Day at Disney World, Magic Kingdom

On Friday, May 16th, we took a Lyft from our hotel over to Disney World, Magic Kingdom (about 30 minutes away).  We got there just before it opened, in order to maximize our time there, and rent a stroller before rides opened.  Since we didn't need a stroller anywhere else this time (airport or on the cruise, we figured it would be easiest to rent one this time).

We made it!  We then took the Monorail over to Magic Kindgom.  We got sunscreen on while on our way over so we were ready to go!

Taking the Monorail.  The ferry across the way, which also goes to Magic Kingdom.  We made it!  We decided to rent a double stroller in order to haul our backpacks and water bottles as well.

A couple of pictures in front of the castle as we waited for the ropes to drop ie, for the park to open.

They gave us physical cards this time, instead of having to use my phone.  It was simple but awesome!  We all got a different character.  Nyles got Tinkerbell (Joann likes her).

We got Lightning Lanes so we could maximize our time even more ie get more rides in w/ less wait time.  It worked great.  I especially liked how we could book 3 rides at one time this year vs 1 ride last year.  We went to Buzz Lightyear first, to use our first Lightning Lane, then book another.  We racked up our points.  Nyles thought he had a really high score, until he saw Steve's score, haha!

Steve's high score

Professional pictures from Buzz and later Haunted House.

Take a quick break, then over to Tron.  We wanted to hit it up as it was one of our favorites from last year.  Steve stayed w/ Hudson, while the rest of us got in line for Tron.  They did Buzz again and drove cars while we waited in line for Tron.

Pictures on the Tron motorcycles.

We did a rider switch after we were done aka Steve went back w/ Nyles.  It's pretty nice because they let you go towards the front of the line, instead of the back again.  After Tron, I sat out w/ Hudson while they did Space Mountain, using our Lightning Lane.

Hudson watering the plants w/ the water fan, while we waited for them on Space Mountain.  

All of our water bottles on the back of the stroller.

Hudson saw Dale, and wanted to get a picture w/ him.  A cool green Dragonfly.  

After they were done, we went back to the other side of the park.

We then went to Tiana's Adventure.  It was a new ride that opened last year (after we were there).

We were all really excited to go on it!

Here we go!

It was so fun!  My favorite ride for sure!!!

Tiana's Adventure

We then did Pirates of the Caribbean using our Lighting Lane.

Then Aladdin.  It was definitely HOT by this time!

To escape the heat, we went inside for a 3D show.  It was great!  

We also caught the tail end of the parade.

Good times!

We took a quick break in the shade to grab a snack.  Then we went to drive cars on the speedway.

Carter was a little crazy!  Hudson drove w/ Steve, and Nyles on his own.

We then waited in line for 7 Dwarfs.  

We missed it last time, so we wanted to make sure we got it in this time.  It was a fun ride!

Waiting to get on 7 Dwarfs

7 Dwarfs.

To take another break from walking/standing, we went on the People Mover, which took us around Tomorrowland.  It was fun!  Steve and I ended up being in our own car, while the boys and Diane were in front of us, in a separate section.  We had pretty views of the castle and area.  We also went into a comedy show.  Diane got to participate.  It was super funny!

Lastly, we hit up the Jungle Cruise w/ our Lightning Lane.  It was fun in the dark.  We then dropped off the stroller, took the Monorail out, and got a Lyft again.  We got to see the fireworks as we waited.

It was a fun, hot, exhausting day!  We all had a great time though.  It was a little more enjoyable this time, as we knew more where things were, and had a better handle on how to use the lightning lanes and get the rides we wanted.  It was a fun day at the park, and we were especially looking forward to relaxing the next day on the cruise!

Vacation Time! Boarding the plane to Orlando!

On Thursday, May 15th, we packed up our bags and went to the airport.  Rob came w/ us and drove our car home.  Dave and Joann dropped Diane off.  Rob stayed at our house while we were gone to take care of Piper, which we really appreciated.

At the airport, ready to go!

Watching our plane.  Checking out the Lego store in the airport.

On the airplane ready to go!  We had a direct flight on Delta.

We made it in good time.  We stayed at the same hotel we did last year.  Hudson stayed in our room and Nyles and Carter stayed in Diane's room.

We walked over to IHOP across the street for dinner, then went swimming.  It was great!

We made it safely to Orlando.  It was definitely WARMER in Orlando and more humid.  It was a nice change though, as we are ready for summer.  We were excited for our upcoming vacation.

Days before our vacation

Monday, May 12th, we had a concrete company deliver concrete for our side RV pad.  Our neighbor Jacob Anderson came to help, along w/ Rob and Dave.  We really appreciate their help!

Steve excited to get the concrete done!  Getting started.

Working on the concrete.

Rob and Jacob left after a little while, so Dave and Steve worked to finish it.  I helped a little.

Looks great!

Awesome job!   We appreciate all the help (especially from Dave)!

Yeah, the concrete is done!  Only 3 days until our cruise.  Nyles finished a school project before we left on vacation.  He finished his book report and created a shadow box for his science project.

Thankfully, it rained, which helped the concrete cure slower.  2 more days!

Great quotes:

First full week of May

Here are some highlights from the first full week of May.  

The boys sitting up in the Lego room. Our pretty Irises are in bloom in all their many colors!

Cute Hudson playing ball w/ Piper.

Tuesday night, Steve and the young men went to a driving range, owned by a guy in our ward.  They had a good time.  While they were gone, I made a sourdough loaf w/ cinnamon chips inside.

Wednesday morning, I flew out to San Diego for a work conference.  We stayed at the InterContinental, right across the street from the USS Midway ship and cruise port.

After we landed, we grabbed some lunch at the restaurant in the hotel, then we started at 2pm.  That evening we walked across the street to the USS Midway ship.  We had dinner up on top of the ship.  There were veterans also up on top who gave us history lessons about the catapult system getting the planes off the ship and landing them on the ship.  It was really interesting.

An airplane on the ship.  Pretty sunset.

Cool views from my room, looking at the USS Midway.  Some of the people on my team.

The next morning, the Disney Wonder was in port.  It was there most of the day, then took off around 5pm that night.  A few of us on my team went for a walk at lunch and enjoyed the view.  There was also a pirate ship down by the cruise ships, which was fun.

Thursday night Nyles had his last band concert.  Thankfully, I was able to join on the YouTube channel and watch them perform.  They have improved significantly!  Good work Nyles!  Dave and Joann were able to go as well, and Diane/my parents were able to watch online as well.  Thanks everyone for your support.  We really appreciate it.

Nyles performing, playing his flute.

Picture afterwards.  Good work!

Thursday night we had our team dinner at a Mexican Restaurant.  We told the waitress that it was someone on our team's birthday coming up, so they came and sang Happy Birthday to him.  It was pretty fun!

Happy Birthday Eldon!

We then took a walk together as a team around Old Town.  Ironically all the shops were completely shut down, so we were the only people out on the streets.

Friday morning, I packed up, ready to head home.  There was a bug on my window that morning.  We were done around 10am, so a few of us took a walk.  Our flight was then at 2pm to go back to SLC.

Group picture before we left, the SLC MSC Team, back row: Matt Heiner, Andrew Klindt, Eldon Kearl, Tyler Hatch, Ron Claassen, Shaun Wilson, Christian Marinos.  Front: our manager Ryan Skelly, Bill Mechling, me, Cullen White, Hailey Meihls, Chris Roach, Dillon Slaugh, and Staff Hoare.

Steve has been working hard and moving our fence back so we can put in an RV pad to put our camper trailer.  While they were out working on it, Hudson heard bees.  Sure enough they were up in neighbor's tree.  They stayed there through the next morning, then took off.

Saturday, we got together at Pauline's for lunch to celebrate Mother's Day.

Quick family picture on Sunday, Mother's Day.  Another pretty Iris.

Cute cards from Hudson and Carter on Mother's Day :)

More beautiful Irises in bloom around the yard, and a Dianthus.

Pretty flowers, cute Hudson!

We're so thankful for our mothers, grandmothers, and all the wonderful women in our lives.  We love you all!  Thank you for your great examples!

Great quotes:

Last days of April, start of May

Here are some highlights from the last few days of April and the first few days of May.

Nyles made and orange and apple in ceramics class.  Good work Nyles!

Steve got a free flower at a flower shop close by (he got it for me, thanks cutie) :)

We are working on putting in an RV pad on the side of the house.  The first step was to dig a hole in the backyard, then dig up the tree on the side and relocate it to the back.

Steve had to borrow our neighbor Ron's engine hoist to get it out w/ the help of our neighbor Jacob.  They then put in on a toboggan to slide it across the lawn to the backyard. 

They did it!  Good work Steve!  Looks awesome!

Thursday night, Steve and Nyles did baptisms for the dead.  Friday night there was a carnival at Carter's school, so we went for a few minutes.  Carter showed us his picture on the wall.  Nyles also brought home 2 more projects he made, a cup and a monster (his first ceramics).

Our lilac bush is in bloom!  Steve working on capping the sprinkler line.

On Saturday, we had Joann's birthday party up at This is the Place Monument, the Kimball's House.  Thankfully, we had wonderful weather and we were able to be outside.  Sydney Evans (Monson) her 4 boys, and her mom Holly all came.  Holly lives by Dave/Joann, and Sydney lives by us.  Small world as they say.

Tate Evans and Hudson (they're 6 weeks apart).  Hudson, Carter, Nyles and Conor.

Melanie, Carrie, Jeff, Stacie, and Jeff w/ Joann/Dave.

Taft Evans w/ bubbles.  Clay, Beau, Nyles and Carter making paper airplanes.

Tate and Hudson playing w/ bubbles.  I brought the bubbles and paper to keep the boys busy.

Alexa and Claire.  Taft, Hudson and Tate.  Cute Hudson sporting his sunglasses.

Beau, Carter, Taft and Clay.  After the birthday party, I went and did initiatories.  Steve did a run to the dump to get rid of the soil.  That night they went over to Jeff's place to play Minecraft together.

We have a pretty Iris in bloom!  Sunday, May 4th, we went up to Stacie/Phill's place for our normal 1st Sunday, family dinner.  We were doing Texas Roadhouse menu.  I made the rolls.  I doubled the batch and it was overflowing while rising.  It made 4 dozen rolls.

Great quotes: