Around the World in 14 Hours

I had the privilege of getting to cross another item off my bucket list. Before our cruise out of Miami, Cliff gave me the opportunity to spend one day in Disney World! *insert excited child-like scream here*

I got to choose the park but we both decided that Epcot was the least like Disneyland and the most worth it for us. The best part of Epcot is that it let us travel all over the world in just a day and without jetlag.

Cliff and I don't really have many pictures together so he humored me and posed (in Cliff fashion) with me in each country.

I chose each location for the countries based on if it was my favorite view of the country and if it wasn't crazy crowded (Norway's church was never devoid of people climbing the viking).

In just one day I got to experience 11 countries with my love. Disney Magic for the win!

Good Morning, Tampa

Sunrise from my balcony over Tampa

I experienced sunset in Los Angeles followed by sunrise in Tampa. I'm not sure what plane I was on flying to LAX, but it was so small! It made such terrible clanking noises whenever the pilots moved the wings or made changes to the jets I was just sure it was going to break apart in the air.

I'm not very big, and yet I felt so cramped in my seat I literally gave myself a pain in my neck. I was so excited to get on a 737 for the flight to Florida. You don't realize how great some amenities are until you don't have them. Thank you whoever designed the 737, you are a genius in my world.

Florida is like nothing I've experienced before.

Tampa is bigger and older than I expected, beautiful in its own right, but so different. I realize that after traveling to San Antonio I compare every city to it. San Antonio just seems so big, and new, and most importantly so efficient.

I've never been around marshland like what is here in Florida. I'm used to the green of trees, but not from so many palm trees and plants I don't think I've ever seen in real life.

Back home we are in one of the worst droughts I can remember and here there is just so much water all over the ground. There's a smell, not bad, but different from the pine, mountains, or farm smells I'm used to.

People have always told me the humidity hits you as soon as you walk outside and it does indeed punch you hard enough that you have no question as to where you are. However, I like it. It's one of the first times I've been in heat (anything over 70 is too hot in my world) that didn't make me want to crawl out of my skin and cry. The downside: heat rash seems so much easier to get in this weather.

U*Le*Le

I loved the restaurant we went to and it had such a beautiful story behind it. It was such a labor of love for the family that opened it. So much thought went into every bit of planning and trying to make it 'green'.

It seems in Tampa history, some 70 years or so before John Smith and Pocahontas, Ulele (the Tocabaga Chief's daughter) felt pity for some Spaniards and threw herself onto one of them so that her father would spare his life. The restaurant is named after the princess (and so are the nearby springs) and outside the building is this bronze statue that tells the story of how she saved the Spanish explorer from her people.

After an eight million dollar renovation the 1906 Water Works Building was transformed into the oldest restaurant in Tampa that we got the pleasure of eating at. The thought behind Ulele seems to be keeping all the ingredients organic and fresh from local family owned and independent companies. I really love when a modern convenience (like eating out) aims to keep the families in business and cares about you as a patron as much as the money (at least in illusion).
The menu is native-inspired using ingredients when they are available just like their ancestors did.  It kind of blew my mind how some of the ingredients are so casually listed: frog legs, alligator, quail, boar, venison, duck. Before doing my research I though it was like lox in New York and just what they eat here but it was more about using what is available. I have to say they make some delicious food. I enjoyed alligator hush puppies, charbroiled oysters, and duck bacon ice cream. I didn't know duck bacon was a thing either but it was tasty.

The coolest part of dinner was finding Cliff's wine namesake. We flew all the way across the country to discover that just a few hours south of us in our home state is a winery with his name. We would have had a glass but they were out so we'll have to obtain some when we get back home.

We're Going to Disneyland

Or so I hope.
My mothers have been given the eminar to go to a eminar in southern eminar for work. What does that mean? Work will pay for the hotel and gas to drive there. My kids (or my oldest who still remembers visiting when he was little) frequently asks when we'll get to go. My response is usually when hell freezes over or something to that effect. For a family of 6 the cost is around two-grand not including gas or food. That's just to get in see the park and find somewhere to sleep. Um, I don't have that kind of money lying around.

Now, I would love to take all my kids to Disneyland every year because I do believe the magic is pretty incredible but it's not practical. I'm grateful the boys have been a couple times each before I was in their life and I myself have been once, but that trip was miserable so I don't count it much. Let me clarify, Disneyland was great, but one of my classmates stole all my cash before we got to the park so I spent the day hungry, begging for food, and annoyed at the situation. I did enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean and the magic that is the Peter Pan ride (that I tried to capture on film and realized it ruins some of the magic) but overall my memories are not great. Back to present time, my daughter is getting more and more interested in Princesses and we've been talking for at least a year about how we wish we could take her at this 'perfect' age. Why haven't we gone then? Time away from work, time away from school, scheduling conflicts with a two home family, money, and car issues. Enough hurdles for you?

Wow, I went off on a tangent.

Anyway, so my mothers are heading down to Southern California for this seminar and are planning to spend a day or two in the parks and enjoy a belated honeymoon of sorts. Fast forward to today, just about a week before they leave, and I find myself with an invite for Bug, Moose, and myself to take the remaining 3 seats in their car and the extra bed in their hotel. Um, free board and gas with the opportunity to let my daughter meet princesses? Um, count me in!

Oh yea, and they have discount prices for the actual park entrance! This may actually be totally possible. Now, just to figure out how to get the kids home from school everyday; what to eat while away with keeping on a budget; and how to pack for 3 people while only taking of the space of 2. Easy.

My husband is amazing. He agreed to pick up the kids on our days and their mother is going to take care of the rest of the time. I've done some research on how to cook meals in a hotel room and I'm bringing my Nuwave stove-top for anything that can't be made in a coffeepot. Luckily, I am well versed at budget meals on the go.

Huzzah! We're officially going to Disneyland!

Mouse Ears

I love so many things about Disneyland but oddly enough I think one of my favorite things is the personalization with mouse ears. I have to admit, I really want to buy a pair myself but I can't justify $20 for something I'll wear for 3 days or less. This trip is about Bug, not me and I don't need ears; I'm just going to admire the awesome variety walking around and secretly covet my favorite pair when I see it walk past me.

Secretly, part of my reason for not getting one for myself is because I feeling indecisive. Do I go for the headband style in my favorite color but obnoxious crown?

Perhaps the Pirate headband that is more my style and leaves room for any hairstyle but doesn't match any cloths I brought.

Or my favorite hat with all the right decorations and everything in my kind of style but not the right color? Now if only this hat came in burgundy...well actually I'm glad it's not in burgundy or purple because then I'd be $20 something poorer and then I'd have a hat to store in my closet that was only worn a couple times....

Funny enough the pull of the ears was too much for Bug as well. After just 2 days she decided she needed to spend her money on a set. Turns out I'm glad she chose and not me because I would have been wrong. It worked out perfectly for her, she picked a flowey princess headband.

It made her feel like she had magic Rapunzel hair. More Disney magic. I love this place

Solo in Disneyland

Take every opportunity. That's what I'm doing so here I am in Disneyland with a 4 year old dead set on meeting all the princesses and a 6 month old baby strapped to my chest.  This should be a breeze, ha!

Besides being up late last night and up early this morning it's a really good day. The weather is perfect, the walk felt short, and even though I didn't have an early entry ticket they let me in early anyway! What great luck!!!

The kids and I headed straight to Fantasy Faire since I've heard that the lines to meet the princesses get insanely long. Turns out when you get there that early, it's not open yet. Oops.

It all worked out though, Bug and I took a few pictures before heading to get on a couple rides. The Toy Story ride in Disneyland is not half as fun as the one in California Adventure. More difficult, darker, a bit jerkier. Oddly enough, the lines for that get crazy pretty quick too.

After how big of a hit the spinning ladybug was yesterday taking Bug on the teacups just seemed the right choice. Turns out it was one of the best rides of the trip. She just giggled and giggled and giggled. Probably my favorite moment ever.

Right across the way were the Storybook Canal Boats. They were cute, but not as great as I was hoping. I was told they are better at night when they are all lit up (I can only imagine, it would be awesome) but I enjoyed it all the same. I think Bug really liked seeing what the princess castles really looked like. While on the boats Bug caught sight of Casey' Jr's train and she really wanted to go on it, so we did. There was something so enjoyable about letting her make all the choices. We did what she wanted to do and when.

I'm sure it'll get easier to navigate but today I'm confused as we to find the way around. I'm very thankful that the employees are quite friendly, at least the ones I've interacted with. I don't understand why Pixie Hollow is at the base of the Matterhorn or why Merida is literally across the path from It's a Small World. Even worse, Rapunzel is behind the castle. I'm confused. So very confused.

Turns out Pixie Hollow gets crazy lines too. It's such a relief that Moose is content to just sleep in the carrier. I look a bit ridiculous but luckily for me I've never been one to care about that too much. Bug is doing fantastic with her patience. I did not realize that Princess Hunting is an all day affair. The crowds aren't insane, but it is beyond my normal comfort level. While waiting for Tinkerbell and Rosetta the employee explained to Bug how while we make our way through the line we get sprinkled with pixie dust and start shrinking which is why the grass is bigger than us and the fairies are the same size. Tinkerbell seemed confused that Bug didn't have wings which they realized means she must be a princess. Always modest, Bug told them she's not a really real princess, just dressed up like one. I love her!

We did not get back to Fantasy Faire in time to see the any of the princesses without a line marked at over an hour wait but we did aim to get there in time for the show. Unfortunately it turns out if you get there on time, you have to wait outside craning your neck to see over the people who thought ahead. She really wanted to see the show (it was enjoyable and cute) so I held her up so she could see. I've been really good about keeping Moose covered with a blanket however it seems while holding her, or adjusting, or something I let one of his legs become exposed and it got a little burn. At least I'm consistent about burning my kids at delicate ages...

After the show we saw Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder but they wouldn't let us go say hi even though other guests were already there. When they left Bug started flipping that we needed to follow them so we could say hi. I chased (after getting the stroller) as best I could, but I lost them. We wandered around looking for them and just as I was about to give up I found her tower where we could get in line to meet her. It got really hot, but we made it before they closed the line. Wheh! Rapunzel was really sweet and was excited to have a whole page to draw on. Bug was soooo excited and happy to talk to her.

Moose and Moose on the rivers of America

After all the excitement of the morning, or at least all the waiting, we decided to head to New Orleans Square to try the Mickey Beignets and Mint Julips (virgin). I wasn't impressed, they were just like the Beignets I made at home. The day started warming up but I convinced Bug to let us wait to meet Tigger and Eeyore. I told her how they are some of my favorite characters and she got really excited. Too excited. She was climbing (flipping) on the bars and flipped right into the rocks. I calmed her down just before it was our turn. Then I guess it was Tigger and Eeyore's break because they left (we were next) and Pooh came out. She was not happy. From there it turned into "I want to go back to the hotel with Mamaw!".

I was disappointed and a little sad that we didn't last long enough to see the parade- we did get to see a crazy guy get arrested ("Disneyland is censoring your! They don't want you to take pictures! They are working with the Aliens!!!") - but it was a nice day alone with the kids. They both did great.

Even though Mamaw was supposed to be at work until dinner we chose to head back to the hotel anyway. Turned out for us that Mamaw came home early so we all went out for an adventure this evening. Portillo's here we come! Having an extra hand is so much better!

California Adventure

Ohmagawd, OhMaGawd, OHMAGAWD! I am in Disney's California Adventure. We are in Disney's California Adventure!

I feel like a kid in a candy store. I had fun admiring the themed buildings at Knott's Berry but now after seeing this that seemed like a waste of time. This place is incredible. I am actually understanding Disney Magic, it's here.

We've been inside the gates just a few minutes and already I've met Goofy and I feel like I've left and gone to yesteryear. I suppose I have. And this. Is. Awesome.

Before coming I signed up for Touring Plans so we could maximize our enjoyment of the park with minimal work. Boy Howdy did it prove to be worth every penny and then some.

I know I'm a dork but all the amazing backdrops for photo ops thrill me. Bug, not so much. Luckily,  our first stop was Bug Land to ride Heimlichs Chew Chew train. Who knew a little train with funny sounds and smells could be so enjoyable even with a baby strapped to my chest. This is promising to be a great day.

Fast Passes are wonderful. They are making the day so easy and with our Touring Plan it's like the park is set up for our personal pleasure. Just as we finish in a area, we get to the parade at the perfect time which ends in time for our fast passes and then we're done in perfect time for a show. I'm seriously loving it.

Bug loved King Triton's Carousel and every time we'd pass the far wall (where King Triton is) she'd get super excited and point to him. Took me 3 passes before I figured out what she was saying or pointing to.

We got lucky and Moose loves rides. Even the dark ones. We got to do the Toy Story *shooting* ride which was so much fun. We did try to do it a second time but Bug really had to go potty and we didn't have someone to hold our place in line and it was too long to return to the end and still get to our show.

I am super grateful that I'm able to do some adult rides too. California Adventure is so much fun! While Mom and Debby were in line to go on it the chitlens and I were just hanging out when Bug spotted Woody across the boardwalk. She got super excited and started pointing to him wanting to go say hi. I was not expecting her to get excited over anything but princesses especially when she was so mad having to be near Goofy (which she later wanted to go back and do over). It was cute and I was so happy that she got so comfortable so quick.

I really loved the parade. Moose was asleep but he woke up when all the loud music started. I have to admit I was terribly lost many times in the park but the themed buildings are so fun to look at I don't even mind when I'm lost.

On our way to see the Aladdin show Bug saw Jake and totally *girl groupie style* freaked out wanting us to turn around so she could meet him. I didn't even know she had a little crush on him.

As our major splurge I knew I wanted to have a character meal so Bug could meet a bunch of princesses for sure. I was really surprised at the quality of the food, it was delicious. I upset Bug just before Cinderella (the first princess) got to our table so she wanted nothing to do with her. She was happier by the next princess and then was upset that she didn't get a picture with Cinderella (theme of the day) but they were really great about letting us come back later so she could spend a moment with her. Disney really cares about making your day magical.

At the end of the night we got spots on the bridge to watch World of Color. It was amazing. The show was great, watching it with my children was the most special gift I could have received.

I had promised Bug that we'd do the Under the Sea ride (may have forgotten about it) so we went to ride it after World of Color. We were up early, and it was late when the show ended, and there was some drama before we got on the ride so by the time we got through the line (very short) Bug fell asleep. She didn't wake up for the ride either. I was sad for her but truth be told it was quite hilarious.

Knotts Berry Farm

Tickets have been purchased, car has been packed, let's get this show on the road.

First stop: Knotts Berry Farm- because 4 days in Disneyland may not be enough (totally kidding).

Growing up I always heard about Knott's Berry Farm. The extent of my knowledge was that they made yummy jam. I figured the farm was just that: where they made jam. As an adult I've seen ticket coupons for the place but never bothered to investigate the place farther.

Turns out it is quite the theme park for the crowd that likes fast adventure rides. Could be fun, but not for a 3 year old who isn't tall enough and certainly not for an infant. That leaves a few snoopy side shows, and a stage coach that gets robbed. The waters were insanely priced, like first born child priced, and the food wasn't appealing. Luckily, we planned on eating at the diner outside the park.

A few hours of wandering around was enough for us before getting our chicken dinner. Me oh my those portions were huge.  Pretty tasty though.

Drowsy Driving

School has started with a hiccup. I ordered the wrong textbook and I'm leaving for vacation but still have an assignment due while I'm away. Oops. I'm so glad Amazon has quick shipping but now I have to read the chapter, pack three bags of clothes, and organize all the food. By 4am. Good thing I don't plan on sleeping much.

I managed to get a couple of hours of sleep before we hit the road for Aniheim. It's dark and chilly at this hour, I kind of like it. I know I'm tired and not fit to drive so I'm not however, apparently there is a trucker on the road that didn't get that memo.

First bus ride!

While driving down I5 outside of Colinga near sunrise we noticed a semi truck that keeps swerving all over the road. For safety sake we pass him only to notice that the driver is clearly falling asleep: closing his eyes and bobbing his head. I don't work in dispatch so I want to call local Highway Patrol but the ex-dispatcher in the car is positive that someone else will have called. Well, isn't that always true. We all think someone is sure to have done it, so nobody ever does it. I think all my guilting won (or they just wanted to shut me up) because I kept asking how'd we feel if we saw on the news tonight that a truck driver feel asleep at the wheel and killed a family. That's always how it goes you know, it's always the perfect Jones family with their 2 and a half kids that gets killed by the irresponsible person leaving just the oldest child maimed for life physically and now an orphan.

3 of us are sharing this bed...

Fate must have been on our side because there is a highway patrolmen on the side of the road finishing a traffic stop. We pull over so mom can run back and warn him about the straying truck that will be passing soon. Too soon. Debby and I watched as the truck literally almost plowed into the police car with my mother standing in front of it. You know that place where the tow truck drivers call the kill zone because it's in between two vehicles and if someone hits the back car (most likely place to hit) then the person in the middle will get squished to death? Yea, that place. It was scary but the semi truck pulled away in time to miss them, mom warned the patrolman, and he took off like a speeding bullet getting him off the road. Good deed for the day done.

Our reward: we can see the park from the Hotel! We even get to go explore Downtown Disney this evening to exchange my ticket for an extra day.

365 Day 248

Three time zones, 2 cameras, 2 iDevices, 14 States, and countless memories later....

365 Day 247

While killing time in the bookstore at the Texas airport I couldn't resist taking a picture of this recipe. Something tells me if I call chicken yardbird I'd enjoy it more. Also, anything smothered is usually delicious. Texas, I still love you.

Cross Country Day 1

I'm not sure if I'm really ready for today to begin and yet at the same time I've been ready for months. It's bittersweet knowing that I get to spend a solid week with a genuine best friend and yet at the end of this we'll no longer even be in the same time zone.

I'm afraid of how much I'll miss my kids but since I know I've left them before (with Cliff by my side) I'm sure I'll survive again. I do expect it to be different without Cliff with me though and I've never really left him for this long without easy electronic communication either. Damn me and my lack of data plans....

The day started out almost as early as we planned but there was a small delay after the cat got miserably car sick driving to my house. We loaded up on trash bags and paper towels and crossed our fingers that it wouldn't be a non-stop issue. It's much easier at a house then it is on the side of the road.

The plan was to stop in Reno to visits her family, but the timing was off so it didn't work out. We drove on until we reached Lovelock. The town has it's own catch phrase- Don't let love pass you by- on signs all over the town. Weird.

Standing at the top level of the rest stop.
I wish the sparkle was visible in this picture. 

I didn't see (or wasn't paying attention) a 'welcome to Nevada' sign but when we noticed the Utah sign we just about parked on the freeway (very empty freeway) to take a picture. Hilarious.

All of Nevada was desert and rocks and Utah was no different. When I looked on the map the salt lake flats seemed huge. We stopped at the first rest stop (the better view was on the other side of the freeway) to take pictures before we got sick of the endless white. It was a very simple stop with a 2 story shade structure (nice for pictures of the other side of the road), a foot wash (for what?!), and a broken pet corral (the thought was nice).

Turns out if you stay on I-80 there really isn't that much of the salt flats to see. It was beautiful to see the land sparkle in the sunlight and as we drove down the road you could see random frames still stuck in the ground on the side of the road from where photographers  went for the trendy shots. My favorite part, besides the sparkle, was the warning signs posted every so many miles: "Drowsy Drivers. Next Exit 15 Miles. No Fatigued Driving". It's hard to imagine with such wide open spaces that the death rate is high enough to warrant such a sign.

 When we reached Salt Lake City, Juliana suggested that we go check out the Mormon Temple (yes, we know we never could of gone inside). Neither of us were real set on it and we almost kept driving but I had a headache so we chose to stop, find the temple, and fill up on gas.

Utah is so bleak and desert like to me. Some people may like the look of the rocks but I'm a tree and water girl. I was not a fan. For as ugly as the state was, the Salt Lake City town center was beautiful! Trees, flowers, amazing architecture. I loved it. The whole town was like a giant Mormon square though. Mormon convention centers, Mormon church libraries a block long, Mormon history Museum; and all of the buildings were insanely huge. At the center of all of it was their temple (stunning) surrounded by what appeared to be beautiful gardens and then a large concrete wall. We would of loved to stop and walk around for 15 minutes, but with pets in the car in the unforgiving Utah heat it wasn't an option. We circled the temple and then headed for the gas station.

Turns out the one thing I needed (tylenol) is not sold in Utah. In fact, when I asked if there was another store nearby I could try the two people in the station went on a mini tangent about how terrible Tylenol is, how there is a recall on it because it has so much rat poison in it so all of Utah has removed it from the shelves, and how in my pregnant state I shouldn't be taking it. Advil is safer. Hmmm. Okay crazies, I'll try again in another state.

See the reflection of those pretty blue lights?

Heading up the mountains of Utah was too much for the loaded car to bear and it struggled to make speed. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry when an oversized truckers kept passing us easily. When we finally made it down hill there was a little too much celebration in achieving normal California speeds and within only a couple miles of our triumph local highway patrol pulled us over. Somehow when mentioning that it would really suck to get a ticket on the first day of our trip across the country the officer decided to let her go with a written warning. Yes, a paper warning. I didn't even know they did those!

On our last stretch to Wyoming, we passed the cutest little town (it looked like a small Tahoe ski or mining town). The hotel was comfortable enough but after sitting all day we wanted to move a little so we walked across the street for a beer. Turns out Rock Springs closes early and we had to walk back to the other side of the freeway to find an open liquor store (po-dunk gas station). As a bonus, they had milk (pregnant lady loves herself some milk!) and wifi! Who knew? A gas station with wifi.

Are you paying attention Sacramento? If this little town can have it why can't we????

After all that walking Juliana didn't even want a beer anymore, but I enjoyed my milk and the sights of a far off lightning storm as we walked back to the hotel and got a few hours of sleep before heading out in the morning.

365 Day 238

This is not helping me pack. 

She has no respect for my clean laundry and I have no respect for her choice of beds...

365 Day 211

Last day in Monterey! We decided to check out the Mirror Maze (the kids museum was closed for another hour!) and I was surprised with just how fun it was! Us adults actually enjoyed the mirror maze portion and the kids had a blast with the laser maze. They gave you these 3D glasses to wear (I think the kids wore them) but most us adults couldn't handle the vertigo/seasickness type effects they caused. 

365 Day 210

My first time ever visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium and naturally she only smiled or let me take her picture with it was Liv's idea first. So thankful for good friends!

365 Day 209

Not only do we have the best friends in the world, but these best friends planned and went on a last minute vacation with us, and found a great place to stay where the let us use their trailer for the weekend! With kids in tow, this was an awesome way to travel!