Our Disney Experience

I know this is long over due since it was quite a while ago that we went to Disney World but I have found it hard to find the time. Our trip was so fun and I really wish we'd taken more pictures! I only have a few on my camera, which really doesn't take the best pictures. Alan has more on his but he hasn't downloaded them yet. So here is what I have...

The first day we went to Animal Kingdom. We loved it! I was worried we'd get bored because I thought it would be like a zoo. It wasn't...there were some animals but they were ones you'd see on a safari. They were pretty well hidden unless you rode the safari ride or went into an exhibit. The main attraction there was the Mt. Everest ride. It's really fun how the set up is in every park at Disney World. The rides are hidden...you can't see them from just being in the park. You hear screaming but you can't see the ride. For instance the ride of Mt. Everest you just see this huge snow covered mountain. You can see it wherever you are in the park because it is so big. What you can't see is the roller coaster because it is inside or hidden by the peaks. This was a fun one because it's partially in the dark and for some of the ride you go backwards. I am mad because we didn't take a picture of it...oh well. We also rode the safari ride and saw some animals I've never seen before. It was fun to watch them all and we were really close to a few of them. We also went to what was called "Rafiki's World". This was more of a conservation place. We had to get on a train and it took us to "Rafiki's World". Once we were there it was beautiful! At first we were pretty ho-hum about it and then you become part of the experience. Anyway, we enjoyed going to Animal Kingdom so here are a few pictures.

I think this proves that a hippo's mouth is very large and I didn't

know that they had teeth like that!!

This tree is called "The Tree of Life". It was so cool! You can't see it but the whole trunk of it has animals carved into it. Like the tiger, ape, giraffe and any animal you can think of that might live in the rain forest or in Africa. We couldn't get over how meticulous it was. You can see this tree wherever you are in the park. It is HUGE! I'm still amazed at the creation and imagery of this beautiful tree.

Here are the guys with Rafiki.

We had to get a picture with Pocahontas! The boys didn't mind this one, too much...I love that you can see Old Woman Willow.

So after Animal Kingdom we went to Magic Kingdom. We were pretty tired by then and two of the main rides were closed. I was just thrilled to see Cinderella's castle! It is so beautiful! We hung around there a bit and decided to head back to the resort, rest our feet, get some dinner and then see what else we wanted to do. We ended up going to Downtown Disney which is a park in itself. It was so crowded! After bumming a while because it was mainly stores, we needed food! We ate at House of Blues and we are so glad we did! It was the most entertaining dinner we've ever had. They had a band playing called "Funkalicious"...they were great! It was even more fun to watch all of these black women dance in front of the stage. Let's just say...they can shake their bootie!!! No doubt about it...holy cow I had no idea bums could move like that!! I do know now though. When we left there Dylan really wanted to go back to Magic Kingdom and see the fireworks. So we went and I must admit, I was pooped! I really just wanted to put my feet up...I am so glad we didn't!! When we got to Magic Kingdom the parade of lights was starting. We huslted are way through the crowd and were able to get right in front of Cinderella's castle where the parade came to. The floats and characters looked amazing and I felt like a little girl! Soon the parade ended and we knew the fireworks were going to start. I seriously have never seen such a beautiful fireworks show and right over Cinderella's castle! We did get photos of the parade and castle but not, too great of ones of the fireworks. I still am amazed at how awesome it was and that it made me feel like such a little girl again. Here are a few pics of what we saw...

Derek and Dylan on a ride...I can't remember which one though. I'm sure Dylan will love this picture though!

Arriving at Epcot Center

Epcot Center was a real experience. It isn't what I thought it would be. It was all about different countries and cultures. We enjoyed it but DEREK loved it!! This was his favorite park. We are at a Morracan restaurant and it was soooo yummy! We spent all day there but the majority of the pictures are on Alan's camera. The fireworks show here was phenomenal! I wish the pictures would have done it justice. It was a fun and long day...

Alan being "King Tritan"

Alright already! I'm done posting about Disney World...it's taken me forever to finish due to no time! Let me just say we had an absolute BLAST and would love to go back and see everything we didn't get a chance to do and see in three days! I loved Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney and of course seeing all of the characters. I have many more pictures but no time! I'm late doing this and there are other things I need to post. Well we did enjoy our free trip and can't wait to do it again. Doesn't get better than this!

My Life Lately

Things have been going well for me, although just a little busy. The highlights of different happenings are great! I will explain a few...

First off, for Mother's Day I was able to talk to CHANDLER!! That is my most favorite highlight! He is doing so good and is so happy. He usually isn't much of a talker but we talked a long time. I asked him many questions and he told many stories. Although he'll be home in just 2 MONTHS I still seems like forever! He now speaks with an accent and ends every sentence a little higher like he's asking a question. It's a Spanish thing. Eddy did the same thing when he first came home. Chandler usually has a deep voice but he was sounding like a teenager again. He said the island he is on is the most beautiful one yet. There are only 2,000 people on the whole island and the Branch consists of about 15 people which means he gives a talk about every other week. Those of you who know Chandler well, know he isn't much of a talker! He is now!! His favorite thing to do right now is he teaches a Spanish class and an English class. I can't believe how much he loves doing it! Anyway he sounded great and is very happy. He doesn't like talking about coming home. He said "I just haven't been here that long. I want to be here longer." I told him he's been gone forever and to get his fanny home when the time comes. I also told him that I expect one of his bear hugs. He gives the best hugs when he wants to. We laughed and he said "So Mom, do I feel real now?" I didn't know what he meant and he said, "In your last email you said that I didn't feel real to you any more because you haven't seen me for so long." I assured him that the phone call definitely helped that feeling. It was the greatest Mother's Day and I'm still smiling about it. Chandler is one to be proud of and I am very proud of him. (I am biased though). The bummer is next Mother's Day, I'll be getting a call from Derek who will be on his mission... this happens for the next 4 years between him and Dylan.

The second happening in my life was that we went to Disney World! It was amazingly fun and there is just so much to see that it is impossible to see it all! My favorite thing though was the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle! I stood there like a little kid with a huge smile on my face. I cracked up because every character we saw we made Derek and Dylan get a picture with them. When we were at Epcot, we were walking along and we all saw Mary Poppins. You would have thought she was the real Mary Poppins by our reaction! (although we all know Mary Poppins isn't real). When we spotted her we all said "It's Mary Poppins!" We couldn't get to her fast enough. We had to wait to get a picture with her and when we did we all got in it. She said "Oh, everyone?" Of course all of us...we love Mary Poppins! Derek enjoyed Epcot the most and Dylan loved Animal Kingdom. I enjoyed Magic Kingdom, especially the parades. I think Alan preferred Hollywood Studios. The Aerosmith ride was a blast there!! We had a really great time, but it was, too short. Can't complain though because we didn't have to pay for it. A vendor of Alan's invited us and paid for the plane ticket, accommodations, tickets to all of Disney World and some of the food! How could we pass that up? It was so fun and great memories were made. I'd post some pictures but my cable cord for my camera is mysteriously missing! (Dylan has been having a hay-day with my camera so that is why we bought him one for his birthday!) As soon as I find it I will post the pictures.

The last happenings were Dylan's 17th birthday and Chandler's 21st!! I can't believe that my baby is 17! I really can't believe I'm that old...I did start having kids though when I was 19 so now I'll be a young Grandma! Dylan is still my baby but a taller one! We had fun on his birthday and he loves the fact that he is now 17 and taller than Alan and I. I'm not sure how Chan's birthday went but he'll be home for the next one! Now I have two of my boys in their 20's...unbelievable!

I'm sure there is more to update, but that's all for now!!

P.S. I am a huge fan of Kris Allen on American Idol!! I want him to win so bad and get that weirdo Adam off!! Just my opinion...that is why I changed my playlist. It's all Kris Allen now. Enjoy!

My 80's Favs

I decided to change the music on my blog as you can hear. I found some of my favorite 80's music that I absolutely loved back then. I'm sure many of you are too young to know these songs but some of my sisters can relate..especially LaVoy! So scroll down, find your favorites and enjoy!

Just Random Thoughts

My mind has been going a hundred miles an hour lately and therefore I end up asking myself many questions. Perhaps someone can help me in answering them. So here are just a few of them...

• DO KITCHEN'S SHRINK?

I figure they must! When I lived in a rental house in the Seattle area, the kitchen seemed small with very little cupboards but more than the apartment we had been living in. We had to make a pantry out in the garage on some shelving we bought because we only had maybe 6 cupboards inside. Small kitchen right? When we moved from there to Arlington Washington we moved into our first "owned" home which was a new double-wide on 5 acres. I was thrilled with the kitchen and finally had a pantry! After a few years, it didn't seem as big as I once thought. I could have sworn that my cupboards started shrinking as I had to cram things in where at first I couldn't even fill them all! So my conclusion is...they shrunk. Now, I live in a home where I was amazed at all the cupboards I have. The pantry seemed much larger than what I'd ever had before...there was counter space and many cupboards! We've lived here now almost 9 years so why are my once "so many cupboards" all crammed again? And yes...I do clean them out and get rid of stuff! Still crammed though.

• WHY IS THERE ALWAYS A SONG PLAYING IN MY HEAD?

Maybe there is someone else that this happens to. No matter what I'm doing my head is like a jukebox. I go to sleep...some random song is singing...I wake up...again, some tune is playing. All day long my brain has a song playing. It is so strange! The songs are random, too. Some I haven't heard in years! Some I've heard recently and it plays over and over and over until I go nuts because I can't get rid of it! I play hymns, Primary songs, radio tunes, musicals etc, etc, etc... What drives me crazy is I can't control what song plays next. Derek had his show this last weekend so it was all music. I loved so many of the songs especially "Viva La Vida" that Derek sang. It was so good! Catchy tune and lyrics but did that play in my head? No! Instead I get "Betty Davis Eyes" that some girl sang. I hate that song!! I hated it when it was popular and yet that is what my brain chose me to suffer through for days! It's maddening. Maybe I should swallow a quarter, shake my head and then choose a favorite song. Might work!

• WHY AM I OBSESSED WITH OFFICE SUPPLIES?

Again, weird I know. I especially love pens!! When I discover a good pen, I'm filled with glee! I love testing pens to see if I like them...even when I sign for a check at a restaurant, I test the pen. I've gotten many free pens because I at times tell the waiter what a great pen it is and they give it to me!~ I argue but they insist...I've learned not to comment and just take notice of the brand and make so I can buy one. Paper is another love along with mechanical pencils, sticky notes, fun equipment like staplers and hole punchers. I can never get enough markers either! When I go to Costco I always have to go down the office supply aisle. Don't even allow me into Office Depot! I go a little crazy. I must already be nuts if I get so much enjoyment from a pen!

• DO BATH TOWELS WALK?

I figure they must! I can have my linen closet in MY bathroom filled with fresh clean towels and they just disappear! They do, however reappear on my boys' bedroom floor...I ask how the towel got there and the reply is "I dunno"! Therefore towels must be able to walk and throw themselves on a already messy floor. I guess they prefer being there than in the linen closet. Makes sense to me!!

I hope someone can help me answer these bizarre thoughts!

This Summer Will be Crazy...

We are really in for a crazy July and August but it's a good crazy! It all starts with Chan getting home, then Nauvoo with fam (yeah!!), then Eddy gets married Aug. 8th in the Salt Lake Temple, Dylan has EFY at BYU Idaho from Aug. 10-15, Derek wants to go to Washington to hang with Kylie sometime around the 14 of August, it's Alan's birthday on the 13, our 25th Anniversary on the 14th along with Eddy's birthday the same day and an Open House for Eddy and Miken down here on the 22nd!! I would gladly take any advice on how to do it all!! Like I said, it's a good crazy but it's still crazy!

We Have a Release Date!

I am so happy! We found out that Chandler will be coming home on July 23! Can't wait to see that boy...the only bummer is that it is right in the middle of my family reunion in Nauvoo so we will miss the first couple of days and then be there on the 24th. We are still going because we all want to see my family since we hardly get the chance. Just knowing when Chan will be home again has made my week! All is great now...Eddy getting married, Chan coming home and going to the reunion. It doesn't get better than this!!

It's Official!

Eddy proposed to Miken last night so it's official now and I am so happy! I know he and Miken will make a great life together since they both adore one another! I do admit that I had some doubts about the two of them, but I've gotten to know Miken better and am glad that we've made a connection. I know how happy they both are together and for me, that is the key to a long and great marriage! So here are some pictures of the happy couple.

They sure look happy and in love!

So there they are! We're not sure when the wedding will be, but we know it will be held in the Salt Lake City Temple.
It will be nice to have another female in this family for some girl talk instead of hearing about movie lines and bodily functions. I just hope that Miken knows what she is getting into! If not, she soon will!