Wednesday September 2
Jeff and Matthew enjoyed their time at Universal Studios Orlando. Best rides were: The Simpsons, The Mummy, Men In Black and ET. The rollercoaster was good, but the wait was way too long. Wednesday was pretty rainy, but they were able to see and do a lot. The park closed at 6 pm, so the plan was for all of us to eat dinner together afterward.
Mom and I went to the mall, returned some "ugly" curtains and looked for some new dinner plates, curtains and a book. We came home hours later with Gator decals for my car. In the midst of our shopping journey, we did have the most delicious sesame chicken dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. Everything was good...there was just way too much food! Next time we will split an entree!
Dinner together was Sonny's Barbeque. Mmmm. I wasn't very hungry after that huge lunch, but managed to eat my favorite from the menu..sliced pork, with lots of sweet sauce!
Kept in touch with the girls and both are fine. Sarah busy at school and Mary bored at home.
Thursday, September 3
Today was Disney day!! First we stopped at Chik-Fil-A for lunch. It is one of Matt's favorite places and there aren't any in Michigan. Plus eating outside the park is a lot cheaper. We couldn't decide which park we preferred, Epcot or Magic Kingdom. Luckily, when we got to the ticket window it was actually less for a 5 day park hopper than a one day park hopper with the special deal they had going. Unfortunately, they do expire and we will most likely won't get back to FL before December 23. Still we saved money so that is what it is all about! I should remind you that we were able to fly using our frequent flyer miles, and Jeff received a free pass to Uinversal and Disney as a thank for serving our country! Anyway, so we were off to Epcot first and would finish the day in Magic Kingdom since they were open later.
Epcot was a lot of fun. Matthew really liked the ride inside the big ball in future world. We had fun sending electric postcards to the girls with our pictures imposed on a cartoon of the future. Other fun rides in future world were: Test Track car ride. I really like this one. Jeff and Matt went on the Mission to Space ride and the new Soarin' ride that makes you feel like hand gliding. I spent time in the interactive innovations area. All of us enjoyed the interactive areas, especially the weather experience and I learned about the origins of Velcro. On the other side of Epcot is the world showcase. We walked through each country where Matthew collected a stamp and die cut from each land. We rode the water ride in Mexico and Norway. Watched Taiko drummers and ate an authentic lunch in Japan. I had curry, Matthew had Chicken teriyaki and Jeff had Sukiyaki Beef, Teriyaki Chicken and tempura shrimp combo. By the time we walked around the world we were ready to head to Magic Kingdom.
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We had a plan for Magic Kingdom. We knew what we really wanted to do and headed there first. Matt and Jeff went on the water ride, Splash Mountain. I don't likethe last big drop of the ride, so I waited at the entrance of the next rollercoaster. All of us enjoyed Thunder Mountain and then proceeded to the Pirates of the Carribean and Tiki Birds in Adventure land.Tomorrowland was next for Monsters INC Laughs and Buzz Lightyear. We rode Buzz a couple of times, shooting our laser guns at targets hoping to get a great score. Matt did the best I think, I and just couldn't get it together and had a pathetic score. I still had fun though! Off to Fantasyland where I made a HUGE mistake. Matthew and I rode the teacups. We spun ourselves silly...well almost sickly. Matthew was laughing and I was thinking...what have I done? I was able to prevent him from making the cup spin the opposite way..that would have been the end for me. Thank goodness, we ended our rides with the 3-D movie Mickey's Philharmagic and a Small World. Watching the fireworks from the backside of the castle was different. We were very tired by now and still needed to get back to the Epcot parking lot. We met a couple of nice families, most with small children. I am glad I didn't have to carry anyone back to our car....whew!
Our Japanese dinner had been hours ago, so we stopped at the largest McDonald's in the world and had midnight snack. It hit the spot. It was pretty late when we finally got back to my mom's house, but we shared our day with her and had lots of happy stories.
Friday, September 4
We slept in today...got up around 9am! I always make a visit to the cemetary to visit my dad. He was a very special man and will always live on in part of all of us! We ate lunch at Beef O Brady's, we headed to Orlando to see WonderWorks a hands on science museum of sorts. Matthew has wanted to go there for several years, and so we finally found the right time to go. Grandma got to go with us today and that was extra special! We were hoping to meet up with Tom and his girlfriend for lunch, but that didn't work out. We hope to see them another time, sooner than later!
Wonderworks was a lot of fun. We experienced hurricane force winds, a 5.o earthquake, and pitched baseballs in a pitching game that recorded our pitch speed and strikes and balls. Matthew pitched 56 mph and had of course struck him out! I pitched 38 mph and walked him after a full count. Jeff pitched well too, getting a strike out. There are lots of interactive quizzes and mind puzzles. We tried to land the space shuttle, but I don't think any of us were sucessful at that. Matthew and Jeff went into a virtual rollercoaster. Jeff and Matt both gave lying on a bed of nails a try! After seeing a nail hold in Jeff's shirt, I said no thanks!
We ended our Friday with another delicious meal this time at the Cheesecake Factory. The food was very good and the cheesecake,well...Mmmm. Jeff and I split a Red Velvet layered cheesecake, Matthew had plain and Mom had the Tiramisu cheesecake. Wow! We were full and satisfied.
Once we were back home, Matthew, Mom and I played a game a scrabble. Grandma won, but we were able to use all the letters on the board. Matt wanted to stay up and milk every last moment he could with grandma, but we had to be up at 043o to get to the airport! That is early!
Saturday, September 5
Yes, we got up on time and packed up our things for our flight home. Matthew gave Grandma his collection of countries. She thought it was most interesting. I still have one that I made from years ago. We are glad she liked it. Our little blue rental car, Nissan Versa, was packed one more time and off we were to Orlando airport. Jeff dropped us off at the curb for us to check our baggage and he returned the car. For 0600, that place was hopping! Luckily we had checked in online, so no long lines for us!
Our first leg from Orlando to Chicago went well. I think we slept most of the way. I don't sleep that well on a plane, but got some cat naps in. Matthew and I never got a drink, so I guess we slept through that portion of the flight. Once in Chicago, we headed to the USO office to drop off our carry ons. We had a 3 hour layover, and decided to ride the trains for an hour or so. We got off at our half way point according to time, went outside, took a few pictures
and then got right back on the next train and headed back to the airport. Security was slow and time was ticking away. Thank goodness our gate was nearby. We made it in plenty of time and waited as they called stand by passengers to get their tickets. We boarded this small plane with one seat on one side and two on the other. It wasn't very clean and the flight attendant must have been having a bad day. Her attitude wasn't too good. Thanks goodness it was only a 28 minute flight!
It was nice to be back in Grand Rapids! The weather was 75 and clear sky, unlike the hot humid air of central Florida. Mary was so happy to see us when we arrived back home. She even had warm cookies out of the oven. Mary had a busy day too. She was in a parade with the Queen's court. All of us were tired, and ended up napping. Matthew just plain crashed and slept the rest of the day. Mary and I watched "My Fair Lady" a portion at a time. It took the rest of the day. We also watched the Michigan Wolverines cream the W Michigan Broncos! GO BLUE!
Sunday, September 6
Our Sunday schedule is back to "normal". Sunday School at 9am and Church at 10:15. Sunday school was led my Thrivent. Teaching Kids about money. Younger children got piggy banks and the older ones at notebook of sorts to teach about saving, sharing and spending. Church went well. Matthew did a great job as the AV guy, Jeff had a good sermon on favoritism from the book of James. Lunch after church today was Pizza Hut. It was ok, but we really didn't like the new stuffed crust pan pizza. Not enough sauce.
Matthew had his buddy Mitch over for the day and to spend the night. They had lots of fun with the Wii and played some catch outside before we all headed to lake michigan to watch the sunset. It was beautiful! The guys played some football and Mary and sat on the beach. Matt and Mitch actually went into the very cold lake, nearly to their waist. I think they are crazy! I put my foot in and said no way!
Our Japanese dinner had been hours ago, so we stopped at the largest McDonald's in the world and had midnight snack. It hit the spot. It was pretty late when we finally got back to my mom's house, but we shared our day with her and had lots of happy stories.
Friday, September 4
We slept in today...got up around 9am! I always make a visit to the cemetary to visit my dad. He was a very special man and will always live on in part of all of us! We ate lunch at Beef O Brady's, we headed to Orlando to see WonderWorks a hands on science museum of sorts. Matthew has wanted to go there for several years, and so we finally found the right time to go. Grandma got to go with us today and that was extra special! We were hoping to meet up with Tom and his girlfriend for lunch, but that didn't work out. We hope to see them another time, sooner than later!
Wonderworks was a lot of fun. We experienced hurricane force winds, a 5.o earthquake, and pitched baseballs in a pitching game that recorded our pitch speed and strikes and balls. Matthew pitched 56 mph and had of course struck him out! I pitched 38 mph and walked him after a full count. Jeff pitched well too, getting a strike out. There are lots of interactive quizzes and mind puzzles. We tried to land the space shuttle, but I don't think any of us were sucessful at that. Matthew and Jeff went into a virtual rollercoaster. Jeff and Matt both gave lying on a bed of nails a try! After seeing a nail hold in Jeff's shirt, I said no thanks!
We ended our Friday with another delicious meal this time at the Cheesecake Factory. The food was very good and the cheesecake,well...Mmmm. Jeff and I split a Red Velvet layered cheesecake, Matthew had plain and Mom had the Tiramisu cheesecake. Wow! We were full and satisfied.
Once we were back home, Matthew, Mom and I played a game a scrabble. Grandma won, but we were able to use all the letters on the board. Matt wanted to stay up and milk every last moment he could with grandma, but we had to be up at 043o to get to the airport! That is early!
Saturday, September 5
Yes, we got up on time and packed up our things for our flight home. Matthew gave Grandma his collection of countries. She thought it was most interesting. I still have one that I made from years ago. We are glad she liked it. Our little blue rental car, Nissan Versa, was packed one more time and off we were to Orlando airport. Jeff dropped us off at the curb for us to check our baggage and he returned the car. For 0600, that place was hopping! Luckily we had checked in online, so no long lines for us!
Our first leg from Orlando to Chicago went well. I think we slept most of the way. I don't sleep that well on a plane, but got some cat naps in. Matthew and I never got a drink, so I guess we slept through that portion of the flight. Once in Chicago, we headed to the USO office to drop off our carry ons. We had a 3 hour layover, and decided to ride the trains for an hour or so. We got off at our half way point according to time, went outside, took a few pictures
and then got right back on the next train and headed back to the airport. Security was slow and time was ticking away. Thank goodness our gate was nearby. We made it in plenty of time and waited as they called stand by passengers to get their tickets. We boarded this small plane with one seat on one side and two on the other. It wasn't very clean and the flight attendant must have been having a bad day. Her attitude wasn't too good. Thanks goodness it was only a 28 minute flight!It was nice to be back in Grand Rapids! The weather was 75 and clear sky, unlike the hot humid air of central Florida. Mary was so happy to see us when we arrived back home. She even had warm cookies out of the oven. Mary had a busy day too. She was in a parade with the Queen's court. All of us were tired, and ended up napping. Matthew just plain crashed and slept the rest of the day. Mary and I watched "My Fair Lady" a portion at a time. It took the rest of the day. We also watched the Michigan Wolverines cream the W Michigan Broncos! GO BLUE!
Sunday, September 6
Our Sunday schedule is back to "normal". Sunday School at 9am and Church at 10:15. Sunday school was led my Thrivent. Teaching Kids about money. Younger children got piggy banks and the older ones at notebook of sorts to teach about saving, sharing and spending. Church went well. Matthew did a great job as the AV guy, Jeff had a good sermon on favoritism from the book of James. Lunch after church today was Pizza Hut. It was ok, but we really didn't like the new stuffed crust pan pizza. Not enough sauce.
Matthew had his buddy Mitch over for the day and to spend the night. They had lots of fun with the Wii and played some catch outside before we all headed to lake michigan to watch the sunset. It was beautiful! The guys played some football and Mary and sat on the beach. Matt and Mitch actually went into the very cold lake, nearly to their waist. I think they are crazy! I put my foot in and said no way!Monday, September 7, Happy Labor Day!
Mary had to be up early again. She was in today's Labor Day parade in Belding. The girls cannot wear their Danish clothes to events outside of Greenville. Mary wore here black and white dress and looked just beautiful. We went to the parade with a friends mom as we did last year and had a really fun time! Mary looked so lovely on the float and blew her daddy a kiss! Brandon's family was there and his dad took a picture of her to send to Brandon. He titled it.. Here is The Queen Mary! I thought that was so ingenious~ We had a good lunch at Cory's and then Mary and Matt went home and Jeff and I walked around the fesetival a little bit.
You can probably guess that there was some napping going on again this afternoon. Mary and I went shopping for food and decided it was a good day for a cookout. Jeff grilled some delicious burgers and dogs. We had salad, applesauce and corn too!
Our summer has officially ended. School starts in less than 8 hours. Mary will be a senior, Matthew a sophomore...back to the grind. It makes me kind of sad. Before they went to bed, we all played a game of Wii Price is Right. Matthew was the big winner tonight.
Now it is late and I am sure that just as I close my eyes, the alarm will go off, and I will be sending my kids off to their first day of school. This will be the last first day at home for Mary. Next year college. Sniff Sniff! Sarah continues to love her school, friends and life at Hope College. It is a blessing to see her thrive in a wonderful Christian College community!
That concludes this edition of Going Back in Time~
Gracie
PS ~All Pictures were taken with the cell phone camera
~Thanks to Sarah for posting the video of Mary waving at the Princess Parade last month. Take a look at it on the video bar!
~As always, look at the photo album for more pictures!
