Disney Trip 2023 - Day 4: Disneyland

We woke up nice and early to get ready and eat breakfast before walking to the park.  We started out at California Adventure. We got through security quickly and there wasn't much of a line to get into the park.  We then only had to wait a couple minutes before rope drop.  We were all very excited to start our Disney day.

We went straight to the Cars Ride first. We wanted to ride that first thing as a family so we could see if Allie would ride it again by herself in the single rider line.  Allie really liked that ride, but she wanted to hold my hand, so she didn't want to go single rider.  We did get a family picture on the ride.  So that was nice. 

After we were able to go on a bunch more rides.  It wasn't too busy, so we were able to get on a lot of rides before it got busier.  We ate lunch and then decided to head over to Disneyland.  While waiting in line for Haunter Mansion we were able to get into the queue for the new ride Mickey's Runaway Railway.  We were excited to get on that ride later in the evening.  

We were then able to go on a lot more rides, ate snacks, and had dinner.  Then our time came up for us to go on the new ride.  We pretty much walked right on to the ride, and it was awesome, and we all loved it so much.  We then went on a couple more rides before I walked Megan and Allie back to the hotel for the night.  The rest of the group stayed for an hour or two more before coming back.  It was such a great day at the parks.

Disney Trip 2023 - Day 3: Church Day

On Sunday morning we got up and got ready for church.  We went up to the 5th floor for breakfast before driving to church.

We enjoyed sacrament and chatting with people in the ward.  After church we went back to the hotel to get changed out of our church clothes before going to a couple stores and lunch.  We got gas and snacks from Costco, then we stopped at Walmart for a few things before getting lunch at Wendy's.  

We then went back to the hotel for the kids to get some homework done.  Margie, Tony, and Megan went to a swap meet while the rest of us hung out at the hotel.  They were able to find a few things that they liked and had a good time there.  

We then went out that night for dinner.  We were hoping to get street tacos, but they weren't there.  So, we got the kids pizza and found a taco place where us adults had tacos.  It was good food and it worked out pretty well.  Then we went back to the hotel and went up to the 5th floor to watch the Disneyland firework show.  We got lucky and Tony found a window that opened, so we had a nice clear view of the fireworks.  We couldn't see the whole show, but we could see most of it.  It was pretty awesome.  Then we went down to our room and got some rest for our busy week ahead.  

Disney Trip 2023 - Day 2: Las Vegas to Aneheim

This morning we ate breakfast at the hotel before starting our drive to California.  We stopped for lunch before we got into the LA area.  We had time before we could check into our hotel, so we went to the Disney Outlet store.  It was really busy and not very organized, but we did find a couple things that we wanted, so that was good.

After we stopped at a restaurant to try their chocolate cake shake.  We also tried a couple other things and some fries.  It was all good and when we were done it was time to check into our hotel.  

We got all checked in and then unloaded everything into our rooms.  We had a two-room suite that connected through a double bathroom.  This hotel was just down the street from Disneyland.  When we were checking out the hotel, we could see California Adventure from the 5th floor window.   After we got all unpacked and we checked out the hotel, we were able to walk down to Downtown Disney.  

We went through the stores and bought some t-shirts for us to wear to the parks.  It was nice walking around soaking up all the 100 anniversary Disney magic.  

Disney Trip 2023 - Day 1: SLC to Las Vegas - Cactus Garden, Chocolate Store, & Vegas Temple

We left our house on Friday morning to meet up with Margie at her house.  We unpacked our stuff from our van into Margie's van.  After loading everything and everyone into the van we prayed and then started our drive to Las Vegas.  

We stopped at a rest stop on our way before we got to St. George.  Once in St. George, we stopped at Costco for gas and lunch.  After that we drove to our hotel in Las Vegas.  

After we checked into our hotel, we found out that the pool area was closed so we couldn't go swimming.  So, we decided to go to the chocolate store and cactus garden.  We went to this place a few years back and it was fun, so we wanted to go again.  Inside the chocolate factory and store they have big windows where you can watch the workers make and package the chocolate.  They also have a large store with many different types of chocolates and souvenirs.  Outside they have a large cactus garden with fun paths that intertwine throughout the gardens.  They have a Joshua Tree there and it's fun to have Josh take a picture with the tree.  

After we went out to dinner at Applebee's.  The food was good, and we had a good time.  We decided to go see the Las Vegas temple after dinner.  It wasn't too far away, and we had the time.  It is a pretty temple and we enjoyed walking around it.  It was a little colder than we thought it would be.  But totally worth it.  After we drove back to the hotel and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Josh's First Volleyball Game

Josh had his first volleyball game.  He didn't get to play in the game, but he was there supporting (mostly looking bored).  I did talk to him about being more supportive and less bored at his next game.  He has enjoyed being part of the team.

Josh is Student of the Month

Josh received the Student of the Month award from his science teacher.  Josh and a parent got invited to a lunch where he received the award.  We are so proud of him for being such a great kid!

Florida Trip - Day 7: Clearwater Marine Aquarium & Traveling Home

We had breakfast and checked out of our room before we all loaded the motorcoach.  We had a little extra time, so Julie, my mom, and I walked to the beach before we left.  I didn't want to walk on the sand, so I walked back while Julie and my mom walked on the beach.  I walked around the neighborhood of the hotel before loading the bus.  

Once we all got onto the bus, we drove to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  We were there right when it opened, and it was a fun place to visit.  We got to see lots of different animals and we even watched a dolphin training show.  They had tons of different dinosaurs around the park.  They all had funny stories about how they got hurt and why they were there.  

They had neat exhibits and informational things.  They also had a great gift shop where almost everything was 50% off.  We only had a couple hours here and then we had to get back to the motorcoach to drive to the Orlando Airport which was a couple hours away.  

Many of the people on the bus thought that Julie and I were just so much fun.  A few of them said that they should tip me for being so much fun instead of our tour guide.  They said they liked me more than her.  So nice.  I told them that all I wanted was a smile.  They were all very nice and complimentary towards Julie and me.  I was very glad that they thought we were as fun and hilarious as we think we are.  My parents got many compliments on what great gals were are and how lucky they are to have us.  

Once we got to the airport, we got our luggage and got all checked in.  The airport was really busy, and it took us a long time to get all checked in and through security.  It was pretty funny though, because all the people from our group were spread out so we kept seeing them throughout the security line and we kept saying hello to all these people.  I even offered them some of my popcorn I got from the aquarium.  We thought it was pretty funny.

Once we got through security, we met our parents at Outback Steakhouse for lunch.  We ate our food and then walked around for a little while before our plane started loading.  We were still in first class, and I still felt so special.  Now since we knew everyone from our group, we got to see them all pass us on their way to the back of the bus.  It was pretty funny saying hello to all of them and their funny comments about us being in first class.  

We had another good flight.  They fed us dinner on the flight.  I had a chicken salad.  It was okay.  They also gave us snacks and drinks.  It was a good flight.  After we landed, I said my goodbyes to Julie and my parents and then waited for my luggage.  Tony was on his way to come get me, so once my luggage came, I went out of the airport and met him.  He then took me home and it was so nice to see all the kids and Tony.  It was such a great trip, but I was happy to be back home with my hubby and kids.