Disney World/Disney Cruise - Day 4

Our fourth day was spent in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Cole is such a Star Wars fan that I knew we needed fast passes for Star Tours. When we came into the park, we headed straight that way. However, when we arrived at the ride, there was only a 15 minute wait, so, we changed our fast passes for later in the day and just waited in line. It was raining but nothing like the day before. It was just sprinkling. We had our umbrellas and our ponchos - just in case. Also, the weather has turned cold. Monday, the high was 82 degrees .... today, the high was 55 degrees. Sure that made for lots of extra clothes to pack for mom, but we stayed warm and dry today (for the most part).  

After Star Tours, we headed to the Indiana Jones experience, but it wasn't starting for a while, so, we went to the Animation Academy. We were able to see some character friends and find out which character we are most like. Reagan was most like Ariel and Cole was most like Aladdin. That kind of makes me laugh since Steve and I did this same thing when we were married but didn't have children. I was most like Ariel (just like Reagan) and Steve was most like Gaston (which is funny since he has had people say Gaston looks like him). I don't love that he is like a villain, but I guess he does resemble him with the strong chin :) Next, we went to the Frozen Sing a Long. It was in a theater and many of the Frozen characters were there. It was like one big karaoke session. They had the words to the songs up on the screen and everyone in the theater would sing a long. At the end, it was snowing in the theater .... SO COOL! Reagan loves to sing and she loves frozen, so she loved this one.

 After our sing a long, we headed to the other side of the park for Tower of Terror. I hate these rides that drop.... really. I can spin and turn and go upside down, but the dropping just gets me. Reagan and Cole were super excited and as we were sitting in the "elevator", waiting to be dropped from several stories, I thought "Why am I doing this? I don't want to be here and they will still love me if I didn't come on this ride. Why am I here?" Well, too late because they then dropped us and after a few bounces, the ride was over. I'm not ashamed to say my stomach was upset for the rest of the day. Yep - next time, I'm holding our places in another line while they go on Tower of Terror. 

After Tower of Terror, we went back across the park to catch the Indiana Jones attraction. Reagan and Cole were complaining a bit - I don't think they realized how cool this attraction was. They haven't seen the Indiana Jones movies, so, they didn't even know what to expect. They ended up liking it a lot! This park is so cool - they have a painting on a building that looks like a city street. It is so deceiving - you feel like you could just walk down the street when it is really just a brick wall. They also had a huge nativity scene set up - I love the parks in the holidays. 

By then, it was time for our fast passes at Star Tours (the ones I changed earlier in the day), so we returned to Star Tours. Reagan and Cole LOVED that Steve was the "rebel" that we had to protect and save and keep safe from Darth Vadar. After that, it was dark and we were heading to the Fantasmic show, but first we had to visit the Osborne Family Lights Spectacular. It was basically a neighborhood in Hollywood Studios that was covered (no really .... covered) with Christmas lights. They had the lights set to music and it was quite a show. People were just walking through the streets, watching the lights. Then, at the end, it started snowing. Not sure how Disney can do this, but it was really cool. 

The Fantasmic show is always great. Unfortunately, we were a bit too late to get great seats, so we couldn't see everything as well as we wanted. No matter, we could hear and we could see a lot of it. Once that show was over, we had to book it to the other side of the park to make our fast passes for the Buzz Lightyear ride. This was one of the favorites in the park. 

Whew - another day is done and in the books. We headed back to our hotel and hit the sack so we could be up and ready for tomorrow's day at Magic Kingdom!

Disney World/Disney Cruise - Day 3

Our second day in the parks, we hit Disney's Animal Kingdom. The weather was cooler than yesterday and, while we were waiting for our shuttle, it was starting to rain. "No matter" I thought - "We have umbrellas. "Well, on the shuttle ride to the park it started to pour. I mean torrential rain. I've only seen that kind of rain in Utah for a few minutes. It poured for the entire 20 minute shuttle ride. Many of the people on our shuttle didn't get off at the park - they returned to the hotel. As we were walking to the entrance of the park, more people were leaving than were coming to the park. Then it really started coming down even more than before. We ducked into a gift shop right at the entrance to the park - it was flooded. The water was covering our shoes. We waited there for about 20 minutes and bought some Disney ponchos. After about a half an hour, the rain seemed to let up for a bit. We decided to enter the park. As we walked toward the main area of the park we realized that the rain had even been too much for the park's drainage system to handle. We were walking in water up to our shins. Reagan and Cole had water up to their knees. We figured that couldn't be good. So, we hit the Rainforest Cafe, ordered 4 hot cocoas and some breakfast and we decided to try to wait it out. There was this elephant right next to our table that would "come alive" periodically and Cole was so taken with it. He would just stare at it and watch it move and make noise. We've always loved the Rainforest Cafe - it is such a fun place - I wish they had one in Utah. Despite our umbrellas and ponchos and best efforts, Reagan and Cole were soaked. While we waited in the Rainforest Cafe, we bought them new sweatshirts so that they could be warm and dry. Oh well - another souvenir, right? Here's a video Steve took when we were done having breakfast. The rain had really slowed by then, but it was still coming down a lot. Sorry that he tipped his phone the wrong way, but even looking at the video sideways, you can get a sense of how much rain was coming down - and this is when it was slowing down!!!

 

After we had breakfast and donned our new - dry - clothes, we figured we would head out into the park. Some of the rides were closed because of the water, but a lot of this park is seeing animals and they didn't care that it was raining. We first hit the Dinosaur ride because it was inside. We actually rode it twice in a row because it was still raining so hard that we couldn't do anything else. As you can see from the pic they took on our ride, we were the only ones in our whole jeep. People were leaving the park and we were some of the brave few who stayed :)

We hit a few other attractions and then went on the Safari ride - it is my favorite! We saw lots of different animals and we were in a covered jeep so we didn't get too wet (any more than we already were). 

After our safari, we had lunch and went to the Lion King Festival. It was inside and was really fun. They had float type things that came into the theater with different Lion King characters on them. They involved the audience (Reagan and Cole were asked to come and join some children at the beginning) and put on quite a show. Of course, we love Lion King and the singers at this show were amazing. We had a great time! 

By the time we came out of the Lion King Festival, the rain had pretty much stopped so we headed right to the Expedition Everest attraction. It is a new one for us (maybe it is new or maybe we were too little on our last trip). Reagan and Cole were super excited. We used our fast passes and headed straight to the front of the line. We got on and - boy - was it a fast coaster. Twists and turns and rolls and drops. It finally stopped and I said to Reagan "Whew - I'm glad it's over." She looked at me and said "It's not over! Now, we go backward!" With that, we took off backward through the same course that had made me sick going forward. I honestly don't know how she knew it was going to go backward. Maybe she paid more attention during the brief time we were in line, maybe she heard people talking. I don't know, but I was not a fan after that. When we reached the actual finish of the ride, both Reagan and Cole wanted to go again, but Steve and I were not up for it. We bribed them with ice cream and headed out to see something different :)

After we had seen and ridden all that we wanted to, we headed back to our hotel for hot baths and showers. We just wanted to be warm and dry and to regroup for our next day.

Disney World/Disney Cruise - Days 1 & 2

You'll remember that I posted in April (after our Hawaii trip) that Steve thinks we are boring to keep returning to Hawaii for our vacations. I asked, on Facebook, where our friends like to vacation. Not that many people responded, but out of the ones who did, more than half suggested a Disney Cruise. Rachel and her kiddos loved theirs, so, we figured we would check it out. Plus, if you are going to fly to Florida to catch a ship, you might as well spend some time at Disney World, right? Well, we flew out the Sunday before Thanksgiving and we spent a week at Disney World and then boarded the ship for a week in the Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Fantasy.

Our first day, we hit Epcot. Our first stop was to get Cole a new Mickey ear hat. His last one is so small on him that it looks like a yarmulke. Our photographer (when we were taking family pics before we left) told us she had seen an R2D2 Mickey ear hat. Cole LOVES Star Wars, so, he was on the hunt for this hat. Well, it didn't take long before he found it. Ah - we can all relax now, right? Our first ride was Spaceship Earth. Reagan and Cole couldn't believe that we would go up inside that big, silver ball. Next, it was time for our fast pass at Mission Space. This one was new for me (maybe it is a new attraction or maybe our little ones were too little each time we came previously). You are basically part of a team inside a rocket. We chose the "more intense" line and headed inside. By the time we had been "warned" by the screen outside, had heard repeat riders telling us how intense it was, and saw the setup of the ride, Reagan had had enough. She refused to go on the ride ... seriously - right at the front of the line. Steve offered to take her outside and Cole and I continued inside. Whoa! It was definitely intense. Because Reagan had bailed right at the front of the line, only Cole and I were inside our rocket, which was set up for four. Cole was trying to push the buttons for the missing team members (Steve and Reagan) and we were in command of our rocket. You could seriously feel the g-force. I remember thinking as we were taking off "If this lasts much longer, I won't be able to take it." Of course, Cole loved it and when we left the ride and met up with Reagan and Steve, he wanted to go again. Steve took him this time and he came out of the ride saying the same thing as me - "Whoa!"

After that, we headed to some easier rides - The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Ellen's Energy Adventure,  and Steve's favorite - Soarin'. Steve always leaves that ride trying to figure out how he can make a smaller version of that in our home. "It can't be that hard." he always says :) We hit Living with the Land where we saw how they are hatching fish, growing crops and hydrating plants in new and exciting ways. We saw some character friends and then headed over to the World Showcase. 

At the World Showcase, we hit every country. Some had rides, others had shows, still others had movies about their country. We love the ones that are 360 degrees. It is a camera that takes pics all around and then the movie theater has screens all around you. They have bars that you can lean against so you don't fall over as you get sort of dizzy turning from side to side to see each of the screens. It is really cool!

We finished up our day at the United Kingdom. Steve had to stop for fish 'n chips and to take a pic in the authentic telephone booth. He was remembering his mission years in England. 

We had a great first day in Disney World. Epcot is awesome!!!! Reagan and Cole kept telling us how educational this place was and how much their teachers would be proud. (Let's hope so because missing two weeks of school is going to be rough.) We finished off the day and crashed into our beds exhausted, but ready for tomorrow. Let's go!

Reagan's First Piano Recital

So, we've had a bit of a rocky road when it comes to piano lessons. We were referred to one teacher about three years ago and I wanted to sign Reagan and Cole up. Well, she didn't want to start teaching Cole until he could read. So, Steve decided to take the other lesson and we were officially a "piano lesson family". About two months later, our piano teacher was married. She planned to take a month off after her wedding. Well, that turned into 8 months off. Eventually, she came back - and Cole joined Reagan and Steve in lessons. She was pretty flaky, which I was actually ok with ...  at first. If she cancelled a lesson, I figured it gave us more time for homework and whatever else, so, I was ok with it. But, as it continued, it seemed like we were missing more lessons than we were having. We started looking for another teacher. Then, our current teacher decided to double her rates. Um - not gonna do it :)

Then, we found a new teacher who was consistent...... for a while. Then, she started missing lessons and eventually just disappeared. She didn't show up, call or anything. UGGGH!!!! 

Finally, we secured a spot with a coveted teacher in our ward. (That, in and of itself, is a story. She had a huge waiting list but remembered how cute and helpful Reagan was at the baby shower that some of us ladies in the ward threw for her. Reagan had impressed her back then and she found a way to squeeze Reagan in. SCORE!!!) Her husband is in school, so, we don't know how long she will be here, but we LOVE her. She has a perfect personality for Reagan - she is an adorable mom with a cutie patootie baby boy and she is close by. Granted, our other 2 teachers came to us, but we will do whatever we need to in order to have good, consistent lessons with a quality teacher. 

Reagan started her lessons and had quite a bit of catch up work to do. It's amazing how fast things leave your brain when you don't use them. Her teacher was sweet and patient. Her teacher told Reagan that there was a recital planned for her students, but that since it was only a month away and the other students had been practicing their pieces for over a month already, Reagan didn't have to participate in the recital. Well, if you know Reagan, there is NO WAY she is going to pass up a chance to perform for her family and friends :)  Reagan promised to work hard to learn her piece and to practice her skills and music as much as possible. The teacher agreed, but also told Reagan that she could back out as it got closer.

"Closer" came and went and Reagan was all in. She was so excited to participate in her first recital. I'll admit that Steve and I were nervous. A new song with a new teacher with only four weeks to learn it? Plus, her first recital could bring nerves or hiccups that she had never experienced before, having never played in front of an audience.

Well, Reagan played her piece wonderfully. She played it slowly (as her teacher suggested) so that she could stay in control and she played the "quiet" parts quietly. She was poised and confident. We were so proud of her. She took a cute pic with her teacher (grrr that bow that just wouldn't stay in her hair.)

Shanny came to support her and Reagan was thrilled to have her there. (We didn't invite a bunch of family and friends because we didn't want to put too much pressure on her. Turns out, it didn't matter a bit.)

Here she is playing her little piece called "Penguin Patrol".

The theme of the recital was "Around the World" and students played songs from different parts of the world. It was a fun night. 

First recital down ... Whew!!! We are so proud of Reagan and all the practice she did to prepare. We are glad that she had a good experience and can't wait for next year's recital!!!

Happy Thanksgiving .... A Bit Early

Since we will be out of town on Thanksgiving this year (which almost never happens), we figured we would have a Thanksgiving Dinner with Steve's girls before we left. Unfortunately, April was unable to make it, but we had a feast, played together, chatted and just enjoyed our day. 

We have so much to be thankful for. It was just crazy to think that we could just jet out of town and not celebrate our thanks. We try to recognize our blessings and share our gratitudes each day, but I love that there is a day set aside to stop and think about and recognize and give thanks for our multitude of blessings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!!

Thanksgiving Decor

Well, Thanksgiving Decor looks a lot like our fall decor. We've added a few pumpkins and a few turkeys and .... voila .... Thanksgiving!

My sis is still in school, so, I don't have her help for the last few seasons. Steve is turning into quite the helper for decor purposes. He brings in the ladder, climbs up and is willing to put items up on the shelves, move them around to my liking and give me advice as to how to improve it. 

Thanks for your help Steve - next comes Christmas!!!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!!!! It's here!!! It's here!!!!!

Reagan opted to be a Renaissance Princess and Cole is the Ninja!!! Halloween is one of two days each year that they don't have to wear uniforms to school. We loved it! They were both so excited to head to school for friends and parties.

I was able to help out in Reagan's classroom. I went early in the morning and took a class picture. Then, I had them printed out during the day. For the party, we painted picture frames and decorated them with stickers. Then, we put in the class pictures. They looked great!! The class had apples and caramel for their treat. Then, we played a game where teams chose a person to wrap as a mummy. They also used stickers and accessories. Too cute!!!

Then, I went over to Cole's class and took a pic of their class. They were racing ping pong balls across the room using straws to blow them. Then, they wrapped up in a spider web of yarn. They also had apples and caramel and played some other games.

That night, Reagan and Cole couldn't wait to hit the streets for Trick or Treating. I've posted about this before, but they score big. Our sweet friends, the Bowmans, always have great treats and toys for them. We frequently hear "It's Reagan and Cole - get the 'other' bowl" and they walk away with multiple, king size candy bars or bags of treats. Last year, we had a girl in Reagan's school move into the neighborhood. They invited us to Trick or Treat with them so that they would know which houses are safe, etc. We went to their house for soup and then did some Trick or Treating closest to their house. About a month before Halloween this year, Reagan informed me that she did NOT want to go with that girl again ... or anyone other than our family. She remembered not getting to see our usual friends and she was upset. She remembered some of our ward members commenting that they hadn't seen us that year and being disappointed. Reagan was not going to let that happen again. She had friends to visit in her costume and nothing was going to get in the way of that :) (Frankly - that works just fine for me.)

Many of our friends commented how grown up Reagan looked this year. Perhaps it was the noble costume, perhaps it was the make up or perhaps she is just growing up. Ugh - I can't stand it - I want her (and Cole) to stay little forever. However, I do love this pic we took of our little family. She looks beautiful and very ..... regal? Whatever it is, I love it!

Ward Halloween Party

You'll remember that I was the YW President in our ward. Well, they released me after almost three years. For a couple of days, I had no calling and it was weird, yet kind of nice. Then, I was called to be the first counselor in the Primary Presidency. Great except that the Primary was in charge of the Ward Halloween Party - gulp!

It actually turned out great! We had a nice dinner with soup, salad, rolls and desserts. There were several games for the children to play - each of which gave candy or prizes. The Bishopric provided cotton candy and we all had a great time.

We hung out with friends, ate good food, walked in a Children's Parade, played games and had a great time. There was a Jack O' Lantern contest in which Reagan and Cole both won awards. The decorations were great and the church looked very spooky.

I love being in Primary with Reagan and Cole and we have our Primary Program in two weeks. I'd better start learning all of our songs :)

Halloween Decor

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween!!!!! It is my second favorite holiday (second to Christmas). I love to decorate and have really come to love the purple and green in Halloween decor, in addition to the traditional orange and black. Once again, my sis was unable to help me and so I was on my own. I'm sure she would have done a better job, but I was so excited to get everything up that I couldn't wait :) 

We only added a few things this year - we had most everything we used to decorate. Reagan's activity days' girls made the centerpieces for the Ward Halloween party and each of the girls was able to take one home. We put Reagan's in one of our kitchen windows. They took scrapbook paper and made circles that were fans and then put cut out witches, pumpkins, bats, cats or owls on them. They were SO cute - we will use this next year for sure.

I found these cute little jars with labels on them. They were ingredients for a witch's brew or a spell. I thought they were so cute that I bought one in each color. Of course, we had to have our usual Halloween gumballs.

 Still, my favorite things are the Halloween trees with their orange and purple lights.

We decorated Reagan's and Cole's rooms and their bathroom. Cole said "Mom, we need more scary stuff for Halloween." I fear our days of the "cute" Halloween decor may be on the way out. Cole wants skeletons, zombies, and more scary stuff. 

Not sure if I've posted about this before, but my friend Stacey made all of us in the Primary Presidency witch's hats a couple of years ago. Well, she made more this year and was selling them. I had to buy a purple one - now I have 2 to choose from each year :)

Yes, we are ready for Halloween (well, we've been ready - we put all this up the first couple days of October :)   Boo!!!!

Carving Pumpkins

It's that time of year - I love fall and Halloween!!! Cole asked me one night "Are we going to carve pumpkins?" I answered that, of course, we would. He reminded me; however, that we didn't do it last year. Not sure why we didn't and if you asked me before that, I would have sworn that he did, but he was right - we neglected to do that. So, you betcha we are doing it this year.

Reagan and Cole each picked out their own pumpkin and Steve helped them take out the insides. Next, they each chose a stencil off the internet and we were off. We poked and carved and cleaned ... and .....

Voila!!!! Jack O' Lanterns. Good thing too because we just learned that our Ward Halloween Party has a Jack O' Lantern contest. We are all set!!!

Good job Reagan and Cole - they look great!!!