The new convert's first ever PTR to DCL Alaska Cruise (8/16/11 - 8/23/11)

[DisneyDerek]

I'm in too Derek !!!An Alaskan Cruise is definately somethinmg I want to do!!! So I will be following with interest your plans !!

Thanks Rosie, hoping to keep it interesting and up to date on the latest family news. And Happy New Year to you and your family!

 

[mom3sonstt]

I thought I had already checked in here - but guess I hadn't. But I'm here and am looking forward to the cruise. I have never gone on a cruise - it's on my list of things to do someday.

 

[DisneyDerek]

I thought I had already checked in here - but guess I hadn't. But I'm here and am looking forward to the cruise. I have never gone on a cruise - it's on my list of things to do someday.

Happy New Year Tanya. It's definitely something I would recommend if you can spare the money. We really enjoy our past cruises, especially with Disney.

Thanks for subbing in.....glad to have lots of friends join the fun.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Yay! I'm on board. I'd love to take a cruise...but just not sure I'd be able to stand being on a boat for that long...so I shall live vicariously through you.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Yay! I'm on board. I'd love to take a cruise...but just not sure I'd be able to stand being on a boat for that long...so I shall live vicariously through you.

Thanks for joining in. I used to wonder too about getting "cabin fever" but have since grown to love cruises. We shall try to make it an exciting trip.

Thanks for joining in the fun.

 

[englishrose47]

Checking in daily for more updates Derek !!!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Checking in daily for more updates Derek !!!

Rosie, thanks for checking back. I'll have to get into more frequent posting but I'm trying to catch up on Glenn's TR. Might be a few days before i post again as we return to the working force. Also need to squeeze in some time to celebrate Wendy's b-day on Tuesday.

Take care and I'll try to post more info about our cruise and other travel plans for 2011.

Derek

 

[englishrose47]

Rosie, thanks for checking back. I'll have to get into more frequent posting but I'm trying to catch up on Glenn's TR. Might be a few days before i post again as we return to the working force. Also need to squeeze in some time to celebrate Wendy's b-day on Tuesday.

Take care and I'll try to post more info about our cruise and other travel plans for 2011.

Derek

I'll be waiting !!!!!

 

[kde175]

Count me in, Derek! We're going to be on the Wonder for the June 12th cruise. It will be interesting to plan along with you. As of right now, our crew includes me, DH (DJ), our DD (Emma, 4), my Mom and Dad (both in their 60's) and my youngest brother (JC, 24).

Can't wait!!!

 

[lovealldisney]

I'm in Derek! Can't wait to read along! Sounds like a wonderful trip!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Thanks everyone for your patience as I'll do my best to monitor the boards on a regular/daily basis but will probably post a few days a week. With the return to work and other responsibilities around the house, for my church leading a bi-weekly bible study, and being webmaster and VP and Program Chair of my University of Chicago Alumni Club (www.uchicagola.com), participating in my son's Indian Guide tribe, I have my hands full for 2011

I'll be waiting !!!!!

Rosie, thanks for waiting for me. I'm still getting my feet wet on the trip planning. I think this thread will help me stay more focused on things to plan for our cruise. Usually, I let Wendy do all of the planning and I just tag along for the ride!

Count me in, Derek! We're going to be on the Wonder for the June 12th cruise. It will be interesting to plan along with you. As of right now, our crew includes me, DH (DJ), our DD (Emma, 4), my Mom and Dad (both in their 60's) and my youngest brother (JC, 24).

Can't wait!!!

Hi Tina, thanks for joining in. It would be great to compare notes and it sounds like you have a big crew as well. I haven't looked at any of the shore excursions yet, have you? I have to plan our time for a young family, DD (Erin 8), DS (Dylan 5), DD (Ashlyn 2) as well as my parents and mother-in-law who are seniors.

I'm in Derek! Can't wait to read along! Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Thanks for joining in the fun. Hoping to make this a fun PTR. Take care

 

[brookelizabeth]

Checking in Derek! I still have to read, but will get caught up asap!

 

[WendyO]

I suppose I will sub in so I can see what you are up to...

Maybe this trip I can let you do all the planning and I can just come for the ride. Ahhh, how nice.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Checking in Derek! I still have to read, but will get caught up asap!

I suppose I will sub in so I can see what you are up to...

Maybe this trip I can let you do all the planning and I can just come for the ride. Ahhh, how nice.

Thanks Brooke (and Wendy) for subbing in. I'll have to think about Wendy's comment about me doing all the trip planning.......

 

[kde175]

Hi Tina, thanks for joining in. It would be great to compare notes and it sounds like you have a big crew as well. I haven't looked at any of the shore excursions yet, have you? I have to plan our time for a young family, DD (Erin 8), DS (Dylan 5), DD (Ashlyn 2) as well as my parents and mother-in-law who are seniors.

Hi Derek, we've started to look at a few of the excursions. One that I'm almost positve that we'll do is the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake Featuring Exclusive Disney Character Experience in Skagway. It looks like something my little one would love. Other than that...I've been kind of overwhelmed by the number of choices. I'm going to try to work my way through them this weekend. I work with the University of Pittsburgh Marching Band and get to look forward to @26 hours on a bus between tomorrow night and Sunday morning with 250 college kids. . So...I should have plenty of time to read.

Looking forward ti planning along with you!

 

[punkin413]

a few days late, but i'm here!

 

[englishrose47]

I think you and Wendy should plan this !!Derek you would be learning the tricks from an expert !!!!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Hi Derek, we've started to look at a few of the excursions. One that I'm almost positve that we'll do is the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake Featuring Exclusive Disney Character Experience in Skagway. It looks like something my little one would love. Other than that...I've been kind of overwhelmed by the number of choices. I'm going to try to work my way through them this weekend. I work with the University of Pittsburgh Marching Band and get to look forward to @26 hours on a bus between tomorrow night and Sunday morning with 250 college kids. . So...I should have plenty of time to read.

Looking forward ti planning along with you!

Tina, thanks for the insights on the shore excursions. I haven't checked into them yet but will do so soon. Wow, 26 hours with the marching band is some commitment. I really feel bad for band members because today on my way to work in my carpool, I saw band members from the West Torrance marching band practicing out in the 40+ degree cold (this is really cold for LA) at 7 AM! I was like, "Why are all those people in the football stands at 7 AM?" to which my co-worker said, "band members".

a few days late, but i'm here!

No worries, thanks for joining the fun....

I think you and Wendy should plan this !!Derek you would be learning the tricks from an expert !!!!

Rosie, you are so right. Wendy is the pro in the family although I usually book our time share reservations. We still need to lay out our vacation plans for 2011 because interspersed between our upcoming trip to New Jersey in July for Wendy's friend's (Kim & Allan) wedding, our Alaskan cruise in August and Wendy's cousin's wedding in Oahu (followed by a week in our timeshare in Maui), we still have like 2 weeks of time share points to use. We usually try to plan short trips to Palm Springs and Scottsdale, but I fear that due to limited days off, we'll have to cash out points or let our family go....sigh!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Well, sorry for the delay in posting but I think I'm coming down with a cold and have been popping Halls cough drops all day. As such, I haven't been at full strength to research our Alaskan travel plans or plan other stuff. Lately, my time has been spent fixing Dylan's broken X-Wing Star Wars Lego fighter (I should have taken my dad's advice and super glued the blocks together) and spending some time with the kids before they turn in.

By on an aside, for 2011, I'm trying to keep up with a few of my goals (I won't say "resolutions" because I'm never "resolved" enough to keep them, so I'll say "goals" because that's what they are).

Here's a few:

1. Daily quiet times (this is tough because I have like 15 minutes before I leave for work to read my Bible, pray and journal)
2. Pray for friends and family more
3. Read more (e.g., Christian books, literature, business books). I have a ton of books on my book shelf and every time I go into Family Christian Book Store, I'm tempted to buy more but alas, I keep reminding myself to just read what I have already purchased
4. Spend more one on one time with each of the kids (call them "mini dates" where we don't actually go out but I rotate like 15 minutes of dedicated time with each of them, separate from our regular play time)
5. Watch less TV (I'm learning to let go of some TV shows although Amazing Race, Apprentice, Undercover Boss, Castle, Hawaii 5-0 and alas, The Bachelor are still some of my favorites. I also try to slip in some HHI - House Hunters International when I get a chance for escapism)

So what are your top 5 goals for 2011? Honestly, I didn't bother writing these down as formal goals lest I have evidence at year-end of what I didn't accomplish ......what are your goal attainment strategies?

I'd love to hear them......

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Happy New Year, Derek to you and your family, and hope you are better quickly!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY!!!




Hmmm, goals, I hate goals, but we need them! Your first few sound like mine. They say it only takes 30 days to establish new habits... here's hoping we all stick to them!

So 1-3 are also mine
4. Take a little more time to show DH I appreciate him
5. Increase my business so I can go on more Disney trips and see my grandkids more! i.e. work harder (but it's fun!)

6. Get more excercise