"OUR BIG, FAT DISNEYLAND ROADTRIP" The End 4/20 pg. 44 Better Than Cats...
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UtahMama
Wakey, wakey, Eggs and Bakey<br><img src=http://ww
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February 23 “The Quest For FUN”…
After a 3 hour “nap”, at 7AM we were piled into the Suburban with junk food and a cooler full of mama’s caffeine. A freak snow storm had come through Salt Lake starting a few hours before and dumped several inches of slippery, dangerous snow. Great! We paused in our un-shoveled driveway to say a quick prayer of safety (and sanity) before departing.
It was reeeeeally snowing! It took more than 15 minutes to go the first mile due to power outages. These two pictures are at the exit to our subdivision in suberbia, Utah...
After reviewing the weather report, we knew it would get much better as we headed south. And it did. We only had snow for the first 300–ish miles!
Ron had just worked 6PM to 6AM yet he insisted HE drive for the first little while. I reminded him it is much safer to drive DRUNK than it is to drive sleepy. He just wanted to get us going onto the interstate. He has his reasons. So I caved.
I called DS17(Jordan) one last time to list off “The Rules”:
1. NO other human beings are allowed in our house while we’re gone. Not in our yard (front and back), garage, sidewalk, basement, roof, etc. See, you HAVE to be very specific or he’d for sure find some technicality or loop hole.
2. No fire of any kind.
3. Lock the doors and triple check them!
4. Dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher NOT hand-washing dish detergent. I almost put labels on them with “THIS” and “NOT THIS” written on them!
5. No bleach.
6. Make sure the cats are not locked in any rooms…or YOU are cleaning the pee/pooh/hairballs.
7. No internet
8. No R rated movies. No worse rated movies. Pretend Jesus is watching with you. NO, Jesus doesn’t like beer.
9. NO FUN WHATSOEVER (yes this actually, IS on the list)
So at 7AM, the umbilical cord was figuratively cut. I had faith in my eldest son. Yes, I did-ish.
Luckily, it was “rush hour” on the freeway to add 30 more minutes to our time. So we plunked in a movie for the “Are We There Yet?” choir in the back. They are happy campers, so I placed the earphones in my ears and cranked up the volume to Aerosmith
. I don’t like when DH drives anymore than he doesn’t like when I drive. I am cautious and law abiding. I know the law is something like 1 car-length per 10 miles an hour ( 5 car lengths between you and the car in front of you = 50 mph, for example). DH’s take on that law, especially in the snow, is more like ½ car length per 20 miles an hour 
. I kept slamming on the “air brakes” and sucking in my breath dramatically. I think I may have screamed once or twice. I couldn’t help it. He kept going too fast and slamming on the breaks, skidding and nearly missing the car in front of us!!!! 
After 62 minutes, we stopped at the McDonald’s in Lehi for breakfast and to use the restroom.
Knowing DH did not get the luxurious 3-hour nap last night like I did, I drive. I drove most of the way there while he attempted to sleep in the “way-back” (or, “BACK-back”). He accused me of weaving back and forth!
We had just gotten the allignment done so the stearing felt loose. Whatever. I entertained myself by singing "Jesus, Take The Wheel". DH was NOT amused.
After the first DVD, and DH’s little nap, we played PNDQ. The road game. You have to actually see something that starts with only P or N or D or Q. The words can’t be read on signs. Pretty much only nouns. You earn snack money for the next stop. We had plenty of snacks on board so for each word, the kids earned souvenir money. I blew them all away with a heard of cows I called “Quadropeds”. I also got “Quadrunner” for a four-wheeler in some farmer’s yard. This game is really fun! I like it more than the alphabet game because it’s more limited, causing you to be more creative. I started making up smart-sounding words and my kids totally believed me! Poor things!
It snowed and snowed and snoooowed. The antenae developed a layer of snow on it, I thought was interesting. I called it an antenae stalagmite. Which didn’t start with a P,N,D,or Q, but I thought was funny.
There's a cute little city in Southern Utah named Beaver. I did NOT take a picture of the restaurant sign that says for all of America to see, "Wendy's Beaver, next right"
We stopped in St. George, Utah at a Jack in the Box for lunch at 1:00. Yay, their kid’s meal toy was PLAY DOUGH….which is NOT a good car-toy, if you ask me.
The Red Rocks near St. George....getting Sunny!
With the snow, it ended up being a 12 hour drive to our hotel! I stayed with Norah while DH and DS’s registered. I said to DH, “DON’T forget to order a crib for our room!” (In fact, I told him this two or three times!!!) Guess what he forgot to order? We stayed at the Holiday Inn for super cheap with our “connections”. Kids eat for free and the adult’s entrée’s were semi-cheap. The only thing I didn’t care for in this hotel was the hallways’ ceilings were quite low. In fact, all the ceilings seemed too low. Like when you’re in a basement, or hut, or something. It was clean and the CM’s there mostly (sort of) spoke english. At least they nodded as if they understood…
Our room was on the 3rd floor, #3323, and it was probably as nice as our room at Port Orleans Riverside in WDW. For SUPER cheap. Doing my “Fuzzy Disney Math”, that meant more money for souvenirs!!!
Luckily, we had brought our own pillows because the hotel’s pillows were very small and square and hard and icky.
I had to call down to get a crib sent to us which came right away, thankfully. I squirted a bunch of Purelle onto a wash cloth to wipe-down and sanitize the rails and bars of the white metal crib.
Since we were exhausted beyond all reason, we all hit the hay by 9:30. We were even too tired to jump on the beds as per our usual reutine as rednecks. By the time my eyes were closed, the loud (LOUD!!!) boom, BOOM, boom, BOOMs started. Oh MY, the fireworks are LOUD from our room. BUT!….but it took me back to my bedroom as a child with the yellow shag carpet and butterfly wallpaper every weekend evening listening to the far off “boom-booms” and feeling comforted.
Riley slept in the same bed as me. He held my one hand in his two hands next to his heart. He squoze my hand three times and whispered, “That means, ‘I love you, mom’”…So, I gave his hand three squeezes too and we fell asleep even with the fireworks booming.
After a 3 hour “nap”, at 7AM we were piled into the Suburban with junk food and a cooler full of mama’s caffeine. A freak snow storm had come through Salt Lake starting a few hours before and dumped several inches of slippery, dangerous snow. Great! We paused in our un-shoveled driveway to say a quick prayer of safety (and sanity) before departing.
It was reeeeeally snowing! It took more than 15 minutes to go the first mile due to power outages. These two pictures are at the exit to our subdivision in suberbia, Utah...
After reviewing the weather report, we knew it would get much better as we headed south. And it did. We only had snow for the first 300–ish miles!
Ron had just worked 6PM to 6AM yet he insisted HE drive for the first little while. I reminded him it is much safer to drive DRUNK than it is to drive sleepy. He just wanted to get us going onto the interstate. He has his reasons. So I caved.
I called DS17(Jordan) one last time to list off “The Rules”:
1. NO other human beings are allowed in our house while we’re gone. Not in our yard (front and back), garage, sidewalk, basement, roof, etc. See, you HAVE to be very specific or he’d for sure find some technicality or loop hole.
2. No fire of any kind.
3. Lock the doors and triple check them!
4. Dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher NOT hand-washing dish detergent. I almost put labels on them with “THIS” and “NOT THIS” written on them!
5. No bleach.
6. Make sure the cats are not locked in any rooms…or YOU are cleaning the pee/pooh/hairballs.
7. No internet
8. No R rated movies. No worse rated movies. Pretend Jesus is watching with you. NO, Jesus doesn’t like beer.
9. NO FUN WHATSOEVER (yes this actually, IS on the list)
So at 7AM, the umbilical cord was figuratively cut. I had faith in my eldest son. Yes, I did-ish.
Luckily, it was “rush hour” on the freeway to add 30 more minutes to our time. So we plunked in a movie for the “Are We There Yet?” choir in the back. They are happy campers, so I placed the earphones in my ears and cranked up the volume to Aerosmith
. I don’t like when DH drives anymore than he doesn’t like when I drive. I am cautious and law abiding. I know the law is something like 1 car-length per 10 miles an hour ( 5 car lengths between you and the car in front of you = 50 mph, for example). DH’s take on that law, especially in the snow, is more like ½ car length per 20 miles an hour . I kept slamming on the “air brakes” and sucking in my breath dramatically. I think I may have screamed once or twice. I couldn’t help it. He kept going too fast and slamming on the breaks, skidding and nearly missing the car in front of us!!!! After 62 minutes, we stopped at the McDonald’s in Lehi for breakfast and to use the restroom.
Knowing DH did not get the luxurious 3-hour nap last night like I did, I drive. I drove most of the way there while he attempted to sleep in the “way-back” (or, “BACK-back”). He accused me of weaving back and forth!
We had just gotten the allignment done so the stearing felt loose. Whatever. I entertained myself by singing "Jesus, Take The Wheel". DH was NOT amused.After the first DVD, and DH’s little nap, we played PNDQ. The road game. You have to actually see something that starts with only P or N or D or Q. The words can’t be read on signs. Pretty much only nouns. You earn snack money for the next stop. We had plenty of snacks on board so for each word, the kids earned souvenir money. I blew them all away with a heard of cows I called “Quadropeds”. I also got “Quadrunner” for a four-wheeler in some farmer’s yard. This game is really fun! I like it more than the alphabet game because it’s more limited, causing you to be more creative. I started making up smart-sounding words and my kids totally believed me! Poor things!
It snowed and snowed and snoooowed. The antenae developed a layer of snow on it, I thought was interesting. I called it an antenae stalagmite. Which didn’t start with a P,N,D,or Q, but I thought was funny.
There's a cute little city in Southern Utah named Beaver. I did NOT take a picture of the restaurant sign that says for all of America to see, "Wendy's Beaver, next right"
We stopped in St. George, Utah at a Jack in the Box for lunch at 1:00. Yay, their kid’s meal toy was PLAY DOUGH….which is NOT a good car-toy, if you ask me.
The Red Rocks near St. George....getting Sunny!
With the snow, it ended up being a 12 hour drive to our hotel! I stayed with Norah while DH and DS’s registered. I said to DH, “DON’T forget to order a crib for our room!” (In fact, I told him this two or three times!!!) Guess what he forgot to order? We stayed at the Holiday Inn for super cheap with our “connections”. Kids eat for free and the adult’s entrée’s were semi-cheap. The only thing I didn’t care for in this hotel was the hallways’ ceilings were quite low. In fact, all the ceilings seemed too low. Like when you’re in a basement, or hut, or something. It was clean and the CM’s there mostly (sort of) spoke english. At least they nodded as if they understood…
Our room was on the 3rd floor, #3323, and it was probably as nice as our room at Port Orleans Riverside in WDW. For SUPER cheap. Doing my “Fuzzy Disney Math”, that meant more money for souvenirs!!!
Luckily, we had brought our own pillows because the hotel’s pillows were very small and square and hard and icky.
I had to call down to get a crib sent to us which came right away, thankfully. I squirted a bunch of Purelle onto a wash cloth to wipe-down and sanitize the rails and bars of the white metal crib.
Since we were exhausted beyond all reason, we all hit the hay by 9:30. We were even too tired to jump on the beds as per our usual reutine as rednecks. By the time my eyes were closed, the loud (LOUD!!!) boom, BOOM, boom, BOOMs started. Oh MY, the fireworks are LOUD from our room. BUT!….but it took me back to my bedroom as a child with the yellow shag carpet and butterfly wallpaper every weekend evening listening to the far off “boom-booms” and feeling comforted.
Riley slept in the same bed as me. He held my one hand in his two hands next to his heart. He squoze my hand three times and whispered, “That means, ‘I love you, mom’”…So, I gave his hand three squeezes too and we fell asleep even with the fireworks booming.
Disneyfreak92
<font color=red>Married to a Pretty, Pretty Prince
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2005
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- 1,994
I also welcomed you home over on the Peep thread, but need to do it here too...
WELCOME HOME!!! You were missed! Can't wait to hear about the trip! Hope you had oodles of fun!
WELCOME HOME!!! You were missed! Can't wait to hear about the trip! Hope you had oodles of fun!
NAB
<font color=green>That first page just got too hea
- Joined
- May 31, 2006
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Yeah I'm first.....dang....I will take second.
UMA love the snow pictures. You look like you live in the country. Glad you maked the right dishwashing soap. Been there done that when I was a teenager and my parents got there first dishwasher.
What are Quadopeds? Is that a real word....
Riley's comment, how precious is that. Hope you got him a good birthday present while you were there.
Can't wait to here the rest.
UMA love the snow pictures. You look like you live in the country. Glad you maked the right dishwashing soap. Been there done that when I was a teenager and my parents got there first dishwasher.
What are Quadopeds? Is that a real word....
Riley's comment, how precious is that. Hope you got him a good birthday present while you were there.
Can't wait to here the rest.
celerystalker
<font color=green>Look! I'm yankeepenny!<br><font
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- Jun 30, 2006
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Aww! So sweet with Riley.
I think it's cute that holiday inn has CMs now. How appropriate for us disney freaks!!!
I would comment on your name sake sign, but I don't want to anger the DIS gods.
I'm amazed that there were no Nora escapades. Maybe next time you go to WDW, you should drive.
HA!
How many hours would that be?
I won't even do it and it's only 12 hours with no kids.
I think it's cute that holiday inn has CMs now. How appropriate for us disney freaks!!!
I would comment on your name sake sign, but I don't want to anger the DIS gods.
I'm amazed that there were no Nora escapades. Maybe next time you go to WDW, you should drive.
HA!
How many hours would that be?
I won't even do it and it's only 12 hours with no kids.
Disneyfreak92
<font color=red>Married to a Pretty, Pretty Prince
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2005
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You posted your first installment while I was welcoming you back!
Great installment, as always! Can't wait for more! Love it! Love the bag, love the shoes, love everything! (Sorry, I seem to be doing a lot of movie quoting lately
)
Great installment, as always! Can't wait for more! Love it! Love the bag, love the shoes, love everything! (Sorry, I seem to be doing a lot of movie quoting lately
)
winkers
<font color=blue>I was stuck in that position and
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I love that you call the hotel employee's cm's! I think you've benn disney brain washed!
MommyPoppins
<font color=green>Tangled with the TF in a moment
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- Nov 29, 2004
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Awww. How sweet!
Great start! Can't wait to hear more!
aldisneygrl
<font color=green>I'm putting on my shades<br><fon
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- Aug 23, 2006
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UtahMama said:
Ok, is this some kind of secret code written in your TR?
Just a wonderin'...
Glad you wiped down Norah's bed. We wouldn't want the baby to get anymore yucky infections. 
Love the rules for Jordan. Writin' 'em down as we speak. Will need for future. My DS can find a loophole anywhere. Love the roof comment. You have to cover everything don't ya'?
Love the pictures of the snow. We don't EVER see that kinda snow down here. It is absolutely loverly. Sorry it made you trip a little longer.
Next time put a Sticky note on Goofy's forehead. Then he won't forget!
Gotta love the sweet love of your little birthday boy!
Could you see them from your hotel room? That would have been really cool!
aldisneygrl
<font color=green>I'm putting on my shades<br><fon
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2006
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Okay, now Im ROTFL AND spitting tea!
Aaawww, no more laughing or spitting, just a tear and smile!
Hope you covered your monitor!
and here's a tissue V.
lexmelinda
<font color=blue>Has a Seussical googling DD<br><f
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Awwww.....so sweet....the fireworks and the three squeezes. Glad you got there safe and sound. I do not drive in the snow and keep both feet constantly on the air brakes cause my husband went to the same snow driving school as your husband.
And I love that you added "NO FUN WHATSOEVER" to Jordon's list. Funsucker!
And I love that you added "NO FUN WHATSOEVER" to Jordon's list. Funsucker!
WDW1st-timers
<font color=deeppink>In Love with MetallicA<br><fo
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February 23 The Quest For FUN
There's a cute little city in Southern Utah named Beaver. I did NOT take a picture of the restaurant sign that says for all of America to see, "Wendy's Beaver, next right"
Thanks UMA my hubby was reading the trip report along with me and now he is demanding to see Wendy's Beaver.
I almost had to slap him upside the head. How dare he ask to see Wendy's Beaver.
Wendy darlin' don't show your Utah Beaver girl. 
UtahMama
Wakey, wakey, Eggs and Bakey<br><img src=http://ww
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Ok, is this some kind of secret code written in your TR?
Love the rules for Jordan. Writin' 'em down as we speak. Will need for future. My DS can find a loophole anywhere. Love the roof comment. You have to cover everything don't ya'?
Love the pictures of the snow. We don't EVER see that kinda snow down here. It is absolutely loverly. Sorry it made you trip a little longer.
Next time put a Sticky note on Goofy's forehead. Then he won't forget!
Gotta love the sweet love of your little birthday boy!
Could you see them from your hotel room? That would have been really cool!
EEEEK! You caught a MAJOR error...I just re-did my sentence. The pillows were icky and we were too tired to jump on the beds!
Dont read too closely people! I probably should READ what I write before posting!
We could hear the "Fworks" (Norahism) as if they were right outside our window. Our view was of the ThemePark Parking structure. We did not requesst a room with a "view" so thats what ya get!
"of course we jumped on the and icky." ??? You have been hanging around Fidge too long!
The snow looked beautiful! I miss snow.
The rules sounded like the rules I was given.... I got very good at hiding evidence.
Don't worry though, I did eventually tell on myself a couple of years ago - so if anything did happen, he'll fess up one day!
Wendy's Beaver You should have taken a picture! You could have send it to Jay Leno. (or is that Letterman)
They have cm's at Holiday Inn? I think they are just hie's Holiday Inn Employees.
Riley's such a sweetie!
Very impressed with the quick installment!
The snow looked beautiful! I miss snow.
The rules sounded like the rules I was given....
I got very good at hiding evidence. Don't worry though, I did eventually tell on myself a couple of years ago - so if anything did happen, he'll fess up one day!Wendy's Beaver
You should have taken a picture! You could have send it to Jay Leno. (or is that Letterman)They have cm's at Holiday Inn? I think they are just hie's Holiday Inn Employees.
Riley's such a sweetie!
Very impressed with the quick installment!
UtahMama
Wakey, wakey, Eggs and Bakey<br><img src=http://ww
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Thanks UMA my hubby was reading the trip report along with me and now he is demanding to see Wendy's Beaver.
You have my word! It's a HUGE billboard right there along the side of the road."Wendy's Beaver, Next Right"...
NOT appropriate for young DISsers, I must say.
aldisneygrl
<font color=green>I'm putting on my shades<br><fon
- Joined
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EEEEK! You caught a MAJOR error...I just re-did my sentence. The pillows were icky and we were too tired to jump on the beds!
Dont read too closely people! I probably should READ what I write before posting!
We could hear the "Fworks" (Norahism) as if they were right outside our window. Our view was of the ThemePark Parking structure. We did not requesst a room with a "view" so thats what ya get!
Don't worry Wendy, I've got your back. We Peeps cover for each other.
The money you saved off a "view" room probably bought you more souvenirs. -
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