Memories of Pam

Today would have been my dear friend Pam's 51st birthday. I still have a hard time coming to terms that she is truly gone. Pam and I have been friends since before we were confirmed. She is one of those rare finds in life called "life long friends". As our kids have grown and our lives have changed we didn't keep as close touch as we use to. We always "talked" about meeting for lunch or just "getting together" as we visited at a shower or when I stopped in the store for something. We thought we had "time" and would be able to spend more time catching up. Just knowing that she was there was enough. Now that she is gone I can hardly stand it sometimes. I can't believe how many times the thought comes in my head to "call Pam" before I remember I can't. Even on this recent trip to Florida I was fighting tears thinking how I would have love to call her and hash over the trip with her as they took a similar trip with their family a few years back. In fact the last conversation I had with her was when she called me after hearing about our plans to Disney World. She just called to share in my excitement and share tips they had learned on their trip.


One thing I am thankful for are my memories of Pam. When our kids were little we didn't pack them up much and go back and forth but we talked on the phone many times a week. We were always on the "same page" whether it was our faith, raising our kids, crafts, keeping house and cooking. We've shared so many recipes over the years. I remember one time when I was actually at her house visiting and she served me a piece of her cinnamon nisua with my coffee. It was the best I had ever had. She told me her tips.....leave the dough fairly sticky and use brown sugar instead of white sugar. To this day I make the best cinnamon bread thanks to Pam and I honestly think of her every time I make it.

It gives me comfort to know that although she has gone to her heavenly rest, she will never be forgotten. Her memories are cemented in all of our hearts. They come out lovingly and close often. Every time I make one of her recipes, use my Bosch mixer, (recommended by Pam), use a household tip she shared with me or just reflect on the years when our kids were young.

I miss her dearly but I thank God that she was spared so much earthly pain and trials in the fact she was taken so quickly with out having to hardly suffer from the effects of her cancer ridden body. She was also such an uplifting testimony not only to me but to so many other Christians. Many that didn't even know her. To hear how she so peacefully and calming accepted her fate that day she was told that her time had come to an end. All her earthly trials were taken from her. God gave her that strength and peace to know that He would take care of her husband and children when she was gone. She had no fears. If we all could be so blessed on our last day. May God especially comfort Gary and her children on this birthday day.

Animal Kingdom

Friday we headed to Animal Kingdom. We were there through supper.
Taking a lunch break. We packed sub sandwiches in our wheeled cooler. That was so nice to have with us. The first day at Magic Kingdom we didn't take it and it cost a fortune to eat two meals. You pretty much can plan on a mininum of $8.00 a person. Some guy at the gate of Animal Kingdom told us we couldn't wheel the cooler that we had to rent a stroller ($10) and put it in there. This cooler can also be a backpack so Dad just hoisted it on his back until we got in the park and then we wheeled it all day with no one bothering us about it. It was HEAVY as I had about 12 water bottles and 10 cans of pop in it. We went on the Safari as soon as we got there and just parked the cooler by the entrance. When we got out, Kaitlin saw two security men wheeling our cooler away. We ran up to them and they asked us what was in it. We told them drinks and our lunch. They told us we couldn't leave it unattended. When they see something left unattended for a length of time, they get involved. Similar to the airport. They just told us to park it with the strollers next time we go on a tour or ride.
Danny took this picture of me and Dad. He didn't do too bad. All the other kids had gone on the river rapid ride. We didn't want to get wet but we did eventually all go later and did get quite wet. Danny even went. He was such a chicken. Anytime we tried to take him on anything he'd get so scared his stomach would get upset and he'd start passing gas. We made him come on the rapids and after the first time we got wet he laughed and said, "I love it!" In the car on the way to Magic Kingdom he pipes up, "I'm a chicken. I'll say it again....I'm a chicken." We just cracked up. We started calling him Mouse and should have bought him the mouse ears you see all over the park. (We tried to talk him into buying them but he refused!)
Jeanie took this picture. (Looks like someone's trying to sneak in the picture!)
Danny and Brett with Rafiki. We actually saw more characters with no lines at Animal Kingdom.

The kids with Jiminy Cricket.
Danny beating the drums in Africa.
After Animal Kingdom we went back the Magic Kingdom and decided to take the Ferryboat instead of the Monorail from the parking lot. Animal Kingdom closed at 8:00 and Magic Kingdom had late hours until 11:00. They actually kept the park open for resort guests only from 11:00-3:00 am. I was kind of glad we weren't staying on the resort as I was quite ready to leave at 11:00! This condo was only about 5 minutes from the park entrance. It was really nice!
We were waiting for the parade to start. The bigger kids passed on the parade and went to Splash Mountain instead. The parade is pretty awesome and I think they would have enjoyed it. We had to sit here an hour before the 9:00 start to get curbside. It was worth it and felt good to just sit!
Jeanie's favorite thing to do at all the parks. I think she would have been happy just shopping in the stores ALL DAY.

Today we are just chilling at the condo. The kids are out baking at the pool. Dad is relaxing doing Suduko and I'm on here. We need a day of relaxing to rest up from this "vacation".

Epcot

We had a really fun day today at Epcot. Danny freaked out while we were waiting for Honey I shrunk the Kids so I had to leave with him. As it turned out it was pretty scary with mice and snakes coming at you so I guess it was just as well. He did go on the Test Track ride with Dad and Brett. The girls and I were ahead of him and figured he was freaking out big time but he survived it and thought it was fun. The above picture is in Norway in the World Showcase.Jeanie, Danny & Brett in Mexico.
The girls in Mexico.
Molly and Jeanie in China with the umbrellas they purchased. Their names are written on them in Chinese.
Kaitlin took this picture.

Finishing our Fish and Chips in the United Kingdom. Another pic by Kaitlin.

Waiting for the fireworks to start. Kids in the phone booth.
Jeanie and Danny waiting for fireworks to start.
Snow White and Dopey with the girls. Danny refused to come in the picture because he "hates princesses".

Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach

Here we are at the Kennedy Space Center. Dad and I enjoyed it a lot more than the kids. We would have liked to go on the bus tour but the kids weren't interested in the 2 1/2-3 hour tour.
We were able to go inside the Space Shuttle. Dad and the big kids went on the simulation of a shuttle take-off. It wasn't scary, just loud and it shook you so bad that your cheeks were vibrating! Of course Danny wasn't going on this!
Danny bought this little battery operated fan. Here he is cooling himself off.
After the Space Center we headed to Cocoa Beach. The kids had fun playing in the waves.
A view of Cocoa Beach. We got back from the beach at about 6:00 and we dropped off the kids at the condo with Pizza Rolls and Dad and I went to eat at Red Lobster which is about a mile from here. Then Danny and Jeanie wanted to go swimming. I'll have to try get pictures of the pool and slide in the day time. This condo really is nice. I've washed a few loads of clothes-swimsuits and towels in the full size washer and dryer here. I'll try get pictures of the condo also. Tomorrow we are heading to Epcot and maybe re-visit some of Magic Kingdom and MGM. Friday or Saturday we will hit Animal Kingdom.

Out of order....

I was trying to put the Disney World post first and the Swimming in the ocean second but couldn't figure out how to do that. So the second post is suppose to be the first.

Swimming in the Ocean

We went to another beach. It was a little better swimming. Danny decided on the way to the next beach that he loves Florida and he's going to go swimming in the ocean no matter what! It was hilarious. We got there and he ran right in and dove under. He came up a spitting and sputtering and spitting!!!! He didn't expect the salt water! He did go under again but didn't like the salt one bit!
The kids and Dad swimming. (some stranger in the foreground)
Snacking on the beach.
Keeks in the palm trees.