OK, It's Been a While

I was telling Bekki today that I used to be really good about journaling here, and that I've let that go. Now I see that it's been almost a year since I last wrote. Wow. Why?

I'm not quite sure. Maybe it's the void from losing dad. Maybe it's the overwhelm with life. Maybe it's that I don't think there are any important updates. Maybe it's because I don't think anyone will ever read this. 

I probably should get back into the habit of documenting my boring life. I've got the movie "Oklahoma" on in the background and I've got 2 hours 20 minutes to attempt to catch up. 

First of all, let me write some highlights:

1. September 2024 - finished my 3 years in UAFCS. I was president elect, president, then past president. The conference in Logan was great! Natalie and I presented on what it takes and what it looks like to attend an international conference. Our students presented on best practices. Both sessions were well attended. I spent a session or two in the halls, talking with Natalie and Nicole. The best part of conferences is hanging out with friends. I also like getting a hotel room, paid by work. 

2. October 2024 - turned 58. It feels weird to be approaching 60. I also have a fairly new tradition of taking sugar cookies, frosting, and sprinkles to young families to celebrate Kelly and Ben's son Zachary, who died 5 months in utero. Oh, speaking of babies, Allie had a miscarriage in August, but got pregnant right away, so there we prepped for a grand baby. Allie's dear friend Taryn's mom, Crystal Arel, passed away after battling cancer for a few years. It was heartbreaking. Crystal was a nurturing mom to many. 

Lacey and Cody Carter, Brent and Katy Carter's kids decorate cookies

3. November 2024 - took Mel to Disneyland. I have my annual pass and it seemed like a great idea to go together. Spent time with Sarah and Cameron and a great day at the park. Cameron started our trip with a "surprise activity." We got in the car and he wouldn't disclose where we were going. Even Sarah didn't know. He had scheduled a test drive of a Tesla Cyber Truck. that was a blast. I tried mole sauce for the first time, and loved it. At least, I loved expensive mole. I spent $35 on parking to try to ride the new Tiana ride. I got a timed entrance, but was running out of time before we had to head to the airport. I asked a very nice cast member, who walked me through the line, and to the entrance so I could ride. That ride gets you VERY wet. I'm glad I got to go on it, though. It was open only for pass holders. I forgot to grab the free poster, but Maria Trump had an extra one, which she gave me. I've framed it, and it's in my kitchen. Karen was in town for Thanksgiving. She invited me and mom to the Crockett pie night. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was a pie making night, not a pie eating night. We left after a couple of hours. I had a good laugh about it, because most pie nights I've heard of are for eating. It is a good idea, but I told Karen that the event was falsely advertised. 

The nice cast member who got me on the ride

I'm so excited to ride!

Enchiladas Divorciadas - mole and green chile

Our surprise activity

Crockett Pie Night

Sooo wet, even with a poncho and flip flops

4. December 2024 - finished the semester and went to California to help babysit Derek and Rachel's kids while they went to Japan for Comic-Con. Kristen went first. We overlapped for a couple of days, then I was solo. Watching those kids is no joke. Maria Trump, my friend who has a young adult daughter with autism have had some good laughs about my experience. At first, I was surprised by the lack of structure and that Charlie eats his meals alone in Derek and Rachel's room. It took me only a couple of days to give up, and just let him do what he wanted. Kids with special needs are a lot of work. He likes two burritos for breakfast - one for each hand. I would get up, take care of breakfast for all the kids, get them ready for school, take them to school, etc. It wasn't until my last day that I learned that Charlie usually shows up at school with his uneaten burritos. Wow, that would have saved me some daily hassles. Raine was in a community theater production of "A Christmas Carol." Kristen saw it one night, and I went another night. She did great. The whole production was great, getting me in the Christmas mood. Kris and I bought bags of "Elf" cookies for everyone, and watched the movie with the kids. Since I was already down there, I got together with Maria and Amy and we went to Disneyland. We really enjoyed our passes this year. Maria's daughters Sierra and Sydney joined us with the understanding that they couldn't "act like sisters." They had to behave. LOL. It was great. I also spent time with Sarah and Cameron. Allie and I flew to Cabot, Arkansas, for Crystal's service. We stayed with Jess Hewlett and her husband. They live outside of Little Rock. We also spent some time in Little Rock, seeing the capital, Little Rock Central High School, the monument to the Little Rock Nine, and got some good food and shopped a bit. We got the Steven's Special, which is an iconic rice, chicken, and queso dish. We had our delicious Christmas dinner of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, Yorkshire Pudding, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Mel and I fell in love with that meal in London. The kids were so thoughtful with their gifts. Kamiko gave me a little blue glass bird, a nod to "Arthur's Perfect Christmas" that we watch every year. Mel gave me a peanut Christmas tree ornament and a beautiful Karl Larsson calendar. I had surprised Mel with a reindeer peanut JellyCat that made her cry when it arrived. She was so excited about it. Bekki gave me some beautiful handmade candles for next year's advent. I can't wait to use them. She's very thoughtful. I committed to lighting my candles and enjoying the warmth of that little bit of winter light. 

I was willing to sit in front. Never again. Soooo wet. 

Kamiko, Mel, Bekki, me, and mom

Raine, Charlie, Kristen, Milo

Milo, me, Raine, and Charlie

Riley, Jessica, Lane, Allie, and me

Arkansas State Capitol all decked out for Christmas

The Arkansas Nine

My blue bird

Me, Sierra, Maria, Syd, Amy

Dinner group moms do Disney...again!

5. January 2025 - took mom to visit dad's grave. I haven't taken her there many times, but I like to give her quiet time there. I usually walk around the cemetery a bit. Started the process to get my roof replaced. It had defective shingles. Projects like this are difficult for me to do, and I wish I had a husband to help, but I'm getting more and more independent. I feel like I'm getting emotionally stronger and healthier with time. We're gearing up for study abroad...constant emails to coordinate 6 weeks' worth of appointments. It's A LOT! I'm sure this will be my last study abroad. It's too much for me to juggle. Allie came into town and she picked out fabric for me to make flannel blankets for her little BOY. His name will be Thomas Ren McClendon, going by Tomo. We love him already. 

Smiles all around when the driver buys drinks 

6. February 2025 - UACTE conference in St. George. I had to drive a van of students there and back. Natalie and I presented on what it looks like to attend an international conference. Our students presented again. We have 15 student teachers, which must be some kind of record. Natalie, Nicole, Pam Rock, and I are running ragged trying to observe and mentor all of them. They're doing great, though. I was asked in December to present the SFL Faith in Learning lecture on February 14. I think it went well. A lot of students (SFLSA and FCSE) came. Starlyn and Natalie came too. I do like sharing my testimony and the miracles I've seen in my life. I feel very blessed. Then Natalie, some students, and I went out for pedicures and burgers on Valentine's night. I was the advisor for SFLSA and the mentor for the FCS ambassadors. It's been a very busy year for mentoring. VERY BUSY! We tried many, many ways to spread the word about FCS. Some were successful...some not so successful, but we kept trying. The SFLSA presidency and I were invited to attend the BYU basketball game as guests of President Reese. I got to bring a plus one. Kamiko came, and we had a blast. We had VIP tags, awesome seats, snack bags, etc. We had a great time. Some of the students had never been to a basketball game before. We joked that they really peaked with their first game in the Marriott Center and that it would be downhill from there. 

Me, Ruby, Ashley, Abby, Kourtney, and Natalie

Ethan, Michael, Lizzy, me, board members, Emily, and Emma 

7. March 2025 - Trip to Disneyland with Maria Trump to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival. We tried lots of fun treats, including some gourmet macaroni and cheeses and spam and rice. We were there on a big adventurer day. It was an unofficial day for fans of Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones to gather, dress up, and have a scavenger hunt. It was fun to see their creativity. Maria and I agreed that it would be fun to go on Jungle Cruise with a bunch of them. Allie and Tommy came into town and Allison, Mel, and I threw a baby shower for them. Friends and family were so supportive to come and help celebrate our new baby who's coming in May. My house can handle a lot of people. It was a bit crowded, but we made it work. It is what it is. Keenan was going to come, but didn't come at the last minute. He chose to fly to Indianapolis for her shower there. Some of Allie's former students came, which was really cute. Then, because everyone was in town, and it was springtime, we had our annual Easter egg hunt. Always so much fun. Shauna Crockett got married, and I had fun seeing Karen and family for that event. 

Mel, Allie, and Allison

Mom and dad

8. April 2025 - Time to wrap up the school year and get ready for study abroad. Taught my advanced class how to cook a nice steak on the stove, and they were successful. Natalie, Amber, Chad, and I helped at grad night. I got to greet many SFLSA students, FCSE majors, and give Summer, Connor Crockett's girlfriend, a hug. I also went to graduation, and was able to give her a hug when she walked across the stage to receive her diploma for a degree in Geography. Kamiko, Bekki, and Jerry sold their house in Vineyard and moved into my basement for a few weeks until closing on a new place. The Brau's basement is housing Jameson and his cats, so they couldn't go there. I'm happy to help them. I take Jerry on walks. I was on my way to a meeting on campus when a school bus sideswiped me. I saw them taking the turn too tightly, honked my horn, and just watched them keep driving. I heard a crunch! WHAT!? It was raining. A security kid came and helped and called campus police. In the end, my car was totaled and I got $3,000. Not bad, considering the car is 20 years old. I decided to not repair it, but keep driving it until it died. They placed dad's grave marker in the Holden Cemetery, and I took mom down there to see it. Bought a new-to-me Bernina sewing machine. My Pfaff is from 1988. I got a really nice machine that had been used at BYU. I'm excited to do some projects. I'll take a class when I get back from study abroad. 

Mel got a machine, too. We're here with Dr. Dawna Baugh

Look at that sewing view

SFLSA presidency and advisors. Amber Williams, Emma Lambert, Kourtney Glenn, Emily Dana, Ethan Lloyd, and me

I love this cooking class

Summer is graduating

The school bus went along the entire driver's side

Graduation bound

Spring walking buddy

Look at all of those April graduates in FCSE

Get Ready for Year 25

This year marks the beginning of my 25th year teaching at BYU. Wow, I was 32 when I started. Annie Oswald teased that I was 4 when I started. 

BYU did some crazy schedule changes and classes started on a Wednesday instead of a Tuesday. As a result, I lost my Tuesday lecture time with my advanced class. I thought I had thought it through and planned well how to cover everything in 3 hours. I had to do intro to course, expectations, talk eggs, then have a lab that included an extra recipe. Well...I forgot to account for the 1.5 hours it takes to make Pavlova. YIKES! I finished talking with less than 1.5 hours left. We had to hurry and get the pavlova in the oven. A couple of groups had to start over because they added the sugar too soon to the egg whites. We finally got all the pavlovas in the oven and worked on Eggs Benedict. We only went about 10 minutes over. I apologized profusely for not planning well. Many of them want to teach foods, so I asked them what I could have done differently. They mentioned that I should have gotten them in the kitchen soon, and we could have talked while the pavlova baked. BINGO! That's what I should have done. That's what I will do in the winter. I've already changed my notes and rearranged the order of my slides. 

Whew, we made it. 110 went well. The students worked hard to get their muffins and smoothies done. I told them I needed them to work fast. I told them that junior high students make muffins in 45 minute labs, and that I needed them to work like junior high students. 

I got good news that my department voted for me to go further in the tenure process. I submitted my file in late July and they discussed my accomplishments and contributions in faculty meeting on September 5. Erin Holmes, our director, told me that my file was approved. Now it goes to the college, then to the AVPs office. I won't find out until May if I get tenure. BUT, if I don't hear from the college or the AVPs by May, that is a good sign. It means they don't have questions, that there aren't any red flags. Natalie found out when we were on study abroad, and I'll probably find out on study abroad.

Speaking of study abroad, we've met to create the tentative plan and budget for study abroad. We plan to take the kids to London, Paris, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Florence, Venice, and Milan. It's an ambitious 6 weeks. 

I was very busy with SFLSA. We were really busy putting out fires. We found that we didn't have access to the instagram. We didn't have access to the t-shirt design that they did last year. We didn't have access to so many things. Unfortunately, I got very little training. I've made calls, sent emails, and visited with people on campus. Our registration wasn't working. Our website wasn't up-to-date. Well, after a lot of work and stress and some tears, I got everything done. I hope. We had some recruitment booths for Freshman orientation and have our opening social this Wednesday. It's a very ambitious start of the school year. Whew. 

I'm also a mentor to our 2 national FCS Ambassadors, Ashley and Kourtney. We also have a local ambassador, Abby Richardson. Their job is to raise awareness about the FCSE major and to recruit students to the major. They will focus their efforts not only on campus, but also in the high schools. 

SFLSA presidency members, Kourtney Gleen, Emily Dana, and Ethan Lloyd

Me and Ashley Berges (FCS Ambassador and study abroad student) and Bruce Cui (study abroad student)

Me with our FCS Ambassadors, Ashley Berges and Kourtney Glenn

Me with SFLSA Presidency, Ethan Lloyd, Kourtney Glenn, Emma Lambert, and Emily Dana. These kids work so hard to make things work and help students find a place to belong.

I'm also trying to get to the bottom of some health issues - sleep apnea, insomnia, and hormone imbalance. It's been a very overwhelming couple of weeks. I'm very grateful for Natalie's support. 

Indiana State Fair - Winners Drink Milk

Allie's shirt

Allie was very busy and overwhelmed and there is a direct flight from SLC to IND, so I went to see my girl. I got upgraded to Delta Comfort+ both ways. I helped her with yard work, we went to Costco and Aldi. I cleaned the whole house, and we did some cooking. 

Tommy recently bought an old house that's just a couple of miles from downtown Indy, and it's beautiful. There is lovely woodwork. He said he didn't want me cleaning while I was their guest. Allie said "she said she was coming to clean and you have to let her clean." I told him that I can't just sit, so I was happy to do it.  

That's downtown Indy in the background

We also had fun! Allie and I went on walks, got yummy cookies, and went to the Indiana State Fair. The kids had already been there twice and Tommy suggested they take me. Allie's favorite is the tram. It's a tractor-pulled wagon that allows many people to sit and be driven from one point to another. It goes in a loop and is a hop-on/hop-off around the fair. Allie also loves the milk bar. For $.75, you get a cup of milk or chocolate milk. Evidently, the winner of the Indy 500 drinks milk after the race, so it's a staple at the fair. We had so much fun. We saw quilts and ate food. We didn't go on any rides. We also saw table scapes, which cracked us up. People actually submit their idea for a beautifully themed and set table. Tommy got a giant bag of kettle corn, a favorite of his. 

These are spiral-cut potatoes, fried and topped with cheese, sour cream, and chives

On the tram - me, Allie, and Tommy

Enjoying the animals

My shirt

Just before we left, we passed a booth with t-shirts. They really had some awesome shirts. I bought us each a t-shirt. I sent a picture to family, and Derek said he wanted the shirt that I got for Allie, so she drove me back to the fair later in the day and I grabbed it for Derek. 

Tommy's sister, Diari, lives in the house. She's a sharp young lady. I enjoyed visiting with her. Tommy's really good friend, also Tommy, came over one night. He's really nice. I only stayed 2 nights, but it was great. I got one of the last seats on the flight back to SLC. I'm really glad I went. 

Allie is currently waiting for her final check ride with the FAA for her private pilot's license, so she's traveling a bit. She's in Hawaii now, and says she's coming to Utah. I sure hope she comes. I love spending time with her. 

Can you believe this is my girl?

Summer California Trip

It's always nice to walk together in person. We walk while talking on the phone all the time. 

This is the best way to enjoy the beach

Look at all those birds. Kristen has never seen anything like it. 

This year's trip to California was a bit different because I couldn't go until early August and I had to be back by August 10th. Kristen and Doug had been on a 2 week trip to Africa for a safari and I had to get back for Houston Hjorth's wedding. 

So, I flew into San Francisco on a Friday afternoon and took BART to Pleasanton/Dublin, where Kristen picked me up. We mostly relaxed and watched the Olympics. We ate dinner and chatted. We hung out on Saturday, watching Olympics, and not doing much else. Sunday morning, Kristen took me to meet Maria in Tracy, where I hopped in the car to ride with her to Disneyland. We had a great drive. After 3 days at Disneyland, I spent the night at Maria's house, then met up with Kristen in Tracy on Thursday morning. I showered quickly and she and I headed to the beach. We set up her tent and just enjoyed the breezes and the waves. We were only there for about 2 hours before we had to head back to avoid traffic. Doug thought we were crazy to drive for close to 4 hours for only 2 hours at the beach. We told him we'd just be sitting at the house, talking, so we might as well be in the car, then enjoying the beach. Doug gave me a blessing Thursday night. 

Friday Kristen and I went to the outlet mall. I didn't buy anything and Kristen bought a pair of shoes. A very uneventful shopping trip. We then went back to their place. I changed the sheets on the bed and finished packing. We stopped at Kim Cassetti's house on our way to the San Francisco airport. Her daughter, Emily, was there, and we had a nice visit for about an hour. Rob's mom recently passed and we talked about that. Kim, Rob, and Michael were with her when she passed and Kim feels like her mother-in-law was reaching for something. We told her that it's very possible that she was reaching for loved ones. That's what Kim believes too. She has great faith and a love of the Savior and belief in God. She's like a sister. We love seeing each other, even if for just a short time. We always pick up where we left off. 

Spiritual Things

I spent last week in California, part of it with Kris and Doug, and part at Disneyland with lifelong friends. Before heading to California, I was listening to "The Lazy Genius" podcast and she was talking about back to school. She said in the introduction that it was primarily for people with kiddos and suggested an alternate episode for those of us without littles. I decided to listen anyway. I'm so glad I did because she talked about opening ceremonies - creating ways to mark transitions. That made me think of back-to-school blessings, so I texted Doug and asked if he would give me a blessing while I was there. 

Thursday, the day before I flew home, Doug gave me a very nice blessing. Kristen took notes. My impressions were that I was blessed to be flexible, to be able to figure things out (interesting since I had just realized I needed to reconfigure 215 in a pretty significant way - a thing giving me anxiety), to enjoy my students, and to look out for myself. Kristen's notes included the following: 

I will be healthy and strong

I will have the ability to perform my duties

I will have the ability the discern the needs of your students and those you work with that I will be flexible and adaptable and able to adjust to keep me and my students in mind

Remember to balance myself and my students and those who rely on me (note from me: to me, this means my kids and some friends)

Enjoy the time with my students as I see them progress, learn, and grow

Foster friendships around me. Assist them and be assisted 

I'm grateful for priesthood blessings. I think a back-to-school blessing is the best type of opening ceremony. I'm glad I grew up in a house that set that foundation. 

Last week, I was blessed to attend the sealing of Houston Hjorth and Savannah Butler in the Manti Temple. The sealer was so great. He was sweet and infused just the right amount of humility and humor. It was a beautiful day. Sealing...lunch...reception. More than once, the sealer pointed out parts of the sealing and said he didn't know what it meant, but he finds it important or noteworthy. One that particularly hit me was the mention of angels. He said we don't know who the angels are. They could be people who helped Houston and Savannah make it to the temple, it could be ancestors, it could be their future children. He did say with surety that the room had more individuals in attendance than who we saw in the room. I wondered if dad was with me and I felt that he might have been. Why wouldn't he be in a sealing that meant a lot to me and to Starlyn, my dear friend. It's not that I had a certainty that he was there, but I do think he probably was there, watching and enjoying my time in a sealing in the temple where his parents served. 

Judy Sumsion, Starlyn Hjorth, and me after the sealing

Look at how beautiful the temple was

The day after the sealing, I drove to church and found my hazard lights stuck on. I know that can drain the battery. I toggled the switch that I thought took care of those lights and nothing helped. DANG. I drove home and looked up solutions. I tried resets and nothing helped. I had to call Starlyn and Lee. They came over. I prayed we could solve it. I looked at a different video and realized I'd been toggling the wrong switch. I was doing the parking lights, not the hazard lights. I found the right switch and fixed it right before they got to my house - the day after a long wedding day. They are so great. They did have to come to my house sometime anyway, because I had brought home all the food from the wedding lunch. It had to be refrigerated and I was leaving. I had plenty of room in my fridge because I'd been out of town. Everyone was done eating and I was happy to help. 

Yesterday, I went to an endowment session in the Payson temple. I got there early and had time to read the Book of Mormon in the chapel. I also had time to just sit in quiet. The organ music in the background was nice. All of the sudden, I was aware that "I Stand All Amazed" was playing. It's the only hymn that dad still remembered and sang in Swedish. It's one that I partially remember in Spanish. We sang it at his funeral and I sang it in Spanish. I also switched to Swedish and tried to sing the last verse in Swedish. 

As I write this, Allie has texted me that a fellow flight school student, who is a member of the church, offered to give her a blessing. She's going through a pretty stressful time with school. I think it's so sweet that he did that. She said he blessed her that things will be ok and that Heavenly Father loves her. 

I love these little reminders that Heavenly Father is aware of me and of my kids. 

I love this family! Libby and Emmett, Garret and Lanelle, Lee, Starlyn, Houston, Savannah, Lacey with Trey, Jared, and Colby

Manila 2nd Moms at Disneyland

Last week I was in California. As part of my trip, I met up with my good friend Maria Trump, who lives in Manteca, just 30 minutes from Kristen's house. Maria and I drove down to Disneyland. We stopped at Derek and Rachel's house for a bit. Maria and Rachel spent time talking about kids with special needs. John and Maria has Abby, a 19 year old with autism, and Derek and Rachel have Charlie, a 10 year old with Down syndrome. We showed up unexpectedly because I wanted to surprise them. I had just seen them on Wednesday at mom's house. They had driven all night Saturday, arriving at their house around 2:00 am. It was a fun little visit. 

Maria and I got to Anaheim around 4:00 and checked into our hotel. We were pleasantly surprised by the size of the room. It was very roomy and provided a decent amount of privacy. I took the couch bed. Maria had brought a mattress topper, which made it quite comfortable. Maria also brought blankets for us. We went to Downtown Disney and got delicious peach ice cream at Salt and Straw, then Maria went into California Adventure to watch the parade. I was blocked out. After the parade, we got dinner at Earl of Sandwich, then went back to the hotel. It was a great drive and a fun evening. 

Amy Bowden and Stefanie Nebeker, both from our American Fork neighborhood flew in Monday morning. We picked them up, got them settled in the room, then we all went to the park. We started at Disneyland. It was crowded, but not too bad. We went on a lot of rides and showed Stefanie the ropes. She hadn't been to Disneyland in years. Amy, Maria, and I are pros. We don't even need a map. We saw the flag retrieval ceremony and all enjoyed it. Then we went back to our hotel for a couple of hours to rest and cool off. We returned to California Adventure for dinner reservations. Maria is a genius. She gets a reservation at the Lamplight Lounge for 7:30 pm. The last table seated is at 8:00. We asked to sit outside. When 9:00 came around, we had VIP seating for World of Color, the show on the water. It was fantastic. We also enjoyed our dinner. A great way to end the day. 

Maria also has a trick for getting into California Adventure. We Uber to the Grand Californian. She said that there might be a guard controlling access to the high end hotel. She said she would say we were going to dinner. I jokingly asked "where are we eating dinner?" To which she responded "Storyteller's Lounge." Well, that's exactly how it played out. There was a guard. He asked Maria, who was in the front seat, if we were checking in. She said "no, we're going to get dinner." He asked where, and she answered, without hesitating "Storyteller's Lounge." I couldn't believe it. It's a quick way to get to California Adventure. 

Friends on the road

Rachel, Derek, Raine, and me - quick surprise visit

While waiting in line for Pirates of the Caribbean, I hear "Dana!" It was my former TA and Mel's good friend, Emily Burdette. She was also there for Monday - Wednesday. 

4 beds - each of us got our own bed

Mini-fridge, counter space, 2 sinks. Great hotel.

Amy Bowden, me, Maria Trump, Stefanie Nebeker

Amy, Stef, me, and Maria

Look at that dinner view!

Day 2 started at California Adventure. Like day 1, when it got hot and crowded at mid-day, we went back to our hotel. But, before gonig back to the hotel, we went on rides, ate yummy food, people watched, and went to the pass holders lounge. I got a fun watermelon drink and delicious flat bread. I had gone there before with the Wasdens in May. 

Stefanie said she really liked how we do Disneyland...good food, lots of resting, great strategy for getting on rides, mostly enjoying time together. Maria had heard about a "buddy pass" for Monster's, Inc. It was crazy. We literally walked up and asked for a buddy pass. They handed each of us a piece of paper that said Buddy Pass. We took it to the exit and got on the ride within 10 minutes. The regular line was close to an hour. No stroller required. No disability needed. It was nuts. I learned so many tips and tricks. We also rode single rider on Soarin' Around the World. The line was about an hour and we waited maybe 25 minutes. Tuesday was really hot and more crowded than Monday. When we went back Tuesday night, Amy stayed behind to rest because she felt an ear issue coming on. We saw Fantasmic and the fireworks on Tuesday night before going back to the hotel. I sure wish people would put their phones down and enjoy the show. It's the strangest thing. We stayed up way too late talking. These ladies are so great. 

Wearing my Monster's Inc shirt, so I had to get a picture at the ride

Guardians of the Galaxy

Put your phones down

Incredicoaster

Wednesday was a half day. It was noticeably crowded from early on. Keenan surprised me with a Venmo for us to buy churros. We rode a lot of rides in the morning, got snacks, sat in the shade and rested and talked. Thank goodness for free cups of ice water. Maria got reservations for Carnation Cafe, which is a great place to grab lunch. We sat inside. It was cool and the food was good. I got a turkey club sandwich. We were going to stay until about 5:00 and take Amy and Stef to the airport, but the park was really crowded and lines were long. We had a 6-hour drive back to Manteca. So, after lunch, we said our goodbyes and Maria and I got on the road. I helped drive a bit because we were tired from a fun 3 days. 

We might have even talked Stef into getting an annual pass, but they weren't selling passes, so she couldn't get one. 

Me and Amy at our favorite bathroom. The doors are painted to resemble playing cards - a nod to Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts

Tired eyes, but very happy faces. Maria says she keeps her sunglasses on to hide the tired eyes. Good idea.