Day 5 Disney World-Disney's Hollywood Studios

Devan and Cameron get sniffed by a dog
at the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground.

We decided to go back to Disney's Hollywood Studios instead of going to the Animal Park. It really takes 2 days each park to go through the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. The kids wanted some real time to play on the Honey I Shrunk The Kids Playground.

Spencer hitches a ride on the back of a giant bug!

The boys went to see the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, while the girls went to see the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast live shows. We rode the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster again. The lines were a lot longer, so we waited for 45 minutes to ride it. While we rode the Coaster, Debra took Spencer on the Tower of Terror twice.


We were also able to see the car stunt show again. This time Elizabeth stayed awake! After the stunt show, we went to Cici's Pizza. Then, Ivan met up with Don and his friend from high school, Dayne, to the Priesthood session. I took the older kids swimming while Debra watched Emma at the condo. It was sad to say goodbye to Ivan's family. We felt blessed to be able to see them.

A Baby's Hug

I wish I knew who wrote this. My friend, Jenn Mouso, emailed it to me. I hope you enjoy it.


"We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.

We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby ; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?'


Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. A s I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'

Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.

He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'

I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'

I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity.

The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children."

Day 4 Disney World-Magic Kingdom

On Friday (the 3rd), a huge group of us went to the Magic Kingdom. We had Kevin, Michael, Joy, Jennifer, Chad, Camille, Debra, and Cameron along with the 6 from our family. We went to Tomorrowland first to ride Carousel of Progress, the Buzz Lightyear ride, and Stitch The Great Escape.

Spencer was so excited to ride with his favorite Jennifer!

Then, we headed over to the Indy Speedway next. This was probably Emma's favorite ride.

Emma teaches Dad a thing or two about driving!

Speedy Devan

Liz, you are too young to be driving!


Crazy Driver at the Wheel!

We went on Space Mountain and then the Teacups!
Emma giggled on the teacups the whole ride!

Ivan spun the boys super fast. They were dizzy getting off the ride!

Aunt Debra and Emma

We met up with Michael, Joy, and Kevin to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.

Joy, Spencer and Michael enjoy Pirates!

Our favorite ride was Splash Mountain.

It was hot and the water felt so good!

Kevin, Devan, Liz, Cameron, Joy
and Michael wait to go on yet another ride!

My brother Chad, Lizzie, and Camille

The best part of the trip was being able to spend it with family. We sometimes feel so isolated from our families living in Tucson. It was great to share this experience with Ivan's sisters, their families, my brother Chad, and Camille.

Day 3-Disney World-Orlando Temple and Disney's Hollywood Studios

On Thursday morning, Debra, Don, Ellen, Michael, Kevin, Ivan, and I headed out early to the Orlando temple. It was so wonderful to be in the temple with family. I always imagine that is how it will be in heaven surrounded by people we love. We really appreciated Jennifer and Breanne watching the kids so we could go to the temple.


After feeding the kids, we headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We beat the older group to the park, so we decided that we would hit all the little kid things before meeting up with the rest of the family. Spencer and Elizabeth were so excited to see Playhouse Disney Live Performance. Emma danced and clapped. Devan smiled through the whole thing though he said he wasn't excited to go to a "little kid" show.

Jessie and Woody in the Parade at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The lines were a lot longer here than they had been at Epcot. We waited in line for an hour to ride the new Toy Story Mania ride. We didn't feel like we were able to see as much as we would have liked to see. We only had 20 minute waits for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was the only ride that Spencer was not tall enough to ride in all 4 parks. He's 47 inches tall and you need to be 48 inches to ride. Spencer loved the Tower of Terror though and rode it several times while we rode the coaster. Elizabeth didn't like the falling motion in Tower of Terror, but loved going upside down in the dark on the coaster.

Devan and Spencer wait in an hour long line
to ride the new Toy Story Mania ride.

Our favorite part of the park was definitely the live shows! We loved the Lights, Motors, Action!™ Stunt Show. The kids loved when they drove Herbie onto the lot and when Herbie split in two.

In the middle of the extremely loud stunt show, Elizabeth somehow fell asleep.
Kevin was kind enough to carry her out of the stadium.

Fantasmic! was an amazing way to finish the day. The kids loved seeing all the Disney characters. I was so impressed with all the special effects. It's a must see if you go to Disney World!

We got back and put the kids in bed. We were all exhausted. I couldn't sleep though. I was too excited to see my brother Chad who was bringing his fiance, Camille, that night. We stayed up late visiting. I think I survived on very little sleep this whole trip.

Day 2 Disney World-Epcot

We arrived at Don and Ellen's condo early for breakfast and excited to see all their kids, Debra, and Cameron. We were especially happy to see Kevin with whom Devan shares his birthday. Kevin had been serving a 2 year mission for our church in Ireland. On the way to their condo, Devan stated emphatically "I haven't seen him since I was 8!" For a kid, two years is really a long time! Ellen made us an incredible breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Then, a large group of us headed off to Epcot for the day.

Here's most of our group standing in line for Test Track!

Epcot was wonderful. It had fairly short lines. Our longest wait was probably 10-15 minutes. It was great. Our favorite rides were Mission: Space, Test Track, and Soarin'™.

Devan, Emma, Liz, and Spencer enjoy playing in the gift shop
at the end of the Maelstrom in "Norway".

We loved seeing all the countries. While we were there, they were having the Food and Wine Festival. They had brought in food vendors from all over the world. We were able to buy Pastel de Choclo from the Argentina booth. That was one of my favorite foods in Chile. Ivan thought the version that I make tastes better, so that made me happy!

Emma, Joy, and Spencer in trouble
at The Seas with Nemo & Friends

My favorite part of Epcot was the area on China. They had an amazing 360 degree theater that made you feel like you were right in the heart of all the places they showed. It was amazing. One of my good friends, Cindy Greenland, is living in Shanghai, so I especially enjoyed seeing the sights around where she lived in the film. The kids enjoyed meeting Mushu and Mulan there as well.

Spencer loved the China Exhibits!

Disney has a prepaid PhotoPass CD option. Pre-order your PhotoPass CD and save 20%. It costs only $99.95 through this link. You have to take advantage of the offer before you go to the park or it is 124.95 if you do it during or after your visit. We had 240 pictures taken by photographers in the park. The CD grants you a copyright release so that you can print the photos yourself. It can be purchased at three Walt Disney World locations: Camera Center at Epcot, M. Mouse Mercantile at Grand Floridian and Toontown in the Magic Kingdom. It can also be purchased at DisneyPhotoPass.com. If you purchase online you can crop photos, add borders and character enhancements, etc., before ordering the CD.

I've already ordered the CD, so once it gets here I'll post some more pictures!

Day 1 Disney World Trip

On September 30th, we drove up to Phoenix to catch our plane to Orlando. The kids were so excited. This was Spencer's first airplane trip.

Emma had gone to Aunt Kathy's wedding with me last year. Devan and Liz hadn't been on a plane since our last trip to Disney World when Devan was 3 and Liz was 1.

We go lots of places, but we usually drive to save money. Miraculously, I had been able to find airplane tickets for $125 each which included the taxes. We were anxious to meet up with Ivan's sisters- Debra and Ellen and their families who were already in Orlando. By the time, we got our rental car and arrived at the condo it was midnight. Ellen and Don had picked up our keys for us earlier and met us at the entrance to show us where to go. We were so happy to see them!

Vote Yes For Marriage!

Please watch what happened in Massachusetts to this family after Same Sex Marriage was made legal. Please vote yes for marriage this coming election. We really don't want to have the same problems here in Arizona. This Ad is for California's Proposition 8. For Arizona, it is proposition 102.