Taking Emily to Disney World, Part 1

August 17, Sunday

I got up this morning at 4:45 AM so that I could be ready to leave for the airport at 6:45 PM. However, a little after 5:30 PM I got the notification that the flight was delayed by 45 minutes so I was pretty annoyed because we could've had an extra 45 minutes of sleep but oh well. We took some extra time getting ready and I think it was about 7:20 AM when we left. We got to say goodbye to the boys and have a family prayer together. Michael drove us to the airport and dropped us off. Emily had a hard time saying goodbye, especially to Jonny and Michael, but she's doing OK. I think by the time we got the bags dropped off and through security it only took us about 20 minutes. We had a pretty uneventful flight so that was good. 

We landed a little bit early but it took a long time to do everything. We had to wait at baggage claim for a while before they even started running the belts. While we were waiting, Andrew called on Messenger so we talked to him for a little bit. We all wished him a Happy Birthday because it's already Monday there. Dad was driving around and had to wait to pick us up. We drove straight to the hotel and checked in. We talked to Andrew on the drive over to the hotel but then said goodbye once we got there. By the time we got checked in, it was already 7 PM. Dad had to use a QR code to pay for the parking. It was a bummer because I really wanted to go to church with Emily tonight but it just wasn't going to work out. She was hungry and wanted to get some food at IHOP. We didn't go to our room after checking in and went straight to the restaurant instead. Michael texted me and said that Charlie was on so we got back on the call for a few more minutes while we sat and waited for our food. We enjoyed our meal and went back to the hotel to get into our room. 

I really liked the room. It had a small but useful kitchen and a big closet.

Papa came over to our room and we played Spades. By 9:30 PM, we had a prayer and he headed back to his room and we got ready for bed. Even though it's only like 7 PM Arizona time, we are exhausted and want to get to bed early so we can get up and start our day early tomorrow. 

 

August 18, Monday

It's weird that today was Andrew's birthday but we already celebrated with him yesterday basically. I did a social media post for him today. Emily and I got up at 7 AM. We went down to breakfast around 8:15 AM and made it in plenty of time for her to check in. Her check-in was at 9:20 AM and she had to wait outside for like half an hour before they let her go inside where it's cool. She was so hot and sweaty waiting outside. Dad and I found a place to park and sat in the AC and waited for her. When she was done, we drove around and got the suitcases out and helped her take them up to her room. 

Her roommate Hope and her mom Rhonda were already there so we said hello and introduced ourselves. She's from Indiana and she graduated with a business degree from Ball State. All the girls in that apartment have graduated from college so that was nice. The girls in the other room are Caroline and Emily. They were all very sweet. Emily spent some time organizing her things and then it was time for her background check.

Cool artwork at Apprentice Hall, where she had her background check

Dad and I waited for her while she did that and then we headed to lunch. We decided to go to Disney Springs which was probably a mistake because it was enormous but it was kind of fun to go there. Right away, we came upon the restaurant called Summer House at the Lake. They had a cookie bar that I wanted to try. 

Emily got a pizza and Dad got a salad. I didn't want any of the food so I just got some cookies and shared them with Emily and Dad. The prices of food around here are ridiculous. After that, I wanted to try Gideon's bakery but the line was 15 minutes long. 

Disney Springs

I decided I'd rather go to Amarette's Patisserie and get the cookie dough croissant so that's what we did. 

Then we walked back to the car. Next, we went to Target and did some shopping. Emily gave me and Dad a list and we got everything she asked for and met up with her. Then we got a few more things. I helped her pick out a comforter and a mattress pad. They didn't have a twin XL but I figured that the twin would be fine and it was. Then we took everything back to her apartment. There was so much to carry but we somehow got it all in one trip. It had been raining but thankfully, we avoided it. 

She spent some more time getting organized and we helped her put away all the groceries. 

Then it was time to leave for our dinner reservation at Ale and Compass. This is where she will be working as a seater. It was a beautiful restaurant. 

The serving sizes were pretty small for Dad and Emily because they got the fish of the day. 

I got a New England seafood pot pie. It sounded weird but it was actually delicious. 

We also got some truffle fries which Emily barely ate any so she took those home. And then we also got some Parker house rolls which were absolutely delicious. We were all stuffed and we left there and walked out to the back a little bit to see the water and the boardwalk and then we went back to the car. 

There were a few more things Emily wanted to get so we stopped at Walmart and we split up again. This time all three of us split up and got what we needed and got that done. Then we dropped her off at Flamingo Crossings East and then we headed back to our hotel. 

 

August 19, Tuesday

I'm grateful we're having such a fun time at Epcot! Dad picked Emily up and brought her over to our hotel and we had breakfast. We left the hotel around 8:15 AM and parked in preferred parking. 

Emily and I got stopped at security. I wish we had remembered to take our umbrellas out of our backpacks. Oh well, I didn't take that long. We got through that and quickly got into the park and they were already lining up for rope drop for people to go toward Guardians of the Galaxy, which is what we wanted a rope drop today. We waited in that line for about an hour so that wasn't too bad at all for that ride. Apparently, they had started it late so there was quite a line built up but once they got moving it was fine. 

Inside the ride queue

We had so much fun! Emily and I were pretty disappointed that our song was Disco Inferno again. I've only ever ridden it twice and it was the same song both times. Oh well. After that, we headed over to Soarin. It was only a 10 minute wait. It's really more than that, but it wasn't too bad. We wanted to go on Living with the Land next but it was broken down. We went to Journey into Imagination with Figment. It was a very strange ride but still pretty cool. 

Dad asked the lady how long it's been around and she said since the park opened but it had a refresh. He asked when Epcot opened and she said it was 1981. We headed toward the World Showcase. We decided we should see if we can get into our Biergarten reservation earlier. We got there at about 11:45 AM. They said they don't open until noon but they could get us in earlier so they switched it for us. 

We really enjoyed our lunch! There was so much food and it was absolutely delicious! They had chicken and pork schnitzel so of course I had those. I also loved the pretzel bread, macaroni salad, veal pot roast, and especially the caramels with apples with caramel dip. 

They told us that there would be a program in an hour at 1:15 PM so we ate slowly and took our time between going up to the buffet so we could wait for the show. That was really cute. They had four guys playing in a band and they invited people up to dance to the polka. I tried to convince Emily to go dance but she didn't want to. They played on different instruments and even the long horns. I really loved the desserts as well. It was a delicious meal and I'm glad we got to go.

I stopped in the caramel shop and got a couple things to enjoy later. Then we headed over to Norway so we could go on the Frozen ride. I really liked the ride! 

The little shop with all the Frozen merch was so cute. They had a display of the little bobble heads that I had heard about on social media. I almost forgot to look up for them and I'm so glad we happened upon them. They are called Hoptimists and they're constantly moving up and down, but they cost $20 apiece even for the smallest ones so we didn't get one. I would've bought one for Emily if she wanted it but she said no. 

Next, we headed back over past Germany and to France. The wind started blowing pretty badly and we could tell it was going to rain. We headed over to the patisserie and it started raining. Emily wanted her ice cream so she went there and then it immediately started raining harder. She had to get her umbrella out. There was almost no line at the patisserie but it was impossible to find a place to sit. Dad and I got a few treats and then we finally were able to get a table. I got the raspberry macaron but it had these little blobs in it that were lime flavored that I didn't like but I ate the rest of it. Dad got a croissant and a chocolate mousse with strawberries. Emily joined us and we all sat and ate our treats.

We decided to head back and go to Living with the Land. That was only a short 10 minute wait and we enjoyed that. We found out that you can do it behind the scenes tour for $39 a person. 

Then we headed over to Guardians of the Galaxy to ride it with our lightning lane. It was kind of nice that this morning we got to go through the whole queue and then this afternoon we got to go in the lightning lane. They have you start in the big room with the little show with Terry Crews and Glenn Close. Emily and I were thrilled that we got Blondie's One Way or Another and not Disco Inferno again. 

After that, we went into the Creations shop to look for the Rapunzel Mickey ears. She found it right away but it was $35 and she didn't think it was worth it because she doesn't like wearing them anyway. She didn't think that was enough to get them just to display. 

I had to check out this treat that I read about, but I didn't buy one.

After that, we headed out. Dad drove us to the hotel and dropped us off and we said our goodbyes and then he drove home. Emily and I came up to the room and relaxed for a bit. We walked across the street to Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. I got a steak taco and Emily got two shrimp tacos and some chips. 

She gathered her things and we had a prayer and said good night and she walked back to her apartment. My plan is to get to bed early so I'm well rested to go to Hollywood Studios tomorrow.

Jonny's Birthday Party

August 15, Friday

I'm so glad that Jonny had fun at his birthday party tonight! Emily and I went to Safeway and picked up Jonny's birthday cake. We got ready for Jonny's party. It took us a while to get the food but I got Canes and brought it home. Everybody was really excited about it and the boys all enjoyed the food. 

They had fun playing video games and playing in the pool. When they came in from the pool we did cake and presents. 

Then they played some more Jackbox. The party was supposed to end at 10 PM but most of the boys didn't go home until 11 PM but I didn't mind. Once all of his friends left, we cleaned up and had a prayer and started getting ready for bed. He hugged me and thanked me and that's all the thanks I needed.

Jonny's 16th Birthday

August 13, Wednesday

We had a great time celebrating Jonny's birthday today! Michael drove him to school. We went to dinner at Osaka. The reservation was at 5:30 PM and I was glad I did it early because as we were sitting there, people poured into that restaurant. 

They sang to Jonny and brought him some dessert.

We opened Jonny's presents and he was very happy. He got the poster he wanted from Papa and I got him a Thunderbolts T-shirt and a Benson Boone album. 

Then I pulled out the envelope with the concert tickets. He was pretty shocked! He asked how I got them because he thought it was sold out. He had the biggest smile and he walked over to give me a hug so I was pretty proud of myself that I got him something he was so happy about. He said he wanted the tickets but he felt bad asking for them since he had just seen Benson Boone and he figured the tickets would be expensive.

We asked Jonny what he wanted to do for the rest of the evening and he just wanted to play Fortnite so that's what he did.

Happy Birthday, Jonny! We love you!

Visit with Stan, Carol, and Sierra

August 12, Tuesday

I'm so grateful I was able to spend time with family today! It was a busy day. Daniel and I took the car into AutoNation Honda. Then we went home and did some chores and got ready for the day and got a Walmart order. Emily went for her well check. As soon as she got home, it was time to go pick up Daniel's car. He went back home and then later went to the gym. Emily did most of the work on making a batch of chocolate chip and cookies and oatmeal scotchies. She went to hang out with her friends for a couple of hours but she came home by 4:30 PM to help me. I worked on all kinds of tasks today. I put ham in the crockpot for dinner. Everyone came over at 5:30 PM. I told them they could swim but Sara was the only one who wanted to swim so they didn't. I had made ham, mashed potatoes, chicken bites, French fries, corn, apple slices, veggie tray, and cookies. Betsy brought rolls and cookies. We had a nice evening together! We had a blessing and ate the food. Andrew called so we put him on the big screen TV, but everybody mostly sat in the dining room and talked so I had to keep sneaking away to talk to Andrew. Charlie was on for a little bit. Everyone got to see Andrew and Nathaniel and Charlie on the video call so that was nice. Betsy suggested we get a picture so I gathered everyone before Emily left to go with her friends. I gave Betsy some of Daniel's clothes that he had said he didn't want anymore. I think it was around 7:30 PM when everybody started leaving. We said goodbye to the Akers and then Stan, Carol, and Sierra left, too. I'm so glad everyone was able to visit! Thankfully, Sierra's moving van arrived a few days later and she is all settled in.

Daniel's Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination

August 10, Sunday

I am so grateful that Daniel received the Melchizedek Priesthood today and was ordained an elder. I was so happy when Brother Haslip got up and announced it in church today. Emily and I were able to sit together in Relief Society. We came home and the kids had some pizza and we waited until Brother Haslip could come over for Daniel to be ordained. He talked to us for a few minutes about BYU and then Michael ordained him. 

 We are so happy for you, Daniel, and so proud of you!