Ultimate Family Vacation - August 2011

A group of my family members went to Vegas for a cousins 30th birthday back in October 2010. We had a ball. All of us cousins that haven't been together in a long time. While there, my sister, who has 3 little ones and can rarely go on a adult only weekend trip suggested we have a trip toghether where we can all bring our kids. Thus the 2011 Family Vacation was born. I started looking for a place to go in January 2011. Since half the family is in California and half is in Michigan, I wanted someplace in between, with lots to do for the kids. By process of elimination, availability and timing aroung school and work schedules we settled on Scottsdale, AZ in August (can you say heat stroke?). This trip started out as a first come first serve trip through my vacation club. I was able to get 2 suites at a resort that would sleep a total of 14 people. Knowing my family the way I do, I did not think that many people would or could go, but I put it out there. The first 14 spots filled up quickly and more wanted to go. So I added 2 additonal suites that gave us a capacity of 24 people. More wanted to go, so I added more suites and now this vacation has turned into a MEGA trip with 43 family members (Ages ranging from 60 to 2 over 3 generations). Through my vacation club (best money I ever spent) I was able to get 2 and 3 bedroom suites for all of us (we will be family style and share suites with 2 to 3 families to a suite). Each family had to pay $250 and people with no kids paid $75 for 8 days and 7 nights in Scottsdale (Yes, that's $250 and $75 total for the week plus their own spending money). So this trip plan has lots of things included so everyone can pick and choose their own adventure with a few things we can all do together. I will be updating the list from now until its time to go. This is going to be awesome!!