TR, Lots of pics and video, too-Celebrated Life, Disney Style!

[lori1043]

Lori,

You make camping sound like such a blast!!!

I love the idea of sitting around a campfire making smores.

I know DH and the children would love to go camping -- I am the one that is a bit leery of being outside for extended periods of time.

Thanks for all the food for thought -- I may have to be adventurous and try camping at some point. Maybe we will stay in the cabins at FW sometime and I can work my way up from there.

Alright PRINCESS!!! Disney FW cabins are NOT camping!!! They are also my DH's idea of camping. Okay so you will have a few more trees around you. If you borrow or rent a camper, THAT will be camping. If you borrow or buy a big tent, that is even more of camping. Even I have a limit with a tent-3 nights MAX!! If you rent a cabin at a local campground, now that can be camping. I don't know where you are, but in NW Georgia, there is a GORGEOUS place called Cloudland Canyon. There is a hike about a mile down to a BEAUTIFUL waterfall(I felt as if in a childhood dream the first time we went). Skip the lower falls. You will hate that and you cannot get close to it anyway. It is like 400 steps down-then back up. Stick with the upper falls. We went in maybe 2003 and the 2 bedroom/1.5 bath cabins were about $110 per night in peak leaf change season(october). I had tea or hot cocoa every morning on the screened in porch with a book. This is my all time favorite place in Georgia. It is camping, it is a cabin, it is 'get your groceries at the foot of the mountain and don't go back to town' pretty. It's about 20 minutes from Chatanooga if you crave a day in more urban grounds. there is lots of history here too. Close to other popular waterfalls too. Very inexpensive vacation. We have gone with my dad and sister, who paid half the cabin and our whole trip was about $500, incl gas. Except, now, gas will cost you so much!!
We did this 2x-spring and fall. I like fall better. The leaves are the best colors and only the top of the mountian gets like that-you can see as it goes down the color changing back to green. Being from south La. -it was miraculous. There is a hug canyon to take photos of and admire the colors. Lots of hiking, if you want-but mostly relaxing.

Try something like that first!!

Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

Alright PRINCESS!!! Disney FW cabins are NOT camping!!! They are also my DH's idea of camping. Okay so you will have a few more trees around you. If you borrow or rent a camper, THAT will be camping. If you borrow or buy a big tent, that is even more of camping. Even I have a limit with a tent-3 nights MAX!! If you rent a cabin at a local campground, now that can be camping. I don't know where you are, but in NW Georgia, there is a GORGEOUS place called Cloudland Canyon. There is a hike about a mile down to a BEAUTIFUL waterfall(I felt as if in a childhood dream the first time we went). Skip the lower falls. You will hate that and you cannot get close to it anyway. It is like 400 steps down-then back up. Stick with the upper falls. We went in maybe 2003 and the 2 bedroom/1.5 bath cabins were about $110 per night in peak leaf change season(october). I had tea or hot cocoa every morning on the screened in porch with a book. This is my all time favorite place in Georgia. It is camping, it is a cabin, it is 'get your groceries at the foot of the mountain and don't go back to town' pretty. It's about 20 minutes from Chatanooga if you crave a day in more urban grounds. there is lots of history here too. Close to other popular waterfalls too. Very inexpensive vacation. We have gone with my dad and sister, who paid half the cabin and our whole trip was about $500, incl gas. Except, now, gas will cost you so much!!
We did this 2x-spring and fall. I like fall better. The leaves are the best colors and only the top of the mountian gets like that-you can see as it goes down the color changing back to green. Being from south La. -it was miraculous. There is a hug canyon to take photos of and admire the colors. Lots of hiking, if you want-but mostly relaxing.

Try something like that first!!

Lori

I know FW cabins aren't really camping, but I definitely think they are more my speed. That or Wilderness Lodge!

Cloudland Canyon sounds like the perfect place to start. We are 70 miles from Chattanooga so it must be really close! I will have to research that, because I just now the rest of the family would love it. They are much more outdoorsy than I am. I love the mental image of having coffee and hot chocolate out on the porch every morning -- in fact, that is really what is selling the idea to me! Especially in the fall -- what a soothing, relaxing image!

I am off to look it up on the internet!

 

[lori1043]

I know FW cabins aren't really camping, but I definitely think they are more my speed. That or Wilderness Lodge!

Cloudland Canyon sounds like the perfect place to start. We are 70 miles from Chattanooga so it must be really close! I will have to research that, because I just now the rest of the family would love it. They are much more outdoorsy than I am. I love the mental image of having coffee and hot chocolate out on the porch every morning -- in fact, that is really what is selling the idea to me! Especially in the fall -- what a soothing, relaxing image!

I am off to look it up on the internet!

It is one of my favorite places-non Disney, that is!! The other is Destin, Fla.

Cloudland Canyon is in the corner of Georgia/Alabama/Tennesee. You are very close! I forgot the name of the mountain(Lookout Mtn I think)-it is the same mountain that is in Chatanooga, but south. We just drove 20 minutes on top of the mtn to get to Chatanooga. It is in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Cloudland Canyon is 5 miles east of Trenton or 18 miles northwest of LaFayette via Ga. 136.

here is a link...

http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Cloudland_Canyon_State_Park



2 bedroom cabins-5 nights-$642 in October

gorgeous-now i wanna go there too.

Lori

 

[jordanyosh]

My idea of roughing it is staying off site at WDW...

 

[Charleston Princess]

It is one of my favorite places-non Disney, that is!! The other is Destin, Fla.

Cloudland Canyon is in the corner of Georgia/Alabama/Tennesee. You are very close! I forgot the name of the mountain(Lookout Mtn I think)-it is the same mountain that is in Chatanooga, but south. We just drove 20 minutes on top of the mtn to get to Chatanooga. It is in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Cloudland Canyon is 5 miles east of Trenton or 18 miles northwest of LaFayette via Ga. 136.

here is a link...

http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Cloudland_Canyon_State_Park

2 bedroom cabins-5 nights-$642 in October

gorgeous-now i wanna go there too.

Lori

It is beautiful! Do you have the link to where you stay? I can't find anything about accomodations on the page.

We love the Gulf Coast, too -- we have a friend that owns a house on the westside of Panama City -- the "classy" part, she says -- we are going to go down there with her the 23rd of June for a week -- we will barely be home during June -- but I love traveling so that's okay with me.

My idea of roughing it is staying off site at WDW...

That's too rough for me!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I found it!!! I was looking at the calendar -- they are pretty booked up on the weekends in October . Maybe the end of September?

 

[lori1043]

I love to travel myself. I am hoping our future pocketbook allows more than we do now!! I have always liked it and and get a little green that my DH gets to travel with work as often as he does. If only they'd pay for spouses every now and again . That'll never happen.
But that is a reason we went to Chicago- he loved it so much the times he went there that we took a family vacation there in '05. Had a blast, I could go back. We went on hotel points and airline miles.

We went to Disneyland like that too. Now THAT was a frugal romantic getaway!! The whole trip beginning to end, was $500-600!!!

We also have chosen a less traveled road of homeschooling and THAT affects the pocketbook pretty hard!! I do still work, but about 6-8 days a month. I am thankful that my job allows me to work like I do-even on bad days(and there have been many lately). I wouldn't change our homeschooling experience for more Disney vacations.

Jordan, i am happy you chimed in!!

I guess I should add the rest of my TR...

Lori

 

[jordanyosh]

No rush on the TR...I'm having fun "listening" to your camping stories.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love to travel myself. I am hoping our future pocketbook allows more than we do now!! I have always liked it and and get a little green that my DH gets to travel with work as often as he does. If only they'd pay for spouses every now and again . That'll never happen.
But that is a reason we went to Chicago- he loved it so much the times he went there that we took a family vacation there in '05. Had a blast, I could go back. We went on hotel points and airline miles.

We went to Disneyland like that too. Now THAT was a frugal romantic getaway!! The whole trip beginning to end, was $500-600!!!

We also have chosen a less traveled road of homeschooling and THAT affects the pocketbook pretty hard!! I do still work, but about 6-8 days a month. I am thankful that my job allows me to work like I do-even on bad days(and there have been many lately). I wouldn't change our homeschooling experience for more Disney vacations.

Jordan, i am happy you chimed in!!

I guess I should add the rest of my TR...

Lori

We've learned to cut a lot of corners in order to save for vacations -- not eating out much, no wild spending, etc. Also, because of the number of kids we have at our school, I am on extended day pay (which basically means, I don't have a planning during the day) -- it's crazy somedays, but all that money (which is quite a bit) goes straight into the vacation fund.

I think it is awesome that you are able to homeschool the girls -- if I were you, I wouldn't trade that for more Disney vacations, either.

 

[lori1043]

We've learned to cut a lot of corners in order to save for vacations -- not eating out much, no wild spending, etc. Also, because of the number of kids we have at our school, I am on extended day pay (which basically means, I don't have a planning during the day) -- it's crazy somedays, but all that money (which is quite a bit) goes straight into the vacation fund.

I think it is awesome that you are able to homeschool the girls -- if I were you, I wouldn't trade that for more Disney vacations, either.

That is pretty cool. yeah, we think of the really good lifestyle we could have if i worked FT-I do okay, being a cardiac sonographer. HA!! Gotta stop teasing myself-just kidding! The idea of being in a hospital any more than i already am really makes me sad. After all we went through with DD10, I have an aversion to the smell of a hospital!! yuck...all I can take is 6 -8 days a month. If i ever work FT again, it will be at a clinic or in another profession. A good/bad thing about having a trade is that "Hey, I have a skill that is lucrative!" and 'oh, I can do nothing else to fall back on if i get sick of this ONE skill I possess". I have been at it for 14 years already. I do like it, but the whole sick people thing gets taxing. I know there is a reason for it though- whatever it may be. So, I am really not whining!!!

I am thankful for it b/c it pays our grocery bill, vacation and Chrismas funds and kid activities.

We don't eat out a lot either or do much else other than save for Disney trips and try to get away for a weekend or 2 per year. We used to go to Destin all the time b/c my uncle had a place there-it as a cheap getaway! But his kids all moved up north and he had no reason for it any more, so he sold it and we hardly go any more. We will be going this year though. After Labor day when rates go down and it is still warm/hot.

The reason i like camping was due to my parents having 4 kids and my mom was at home-so if we wanted to travel, it was in the pop up! I could go anywhere in a camper. My DH got me spoiled on hotels though- Homewood Suites to be specific. Very nice, feeds you b/fast and dinner too(Sun-Thurs). But growing up we camped everywhere(I thought!!)-Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Disney World. If it was a vacation, it was in the camper. I never tired of it, even as a teen. My sibs enjoy it too, even my DB bought a huge camper b/c of all the fun times we had growing up camping. He wanted that for his kids. he did have to sell the monstrocity he used to have after he had his first b/c it was horrendously expensive (my SIL said it was the only way she'd camp )-so they are looking for smaller now! And about to have #2!

The only trip I had ever taken with my parents and stayed in MOTEL was to Washington DC when i was 8, my dad was on business and the other kids did not go. me and mom flew up there to meet him. We drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and it snowed and we did DC.

Anyway- there 's the life story- sorry so long!!


Lori

 

[Charleston Princess]

That is pretty cool. yeah, we think of the really good lifestyle we could have if i worked FT-I do okay, being a cardiac sonographer. HA!! Gotta stop teasing myself-just kidding! The idea of being in a hospital any more than i already am really makes me sad. After all we went through with DD10, I have an aversion to the smell of a hospital!! yuck...all I can take is 6 -8 days a month. If i ever work FT again, it will be at a clinic or in another profession. A good/bad thing about having a trade is that "Hey, I have a skill that is lucrative!" and 'oh, I can do nothing else to fall back on if i get sick of this ONE skill I possess". I have been at it for 14 years already. I do like it, but the whole sick people thing gets taxing. I know there is a reason for it though- whatever it may be. So, I am really not whining!!!

I understand completely -- DH has been in and out of the hospital a few times with his diabetes -- being in a hospital is never a pleasant experience for me.

I am thankful for it b/c it pays our grocery bill, vacation and Chrismas funds and kid activities.

We don't eat out a lot either or do much else other than save for Disney trips and try to get away for a weekend or 2 per year. We used to go to Destin all the time b/c my uncle had a place there-it as a cheap getaway! But his kids all moved up north and he had no reason for it any more, so he sold it and we hardly go any more. We will be going this year though. After Labor day when rates go down and it is still warm/hot.

The side trips we take we always do on a rather tight budget, so that we can have that "big" trip in the summer -- prior to realizing that WDW really was doable annually we went to Hilton Head with the family every year. We love the beach, but aside from the magical aspect of Disney, we like how we are able to put everything into a budget and pay for almost everything before we ever head down there. So, now we are always plotting the next WDW vacation (obviously ).

The reason i like camping was due to my parents having 4 kids and my mom was at home-so if we wanted to travel, it was in the pop up! I could go anywhere in a camper. My DH got me spoiled on hotels though- Homewood Suites to be specific. Very nice, feeds you b/fast and dinner too(Sun-Thurs). But growing up we camped everywhere(I thought!!)-Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Disney World. If it was a vacation, it was in the camper. I never tired of it, even as a teen. My sibs enjoy it too, even my DB bought a huge camper b/c of all the fun times we had growing up camping. He wanted that for his kids. he did have to sell the monstrocity he used to have after he had his first b/c it was horrendously expensive (my SIL said it was the only way she'd camp )-so they are looking for smaller now! And about to have #2!

Those are the kinds of memories I want my children to have -- having a blast with their parents no matter where we are! I am feeling a tad bit nostalgic about the whole "grabbing time" thing tonight (I'll explain why in my PTR tomorrow) and have decided that no matter what I need to treasure these moments with my children while they are younger -- they are going to be grown before I know it!

Anyway- there 's the life story- sorry so long!!

Which I always love hearing about!

 

[lori1043]

I understand completely -- DH has been in and out of the hospital a few times with his diabetes -- being in a hospital is never a pleasant experience for me.



The side trips we take we always do on a rather tight budget, so that we can have that "big" trip in the summer -- prior to realizing that WDW really was doable annually we went to Hilton Head with the family every year. We love the beach, but aside from the magical aspect of Disney, we like how we are able to put everything into a budget and pay for almost everything before we ever head down there. So, now we are always plotting the next WDW vacation (obviously ).



Those are the kinds of memories I want my children to have -- having a blast with their parents no matter where we are! I am feeling a tad bit nostalgic about the whole "grabbing time" thing tonight (I'll explain why in my PTR tomorrow) and have decided that no matter what I need to treasure these moments with my children while they are younger -- they are going to be grown before I know it!



Which I always love hearing about!

Jackie, I love your outlook. While we cannot afford it every year(but there is MUCH hope for the future!!), and I am okay with that, we were affording a quick trip there on a strict budget every year and a half for a while. Make a Wish fueled that!! The 2 trips after MAW were so tightly budgeted, and I am totally okay with that, but we are wanting a little more now!! Nothing off the top-but we used to only eat out 1-2 times per trip-max. And it usually was a character meal and then something out of the blue on a whim. This past trip was an exception and our next trip there will be in between this past one and the last 2.

Enjoy the time with your kids. Enjoy every moment. Make it the best quality time you can. It is SO easy to get sidetracked by LIFE that we can miss the little things. Like for me, the computer is a sidetrack. For DH it is TV. I really have to watch my time on it b/c i can literally ignore the kids and not flinch when on it -true, embarrassing ,but true! I should know better too. I almost lost one. I used to just stare at her and everything she did and be so thankful. Now when she hums the same tune(verse, even) ALL day-I beg her to change the tune!! It kind of grates on the nerves after a while. But I am GLAD she is here to hum. She has a happy heart. same with DD8, although we never had the unfortunate skirt with death with her-THANK YOU JESUS!!!- I find myself getting so sidetracked when she is talking this LONG story to me and I get lost in it-not in a good way.

It was funny you mention all that b/c my cousin, whom I grew up with, is so focused and organized, she has to make sure she pays attention to her kids and doesn't ignore them. She has to TRY at it. It is against her grain. I am the opposite, which can be just as bad-esp for a homeschooler-I just wanna play-but what I wanna play!!- and I can get sooo sidetracked so easily. I am not a naturally organised person like she is. It is against my grain! Homeschooling has forced me into organization!!! It is an out of my box situation!!

We JUST had that conversation a few days ago.

Got sidetracked , but take it from a mom whose child has skirted death-take every moment you have and just love them and teach them and play with them and watch them play(That is my favorite thing). Glue it all in your memory. Life is fast and it can be too short-TRUST me, i have seen too much of that. There is no turning back. I don't know your faith situation, but whatever it is, I suggest you just pray over them-say a little prayer by them when they are sleeping- for a long ,fulfilling, lovely life on this earth and that they can overcome , with grace, any situation that faces them. My best friends dad died about 2 years ago and one thing her sister said in the eulogy was that her dad couldn't give much financially, but he gave them one thing that could never be forgotten-he prayed by/over them nightly, till they left thier home. She talked about her appreciation for it and that her life would probably not be as good as it was without all those prayers. So, as I was already doing this, and even my DH,we have continued it, and always will, till they leave the nest.

getting really nostalgic here. It is all fresh still no matter what time has gone by. Just love them.

Lori

 

[lucas]

WOW! Sorry I'm late, but great trip report and I loved seeing your pics!

 

[lori1043]

WOW! Sorry I'm late, but great trip report and I loved seeing your pics!

That is cool, I never have finished, but want to go on. Just been sooo very busy!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Jackie, I love your outlook. While we cannot afford it every year(but there is MUCH hope for the future!!), and I am okay with that, we were affording a quick trip there on a strict budget every year and a half for a while. Make a Wish fueled that!! The 2 trips after MAW were so tightly budgeted, and I am totally okay with that, but we are wanting a little more now!! Nothing off the top-but we used to only eat out 1-2 times per trip-max. And it usually was a character meal and then something out of the blue on a whim. This past trip was an exception and our next trip there will be in between this past one and the last 2.

Enjoy the time with your kids. Enjoy every moment. Make it the best quality time you can. It is SO easy to get sidetracked by LIFE that we can miss the little things. Like for me, the computer is a sidetrack. For DH it is TV. I really have to watch my time on it b/c i can literally ignore the kids and not flinch when on it -true, embarrassing ,but true! I should know better too. I almost lost one. I used to just stare at her and everything she did and be so thankful. Now when she hums the same tune(verse, even) ALL day-I beg her to change the tune!! It kind of grates on the nerves after a while. But I am GLAD she is here to hum. She has a happy heart. same with DD8, although we never had the unfortunate skirt with death with her-THANK YOU JESUS!!!- I find myself getting so sidetracked when she is talking this LONG story to me and I get lost in it-not in a good way.

It was funny you mention all that b/c my cousin, whom I grew up with, is so focused and organized, she has to make sure she pays attention to her kids and doesn't ignore them. She has to TRY at it. It is against her grain. I am the opposite, which can be just as bad-esp for a homeschooler-I just wanna play-but what I wanna play!!- and I can get sooo sidetracked so easily. I am not a naturally organised person like she is. It is against my grain! Homeschooling has forced me into organization!!! It is an out of my box situation!!

We JUST had that conversation a few days ago.

Got sidetracked , but take it from a mom whose child has skirted death-take every moment you have and just love them and teach them and play with them and watch them play(That is my favorite thing). Glue it all in your memory. Life is fast and it can be too short-TRUST me, i have seen too much of that. There is no turning back. I don't know your faith situation, but whatever it is, I suggest you just pray over them-say a little prayer by them when they are sleeping- for a long ,fulfilling, lovely life on this earth and that they can overcome , with grace, any situation that faces them. My best friends dad died about 2 years ago and one thing her sister said in the eulogy was that her dad couldn't give much financially, but he gave them one thing that could never be forgotten-he prayed by/over them nightly, till they left thier home. She talked about her appreciation for it and that her life would probably not be as good as it was without all those prayers. So, as I was already doing this, and even my DH,we have continued it, and always will, till they leave the nest.

getting really nostalgic here. It is all fresh still no matter what time has gone by. Just love them.

Lori

All that you said is sooo true and resonates with me! I can definitely identify with sometimes forgetting to savor each moment or finding myself getting frustrated with my two -- especially when they are fighting in the backseat. But at the end of the day, I just want to hold them tight and keep them safe from everything in the world!

 

[DisneyMom14]

It's been QUITE a while since I've been on the Dis but I've been thinking about everyone. I just had to stop by to say hi. I hope all is well.

 

[lori1043]

It's been QUITE a while since I've been on the Dis but I've been thinking about everyone. I just had to stop by to say hi. I hope all is well.

It's all good! I noticed you've been MIA!! Good to have you back!

Lori

 

[DisneyMom14]

Hey again Lori. I'm definitely out of the loop for the last couple of months. End of the school year stuff has me so busy. Toss on top that my DS just started t-ball. Our last week of school is this week and although I would not entertain the idea of going to FL in the heat of the summer, I have to say I am definitely going through Disney-withdrawl. Going back to back like we did this year did not help my addiction. I think that is partly why I don't get on Dis as much. I used to stay up late on here even after a busy day. Now, I'm so tired at the end of the long days and I know it will be quite a while until I go back to DW that I don't want to depress myself. I do miss talking to all of you. That's the one thing that keeps me checking in every so often! Hope all is well

 

[the4princesses]

Hi I've enjoyed reading your post!!
I've been HS for 12 year now!!
I have Grad. 2 girls and I'm HS a DD14 and DD5
I love it and would have it no other way!!
I live in Gonzales. Where do you live in La.?
We are going back to POP Sept. 2-11th with free dining!
Write back!!
Kathy

 

[lori1043]

Hi I've enjoyed reading your post!!
I've been HS for 12 year now!!
I have Grad. 2 girls and I'm HS a DD14 and DD5
I love it and would have it no other way!!
I live in Gonzales. Where do you live in La.?
We are going back to POP Sept. 2-11th with free dining!
Write back!!
Kathy

Hey Kathy! My brother lives in Gonzales with his wife and 4 year old and one due Tuesday! He is the juvenile detective for Ascension.
I LOVE homeschooling and going into our 4th year. We start in July.

We live in Covington.
Congrats on graduation 2 of your kids already! That is a great accomplishment!

I take it one year at a time and unsure what the high school years will bring us.

Lori