Universal Studios

My mom, Heather & I all went down to Florida to see Universal Studios for Heather's graduation trip. On our first day we had to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Heather absolutely loves Harry Potter stuff. I packed my preggie pops (no, I'm not pregnant) for my nausea with motion sickness I was sure to be faced with on all these rides. They certainly came in handy. The entire week there it was 100 degrees with a low of 77 degrees. Oregon's high at that time was about 60-65 degrees. Bit of a shock for us. But we made it somehow. The first day we spent the entire day in Wizarding World, the second day we saw the rest of Island's of Adventure. The last day we spent in the Universal Studios area. We got the Express Pass for the week and that was super nice to not have to wait in line as long as all the other people.

We have arrived at Hogwarts!!!
The train conductor.

The sign at the Wizarding World entryway.

The town as you first walk into the Wizarding World.

The clock tower.

Some other shops along the street.

The Owl Post Store

Ollivanders wands, not a ride but you still had to wait in a pretty long line to go in and witness the wand selection. They pick a younger kid in the front of the pack of about 30 people and hand them different wands. Different things happen inside the room with the wrong wands, lights flicker, ladder shakes, boxes jiggle. Then the correct wand is finally selected by Ollivander. A fun experience.

Wand selection room.

The grumpy attack book.

Hagrid's home.

The Castle

Another angle of the castle.

Jen outside the Castle. I was unaware, but there is a ride inside the castle. While waiting in line for about 45 min to an hour, we were toured (zig-zagged) through the castle. Got to see lots of very cool stuff. Got our picture taken together, mid ride, and then the rest of the week we just did single rider and then our wait was like 5 min or however long it takes you to walk to the front of the line. No express pass accepted on this ride.

A statue in the castle.

Professor Dumbledore's quarters.

The people in the pictures, like in the movie, all moved and talked. They go way up the wall. Several walls throughout the castle with that type of picture.

The talking hat. The last thing you see before the ride begins. Luckily I still had some preggie pop left to suck on. We had to put our belongings in a locker and that was where my stash of extra preggie pops were. I did pretty good during the ride. Messed with my head a little but it was a very good ride. Unfortunately you get spit on.

The dancers.

The rest of Islands of Adventures

Spiderman ride was pretty good. I did have to use my preggie pop on this ride for sure.

Fshhh, Jen and Heather shooting our spider-web strings.

Jen and Heather about to be attacked by a T-rex!

Heather and Jen being attacked by a dinosaur. Ahhh!!! We went on the Jurassic Park ride. I was told that we wouldn't get wet, but Mom & Heather misinformed me...Good thing I had my hat. They make you take your hat off and that should've been my first clue about getting wet. When we made that sudden drop off the face of the planet, I covered my face with my hat and saved my make-up. Whoosh! We did not buy that picture of us they were trying to sell...

Jen dusting a triceratop, what a great find...

Universal Studios (the other side of the park)

Heather & Jen on the bridge to Universal Studios.

The Universal Studios Globe

We went into this theatre and watched a Shrek video. The seats move and shake and you also get spit on while you watch the movie short. Being spit on seemed to be the theme of our trip.

This was a tractor they had in the side of the Twister movie building. I figured the farmers and antique tractor lovers in the family would enjoy this picture.

So this guy was outside The Mummy ride on stilts. Now, lets remember, it was 100 degrees over there that week. This ride was my favorite in the entire park!

We went on the Jaws ride. Luckily this was a much calmer ride. The only thing you had to worry about was if Jaws was going to pop up on your side of the boat and get you drenched that way. I was on a good side of the boat and never got wet on this ride. Yay!

Last is our Dinner.

On the first night we went to Hard Rock Cafe. The second night we went to Bubba Gumps (not pictured). The last night we went to Margaritaville (also not pictured).

This is the biggest Hard Rock out there. I couldn't even fit the whole building in my picture.

Jen & Heather standing outside the Hard Rock Cafe.

We walked into Hark Rock Cafe and they shoved a guitar in mom's hands and said smile. Snapped our picture and sent us on our way to our table. It all happened so fast. Luckily we looked pretty good.

Heather's OSU Graduation

Mom, dad, Doug and I all attended Heather's college graduation. She graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design and a Minor Degree in Spanish.

All the OSU Graduates.

We were way up high in the stands and this was our view for 3 hours. (Reminds me of my Hawaii post back in March 2010.)

Mom & Dad way up in the stands.

Jen & Doug

Dad, Mom & Jen on our way down to meet up with Heather.

Dad, Jen, Heather & Mom. Yeah, I know I'm short, and I'm even standing on the root of the tree.

Dad, Heather & Mom

Jen & Heather

Heather with her graduation cake.

Congrats Heather!

Carson's Last Day of Pre-School

Carson's last day of pre-school at Good Shepherd Lutheran School with Mrs Jones as his teacher. For the last day they all got to wear their pajamas. He was so looking forward to this!

From the left, clockwise: Hunter, Wesley, Owen, Carson & Aiden.

Playing in the rice box with Aiden as Wesley looks on.

Carson with his cookie that he frosted & sprinkled. Looks like mostly sprinkles...

Carson & Owen.

Carson was the line leader for going outside. He loves being the line leader, even at home.

Playing on the playground for the last time this school year.

Memorial Day Weekend 2011 at River Bend

We got the trailer out for the first time this year for Memorial Day Weekend. We went to River Bend and camped along side James & Ally with their boys.

Doug & Peyton in front of our trailer.
Carson going down the slide.

It was not a dry weekend, which was fine with Carson. He had puddles to ride through which was great fun.

"Hi guys, look at me, I'm just going to sit here till someone makes me go down the slide."

Whheeeee....

Doug out watching the kids on their bikes.

Peyton & Jen on the bridge.

Jen, Peyton & Carson.

Carson & Doug.

Carmen, Jen, Ally, Torrie & Tammi.

A few of our girlfriends came out for our last evening to let their boys ride bikes and roast marshmellows with us.