Florida- Universal Studios day 1

Bryan and I have been wanting to take our kids to Florida for awhile so decided to go over Stocktons birthday after I was done with my busy October photo sessions. We flew in to Orlando on Nov. 2nd. We stayed at a AirBNB that was a condo. It had a nice pool and the kids loved it. Because of our nonstop flight and the early hour we left it was only like 1 or 2 there when we landed. We went to lunch and of course had to eat to alligator. Which wasn't too bad! 

Our first full day was STOCKTONS BIRTHDAY! I tried to make it special for him but I think I failed. I did have balloons in the condo. And I put streamers over his door like we do at home. He also got some money to spend in the parks that day. I wish I would have let him decide what we did more and let him pick things. I think I got caught up in the trip as a family and didn't focus on him. I feel really about that now. Poor little guy went to bed feeling bad. 

We decided to go to Islands of adventure the first day. The tickets I got had an early entry pass but the ride we wanted to go on first was delayed for a problem so it didn't help us much. 

Brett and I had been reading all of the Harry Potter books together for months and months. We would read a book then watch the movie. So we were especially excited to see Harry Potter world. It did not disappoint! 

Bryan and the older three boys went on the hulk. I had been on that ride when I was 17 and my family went to Florida. I didn't think my old body could handle all the twists and turns! Brett was scared to death of the roller coasters. Although we got him on the Velocicoaster which was the best coaster I have ever been on. To get on these big roller coasters you have to empty your pockets so nothing falls out. You even have to go over a medal detector! 

So I had Bryans wallet with us while he went on the Hulk. I had it in my top pocket of my backpack. Somehow while we were walking to the back of the park it feel out of my backpack. We didn't notice until lunch soon after. The biggest problem was Bryan's drivers license was in there and we didn't know how he would fly home without it. So we started pacing the pack and going back to all of the places we had been. I even asked some of the employees as we were talking if anyone had turned in a wallet. 

By then the day felt ruined. And it had been so much fun before this! Poor Stock it put a huge damper on his birthday. I was told the main lost and found is at the beginning of the park. So we went up there while Ty and Blake kept looking around. While I was talking to the employee giving her my info in case it's turned in got a call. One of the info stands we walked by had someone turn it in! The RELIEF! 

Bryan and East wouldn't go on this ride and Blake went but you can tell he wasn't too happy about it. I even gave him my poncho! I remember the Popey ride from when I was Ty's age. It was as bad as I remember! You get so wet on this ride! Like head to toe drenched. Ty and Stock LOVED it. I thought it was so funny. Blake wasn't too happy. 

Butter Beer! A must in Harry Potter world! The frozen one is the best! Everyone had to share but my Stockton who got his own for his birthday. 

In line for the Hagrid ride. The one that was closed when we got to the park. It had a 120 minute wait- yeah. But everyone told me it was a must and wait in the line anyway! So we decided to single rider. Bryan didn't want to ride so he sent East up the line to find us. So I had all the kids alone. I was extra worried about East because this was a roller coaster and he hates those! But he loves Harry Potter. And this ride is a car that is side by side. So he was going to be sitting next to a stranger in the single rider but it knocked off a good hour plus in line. I had the older boys go first so when he got off they were waiting for him. And I was the last. I got to ride next to a guy from the UK which was so fun. This ride was AMAZING. So worth the wait. The kids loved it even Easton. 

This roller coaster does not slow down the whole ride- it only goes faster. And by this trip one of the best ones I had ever been on! I loved it so much!! I would go to this park again just to ride it. Bryan told the older three boys on it later in the afternoon (their like 3rd time or more) and I started taking photos of ever group going by to catch them. Bryan and Stock are 5 rows from the back and Ty and Blake are two rows in front of them. 

We really had the best day minus Bryan loosing his wallet. 

We went to Bubba gumps for dinner and our waiter made a huge deal about Stocktons birthday. And I had bought cupcakes (his request) and I brought candles from home. But I didn't have matches. And he was really upset he couldn't blow out his candles. It was my bad. But to my credit we were not suppose to have flames in the condo.