Disney Trip complete…

And now we’re home, with a week of birthdays and Christmas coming up. Oh my goodness!

I don’t want to post too many pictures here, but I can link my pictures to my Facebook account if you want to see all of them. All I have to say is wow! Disney World is amazing! Expensive, but amazing!

Day One: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950409873000.1073741874.731167999&type=1&l=4bbcecd53d

Our first day there, we went to dinner at Hollywood Studios in Downtown Disney. We walked around a bit that evening and found ourselves back at the hotel turning in early to start the next day off right at the Magic Kingdom. I had a surprise waiting for them when we got back, too!

Day Two: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950439268000&type=1&l=9a860184d9

We had a drizzly day in the Magic Kingdom and a family issue that came up, but otherwise, the best part was meeting this wonderful family from the UK. Julian and Kate were waiting in line behind us to see Anna and Elsa (which was two hours, by the way!). Scott, in his scooter, struck up a conversation with them. Of course, being his normal charismatic self, he managed to make quite the impression. Later that evening, we ran into them again (what are the odds??) at the castle lighting ceremony (breathtaking, by the way). It was then that we also met Sue, Irene, and Roy, Julian and Kate’s parents. They were all quite delightful. They happened to be in Florida for a long holiday, celebrating Sue’s birthday while they were there. We all agreed to meet up together in the Animal Kingdom the following evening.

Day Three: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950494078000&type=1&l=4977c63f68

At the Animal Kingdom, I got pulled from the crowd to do an African dance, Melayna loved Expedition Everest (she dubbed it the Yeti ride), we met up with our new friends, and we attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party back at the Magic Kingdom. I also ordered Scott a cane that was being carved into. The gentleman was carving elephants in the large wooden staff and planned to carve “Hooper” in it as well. The downside of this evening was when Scott took a spill as he went off of a curb with his scooter. He bruised pretty badly on his bum, but otherwise, he was okay.

 

Day Four: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950511448000&type=1&l=7636b9c20e

Wednesday was a day at Downtown Disney where the kids got to enjoy Disney Quest – a five story arcade! It was a more relaxed kind of day. We enjoyed lunch at the T-Rex café, where every 15 minutes the lights dimmed, the ceiling lit up, and the dinosaurs came to life!

 

Day Five: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950529278000&type=1&l=ae9924aaf9

Thursday, by far, was my favorite day. I got to spend some quality time with my baby girl. We saw the Frozen sing-a-long show, the Little Mermaid show, the Beauty and the Beast show, meet wizard Mickey Mouse, and go to the Tower of Terror together (her idea, not mine). We finished our day at Fantasmic, a show of lights and water. Disney came through for Melayna, too. Her balloon, which we were using to keep track of her stroller, flew away. We were told to remove the balloon when entering Fantasmic. While doing so, we lost grip of the string and it floated to the sky. An employee saw what happened and later found us in the crowd while we waited for the show to start. He gave Melayna a gift certificate good for up to $25 on any one item at any Disney World shop. After the show, Melayna picked out a Frozen music box, instead of a another balloon (we would have to pop it in two days anyway).

 

Day Six: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950549178000&type=1&l=59d0f90909

Our last day was spent at Epcot. The day of puke for me. And not even my own. We got on one of the rides and when I pulled the restraint down, there was someone else’s vomit! Disney replaced my sweater and gave us a bunch of fast passes! We split up and I got to spend the afternoon with Melayna and Tristan. Scott hung out with my dad and the girls hung out with Kate (Scott’s mother). We didn’t get the see the evening show as we had an early morning the next day. But we did get to do a mission with Perry the Platypus in the UK! Lots of fun!

I want to go back. I didn’t want the magic to end. Otherwise, lots of good memories. Lots of fun. Something I will remember for a long time.1

Bucket List: Helicopter & Tattoos!

Even while we are getting ready to go the Disney World (that’s tomorrow!!!!), we still took care of a few bucket list items this week.

First was paid for by my dad. It was a helicopter ride over the city at night to see all the Christmas lights! I was worried about how we were going to get Scott inside, but he managed it just fine! Our pilot, Eli, was very cool and laid back. He and Scott talked about Scott’s army days, different kinds of helicopters, and just about everything else. I sat in back and just enjoyed the ride.

I tell you, the feeling you get when a helicopter lifts off the ground is truly amazing! We did a fly by over my dad’s house and our friend, Tim’s, house. We saw all the Christmas lights around the city and flew over Garden of the Gods, where we could see a faint silhouette of the rocky formations it is popularly known for. We flew over the Broadmoor hotel and saw the amazing lights around the hotel property. I am in awe of how beautiful our city is.

 

 

Another item we did this week was getting our tattoos together! Scott has been wanting to get more tattoos for years. He has one from his army days on his right calf, a simple tribal. Me, I’ve never had one. I always talked about getting one dedicated to my mother. But this occasion was about him and me, getting tattoos together. I originally wanted to get his thumbprint done in the shape of a heart. The artist said that would be a bit difficult. So, instead, I opted to do what Scott was doing, but scaled down.

Scott has been obsessed with Lilo & Stitch lately. He especially has clung on to the phrase “Ohana – Ohana means family, family means no one gets left behind or forgotten”. So that’s what he wanted. The phrase, Stitch, and five Hawaiian sea turtles (one big one to represent me and four little ones to represent the kids). I opted just to get Stitch. It represents him. He doesn’t want to be forgotten.

We showed up to R U Tattooed and James, our artist, was very friendly. His arms were cover in tattoos and he wore some really nice shoes. He got to work on Scott first, while I snapped a bunch of pictures. Scott had a hard time dealing with the pain, so he opted to stop after the turtles and Stitch were done.

Since Scott didn’t get the phrase done, I opted to have it done on mine. Getting the tattoo wasn’t too bad. It stung a bunch, especially as he got closer to my clavicle. It was bearable, though. My tattoo is on my chest, on my left side. Scott did his best to take pictures, but one handed is pretty tough with a DSLR. Plus, I didn’t adjust the zoom on it, so he got some close-ups only.

I plan to possibly have Stitch colored in later. When Scott does pass away, I plan to have years added (1980-201?) and maybe small turtles as well for the kids. I’m not quite sure. Now let’s hope that the tattoos aren’t too sore for our trip!

Bucket List: The Big One…Disney World

So, we haven’t gone yet! This is one I’ve been kind of keeping from posting about. But I can’t keep quiet now!
We got money from our insurance company, a terminal ill benefit, and this is what I’m doing with a big chunk of the money!

We

are

going

to

DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!

 

When are we going?? In four more days!!! Yes, FOUR DAYS!!!!! Aaaaaaaahh, I’m so excited!

Magic Bands came in a couple weeks ago!

Today, the kids’ luggage came in! Tristan doesn’t look too thrilled. That’s because he wants to open it and he just can’t wait to do so.

What’s inside? A bunch of outfits and goodies for the trip!

Bucket List: Butterfly Pavilion, Casa Bonita, & Cheesecake Factory

Our bucket list adventures continue with three in one day!

We started out by driving to the north end of Denver to visit the Butterfly Pavilion. It isn’t a large facility, but it was pretty cool. A lot of learning opportunities with some aquatic animals, creepy crawly animals, and butterflies!

 

 

Beautiful butterflies aplenty!

Starfish!

 

The kids all got to hold Rosie, the tarantula!

Family line up of Scott and the kids!

By the time we were done at the Butterfly Pavilion, the kids were ready for some grub! We then headed to an attraction that is somewhat unique to Colorado: Casa Bonita. It was featured in a South Park episode once. I’ve been told by many people that you go for the experience, not the food. And boy, were they right! The food was fairly mediocre and definitely nothing to brag about. However, the water diving shows, the arcade, and the general atmosphere is what made that place worth trying out. Scott likened it to a place in Mexico called Escondido, I believe…the palm trees and the lights especially.

 

After leaving Casa Bonita, we stopped at the Cheesecake Factory to grab some cheesecake on the go. The only downside of our trip was that Scott’s throat has started to hurt over the past few days. It is because of the radiation they are doing on his spine. The radiation comes fairly close to the esophagus and causes tenderness, swelling, and pain. He’s been using liquid lidocane to help numb his throat, but it doesn’t work completely.

We finished out our evening by decorating the tree!

Even Scott was able to help decorate!