The Late Homecomer

The Late Homecomer by K.K. Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My introduction to Hmong people was when I first visited my daughter's family who had just moved to Wisconsin. There was a large, happy group of Asian people at the park. She told me they were Hmong. "What is Hmong?" I asked. She said they were from Viet Nam. She was sort of right. They did live in Viet Nam, but really they are a race, a culture, a community without a country. My daughter has since made many friends with Hmong, one of whom recommended she read this book. She did and recommended it to me. It is the true story of an Hmong family who are hunted in the jungles of Viet Nam (after they assisted us in the Vietnamese war) until they escape to Thailand by swimming the Mekong River (with a baby strapped to the mother and a small scrap of embroidery her mother had made tucked between she and the baby.) They live in a refuge camp there for six years, then a transition camp for a few months, then come to America. Hmong families were sent to California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This large family was split- some sent to Minnesota, some to California. They struggle to survive, but express gratitude every day for the opportunity to live in America. This is their story, as told by the second daughter of the youngest son of this large family. Her purpose is to preserve the history of the race and the culture, and specifically, her family's history- mostly her beloved grandmother's life story. The author's ( Kalia) father instructs her on what to write when he learns she is writing the book with this powerful statement. He says,"It is very important that you tell this part of our story: the Hmong came to America without a homeland. Even in the very beginning, we knew that we were looking for a home. Other people, in moments of sadness and despair, can look to a place in the world: where they might belong. We are not like that. I knew that our chance was here [America]. Our chance to share in a new place and a new home. This is so important to our story. You must think about it, and tell it the way it is."
I am amazed that all of this happened in my lifetime and I knew nothing about it. In fact, I read the book in a very personal way, as Kalia's parents started their family about the same time we started ours. As they were being married in a jungle, hoping they would survive and the ceremony would not be interrupted by the Vietnamese soldiers hunting them, mine was performed in a beautiful temple with a large gathering of friends and family. A few months after they had their first baby girl in a dirty hut, after being captured and held prisoner(they were later able to escape.) I was having mine in a sterile hospital. My second daughter was born in the same month(December 1980) as their second daughter- the author of the book. She was born in a filthy refuge camp in Thailand, delivered by her grandmother. My daughter was delivered by a doctor and was brought home in a large Christmas stocking to celebrate Christmas around a beautifully decorated tree. It was impossible to read this book without feeling gratitude for my blessings.
I enjoyed being immersed in a culture very different from mine. I learned a lot. Though there are many differences, I can't help but see the many similarities as well. The love of family, the desire to preserve one's personal and family history, and the desire to succeed and make a difference in the world are all so much a part of all. I conclude that we are more alike than different. We are all part of the human family, and though they don't understand it yet, children of the same God. I wish I could share that message with these remarkable people. Thank you, Ms. Yang, for so beautifully sharing and preserving your important story.

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I'm Gonna Need Thy Help

My Mantra #1: "I'm Gonna Need Thy Help" or "Please help me!" When I started planning to write mantra blog posts, I hadn't even considered this as being my mantra. I have a list of others, but this wasn't even in my consciousness. But, after reading about mantras, I listened to myself- my self-talk. And this is what I most often repeat in my mind. This is my #1 mantra- and I didn't even know it! I am constantly asking my Heavenly Father for help. I wonder if He's sick of hearing the word "Help!" from me. I say it when I'm heading in to conduct a Keynote or Choir rehearsal, or when I'm trying to get all the groceries in from the car, or when I'm trying to talk myself into going to the gym, or when I'm making a scary phone call, or when I'm going into an uncomfortable social situation, or when I'm going to write a thank you note or blog post, or when I 'm going visiting teaching, or when I'm trying to get the fitted sheet over the corner of the bed, or when I'm in the dental chair, or, or, or . . . . I tell you, it's constant. My life is a prayer. A mantra is an oft-repeated phrase, the purpose of which is to bring about change in oneself. I guess this is an acknowledgment that such change is impossible without Divine help. No matter how hard I try, I am utterly and totally dependent on my Heavenly Father. Therefore, if I'm being completely honest, I have to list this as my #1 mantra. It's not catchy or profound or what I expected to write about at all. But it is what it is: my #1 mantra.

Do you have a mantra to share?

Mantras

Ahhhh! Somebody stop me! I have had SO much fun! I've had an idea for blog posts for quite some time: I want to share my mantras. Or, at least I want to share what I think a mantra is. See, I really didn't know for sure what a mantra is. I had only heard the word used in conversation, and had figured it out in context. So, I went on the Internet and I've been reading about mantras for the last few weeks. I have learned a lot and it's been really interesting and fun for me. I've listened to chants of mantras and read many articles on how to develop business and personal mantras. I've read lists and list of people's mantras. It has been so enlightening and interesting. I want to just keep reading, but I think it's time to write this post or I'm going to end up with a book! Here's a smidgen of what I've learned:

A mantra is a tool or instrument for transformation. From what I can gather it started in the Hindu religion. It's a repeated word or phrase used during meditation which is believed to have the power for change. One article I read said it shouldn't be more than three or four words long (but believe me, I've seen many exceptions to that rule!)

In Hindu meditation, the mantra is repeated over and over and over again, instigating change. "Om . . . " is a common and frequently adopted mantra. You can't get any smaller or more simple than that. It becomes a relaxation, deep breathing exercise. Try it. Just say/sing ohmmmmmm on a single note and hold the "m" as long as you can. Then say it or sing it again. I took a voice class once that showed us "Om" computerized (as well as other sounds.) "Om" makes a perfect circle with concentric circles around it when computerized. It is believed that "Om" is the center of the universe. Chanting it taps into the center of the universe. I just can't help but notice that if you put an "h" on "Om" you get what I believe is the center of the universe: HOME. Anyway, have I lost you? Stay with me. This is fascinating stuff!

In business, the effect of a mantra is supposed to be the same: Get the phrase into employee's heads, get them weighing every business decision and interaction by the mantra. Get them repeating it over and over and over in their heads, so it's so ingrained that mantra-based decisions are just natural.

My interest in the word, though, is in developing personal mantras. I guess I shouldn't use that word in the plural. A mantra is supposed to be singular- one powerful word or phrase that has the power for change. But, I have and have had many "mantras" in my life. And since this is my blog and my post, I guess I can make the rules. I want to share my mantras with you . . .over a period of time . . . . kind of like "my favorite things" posts. And, I would very much like you to share your mantras with me. What phrase do you repeat over and over and over that motivates action and change in you? You don't have to answer right now. Think about it. To get you started, here's some from individuals and businesses you might recognize:

President Spencer W. Kimball: Do it

Walt Disney: Dream big

William Faulkner: Kill your darlings. (I guess if this was my mantra, this post would not exist- but it isn't; so it does.)

Federal Express: Peace of mind

Ralph Waldo Emerson: The world belongs to the energetic

Albert Einstein: Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character

Abraham Lincoln: Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds out to be

John Shaw Billings (started what became the National Library of Medicine): Only begin.

Steve Jobs: Real artists ship.

Kurt Vonnegut: I was sick, but I'm better now, and there's work to be done. (This one might be my favorite on the list)

Thomas Edison: There's always a better way; find it.

Anne Mollegen Smith: Done is better than perfect.

Some guy whose article I read: Look for the Second Right Answer

See? Aren't mantras amazing? There's so much food for thought- and this is just a sampling of the buffet I've been enjoying. Like I said, I've really had fun- a veritable word feast! So, look for my mantras on here from time to time. I'm formulating my list and my thoughts. And again, when you feel so inclined, please share yours with me. And, maybe someday, I may write that book with everyone's mantras included. Wouldn't that be fun? "OOOHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"

My Favorite Things- Tokyo Milk Perfume: Gin and Rosewater #12

A year and a half ago, Ken and I went to Lake Tahoe for a little getaway. I enjoyed looking through the little shops. I sprayed some perfume on in one of the shops, and then enjoyed the smell of the perfume so much the rest of the day, I felt compelled to go back the next day and buy some. I ran out a few months later and found it online and ordered some more. I'm just about out again, so it reminded me that it's one of my favorite things. I guess it's also on Oprah's favorite things list. There are lots of different scents, but I like this one: Gin and Rosewater. It's really different, but I really like it. The description of it is: A beautiful balance of citrus zest, rosewood, mimosa, and mandarin. Looking at the bottle makes me happy, too, as it has a picture of a rose on the backside of the front label that you see looking through the bottle. And for perfume, it's a pretty decent price. Because of a free shipping deal, I also ordered some of the soap and lip gloss(you know me, I can't resist a sweet pot of gloss,) which I also enjoyed. Tokyo Milk No. 12- one of my favorite things.

We Don't Put Plates on Walls!

When everyone was here at Christmas-time, two-year -old Gabbi said a cute thing. She was eating in our dining room all by herself. Michelle walked in to check on her and found her just giggling out loud. "What?" "What's so funny, Gabbi?" Michelle asked. Gabbi, looking up at all the plates on her Grandma's walls, was just cracking up. "We don't put plates on walls!" she giggled.

I guess it is kind of silly, Gabbi. When looking through the eyes of a child, we can see how silly some of the things we do are! But, silly or not, I like the plates on my walls!

24 Hours of Bliss

We do a lot of traveling now our kids are gone. But this time of year- tax season- we pretty much stay put. It's kind of nice. I like normal, day-to-day boring life. So, I'm not complaining. But I do look forward to our one getaway this time of year. Ken does government audits all during the fall and audits a lot of the little towns in Utah. All towns, by law, require an independent yearly audit- and many of Ken's audit clients are the little towns of Utah. His firm does them in Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, California and Arizona. But Ken's are all in Utah. So, then, sometime in December, January, or February he has to travel to those towns and attend their city council meeting and present the findings of the audit. Usually he drives up and presents, then drives home that evening, but the Tropic one is a little too far away and it's on a two lane highway where the deer roam- so it's not really safe to drive home at night. So, we've established the tradition of me going with him on that one each year. We spend the night at Ruby's Inn where we honeymooned and always go into Bryce Canyon National Park in the morning before we come home. This year we left at 1 pm on Thursday and got home at 1pm on Friday. So it was exactly 24 hours. We loved this little trip. It gave us time to talk in the car. Then, I loved sitting outside the city council meeting in the hall and listening to him present. It's obvious that they honor him and appreciate his work. It's fun to hear my husband work. This is the town of Tropic, taken from Bryce Canyon:

We ate at the lodge there at Ruby's Inn. When the hostess sat us at the table, we were surprised to be right next to three of Ken's first cousins. They were there, attending a quilting convention. They are all avid quilters and two of them were even presenting one of the classes. It was fun to see them. I wish I had thought to take a picture. I had the camera right there, but didn't think!

They have THE best food. I think I told you about it last year. It is really, really good food. Ken loves the "bottomless" hot chocolate and has it for dinner and then again in the morning for breakfast: I love the portabella mushrooms with gorgonzola cheese as an appetizer. Oh, my, my mouth is watering looking at this picture.

I was too busy eating to take a picture of the main course of steak. Oh, and the rolls. They are so good. Here's the wagon wheel dessert.

Then we swam off some of the calories consumed in the wonderful indoor pool, and then a soak in the hot tub.

The next morning, we went into Bryce Canyon National park. It is so pristine and beautiful . . . and silent. I think we forget what absolute silence is. We were the only ones at one of the lookouts and you couldn't hear anything except occasional sound of the wind. Peace . . .

We came home rested and renewed. I love our little 24 hours of bliss!

Hinton Family Pictures

When our family was here at Christmas time, we had family pictures taken. Here are some of my favorites:

Kristen and Jared's family:

Shonna and Blake's family

Michelle and Brian's family

Us with our Seven Grandchildren

The Original Five Hintons

Mother- Daughter Shot

Sisters

Three Best Sons- in - Law

And maybe my favorite of all: I just love this picture:

Lucky Rock

I own a lucky rock:

You may remember this guy- John:

From this post: http://kenandkayhinton.blogspot.com/2011/11/tuesday-st-lucia.html

If you don't remember: I was out in the ocean on a boat in St. Lucia last November, and this Rastafarian, John, paddled out on his "water taxi" to sell me stuff (and to get rum from our boat). We got to talking and he and I became friends. That's the short of it. But what I didn't tell you before is that John gave me a lucky rock. After we visited awhile, he reached down in his boat and pulled out a rock. Then, with great ceremony, he presented it to me, declaring it was a lucky rock- obtained from the local volcano. He told me it would bring me luck. I smiled. I thanked him, and when I got back to the ship, packed it in my bag and brought it home. I set it in a basket on my dresser and kind of forgot about it. Recently, I noticed it in there. Hmmmm . . . I thought. I guess it isn't that lucky of a rock. I thought of my teeth (three of them) that have broken since I got home. I'm still seeing the dentist, trying to get two of them fixed. The dentist broke the 2nd one, fixing the 1st one. Anyway, it's been quite an ordeal. I thought of the terrible cold I had last month- and still, I have a clogged ear, lingering from that. I thought of two of my grandchildren who have had RSV- one of them having to be hospitalized. I thought of other disappointments and hard things in my life. "No, that's no lucky rock," I thought. Then, in almost the same thought, I was overwhelmed with how lucky I am: I have the kindest, nicest husband who honors and loves me. I have three beautiful daughters whose greatest desire is to be a good mother and who strive every day to be a better person. I thought of my three fine sons-in-law. And then I thought of each of those seven precious grandchildren (LUCKY!) and how much I love them. I thought of my comfortable home with running (hot) water and a washer and dryer and dishwasher and computer and many, many conveniences that make my life better. I thought of the good people I live near, the opportunities I have to serve and the joy I feel in every day. I thought of my siblings and extended family and of my heritage. I thought of the many opportunities and blessings I have in my life. "Oh, yes," I thought," That is one LUCKY rock." That is a good, good rock. Now, I know you'll all be wanting a lucky rock, too. So here's what to do: Just go out in the ocean near St. Lucia and John should come floating up. Tell him you're there for a lucky rock and that Kay sent you. I'm sure he'll give you one. He's just that kind of a guy. OR, you could just sit down and think of all the ways the Lord has blessed you and guided your life. That might be cheaper, and I think you'd find that maybe you don't even need a lucky rock. I kind of suspect I don't need one either. But I'm hanging on to it . . . just in case!

Grandpa and Gabbi Christmas Duet

Whitethorn Woods

Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy My rating: 2 of 5 stars This book was an exercise in frustration for me. I was relieved to finish it. I don't think that's the emotion you should feel when you finish a book. It wasn't a novel, really. It was a bunch of little stories, with the characters all having some connection to a place in Ireland- Whitethorn Woods. Some of the stories and characters intertwine, but it's very hard to keep track of everyone. Though Binchy is good at characterization, I kept forgetting them before they came up again, so I felt like I was always needing to go back and try to find them. I do like some of Binchy's earlier books, but just wasn't crazy about this one. View all my reviews

Patty and Hal come for a Winter Retreat

Last week, Patty and Hal came for a short visit. Hal is now a branch president at the MTC and had a big group of missionaries from his branch leave on Tuesday morning. So he felt he could miss his Tuesday evening responsibilites there. (He got another big group in on Wednesday) We always have such a good time when they come. On Tuesday, the sisters went for lunch at Sakura and had bento boxes. Yum! We were eating when Roger and Hal showed up to "take our picture." I think the waitress and staff there were pretty sure we were famous or something when two guys show up with cameras to take our picture! We then went sister shopping. We always have fun shopping together and talk each other into buying stuff. It's just what we do.

Then Wednesday, the guys went golfing. We all went to Pancho and Lefty's for dinner, then to Pam's for pie after. It was fun to visit and be together.

Thanks for coming, Patty and Hal . . . and thanks for the pictures, Pam and Roger! (I forgot my camera.)

My Favorite Things- Fortified Oat Flakes

By far, the best cereal ever made was Fortified Oat Flakes. I LOVED this cereal. I still can remember when I first tasted it.: When I was in fifth grade (that's a long time ago, people!), my best friend moved from our town of Caldwell, Idaho to Moscow, Idaho. Her mom and my mom were good friends and they cooked up this plan that I would fly to Moscow and spend a week. It was such a big adventure for a fifth grader. I had a wonderful time. (I still chant "Camera, purse, cheese!" sometimes. It's the chant Ellie taught me as I was getting back on the plane to fly home. She told me to say that to myself as I got off the plane, so I wouldn't leave anything on the plane. They'd taken me to a cheese factory while I was there. "Camera, purse, cheese!" I chanted to myself the whole way home on the plane.) I loved Ellie Frank (the mom.) She was so kind to me. Anyway, she asked me what kind of cereal I liked and I said, "Captain Crunch." So she bought me Captain Crunch and also bought Fortified Oat Flakes. I tried the Oat Flakes and LOVED them. It was misery for the rest of the week, feeling like I had to eat Captain Crunch when what I really wanted was Fortified Oat Flakes.

I was hooked. From then on, I ate this cereal a lot! It was still available when we were first married, but it was expensive, so I lived without for many years. And then, it just disappeared. Now that I could afford it; it was gone! Vanished into thin air. I can't tell you how many times I've searched up and down the cereal aisle- just hoping to catch a glimpse of that box. I finally googled it and found that it is indeed no longer made. But, I found there are many others like me that are sorely missing it. There's even a facebook page devoted to encouraging Post to bring it back: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Post-Cereal-Please-bring-back-Fortified-Oat-Flakes/101245193254832

Post: Are you listening?????

It's #6 on the Top All-Time Favorite Cereals List: http://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_votes.asp

(Though I do have to question the validity of a poll that has Cinnamon Toast Crunch at #9 [oosh!], Cocoa Krispies at #12 [double oosh!], and Life Cereal [the 2nd best cereal ever made]clear down at #56.)

What was so good about it, you ask? Well, though it's like trying to describe salt to someone who's never tasted salt, I'll try to describe it. They were flakes, but not really hard, cut your mouth flakes like Wheaties. They were softer . . .and sweeter. There was just a delicious natural sweetness- though that didn't stop me from adding sugar. And . . . (you're going to think this is weird) .. . they were really good soggy. You could pour on the milk and even if they got soggy, they were so yummy. Okay, I now have drool on my chin. Man, I miss this cereal.

Alas, this has turned into a sad, sad post, for Fortified Oat Flakes are truly one of my favorite things!

(I can remember this box with the little stitchery kits on it. I even ordered some, I think.) Sigh.

What's your favorite kind of cereal?

Disneyworld with the Mackrorys= Fun, Fun, Fun

We had a wonderful vacation for a week in Orlando with Kristen and Jared's family.

We arrived on Saturday, the 7th and went home on Saturday, the 14th.

We grocery shopped on Saturday evening and moved into our nice 3-bedroom condo. We also got reacquainted. Jakie is such a sweet, little cuddler.

On Sunday, we attended church at the chapel across the street from the Orlando Temple.

After the three hour block, we walked around the beautiful temple and took some pictures.

We had homemade lunch and dinner at the condo, and after a significant nap . . .

We enjoyed a nice, restful evening.

We started early on Monday at Magic Kingdom.

Some of the Christmas decorations were still up. I've always wanted to see Magic Kingdom at Christmas time.

We pause in front of the castle long enough to take a picture.

Kristen went to get fast passes, and the rest of us headed to Buzz Lightyear ride. The kids were SO excited to tell her all about it when she met us at the end. Their first Disney experience.

They loved driving the cars.

Next, we visited Rapunzel. She was absolutely darling and spent so much time with the kids. It truly was a highlight of the week. (I thought it was so cute how since Rapunzel was kneeling, Brielle knelt down, too)

On to "It's a Small World"

And Aladdin's carpet ride.

I saw a lot of this all week. It was run, run, run . . and I was always lagging behind.

Teacups are always a favorite.

Winnie- the - Pooh ride was one of the longest waits of the whole week. They had fun things for the kids to do while they waited.

And Splash Mountain is fun. Brielle looks terrified. Nathan wasn't quite tall enough for this ride. You had to be 40". He was devastated. His hair touched the 40" mark, but they wouldn't let him go. His parents figured out that his tennis shoes had a slightly bigger heel, so that's what he wore the rest of the week. When we got home Monday night, he ate a lot of broccoli. He was SURE the reason he grew bigger was because he ate that broccoli.

The castle was so beautiful at night.

The Electric Parade

TUESDAY- ANIMAL KINGDOM

We started the day on an African jeep safari.

We saw all kinds of animals.

The train ride was a bit of a bust. Waiting for the train . . .

The river rafting ride was a blast, but we got absolutely soaked to the skin. Nathan was barely tall enough to go, but he had to be "captain." That meant he got a special wrist band that signaled to the workers that he needed to sit in the "captain's chair"- a special chair with a yellow bar to hold him in. It made him feel so important. I sat by Brielle and we got soaked.

We decided since we were wet anyway to go again. We told Nathan that since he was captain, he needed to keep us dry. As we all got buckled in on the raft, he announced to everyone on the raft, "I'm not going to be able to keep you dry." Just so you know.

Nathan loved it and wanted to go again. Brielle was freezing. I held up my ever-present "tarp" and her parents helped her change into dry pants and jacket. She was so glad to get out of those wet clothes. Then she, Ken, Jakie and I waited near the exit for Nathan, Kristen and Jared to go again. As we waited, a little girl came out that was soaking wet. Brielle looked at her and said, "I hope her parents are as well prepared as mine." I thought that was such a sweet, mature thing to say.

After drying off a bit, we attended the Finding Nemo show. It was so well done. The actors had the fish puppets on sticks in the dark and did the voices. It's hard to describe, but it was really cool.

Then we went to the Lion King show. Earlier, Jared had gone to get tickets for it. I think they liked his cute accent and thought he was cute, because they gave him VIP tickets. We had to meet the escort at the back door. We were escorted right to the front and had great seats. Then, they kept coming to us during the show to assist. First, Ken was asked to come up and had to make the noise of a wart hog. I got it on video and intend to use it for blackmail purposes! He did a great job.

Here he is making the wart hog noise. Unfortunately his back was to us, so you can't see him making the face of the warthog. It was pretty funny!

Then later in the show, Brielle and Nathan were pulled up to be part of the musical parade. They played shakers and marched around the stage. They were awesome!

Nice work, Jared! You totally scored!

Our whole group as we were leaving the park. I can't help but notice that we still looked like drowned rats. My pants were still wet when I took them off that night. We really got soaked.

We went to dinner that evening at a pizza place. A "Balloon Man" made the kids balloon animals.

WEDNESDAY: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

We were up early the next morning to go at it again. Breakfast.

This time we went to Hollywood. There were lots of good shows there. First we saw The Little Mermaid.

The kids enjoyed playing in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground.

Ken had been eyeing those huge turkey legs all week, so chose that for lunch. He said they look a lot better than they taste.

Nathan loved the stunt show that taught how they do car chase scenes and jumps and fire and other boy stuff.

I preferred Beauty and the Beast.

Kristen and Jared went on the Tower of Terror while we were in the show. Then Brielle, Ken, and Kristen went. As they got off, Kristen and Ken were excitedly chattering about the experience. Kristen asked Brielle, "Do you want to go again?" Brielle looked up and asked incredulously, "Why?" I Loved the Rockin' Rollercoaster. The biggest thrill is the start as they blast you so fast. It's all in the dark. I know you go upside down at least a couple of times, but you can't see, so it's not as scary. THURSDAY- GRANDPA AND GRANDMA'S DAY OFF

Thursday, Kristen and Jared headed back to Magic Kingdom, and Ken and I took the day off to rest and for my blisters to heal. Ken didn't get much rest, though. He left early in the morning to go birding. He saw several new life-listers, including two whooping cranes. There are only about 200 whooping cranes left in the wild, and he saw two of them. Lucky!!! I spent the day resting and reading by the pool at the resort. We went out to dinner that evening.

Here's some of what Kristen and Jared did on Thursday. Brielle loved the parade in the afternoon. After they saw her reaction to the princesses and characters in the parade, they decided they needed to visit more of them.

EPCOT CENTER: FRIDAY

Friday was Epcot Center day. I love the Epcot Center. We went on Soarin' And Test Tracks. That was fun.

We ate lunch in Morocco. It was delicious.

Jakie signing more.

After lunch, Jared took Brielle and Nathan to do kid things. Kristen, Ken, Jakie, and I explored the world. We had a pastry and creme brule' in France.

And loved Japan. We loved going through the very authentic stores there. Kristen and Ken both served missions in Japan. Kristen was overwhelmed with emotion, seeing the sites and hearing the language. It all seemed so real. We bought Mochi and curry mix to make Japanese curry at home.

Mochi: Weird marshmallowy stuff- a Japanese treat.

Germany:

We went on the Imaginations ride several times at the end of the day because it's one Jakie could do and he loved it. Ken, Jared, and Nathan ran to ride Soarin' again. Kristen, Jakie, Brielle, and I rode this one several times.

This was in the exploration center. It played music when you jumped on the squares.

We also went on the Nemo ride a couple of times. Outside of there, was a huge aquarium that had dolphins and lots of other fish.

The Mackrorys stayed that night for the Illuminations show. It was cold that day, so Ken and I left our coats with them and went home. It's really the only thing the weather kept us from doing all week. Thank you, Mackrorys for a wonderful week! It was exhausting, but oh so fun! It truly was magical!