We have forgone our annual Walt Disney World passes in lieu of Universal Studios passes! It's certainly a new experience, as I had only been to 1 of the 2 parks (in 2013) before grabbing them. They are actually pretty reasonable, price wise- always a perk. Graham and I met up with two of our favorite people, Austin and Katie, and spent 2 days at the parks having a grand old time. One of the best parts is that since it's all so new, I still have several rides left to enjoy, new places to eat and shows to watch.
     Without doubt, Harry Potter World is a favorite of mine; I love just walking around the shops with the music playing in the background! Since I'm an old bat, I always seem to get emotional thinking about what a huge spiel HP played in my childhood Meanwhile, Graham loves the theming of the different areas and avoids most of the coasters like the plague.
    Between our days at Universal (Saturday and Monday), we enjoyed walking around Celebration, Florida and Disney Springs. Graham and I dawdled in Celebration when it began to sprinkle, sitting under a nice covered bench. Soon enough it began to come down in sheets at an angle and we had to walk/run about a mile back to our car. By the time we got in, we remarked how we have been able to be so carefree up until this point in marriage, we have had moments of unabashed joy in the most silly circumstances. By the time we went to Disney Springs, we both had an umbrella, I let Graham use the poncho and I added a long sleeved sweater on. Also, they have really revamped it and it looks great. We were so impressed.
    It's been fun to give it a go at new parks! We have access to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk until next September, so be sure to get with us, if you plan to go ;)

Listi Leaves for BYUI

    Listi is on the road again, or rather has already left on the road. She called me up a few months ago (right after she got back from the mission) to search for plane tickets out West. She had decided to attend Brigham Young University- Idaho and was accepted to attend in September. Since she had been through the mill cramming her whole life into a few suitcases, she knew the routine. Finally, the time had came! She sent in her two week notice, printed off her flight information, had bags stuffed full and met up with me to spend her last night on the East Coast in the city of her departing flight.
    The two of us met our first cousin Hillary and her family for breakfast biscuits the next morning. We reminisced about some hilarious family moments, since we were neighbors growing up. Then we ran around fulfilling errands until she needed to get to the airport. I laughed and laughed at seeing all of her luggage- it was so slammed that she had to really apply pressure to get the zipper to move.
    When it came time for her to check both bags, they were weighed. To check two bags under 50 lbs. was going to cost $60- not bad considering she had 4 months of things in two bags. We anticipated that amount and already had it in hand. When the scales showed they were 56 lbs. and 51 lbs. the grand total came to $360. Wait- WHAT. We nearly lost it! 7 pounds was worth an additional three hundred dollars? Goodbye, United. We quickly sat down and began to shuffle things into her purse and duffel bag (since carry on items aren't weighed). After feeling like we were successful, Listi had one bag at 48.5 lbs. and another at 51 lbs. which rang up at a total of $160! We were livid! So walked back to the courtesy seats and shuffled some more, stuffing that duffel bag with more weight. The next time they were weighed they both passed requirements and she only paid $60 for both. The more we discussed it, the more aggravated we got- it just seemed wrong. Alas, it worked out so we eventually moved on from it.
     After meeting up with Hillary and Bentley in the airport, snapping some last minute pictures, it was time to see her leave. I couldn't help but think about her leaving for her mission, so similar yet so different entirely. As soon as she went through security I was able to text and call her, Facetime'ing when we wanted to. Yep, very different.
    She did have a funny experience during her first layover. She didn't realize that when they offered to check her duffel bag on the first plane that she would need to grab it before getting on the second. Just like that she left her bag in Texas! She spent the next three days without a pillow, sheets, snacks and a few other things she stuffed in there. A really nice friend offered to drive her thirty minutes to the city where the bag was eventually brought into. It made me very happy that someone was being charitable for her, when her family can't be there for her.
     Have fun in Idaho, Listi! See you at Christmas!
 

    This is the picture where I asked her to turn around, just to get a last photo to send to our parents. As you can see, this defiant lass didn't even hesitate to walk off though security. She literally never looked back! I wanted to laugh and smack her, simultaneously

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