Day 2-Some Kingdoms

(First picture of the day)

This morning it was VERY hard to get up. Even though we were headed to our first day in Disney World. We eventually headed out the door and arrived at Disney's Animal Kindom. The very first thing we did was go on the African Safari. Lexi was in heaven. If you don't know her at all, you might not know how much she LOVES animals!

(Hippos!)

(Elephants! And...my daddy)

The very second thing we did was go on a new ride that none of us had been on....Expedition Everest. I was nervous for Lexi. She doesn't do scary very well. I knew this ride involved a Yeti.

(I love my little family)

(caught without the fake smile...She was really scared of this ride)

(attempts to make Lexi laugh...kissy-face yeti!)

(Dad imitating the decorations...we did this A LOT!)

(Aw! Cute just like Lexi)

(I can't help being goofy...sorry mom!)

(This will make her smile! ANIMAL SCAT!)

(Look behind them. Dad wins...sorry, Lexi is too cute)

(Best part about this picture? We didn't know Lexi was in it.)

(I LOVE this picture of my mom and Lexi...darling. The snake I could do without.)

(Sorry for this, but...ancient toilet much?)

(Dad, Quick, go pretend to ride that bike.)

(Pretending Lexi is a hidden Mickey...do you see it?)

(I get my looks from my father.)

(Considering hanging this up next time I visit the temple.)

(Matt's attempt at being as goofy as the rest of us..."Hey Matt, go put your hand in that thing's mouth!")

(Look! We found my dad's nickname!)

Anyway, the first time we rode on it, she closed her eyes and ducked her head the WHOLE time...resulting in a neck ache. As we were leaving, she saw a little Yeti stuffed animal and so I took this opportunity to bribe her to try the ride again but this time with eyes wide open!

We left without a second ride (yet) and rode the Kali River Rapids. We all got pretty wet and it felt like heaven in this humidity and heat. In fact, Lexi loved it so much we eventually rode it later. So...leaving this ride that Lexi loved so much and back to Everest, was easier than I thought it would be. None of the "please just try's" and no whining. She rode it, loved it, got her yeti...and we rode it again later. I think it is in her top 5 favorite rides.

(Mom & Lexi stayed back and we rode the VERY LOUD dinosaur ride...hence the picture)

We had the opportunity to see Finding Nemo the Musical and we LOVED it. The actors carry puppets and the question was posed, "which one do we watch, the person talking or the puppet?" Well...I say both. The people who are acting and singing as the puppets are just as much the character as the puppet itself. It was amazing. The characters were fantastic and their voices were just like the characters in the movie. Disney does a great job at that. Lexi liked when Dory was upside down singing "tra la la la la la, keep on swimming". They were sometimes hoisted on wires and "swimming" around the stage. Really cool.

(Mr. Squish the Yeti, Lexi, and my mom in the Bug-eye glasses)

Other favorites included It's Tough to be a Bug, and the Primeval Whirl. This park has many walking tours (like a zoo) that lead to really great animals.

(My favorite animal)

(Prancer!)

(I was obsessed with these ducks...beautiful)

(A scary animal in the trees)

We sat and watched a hippo swim around and from underneath the water. It was sweet. Lexi says, "it was swimming laps".

(The head of the lap swimming hippo)

AND?????

(The bum)

(EVEREST!)

(My dad changed the display up a bit...I think it looks great in a hat)

(Photo spot! Everest in the background)

(A mysterious creature caught on film)

(Drumming time!)

We ended up going on the Kali rapids ride, Everest, and the Safari once more before leaving. The second safari ride was awesome and its true that it is never the same ride. It isn't planned...the animals are doing as they please, so if we see them at all, we are lucky.

(Yikes)

(Because even the back of Matt is handsome)

(Monkey with a bright blue rear end)

(Timon!)

Pictures snagged on the way out...

(She didn't know I was taking it...I love it so much! She looks so rad!)

(Random old building!)

(I love these)


(I LOVE Animal Kingdom)

The park closed early, around 6pm, so we left and took a bus ride and a ferry ride to the Magic Kingdom.

(Lexi on the boat ride)

(Magic Kingdom in OCTOBER! FUN!)

(I love them)

We were all very tired but found time for dinner, Buzz Light Year's Space Ranger Spin (Matt won), Stitch's Great Escape (LAME), and the awesome fireworks show.

(Totally Lex right here)

(Probably because I made her smile "normal")

(Thanks, Grandpa!)



Disney Day 1? Awesome.

The Sunshine State...Day 1

Our alarm didn't go off this morning. My sweet daughter tapped on Matt's shoulder at 7:10 and announced that her alarm went off and we should probably get up and get ready to go! That was a surprise! Our parents were going to be at our house in 1/2 hour. I still hadn't packed all of the way, due to the crazy week I've had at work, and so I hurried and showered, packed, and scrambled to get everything we'd need for our trip!

I haven't been excited all week. I've been too busy to be excited...is that possible?

When we pulled up to the airport, I started to get really excited!

This was Lexi's first time to fly. She wanted to carry her own luggage and loved every second even before we boarded.


When we walked up to go through security (which was a BREEZE because of the family line) they asked, "who's suitcase is this?" we answered, "HERS!" and pointed at Lexi, wondering WHAT THE HECK she included in her suitcase that would cause alarm. Well, last minute this morning, she packed her glasses case which included her special pocket knife from Yellowstone. It was the only thing Matt didn't help her pack. So, she was scared and embarrassed and started to cry and I just had to hug her and tell her its okay. We ended up buying a padded envelope and some stamps and mailed it home. It will be a nice welcome-home present! :) Poor girl.

Then, to add insult to injury, all she wanted to eat for breakfast was some cini-mini's from BK. When we got to the front of the line to get breakfast, they didn't have any of those and she was just hanging her head down so low. *insert Charlie Brown Christmas music* My mom told her to go ahead and cry and get it all out. Late nights and security breaches + no cini-mini's = bad day. I ran back and bought a cinnabon and from that moment on, Lexi had a fantastic day.

One of my favorite take-a-mental-picture moments in all of my life to date is the image of Lexi's face as we took off on the plane.

The whole flight she'd peek out and see something else fantastic. The fluffy clouds, snowy-peaked mountains, and as we landed...the ocean. The flight was pretty turbulent as we were getting close to landing, but she didn't know better. Plus, there was a group of teens in the back of the plane that reacted as if it were a roller coaster and it really was pretty awesome.

When we got into the Orlando Airport, I couldn't believe how big and pretty it was. I guess compared to the SLC Airport. Lexi found another treasure in watching the luggage come through the plastic hangy things and onto the belt. She could have stayed there all day, I'm sure!

We headed to Universal Studios to figure out ticketing and then drove to our resort. WOW. This place is beautiful and huge and amazing. Our view is a green on a golf course (of course Matt loved it).
We were able to eat on site at the Pizza Hut and then my awesome parents went and got all of the food while we went swimming.

We saw these frogs all over the place. This one is warming itself in our light outside of our room.

I am looking forward to the rest of our week here. I can't believe it!

Lexi learned how to say Disney World in sign language. I'll teach you when I get back. :)

Loves!

A few reasons why I am freaking out about an upcoming birthday

I only have nine years left...double her age and she is 18!!! (I know she is mine forever...but I was married at 19...YIKES!)
Only 3 more years until she enters the Young Women's Organization in our church.
Only 9 1/2-ish more years until Graduation.
She still has baby teeth.
I can still carry her to her room...albeit hurting my arms in the process.
We can share socks.
We are starting to have the same tastes in clothes and music.
She wants earrings for her birthday.
When she sleeps she still looks like my baby.