Two days at Universal Orlando 2007

Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving we spent at Universal Orlando. Universal offers something for everyone young and old alike. Sarah and Jane had their choice of many roller coasters, Jordan, Eric and Karoline also had many choices to make for rides. We decided the best thing to do was pay a few extra dollars and buy head of line tickets to get on the rides since the park was so crowded. Eric and Karoline really had fun here because there were many small roller coasters for them to ride.

Karoline and Eric enjoy the merry go round just out side the park main entrance. This was their good bye ride as Marci and Keith and their two kids were heading home late Saturday afternoon. Jane and I were taking Sarah to the airport that evening to catch her plane home to Dayton, Ohio.

Keith, Eric and Jordan returning from their ride on the Jurassic Park water ride at Universal. Another roller coaster type ride for Eric to enjoy. I have always told Keith not to worry about the size of his nose and that he doesn't have to hide it.

This one of three or more roller coasters that Sarah and Jane rode at Universal. Jane still has the desire to ride these steel wonders and Sarah is her willing partner on the ride. Of course Pap Pap can't take this thrill anymore and I await their return at the end of the ride.


Dr Seuss Land at Universal offers something for little kids and little kids at heart i.e. Ma and Pap Pap. It is so colorfull and makes you a part of Dr. Suess's fairy tales. The kids rode The Cat in the Hat ride, ET, crawled through many tunnels to no where etc. Universal of course offered each of the kids the opportunity to meet the TV and comic strip heros such as Spider man for Eric, Sponge Bob for Sarah, Jordan and Karoline plus many more. All in all our 7 day Florida vacation was great and created many memories for everyone. Jane and I started on our first trip with Sarah when she was 5 years old and made a scrap book for her of that trip. Each trip there after with Jordan, Eric and Karoline ended with their own scrap book and updated ones for Sarah and Jordan. We are already looking forward to another trip to Disney, Universal and Sea World.

Sea World Orlando, Thanksgiving Day 2007

The gang at the shark and sting ray tank at Sea World. Everyone enjoyed the Shamu show, seeing the Manatees, sharks and all the other sea creatures Sea World offers. We thought Sarah might not want to make this trip as she may have been to much of a teenager to hang out with old people and little kids. When Jane and I asked her she jumped at the chance to go back which made us happy as we always love having Sarah with us. After the day at Sea World we all went back to the timeshare and enjoyed the great meal Jane had made for us.

Sarah, Jordan, Eric and Karoline posing with the Manatee statue. Smiling faces were quite abundant during the entire vacation which indicates they had a good time.

Eric, Jordan and Karoline posing with Shamu just before we headed out for our Orlando home away from home. Of course each day ended with a visit to the gift shops and each of the kids were able to get the gift of their choice and resulted in a car load of gifts to bring back to North Carolina and for Sarah to take home to Ohio.

Thanksgiving 2007 at Orlando

Thanksgiving day was planned that Marci, Keith, Sarah, Jordan, Eric, Karoline and Pap Pap would go to Sea World for the day. Jane spent the day with JJ, our nephew who came in from Tampa to spend the day with us. Jane also stayed home to make the turkey and all the trimings.

We're in the movies at MGM

Day three our last day at Disney saw the troop at Disney MGM. Jordan saw a live performance of High School Musical, Sarah and Jane rode the Rockin Roll Rollercoaster, and Eric rode the Tower of Terror. He is now wanting to ride every coaster he is tall enough to get on. Karoline was showing a little fatigue by this time and rode Pap Pap's shoulders for a rest. Another fantastic day was topped off with the laser light show at night.

Our Monkeys

Day two of our Florida trip saw us at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here we are at the Tree of Life which also houses a wonderful 3D show of Its A Bugs Life. The Wilson/Heiner/Lotti Safari experienced a ride through the African Savanah, the Himilays, India and more. Sarah and Jane rode a roller coaster here that got stuck with the next group after they got off. They had to call in a local fire department to help get them off. Another great day was had by all and we retired to our time share and planned the next days event.

All The Right Reasons To Go

We started our trips to Disney when Sarah was 5 years old. Our second trip was with Sarah and Jordan when she turned 5 and now our thrid trip was for Eric and Karoline age 4 and 3 respectively. Niki, Sarah's sister was 4 but not quite ready to leave Mommie back in Ohio. Oh well she gives us another reason to go back when she is ready. Also with Kristi expecting in April 08 Ma and Pap Pap have reason to stay young because it will be Jullieanna's turn down the road. I told Sarah that by that time she will be 21 and she can come along and push the wheel chairs and watch out for the old folks.

Magic Kingdom Here We Come

The beginning of our big Disney, Universal and Sea World trip in Nov 07 over Thanksgiving. Here the clan (minus Jane taking picture) lines up on Main Street USA at Disney World. We started our adventures at the Magic Kigdom. A fun time was had by all and by the end of day one everyone was ready for a good nights sleep to headout for day two. Notice the shorts as the weather was a perfect 70+ during the entire week.

The second picture shows the entire clan waiting their turn to enter the Haunted Mansion. Eric and Karoline both had a great time inside. Karoline will always remember that this is the place where the ghost kissed Ma.

Jane's Imaginary T Bird

This is our first attempt at entering the cyber world and neither Jane nor I have great computer skills. We will start our first blog message with some photos of our Thanksgiving 07 trip to Disney, Universal and Sea World. We had a great time with 4 of the 5 grandkids and Marcia and Keith going along to help control the kids. This was a vacation that Jane and I derived much pleasure just watching the smiles and thrills the kids had.

Here Jane and I are posing at Universal's Drive In Restaurant. Jane has always wanted a T Bird so while we were at Disney I took the opportunity to get her as close to having one as she will ever get.