Disney's Epcot Center

Back in the middle of November (November 13th-20th) Rick and I took a trip with DeeAnn and Darrell and Brad and Ruth to Orlando, Florida.  We had a really nice time being together.  We each had our own rental car so we had fun doing some things together and some things separately.  We flew into Orland International Airport and drove to our condos, The Grand Villas.  They were very nice.  We had the view of the pool out our bedroom window.  

 Our first full day there we decided to stick together.  It was our Epcot Center Day.  

Rick and I love Epcot!  We have been there a few times.  While DeeAnn and Darrell have been there before as well, this was Brad and Ruth's first time.  When we first got there we weren't quite sure what to do.  It kind of is like that when your in a big group.  We decided to get the fast passes for a couple of rides and while we waited for our time to come up we grabbed a little lunch at a cafeteria.  

My favorite part of Epcot is visiting all of the different countries so after one ride and lunch we headed that direction.  There are eleven countries represented at Epcot.  Mexico, Germany, Norway, China, Italy, United States, France, Morocco, Japan, England, and Canada.  I love walking through the different areas and feeling like you are in a different county from the shops to the food to the decor.  

We watched glass blowing and smelled wonderful food in Mexico.  We wandered through the shops in Norway and admired the beautiful buildings.  We watched a cool video about the different areas of China and then watched some teenage acrobats put on a show.  We had dinner in Italy.  We bought desserts in Germany and France.  We admired the beautiful rugs made in Morocco.  We wandered past England pubs while listening to a live rock band and then stopped in a shop and bought me an "English" hat.  Last of all we watched a video representing Canada then saw the fireworks from a veranda in that beautiful country. 

It was a really enjoyable day.  I only thought we would be there for a few hours but we stayed until well after dark and ended our night watching the fireworks show.   Brad and Ruth's feet were hurting so they decided to leave after dinner but Rick and I hung out with Darrell and DeeAnn until the very end!  Boy, was I glad I wore my Toms.  Those shoes get me through anything!

A group shot at the entrance.

                         Waiting for the Nemo ride.

My Mexican hombre.

This was a beautiful cabin representing a Norwegian home.

Japan.....

Chinese Emperor Statue.....and me.

                                    Chinese acrobats put on a short show.

A picture by the Epcot Bay.

German chalet

Germany also had a wonderful chocolate shop that we had to try out:)

An Italian Villa.....

Italy is known for it's many sculptures.

      We decided to have dinner in Italy!  Italian food is my favorite!

I had the lasagna while Rick had the pasta alfredo.

Morocco is one of my favorites.  It makes me really want to travel there!  Maybe someday!

I couldn't resist the pastries in France!  

               I bought me a box of macarons to take home.

I bought my hat from England (of course) and watched the fireworks show from Canada.

The fireworks show was spectacular and it ended the night for us.  Luckily our condos were not far from Epcot so we got to get home and into our beds in a short amount of time.

Hasta Luego,  Auf Wiedersehen,  Zai jian,  Au Revoir,  and.... until next time Epcot.  

We love you!!

Temple Work

Rick and I are now officially ordinance workers at the Salt Lake Temple.  

We started last week and are now in training.  Last night was our second time to go and it was wonderful.  I love learning the sacred words and having them in my mind as I go throughout the week trying to remember and memorize them.  

PS  Although the temple looked gorgeous last night all lit up I still can't wait for the Christmas lights to be turned on in a few weeks.  

Those Christmas lights turn up Temple Square about a hundred notches:)  

So excited for everything Christmas!!

Fun Times with our Littles

On Saturday we had a little date with Rafe, Haivyn and Scout.  Since Rick had not been to the Living Planet Aquarium we decided to go there.  Safe and Scout were excited to go back.  We enjoyed the experience!  The kids were super excited to show grandpa the different exhibits.  Especially Rafe.  He kept running from one to the other!

We enjoyed seeing the new sloth exhibit (it was really crowded) along with the birds, reptiles, penguins, fish and all kinds of wildlife.

The kids climbing on a leatherback turtle statue.  Not sure who is with them:)

                        Posing on the poisonous frog statues.

With grandpa's help they were brave enough to try the suspended rope bridge.

 Scout wanted me to take a picture with her with silly hats.  After I got mine on she totally ditched me.  No way was she putting one of those on.  I think I got bamboozled!!

                       Rafe checking out the shark snapper!

It was a little hard getting out of the gift shop.  There is no other way to leave the aquarium except through the gift shop.  Of course!  Haivyn was in tears because she wanted a 'mermaid barbie'.  Sometimes no means no and so we left with her sobbing!  But,  it didn't take long to get her sidetracked and then off to dinner it was.

We drove into Midvale for some Famous Dave's BBQ.  It was great!  The kids were all hungry and ate well.  So did we!!  Rick even ordered his favorite dessert.  Bread Pudding!!  We all had a couple of bites and OH BOY, was it delicious!

                         A fun date with these cuties!!!

Halloween 2017

Here's some pictures of our Halloween.

Scoutie (or should I say Rapunzel) is waiting patiently for Rafe's school class parade to get started.

Here comes the parade!!  Rafie is Spiderman!

Skylar and Sarah dressed up as characters from the "Stranger Things" Netflix sow that's all the rage right now.  He was the policeman, Hopper and Sarah was the character,  (I have no idea about these characters other than what they've told me.  I haven't watched this show.)  

Anyway, Henry was "Catboy" and he sure made a cute one.   And Charlie!  Such a darling little monster!!

Here we've got a big and little Superman with little Rapunzel getting ready for the ward trunk or treat.

Haivyn was Anna (from Frozen) and little Merik was a sweet little skeleton:)

Just as I was preparing our fun Halloween dinner (Dinner in a pumpkin) I got a call from Gary telling me that he was in the hospital with severe stomach pain.  The doctors had done a c-scan and let him know he had a blockage in his intestine.  This has been a concern for many years.  After his original accident when he was five, scar tissue had been building up in his intestines.  When he was sixteen that scar tissue caused all kinds of problems and he was in the hospital for two weeks after a serious surgery. They let us know at that time that it would probably come back someday.

Well, this was the day.

Rick and I were able to get to the hospital and with the help of a volunteer Rick was able to give Gary a blessing.  He blessed him that he would not have to have surgery and that it would resolve on it's own.  And that's exactly what happened!  By the next morning he was feeling significantly better and by that evening he was allowed to eat which went well and by the net morning was released to go home.  The Priesthood is real and prayers work!  We saw a miracle in his behalf.  We are so thankful that another surgery was not needed.  That just adds to the scar tissue.  So thankful!!

Even though Gary was in pain that night Rick kept him laughing with Brian Regan jokes. (Say eight, say eight!)

Gary was very bored in the hospital so before my temple shift the next day I spent a couple of hours hanging out with him.....walking the halls, talking about his job, and of course playing some games.  Settlers of Catan is one of his and my favorites!

Needless to say our Halloween night turned out a little differently than expected.  We missed the trunk or treat and the fellowshipping that comes with that.  (We're ward missionaries and had invited a number of people to come.)  Plus, we missed out being at home and passing out candy to our trick or treaters and watching our fun Halloween show!  But all's well that ends well and our Gary is definitely more important than all that other stuff.  We're really happy that he is feeling good and back to normal!