TR w/4000+ Pics/Disney on Ice w/184 Pics!!

[kaoden39]

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[Zoemakes5]

just subscribing to the thread..Zoe and I met up with Laurie and her crew and spent the whole day with them. Had a GREAT time. Hope to see them all again soon!

 

[Belle Ella]

I hope the drive home today wasn't too bad! I went through the shockingly few photos I took today and thought you might like this one!!

They kept me entertained during the tour! Had a great time seeing ya'll

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

That's a great picture! I really enjoyed meeting them, Laurie & the rest of the family!

 

[DizNee Luver]

just subscribing to the thread..Zoe and I met up with Laurie and her crew and spent the whole day with them. Had a GREAT time. Hope to see them all again soon!

We had a blast with you both....I'm so glad you joined us....it made for a very special day!!

I hope the drive home today wasn't too bad! I went through the shockingly few photos I took today and thought you might like this one!!

They kept me entertained during the tour! Had a great time seeing ya'll

Thanx for the pic Jessica!! I'm glad you joined us....just wish we all could have hung out after the tour & chatted more!!

That's a great picture! I really enjoyed meeting them, Laurie & the rest of the family!

It was wonderful meeting you & your family Vicki!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hooray....time for a Trip Report!!

Our trip started the morning of July 24th in Salem, Oregon. We rented a 12 passenger van for the 10 of us. I could tell when it arrived that getting 6 adults, 2 kids (1 booster seat) & 2 toddlers in infant car seats with all our luggage would be a task. Thank goodness I'm good at Tetrus!!

So here we are, all loaded up & ready to hit the road at 6:45am.

Our first stop would be in Medford to see some friends. We stopped & met Judy Barr; who was the twins CASA & also John & Bylle McCulley who did respite for us but most importantly became good friends of our entire family.

This is John with Anthony:

And this is Judy on the left & Bylle on the right:

The boys (Nick & Tyler) used to work in the mall. Tyler went to catch up with a few co-workers.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Here are a few more pics:

We had a quick lunch in the food court at the mall & then loaded back up & headed south. Here's the leaving Oregon sign:

Quickly followed by the Welcome to California Sign:

This one is at the Inspection Station:

Next up are pics of Mt Shasta (now keep in mind these were all taken from a moving vehicle....some came out quick nicely.....some have window glare) But not too shabby!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Next set of pics are of Shasta Lake & the kids napping:

Got a couple (blurry) pics as we passed thru Sacramento of their water tower & then we stopped for dinner in Elk Creek at an A&W/KFC restaurant:

We found Shyann's new favorite food: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy. We've never gotten her to eat these before....but something changed this trip & she couldn't get enough of them!!

After dinner it was back in the van & traveling on to Lathrop, which is just south of Stockton. We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites. We got 2 rooms. We arrived in time to get checked in & then hit the pool & hot tub.

I do have to say that the pool was a bit cool for my likings but the hot tub was just that......HOT!

The next post will have pics from inside the hotel.

 

[DizNee Luver]

The Hampton Inn & Suites in Lathrop, CA.
This was easily accessible from I-5 & near a number of fast foods & gas stations.
The hotel was clean & comfortable & the staff was very helpful (especially when we couldn't find yogurt for Shyann at any of the convenience stores close by).
They have a pool & hot tub & provide towels for this. I believe they had a workout area as well.
They offer free breakfast which included hot & cold cereal, fruit, yogurt, juices, waffles, biscuits & gravy, toast, bagels, coffee, tea, milk & a few other items. No reason to leave hungry.

Here are the pics from the inside the hotel:

The kids had fun in the pool, while Betty & Mike relaxed in the hot tub. Shyann loved being pulled around on the kickboards while Michayla loved sitting on the steps splashing up a storm. It was a great way to end our first day!!

Tomorrow I will put up Day 2!! Hope you enjoyed the first day!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Loving all the pictures so far! Looks like the road trip was a lot of fun! I love the pictures of that mountain!

 

[kaoden39]

Laurie it was great fun seeing you all yesterday and I enjoyed text messaging with you. I love the pictures of my beautiful Mt Shasta.

Here is Burney Falls and the campground.

 

[Michelle2]

Can't wait to read more!

Where is that Jelly Belly factory that you all took a tour of? Jelly Bellies are my favorite, I would love to see it if it is close to DL!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Loving all the pictures so far! Looks like the road trip was a lot of fun! I love the pictures of that mountain!

The road trip wasn't bad....we planned certain stops to see people....which helped......a lot! Shasta is a beautiful area & we love having the pics of the mountain!!

Laurie it was great fun seeing you all yesterday and I enjoyed text messaging with you. I love the pictures of my beautiful Mt Shasta.

Here is Burney Falls and the campground.

It was sooooo much fun....just wish we could have all hung out longer. It's fun getting texts from someone other than my kids & hubby......lol I'll check out Burney Falls in a bit!

Can't wait to read more!

Where is that Jelly Belly factory that you all took a tour of? Jelly Bellies are my favorite, I would love to see it if it is close to DL!

The Jelly Belly Factory is in Fairfield, which is east of the bay area. We live in Oregon, so it breaks up our trip nicely......but not close to DL if that's the only area you'll be at.

 

[kaoden39]

Can't wait to read more!

Where is that Jelly Belly factory that you all took a tour of? Jelly Bellies are my favorite, I would love to see it if it is close to DL!

We are 415 miles from Disneyland. I wish we were closer.

The road trip wasn't bad....we planned certain stops to see people....which helped......a lot! Shasta is a beautiful area & we love having the pics of the mountain!!



It was sooooo much fun....just wish we could have all hung out longer. It's fun getting texts from someone other than my kids & hubby......lol I'll check out Burney Falls in a bit!



The Jelly Belly Factory is in Fairfield, which is east of the bay area. We live in Oregon, so it breaks up our trip nicely......but not close to DL if that's the only area you'll be at.

I was thinking the same thing about the text messages. It is usually a teenager or Scotty that I get a text message from. It's a great way to communicate. Sis Mike tell you that I sent you a text while you were gone?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Yes he did.....& you are correct....sometimes "I forget" my phone so I can hide.....lol

 

[disneydreamer74]

Hooray!! Glad you all made it back safely!! Hampton Inns have never let me down and the free breakfast is always an added plus!!

 

[kaoden39]

Yes he did.....& you are correct....sometimes "I forget" my phone so I can hide.....lol

I need to learn to do that. I got in the habit of always carrying it after I had this van that used top breakdown all the time. After getting caught on highway 101 without a cellphone I will never do it again.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hooray!! Glad you all made it back safely!! Hampton Inns have never let me down and the free breakfast is always an added plus!!

It was a very nice Hampton!! Loved the bed & everyone was pleased with the free breakfast....more so here than at the Hilton we stayed at on the way home.

 

[kaoden39]

It was a very nice Hampton!! Loved the bed & everyone was pleased with the free breakfast....more so here than at the Hilton we stayed at on the way home.

I was gonna ask about that. I guess they figure they don't need to do much out there because there isn't a lot of competition.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I was gonna ask about that. I guess they figure they don't need to do much out there because there isn't a lot of competition.

The Hilton rooms were beautiful & roomy but the breakfast was lacking.....with no restaurants within walking distance....would have been nice for it to be a little more filling.