Making Me Feel Better About 30!

The BIG 3-0 is quickly approaching for me. Two months and 1 week to be exact. A day that I begged for no parties, no fuss, just another day. Justin just won't let it slip though. Instead he has decided to combine both of our 30th birthdays, our fifth anniversary and also team up with his cousin who was planning her husband's 40th. To plan a trip to this....

and this...

oh and this...

on this!!!!

One week on a 59' houseboat in Lake Powell, Utah. Completely unlike any other trip we have ever been on but pretty darn cool! Isn't my hubby awesome?

Making The Pilgrimage.

Nope not to some holy land but to Disney World. Madison is going to be four in a few months and loves, loves, loves all things Disney. I really wanted to go even before having kids and Justin had never been so we've decided that next year's vacation will be a fun filled, magically spectacular week in Disney World.

What I didn't realize was how much goes into the planning of a trip like this. We need to decide whether to go during off or peak season, which of the 27 resorts to stay at, whether or not to get park hopper passes and if we want to go with a meal plan. This is just a few of the descisions that we need to make.

Ultimately we will be booking with a travel agent but before contacting one I would love to get any advice from anyone willing to share. Shared experiences (good, bad or ugly), feelings towards hotels, parks, restaurants. Anything will help. So far this is what I know (and it is not much)

• We are thinking sometime in May because older kids are in school but the weather is still nice.
• Staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is not completely, outrageously priced, Madison loves Animals and it has regular restaurants in it (not just fast food)
• Going for a week. There is a lot to see and I think by going for a week we can take breaks here and there instead of cramming everything into 4 days.
• Park Hopper just means we can go to more than one park in a day

...and that is about it. Obviously I need lots of help. We are trying to do this trip on a budget too so any money saving tips, tricks or hints would be awesome. Of course if anyone from Disney is reading this post and would like a review done I would not be above this for some extra vacation perks ;>

So hit me with whatever you've got people! Thanks!

You're going where?

One of my closest friends is expecting her first baby. Her due date is August 11th which last time I checked was less than a month away. She looks amazing but is definaltely tired all the time and is dealing with constant backaches and water retention. Duh she's about to give birth!
Throughout her whole pregnancy she has been talking about her family's annual vacation in Cape Cod (about 5-6 hours from where we live). She has also said all along that she plans on going as long as she feels good and her doctor is okay with it. Any of her friends that already have kids just told her she was crazy and that she won't be up to going. Well this weekend she is heading up to Cape Cod with her husband and dog in tow for a week AGAINST her doctor's wishes. Everyone including her husband has tried to talk her out of it but she refuses to miss the chance to spend a week with her parents and sisters (she sees them all on a regular basis anyway).
Whenever she asks what I think I tell her I think she is absolutely insane for going on the trip and that she better take a hospital bag and the baby's car seat with her just in case. Her response is to usually laugh or say that there is no room in the car 'cause her German Shepard takes up the whole back seat. I love her dearly but I do think she is being super selfish and needs to start putting her child ahead of her desires. Maybe that is just something that comes after the baby is acutally here. Please tell me if I'm being too harsh or if what she is doing seems completely fine. I'm not trying to rag on her I'm just really concerned for her health and the baby's and I think she is making a really poor decision. I also forgot to mention that she has not researched the nearest hospital or doctor's office in case one is needed and the fact that she is actually going to miss one of her ob visits for this trip!