Typhoon Lagoon

Thursday, May 29th

True to Disney- this is the best water park I have ever been to! It is themed to be like a tropical island that was hit by a typhoon, so boats end up on top of mountains, and many rivers and streams flow down the summits! The park remind me of pictures of Hawaii, and even has winding paths through the jungle, and my personal favorite, "Castaway Creek"- the slow moving river that transports you through the jungle to different parts of the park. The absolute best for Jon and I was the new "crush n gusher"- a roller coaster type water slide that takes you down AND up for a wild ride! It was a perfect day for the water park- very HOT and even though it seemed like there were a lot of people there, we hardly waited for any of the attractions.

We could even snorkel through a salt water fish tank, with live tiny sharks and other fish! Though Marcus and Cynthia were to scared to do it. I am also a bit squemish of swimming with fish- so we all watched Daddy have a great time!

My favorite water slides were the body slides- they were great! (see marcus below)

This park also hosts the biggest, best wave pool ever built. We had a hard time getting the kids to do anything else! In the picture below- you are only seeing the tag end of the wave! I really felt as if I was at the ocean (except for the chlorine smell).

So far, I think this has been the kids' favorite thing we have done at Disney World. They are a couple of fish!

The Happiest place on earth

Wednesday, May 28th- Magic Kingdom

What a day! We saw almost everything- including many characters (I only posted pictures of some of them) which is Cynthia's favorite thing to do - - and even a parade. Some of our new favorite attractions are Mickey's Philharmagic, Monsters Inc Laugh floor, and Buzz Lightyear space ranger spin. And of course- the classics like Pirates of the Caribbean (which now has Jack Sparrow, Cpn Barbossa and Davey Jones from the movies), Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Cynthia also loved the Enchanted Tiki Room! Marcus especially loved Space Mountain!

We also met Cinderella and Belle along with Aurora (in the picture above- Briar Rose- who Cynthia's middle name is named after!)

EPCOT

Tuesday may 27th

Our first day at Disney World- we went to one of my favorite parks (and the park I worked at while on the college program in 1997)- EPCOT!

From riding Test Track to seeing Mickey Mouse- we had a great day! We didn't even see everything in the park - - we will be going again next week.
Mickey! We also saw many other characters- I am having trouble getting pictures on my blog, so I am only doing a few. He was the one we were most excited to see!

The Living Seas Pavilion was one of our favorites. Besides the new Nemo ride, we loved Turtle Talk with Crush. The computer animated Crush actually interacts with the audience and was hilarious! He talked to both Marcus and Cynthia. The best was when Cynthia raised her hand to ask a question- and said "I can ride my bike without training wheels!" Another funny Cynthia story was when we saw "Honey I shrunk the audience"- and when the mice (or what feel like mice- it's really just puffs of air) come out into the audience Cynthia started looking under our bags to find the mice!

We saw many other great things that we loved. The kids did pretty good- Cynthia loves fast rides, not anything dark and scary (even if it moves slow), and especially loves meeting the characters to give them a hug. Marcus likes most everything, though he doesn't like to be rushed through anything and gets really frustrated if I don't listen to every observation (I wonder who he inherited that trait from). I am realizing how different it is going someplace like Disneyworld as the parent, and not the kid! What? I have to actually stay on top of what my kids are doing, and plan what we are going to eat?? Not a relaxing vacation, that's for sure! Well, it is like parenthood in general- very tiring and not easy, but totally worth it and very rewarding.

A very long day

We are in Orlando! It was an adventure getting here, that's for sure. We left Des Moines at 6:30 am to drive to Omaha to fly our at just after 11 am. We were supposed to arrive in Orlando after a change of planes in Memphis, at 4:30 pm. Instead we arrived at 10:00 pm, and had to wait over 1 1/2 hours for our luggage . . . by the time we checked into the resort, it was after 1:00 am! Why? All due to a thunderstorm in Memphis, our connecting city. We had to land in Little Rock, refuel, and then go to Memphis after the storm had ended -bringing us in 2 1/2 hours late (so of course we missed our connection). We then had to fly on a different airline with another stop in Atlanta. 3 different airplanes and 4 stops - phew- I guess that is the adventure of flying!

Because we were so exhausted today after a day like yesterday- we went to Epcot instead of Magic Kingdom for our first day- and did a shorter day. Today was amazingly fun- I will post some pictures and stories later- I am going to bed!

Doctor Jonathan James Wilson!!!

What amazing words to hear. What a feeling it was to hear those words, and to see Jon get "hooded" at graduation on Saturday! After graduation we went out to eat at Robin's Wood Oven Grill and took our parents (both sets came for graduation) on a little tour of Des Moines. We also took the kids swimming at their hotel pool. What a road medical school has been! One side of me is amazed how fast it went, and the other- is thinking- finally! I am so grateful to Jon for the wonderful husband he is- he truly handled the rigors of school without neglecting his family (mainly me!). In turn, I feel like I have done my best to be supportive- and we have made it through with an even stronger relationship. For this I feel truly blessed!

Sunday, after a wonderful church service at our old ward in Des Moines (it was great to see everyone!) We enjoyed going to Amanda Stumpf's wedding- she looked so beautiful! I am so happy for you- congratulations!

I finally got a picture of me and Lisa Akers! The picture to the right is Amanda and John at their wedding on Sunday.

Des Moines- so many good friends . . .

We made it! Phew- it was an exhausting day of traveling with 3 young children, luckily we didn't have any major problems or delayed flights. Lillian was a little hard, but slept on the flights (thank goodness!). Cynthia was the one falling apart- she was so excited, she woke up at 5:30 in the morning Wednesday! We arrived in Des Moines about 11:00 pm (we drove from the airport in Omaha). It was wonderful to drive down the familiar streets of Des Moines- though it was a bit wierd- like coming home from a 2 year vacation.
Lillian watching the planes before our first flight!

Even though the weather here has been cold and a bit rainy, we have really enjoyed the vibrant green forests of Des Moines. I had forgotten how naturally green it is here!

Our first day (Thursday) was a day full of seeing our friends- how wonderful it is to see them again! We first visited Lisa Akers- she is one of those people I think I knew in another life, because we were instant friends when we moved here. We became very close- and I have dearly missed her.

Another dear friend- Tammy Hibbard put together a picnic for all the graduates from our ward who are back in town- so we got to see many other wonderful people we knew. Below is a picture at the park of Tammy (the one sitting down) and Rachel Sedrick, another wife of a graduating student.


We visited the Hibbards in the afternoon after Jon took care of some school related things- they are a family we have really missed! Their older kids used to babysit for us- and we got together many times for barbeques or walks. Tammy is one of the most amazing mothers I have met!

We had dinner at another friend's house- Fayme Pettit (pictured above), who I became close to the last year we lived in Des Moines. Her husband is a DO student, just a year behind Jon- and they lived in the same apartment complex we used to manage. I have many memories of going together to do water aerobics with Fayme, while I was pregnant with Lillian!

On to today (Friday)- - We had a picnic at DMU for families, which ended up mostly being indoors due to lousy weather! We saw more friends (including Travis and Natalie Williams!!) at this event- and the kids had a blast getting balloon hats . . . until Marcus tripped while racing Cynthia to the car and popped his sword balloon! Don't you just love Cynthia's rainbow hat?

We visited Amanda Stumpf, another student we are friends with (who is getting married on Sunday!) She did a lot for us while we were in Des Moines- and of course the kids always loved seeing Wilson, her dog! (pictured below).

Then off to Lisa's again, which darn it all, I keep forgetting to get pictures of! I think it is because I will see her every day- so know I will have a chance again. So- soon I will be able to put a picture.

This is a picture of Olga and her daughter Angie- who were wonderful enough to open their home for us to stay in while are in town. She is another amazing student we met by hosting when she came to interview at DMU. She is moving back to the Seattle area for her last year of rotations next year, so maybe we will get to see her more! She has also been a wonderful friend over the years.

This evening was the DMU graduation banquet (Angie babysat- thanks angie!). It was fun to get dressed up and have a nice meal . . .

And the highlight of the banquet was that I saw Natalie William's again (another student family who lived in Sunnyside with us for the 3rd year)! Those of you in Sunnyside will be interested to know they are doing great! They are preparing for their move to Denver for Travis to start his residency in Internal Medicine. It was wonderful to see her again! Doesn't she look amazing!

so excited

As you may have guessed- we are so excited! After 4 years of working hard, planning and waiting, it is finally here! First we head off to Des Moines, Iowa for Jon to graduate from Medical School (Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine). He will be hooded and finally be officially Dr. Wilson!!! We will also be kept busy with picnics, seeing friends, a banquet, and even a wedding. Des Moines was two wonderful years of our lives - - I am truly excited to go back for a visit. After graduation we head to - you guessed it Disney World! We have been saving our tax returns or any extra money for the past four years (this trip is not paid for out our student loans!). I am most excited to take Marcus and Cynthia!!! (Lillian will be going back to Spokane with my parents). This part of the trip is not only to celebrate Jon's graduation- it is to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary! Below is a current picture of the castle at the Magic Kingdom- specifically the statue of Walt and Mickey. The significance? Well- this is where Jon proposed in November of 1997!

I was doing an internship in Florida fall of 1997, and Jon came to visit me (we had met and fallen in love the previous summer). We both love fairy tales - - so Jon became my fairy tale prince! He first sent me on a scavenger hunt around Fantasy Land in the Magic Kingdom- which ended by this statue of Walt and Mickey. And what did I find- my prince forever, down on one knee with a ring! Jon actually put together the prince costume he is wearing, tights and all! The ring had belonged to his mother who passed away, and like Cinderella's shoe- the ring fit my finger perfectly the first time I tried it on- which was the day Jon proposed!

Here is the picture from that day- we were soooo happy- and still are. What a wonderful 10 years of marriage we have had. Oh just a note- if you are looking in the picture for the castle- the huge pink thing is it. For the year 1997- the castle looked like this, to celebrate Disney World's 25th birthday. (Personally I like the regular castle better!)

Prince Caspian

Phew- this was a busy week! Wednesday was Cynthia's last tumbling class at the Prosser school of Ballet (we will be so sad to say goodbye to teacher Shari! She has been great. At least we have the end of the year performance to look forward to). Cynthia also got her immunizations for Kindergarten (a horrible experience for all- she put up more of a fuss for than for the ear piercing! I can understand though- she had to get 5 shots!).

We also met with Marcus' school counselor and teacher to re-new his IEP (individual education plan- or in other words special education services) for next year - - mostly including strategies for the new school on how to best handle him, because he is a bit different than other kids. He is in the normal classroom, but needs different expectations from his teacher. His school here has done such a great job working with Marcus to make school successful for him this year. I am so grateful to Mr. Gardiner (the counselor) and Mrs. Matson (his teacher) for all the hard work the do on his behalf- he is a difficult one to have to deal with on a day to day basis. He has learned and grown so much this year.

Then policy council at EPIC (Cynthia's pre-school) on Thursday night for me, then back to Yakima on Friday for Jon and me to finish some last minute details with the bank, Central Washington Family Medicine, etc. We also registered the kids for school at Terrace Heights Elementary- Cynthia in kindergarten and Marcus in 2nd grade! I was really impressed with the school- I was even able to meet with a school administrator (Mr. Adamson) to talk about my concerns with Marcus and everything I heard from him was very positive and put my worries at ease! We have planned several things to make Marcus' transition to a new school a good one, such as coming the last day of school this year to do the "step-up" with the rest of the school- where kids go to their new classroom and meet their new teacher. They are also going to take into special consideration who his teacher will be for next year. Cynthia also seemed super exited to start kindergarten! That day in Yakima- we also stopped by the house with Cynthia and Lillian- and they LOVED it! They were so excited to see our cul de sac, our back yard (with the above ground pool), and where their rooms will be! Each time I see the house, I get more and more excited about living there. I feel so blessed!

Friday night was Bev Whittle's baby shower (welcome little Cody!). Sigh- I love getting together with my friends! Bev moved to Yakima a couple of months ago- and we will actually be moving into the same ward! Yea- and instant friend!

And to today- we worked HARD on cleaning our house, so we will be ready to leave in a few days (what a wonderful feeling to have a clean house- we will see how long it lasts). The highlight of the day was going to see The Chronicles of Narnia- Prince Caspian at the movie theater. Reagran and her daughter Annie, and Natalie and her son Ethan were there so it was even more fun (except for those really sour skittles!!! Ha Ha.) Jon and I LOVED the movie! I won't spoil the story for anyone- I will just say that I thought it was really well done, the visual effects were great, and the story amazing. So many good movies- too little time!!!

Pixie Cynthia

Here's my beautiful and brave Cynthia - - can you tell from the pictures what is different about her? She just got her ears pierced today! I think it looks great with her short hair cut (which totally fits her personality). I think the whole experience was more traumatic for me than her. It did hurt her when they did it and I could tell she was a bit upset (she cried a little), but now, just a couple of hours later she says they don't hurt AT ALL and she loves her new look! She was showing off to everyone. It was a huge step for me to do the piercing in the first place - this is so different than getting immunization shots because the hurt is purely for looks! Even now I still feel a little quesy and wonder if I was being a mean mom by encouraging her to get her ears pierced (though it still was her decision). Though every time I look at her, I am glad, because she looks so cute!

Twilight movie trailer

For those of you who love the Twilight series- check out this trailer for the movie of Twilight! It looks great! I saw a couple of longer ones on you-tube- if you want more. (Note- before you watch the trailer, scroll to the bottom of the screen to the music player and turn the volume off).

Our house!!!

We are approved for the house!!! The underwriter approved our loan- though there are still a few things they need to get and process to finalize it. So, unless something REALLY crazy happens- the house will be ours!!! I am so excited. It was worth all the worry. Anyway, here is a picture of the house (notice the listing had the picture taken with snow on the ground- which is funny because the yard looks horrible! Something we will work on as soon as we move in). It isn't a huge house- 1350 square feet, but perfect for us!



Here is a little blue print Jon drew up after taking measurements of each room- so this is to scale! Cynthia's and Lillian's rooms are cut off (our scanner cut off the edges)- so they are slightly bigger than shown here. The wall on the left side of the house is also cut off in this drawing- but all you are missing is the door to the garage to the left of the nook next to the kitchen (the garage, which is pretty big, is to the left of the house).

Congratulations Steve and Natalie!

My younger brother is getting married! I have known for a couple of weeks- but now I have a picture . . . Don't they look great together! They are getting married in August in Utah. Boy, am I feeling old . . .

Forbidden Kingdom movie review

After a Saturday of Humanitarian Aid work, organizing the toys in my kids' room, and other Saturday activites, Jon and I went to see the movie "Forbidden Kingdom. What a great movie! We loved it. I am not a Kung Fu movie kind of person, but this was different than other Kung Fu movies. It was more of a fairy tale fantasy format (magic and all)- predictable, but extremely fun! The music was great, the fight scenes were great (no blood, and fun to watch), and we loved the story line. Morals were taught such as friendship, hard work, bravery, revenge never pays, etc. . . Jackie Chan was great, and Jet Li was also really fun to watch. The main character (played by the kid off of Sky High), is an American kid who magically gets transported to a fantasy China- where mortals fight immortals, magic abounds- and the fate of all lies on him returning a magical staff to the legendary "Monkey King" (played by Jet Li) and save the kingdom from the evil war lord, with the help of a few friends. Sounds cheesy enough- but I thought it was well done. It was a very clean movie, one I would totally take older kids to see. If you want to see a great adventure, and just have plain fun- go see this movie. Another great way to relieve stress and spend some time with my husband!

How to relieve stress

As you can tell from my other posts- I was just a little anxious last weekend, worrying about financing on our house. So- how to relieve some stress? A great hot-dog and marshmallow roast! It is amazing how much better hot dogs taste when they are cooked over a fire. Actually, they are really yummy! This was Saturday night- and nothing could have helped me feel better.