The "Okay-Let's-Get-This-Thing-Done-Before-The-Next-Trip-Starts-TR" About This Page:

[mommapants]

Hershey is so nice. We have always enjoyed it and they are right up there with Disney on their customer service. You have been very busy - I hope the summer brings some down time for you.

Great AK morning.

[OhToodles!]

You went somewhere for free?! I must be rubbing off on you. We went somewhere over the weekend that wasn't free to us, but we became members (at half the cost since my company matches) at the Botanical Gardens which also gets us into 2 others places! All about the saving!

What a great time at AK! Could barely tell though.

[OCEANGRLLG]

Great time at AK and great pics!!!! I am with Jason I dont like chocolate, plus I am allergic to caffeine, so I guess its a good thing I dont like it!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

Phew, I'm all caught up now! I laugh at Jason with his fingers in his ears - Meri does the exact same thing!!! We have to put them on a ride together and see what the photo looks like, lol!

I'm still so sad I didn't get to see you while in Newark... I wish I'd overnighted, but ultimately I think it was a better decision to get out while we could. Otherwise we'd be your new roommates.

[scdisneyfan]

Hey just chiming in very late of course but I wanted to save this because I can't see the pics at work so I'm gonna read more when I get home Enjoying hearing about your trip. I'm excited to read more later

[dsteiny23]

Originally Posted by Linnynad

Very nice, very nice my friend!!!!
Love the communion pics, Jason really is a ham......must come from Craig's side

Uhm sweet pic of the butterfly I must say!!!
Restaurantarus has become a new fave of ours too, and I'm thinking a mid-day safari might have to be on our list. I have never seen a clear shot of the lions like that. Kuddos!!

Well you know it's not from me being as I'm such a shy retiring wallflower

Originally Posted by Coop

I just love your TR's (no matter how long they take. ). You pack in so many great pics and I think the TR within the TR is cool! Hershey sounds like fun!

Well, I've got another TR within a TR coming up

Originally Posted by MayraLR

What! Jason doesn't like chocolate? Who is this kid?
Great day at AK!

I know!! And did I mention that Tyler doesn't like ice cream?

[dsteiny23]

Originally Posted by mcc0313

Love the updates. I just love the pictures of your boys....big smiles in every picture. How great that you were able to meet up with friends from home and I am sure they were excited to get to ride EE.

I have to say I find the lack of counter spots at the Epcot Resort my only issue when we stay there, especially with allergies. I remember one year (yes I am a bad mommy too) we wandered for hours and then night hit and I could find nothing to feed Angel (think we ended up with room service at like 11 PM as they were able to make her a turkey sandwich).

Love seeing your countdown....always feels so much better when you have a trip on the books.

Well, now that a friend of mine told me that you can get a microwave in your room if you ask, I think we'll do that next time and just have chicken nuggets in the fridge for when there's no food to be found.

Originally Posted by Charlie97

Enjoyed the update Dawn...As always, I enjoyed the photos. Fingers in the ears, maybe I should try that on some of the rides; that is too funny. Nawlins bound (New Orleans)??? Very cool if you are. Enjoy! Try the gator sausage. Yummy.

Well, not New Orleans, just Port Orleans (Riverside) A new resort for the boys and we're looking forward to it. (or at least that's what I'm talking my spoiled self into thinking )

Originally Posted by lauriep

Nice day at AK. I like Restaurantosaurus also (they even have a good roasted veggie sandwich!) but am so rarely over in Dinoland that I forget about it. Fantastic shot of the lions! Jason looks adorable in his suit for Communion. Congrats to Tyler's band!

Thank you. I thought he looked pretty cute too.

Originally Posted by chezp

Wow - you have been busy, great photos from everything you've been doing.

What a great day at Animal Kingdom.

We love AK! And it was even more fun with friends.

Originally Posted by mfirst

Jason looked so adorable in his communion suit! Way to go Tyler on his band competition

You have me intrigued by Hershey park now - we always assumed we'd have to keep it off our vacation list because of Patrick and Cullen's allergies, but we may have to look back into the idea again!

Great update - love the picture of the butterfly - well, all the pictures to be honest

Hershey was great with allergies as well. We were only there for one full day, but didn't have any problems feeding Jason.

Originally Posted by Kenny

Well worth the wait!!!
Congratulations to Tyler and the Band!
Very nice family pictures for Communion, I'm glad to see Jason always has his sense of humor!
I love your Mickey necklace! I must keep my eye out for one, Brenda would Love me if I found her something like that!
Great pictures from the safari! Classic giraffe shot!
Hey! Your countdown is 1 less than mine!! (But we won't get there for a couple more days.)

My Mickey necklace is from Avon and was $7! There, the big secret is out

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great pictures from AK and your busy days! Congrats to Tyler and Jason!

Thank you

Originally Posted by disneydreamer33

Sounded like a wonderful day so far at AK. Glad you were able to meet up with friends.
I love your TR, so I don't care how long it takes you to finish them.
Not much longer for your next trip!! Woo Hoo!!!!

I know the next trip is soon...I've got to get my rear in gear!

Originally Posted by honeybee723

First of all, why does Jason insist on putting his fingers in his ears when he's going down the EE hill? And where in MD do your friends live? I thought I was your only friend in MD.

I love how you handled the bus stop situation. You are so like me it's not even funny. That has "me" written all over it.

And tell Craig he did a good job with the butterfly. Now we just need to teach him a thing or two about in-camera cropping.

Yeah, it's a noise sensory thing with him more than anything else. They live outside of Columbia.
I had Jason yell "Sit Down" to the people who kept standing in front of him at the fireworks last night. Figured he was little enough to yell,

Originally Posted by MikeL

Just how many of those Hats was Mike wearing I am just happy no one from Duck Dynasty gang was around or Miss Kay's squirrel might have been hazardous to his health. Hopefully June will be a little less hectic for you and maybe you wont be making any last minute ER trips before hand

I didn't realize how funny he looked with those hats until I loaded the pictures

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Jeez, do you think you guys could cheer up a little? It doesn't look like you are having any fun at all in those pictures Great day in AK! I'm glad you were able to meet up with your friends, that must have been so fun for the kids.

Hershey is a lot of fun, right? We loved it last year, I'm a little bummed that we probably won't be going back this year

We still have a days worth of passes because we decided not to go Sunday because it was cold and rainy. Hoping to go back in Sept for a weekend.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Hershey's does sounds like a good family time! Very nice time at AK as well, especially in getting to spend some of the time with friends.

It always makes it more fun when you can meet up with friends. Especially if you weren't planning to.

Originally Posted by jlhill4444

Yay! It is so good to see you back to writing. Believe me, I understand the calendar thing- April and May are insanely busy.

It is always fun to be in Disney, but getting to spend time with friends there is amazing! How is Restrauntasauras? We have never tried this, but I am thinking about it for next month.

Well, summer is here and school is over so I should have no excuses. (Notice I said "should" I'm sure I can come up with some )

Originally Posted by KMB733

Glad you found some time in your busy schedule to post an update! Thanks for sharing pictures of Jason's First Communion and your trip to Hershey Park!

Looks like a great time at AK! How fun to meet up and share the park with some friends!

I need to find some more time being as our next trip is creeping up quickly!

Originally Posted by lindawdw

I just got caught up with your last few updates Glad the boys got their pool time in at SAB while you got to enjoy a Pina Colada which sounds like the perfect afternoon to me Your day at AK sounded like a lot of fun and it was so great that you were able to meet up with friends in the bubble! It's always exciting to meet people you know in Disney Loved seeing your son's communion pictures. Your boys are growing up so fast. Can't wait to hear about your trip plans to the Alligator Bayou!

Time flies doesn't it?? It's crazy! We're looking forward to AB and the boys especially so they don't have to sleep in the same bed with each other.

[dsteiny23]

Originally Posted by mommapants

Hershey is so nice. We have always enjoyed it and they are right up there with Disney on their customer service. You have been very busy - I hope the summer brings some down time for you.

Great AK morning.

That was the first time I had been back to Hershey since I was in my 20s (and I'm not saying how long ago that was ) but we really enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

You went somewhere for free?! I must be rubbing off on you. We went somewhere over the weekend that wasn't free to us, but we became members (at half the cost since my company matches) at the Botanical Gardens which also gets us into 2 others places! All about the saving!

What a great time at AK! Could barely tell though.

Well, you'll see our next TR within a TR wasn't free...not even close...but we did have a great time!

Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG

Great time at AK and great pics!!!! I am with Jason I dont like chocolate, plus I am allergic to caffeine, so I guess its a good thing I dont like it!

I don't think I could live without some chocolate every once in a while

Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata

Phew, I'm all caught up now! I laugh at Jason with his fingers in his ears - Meri does the exact same thing!!! We have to put them on a ride together and see what the photo looks like, lol!

I'm still so sad I didn't get to see you while in Newark... I wish I'd overnighted, but ultimately I think it was a better decision to get out while we could. Otherwise we'd be your new roommates.

I would love a double fingers-in-the-ears picture!! That would be hysterical!
And I'm sorry we missed you too, that would have been fun. But as crazy as it was for you, I'm glad it all worked out in the end.

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

Hey just chiming in very late of course but I wanted to save this because I can't see the pics at work so I'm gonna read more when I get home Enjoying hearing about your trip. I'm excited to read more later

So glad you're back!!! Now I want to read yours too!!

[dsteiny23]

Okay, I’m back with an update. Except it’s another mini-update-within-an-update again. But, before there’s a mutiny…I promise a legitimate TR update is following this one today as well. Although this one involves a PP meet so it’s a kind of hybrid update.

We got back last Friday from a surprise short trip with the boys to Ocean City, NJ. We have been going to OC each year for now what is seven summers in a row. Usually, we go the last week of August leading into Labor Day weekend. However, this year we’ve scheduled our Disney trip from 8/29 – 9/5 (the boys don’t go back to school until a week after Labor Day this year) and we wouldn't be able to go to the beach during our usual time. Actually, we thought we might not be going at all. Unfortunately, Zach can’t come to Disney with us this year because he’ll be starting college in the middle of August and we were trying to think of some time we could spend with him. I looked up the hotel we’ve been staying at in OC and their summer rates were starting last Friday so we decided to take advantage of the lower rates and go for three nights starting the Tuesday Tyler and Jason got out of school. We didn’t act quickly enough though and were only able to get the first night in the city view (less expensive) and ended up with the second two nights in a boardwalk view (more expensive, but a fabulous view!)

We decided not to tell Tyler and Jason and make it a surprise because they didn’t think we were going. Also because we can never surprise them with Disney because we love talking about it so much and I do love a surprise. Craig and I took off the boys' last day of school and packed the car while they finished up with a half-day. Tyler got off the bus around 1:15 and asked me if we’d be going to the movies because that is what we’ve done every last day of school since he started Kindergarten 7 years ago. I just told him I wasn’t sure and we’d wait til we picked Jason up from school. He and I went to get Jason from his school and by the time we got home, Craig had gone to pick up Zach and was back. Once we got home, Craig told Tyler and Jason to come outside because we wanted to show them something in Mommy’s car. We opened up the back and it took them all of 10 seconds to realize we were going to the beach. When I told them it was until Friday, they jumped around hugging each other. Then Tyler yelled “I’ve gotta pack!!” I told him it was all taken care of and we were ready to go! (Zach had already known because he had to ask for the time off from his job. Unfortunately, a busser who’s been there longer asked for the same week so Zach had to drive back and forth to work Wednesday and then home early on Friday to work as well.)

So, we headed out to the beach and were there in under 2 hours. Of course once I had made my plans I let Linny know so we could arrange our yearly family get together on the boardwalk. It worked out for all of us that it would be the first night. All we did was check in, shop for some groceries and make our way down the boardwalk to Primo’s to meet the Voermans family for dinner and some rides.

I think it’s hysterical that Josie and Jason have seen each other once a year for three years and when they get together you’d think they just saw each other yesterday. Andre got in on the act this year too and declared as we were walking down the boardwalk to Arnaud that Jason was his ‘best friend” (awwwww). We had delicious pizza (Jason, Josie and Tyler pelted each other with spitballs) and then we went to ride some rides.





We sent Tyler and Zach off on their own to hit the “big boy” rides and Linny braved the caterpillar rollercoaster with Andre and Josie and Jason.



(She also braved the Scrambler with Jason and Josie, but all my pictures came out blurry of that one. Thank you Linny cause this girl can’t spin anymore. Oh, the joys of aging. )

Then all the “little kids” rode the whip cars.





And Jason, Josie and Tyler raced on the slides. (Jason totally cheated on the first one, but it looks like Tyler came in first here. But, if I recall, Josie’s sack went the furthest)



And of course our kids being Disney kids see a character and have to pose. They’ll pose with anyone…including a monkey, a droid and yogurt.







Some snacks were purchased and then all too soon, it was time to say good-bye. But not before our annual family portrait.



As always, we had a great time with Linny and her family and again I’m grateful to PP for bringing us together. Gonna get mushy here…but you and your family become such a special part of our lives Linny, Love ya!!

We were worried about the weather the rest of the trip because it had been predicted to be in the 90s and rain in the evenings. Well, we ended up having three Gorgeous days (two on the beach and the last at the hotel pool). Not too hot, a beautiful ocean breeze and sunny all day. It rained just a bit Wednesday night but not until we were finishing up our round of mini-golf. We still grabbed our evening snacks, of course, and then just went back to the room and watched the lightning from the balcony. Thursday rained a bit too, but we went back to the room and waited it out and by the time we went back to the boardwalk, the crowds had all fled and the rides were EMPTY!! It reminded me of sticking out the rain in Disney and how much you can get done. So, our days were filled with beach time, boogie boarding and sun.

Our evenings were full of food, rides, mini-golf and snacks of course.

Boogie boarding:









Hanging on the beach:





(Tyler’s Michael Jackson impersonation)



The view from our over-priced…I mean beautiful room :







Rides and fun:







Rainbow from our room:



Our second favorite Beach Club home:



Our last afternoon:



It was a great trip and we’re ready to book again for next year. It’s nice to have two places that feel like home when you’re away.

[lauriep]

What wonderful photos from your beach PP meet! Those photos of Jason with Josie and Andre are too sweet, and I see you and Linny are both wearing VS blouses? The family shot is beautiful.

[KMB733]

Sounds like an awesome trip to Ocean City!! How awesome that you got to meet up with Linny and her family and enjoy some time together!

[dsteiny23]

When we left off we were in Asia bidding our friends farewell and going to head to look for a spot to stake out for the parade. On our way out of Asia we had to stop for a PP picture with EE in the background of course.



We did manage to find a shady spot where a nice young adult couple let our boys move in front of them to wait and to watch the parade.



There was also this little out of the way bathroom that was empty and very clean. The cleaning lady was in there when I went in and she was singing something in another language in a beautiful voice. It might sound weird, but this was the nicest bathroom stop I had the entire trip. We only waited a little and started to hear the parade coming down the walkway. Once the music hit the boys ears, they were up and hopping and dancing along. I do love the ‘floats’ and puppets in this parade. They remind me of the Lion King on Broadway. We had a great spot and the boys had some interaction with the characters and the puppet controllers. One of them was a frog with a tongue that could pop out and the puppet-guy was letting the boys try to grab it.







When the parade was over, Jason cried. He always cries when parades end. He loves them but knows he will be sad when they are over. Maybe we can get through a parade ending this year without the tears…but I’m not keeping my fingers crossed. He just lives in the moment like that and every day we do something out of the ordinary it’s “The best day ever” according to him and he gets so emotional when they end. I guess that’s a good thing all-in-all.
Then we decided to make our way to the Maharaja Jungle Trek. We’ve never done this before.



I’ve got to say, it is absolutely beautiful on this trek. And being as it was after the parade, it was on the empty side and we really enjoyed it. Although being late, the tigers weren’t cooperating for pictures at all…this is my “tiger” picture…



…and the bats were sleeping.



We did get to see a beautiful Komodo Dragon though that Tyler really liked.





And some of the sculptures and carvings back there were just gorgeous. Others…were a little stranger.





It was getting late after our trek so we needed to find someplace still open for food. On our way though we had to stop and have some fun with Russell and Dug.







After our playtime with Dug and Russell (by the way, the boys are excited to try the new Wilderness Explorers on our next trip ) we found that Pizzafari was open. It’s a favorite and good for Jason. We got our pizzas and sat outside in the dimming evening light. I absolutely loved how this lizard light glowed on the side of the building.



Totally getting a glowing lizard light if we ever re-do our back patio.

After dinner we had to head back to the resort so that Craig could get heading to the airport to get Zach. We stopped in the lounge for snacks and coffee. I tried to take a picture each night of the snacks to show Linny what she could expect on her CL trip.



Yum!!! Olives!!!

We tried to watch a little of Wishes from our balcony…we were told we could see it. Well…not so much. But there was still a great view and you could see Spaceship Earth.







When we had gotten back to the room, there was an envelope for us from Linny and her family with Disney GCs inside!! Thank you Linny and fam!!! You’ll see later that these were put to good use by all.



Craig left for the airport and the boys and I were trying to decide what we wanted to do. We walked down to the marketplace because they wanted to color to try to be “artist of the day”. (They didn’t make it, but only tried twice). Jason was disappointed…again, very emotionally invested in everything he does. Then we walked through the IG to just get a little peek at Illuminations. We didn’t want to watch it all without Craig and Zach. While we were waiting the boys and I were cuddling and a couple in maybe their 50s stopped and told me to enjoy it now because it goes by so quickly. Their boys were grown up and this was their first trip back to Disney without them. She said she was a little choked up seeing me and my boys, which of course made me hug them all the more. Then they took a picture for us.



We watched Illuminations, but from behind the bridge so it doesn’t really count.







And then headed back to the room strolling by Crescent Lake.



We were in bed when Craig came back with Zach. Zach had gotten upgraded to first class because he moved to let a family sit together. They went down to get some ice cream from B&C and then watched some football in the solarium where they gym was set up while they were remodeling the BC gym. Craig told me later that he was doing some Insanity until someone walked in and saw him.

Up Next: Our first F&WF snacks

[Cam22]

I was hoping you all would still get to the beach this summer and then you'd share it with us! You all have such a great family time while there. And so neat that Linny and crew get to join you for part of it.

Jammin' in the Jungle is my favorite parade and holds a special place in my heart, so I totally get Jason's emotions. He reminds me in this of Stefanie. But why would any of us want the best days ever to end.

[lauriep]

Wonderful photos, as usual! I can't believe you hadn't done the Maharajah Trek before-- isn't the theming just beautiful? I love the story of the woman who stopped to talk to you about enjoying your boys while they're young. She got a lovely photo of the three of you, too.

[MayraLR]

It's true what that couple said. We have to treasure the moments we have with our kids. There will come a time when they'll prefer to hang with friends. I'm already tearing up at the thought of it.