Tuesday, November 30, 2010

July 2010

Besides going to the free movies almost every Wednesday morning this is what we have been up to in July.

July 2nd
Scout camp family day
The last day of scout camp is family day.  Our whole family surprised Brenton. He had know idea we were coming.  There was only one other family from our ward that came.  He showed us all around the area.  This place is huge and has lots of fun stuff to do.  We ate dinner with his camp and then came home.  We didn't stay for the closing ceremonies because it didn't start until 8 pm and the drive home was 1 1/2 hours.   


turtle swimming in the lake where they do their fishing merit badge





July 3
Pre Independence Day fun
We invited my parents and Taylor to join us in some pre 4th fun since we wont be joining them on the 4th of July.  My family has chosen to not participate in any activities that particular family members will be at since we aren't getting along with them.  I want to be happy and have a great 4th of July and I wont be able to have a good time because I will be on guard if I am around one person in particular.  That is all I am going to say about that.  Since this blog is  about my family and our doings I will not go into any details about people not in my immediate family.  That is all for my personal journal. 

July 4
Being Sunday and all it didn't really seem like 4th of July.  Normally we are at the pool, have a BBQ, and just hang out with family.  I was really bumbed out that I wasn't going to be with my family watching the fireworks.  I can't remember a year that I haven't been to the fireworks without them.  Maybe once during the just over 3 years Jon and I lived in Michigan.  I was sad and the kids were sad that we didn't get to hang out with everyone and that we wouldn't be sitting in our normal spot with the rest of the family.  Even though I was sad about the whole situation, I knew we had to be alone and we would have a great time just the 8 of us.  The thing that brought the most peace was I didn't have to worry about a thing I could just be myself and not have to feel like I was walking on egg shells and at any moment one would crack and break. 
After we got settled in, the kids got used to the fact of being just the 8 of us and sitting in a different spot and they started to have a great time.  In fact, they all said they liked this spot better because of having more space to play.  Our usual spot is on top of a hill and is very crowded with people as the night goes on so much you can barely walk around your blanket and chairs.  We had lots of room to breath and toss a ball around.  Maybe this will be a new spot for us and hopefully we can bring the rest of my family there next year.  When the fireworks were over, we just stayed in our spot and got out the games and balls again and played.  Usually we rush to the car and make a made dash out of there.  This parking lot in the new spot would be kind of a nightmare to get out of since we weren't parked right by an exit.  It turned out to be a great evening.



Connor

Talmage

Payton, Talmage, Jon, and Kennedy watching the fireworks

Gretta and Hayden

Jon and Kennedy



July 5
We went to the beach with my parents and Taylor.  We had a great time even though the kids didn't catch any fish.  We went to a different beach and the fish were way to fast for us.  They weren't used to people like the other lake.
Kennedy, Taylor, Payton, Talmage, and Hayden


Talmage, Hayden, Kennedy, and Payton


July 12
We went on our traditional blueberry picking for FHE with the Bugee's and Tady's.  This year we brought step ladders so we could reach more of the ripe berries.  A few minutes into the picking it started to down pour on us.  It was really weird because off in the distance we could hear the rain and by the time we realized the rain was coming closer to us it was too late we were right in the down pour.  Luckily for us, it only lasted but a few minutes and then it was all blue skies and a double rainbow.  I wish I had my camera with me to take a picture of it.  It was absolutely beautiful.   


July 19
My sister told me about an event at the library that Talmage and Hayden would love.  They were doing a Star Wars adventure at the library with games, food, and star wars visitors.  Talmage and Hayden both dressed up as clone troopers.  It was a real fun event for them.  They had a drawing at the end and Talmage was one of the winners.  He got to choose a star wars book.
Talmage and Hayden before the Star Wars event

Talmage playing one of the game

Hayden playing the game

Talmage's turn at the pinata

Hayden's turn

Talmage and Hayden with some Star Wars people

Hayden and Talmage

Talmage and Hayden with the book he won

Talmage and Hayden with the Tady kids and some friends from church



During this crazy month our family was asked to do the Amazing Race put on by the sister missionaries in our ward.  You get points by doing missionary type things.  So many of our free nights Jon and I went out with the sisters on team ups.  It was a lot of fun and I was glad I got to get to know these great lady's a bit more. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hidden Mickeys

Last time we were in Orlando for Spring Break, I bought a Disney Hidden Mickey book for our upcoming Disney trip in June.  I have always wanted one of these books.  It gives clues to find hidden Mickeys throughout all of Disney World.  It was fun to do while waiting in line and while on the rides.  Here are a few we found.  I wasn't able to look for as much as I wanted because the lines were going too fast or the ride was too fast that I couldn't catch it.  Here are a few pictures of some of  the ones we found. 

Jewel in the ground at Magic Kingdom by the Aladdin's carpet ride


Animal Kingdom Primevil Whirl



Magic Kingdom Buzz Lightyear ride

Animal Kingdom Finding Nemo sign




upside down Mickey Test Trac Epcot




This one isn't as clear to spot from a camera picture it is
on her shirt just above the upper left of her clip board
Epcot Norway Ride


I can't wait to go back and look for some more.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Disney World in June

Hee Haw, after a year and a half we finally made it back to our favorite family vacation spot.  Oh how we have missed this place.  Last year was a pretty slow year for Jon's business so we weren't able to take a Disney vacation or any vacation for that matter.  Thank goodness 2010 has been a much better year for us.  We booked a nice large house.  We got a good deal on it but it was still more costly than our previous houses we have rented but since we were going to be there for just under 2 weeks and thought this was going to be the only time we were going to be going to Disney this year and weren't sure when and what the economy would be like next year we wanted it to be a little more special.  That is also why we went for a longer time, 13 days.  Jon had been putting away money here and there to fund this vacation.  Come to find out as the days got closer to our vacation we added up our money and we found out we had saved more than enough for our Disney tickets and food (the rental house was already paid in full) that we decided to go ahead and buy a year pass. 
We asked a few families if they wanted to go with us since we had room in our house for more than just our family.  The only one who took us up on our offer was Jon's mom.  I don't know who was more excited us or her.  2 days before driving down to Disney Jon's mom entered the hospital from some reaction to her medication.  We were all sad at the news and thought for sure she wouldn't be able to go.  With the approval of her doctor she was able to go down but a few days later than planned.  She was going to drive down with us in our vehicle, but instead flew down.
We had a great time going to the Disney parks, swimming, eating, and just enjoying being together as a family.  The only real splurge we did this time was we ate at the new dinosaur restaurant at downtown Disney.  It is just like Rain forest Cafe but with dinosaurs.
After the 3rd day of being at Disney parks, Connor was getting slower and slower.  I think it was from the heat it was around 90 during the day the whole entire time.  Jon had the brilliant idea of renting him a wheel chair.  That was the best $10 a day spent on our whole trip.  He was so happy and the kids had a great time and often fought over who got to push him.  We will be purchasing a wheel chair for our next trip. 
It only rained once while we were at the Disney parks and we were at the Magic Kingdom going on a few rides before the night show and it just poured down rain.  They cancelled the show.  Which kind of bummed me out since they swapped night shows with Disneyland.  Disneyland now does SpectroMagic and Magic Kingdom does the main street electrical parade.  That is on our list for Thanksgiving.
Jon's mom didn't go to any parks with us she just stayed at the house and relaxed and swam.  Jon took her to the airport the day before we left.  She is flying to Muskegon, Michigan to move there.  Since her mom is in an assistant living place, she is going to move into her old house.  Which used to be her house and then her mom bought it from her so there is many memories in that house.  We will miss her but know she will be happy surrounded by old friends and family.
Now on to the pictures of our trip.  I wont go into detail on everything we did day by day.  We do the same routine every time we go.  The only difference is we split up our routine by days because we had 2 or 3 days at each park. 

Brenton, Connor, Kennedy, Payton, Hayden, and Talmage at Epcot

Kennedy, Hayden, Payton, Talmage Toy Story Mania

Talmage Epcot China

Hayden and Talmage Epcot China

Hayden Epcot China

Talmage Epcot Africa


Animal Kingdom Brenton, Talmage, Payton, Kennedy, Hayden, Connor, and Jon

Hayden Magic Kingdom

Kennedy and Payton girls night out

Animal Kingdom Brenton, Payton, Hayden, and Kennedy

Talmage T-Rex Restaurant

Talmage outside of the T-Rex restaurant

Payton Epcot outside Nemo ride

Hayden and Talmage outside Nemo ride

Kennedy outside Nemo ride

Payton outside Nemo ride

Payton, Kennedy, Hayden, and Brenton Epcot Mexico

Kennedy boat ride at Epcot

Bird Magic Kingdom Goofy Roller coaster

Payton, Hayden, Kennedy Magic Kingdom Transit Authority

Talmage as Captain Jack Sparrow

Hayden with Lego Woody Down Town Disney Lego Store

Hayden, Donald Duck, and Talmage

Talmage, Pluto, and Hayden

Hayden, Mickey Mouse, and Talmage

Brenton Epcot America

Brenton and Payton Epcot America

Jon and Hayden Hollywood Studios Toy Story Mania

Talmage Toy Story Mania

Payton and Kennedy Magic Kingdom Indy Speedway

Brenton and Connor Indy Speedway

Talmage, Hayden, Jon Indy Speedway

Jon, Talmage, Brenton, and Hayden Magic Kingdom Aladdin Carpet ride

Hayden and Jon Toy Story Mania

Connor Toy Story Mania