DisneyWorld Day 1

We've had a few people ask us to report tips we learned while taking this trip to Disney. Brett and I found ourselves comparing things we would do again, and some we wouldn't. All in all it was a fabulous trip. We made some fun memories and we learned a few lessons. So here goes....

Lesson #1- IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH THE NIGHT, YOU HAD BETTER BE PREPARED!!!

(with a plan, cokes, naps, and a hotel reservation:) We had planned to leave Saturday but there was word of a storm blowing through so I was packed and ready to go the minute Brett got home from work on Friday. We began our trek with thought of stopping when we got tired. Between the two of us we made it all the way but then had no plans of where we would stay for Day #1. If we booked a hotel that early in the morning, we would have to pay for a full day. So, we stopped at a rest stop and slept for an hour. Not sure if I would do this again, but we were glad we were there. The kids did great because they slept most of the way:)

sleeping at the rest stop

Lesson #2 - "A1A BEACH FRONT BOULEVARD" WILL HAVE YOU SINGING ICE ICE BABY ALL DAY:)

And it did. Brett couldn't stop reminding me that we were driving on A1A. It really does exist. We took our time on it too because we had to kill a few hours until we could check into our hotel.

Lesson #3 - DO THE BEACH FIRST

By the end of the trip we were exhausted. We were so glad we had gotten the beach out of the way before we started Disney.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Lesson #4-SPEND AS LITTLE AS YOU CAN ON FOOD

We still spent a pretty penny on food for a family of 5 but we tried to scrimp where we could. We used gift cards, PB sandwiches, granola bars, and shared meals at McDonalds. We ended up buying dinner at DisneyWorld one night and it cost us $43 for crappy food. We felt robbed and wish we wouldn't have done that. If I had it to do over I would have planned the meals a little better.

Olive Garden at Daytona Beach (in our jammies:)

Lesson #5 - GIVE YOURSELF A DAY TO RECOVER FROM DRIVING

We were super glad we had a couple days to recover from the drive before we started Disney. We needed it and the kids did too.

Day 1 over and we were beat!!!

Jane's Baptism - November 19, 2011

Jane was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 19, 2011. We had so many family and friends attend this special day. Many of them traveled far, from Colorado, Utah, and Washington DC. It was so fun to have so many people there.

Our good friends Doug and Lyndee Kennett took these pictures of Jane in her baptism dress.

Erica, Spencer, Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Randy

Grandma and Grandpa

The 2 witnesses: Grandpa Earl and Grandpa Randy

This is all our wonderful family. How loved and special we feel.

We had a picture taken of everyone looking at Jane because she kept saying, "All these people came just for me:)"

Cousins!!!

Jane was baptized in the same dress that I was baptized in. My mother made it for me and saved it so my girls could wear it.

Brother Rock--our dear home teacher gave the talk on Baptism.

My good friend and Jane's piano teacher Jaime Page played the piano for the baptism. She also helped Jane play the prelude music.

We had many of our dear Indiana friends there too. It was such a special day for Jane and for her proud parents. The spirit was so strong and I felt there were heavenly angels present as well. My mother wouldn't have missed it for anything and Jane and I both felt her near.

Many thank yous to all who attended!!

Utah 2011--Week 1

The first day we were there we had a Welcome Party. Dawn had her fun games planned and the whole family was there.

Here is Tobe in the big foot relay.

The kids after the relay races.

The next day we had a Picnic with Mom

I love getting together at the cemetery. One of my favorite things to do.

Then we got Pedicures

and Manicures

Wednesday we had a luncheon with our good long time friends the Tylers. My mom and Debbie Tyler were best friends for many many years. We grew up with their family and still keep in touch. Again, this is a tradition when I am in town. I love being with them. It reminds me of the good ol days.

Kami Tyler Bigler

We've multiplied:)

Tobe loves "Grandma Debbie"

Here is Haydee and Tobe reading books. I had great intentions of doing this every day. It didn't happen. We were having too much fun.

The South Town Mall. The kids love to ride the merry-go-round and eat the free chicken at the mall. Josh and Megan are nice enough to join us:)

My sister Ashley ran in the Ragnar Race. She came through Henefer Utah at about 1:30 am. Jane and I stayed up to cheer her on. We made some great memories and Ash was happy to see us:)

This ends week one!!

Grandma and Grandpa's Visit!!

Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Randy came to visit us in May!! They were here for Tobe's birthday, the Indy 500 race and then Grandma Jeanne stayed to watch our kids while Brett and I took a trip to Mass, and then she kindly drove with me to Utah. We had a lot of fun while they were here.

We rented a Surrey and rode along the canal walk in Indianapolis.

Here they are at the Indy 500 race. Brett was able to get tickets through Comcast and you can't love in Indy without attending at least one time...right?

Again, we love having visitors!!!!