Day 2 - A Full Day of Firsts!

I woke up and couldn’t believe the alarm clock said 5:00 am.  I watched some TV on my ipad trying not to wake Scott but shortly after 6:00, he was up too!  We got ready for the day and walked a few blocks to Starbucks to grab a coffee / chai.  It was around 7:00 am when we returned so we brought some drinks to the kids and woke them up.  We talked about the day and made a plan for how to pack / dress and were heading to breakfast in no time.

Scott found a restaurant called the Blue Mermaid so we walked over there.  It is a fun chowder bar by night with a lot of cool wood working on the interior.  We had a great breakfast and a riveting game of Ticket to Ride.  Then walked a block over to the Hyde/Powell cable car.

We rode the trolley through Chinatown and over to the shopping district.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy the ride.  It’s fun to see how homes and buildings have to be built so differently to accommodate the steep hills.  It’s also incredibly interesting to watch the driver work.  And maybe the most fun is standing on the running board while you are going down the road - both kids really enjoyed that!

We got off at the end of the line and waited for a return trolley.  When we were almost back, we got off at the Lombard St stop.  Lombard Street is the steepest and most crooked street in the country.  Its is literally a zipzag of switchbacks all the way up.  We grabbed some pictures and then walked down. The sidewalk is literally a super-long flight of stairs.  It was fun watching the cars drive down as well.  

We were close to the hotel, so we made a quick bathroom break and then called an Uber.  We had a reservation at the Disney Family Museum at 10:40 am.  We got right in and enjoyed learning about the history and legacy of Walt Disney.  This museum focused on Walt’s personal life, his contributions personally and through the business toward the war effort, the early years of starting the motion picture business and the planning of Disneyland.  It was super interesting and we spent more time here than I had expected.  

After the museum we checked out some food trucks for lunch but ultimately decided on a restaurant nearby called Il Parco.  We all ate well and just as we were finishing the Uber driver from earlier arrived to drive us to Muir Woods.  

It worked out perfectly.  We took the 30 minute drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and headed to the National Monument.  When he dropped us, we agreed on a meeting time since we didn’t have cell coverage in the tall trees.

The park was incredible.  The trees are HUGE.  Some as tall as 23 stories!  Some over 1000 years old.  It was beautiful and super peaceful even with the additional people on the path.  The main trail follows a small stream and it was magical to see the towering trees, the lush undergrowth all while listening to the trickle of the water.  I honestly cannot do it justice in my description.

At the end of the line, we left the main manicured trail and took a hiking trail that followed a ridge above the creek.  It was a fun change with far fewer people.  But we had to watch for roots and tripping hazards as the cliff on the left side was quite a doozy.

Our Uber driver Phil was right on time picking us up and was fun to talk with on the 40 minute drive back to our hotel.  We went inside for just a beat before deciding on dinner and once again found an early reservation… so it was shoes back on and out we went to Scoma’s, a restaurant just a few blocks away, on the water, that Phil had recommended.

Again, it was a great meal!  Sour dough bread, sea food, steak for me and the kids had burgers - which looked incredible!  We headed out and decided on some ice cream sandwiches from a permanent food vendor on the walk back to the hotel.  

Just before turning to the hotel, we saw a Walgreens so Scott and I headed over to pick up a few things while the kids headed back to their room.  I love travelling with older kids!  So much fun and so independent!!

We are back in our rooms now.  It’s just after 7:00 pm and if I’m honest, we are all already in bed.  It was a big day with lots of walking but so much fun!  Cannot wait for tomorrow.

Day 4 - Its the Weekend!

So this morning, we were supposed to head over to the homeowner’s Annual Meeting that just so happened to fall during our visit.  However, shortly after waking up we decided to skip the meeting because Best Buy might be installing the missing appliances today.  (Fingers crossed)

Jen and Gretchen were headed back to NC for a scholarship presentation and left shortly after 9.  

Scott and I spent most of the morning unpacking and trying to organize our piles of boxes and totes.  And would you believe it... Best Buy DID show up with our appliances.  It didn’t take them long to get the dishwasher and range installed and my kitchen felt complete.  It wasn’t yet... but it looked great and I had a perma-grin for most of the day.

The kids had spent most of the morning hanging out and watching TV so we decided to walk down to the hotel restaurant for lunch.  This was our first time on the sand and it was great to be close to the ocean again... even if we were all freezing from the cooler temps.

After lunch I cleaned off the cupboard shelves and finished washing all my dishes to put things away.  Scott finished installing handles in the master bathroom and the beverage center.  The condo is really starting to come together... and it feels great!  

Gretchen and Jenny got home shortly before supper time.  We had tacos for dinner (our first home cooked meal in the new place) and then split again.  Jenny and Sammy went back to the Disney Store to make a purchase.  Scott, Tyler and Gretchen took a walk on the beach in hopes of finding crabs and I stayed back to place a grocery order and organize my bathroom.

Apparently Jenny and Sammy had shared with the employee at Disney that she was spending her own money but wasn’t sure if she’d have enough for the puppets she wanted.  The employee didn’t miss a beat but gave her a sprinkle of pixie dust and a 10% discount and she was all set!  How sweet! Sammy was so proud when she came in the door to show us her purchase.

Next we all headed down to the hot tub.  It was the first time we all got a chance to just do something fun and it felt good!

Pretty much we all headed to bed right afterwards.  Scott and I (and Coco) spent a few minutes on the balcony to enjoy the moon reflecting off the water.  It was such a clear night and we could see very far up the coast.  Just beautiful!

Heading Home - Day 7

It was 5:14 am when I woke up, just 1 minute before the alarm sounded.   I got myself ready for the day and made sure the kids were up.  Then I went to work finishing the packing job.

We all met downstairs at 6:00 am for our pick up.  The same driver came to get us.

We checked our bags curb-side, making the move into the airport much smoother.  We had less than 20 minutes to get through security and then we boarded the tram again to get to our terminal.

We had only about a 30 minute wait before boarding our plane.

It was a smooth flight arriving a few minutes ahead of schedule.  We had about 1.5 hours in Atlanta, so we used rest rooms and then made it most of the way to our gate before stopping for lunch at Five Guys, Burgers & Fries.  

Then we sat down and enjoyed some quiet time before boarding our next flight.

 

Our next flight was appx 2 hours up to Grand Rapids.  Although we left the gate late because of delayed pilots, they planned to make up the time and arrive as scheduled.  However about 20 minutes out, they came over the loud speaker to announce the runways were shut down for snow removal and they would be slowing down to take up the time.  

You'll notice in the pic that the adults are all sleeping.  Yup, the kids played together while we all slept.  Just goes to show those who can and cannot handle a Disney trip!

We arrived only a few minutes later than planned.  It was great to be home but the snow didn't feel too welcoming to my sandal-clad bare feet.

Our driver was waiting and took us home... first the DeYoungs, then us, and finally Ray & Bev.

It was a great week but boy, is it good to be home!

I'm Sorry - Day 4

We walked into the Magic Kingdom ready for the Christmas party.  What I didn't plan on was the bombardment of people sitting / standing / crowding Main Street preparing for the shows and parade. I couldn't even step inside the park without my blood pressure jumping... I just knew we were in for trouble.

The family met us at the big Christmas tree just inside the park.  We took one big family photo and then the DeYoungs and Ray & Bev headed off to find their place for the night's events.

I'm not gonna lie... I teared up.  I was overwhelmed and needed time to make a plan, unsure of how this night would play out, and disappointed to be separated from the family.  

I received the following text moments later... "I'm so sorry".

At first, I wasn't sure how to take it.  But while writing my response I found great peace in our situation and what needed to happen next.  Here's what I wrote back:

"We knew it was a tough night for Sammy but wanted to give the family the experience in spite of that.  We love her to pieces.  Loving someone comes with pluses and minuses. But we love them anyway... I know you get that, but it's ok to remember :).  We take the bad with the awesome!   Yup tonight was tough.  But we stick together and make memories wherever we land..."

And that is what we did.  Life doesn't always go the way we plan.  Especially with autism, we need to be flexible and make accommodations as needed.  BUT... memories are made even in the unplanned moments and love shows up in unexpected places!  

It was a great night in spite of it all!

Day 4 Already? - The Animal Kingdom

The DeYoungs and the Breens met this morning to take the bus over to Animal Kingdom.  We met them in the park, about 20 minutes before our first fast pass.  So, to use up some of the time, we walked the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.  We enjoyed the exotic birds, gorillas, hippos and more!

There's a hippo behind all those fish. I couldn't see it at first but its there. Amazing! 

 

On the walk out, Uncle Jeff realized he had lost his Magic Band on our walk and ran back through to find it.  Luckily someone had turned it in to a cast member and he had it back on his wrist in no time. By now it was time for us to do the Kilimanjaro Safari.  We saw lots of animals on the way and the kids LOVED it.

We all went our separate ways.  Our family headed over toward Expedition Everest to put our name in.  On the way, we stopped for some falafel balls and a drum concert from the kids.

Once we had a ride time, we let Uncle Jeff know since he had shown interest in joining us.  Then we headed over to use the restrooms and get our family photo taken.

We met Jeff in front of the coaster and got our spot in line.  It was a great thrill ride with some of the time riding backwards and some in the dark (and sometimes both at the same time!).

We had to head to the front of the park for our lunch reservation.  But on the way we noticed a short wait time at Its Tough To Be A Bug! so we stopped to take in the show.  On the way, we were dive bombed by a group of colorful parrots after their show.  We all ducked on the sidewalk as they flew overhead.

We all met for lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe.  Dessert (the volcano) was everyone's favorite!

After we got back in the park, we all walked to our next fastpass at Kali River Rapids.

Bev and Ray decided to join us for the show of Finding Nemo.  Then we rushed across the park to arrive just in time to watch the Lion King.  Sarah and Jeff had already sat down and decided not to join us in the handicap seating.  To our surprise, Sammy was asked to join the show!  She stood up and danced and then followed a parade around the outside of the center stage as the "animals" danced in the show.

At this point, Sarah, mom and the DeYoung kids decided to head home for the day.  Ray and Jeff joined us for a return ride on Expedition Everest.

It was a fun time of day to ride as the sun went down.

On our way out, Tyler mentioned a ride that he had earlier decided NOT to ride.  He was beginning to regret his decision.  So, I asked Scott if he'd mind if I went on one more ride with Tyler.  Of course, Sammy wanted to come along as well.  So the kids and I hit the Dinosaur ride as Scott, Jeff and Dad headed home.

This was the ride that left the kids terrified last time.  They both swore they would never return!  But tonight, it was all smiles (contrary to what it looks like in the picture).  As we walked out, Tyler thanked me repeatedly for letting him try again and said he thought "we made a good memory out of a bad one!"  I was pretty proud of them both!

When we returned home, everyone was feeling pretty hungry so we headed to the quick service restaurant at the lobby.  Our family ran next door to rent some movies for the kids.

Once we got home, we made a bed for Sammy in the pull-out couch in the living room and let her watch her movie while Tyler watched shows in their bedroom.  (She ended up sleeping out there.)  Scott and I headed to bed as well.  Today wasn't so bad but the other two days took their toll and I needed to catch up on some rest.