Universal Studios

On Thursday we went to Universal Studios. We first rode the mummy and transformers rides because the lines were so low and then we went to Diagon Alley.

Kenzie knocking on Grimmauld Place.

Kreacher poked his head out.

We rode Escape from Gringotts.

The goblin in Gringotts.

We rode E.T.. This is the only ride I remembered from when I went to Universal Studios when I was about 7 years old. 

This ball place was so fun. We could shoot balls from guns and put balls in other things and make them blow around them.

Kenzie and Coleman climbing around.

Kenzie, Coleman, and I went back to Diagon Alley while the other went to ride other rides. We went in the telephone booth and were able to call the Ministry of Magic.

We found skiving snack boxes in Weasley's Wizard Weezeys.

Kenzie in Diagon Alley. She loved going in all the shops (much to her brothers' dismay. They do not like shopping!)

Coleman and Kenzie did all the spells they could.

Doug, Jack, and Jordan got butterbeer again.

The dragon on Gringotts blew fire often throughout the day. We rode the single rider line at Gringotts right before it closed. Coleman, Kenzie, and I rode it twice and Jackson and Jordan rode it once.

In the telephone booth.

The Knight Bus

Kenzie had Menchies for her treat.

We had so much fun again! Everyone but me liked the first Universal park we went to better. The first park had a lot bigger roller coasters that I didn't like which is why I liked it less. Our favorite rides:

Coleman: Gringotts

Kenzie: Gringotts

Jordan: Rock n Roller roller coaster

Jackson: Rock n Roller roller coaster

Doug: Gringotts

Me: Gringotts

Universal's Islands of Adventure

On Tuesday we drove 7 hours to Orlando. We're staying in a cute little cottage in Kissimmee. 

We pulled into our drive way and saw a little deer family in the yard. Two adults and a baby.

On Wednesday we went to Universal's Island of Adventure. The first thing we did was get in line for Hagrid's Motorcycle Adventure. This line is always long, but we ended up waiting in one of the longest lines it had all day. We waited about 2 hours. 

It was a roller coaster ride and Coleman wasn't sure he wanted to do it, but in the end decided he would try it and loved it. It was his favorite ride of the day. Everyone thought it was worth the wait (it was a little scary for me though:))

We saw Hagrid's house!

And Fang.

We went to Ollivanders next to watch the show and then Coleman and Kenzie bought wands.

They got the wands that let them do magic at certain spots in Hogsmead and Diagon Alley.

Coleman doing magic.

Kenzie wanted a chocolate frog for her treat. Doug and the big boys got butterbeer. Coleman got a milkshake on our way home.

Heading into Hogwarts.

Hogwarts

Doug and Jordan rode the Jurassic Park water ride and got a little wet.

Then they rode another water ride and got a lot wet.

It was this ride. Doug said before going down the waterfall they went through smaller water falls that put waves into their boats.

Sitting on an egg.

The Grinch was there!

Buckbeak!

Doug and I waiting while the kids rode Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey. Kenzie and Coleman rode it over and over and over again in the single rider line.

We had such a fun day! Everyone's favorite rides were:

Coleman: Hagrid

Kenzie: Hagrid

Jordan: Velocicoaster

Jackson: Hulk

Doug: Hagrid

Me: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (even though I didn't feel great after riding it)

Atlanta

We stayed 3 more days at Brian's house before we drove to Orlando.

On Saturday we went to 6 Flags. This was the first ride everyone but Coleman and I (and Tina and Grayson since they were at home) rode. It looked like a crazy ride. The power had gone out while they were in line (and Coleman and I were in line for the Scrambler) so they waited a long time to ride on it. Coleman and I didn't ride the Scrambler and instead just hung out and read Peter and the Starcatchers on my phone.

Tina and Grayson joined us later and we all went on Monster Mansion.

Coleman and I finally rode the Scrambler together when the others were riding big roller coasters and Monster Mansion again.

They had all their Christmas decorations up and were playing Christmas music.

On Sunday Brian's family went to church and we watched our ward from their house. After, Doug read Grayson some books.

Kenzie showered and I brushed her hair for her and Grayson wanted a turn. We also watched lots of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with him. It's his favorite show. We watched Monty Python and Encanto while we were there too as well and the movie we made in in Hawaii with the Kenyons and Crabtrees. We also watched home movies from when Doug and Brian were growing up.

On Monday we went to the church again. We played ultimate frisbee with some missionaries and we played kickball and bump.

These kids played so well together the whole time. They played lots of ping pong, Minecraft, mafia, and cards. Our kids taught them poker. 

We had so much fun and loved being able to hang out with them so much!

New Cast

Kenzie went in to get her cast removed Dec 29th. We weren't sure if she would have another one put on or not.

She was nervous about having it taken off and the pins removed.

Taking the cast off.

She was so itchy.

the pins and her scar from surgery

She itched so much she made her self bleed a little.

They said she wasn't quite ready to be without a cast yet so they put on a smaller water proof cast. She's still supposed to try not to get it wet, but it's not as big of a deal if it does get wet. 

She likes it much better. She loves being able to move her arm and it's much lighter. It hurt to straighten her arm out all the way because it had been so long since she had done it.