Cheaper by the Dozen – Lukas’ 1st Birthday Extravaganza! - Page 89 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
Great final thoughts Kelly! I will be holding on to your advice if we ever do a big family trip. Both my sister and her family and Justin's parents want to go to Disney with us. While it sounds like a lot of fun to share Disney with family, I can see how it would be stressful at the same time. I am glad your fonder memories are the ones that are sticking with you and the not so fond ones are fading to the background.
Congrats to your brother and his wife! A new baby in the family is always so much fun.
I will be on the look out for your PTR!
If you do go with extended family I'd probably do it in smaller doses - don't have all those extras at once.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stardust190
Great wrap up! Sorry Dylan was so upset about leaving, but I'll admit if I wasn't an adult I might throw a little tantrum/have a cry fest when leaving too so I know where he's coming from. Congrats on the new addition to your extended family. Nieces/nephews are so much fun.
Good luck with your next trip. Maybe with less people you'll be able to relax a little more and have a better time. Not that I actually think you had an awful time on this trip, but I know how stressed out you must have been and there were those little moments that were less than perfect.
I'm hoping the next trip is much more relaxing and besides meals I'm not planning much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Great wrap up Kelly! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us all. I have very much enjoyed all the wonderful photos, from the shoot (which were nothing short of spectacular!) to all the candid pics of your adorable boys.
We all have some downs on our trips and I think when you get home and have time away and to reflect, most of the bad spots are very much numbed...till they are almost forgotten. It's the happy memories that will shine through and you did have plenty of those too!
How cute that both your FIL and Dylan were upset about leaving. At least Dylan doesn't have long to wait!
Can't wait to hear all about your new plans! I'll keep an eye out!
Dylan is clearly spoiled! Thank you so much for reading!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed every bit of this TR! Looking forward to the next adventure
Thanks for reading!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Great wrap-up, Kelly! I'm glad your family seems to really appreciate all the work you did to make this happen. Some built-in alone-time would probably help, but when you feel the burden of making so many other people's vacations happy I'm not sure you can completely escape and have a care-free vacation yourself. You are lucky to have two sets of grandparents who get along so well and put your boys first. Congratulations to Becky and Kevin! What fun it will be to have a triple-birthday trip some day!
So true Laurie. I think I was so worried about how everyone else was feeling that I didn't let myself have fun. We are very lucky to have our parents in our lives and be such a part of the boys' lives too.
I sure hope I can get them to come back! It's really my brother I'll have to work on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great finish Kelly! Thanks for taking us along for the ride! Happy planning for the next one!
Thanks Marnie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc507
Great wrap up! Thank you for sharing your trip with us - looking forward to the next one (I'll try and join in sooner next time! LOL!).
As for the strollers - we didn't mind 2 umbrellas when our kids were smaller. We'd park them in the general vicinity of several rides, do them, then move on to another area. One of us was never alone having to push the kids, which would have been interesting
I'm thinking the strollers will be ok too. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by abubbles77
Glad you had a great trip. I think we all have the "bad" moments that afterwards we forget about. Can't wait to read about your new trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
Sounds like a great trip start to finish; despite a few hiccups along the way..... Looking forward to hearing about your next trip....
Thanks for reading!
Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeechef
what a wonderful trip report. I know you felt at times it was not magical, but clearly the Magic was there all the time. Love that you had some time that last day with just your boys. You mentioned that your FIL got teary and i it made me teary. I think that tells you that they had a great time and it was hard to let you all go. Sounds like Dylan feels the same. You did great by picking that photographer, the photos she took to capture your familys magic were wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your trip with us all. I loved every part of it.
My FiL is quite the emotional one, but I never thought he'd get all weepy that day. I'm sure Dylan having to leave the family didn't help much either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Awesome wrap up, Kelly! I always love reading your TRs and this one was special at it was the very first for Lukas! And if you're at double digits that means the Matthews aren't too far behind.
Thanks Cam! I love that you love reading my TRs because yours are always fantastic too! And closer to us seeing you again too!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cindybelle
And don't we all know how Dylan feels
Great TR, Kelly. And you should believe all those thank-you notes from your family. Great TRIP.
Thanks Cindy! And yes, we all do feel like Dylan and at times show it just how he did.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
I love that Dylan is clearly hooked! You can bet I'll be tuning in to the next one!
I can only imagine what things will be like after this next trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Great wrap-up, and TR, Kelly! Some good advice about traveling in a group! I've never been brave enough to do that, despite my mom wanting to come along with us. Just not sure the trip would be the relaxing, rejuvenating experience it is when it's just the four of us!
What fun news about a new baby in the family!
I hope you try a trip with your Mom once. It is fun but I think if you go in with an open mind it can be ok.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great final thoughts! Thank you so much for sharing this report with us, I've loved reading it.
Thanks Cheryl! And I hope you try the tour out sometime and hear your thoughts on it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
Great last day Kelly and wrap up - sorry to see this coming to an end. No trip is ever perfect but sounds like overall you all had a wonderful trip and I'm sure everyone appreciated all the planning you did.
Looking forward to the up and coming TR
Thanks Holly! You know how much work it is to plan for a large party and I guess we just want them all to feel the same way we do and I need to realize that my family (some at least) just doesn't 'get it' like the rest of us.
You know I understand how you feel. I mean, you're reading my TR right? Unfortunately it can't always be perfect, and it's hard to get that through our crazy Disney brains. It's not always going to be like it is in those commercials, but when you do have that magical moment, where everything just falls into place, and pure happiness is found at that very second, that's what makes it all worth while, and that's what keeps us going back for more.
Those big family trips are never without some type of drama, but you guys handled it well. I think you've remembered the important part - - they would do anything for your boys - - just keep saying that to yourself over and over during the more stressful times!
And how exciting about the new addition for your brother and his wife!!!
YEAH Auntie Kelly, how sweet, congrats to Kevin and Becki!!
As always, loved your TR. Even the little bumps along the way, and to be quite honest, they weren't even too bad. Life isn't lollipops and roses everyday, even if you are on a vacation. Sure we want them to be, but you handled everything like a champ and put together a great trip for your WHOLE family. Be lucky they even go with you guys and give a helping hand too. Our first visit with Josie was with my whole family and not once did anyone ask if they could take her to do something while maybe Arnaud and I rode a ride or went to a dinner or whatever. They left us waiting for the check in Tony's one night while they all went to watch Wishes, and another night left us saving a spot for Wishes while they all ran off to go on different rides and such. It's nice to go with family for sure, really for the kids to be with their grandparents, but we are solo family travlers and we are getting by just fine
I think another reason why we ALWAYS take an afternoon break is for us to chill out too, not just the kids.
You and Mike will be fine with the boys, and at least you know you could always go with your family again and make a few changes.
Dying to hear about 2 strollers I am always stoller obssesed, it's crazy.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Great wrap up! Every family trip has its bumps and you handled them well!! Can't wait for your PTR, I am another that will be interested in the strollers!! Luckily with Sam getting older I am carrying less for him and I am hoping that baby girl is not a spitter like he was so that I don't have to carry alot for her!!! I think I had to lug around a suitcase for my boy and change his outfit about 10 times a day! lol! As for the family, luckily we travel with my parents all the time and we will only be sharing our 2 bedroom villa with them like always. My sister, bil and nephew (if they go) will be booking their own room in the resort and definately don't do disney the way we do, so we plan to just let them know our plans and if they want to join or meet up later, that is fine. The other 2 are family friends that haven't been to disney in years and are counting on me to plan everything and just want to have a great time with us. So I am crossing fingers that everything goes smoothly!!! Your pixies are appreciated!
__________________
Teresa
Sammy 5 years and Peyton 15 months - September 2013
Great wrap up, Kelly! I enjoyed reading about your trip!
I had my share of family frustration on my last trip. Travelling with your kids is stressful enough and then add extended family to that, you got yourself some major bumps. After many joint family vacations, I'm finally taking one this summer just the 5 of us. And I can't be more excited.
Excellent finish, Kelly! Believe me, I know the difficulties of traveling with a large family group (you'll notice I generally have my own room ). But it sounds like everyone had a wonderful time (poor Dylan, not wanting to leave Disney ). Thanks for allowing us to tag along virtually. It was fun reading about the trip.
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Ok you know I gotta comment on the UT shirts! Y'all look sooooo cute in the burnt orange! Mike graduated from there. Not my alma mater but a great TX college. I know many Longhorns. I'm a Cougar (UoH) grad so no real rival here like A&M.
Poor Dylan! I can totally relate to how he felt about leaving Disney. I drive myself the 1000+ miles back to TX crying all the way.
YAY!!! Congratulations to Becki and Kevin! Maybe Kevin will become more Disneyfied when he has his own little bundle of joy to share it with.
What a great trip! And not long now before the force will be with y'all. Still deciding on booking May/June. After college tuition for this semester is paid we will know if its a go. Keeping our fingers crossed! And reading through your report, I saw Cam and Fam will be there for their annual trip home! I hope we can see them again while there. We met both of y'all's families on Steph's HS grad trip in June 2009.
Great wrap up Kelly!! Thanks for sharing the highs and the lows of the trip with us! I'll be on the look out for your PTR!!
And congrats to your brother and sister in law. How exciting
Thanks for reading Kathy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
Those big family trips are never without some type of drama, but you guys handled it well. I think you've remembered the important part - - they would do anything for your boys - - just keep saying that to yourself over and over during the more stressful times!
And how exciting about the new addition for your brother and his wife!!!
Can't wait for the next one!
Jill
Thanks Jill! Knowing that they would do anything for them definitely helps.
I hope we may be able to run into you if you're doing your annual out of school trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
YEAH Auntie Kelly, how sweet, congrats to Kevin and Becki!!
As always, loved your TR. Even the little bumps along the way, and to be quite honest, they weren't even too bad. Life isn't lollipops and roses everyday, even if you are on a vacation. Sure we want them to be, but you handled everything like a champ and put together a great trip for your WHOLE family. Be lucky they even go with you guys and give a helping hand too. Our first visit with Josie was with my whole family and not once did anyone ask if they could take her to do something while maybe Arnaud and I rode a ride or went to a dinner or whatever. They left us waiting for the check in Tony's one night while they all went to watch Wishes, and another night left us saving a spot for Wishes while they all ran off to go on different rides and such. It's nice to go with family for sure, really for the kids to be with their grandparents, but we are solo family travlers and we are getting by just fine
I think another reason why we ALWAYS take an afternoon break is for us to chill out too, not just the kids.
You and Mike will be fine with the boys, and at least you know you could always go with your family again and make a few changes.
Dying to hear about 2 strollers I am always stoller obssesed, it's crazy.
When you starting that next PTR anyway
Thanks again for a great report!!!
I can't believe the experience you had with your family! I'm sorry, but I can see why you travel alone now. If that last day was a peek at what the next trip will be - it'll be great!
I'll probably start the PTR soon - maybe even this week or like after I post this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbr2015
Great wrap up! Every family trip has its bumps and you handled them well!! Can't wait for your PTR, I am another that will be interested in the strollers!! Luckily with Sam getting older I am carrying less for him and I am hoping that baby girl is not a spitter like he was so that I don't have to carry alot for her!!! I think I had to lug around a suitcase for my boy and change his outfit about 10 times a day! lol! As for the family, luckily we travel with my parents all the time and we will only be sharing our 2 bedroom villa with them like always. My sister, bil and nephew (if they go) will be booking their own room in the resort and definately don't do disney the way we do, so we plan to just let them know our plans and if they want to join or meet up later, that is fine. The other 2 are family friends that haven't been to disney in years and are counting on me to plan everything and just want to have a great time with us. So I am crossing fingers that everything goes smoothly!!! Your pixies are appreciated!
The in-laws will be joining us in September and they go often so they're easy to please - plus separate rooms this time!
You're definitely going to need some pixies! I'm sure it will all work out!
And congrats on a baby girl! I don't think I knew what you were having. And I'm a little jealous.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great wrap up, Kelly! I enjoyed reading about your trip!
I had my share of family frustration on my last trip. Travelling with your kids is stressful enough and then add extended family to that, you got yourself some major bumps. After many joint family vacations, I'm finally taking one this summer just the 5 of us. And I can't be more excited.
Can't wait to hear about your next trip.
Yes, this next trip will be the first time we're without 'help' and I'm looking forward to it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Excellent finish, Kelly! Believe me, I know the difficulties of traveling with a large family group (you'll notice I generally have my own room ). But it sounds like everyone had a wonderful time (poor Dylan, not wanting to leave Disney ). Thanks for allowing us to tag along virtually. It was fun reading about the trip.
I should've known to not be all together - oh well! Live & learn.
Hope I get to see you later this year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelley the Pooh
Ok you know I gotta comment on the UT shirts! Y'all look sooooo cute in the burnt orange! Mike graduated from there. Not my alma mater but a great TX college. I know many Longhorns. I'm a Cougar (UoH) grad so no real rival here like A&M.
Poor Dylan! I can totally relate to how he felt about leaving Disney. I drive myself the 1000+ miles back to TX crying all the way.
YAY!!! Congratulations to Becki and Kevin! Maybe Kevin will become more Disneyfied when he has his own little bundle of joy to share it with.
What a great trip! And not long now before the force will be with y'all. Still deciding on booking May/June. After college tuition for this semester is paid we will know if its a go. Keeping our fingers crossed! And reading through your report, I saw Cam and Fam will be there for their annual trip home! I hope we can see them again while there. We met both of y'all's families on Steph's HS grad trip in June 2009.
I'll be crossing my fingers too! We'll be seeing Cam & fam this trip!!
awe thanks! we decided to find out this time and as much as I believed I was having a girl, it was still a shock when the tech said, its a girl!! we are all excited including Sammy!
Baby will be 4 months when we go in October and Sam 4 1/2 so I look forward to some extra hands. My parents are easy to travel with since we always go together and the 2 friends should be great too, very easy going. If I have any issues it will be with my sister and her little party of 3, they just never seem to mesh will with us. We did share a 3 bedroom villa before and it was not fun, so this time we said definately, if you want to you, you have to get your own room!!! My biggest thing right now is securing our villa at the beach club next month and our friends room and then deciding on restaurants. We have our favorites, but we want to eat at places where we know we will get seated together or at least right next to each other. So I have some planning to do!
Can't wait for you to start your PTR!
__________________
Teresa
Sammy 5 years and Peyton 15 months - September 2013
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Great wrap-up, and thanks for sharing! I've only been to WDW once, and it was with family. We had fun, but the stress I put on myself to make sure everyone had a great time also meant that I was the one who probably experienced the least! I'm looking forward to my next trip...which will either be a solo trip or just me and the kids. I think groups are great, but a little "alone" time can't hurt!
__________________
Huge Disney Fan...Always Have Been...Always Will Be!
Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration TR here!
2013 WDW trip here!
2011 trip to Hawaii here!
awe thanks! we decided to find out this time and as much as I believed I was having a girl, it was still a shock when the tech said, its a girl!! we are all excited including Sammy!
Baby will be 4 months when we go in October and Sam 4 1/2 so I look forward to some extra hands. My parents are easy to travel with since we always go together and the 2 friends should be great too, very easy going. If I have any issues it will be with my sister and her little party of 3, they just never seem to mesh will with us. We did share a 3 bedroom villa before and it was not fun, so this time we said definately, if you want to you, you have to get your own room!!! My biggest thing right now is securing our villa at the beach club next month and our friends room and then deciding on restaurants. We have our favorites, but we want to eat at places where we know we will get seated together or at least right next to each other. So I have some planning to do!
Can't wait for you to start your PTR!
Good Luck planning on meals where you can sit together. Garden Grill will be out - obviously. Via Napoli can accomodate large parties well and Boma too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Great wrap-up, and thanks for sharing! I've only been to WDW once, and it was with family. We had fun, but the stress I put on myself to make sure everyone had a great time also meant that I was the one who probably experienced the least! I'm looking forward to my next trip...which will either be a solo trip or just me and the kids. I think groups are great, but a little "alone" time can't hurt!
Yes, a little alone time can be a very good thing. I hope you make it out to WDW again! Thanks for reading!
Great last day to yourself! I am glad it ended up being a wonderful trip. It is hard with a big group. I want a redo of our Family Dec 2010 trip, now that I know a few things to help it be better.
Congrats to the soon to be parents.
Texas! Really! Didn't know that about you guys. I don't think we can be friends!! Just kidding. We are Sooner and Razorback fans. One of my husband's besties is a die hard Texas fan, so we always have a get together for the OU/Texas game. The girls love to give him a hard time.
About This Page: 
At least Dylan doesn't have long to wait! 
Thank you so much for reading!
Thanks for taking us along for the ride! 
I always love reading your TRs and this one was special at it was the very first for Lukas! And if you're at double digits that means the Matthews aren't too far behind. 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Unfortunately it can't always be perfect, and it's hard to get that through our crazy Disney brains. It's not always going to be like it is in those commercials, but when you do have that magical moment, where everything just falls into place, and pure happiness is found at that very second, that's what makes it all worth while, and that's what keeps us going back for more.
.
Teresa
Mike graduated from there. Not my alma mater but a great TX college. I know many Longhorns. 
Liz 
Hybrid Mode
