All systems are go!

Well, I have been a busy boy. I took delivery of a new Credit Card from HSBC after swapping from my previous card. This new one is a Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum Card which comes with 20,000 miles, very good quality travel insurance and, best of all, two passes to the Qantas Club Lounge!
With this new card in hand I went to see my friend, Scott, at Jetstar Travel in Hillarys.
$16,200 later we became the proud owners of 52 flights. That is $311 per flight and there are some bloody big flights in there too!
With the dates locked in and paid for it becomes expensive to change things now, that is one of the reasons why the flights are so cheap. That said, having things now set in tablets of stone makes it easier to book accommodation, car hire etc.

So far I have booked and paid for:
Tokyo accommodation - staying at a traditional Japanese "Ryokan", which is a Bed & Breakfast essentially. We are staying at Tama Ryokan in Shinjuku for only three nights but get there very early on day one so three full days should be enough to give us a taste of Tokyo.
Car Hire in the UK - Being 'independent travellers' I had notions of using public transport with our backpacks on. The reality of public transport for 4 people in the UK is expensive and inconvenient. The flight from Manchester to New York (via Zurich) leaves at 8.40am. Getting there for 6am means getting a 4am train for which there are no buses running! A cruise around the internet revealed a Ford Focus for 29 days at a cost of $590. A bit of a no-brainer really. Booked and paid for.
New York accommodation - http://www.newyorkbudgetinn.com is really centrally located in Midtown Manhattan. We have 6 nights in NYC and have two rooms, a Double with en-suite for Em and I and a twin for the kids. So very centrally located and easy access to all the essential tourist spots. So very excited!
Washington Accommodation - http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Gallery-Inn-Hotel/Washington-DC/21986 is located in central Washington, a four bedded room close to all the sights for a relatively bargain price - only $200/night (+ tax of course).
Orlando accommodation - We have managed to score a 3 bedroomed house in Crescent Lakes, Kissimee  for only $150/night (inc tax) so we are making the most of this and having ten nights in Florida. It comes with a pool and games room for the kids but with plans afoot for a 5 day pass for Disney, a 3 day pass for Universal Studios and a one day trip to Kennedy Space Centre we won't be spending too much time at 'home'.
Orlando Car Hire - A Chevrolet Aveo (Barina/Corsa) is a good budget solution and if we can cram 4 people and 4 backpacks in for the trip to and from the airport should address all our needs. $311 for 11 days - bargain. Booked and paid for!
Vegas Accommodation - http://www.theplatinumhotel.com is hopefully going to be our freebie for the trip. Being a karmic universe our good deed of a couple of years ago may well be getting paid back with 3 nights free stay at this wonderful place. Keep your fingers crossed for us please folks.
Grand Canyon accommodation - having stayed here http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging-413.html a few years ago for an overnight stay we found it was all a bit too quick really so have re-booked for two nights. A small hike into the canyon will be in order as will having a look a bit further round the South Rim. Definitely one for everyone's Bucket List.

We still need to book flights, car and a Gite for our week in France, need somewhere to stay in San Francisco and Athens and I am leaving it in Em's very capable hands to get the family around the Greek Islands - no pressure then love!

We have bought Em & I a back pack each, mine second hand Kathmandu Interloper off eBay and Em a "Hybrid Trolley" in the sales. It does seem a bit surreal. I've been giddy with excitement for months, Em hasn't grasped that it is actually going to happen and the kids are just happy with a term off school.