So much went on, so I thought I'd give a brief description of each day.
Day 1
We drove to Harrisburg then flew down to Orlando. It felt like going down the street since we usually drive to Baltimore and fly to Utah (more than double the drive and flight time). We got there around 2:00pm and the rest of Kirk's family didn't get in until late that night. Janice and her fiancée, Steve, drove up and met us at the Orlando Temple. They watched our girls while we went in together. It was so nice of them, especially considering all they had to do for their upcoming wedding. We are so grateful for them!
Day 2-Universal Studios
We spent most of the day in Suessland, where they had lots of rides for kids. There we met the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat. Clara was scared to death of them and wouldn't let us take her too close. When we went to see the Cat in the Hat, he bent down to give Luci a hug and his hat touched Clara. She let out the biggest scream! It was so funny!
Later we ventured into some of the other areas. Luci was tall enough for some of the bigger rides, so we decided to take her on the Jurassic Park river boat ride. I wasn't expecting it to be scary (I'm not sure why), but it was, and Luci was balling by the end of it.
We really enjoyed Universal Studios! I wasn't sure how it would work out with young kids, but there was plenty to do!Day3-Sea World
When we were in one of the aquarium rooms, I asked Luci and Clara to make a fish face for the camera. Apparently they're part fish, because they did such a good job! I was laughing so hard. I still laugh whenever I see these pictures (not mockingly)!
I took this picture in honor of my family. The Great White Shark (said with a British accent)
Petting the Stingrays
Clara has never napped good at home. She prefers to cat nap in the car, stroller, or in our arms. It can be stressful at home, but it worked out well for our trip!
Kirk took Luci on this ride at first while Clara and I watched. She was so upset that she was not going on it with them, so later we went back with Grandma Dana and the cousins and I took her on it. She is really ten inches too short to ride, but the ride operator didn't seem to care (or notice). She was so happy! My little dare devil!
Grandma Dana took the older cousins on some kiddie rides. So nice of her!
At the very end we took the girls to the Shamu show. Stephanie and Tyson lent us their ponchos and we sat right in the soak zone. Luci was so excited to get wet! Clara was not happy to be wearing a poncho. Well, the show was almost over and the only soak zone not soaked was ours! Luci was in tears because she wasn't getting wet. So last minute I took her a few rows over and we were lucky enough to get the very last splash. Luci was happy, and I was relieved! I have to admit I was feeling a little disappointed too that we were so prepared to get wet and yet were not getting wet!
Day4-Travel to the Wedding
On this day we spent a lot of the day traveling to the beach where Janice and Steve live. We stayed in a house Kirk's parents rented that was just down the street from their's. In the afternoon, Kirk watched the girls while I went off with Kirk's Mom and Sisters to get manicures and pedicures. Such a fun wedding tradition that they have! Later we had a wedding rehearsal and dinner at a water front restaurant.
Day5-Wedding Day
The wedding wasn't until 5:00pm, so we spent the morning at the beach. It wasn't very warm, but we still had a great time!
I love this picture I took of Kirk and Clara. Right as I snapped it, a big wave came crashing into us!
My cute Luci! Sand and water to play in. What better combination? She was in heaven!
Wedding time! We got all ready then headed down the street to the beach. Aren't they good looking?!
Kirk walked his Mom down the aisle.
Damon and Kannon were ring barers.
Here comes the groom.
Clara, Luci and their cousin Kadence were flower girls. So precious!
Last, but not least, the beautiful Bride and her dad.
During the ceremony, the kids had fun playing in the sand. Luci was all business though and didn't participate.
After the ceremony they had dinner and dancing in their waterfront backyard.
Day 6-Church and Travel
We packed up everything, went to Sacrament Meeting, then headed back to Orlando. We dropped our rental car off at the airport and rode the Magic Express to the Disney World resort.
Day7-Disney World, The Magic Kingdom
I'm glad we went to this park. It had a lot of rides and shows that we could take both of the girls on. When we were at Universal Studios, I got chatting with a lady in a line about Disney World, and she gave me good advice for the Magic Kingdom. She said to arrive right when when it opens and head straight to Fantasy Land because by noon, the lines get huge. We took her advice and the longest line we had to wait in was about 35 minutes. We also found that most of the shows didn't have any wait time. We'd get fast passes for one ride then go to a show in the mean time.
At the Monters inc laugh floor, Clara was featured on the big screen. The announcer said, "and now I'm going to show you something that will make you go 'ahhh'", and then they showed my cute little Clara dozing off!
Grandma Dana took Luci on the Tea Cups twice. This was especially thoughtful, considering she was still recovering from the stomach flu!
Have to get the typical picture in front of the castle.
Nate and Danielle with their two kids.
At the very end we got fast passes for Luci to meet the princesses. We didn't get her an autograph book like most girls had (everything there cost way too much money!), but she made do by whipping a park map out of her pocket and having all of the princesses sign it. It was so funny!
Clara was sure excited to eat all the spaghetti off my plate at dinner time. We had meal passes while we were there, which were a life saver! They provided two meals and two snacks each day! It was plenty of food; we never had to buy anything else!
During this whole trip we had Clara and Luci share a bed. It was so cute seeing them cuddle up next to each other when they slept! One night Luci woke up scared and called for me. Before I could answer she discovered Clara next to her and said, "oh, Clara", in a relieved voice and went back to sleep. Sisterly love is priceless!
When you stay at a Disney Resort they have certain days where you can come back to the park after hours and we wanted to take advantage of that. Our room was right next to Kirk's parents with the joining doors inside. So, after getting our girls to bed, we opened the doors and headed back to the magic Kingdom with Stephanie and Tyson. It was a lot of fun going when it was less crowded, and without kids!Day8-Stomach Flu and Hollywood Studios
Throughout this whole trip, the stomach flu went around Kirk's family. His Mom and Grandpa woke up with it on the day of the wedding. Luci and I woke up with it on this day. So, instead of joining everyone at Hollywood Studios, we stayed in bed watching TV with the garbage can right next to us. In the afternoon, Luci was feeling a lot better and wanted to get out. We headed down to get a light snack then sat by the pool with Grandpa Webster for a little while. After a little bit we headed back to our room. I didn't feel close to barfing, but as soon as we climbed on the elevator and the doors shut, it all came spilling out. Unfortunately they didn't have a garbage can outside of the elevator either, so I had no choice but to leave my markings on the path back to our room. Luci screamed every time, and was so upset that it splashed on her shoe. I guess I can't blame her.
Kirk and Clara had a good time at Hollywood Studios. Note, there are not pictures since I wasn't there :).
Day 9
We got up super early and started our journey back home. Clara barfed as we were leaving and I was so paranoid that we'd all be sick the whole flight back. Fortunately we made it all the way home without tossing any cookies (or airplane pretzels)! That was an answer to prayers!
What a great trip! Thanks to Kirk's parents and family for all the planning and providing they did for us!
3 comments:
Sheesh! What a trip! You fit in a LOT of stuff! I would have been scared of those creatures too, just like Clara.
And yucky flu! :( Bah humbug! I swear a trip isn't a trip without one person throwing up. Luckily it was at the end of the trip instead of the beginning.
Congrats to Kirk's brother. They look very happy!
sounds like you had a really fun trip. Sorry you all got sick though that isn't any fun when you are on vacation.
Wow! that sounds like an amazing trip! You packed so much into it, but it sounds like everyone had a great time. So sorry you were sick!
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