More Disney Pictures - Boat Island etc

Jepson Disney Slideshow

A few Disney Pix

Disneyworld and the Bahamas

(I am goofy tired so please excuse my mistakes.) Well folks, we are back from our whirl wind Disney vacation with the whole family; our children and their families including Chris’ girl friend Lynn and her two darling boys Wyatt and Cade. Unfortunately they had to get back to Houston after we only had the chance to be with them for two days. Fortunately for them, they got to the Magic Kingdom a couple of days before we did and were able to have a good time, just the five of them; Lynn, Wyatt, Cade Chris and Sierra. I am afraid it is all a blur, so don’t ask me which ride we went on when; besides often we split up, different groups going their own way and meeting up only for meals though even when we did split up we were continually running into someone in the group somewhere in our travels. After three or four days in the Disney parks, we hopped on a mini-bus and drove to Port Canaveral where we boarded the Disney Wonder cruise ship for a three nighter in the Bahamas. The first full day we were in Nassau. After an hour or two in and out of shops on Main Street (or whatever it is called) Judy and I and Corey and his family took a cab to the Atlantis Hotel, a luxury complex and looked around the lobby and in and out of the shops as well as looking at the part of the hugemungous aquarium that you can see for free. The kids of course were mesmerized by the ship. (For Niki’s viewpoint of this and the trip in general including a slide show, see her blog @ http://gregandniki.blogspot.com/ ) The second full day we spent on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay where some of us including nine-year-old Jayden went snorkeling in the bay. There was a variety of activities to do or one can just lay out, which Judy and I did a lot of the time in beach chairs in the shade of palm trees. A barbeque lunch is included on the island so no one has to go back to the boat to eat. It is included free of charge. It started to pour rain around 3:00 if I remember correctly but we had been on the island for five or six hours and were ready to leave anyway. It rained so hard that I was completely cleaned of all sand and salt water. I’m sure I was a sight, parading along in nothing but my orange swim suit. The food and the shows on the boat were wonderful though by the last night I had to force myself to go to the show. I was dead tired. Our dinner seating was at 5:45 so our show time was at 8:30. I know it doesn’t sound late but after a long day… After three nights on the boat it was off to the Pop Century Disney Hotel for two more nights and two more days in the park. I though I was doing well, keeping up with the gang but later on, on the last day I became extremely tired and ached badly from my knees down. Judy wasn’t doing too well that way either. We had a wonderful time but it sure is good to be home to my own tub/shower and bed etc. As a note of interest, I turned sixty-five on the boat (3 Oct) and was sung to at dinner as well as being given a shiny paper crown, a pair of glitzy sun-glasses etc… it seems like there was something else. Oh yes, Judy bought a set of party lights that read “Happy Birthday” and strung it up in our state room.

MY FAIR LADY

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Last night Judy and I enjoyed My Fair Lady and the Pioneer Memorial Theater at the University of Utah. It was very well done. As usual we had dinner beforehand and as we do most of the time, we ate at the Market Street Grill; just a block away from the theater. They have the world’s best clam chowder. Elder and Sister Dallin H. Oaks attended the play, and of course I had to say hello and shake his hand. He looked older than when I talked to him two and a half years or so ago.

Doing the Jepson

Friday, September 19, 2008 By the way, I just got back from the pool. Last night our home teachers, Peter Leukel and Rick Bos came over for their monthly visit. They are very consciences (is that the right word?) about doing their job. Before sitting down and doing the “long” visit which comes before the lesson, Rick mentioned that he had been at the pool doing “The Jepson.” Now, be aware that is not an anomaly. Since I am at the pool jogging for an hour on a regular basis, most of the older sisters in the ward and others have started jogging and are now calling it, “Doing the Jepson” or “Doing my Jepson”. It started with Janet Wolsey, wife of Terry Wolsey the High Priest group leader. Of course I am flattered.

Buffalo Trees

Friday, September 19, 2008 Speaking of doing “The Jepson.” There is a row of old-very large Cottonwood trees lining the south side of Saratoga drive next to the fence that borders the pool, pavilion, boat harbour etc. When I do “My Jepson,” I generally jog back and forth across the pool at the line that divides the shallow end from the deep end. It is just the right depth for me. As I am at the west side of the pool facing east and looking to the north and east, there are five Cottonwood trees that look as if there are four trees and to me at least look like a giant buffalo with its back raised in a humped stance. It is facing east with its head turned slightly to the south as if it were looking out across Utah Lake. It has a buffalo’s beard and there is even a hole the right size and position for an eye. It even has four legs (tree trunks) in just the right places. Quite remarkable to someone with an imagination like mine. It helps the time go by as I gaze at and admire, “My buffalo” as I parade back and forth across the pool for an hour. I have always been the sort who sees images in the clouds and marbled tile etc.