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!!!

Utah 2011--Week 4 (final week)

Gardner Village

4th of July Celebration--Impromptu Talent Show

Making Mom's Freezer Jam

Spaghetti Factory

Staying at Jenn's and doing her nails

Farewell LUAU Party

Again, you can't have a party without forced games:) We actually love Dawn's games and the kids even request them. Here we are playing Minute to Win It!!!

Saying Good Bye:(

I absolutely love coming to visit family for the summer. I know it's a 25 hour drive, 5 weeks, 24/7 family time. But I adore my family and we will continue to make the trip every summer. I am just grateful that I have a loving supportive husband that allows me to leave him for so long and a family worth coming for.

I love you all!!

Utah 2011--Week 3

I spent the 3rd Sunday with the kiddos at Grandma's grave. Then we went to Temple Square and ended up at Ashley's to attend church with her.

The next day we woke up early because we had dentist appointments.

That night we went to the Concert in the Park--Peter Breinholt.

During my Birthday Lunch, the kids played in the slip and slide.

Wednesday we got haircuts and visited with our beloved Lehi friends. We just love these people. They are such good friends.

Then off to the Zoo with Grandpa and Roe!!

Then we headed to Cherry Hill in Grandpa's trailer. The kids LOVED this. Not only did we get to "camp out" but we got to golf and ride the water slides ALL day.

The kids requested that we stay at Grandpa's house. They love to run around the upstairs and play "work" in the office. Some things are just tradition:)

This ends Week 3!!