*** The Official July 2014 thread, join us won't you? ***

[RHMH]

Can't believe Midori is back in school already. Next week starts my professional days and then the kids start the 26. Where has the summer gone?

I know!!! It has flown by. Midori was ready to get the school year started and finish 8th grade. She is so ready for High School. They started early this year but they will get out the 2nd week of May. Can't believe you are get ready for your October trip!!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I LOVE THE FALL!!!!!!!!! It's my favorite time of year... October & November, thanksgiving being my favorite holiday! I agree about the winter.. Lol... I can handle cold! I can handle some snow! But, that ice... I say a silent prayer that I don't fall in the middle of the street or sidewalk or anywhere!
I picked the week of the 4th because we never do anything that day anyway. I know the crowds are insane and figure for the actual 4th we will go to BB or stay at the resort just make an ADR at night the rest of the week make RD and maybe beat some of the crowds!?!

Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday! I love that it's all about the food and being with the family, but I don't have to wrap any presents! My sister and I alternate whose house we have it, and this year is her turn. It's funny because the first year I made thanksgiving was a few months after we moved into the house, when I was 7 months pregnant with DS8. My sister will be 7 months pregnant this time when she makes it! Funny thing is, I was determined to do it and so is she!

A water park on July 4th sounds like a great idea. It will probably not be crowded. A resort day sounds great too, some nice relaxing pool time while all the crowds are fighting each other in the theme parks! I bet on the 5th, MK will be the least crowded park, something to consider!

 

[RHMH]

I LOVE THE FALL!!!!!!!!! It's my favorite time of year... October & November, thanksgiving being my favorite holiday! I agree about the winter.. Lol... I can handle cold! I can handle some snow! But, that ice... I say a silent prayer that I don't fall in the middle of the street or sidewalk or anywhere!
I picked the week of the 4th because we never do anything that day anyway. I know the crowds are insane and figure for the actual 4th we will go to BB or stay at the resort just make an ADR at night the rest of the week make RD and maybe beat some of the crowds!?!

Last year 9 families participated in a progressive dinner for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun and at the end of the day, I felt like the stuffed turkey.

Also - when it snows or sleets in Fort Worth, people go crazy. One day channel 8 news report over 250 accidents in one day.

 

[momofboyz3]

Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday! I love that it's all about the food and being with the family, but I don't have to wrap any presents! My sister and I alternate whose house we have it, and this year is her turn. It's funny because the first year I made thanksgiving was a few months after we moved into the house, when I was 7 months pregnant with DS8. My sister will be 7 months pregnant this time when she makes it! Funny thing is, I was determined to do it and so is she!

A water park on July 4th sounds like a great idea. It will probably not be crowded. A resort day sounds great too, some nice relaxing pool time while all the crowds are fighting each other in the theme parks! I bet on the 5th, MK will be the least crowded park, something to consider!

See your post made me think of the fall and I got that warm and fuzzy feeling reading about how your family spends thanksgiving.
I am excited about our next disney trip, can't wait to put the $200 down when I can be 100% sure of which resort.

 

[momofboyz3]

Last year 9 families participated in a progressive dinner for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun and at the end of the day, I felt like the stuffed turkey.

Also - when it snows or sleets in Fort Worth, people go crazy. One day channel 8 news report over 250 accidents in one day.

9 families! Wow! I don't think I could handle that. But, it sounds fun (I have a small family).
That's sad about all those accidents but I would love to get away from New England winters.

 

[anjalee6]

I know!!! It has flown by. Midori was ready to get the school year started and finish 8th grade. She is so ready for High School. They started early this year but they will get out the 2nd week of May. Can't believe you are get ready for your October trip!!!!

I am so excited about our October trip. The kids have been very busy looking through Halloween costumes trying to figure out what they want to be. I have to decide whether I am going to dress up. Lat time we went we didn't (the adults). This time I think it might be fun to dress up. We will see if I find something I really like. Hope Midori's first couple of days have gone well.

 

[RHMH]

I am so excited about our October trip. The kids have been very busy looking through Halloween costumes trying to figure out what they want to be. I have to decide whether I am going to dress up. Lat time we went we didn't (the adults). This time I think it might be fun to dress up. We will see if I find something I really like. Hope Midori's first couple of days have gone well.

Midori & I are very excited for you and your family. Dressing up will be a lot of fun.

Midori starts her Volleyball season next week.. followed by Basketball in December.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Last year 9 families participated in a progressive dinner for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun and at the end of the day, I felt like the stuffed turkey.

Also - when it snows or sleets in Fort Worth, people go crazy. One day channel 8 news report over 250 accidents in one day.

Wow, 9 families!! I think I would be overwhelmed at so many people, but if everyone pitches in and does some cooking (I love to do that), and some cleaning (my least favorite part!), it makes things easier and a lot of fun and bonding as well.

Wow, 250 accidents in one day...but I guess in your area people aren't used to snow and ice. There are several accidents here during a winter storm, but I don't think that many. We live in a quiet neighborhood in Brooklyn...still part of the 5 boroughs of NYC, but our mayor seems to only think Manhattan is NYC. During the huge snowstorm the day after Christmas in 2010, he was on the news saying that everything in NYC is perfect and open for business so everyone local should go out and see a Broadway show and go to dinner. What he failed to say was that all buses and trains in the outer boroughs were not running so we had no way to go anywhere anyway, and the streets were not cleaned up (VERY unusual for my neighborhood), so we couldn't even drive! He had the Dept. of Sanitation clear all of Manhattan so the tourists could spend more money since it was the busiest tourist week in the city (Christmas to New Year's). Times Square on NYE didn't even look like it ever had snowed, yet we were piled high in Brooklyn and the other outer boroughs! My friend's husband works for Sanitation and they worked overtime and were instructed only to report to Manhattan even when they questioned it, saying there were too many sanitation workers there and they needed them in the outer boroughs.

See your post made me think of the fall and I got that warm and fuzzy feeling reading about how your family spends thanksgiving.
I am excited about our next disney trip, can't wait to put the $200 down when I can be 100% sure of which resort.

Aww, glad you got that warm, fuzzy feeling! I just love that time of year. It's one of the reasons DH and I decided to get married the Sunday before Thanksgiving, almost 12 years ago already! The fact we enjoy the flavors and feel of the Fall makes going back to work in September a little easier. Once we go back to work we can't wait for the cool weather to come! I really love the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving though. It's much cooler out but usually not too cold, no snow, and just that feeling in the air. Then I also love Thanksgiving through New Year's! A different feeling but I love all the decorations and how pretty everything looks. And looking forward to a week off with the kids for Christmas break is always a bonus!

It's always nice once you book the resort. It just makes the trip seem that much more of a reality. On Tuesday I book ours!! I would have done it sooner but I have to wait for that 11-month mark for the DVC home resort to open up! Then I will officially post our trip dates! The thing is, I have to do this a few days in a row because I could only book 7 nights at the 11-month mark. So I call DVC Member Services (or go online now) the next 3 mornings to book the remainder of the 10 nights. Totally worth calling every day!

I am so excited about our October trip. The kids have been very busy looking through Halloween costumes trying to figure out what they want to be. I have to decide whether I am going to dress up. Lat time we went we didn't (the adults). This time I think it might be fun to dress up. We will see if I find something I really like. Hope Midori's first couple of days have gone well.

I would definitely be dressing up if I had the chance to be at MNSSHP. I love dressing up for Halloween with the kids! Your trip is getting so close, I can't wait to hear all about it after you go...but I also hope that the trip itself goes nice and slowly for you!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Midori starts her Volleyball season next week.. followed by Basketball in December.

Wow, that's great!!! Here's to successful seasons for both sports!

DH is the Athletic Director at the high school where he teaches. He brought that school their first ever sports program, 2 years ago. They now have several sports there (it grows every season), and he's getting ready to begin official practices on Monday for soccer! Last year was their first season of basketball and it went great...that starts in December. He really enjoys being involved in sports at his school (he played lacrosse in high school). He likes to see how it motivates the students to do well in school. I think they need something they love at school, outside of their usual classes even if they love some of those. At my school, I am more involved in the performing arts (like I myself was in high school). I run a student-run show that is performed in early February, but is a 9-month process altogether...my crazy days are in January mostly though when rehearsals are going on and it's really crunch time. I also volunteer my time to do hair and makeup for the 2 school-run musicals (December and May). I have a lot of fun with that and the shows are just terrific at my school! A lot of our students go on to a profession in theater, either performance or technical. They are truly talented young men and ladies! And they are some of the most successful students in the building academically. The vast majority of my students who are in the theater, art or music programs are my best students who never miss a day or an assignment, have excellent work ethic all around and earn high marks. They are amazing at multitasking. DH sees this with a lot of the athletes at his school as well, even some who didn't even care about school and didn't do their work before the sports program started 2 years ago. It really turned some of them around, and kids need that!

 

[think-like-tink]

Keeping the fall theme, I went to Bath and Body Works yesterday, they had there fall scents out. I was so excited. My house smells like pumpkins and cinnamon. I am ready to put my fall decor up.

 

[RHMH]

Keeping the fall theme, I went to Bath and Body Works yesterday, they had there fall scents out. I was so excited. My house smells like pumpkins and cinnamon. I am ready to put my fall decor up.

I hear ya!!! Got to start thinking about DD 14th Birthday Party in October, School Fall Festival and DD Volleyball next week. Albertsons Grocery Store already has started displaying Halloween decorations.

 

[momofboyz3]

I hear ya!!! Got to start thinking about DD 14th Birthday Party in October, School Fall Festival and DD Volleyball next week. Albertsons Grocery Store already has started displaying Halloween decorations.

My twins will be 14 in December! Can't believe it! Where does the time go???

 

[think-like-tink]

My DD's Birthday is on Thanksgiving this year. Turkey and birthday cake. I am planning her party already. We are going with Alice and wonderland theme.

 

[RHMH]

9 families! Wow! I don't think I could handle that. But, it sounds fun (I have a small family).
That's sad about all those accidents but I would love to get away from New England winters.

Response below.

Wow, 9 families!! I think I would be overwhelmed at so many people, but if everyone pitches in and does some cooking (I love to do that), and some cleaning (my least favorite part!), it makes things easier and a lot of fun and bonding as well.

Wow, 250 accidents in one day...but I guess in your area people aren't used to snow and ice. There are several accidents here during a winter storm, but I don't think that many. We live in a quiet neighborhood in Brooklyn...still part of the 5 boroughs of NYC, but our mayor seems to only think Manhattan is NYC. During the huge snowstorm the day after Christmas in 2010, he was on the news saying that everything in NYC is perfect and open for business so everyone local should go out and see a Broadway show and go to dinner. What he failed to say was that all buses and trains in the outer boroughs were not running so we had no way to go anywhere anyway, and the streets were not cleaned up (VERY unusual for my neighborhood), so we couldn't even drive! He had the Dept. of Sanitation clear all of Manhattan so the tourists could spend more money since it was the busiest tourist week in the city (Christmas to New Year's). Times Square on NYE didn't even look like it ever had snowed, yet we were piled high in Brooklyn and the other outer boroughs! My friend's husband works for Sanitation and they worked overtime and were instructed only to report to Manhattan even when they questioned it, saying there were too many sanitation workers there and they needed them in the outer boroughs.



Aww, glad you got that warm, fuzzy feeling! I just love that time of year. It's one of the reasons DH and I decided to get married the Sunday before Thanksgiving, almost 12 years ago already! The fact we enjoy the flavors and feel of the Fall makes going back to work in September a little easier. Once we go back to work we can't wait for the cool weather to come! I really love the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving though. It's much cooler out but usually not too cold, no snow, and just that feeling in the air. Then I also love Thanksgiving through New Year's! A different feeling but I love all the decorations and how pretty everything looks. And looking forward to a week off with the kids for Christmas break is always a bonus!

It's always nice once you book the resort. It just makes the trip seem that much more of a reality. On Tuesday I book ours!! I would have done it sooner but I have to wait for that 11-month mark for the DVC home resort to open up! Then I will officially post our trip dates! The thing is, I have to do this a few days in a row because I could only book 7 nights at the 11-month mark. So I call DVC Member Services (or go online now) the next 3 mornings to book the remainder of the 10 nights. Totally worth calling every day!



I would definitely be dressing up if I had the chance to be at MNSSHP. I love dressing up for Halloween with the kids! Your trip is getting so close, I can't wait to hear all about it after you go...but I also hope that the trip itself goes nice and slowly for you!

We all have been friends since our kid's started school. Travel in 7 very large SUV's. I run a temp service so we hire people that do not have families to spend with during the Holidays, feed them and they clean up for us.

Can get pretty messy with we get our winter mix in the DFW area.

Wow, that's great!!! Here's to successful seasons for both sports!

DH is the Athletic Director at the high school where he teaches. He brought that school their first ever sports program, 2 years ago. They now have several sports there (it grows every season), and he's getting ready to begin official practices on Monday for soccer! Last year was their first season of basketball and it went great...that starts in December. He really enjoys being involved in sports at his school (he played lacrosse in high school). He likes to see how it motivates the students to do well in school. I think they need something they love at school, outside of their usual classes even if they love some of those. At my school, I am more involved in the performing arts (like I myself was in high school). I run a student-run show that is performed in early February, but is a 9-month process altogether...my crazy days are in January mostly though when rehearsals are going on and it's really crunch time. I also volunteer my time to do hair and makeup for the 2 school-run musicals (December and May). I have a lot of fun with that and the shows are just terrific at my school! A lot of our students go on to a profession in theater, either performance or technical. They are truly talented young men and ladies! And they are some of the most successful students in the building academically. The vast majority of my students who are in the theater, art or music programs are my best students who never miss a day or an assignment, have excellent work ethic all around and earn high marks. They are amazing at multitasking. DH sees this with a lot of the athletes at his school as well, even some who didn't even care about school and didn't do their work before the sports program started 2 years ago. It really turned some of them around, and kids need that!

Thanks for the ... Sounds like you guys stay pretty busy also

 

[RHMH]

My twins will be 14 in December! Can't believe it! Where does the time go???

I know!!!! It just seems like yesterday, I was still changing diapers and smiling as Midori started to walk.

My DD's Birthday is on Thanksgiving this year. Turkey and birthday cake. I am planning her party already. We are going with Alice and wonderland theme.

Sounds Super!!!

 

[momofboyz3]

Aww, glad you got that warm, fuzzy feeling! I just love that time of year. It's one of the reasons DH and I decided to get married the Sunday before Thanksgiving, almost 12 years ago already! The fact we enjoy the flavors and feel of the Fall makes going back to work in September a little easier. Once we go back to work we can't wait for the cool weather to come! I really love the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving though. It's much cooler out but usually not too cold, no snow, and just that feeling in the air. Then I also love Thanksgiving through New Year's! A different feeling but I love all the decorations and how pretty everything looks. And looking forward to a week off with the kids for Christmas break is always a bonus!

It's always nice once you book the resort. It just makes the trip seem that much more of a reality. On Tuesday I book ours!! I would have done it sooner but I have to wait for that 11-month mark for the DVC home resort to open up! Then I will officially post our trip dates! The thing is, I have to do this a few days in a row because I could only book 7 nights at the 11-month mark. So I call DVC Member Services (or go online now) the next 3 mornings to book the remainder of the 10 nights. Totally worth calling every day!

Mmmm... I love everything about the Fall ESP the scents and the chill in the air. I hear good things about DVC it just seems a bit confusing to me ~ but let us know when you book, love to share the excitement!!!
I can't wait to put that $200 down when I make my 100% decision on exact dates... August/sept is the toughest time for me, with all the Bts stuff it feels like I will never catch up financially. But by end of Sept I'm back on track and will feel better about making those disney payments!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Keeping the fall theme, I went to Bath and Body Works yesterday, they had there fall scents out. I was so excited. My house smells like pumpkins and cinnamon. I am ready to put my fall decor up.

I love those scents!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

My DD's Birthday is on Thanksgiving this year. Turkey and birthday cake. I am planning her party already. We are going with Alice and wonderland theme.

Sounds nice! This year Hanukkah is so early that the first night is the night before thanksgiving! Turkey and sweet potato latkes?

We all have been friends since our kid's started school. Travel in 7 very large SUV's. I run a temp service so we hire people that do not have families to spend with during the Holidays, feed them and they clean up for us.

Can get pretty messy with we get our winter mix in the DFW area.



Thanks for the ... Sounds like you guys stay pretty busy also

Sounds like a really nice group for thanksgiving. It's really nice that you do something so sweet for people who do not have family around to celebrate. I'm sure they appreciate that very much.

Yep, we do stay busy, between our work schedules, DS8's swimming and singing lessons, and DS6 is starting swimming lessons this Fall. Last year he did breakdancing but he doesn't want to continue this year. He would rather do swimming. And maybe baseball in the spring, we'll see. Being so busy, life gets very hectic but it's also for all good things, which we are so grateful for. Plus it makes the time go quickly between WDW trips!

Mmmm... I love everything about the Fall ESP the scents and the chill in the air. I hear good things about DVC it just seems a bit confusing to me ~ but let us know when you book, love to share the excitement!!!
I can't wait to put that $200 down when I make my 100% decision on exact dates... August/sept is the toughest time for me, with all the Bts stuff it feels like I will never catch up financially. But by end of Sept I'm back on track and will feel better about making those disney payments!

September is just around the corner, so before you know it, you'll be in that sweet spot! Let us know here as well when you book, because it is very exciting as you said!

We love DVC. It makes sense for our family. On our first family WDW trip, the boys were only 1 and 3. We knew we wanted to go back every other year but stay longer. We only stayed 5 days on that trip but we said 10 would be ideal. We had stayed at Pop, which was really nice, but we felt like we needed more space, and DH and I need a queen bed. It's just what we're used to. Adding up what it would cost to stay at a deluxe or a DVC on cash, and knowing we had lots of trips ahead of us as the boys grow up, DVC just made sense. So we bought a resale at BWV. That was the resort that we liked the most after doing lots of research. We bought enough points to stay in a 1-bedroom standard view for 10 nights every other July. Best decision for us!

 

[momofboyz3]

Well I have an actual disney related question!!! All the threads about PP+ is giving me
A migraine. We did not get it our last vaca but thinking about it this time around.... I loved getting the actual photo of my boys after SM it was a classic! If you do PP+ do you still get an actual photo when you exit the ride or do you need to wait for the cd to arrive once you get home????? Thanks friends

 

[anjalee6]

Well I have an actual disney related question!!! All the threads about PP+ is giving me
A migraine. We did not get it our last vaca but thinking about it this time around.... I loved getting the actual photo of my boys after SM it was a classic! If you do PP+ do you still get an actual photo when you exit the ride or do you need to wait for the cd to arrive once you get home????? Thanks friends

You don't get the ride photo until after you order the cd. They just put them on your photo pass + card. The only ones you get right away are the restaurant photos.