Two Hairy Best Friends

We knew it would be a sad day when these two best friends had to say good bye.  Charlie and Winston have been literally inseparable since Winston arrived a week ago.  They have followed each other everywhere.....outside, inside, upstairs, downstairs, under the table, around the house.   They shared the same water bowl and the same food dish.  It was quite the party over here for these little guys.

This is a very bad quality video of their favorite game of Tag.  Charlie would chase Winston around the house.  They would literally run at their fastest pace around the downstairs for at least 5 times around the loop.  Then they would abruptly stop, breathe, get a drink of water and rest.  It was a crazy game and you had to just get out of their way and watch.  So funny!

Charlie jumped up and started searching for Winston this morning.  He looked everywhere before he headed outside to do his morning thing.  He had to venture out alone this morning with no frisky little Winston by his side.  Life goes on and it's full of changes...even for a dog.

Shhhh! Best Kept Secret!

Okay folks....the Carroll family has discovered the absolutely best way to watch a movie in a public movie theater.  Seriously folks, it's just the most amazingly comfortable, pleasant experience ever!

In the lovely city of Lawrenceville, Georgia we found a movie theater that has leather recliners as seats.  Every seat for every single person is a huge comfy recliner with personalized drink holders and big arm rests.  You can adjust it with electronic buttons on the side of the arm rests for your own personal movie watching experience.  And the cool thing is you have reserved seats with your ticket purchase so you don't have to arrive any earlier than you want to guarantee a good seat.  We ordered our tickets online, reserved our seats and casually sauntered into the theater right before the movie started.  So cool!

With Ashton and Brandon visiting we were able to go to the movies as a family twice.  There is nothing better than enjoying a movie in the air conditioned, mosquito free theater during the humid summer months in Georgia.  We watched the new Planet of the Apes movie one night....it was very entertaining and kept me awake.  That's always my gauge of a good movie.  If I stay awake, it must have been good.

Our second movie night out we watched the brand spanking new Hercules movie.  And that was enjoyable too.  Full of action and cool special effects, it kept me awake as well.

Once you experience this movie theater you can never go back to just regular ol' seats.  We found a new treasure and let's keep it a secret.  We don't want word of this getting out!

A Little Red and Green Dinner

 We are the family with lots of traditions.  It's funny how a one time event can turn into family traditions that happen every year.  Christmas in July started quite a few years ago as a sneaky way to enjoy our Christmas Brunch Egg Casserole more once a year.  And now....it has to happen every year.

 Ashton and Brandon and Mama and Papa were able to join us this time around and I am grateful for that.  It would have been a sad, quiet, lonely moment at the table if it were just Stephen, Easton and me.  Oh, the empty nest problems!

After dinner we pulled out the envelope that contains the little slips of paper that we have written down our gifts to Jesus over the years.  Since we forgot to write down our new gifts to Jesus at our last Christmas we did it in July!  I had everyone pick one thing that they are going to do as a gift for our Savior and have it completed by Christmas 2014.  We wrote them down, signed them and put them in the red and green envelope.  Hopefully we have all picked something that will help us improve and become closer to our Savior.  And hopefully we will get it done!  Don't forget family!

Another Kitchen Gadget

This is my exciting tourist purchase of the summer.  When Gretchen and I went to the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) we browsed through the gift shop and discovered all of these amazing kitchen tools.  Some looked like gimmicks but others actually looked like great ideas and would probably work.  If you haven't figured it out yet, this is a spring loaded double whammy potato masher.  As you push down on the potatoes the bottom grid mashes them and then the disc shaped piece comes down as well, creating a pot of smooth, lump-free potatoes.  I've always struggled getting all the lumps out but this tool looked like it would actually work.....the PX2000 (click here for more information on the PX2000) of potato mashers!  And you know we are always looking for the PX2000!

Last Sunday's mashed potatoes finally received the first official mashing treatment and I am happy to report that this tool did indeed remove lumps and create an incredibly smooth, creamy texture.  It was fun to use and a purchase that will be used for many years to come.  Do I sound like a commercial?

Let's hear a cheer for lump-free mashed potatoes!

Well at Least I.....

While standing in the always long line at the post office, a gruff mother and her son walked up behind me.  The little boy looked to be about six and was wearing fun red pajama looking pants and a striped shirt.  He had very obvious bed head hair and was a little disheveled.  As the two planted themselves behind me in line his mother snapped at the boy, "Now stand in line and don't touch anything!"  Well, alrighty, I thought.  He must be the kind of boy that needs that kind of warning every time he gets in a line.  Since we were in line together for a while I kept overhearing the mother send a slew of negative comments to the boy.  My heart hurt for him and I wanted to just divert the negativity with a smile pointed in his direction.  He looked at the selection of stamps on the wall for a while as his mother continued to pick.  She noticed the milk mustache on her son's face and started to comment, telling him that we don't do that and he should have wiped his face off.  He then said something that has stuck with me for a few days and made me really think and ponder.  With all the sweet innocence of a young boy he meekly replied, "Well, at least I brushed my teeth."

How many times have we had a rough day full of yucky, negative moments?  I know I have headed to bed many times and thought, "What have I even accomplished today?"  Negative thoughts can bring us down and make us feel worthless.  We know these thoughts are tools of the adversary to make us feel insignificant and hopeless but yet we can fall into the trap of self pity so often.  This week I have heard that little boys' phrase repeated over and over in my brain as I have gone through my often mundane schedule of laundry, cleaning, cooking and all the other seemingly insignificant moments of my day.  When I changed my thought process to the "well, at least I brushed my teeth" mantra I found that I could appreciate the little things I was able to accomplish during the day and feel like each day was full of significant accomplishments.  Well, at least I did two loads of laundry.  Well, at least I spent some time playing a game with my son.  Well, at least I read half a chapter in the Book of Mormon.  Well, at least I sat on the front porch for a few minutes with family talking and laughing while watching the doggies play. Well at least I got the Sunday dishes done on Monday afternoon. The list of "well at leasts" in our days can be found all the time if we just open our eyes, clear out the negativity, and remember to keep it simple.  Life is a journey, a process of little "well at least" moments that we create.  Be on the look out for those moments....it may just surprise you how often they happen.

Games and More Games

"When the family gets together after evening work is done,

Then we learn to know each other popping corn and having fun.

Then our father tells a story, Mother leads us in a song,

And it seems that nothing in this world could possibly go wrong."

I remember singing this song in Primary and just loving the scene that would play out in my mind of a happy family spending time together and having fun.  That was really a nice, childlike dream that played out last night.  I like playing games with my family.  I actually would rather play games than sit and stare at a nice rectangular screen with flashing lights and sound.  It's fun to get together with family to play a random game, think, laugh, compete, and make memories.  Last night we played Phase 10 with the crew and we actually made it through all ten phases.  I've never played the entire 10 rounds before, usually stopping at phase 5 because we lose interest.  We stuck it out and had a great time.  It came down to the very end and the competition was intense....we played hard and had a great time.  

Oh the struggles....

SURPRISE

These three paid us a surprise visit last Saturday morning!  Stephen and I were just doing our thing in our jammies and Charlie started barking at the front door.  What the heck?!?  I asked Stephen if someone had rung the doorbell but he said no.  Then we heard dome strange dog barking outside in the front and Charlie was going crazy.  Since I was in my jammies I told Stephen to go check it out.  He looked out the front door windows and there was Brandon and Ashton and Winston.  It was a great surprise!  They drove all night from Austin, Texas where they are working for the summer and arrived around 11:00.  They are staying for about a week and we are so happy to have them with us.  The house is full of noise again and it's just fine with me.  Charlie and Winston are seriously best friends and they follow each other everywhere.  They jump on each other, wrestle, eat the same treats, go outside together, nap together and protect their domain together.  It's the cutest thing to watch.

Best Friends

Winston and Charlie....These two just love each other.  They are inseparable, wherever one goes the other will surely follow.  Charles, at three years old is definitely the more mature one and appears to "tolerate" Winston's shenanigans.  They wrestle, jump on each other, play, bark, chase, share treats, go outside together, and have started taking naps together.  It's really added some spice to Charlie's life to have a little playmate.

Amusement Park Fun

We spent two full days of fun in Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure down in Orlando, Florida after our little beach excursion.  This was a great side trip since we were already down in Florida and we had never been to Universal.  It was hard not to compare this park to Disney World and they actually don't really compare.  They're both very different and both are fun in their own way.  I have posted a ton of pictures so feel free to just browse or just skip them altogether!

There are two parks that we visited and with the park hopper pass and a ticket to the Hogwart's Express we were able to switch parks anytime we wanted to.  The highlight of both parks was the Harry Potter aspect.  There was Hogsmeade in one of the parks and Diagon Alley in the other.  It was literally like stepping into the pages of Harry Potter.  The details in the architecture and all of the shops in the town were amazing.  We enjoyed browsing through each of the store windows, finding little things right out of the book and movie.  It was easy to get caught up in the whole Harry Potter world atmosphere and want to go to Hogwarts and find Harry Potter and all the crew!  It just seemed so real!

 This was the wand shop where we were able to go inside and watch someone being picked by their wand.  What a magical experience!  Easton browsed through the vast selection and wands and finally decided on getting the replica of the Harry Potter's wand.  He got an interactive wand which meant he could use it throughout the park to perform magical spells and chants.  You looked on the ground for gold inlaid medallions that signified the spot to perform a spell.  You stood on the medallion, waved your wand in just the right way and something surprising and magical would happen!

There were so many wands to choose from...it was a very hard decision for Easton!

 A stroll through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter wouldn't be complete without trying their famous Butterbeer.  Easton LOVED it!  He got the frozen version which was like a slush.  It tried it and it was too sweet for me.  It was like a very sweet juice that tasted like cream soda without the fizz and then their was a thick layer of cream on the top.  I think Easton had four or five when it was all said and done!  In this picture he is holding a container of pumpkin juice, another popular drink.  We tried that as well and it tasted like a very cinnamon version of cold apple cider.

 A picture with the conductor of the Hogwarts Express

 Waiting to get on the Hogwarts Express to head over to London

Inside the train we could look out the window while the train was moving and see what adventure was going on outside....we saw Harry and the crew and all sorts of action packed drama being played out, all while we sat safe in our little train cabin.

 We have arrived in London and then Diagon Alley.  This place was seriously cool.  Every shop had a theme.  The window displays were all moving and cleverly done and the merchandise in the store was incredibly creative and fun.  It was very tempting to buy every cool thing we saw, but we restrained ourselves!

 This is a view of the main street in Diagon alley with shops on both sides of the street.

 This sign says Mayhem this Way.....it led to the joke shop.

 Notice the dragon on the top of the center building.....it would blow fire out of its mouth every ten minutes or so....quite impressive!  You could feel the intense heat of the fire ball when it was spewing.

 More selections of wands.  These wand stores were always packed with scores of people trying to find the right wand.  Children and adults as well purchased the wands and could be seen all over the park performing magical spells at just the right places.  I think the purchase of wands must keep this park in business!  Everyone was carrying a wand (except me).

 During the afternoon of our first day in the park the sky just exploded with rain.  Everyone scrambled to find a roof or awning to wait under.  It rained for a long time and people just sat waiting, including us.  Easton and I went exploring in some dark, cold alleys called Knockturn Alley.  It was seriously dark and evil.  After about an hour we braved getting wet, went to a store and bought cheap plastic rain ponchos and carried on.  Rides were all shut down from the rain but we were still able to enjoy the park and went on some of the indoor rides.

 Stephen waits for the rain to stop.....which NEVER did.

 The purple double Decker Knight bus....

 We ate dinner at a yummy seafood restaurant in the park that had an impressive aquarium full of colorful tropical fish.  Throughout our entire dinner a blue fish that looked like Dori in the movie, Finding Nemo swam in circles around the tank.  It was a seriously cookoo fish!  It literally swam super fast around the tank the entire time we were there in the same path.  You can see it to the left of Easton's head.  We asked the server if the fish ever stopped swimming like a crazy fish and he said, "nope!  He swims like that 24/7."  What a funny little fish.

 Walking out of the park at the end of our first day......

 The second day in the park was extremely sunny and hot!  Stephen's back was really hurting so he stayed in the hotel to rest and alleviate some of the pain.  It was Easton and me taking on Universal again!  We wanted to spend more time in Harry Potter world since we felt a little slighted from the rain yesterday.  We started our day off by riding the Hulk....a massive, twisty-turny, upside loops four or five times intense roller coaster.  It was a little extreme and we felt a little bit turned around when we got off.  Easton loved it!

 We headed back to Hogwarts to ride the two intense roller coasters, part of Dragon Challenge.  Each dragon is a completely different ride that twist and loop at high speeds across the sky.  The first one was so fast and intense.  It went upside down in loops at least five times and did a few really crazy fast spiral loops.  I was so done after the first dragon roller coaster.  I told Easton he would have to do the other one without me.  I waited in line with him for the second one and he convinced me that it was a milder ride with no upside down loops.  I have always been a huge roller coaster fan so I decided that I would be OK since it didn't go upside down.  UM......WRONG.  We got on it and discovered that it went upside down as many times as the other one and it was just as crazy and intense.  As I write this description it is making me nauseous just thinking about it!  When we got off the second coaster I was done for....I became one of THOSE people.  You know that ones that can't walk straight getting off the ride.  My head would not stop spinning and I had to hang onto the way while we exited the ride.  I just stood at the exit trying to get my self stabilized.  I seriously felt awful.  The intense heat and humidity were not helping my case any so I walked with Easton and found a place to just sit while he went on the next ride.  I tried to find a shady spot to rest in and just shut out the world.  I sipped water.  When Easton came out we moved to the 3d Harry Potter roller coaster.  I still couldn't go with him so I waited  while he went on the ride.  This time I sat at the opening of the ride which was a dark, air conditioned area that was just heavenly.  I closed my eyes and I think I even napped a little.  At one time one of the workers came up and asked me if I was OK.  After Easton rode this new favorite ride of his three times, we decided we probably needed something to eat since it was way past lunchtime.  A chocolate covered frozen banana sounded delightful so we sat and ate.  Well folks, the chocolate covered frozen banana may have sounded delightful but my stomach didn't agree with that sentiment.  I was quickly looking for the nearest trash can with three in my vicinity to choose from.   Thinking quickly I chose the one furthest away from the crowd.  Yes, I was that pathetic person at the amusement park that I always thought was bizarre.  I instantly began to feel better after my moment with the trash can and was able to enjoy the rest of the day with Easton, but NO more roller coasters!  We rode the Hogwarts Express over to London and spent a lot of time in Daigon Alley.....loved that place!

 Here is Easton using his want to cast a spell....notice the gold medallion on the ground that signifies the exact spot to perform magic.

 The window in front of the candy store displaying chocolate covered frogs.

 The Broom shop

 We ate dinner in this huge banquet hall that reminded me of the eating place at Hogwarts.

 Notice the fish pie and the jellied eels in the window.  Everything looked very real and GROSS!

 The dragon getting angry and spewing it's fiery blast.

 The town looked really cool at night with everything lit up.

 Easton passes through the brick wall to Platform 9 3/4 to catch the train back to Hogsmeade Station

Easton and I closed the park down and had a blast doing it.  Despite a few glitches along the way we made some awesome memories.