Monday, March 4, 2024:Omelet, Disneyland scooter, J & I see Minnie, JKCH Peter Pan, Dumbo, Pirates, Dolewhip, Tomorrowland, Little Red Wagon corndog, Mexican food lunch, Thunder Mtn, Smugglers Run, Parade, Space Mtn,

Hong Kong, China

48th operating temple

Dedicated: 26 May 1996

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:20-34

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 20-25

"We Rejoice in Christ"

October General Conference

"The Sealing Power" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

We all went down to breakfast at 7:00. It was busy, but not too busy. This time I ordered a bacon and cheese omelet. I had lots of bacon just dumped in the middle of the eggs. Tomorrow I'm going to ask them to spread it throughout.

We parked in the Mickey and Friends parking structure, in the Pixar tower, level 4, Monsters Inc. You have to go through security before getting on the tram. James was taken aside and "frisked". Probably because of the metal in his leg.

Once we got to the entry plaza, we all went in. I had to go back out to get to where the scooters were rented. I rented a scooter for the day. They charged $80 on my credit card but I will get $20 back when I turn it in this evening. It seems like a lot of money but I think it will be worth it.

James waited for me just inside the entrance to Disneyland while Jared, Kacey and Charlie headed for Fantasyland to ride Peter Pan. The line was very long. James and I saw Minnie Mouse signing autographs just as we got inside of Main Street. 

Jared and I both said that we had never seen Disneyland this busy. We found out two things that could have contributed to the big crowd. 1.) This is spring break in California and probably other places too. 2.) This is the last week for the 9 year old and under $50 tickets. I said if I ever came again to ride rides, I would get the Lightning Lane passes. 

After the Dumbo ride we all went to Adventureland. Jared wanted a Dolewhip ice cream and then they went on Pirates (I think). Kacey, James, Charlie and I did some window shopping in the Bazaar store. Charlie liked the baby animals wrapped in blankets. 

Pig-in-a-blanket

We were right across from Jungle Cruise, but it was closed, so everyone decided to go over to Tomorrowland. Everyone else went on Star Tours while I waited in the ever growing crowd. I got a churro and rode my scooter around. While they were waiting in line and riding Buzz Lightyear I went over to the Little Red Wagon and got a corndog and  a strawberry lemonade. These corndogs really are better than the ones at the Corndog Castle in California Adventure. 

A cute thing happened while we were in Tomorrowland and sitting on the patio at the Plaza Restaurant.

Mamma duck took her babies over to the patio

at the Plaza Restaurant.

While the little ducklings were running around under

the tables looking for scraps of food, Charlie said:

"Look, there's the Daddy."

There he was, sitting on the roof looking down

at his family.

We didn't want to eat at the Plaza so we walked over to Frontierland

to the Mexican restaurant. I got a child's plate with a chicken taco and rice. The chicken was dry and pretty tasteless so I put some salsa on it. The salsa was in little packets and was hard to open. Let's just say it wasn't my finest meal. I wasn't that hungry because I had just had a corndog and before that a churro. So much for my diet.

Jared, Kacey, Charlie, and James went on Thunder Mountain. James said Charlie was giggling the entire time. She loved it!

Jared wanted to go on The Rise of the Resistance so we walked and scooted over to Star Wars Land. The ride was closed when we got there. It said temporarily, but who knows how long that means and we didn't want to wait. They all went on Smuggler's Run instead. I went back to Main Street and got caught in a crowd waiting for a parade to start. I bought some popcorn because Charlie had asked for some earlier. I did not have a good spot for the parade but James and Jared put Charlie on their shoulders so she could see. I think she enjoyed it and the music that went with it.

After the parade, Jared, Kacey, and Charlie went to get in line at Space Mountain. James and I went back to the car to wait. It was getting a little chilly and we were tired. 

After riding on Space Mountain, which Charlie loved, they went souvenir shopping. Charlie got a Little Mermaid bubble blower, and the baby pig in the blanket. They got a pig in the blanket for Scarlett too.

As soon as we got back to our room, I took a shower and went to bed. We both were so tired we skipped dinner. Kacey said that as they put Charlie to bed she said, "We didn't have dinner." Charlie likes routine and having three meals a day is a part of that.

Today's photos, in no particular order.

In front of Smuggler's Run

Asha from the movie "Wish"

One of Charlie's favorite experiences of the day.

She loves Asha!

Watching the parade with Grampa

Space Mountain

Back in Vernon Addy and friends 

spent the night.

Brandon, Addy, Kilee, Crockett

Jared needs sunglasses

Asleep with her baby pig and Pinky the hedgehog

under the quilt grandmother gave her.

In the elevator at Embassy Suites

 

Sunday, March 3, 2024: Denver omelet, Church @ 11:30 late for stake conference, Newport Temple and Corona Del Mar beach, Cheesecake Factory, Charlie: "We aren't supposed to eat out on Sunday"

 

Bountiful, Utah

47th operating temple

Dedicated: 8 Jan 1995

By: Howard W. Hunter

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 20:1-19

Come Follow Me

Review 2 Nephi 20-25

"We Rejoice in Christ"

October General Conference

"Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus" by Elder Robert M. Daines

"For the Sake of Your Posterity" by Elder Carlos A. Godoy

James, Kacey and I went down to breakfast together. Jared stayed with Charlie who was still asleep. They came down just as James and I were leaving. I ordered a Denver omelet but didn't really care for it. Too much of the ingredients were just dumped in the middle of the eggs and didn't really get cooked. Tomorrow I'm going back to bacon and cheese. Charlie's favorite things to eat were cereal and muffins.

I think I know why they took out the rocks and the pond. They can set up many more chairs for guests eating breakfast.

Jared looked up the time for a ward nearby. The start time was 11:30 so we left the hotel a little after 11. When we walked in the building it looked like the meeting had been going on for sometime. We realized they were having stake conference and they probably started at 10:00. 

Elder Gordon L. Treadway was the speaker we listened to. He spoke about the disciples of Jesus Christ as they gathered in the Carrizon Plateau for the Sermon on the Mount. Elder Treadway said Jesus healed all of those who needed healing before he preached to them, similar to what he did in Bountiful in the Book of Mormon. 

Some of the disciples came 100's of miles to hear Jesus speak. Others made excuses why they couldn't come. 

The blessings will come. He will heal you but you have to come to Him.

Elder Treadway is from San Diego and the San Diego temple is closed right now for renovations. Some people say the Newport temple or the Redlands temple are too far away. 

He quoted from one of Lawrence B. Corbridges talks, "Jesus Christ is the Way", from the October 2008 conference. This is the talk I almost used when I spoke at Easter time last year. Elder Corbridge says: "Life is hard, not the gospel."

I need to ask the Lord what changes I need to make to come closer to Him. 

Jesus lives! Russell M. Nelson receives revelation. He is the greatest leader of my time.

The closing song was, "How Firm a Foundation."

After church we went to the Newport temple grounds and walked around. Charlie loved the water fountain.

And a little child shall lead them.

  After we were finished at the Newport Beach temple, Jared told James to go to Corona del Mar beach. I put it in my MapQuest and away we went. Let's just say that Charlie loved the beach and could have stayed there the rest of the day. She was sad when we had to leave but did not murmur or complain.

Same beach where we took a picture of

Grampa James holding James Hayden's hand.

Toes in the sand!

We left the beach and headed back to the hotel to freshen up before finding a place for dinner. We decided to try Cheesecake Factory. It was early enough, around 4 p.m., that we only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. Charlie made the comment; "We aren't supposed to go out to eat on Sundays." Yes, Charlie you are right, and normally we do not. But sometimes when you are traveling it is okay. Charlie didn't say anything but I am impressed she knew about keeping the Sabbath day holy. I felt guilty too Charlie. I hope Heavenly Father understands.

We used our $134 worth of gift cards and then Jared paid the rest of the bill and the tip. The total bill was around $166, which means our total bill with tip was almost $200. We had crab cakes for an appetizer and strawberry shortcake to share for dessert. Poor choice on my part because I didn't like the shortcake. I should have gotten the strawberry cheesecake. James and Kacey both had salmon, Charlie had pizza, Jared had Jambalaya chicken and pasta and I had ginger soy chicken with quinoa. The food was all delicious.

When we left the line waiting to get seated was as long or longer than it was yesterday.

Back to the hotel to relax and get ready for bed. We went to bed early. We are meeting at breakfast at 7 a.m. and leaving for Disneyland at 7:30.

Sunday best for church

Saturday, March 2, 2024: Leave D&T's @ 9:30 goodbye to D,A,Ro,Ru, Lo, Wlmrt for earrings, Whataburger Jr., Airport car rental, See J&K,Ch, park car, Rudy's in Buckeye, Embassy Suites South on Harbor Blvd., California PizzaRudys in Buckeye, GScookies,

 

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 19

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 12-19

"Jesus Christ Will Redeem His People".

October General Conference

"Abide the Day in Christ" by Sister Amy W. Wright

We left Darrel & Trina's around 9:40 this morning. We said goodbye and gave hugs to everyone except Trina who I assume was at work.

We told Darrel when he questioned why we were leaving so early that we had a couple of stops to make. First we went to the new Whataburger on Signal Butte just north of the freeway and got Whataburger Jr.'s for breakfast. We then drove down the street to Walmart so I could get some earrings. I left mine at home. We also got a gallon of water, some walnuts, gum, and Icebreakers. 

When we were finished shopping it was still to early to pick up our rental car. Our appointment is at 1. I told James we should drive to the airport anyway because it is so congested and we really don't know where exactly we are going. I'm glad we went early.

The car rental place is clear on the other side of the airport and traffic was hectic. We found the company we are renting with, Sixt. It began in a foreign country and is now doing business in the USA. Expedia assigned me to this company without giving me a choice.

I want a seven passenger vehicle and I already paid $683.06. I guess $50 of it went to Expedia for travel insurance. They did that without asking me too. 

The problem was James finding a place to park our car while I stood in the very long line at Sixt. Jared and Kacey were in another line turning in the car they rented while in Arizona. James found a short term parking spot for the car fairly close to the car rental. He made it back before I got to the counter.

Our agents name badge said, The Juan, and he was. When we told him we were here a little early to pick up our car he acted concerned saying it might not be ready. And then came the bait and switch line: 

I can get you an upgrade for only $60 more a day. Well, that's the going price. I will rent it to you for $30 a day. He kept adding things on, insurance with not deductible was appealing to James. By the time he was finished we were spending an additional $382.89 and made us feel like we were getting the best deal ever! We did get a good car. It was a hybrid Toyota Sienna van. 

By this time Jared, Kacey, and Charlie were waiting with their luggage. We all went downstairs to pick up the van. After loading the suitcases and the people into the rented white Toyota Sienna we headed to short-term parking to pick up our car and suitcases. Once all of our suitcases were in the car, there was one small seat left in the third row for someone to sit on. It was rather difficult to get the seat in front of the third row seat pulled up so either Jared or Kacey could get in. Now we have to park our car. Jared drove it while James drove the van. Jared had Googled what he thought was a parking lot but turned out not to be. I found a place on Washington St. called "The Parking Spot". We headed in that direction. I forgot how creepy south Phoenix can be. The parking lot was covered and nice though. It should be, it cost $18.99 a day to park. We were all to frazzled to look for a cheaper place so Jared drove my car in and parked it. James and I will pick it up next Wednesday when we get back from California.

By this time we were all hungry so as we were on the I-10 heading to California we were looking for places to eat. Jared wanted Rudy's so he directed us to one in Buckeye. 

Jared ordered and paid for our meal. We ordered wet brisket, with sides of beans, potato salad, and creamed corn. My favorite side was the creamed corn. I ask Jared what the difference was between wet brisket and dry brisket. He said the wet brisket has more fat and hence more flavor, in his opinion. 

James, Charlie and I all got bottled drinks. Charlie got rootbeer, I got lime soda, and James got mango soda. We ate our lunch on sheets of butcher paper. Rudy's is very casual. This food was just what we needed, but what about dessert. There were Girl Scouts out front selling cookies, we saw them when we went in. Jared and I were interested in buying a box. They were loading stuff up into their car when we came along. I asked if they had any Thin Mints left but they said no, they didn't. I ended up buying four boxes for $20. We got caramel brownies, Do-Si-Dos which are oatmeal cookie with peanut butter filling, lemon flavored and shortbread. Our dessert.

We stopped in Banning for gas and mentioned Sizzler for dinner but Jared said he didn't like Sizzler. Kacey said the restroom when we stopped was pretty gross so I decided to wait. I forgot to mention Charlie sitting in her car seat. She was so good! She sang several songs from the new youth theme, "I Am a Disciple of Christ." 

There was no whining or complaining. She also played on her table with headphones on for a very long while. She kept busy.

We changed from the I-10 to the 60 to the 91 to the 57 South to get to our Embassy Suites on S. Harbor Blvd. in Garden Grove. It was raining when we arrived and the desk was busy. 

After getting settled in our rooms, the Texas bunch in 809 and us in 810, we decided to go out and look for a place to eat. I had $134 in gift cards for Cheesecake Factory and I knew there was one close by so we googled directions. It was on Katella and Clementine and the line was out the door and there was no parking spots. We soon discovered we were at an outdoor mall called The Garden Walk and there was a parking garage. We parked and walked over to Cheesecake to see how long the wait was. It was over an hour. There was a California Pizza place next to Cheesecake so we went there and got right in. Charlie asked to sit by James and I, which made me happy. On the child's menu, which she had, there were word games to play and things to color. We played tic-tac-toe and I watched her do a word search. There was a list of words to find and she found them all! She is so smart, sweet, musical and special. I just love her!

Charlie says her favorite food is cheese pizza and that's what she ordered. All of their pizzas are either 10-12 inches and considered individual pizzas. James and I ordered one veggie pizza and shared it. James and I paid the bill this time.

After dinner we went straight back to the hotel and went to bed. I am a little sad they remodeled the common area and there is no longer a big rock with a lion on top who roars on the hour, or fish pond. I guess they wanted to have more room to seat guests at breakfast. 

East Mesa sunset

Tom on Kim's lap

I think this was the Snowflake skating rink

Mesa temple visitors center