May 14, 2008
Our trip was nearing it's end, only 3 more days! We weren't sure what we wanted to do. Mom and I were up early and had our morning coffee together. We knew Teresa wouldn't have a car, so we thought we'd pick her up and go do something. Henry wanted some "alone time", so he stayed at the rental house with Sawyer.
First, the kids watched a little tv in the "office", which was also the 5th bedroom.
This soon turned into "Let's pull all the cushions off the couch and jump on them!" This is a game they play all too often and someone usually ends up getting hurt.
This seems like a good time for a tour of the rental house, since I only have 4 pictures from this day!
Just inside the front door is the office. Here's the couch with a pull-out bed.
There was a computer with high speed internet. Tessa was on Build-a-Bearville.
Across the hall from the office was the garage/game room/laundry room/storage area.
There were 3 strollers out there! I think people buy them for the parks and then just leave them there.
The washer/dryer.
I don't think I told you what happened to Sawyer's Chip t-shirt. Henry washed it after our AK day and somehow it got dark gray spots all over it. BIG spots! I washed it a couple of times and pre-treated it and NOTHING would get it out! I was pretty upset because I'd spent a long time making that shirt. Henry made fun of me for being upset and my mom laughed along with him.
It was NOT funny! I'm still planning on taking the applique off and putting it on a different shirt.
Okay, back to our tour.
Past the garage and office is the formal dining room, the kitchen, and the breakfast nook. This picture was on our last day, but pretend you don't know that.
This was taken from the living room.
The pool:
The master bedroom is off the living area. We had stripped the bed because we were ready to leave.
The master bath:
There was a 2nd master bedroom/bathroom that looked almost exactly like this one. That's where mom and dad slept.
There were 2 other bedrooms, each with double beds and they shared a bathroom.
I wasn't crazy about the decorating. It just wasn't my style at all. But, it was a really nice house and we really liked it! Plus, I think I told you we got a GREAT deal on it.
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Okay, back to the trip report.
We went over to Teresa's time share to pick her up. It was the first time I'd ever been there. When we first pulled up, I wasn't terribly impressed. It looks kind of like a mid-priced motel. But, once I stepped inside, I was quite impressed. It was very nice and pretty, with quite a bit of room. Then, we walked out the back door and I was VERY impressed. It was SO pretty back there! They had a little screened in porch that faced a beautiful lake and pretty trees all around. There was a pool which seemed to be pretty private. It's a small timeshare, so there weren't tons of people out there. I can see why they like going there every year!
First we went to Bells outlet mall. I hadn't been there since they remodeled and I gotta say, it didn't look like I'd remembered it! They completely rebuilt the place!
We headed straight for the
Disney store, of course! This is a very nice outlet store. But, a couple of things I had bought at the other outlet were more expensive here- weird!
Arminda was such a sweetheart! She showed me the necklaces and asked which princess I liked the best. I told her I really liked Cinderella. She smiled very slyly and told me I should go look over at something else.
Lydia really wanted to buy a present for Tessa. So, she got her a Tinkerbell necklace/bracelet set. I thought that was the sweetest thing!! Teresa's kids were using their own money to buy family members gifts!
I found some $3 pins because Tessa was enjoying pin trading so much. But, I don't remember buying much else.
My dad found a really pretty necklace for my mom with some red stones and diamond-like stones shaped like Mickey. It was very pretty, and wasn't real cheap. But, he got it for her anyway. He can be so giving when he wants to be!
When we left the store, Arminda "surprised" me with a Cinderella necklace that she had bought me. She is SUCH a sweet girl. She was practically giggling with excitement when she gave it to me. I just love her!
After we had our fill, we thought we should do some MORE Disney shopping. So, we headed on over to another outlet store. I have no idea where it was. Teresa was giving out the directions and I was totally lost. But, we found it with no problems.
This outlet store wasn't nearly as nice. I don't recall buying anything. Oh, I did get Arminda and Lydia some sunglasses.
We were shopped out by then and it was time to meet Henry and Sawyer at the Golden Corral. I love the Golden Corral! It's a buffet that actually has GOOD food! I know, how crazy is that? We have to settle for Old Country Buffet up here and it really stinks. Everything tastes the same and that same isn't so good. We need a Golden Corral in our part of Michigan!
The Golden Corral also reminds me of my Grandpa. He loved eating there. The only other time I'd been to Golden Corral was with him, so I had some strong memories of Grandpa when I walked in there. He was such a funny, sweet, old man. I sure do miss him.
Wipe my tears....okay...I'm ready to go on.
Mom was paying for everyone because she's wonderful that way. But, for some reason they charged us for 2 extra people. We still can't figure out how they did that. I think it was because they counted Tessa and Lydia as adults and then also charged us for them as kids.
I had to argue a little bit to get them to give mom some money back. She wasn't going to say anything, but I was!
We had such a fun time there and stayed quite a while. The girls were extra silly. I don't remember what they were doing, but it looks pretty funny to me.
After we ate, we were going to go back to our rental house to swim. Teresa ended up having to go to
WalMart to get Arminda a new bathing suit. But, they met up with us at the house afterwards. We had a nice time swimming and then it was time for bed.
Tomorrow we would go to Epcot again! YAY!
(I'm sorry this has been the most boring-est trip report update ever. I promise the next one will be much better.)
Up next: Yum....$30 worth of cardboard
I really enjoyed the update! Can't wait for more
hahahahaha perhaps so he didnt cut off Henry's head again! My DH is really picky about pics too. They have to be perfect! I do love all of your pics though....and it was so cool seeing the AK ones from years past! Very cherished memories. And don't worry about Sawyer ( btw I love his name!), you only have to chase him for another year. Personally, I hated that part. Three/four is such a fun age....and 9/10 too. Anyways, your family is just beautiful and you all look like you are really enjoying yourselves too! Even that cutie Tessa is enjoying herself!!! And, I agree, she is cute even when tired and cranky! 
Thanks for the awesome update Heather! 
an update!
)
It's hard when they start to grow up, isn't it? I didn't cry at all when Tessa started school the first day, or the second day. But, the third day, I had a mental breakdown! 
She'll always be my baby!
