Disney World or Disaster World?

We made a sacrifice by choosing to go to Disney World this summer instead of coming home. We really missed everyone but finally managed to have a good time. Tara,my sister was so awesome to come out and endure the chaos with us. Our 15 hour drive down there was just fine as long as a movie was playing. As soon as one got over the quarelling began. When we finally arrived at our time share we found out that our reservation was for 2007 instead of 2006. Thanks RCI for your great customer service. We did get that all figured out and were able to settle in. The place was great and had plenty of room for our family, Tara and another family of four that went to Dental school with Alan who is now practicing in Mesa. His name is Chad Caffall if any one is looking for a good dentist. We got tickets for three days at the Disney parks and three days at the Disney water parks. The water parks were a ton of fun and perfect for the hot weather. We liked Blizzard Beach better than Typhoon Lagoon. We decided to go to Magic Kingdom on Monday. This was our first mistake. I guess Monday just happens to be the busiest day of the week. We chose to not wake up early and try to be there right when it opened, mistake number two. We opted to take the ferry over to Magic Kingdom instead of the tram, mistake number three, it only added about an hour to our entrance time. We neglected to load up with water and snacks for the kids, mistake number four. We did not get a map of the park before hand and plan out what we were going to do in what order, you guessed it, mistake number five. By the time we finally got into the park everyone was hot, cranky, thirsty and ready to go back home. Luke started the first of many epic fits that were going to be thrown that day. He then stood up in the stroller and fell flat on his nose and forehead on the asphalt. He came up bloody with a huge bump on his forehead that looked like someone had kissed him with very red lipstick. The only good thing about it was he cried so hard he fell asleep and got a bit of a nap in. We trudged through that day with one fit after another being thrown by all four of the toddlers we had with us. We had a terrible first day but Mark and Bradley ended up having a great day. As we were first driving into the Disney World park area and Bradley saw the huge sign he was so excited he turned to Mark and exclaimed, "Hug me bruthah(brother)!" They then hugged and lauged together. It was hillarious and now we all love to say it. The boys absolutely loved Space Mountain. The first time we rode was awesome. Mark and Bradley screamed and laughed the entire time. At the end of the ride Bradley was getting off and yelling, "That was Awesome!" Some of the workers at the ride loved his enthusiasm so much they got the boys' autograph and then gave us fast passes that could be used on any ride at any time. We then told them to be sure and act like that after every ride. It didn't ever get us any more goods. Towards the end of the day we discovered the trick to making Eleanor happy. We bought her one of those huge round suckers and she hardly made a peep the rest of the time. It was all smiles after that. Our trip only got better after that day. We corrected all of our mistakes and ended up having a great time. We never made it all day and into the night to see the fireworks show. We were all just too exhausted. Alan, Tara and Chad all got to star in a show at MGM where they dump water on you and shoot at you and fire goes off. It was very exciting. Tara got completely soaked and Alan and Chad did a great job acting. It ended up being a great trip. We won't ever take such young kids again or go in the summer again. We hear February is the perfect time to go. No one under 44 inches goes to a theme park from our family again if we can help it.

Luke down for the count

Eleanor in sugar heaven

Lights, camera, Action...

The happiest place on earth?

Our summer vacation

Hello family, I just thought I'd take a minute to fill you in on our Summer vacation. We spent just over three weeks in Calgary. We were up there for Jessica's sister's wedding. The weather was about 85 degrees most of the time. The sun didn't go down until 10:30 at night, so that was unusual. Tallon spent most of the day in the back yard swimming. As you can see he loves to show off his muscles. We also took him to an indoor waterpark which he loved.

The following two pictures were taken at Calaway park which is a pretty small theme park. Tallon absolutely loved the rides but he was extremely impatient when he had to wait in line. He threw many temper tantrums. The ride on the bottom was the first ride I went on. It was also the last. As you can see all of the cylinders spin in a big circle, but at the same time, each one rolls in one direction, then very abruptly reverses. This was the first ride that
I can ever remember getting sick on, so I guess I'm just not a teenager anymore. Anyways, I've learned my lesson- No more going on rides that were designed for the sole purpose of getting you so sick that you wouldn't want to go on any more rides. Jessica enjoyed going on the little kiddy rides with Tallon while I sat on the bench the rest of the day. The wedding was great and it was so nice to spend the time with Jessicas family. We really didn't want to come home to San Francisco. We miss you all and wish we could have seen you this summer!

My favortie younger sister....

Not to be a blog hog, but I had to write what I love about Amber even though it is 3 weeks past her birthday. Our internet is temperamental in our new place, and this is the first time that I've been able to use it at our house. (By the way, we really would love to see pictures and hear stories from all of your families. We don't get to see you that often, so it would be fun to see how you are all doing through the blog. Please???)

OK, so some great memories and things I like about Amber are:

Dancing crazy-style to loud music in the family room. I'm glad no one else ever saw us.

Having Amber try to teach me a dance move called the sugar.

"I only believe in girls."

Amberger

Taking Alex and Amber to the movies with me when I was in college--that was fun.

Having Amber up to visit me and Don last year for Memorial Day.

Her beautiful handwriting!

She has a great laugh and laughs often--she is spunky and a lot of fun to be around.

I remember hearing a story about Amber on a dance trip and how kind she had been to a girl who did not have many friends. I think the girl's mom actually wrote Amber a letter to thank her. It really impressed me about Amber's character, and I think that her kindness is a great quality in her.

Great photographer

She has great fashion sense and is beautiful


Having her hang out at our Mission Bay ward game parties and with me and my friends.

Amber is a great sister and it's been fun to be around her as she has grown up. I love you alot and I hope you had a great birthday forever ago!
Love, AMY

Adam's Grave

This visit was definitely a highlight for us. 

Waterfalls

We loved hiking around the waterfalls. Great suggestion Mom! 

Eatin' Dirt

On his first trip to the beach Will really took to the sand- first he ate it, then he lay down in it, then he started rolling around in it. It was hilarious to watch. 

More Petersen Grandchildren

Just so ya'll that haven't heard yet will hear, Don and I are expecting our second baby!!! We are due on January 2nd, which makes me 3 months along. So every other month starting this month until January, we have a baby due in the Petersen family...crazy! They do seem to come in clumps in this family, though. Just wanted to tell you. WE love you!

Amy and Don