2013 ~May 25-31, Lee County's High School Graduation, Universal Studios & Sea World

Day 1: Friday, May 24, 2013

At 5:30 A.M., I drove Hubby to Foodland to catch his ride to work in Huntsville.

I went to ECM Hospital to visit my dad; he had Gallbladder surgery the day before. When I got to the ECM parking deck, I programmed my GPS for our trip to Columbus, Georgia. I stayed with my dad until about 9:00 A.M. 

I picked up Hubby at Mapco in Huntsville, AL, near NASA at 10:30A.M.

We ate brunch at Cracker Barrel Store number 51 in Cullman, Al.

I ordered a kid's plate of grilled chicken fingers and carrots with a glass of water, which cost ($4.69)

Hubby ordered a bacon cheeseburger plate with onion rings for $10.58 and a diet Coke for $1.99, for $23.11. (We shared a dark mallow cup for $1.19.)

We stopped at Peach Park in Clanton, Alabama, where we shared a bowl of peach ice cream and a fried peach pie. We walked around the park, and I took pictures.  

Holding up a peach at Peach Park 

Riding a horse

Peach Ice cream and fried Peach Pie, YUM!

Hubby at Peach Park 

Peach Park 

We arrived at Country Inns & Suites, 1720 Fountain Court, Columbus Ga at 5:30 P.M. Room 108-confirmation number 73984065. Total cost: $95.12 for one night. (706) 660-1880

Hubby took a shower, and I changed clothes. Graduation was at Smith Station Middle School Stadium in Smith Station, Alabama. 

We arrived early and sat in the bleachers' front row.

I started talking to the woman next to me; she was a friend of Justin's mom (Stacy) sitting next to me. 

She leaned over and said, "I think that is Justin's grandmother." Justin's dad (Josh) and brother (Andrew) came later. Josh and his hubby started talking about electrical work, for both were IBEW brothers. I was told that Justin had joined the ARMY and was to leave for camp in August. He signed up before he had told his mom or dad.

394 students graduated from Smith Station in Lee County, AL. The graduation lasted from 8 P.M. to 10 P.M.

After the graduation, we took several pictures and said our goodbyes. We told Justin and his family that we would be back on May 29 to pick him up.

Justin 

Justin, Josh, Stacy, and Andrew 

Justin, me, and Hubby

Justin 

After the graduation, most restaurants were closed. We found a Taco Bell that was open, located at 7330 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, Georgia  31906. At 10:39 P.M., we spent $9.27. 

I bought lottery tickets at the connecting store. 

We climbed into bed at the Hotel because it had been a long day. 

Day 2: Saturday, May 25, 2013

We both got up, took showers, packed, ate waffles with fruit and juice for breakfast, loaded the van, and started our journey to Orlando, Florida. We filled up with gas at the Summit in Columbus, Georgia, for $60.50.

Along the way, we stopped at Marks Melon Patch in Dawson, Georgia, because Hubby wanted some boiled peanuts. I took out my camera and started taking pictures. I saw an outhouse next to the fruit stand, so I opened the door.

It startled me when the dummies inside started to speak; Hubby laughed. The owner said it gets them every time.

Outhouse

Dummie in outhouse

We stopped at some of the historic sites in Dawson, Georgia. I took pictures of the Terrell County Historic Marker, Confederate Gun Shop Marker, World War II Marker, James Mathews Griggs Historic Marker, Terrell Courthouse, old homes, and churches. 

While I was taking pictures, I met James Mathew Griggs's great-grandson. He told me that the marker of his great-grandfather had been moved to the courthouse lawn.

The marker read: 

To the memory of James Mathew Griggs, who represented the 2nd district of Georgia in Congress with conspicuous ability and fidelity from March 4, 1897, to the date of his death, January 5, 1910. This memorial is erected in his hometown by the people of the district. 

He loved and honored the people they loved and praised him.

James Mathew Griggs

Terrell County Courthouse

Next, we stopped in the historic town of Sylvester, where I took pictures of Worth County Historical marker, the courthouse, War Markers, and a hundred-year-old train engine.

The Train engine was enclosed with a gate and had a roof over it. It was located next to the main highway.

While I was taking pictures of the train, I heard a laugh.

I thought to myself someone thought it was funny that I was taking pictures of the train. 

I looked around to see who was laughing, and to my surprise, it was a goat! 

The goat was on a trailer behind a truck stopped at the red light.

The goat laughed and laughed as the truck pulled away. LOL! Needless to say, he was not laughing at me, but I sure thought he was. I walked back to the van and told Hubby about the incident, and he laughed.

A hundred-year-old train engine in Sylvester

The Laughing Goat 

We ate lunch at Texas Road House, 3830 SW Archer Rd, Gainsville, FL. I ordered sirloin steak with potato and water, and Hubby ordered hamburgers and fries. At 2:46 P.M., we ate at table 44, and our server was Rachel. The total cost for the meal was $26.76. 

When we arrived in Orlando, we had to drive through several tolls, which cost $5.25, to get to Country Inn & Suites, 5440 Forbes Place, Orlando, FL (407)856-8896, room 112. 

We took our luggage to the room, changed clothes, and rode to the Island of Adventure.

 At the Island of Adventure, we watched Poison Adventure; we walked to the back of the park to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to ride the Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter. 

The Island of Adventure

The Island of Adventure

We left the Island of Adventure and went to City Walk. I had talked to Lora, who was to meet us there. As always, she was late.

We decided to eat supper at Hard Rock Café. We insisted on eating outside. They said that we would have to wait, but we said that was okay; we were not in a hurry.

It is funny now, but we thought their outside tables were downstairs.

We were led to a balcony overlooking City Walk, which had a gorgeous view but a bit briskly.

Being so high up, it caught the breeze of the parks.

Hard Rock Cafe in City Walk Orlando

Hard Rock Cafe in City Walk Orlando 

The balcony at Hard Rock Cafe on City Walk

We ordered boneless chicken tenders, water, and Coke, which cost $19.91. We sat there as long as we could wait for Lora and her friend. 

We paid our bill and left. 

We met Lora and her friend at Bubba Gumps. Outside, there were people jumping rope and Hula Hula Hooping. It had been a long day. After saying goodbye, we rode back to the hotel. 

We stopped at Race Trac store 522, 1875 McCoy Rd, Belle Isle, FL 32089, to get fuel at pump one for 15.215 gallons at $3.549 per gallon. It was 5:37 P.M.

Day 3:  Sunday, May 26, 2013

We slept late and ate breakfast at about 9:30 A.M. After breakfast, we rode to Universal Studios. 

We rode ET, Doctor Seuss Ride, Spider-Man, and The Minions and watched Fear Factor, the Animal Show. We walked to City Walk. At 4:12 P.M., we ordered lunch at Bubba Gumps. Our server was Eric, and we sat at table 62. 

We ordered the Shrimper's Heaven and two glasses of water, which cost $25.51. 

We walked to Universal Studios and waited one hour and fifteen minutes to ride Despicable Me, which was a great disappointment. 

After leaving Universal Studios, we went to the Island of Adventure, where we bought a Choro at $3.00 at Neeps Cart at 18:28P.M. Hubby bought a Lemon Slush at $4.25 at the Poe Lemon. 

We bought a large coke for $2.99 at Market Café at 21:39 P.M. We stopped at Taco Bell ordered one burrito supreme $2.49, three Dorito loco supremes $5.07 for a total of $8.05, at 10:58 P.M. 

Are we having fun yet? 

It must be Sunday... We're in Color!

The Island of Adventure

Day 4: Monday, May 27, 2014

Hubby was exhausted from the day before, so he slept in while I wrote in my journal about the events of the day before. We ate eggs, sausage, and bagels in the Hotel for breakfast.

At lunch, we went to Wendy's, where we ordered  hamburgers and Frosty's paid cash $10.00

We arrived at Sea World at 1:14 P.M., paid $15.00 to park 

The shows that we watched were:

Pets Ahoy at Seaport Theater at 1:45P.M.

One Ocean Shame Stadium at 2:30 P.M. (Killer Whale)

A'Lure the call of the Ocean at Nautilus Theater at 3:30 P.M

Blue Horizons at Dolphin Theater at 5:00 P.M.

Clyde and Seamore Take Pirates Island at Sea Lion & Otter Theater at 5:45 P.M

We saw dolphins at Dolphins Cove and the Stingrays at Stingray Lagoon for the remainder of the day.

We walked through the Manatee Aquarium 

Ate chicken nuggets and corn at Expedition café. Spent $9.25.

We stopped at Taco Bell on Mccoy Road, where we ordered one burrito supreme ($2.49), two Dorito Loco supreme ($2.78), and one Nachos Bell Grande ($2.99) and spent $10.07 at 8:08P.M.

One Ocean Shame 

One Ocean Shame 

A'Lure the call of the Ocean at Nautilus Theater 

Sea World

Blue Horizons at Dolphin

Blue Horizons at Dolphin

Sea World Entrance Antarctica

Sea World Entrance 

Day 5: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 

We ate breakfast at the Hotel: bagels, sausage, cream cheese, and orange juice.

I called Majorie Goodrich to see if she was at Home and if she would like us to visit. We stayed a couple of hours at Majorie's trailer. She wanted to walk the nature trail near her Home. After walking the trail, we said goodbye.

We stopped at Golden Corral in Clermont, Florida, for a lunch buffet, which cost $6.99 each, for a total of $14.96.

We drove to Downtown Disney, where we walked around, stopping at some of the souvenir shops. We stopped at Ghirardelli for some vanilla and strawberry ice cream, which cost $5.91.

 Ghirardelli at Downtown Disney

 Ghirardelli at Downtown Disney

We stopped at DTD Bridge, where Hubby bought a Diet Coke for $2.76. We stopped in at Trex, where I purchased a Trixie Trecerator (like a build-a-bear) for $19.17.

We bought gas at Racetrack for $33.00, 9.431 gallons for $3.499 per gallon at 18:30 P.M.

  Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney

Day 6: Wednesday, May 29, 2012 

We paid a Hotel bill of $300.05 for four days, loaded luggage into our van, and started Home.

We ate breakfast at the Hotel.

We stopped at Mark's Melon Patch in Albany Ga at 13:38 P.M. for boiled peanuts and onions.

We stopped at Pilot in Tifton Ga for fuel 12.73 gallons at $3.299 per gallon and $42.00.

We picked up Justin in Phenix City and started Home.

We stopped in Calera, Alabama, at Cracker Barrel to eat supper; Justin ordered a chicken finger plate, I ordered a kid's chicken finger plate, and Hubby ordered a Bacon Cheese Burger plate; we spent $34.10. We bought gas at Murphy’s USA in Calera for 12.609 gallons at $3.569 per gallon for $45.00

We drove Home, stopping to drop Justin off at Shana's.

She greeted us at the gate, and I helped Justin unload his luggage. We said goodbye and rode Home.

Hubby had to work the next day, and after all that driving, he dropped into bed.

✈️✈️✈️2008 ~ October 29-November 5, GKW, Kissimmee, Florida

On Monday, October 27, a couple from the Make a Wish Foundation will come to Lora's house for a bon voyage party; they will bring Pizza.

We will stay at the Redmont Hotel. On Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 7:00 P.M., we will see Disney on Ice: Disney Land Adventure at the BJCC in Birmingham. 

We will sit in seats 6-10 on L 25 (lower level). 

This will jump-start our Make-A-Wish for Meadow.

If the kids are checked out of school soon enough, we will go to the Birmingham Zoo at 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, Al 35223, 205-879-0409. 

The drive to Birmingham will take a little over two hours. If we leave at 1 P.M., we should arrive at about 3 P.M., giving us 2 to 3 hours at the Zoo and a trip to Disney on Ice.

We checked into the Redmont Hotel and went straight to the Zoo, which is located at 2101 Fifth Avenue, North Birmingham, AL., 35203. 

The telephone number is 877-536-20085.

To celebrate the holiday season, we will be staying at the Redmont Hotel, where Hank Williams stayed before his death. During our pre-Halloween visit to Disney, we may see or hear him walk in the hallways.

We should leave the Hotel around l0 A.M. Thursday morning to be at the Airport a half before flight time.

Hopefully, we will have a restful sleep in the haunted hotel. The Hotelmorning, we will start our airplane adventure to Orlando, Florida. Meadow loves to fly, but the older kids have never flown. We will see how the flight goes.

Day 1: Monday, October 27, 2008 

On Monday night, around 6:00 P.M., a couple from the Make-a-Wish Foundation came to Lora's. They brought two large Papa John's Pizzas: a thin cheese crust and a thick pepperoni crust. 

Marcus Jr. had gone to football practice with his dad.

The woman reviewed the packet they had brought; it had a DVD and a book about Disney parks. It had information about the do's and don'ts of what to take on the airplane. It was a lot of information to read over. They brought Meadow a humpy dumpy blanket, Marcus a small aircraft, and Madison a trigger toy.

They left at about 7:00 P.M. My husband and I stayed until about 8:30 P.M.  

I played with Meadow, and I put her to bed. 

Lora called South Eastern Airlines to make sure that we had e-tickets. They said yes, and we were to bring a photo ID.  

Lora should be getting a check in the mail for $1,500 for expenses at the Theme Parks, such as food, parking, etc., so we will have to wait for the check to arrive. 

Make a Wish Pizza Party 

Day 2: Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Lora had a problem getting the check. She called Fed-X, and they said the check had been delivered but to the wrong address.  

She called Fed-X, and they said they would contact the driver. She called several times that day. 

Finally, she told the woman at Fed-X that she needed that mail, for it had a check in it. 

She called the driver of Fed-X's cell phone number, and he said he had delivered it.  

Lora told the Fed-X woman to stay on the telephone while she went through the neighborhood looking for the check. It had been at a neighbor's house all day, and the woman had been gone all day.

Day 3: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 

Lora picked me up at 12:30 P.M. We picked up the kids at school. 

Lora drove to Birmingham, checked in at the Redmont Hotel, and went to the Galleria Mall, where Lora bought Marcus a pair of shoes and a Disney shirt.

At 6:30, we were at the Civic Center, where we watched Disney on Ice, the Disneyland Adventure. Meadow enjoyed the show. When she heard the audience clap, she clapped, and she also slapped her leg to the music.

The story was about an incredible family that took a vacation to Disney.

The father, Bob, “Mr. Incredible” mother, Helen,” Elastigirl," daughter Violet, son Dashiell "Dash," and youngest, Jack-Jack Parr, were a family of superheroes.

Mickey and Minnie take you through the non-stop fun at Disney on Ice Disneyland adventure. 

The incredible family swings through the jungle cruise with Baloo flies through Space Mountain with Buzz Light-year, and sLight-yearly in the light-years Alice and the Mad Hatter. They saw the Disney Princess Snow White and Cinderella at the main street parade. The incredible attractions of the Haunted Mansion, a small world, Pirates of the Caribbean, as the Incredible save the day.

We rode back to the Redmond Hotel and dressed for bed. 

Disney on Ice in Birmingham 

Day 3: Thursday, October 30, 2008

The following day, we woke up, packed our suitcases, ate breakfast, and left for the Airport. 

WAirportt snacks while waiting for our flight, which cost us $28.00. 

We will leave at 11 a.m. on Southwest Airlines, flight number 1556, at gate C14, and we should arrive in Orlando at 1:00 P.M.

When we passed security at the Airport, a woman from KFW was waiting for us. She gave us a package that had everything we needed to rent a car and directions to GKW.

We went to baggage claim, collected our luggage, and loaded it on a cart. Then, we went to the rental car service, where Lora rented a Chrysler from Avis Rental. 

Lora drove us to GKW. We stopped at the gate, and she told them who we were. We were invited inside the gate, and Lora was given instructions to go to admitting.

At Admitting, we were given a packet with information, and a woman at GKW gave us a tour of the Villa where we would be staying.

We will be staying at Villa 192. There was a sign posted outside next to the mailbox, with a rabbit on it and the name Beasley Family written across the front.

Lora will have to attend a meeting tonight at 7 P.M., during which she will receive our theme park tickets.

After we had taken all our luggage inside the Villa, we realized that we had not eaten lunch, so we ordered two pizzas.

After lunch, we walked around the park, rode the carousel and train, walked through the castle, and Marcus played with the electronic boats. 

Tonight, at the Gingerbread House, they are having a Christmas dinner. There will be a Christmas Parade with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Mickey, Minnie, and many others, and a Carriage ride. Santa will greet the children and give them presents.

GKW Villa, where we were staying 

GKW Villa, where we were staying 

GKW Villa, where we were staying 

GKW Villa, where we were staying 

GKW Villa, where we were staying 

While Lora was at her meeting, Marcus was playing with the electronic boats, and Madison, Meadow, and I were having fun at the Christmas party with all the Disney characters.

Madison, Meadow, and I boarded the carriage for the last ride of the day. The door was shut when  Marcus came up. He wanted to board the carriage, but the driver said no because he had already loaded the steps into it.

Marcus did not take no for an answer; he started following the carriage, so the driver stopped and let him into the carriage.

We rode around the Villa in the carriage; Lora was out of her meeting when we returned.

Day 4: Friday, October 31, 2008

We spent the day on the Island of Adventure.

We rode the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, the Dueling Dragons Roller Coaster, the Jurassic Park River Adventure (I did not ride any of the wet rides), Popeye & Bluto Bilge-Rat Barges, Doctor Doom's Fear Fall. 

We also rode the Pteranodon Flyers, the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad, Poseidon's Fury, The Cat in the Hat, and the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. 

Thing One Thing Two on the Island of Adventure 

Roller coaster on the Island of Adventure 

 The Island of Adventure 

After all the wet rides, Lora bought some dry clothes for her and the kids.

We watched Beetle Juice's Graveyard Revue and ate ribs at Thunder Falls Terrace. Before we left for the day, we ate at Circus McGurkus café Stoo-Pendous at Seuss Landing. 

The park opens at 9 A.M. and closes at 6:00 P.M.  

The kids wore their Halloween costumes at GKW, and we joined the Halloween Party but missed the parade.

There were big black pots of candy, face painting, and games at the party.

There was a princess-prince parade where each child was given a crown or a sword and had their picture made.

The kids all enjoyed being kings or queens for the day.

There was a line at the theater where a famous woman, Miyuki Sugimori, was molding candy into tiny animals for the children. 

I stood in line with Meadow. She was the next to the last person to be given a stick, to which candy was molded into her image, which was an Almo with her face shaped into the candy.

Meadow was dressed as Elmo for Halloween.

Barney and friends at GKW

Shamu at GKW

Shamu at GKW Halloween Party 

Day 5: Saturday, November 1, 2008 

We spent the day at Epcot.

We ate a continental breakfast at the Gingerbread House, which included cereals, toast, bagels, yogurt, fruit, coffee, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and gravy.

Breakfast is served every morning from 8 to 10 A.M., and supper is served every day from 6 to 8 P.M.

We rode the Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track, and Soaring at Epcot.

At Living with the Land, we boarded a trolley that took us on a voyage through an amazing greenhouse and fish farm. 

We watched Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, The Sea with Nemo and Friends, and Talk with Turtle Crush. 

We took a boat across the bay to the world showcase of Germany, where we ate a buffet lunch at the Biergarten Restaurant and enjoyed a live performance. 

Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot

Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot

We walked to Norway, where we took a Viking boat voyage, to Mexico, where we took a musical boat ride, and Madison got lost.

On our way out of the park, we stopped and tasted the different flavors of Coke worldwide.  

We took the tram from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom, which stayed open until 11 P.M.  

The magic kingdom was still decorated for Halloween with its orange pumpkins and orange and yellow lights.

Magic Kingdon

It's a Small World Ride

Lora, Marcus, and Madison walked through the Swiss family tree house, and once again, we lost Madison.

It took us 45 minutes to find her.

While Lora was looking for Madison, I took Meadow on The Magic Carpet of Aladdin ride. 

We found Madison and were given a coupon for free ice cream.  

Lora, Madison, and Marcus rode Big Thunder Mountain.

We all rode It's a Small World, the Haunted Mansion, and the Jungle Cruise and watched the Enchanted Tiki Room Adventure.  

Madison and Marcus rode Dumbo, the flying elephant, and we all rode the many adventures of Winnie Pooh.

Madison, Marcus, and I rode the Mad Tea Party teacups. 

We all rode the cars at Tomorrow Land Indy Speedway, where Lora and Meadow's car broke down; I had to push her into the pit area with my vehicle.

We rode Buzz Light-year's Space Light-year and watched Light-year sInc. Laughing Floor.  

We took the boat back to Epcot,, parked the van,, and rode to GKW. 

Day 6: Sunday,  November 2, 2008 

We ate breakfast at the Gingerbread Playhouse, which served breakfast from 8 to 10 A.M. daily. It rained or drizzled all day.

While Lora, Marcus, and Madison were riding the Tower of Terror, I met a family from Birmingham, England. They had been here for three weeks and had visited all the theme parks in Orlando.

She said her kids did not like hamburgers and fries, so she made fresh sandwiches daily. 

Her kids all like PJs.

We got snacks of pretzels, cotton candy, Carmel apples, cokes, water, and plain pretzels. Marcus bought some Star Wars dolls. 

We went to Disney Studio to watch the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, The New Journey into Narnia Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, and Beauty and the Beast.

Lora, Marcus, and Madison rode The Rock n' Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. 

We ate supper at the Sci-fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, which was awesome.

The tables were shaped like a car parked in front of a drive-in movie, and people could sit in the front or back of the vehicle without a top.

Marcus and Madison sat in front while Lora, Meadow, and I sat in the back seat.

Lora and I shared a hamburger, onion rings, and a cucumber salad.

Marcus ordered a hot dog with fries, and Madison ordered a beef Mac with vegetable sticks, fries, and a milkshake. 

We finished the night by watching the fireworks show Fantasmic.

Day 7: Monday, November 3, 2008

We spent the day at the Animal Kingdom and ate lunch in Asia at Yak & Yeti, a Chinese Restaurant. 

Madison and I split a large plate of sweet and sour chicken, and Lora and Marcus split Honey Chicken.  

Before we went to THEME Park, we had a family picture taken with Mickey and Minnie. 

I took pictures of Pluto, Goofy, and Mary Poppins at GKW.  

We all rode the carousel at GKW three times.

Mickey, Minnie, and Meadow at GKW 

Group picture at GKW 

Goofy, Mary Poppins, and Pluto at GKW 

We all rode Mount Everest, Asia's Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. 

We watched It Is Tough to Be a Bug on Discovery Island.

We took the Kilimanjaro Safari to ride in Africa and rode the Dinosaur.

After the parade at the Animal Kingdom, we rode the boat to the Magic Kingdom and stayed from 5 to 8 P.M.  

We tried to finish doing the things we missed at the Magic Kingdom.  

We finished the night by watching the fireworks show. 

We were going to watch the World Showcase at Epcot but did not make it. 

We took the boat back to the ticket center, then a bus to the Animal Kingdom, and then we rode back to GKW.

Asia at Yak & Yeti, a Chinese Restaurant at the Animal Kingdom

Parade at the Animal Kingdom 

Parade at the Animal Kingdom 

Dinosaur ride 

Day 7: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 

We ate lunch at Lambert's Restaurant in Universal Studios.

In the restroom at Lambert's, I met two women from Ireland, I told them about Meadow, and they said special people are given special kids. 

At Lambert's Restaurant, I ordered shrimp and chips.

Lora and the kids ordered fish and chips. 

Lambert's Restaurant was in the setting along the waterfront in San Francisco Bay.  

We watched Beetle Juice, MIB, Johnny Newton, Terminator, Disaster, and Twister.

City Walk 

Universal Studios 

Universal Studios 

City Walk 

City Walk 

City Walk 

Lora and the kids rode the Mummy and the Hulk coasters.

I got 267,000 points, and Marcus got over 150,000 in the MIB ride.

We rode this ride twice, the second time I doubled my score. 

I took lots of pictures, and we ate a Danish before leaving the park. 

We rode back to GKW to wash clothes, clean the house, and pack our bags. 

Getting tucked into bed by Mrs. Rabbit 

Getting tucked into bed by Mrs. Rabbit 

Day 8: Wednesday, November 5, 2008

I got up, finished packing, got the pictures on DVD, and ate breakfast. 

Lora and the kids finished packing, and we had to be checked out by 11 A.M. 

We went to Sea World, and Lora and the kids rode the Cracken coaster.

We fed the rays and dolphins; we watched the sea lions, seals, penguins, and Manatees. 

Sea World 

Sea World 

Sea World 

Sea World 

Sea World 

Sea World 

We ate chicken and steak feta and ended the day by watching the Sham Show Believe; it was awesome.

I bought Meadow a frog (like Build a Bear), and we named Hopper.

We left the park at 3:30 P.M., Lora filled the car with gas, and we returned the rented car to Avis. 

We arrived at check-in at South West Airlines.

They said the plane was scheduled to leave at 5:10, but now it is 4:45 P.M.  

They checked our bags and Meadows's wheelchairs. 

We walked through security.

Lora's jacket caused the security to go off, and she had to walk through security again. 

Lora had a roll of quarters inside her purse, making the security go off again.

Marcus's bag had two snow globes from SeaWorld that were not allowed to go through and 

Madison had a tub of mud that was not allowed on the plane, so we were delayed. 

We still had to take the tram to the gate where our airplane was to depart.

Lora and a security guard walked to SeaWorld's gift shop, where they boxed up the snow globes and shipped them free to her house.

I went ballistic because I thought we were going to miss our plane.

I called my husband, and I told him I thought we were going to miss our flight.

I  saw Lora and the kids, and we headed to the plane.

They were calling our names for final boarding. 

We took off running. I pushed Meadow, running as fast as possible.

We made it, I let out an Oh Shit! 

We got on the plane, and Lora fastened Meadow in the car seat.

I was so flustered that I needed help fastening my seat belt

By this time, we were taxing down the runway. 

We finally got seated, and the plane flew in the air. 

We were served pretzels and sodas.

It took us a little over an hour to get to Birmingham Airport. 

We went to baggage claim and collected our luggage. 

We loaded the van and rode Home.

Miyuki Sugimori - Japanese Candy Artist

Miyuki, the candy artist, works in the Japanese area of Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. 

She learned the craft of candy artistry from her grandfather. Her skills have brought her much success and notoriety, and she is one of the few "Amezaikus" in the world and the only female in the trade. She has appeared on several television programs, including the Travel Channel and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. We are so fortunate to have her as a regular at the Japan Festival, for every year brings new surprises.

Miyuki takes various colors of warm taffy and creates the fastest and most ornate sculptures in minutes right before you. She then paints them for added character and realism. The number of animals, land and aquatic, and creatures of fantasy she can sculpt is astounding. Miyuki is extremely popular at Epcot and performs her show several times daily.

Meadow was dressed as Elmo; her candy was made into Elmo, like her suit.

The two white candies on the top of her head are Elmo's eyes, and the orange candy is his nose. 

She had her eyes closed. 

This was a great image of Meadow. 

Star Wars 

Riding the Dinosaur 

Disney Group Picture 

Captain Hook 

Family Group Picture at GKW