nothing!

Our honeymoon was by FAR the highlight of my summer.

 

[mrsgus06]

Arrived at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground June 12th
Departed Aug 9th.

It was another wonderful summer of sleeping late, hitting the extra magic hours (night time) when the sun was gone. Lazy days at Blizzard Beach floating around the lazy river. Rainy days spent in Disney Quest. Long golf cart rides around the loops with the smell of hamburgers, hot dog or steaks drifting in the air. Dang.....no wonder I hate the school months!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

This was the first summer in 9 years that I was not working (I am a teacher now) so I saved up to do lots of fun stuff. I went on an Alaskan cruise, a caribbean cruise, and to dallas to see the first preseason game in the new cowboys stadium. And today, to end the summer "with a bang" I am going skydiving--So nervous, but it something my brother and i have been talking about forever!!

 

[Patricia]

Great post idea.

We started the summer with a two week trip to Hawaii for my immediate family and my niece, nephew, and their dad. In addition to the vacation, we also picked up my daughter who had been living there and brought her home with us so that was a fantastic trip. It was truly perfect and I also got to spend my Oahu time at Ko'Olina watching the new Disney Hotel begin.. Can't wait to go back there! So between the busy work time during the first two weeks of June and being in Hawaii the last two weeks of June, I missed all the rain. Yippeee...
Once we were home, we got a new puppy, Meli, which is Hawaiin for honey. A maltipoo that is so sweet, but not trained yet... hmmmm. Love her still though. July was beautiful, not as warm as I like it , but sunny and relaxing. I spent almost every day having some time in my pool with a book. Many simple dinners with friends on the weekends. Lots of baseball for my son as well. Three camps and games in Delaware and Maryland plus at home. He had a blast. In August we visited DC ... just my friend and her son and my son and me. It was so nice to do something for our boys. THey are both third children with very busy older siblings and both have spent many a day watching and waiting their older siblings activities. So we packed the car and took them to have a few days just about them. It was great,plus DC was great too.
All in all, it was a fantastic summer. I couldn't have had more days of relaxation and sun; I read about 20 books. A perfect summer for me!! As much as I dislike the winter and HATE the cold, I am going to embrace fall this year. I am ready for the next step. Just wish the weather could stay summer temps. Maybe some day I will be lucky enough to move to Fl!!

 

[Snowysmom]

It is hard to believe that the summer is over! DH and I spent 4 days chasing our kids around Montreal. They are so fast and we are so slow and they can't sit still for 2 minutes. We did manage to see some great sights, the Basilica in Old Montreal, took a river cruise on the St. Lawrence, saw the Biosphere, the casino where the kids each won $30 (they are both over 18), and went to the Olympic stadium area to the indoor zoo and insectarium. Old Montreal is really beautiful. It was a nice trip but we must have walked 7-8 miles a day and climbed at least 500 stairs. I actually lost weight on the trip which was a nice side benefit. DH and I are going away on a quieter vacation in October to New Hampshire to see the foliage.

 

[wdwgirl03]

It went WAAAAY too fast.

We had one of our cooler summers around here which was sort of nice. Not a huge fan of really humid days. I worked a little bit here and there.

Did the "typical" summer stuff around Wisconsin: Brewers games, Summerfest, State Fair...My sisters and I also went to a couple concerts (both American Idol related ) and then we capped everything off with our first summer visit to Disney World!

Oh yeah, we also saw the Harry Potter movie at midnight which was exciting!

 

[crazelion]

This summer I work and work some more.

June went WDW for week.

July went Splash Country USA

August nothing

September suppose to went Six Flags White Water and had let the tickets go waste.

Football Game TSU vs Famu in Georgia Dome in September

 

[Sorsha]

Our summer went by WAY too fast.

We spent most of the last year building 8 houses in cooperation with 8 other families through the Mutual Self-Help Housing program. We were finishing up in June, but it was all rush rush rush trying to get finished by our ending deadline of July 1. We made it, but it took several weeks of working all day at our regular jobs then working on the houses till after midnight, not to mention dawn till dark on the weekends. We were sooooo tired.

Most of the first 2 weeks of July we spent moving and doing new-house-tasks... painting, landscaping, etc, and cleaning out our old rental. Also trying to catch our breath and catch up on our sleep from June! Then my mom and step-dad arrived for a week's visit the last week of July.

We spent a week doing tourist-y things with them. After they left, it was August! Time for back-to-school shopping and getting the kids all registered for their new schools, buses, etc.

We did manage to squeeze in a few trips to the lake, and a few afternoons fishing, but by and large it feels like summer got away from us and we are not sure where it went.

This weekend we are insulating and finishing up the inside of the garage, and finishing painting the shed in the yard. And maybe one day soon, our concrete contractor will pull his head out of his nether regions and get going on our patio in the backyard. Sure would be nice to have that finished while the weather is still good enough to sit on it once or twice.

Yeah. Summer. Can I have a do-over??