DISNEYWORLD...The "HAPPIEST" place on earth

WARNING: Lots of pictures below...since I do my blog for journaling/ printing purposes I had a hard time choosing pictures.

Well it is hard to believe that the 18 months ago planned trip to DISNEYWORLD has now come and gone. My sister Melanie and her husband Brad are in medical school and its not so easy for them to travel right now so we bought their timeshare week from them. The only match we could get was 18 months ago to Orlando. We had such a great time. The kids always do so well when they have each other. Sadie kept saying to Rachel...we are buddies RIGHT? It makes me so happy to see them all get along when we are together as a family. Disneyworld is definately not for everyone but luckily Mike and I both have a love for theme/amusement parks so we don't mind the crowds and waits for rides. It was not really a relaxing vacation but when you are there what do you miss out on...we had to do everything :)
This was our order:

Animal Kingdom - Magic Kingdom - Blizzard Beach - Hollywood Studios - Condo Pool - Epcot - Magic Kingdom (again) - Typhoon Lagoon - Disney Quest...and than home :)

Monday, June 22nd...ANIMAL KINGDOM...truly awesome...we LOVED it.

We ran into Mike's cousin Michael and his new wife Jillian at Animal Kingdom...they were there on their honeymoon. We were quite surprised to run into them.Bug Life 3D ShowJeep safari Ride. It was fun to get up so close to some animals.They had an amazing parade at Animal Kingdom with lots of cool created animals.Next stop...Monday, June 22nd (PM) MAGIC KINGDOMWhat an awesome firework show above the castle.Tuesday, June 23rd...BLIZZARD BEACHWednesday, June 24th...DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS...definately a favorite.Watching a car chase scene from the movies.American Idol was really fun...they actually have 3 people from the audience perform that have been screened so they can really sing. The audience votes and at the end of the day the winner from each show during the day competes. The winner from the day gets to move to the front of the line at an audition in their city.Toy Story Ride.Thursday, June 25th...In the middle of the week we decided to take a day to relax. We hung out by the pool at our condo and went out to eat.I really "heart" palm trees. Too bad one probably wouldn't survive in Utah or I would plant one in my yard.Friday, June 26th...EPCOTA storm is a brewing...can you see those dark clouds coming in?It started to rain really hard when we were at Epcot. Luckily it didn't ruin any of our time since we were headed to an indoor section which takes about 45 minutes to go through...just enough time for the storm to pass.Test Track Ride...WAY FUN :)SoarinThe first day we arrived Mike and I went to Walmart and we stocked up on breakfast/lunch stuff and snacks. We even bought a stroller for $20...so we could lug the cooler and sometimes Sadie when she got tired. We were able to get away with never eating at the parks....which I think is ridiculously overpriced. It is nice that Disney allows you to bring your own food and drinks in....that saved us alot of $$$$.Friday, June 26th (PM) back to...MAGIC KINGDOMWhat a fun lighted parade at Magic Kingdom.Saturday, June 27th...TYPHOON LAGOONLook at all the people...the economy sure isn't slowing down Orlando tourism :)Walking around downtown Disney.Sunday, June 28th...DISNEY QUEST...it is 5 floors of tons of video and interactive games...the kids loved it.Monday, June 29th...Homeward bound...what a memorable trip. Thank heaven for pictures....because it is already all a blurr.
THE END!!!

FATHERS DAY

Happy Father's Day!

We are so lucky to have so many great MEN in our Lives. Thanks for always being there for us and your great examples. It is always fun to celebrate a day for DADS and let them know how important they are. This Father's Day was a little different because it was the day we left for our trip to Orlando. So we didn't get to wake up and make Mike a nice breakfast and he wasn't able to go to church and wear his new tie the kids made him in primary. Instead we celebrated it the night before we left. The kids and I gave Mike a gift card to get a massage from Xscape Day Spa...I think it will really come in handy in October after his St. George Marathon.

MIKE
Thanks for being the best dad ever to our kids. They are so lucky to have you as their dad. You are constantly teaching me patience and to be more easy going...it really takes a lot for you to get upset. We love you :)DAD
Thanks for being such a great dad/grandpa. You are constantly teaching us about service and how to be a hard worker. I really admire your drive and how much you love your family. We are so lucky to live close and have you in our lives....the new rain coat we gave you with Amy and Brett looks good on you. We love you :)ROGER
Thanks for being the best father inlaw/grandpa. I am so lucky to have married a mini Roger...Mike really has a lot of your same qualities. Thanks for raising such a great son and being such a strong influence in our lives. I admire your easy going personality and love for life...gotta love the new slippers & pajamas. We love you :)
My parents had a BBQ for my brother Troy who was in town Father's Day weekend. It was really good to see him. Our kids haven't seen him in almost 18 months. He has graduated from the rehabilitation center he was in and will now be living in Fort Collins...a city in Colorado near Estes Park. He is doing so well and I wish him the best and much success in his new adventures.

OUR TRIP TO LAKE POWELL...June, 2009

Getting ready for Lake Powell. Mike was packing his clothes and when he came back in the room...this is what he found. I think Diesel thought he was coming with us...kind of FUNNY :)

DEANS + FUHRIMANS + JANKES + TANNERS + ADAIRS + BRUCES + JENSENS + GRANDPA CRAIG =
15 adults, 17 kids, 65 foot house boat, 2 ski boats, 2 wave runners, 4 nights, 5 days, lots of fun, wake boarding, waterskiing, surfing, platform, sleeping under the stars, great weather, smores, old maid, lizard hunting, tubing, cliff jumping, skipbo, Steph's birthday party, great conversation, late night bathing, slide, digging in the sand, face painting, necklace/bracelet making, fishing and more.
We had a chance last week to go to Lake Powell with 7 families in our ward thanks to Josh and Mandy Fuhriman. We had such a fun trip and everyone got along so well. Who would have thought 32 people could live together for 4 nights and 5 days and have no problems. I could really get used to waking up to this awesome view everyday.

THE MOMS

Judi, Me, Mandy, Diane, Steph, Melissa, JanaeOur family minus Rachel. Rachel was at Oakcrest camp the week we were in Lake Powell. We really missed her being with us...our family just wasn't complete without her.Rachel getting ready to leave for Oakcrest camp.All the kids minus Lola and Claire.Will and Sadie did the platform. I didn't get pictures of Sadie because I was too busy videoing.Mike tried surfing . He said it was really weird being that close to the boat. Jake wakeboarding. When I was actually on the boat watching him wakeboard...I was videoing so I didn't get great pictures. He is a natural. He did a great job going in and out of the wake. Pretty good for his first time. Mike still is an AWESOME skiier. He hasn't been in almost 13 years.Jensens brought 2 wave runners. Everyone had such a great time riding them around.Graice, Janae, SadieSadie, Mike, Jake...cliff jumping.Maggie, Ashley, Sadie, Sassy, OliviaLooking for lizards...Jake, Will, Jonah, SamThe kids loved the slide...WillJakeSadieIt's dessert time.This is how we slept. (14 mattresses) . It was one big sleepover under the stars. Thank heaven we didn't have any rain because that may have been a problem. Janae and MeMe and JudiMaking necklaces/bracelets...thanks to Steph for bringing the supplies.Ready for some boating fun...Jake, Will, Luke, Max
Graice, Sadie, Ashley, Allie...after Janae did all their hair.

Sam, Luke, Will, Jake, Sadie, Olivia

More tubing...Will and Jake

Sadie, Olivia, Jake

Playing Old Maid.

Did somebody say smores?

Melissa, Me, Judi, Janae Janae = awesome skiier, wakeboarder, surfer...you ROCK :)
Hanging by the fire:
Me, Mike, Christian, Jeremy, Melissa, Judi, RyanRyan, Judi, Ric, Steph, Mike
Fun playing on the water.
Sweet Will :)
THE END!!!
Hopefully someday we will be invited back. Thanks Fuhrimans and Grandpa Craig for an awesome trip.

SPRING ENDS...SUMMER BEGINS