"That's my personality"

Day 6: Colorado to Wyoming and then to UTAH
Before we drove 9 hours to Utah,
we went swimming with Sapphire.

Max put a plastic bag over his camera lens
in order to take photos underwater.
Risky, but effective.

What we found awesome was how quickly we dried off.
You'd jump in, then dry while you read,
get hot and jump in again.
then DRY again.

In Florida, you don't dry until the next day.

Thank you and goodbye to Sapphire!
We love you!

Then we drove ten hours to get to Utah.
We drove through Wyoming to avoid
1) falling off the edge of a mountain
2) getting carsick
3) being crushed by falling rocks

The highlight of the drive: going over a big bump in the road,
like a rollercoaster.


Utah at last!
We're looking forward to spending time
with the Krallis family!!
Thank you so much Tillia for letting us stay with you!!
We LOVE
you and your family!

Red Velvet Cupcakes. Oh, nevermind.

Day 5: Kansas to Colorado
Before we got on the road, we stopped at a
bakery in Kansas City. We each ordered a
different flavor danish pastry.
German Chocolate
Cream Cheese
Strawberry
Berry and Cheese

Aleksi bought two red velvet cupcakes for us to enjoy later.

But of course Mitch left them on the bakery counter.
(so, like the Georgia peaches, we get a big NO)

We stopped on some lonely road to take photos.
The air was dry and warm; it was beautiful.


Then finally we got to Colorado and stopped to visit Sapphire.
She took us to go see the Denver Colorado LDS Temple after
stopping for some Taco Bell.


Max ordered three hard tacos.
But I don't think he'll ever do so again.
Let's just say he forgot to chew the taco shell,
and it was stuck in his throat.
SO HILARIOUS
"Don't make me laugh; it hurts SO bad!"
Yes, these are photos of the actual moment.


We got to the temple when the sun was setting.
We love Colorado and we LOVE Sapphire!
She's "such a laugh."

Now I can finally say,
"I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
Hallelujah.

"Is he a nerd?" "Yes"

Day 4: The Road to Kansas City

Today we went to church in St. Louis with the Hintzes.
We LOVE their ward! It's SO big.
And we love their family!

Payton took these photos of Cassie.

Max asked Payton,
"What is your favorite amphibian?"
and she turned to us and asked,
"Is he a nerd?"

So as you see, Max takes photos on boring car rides of himself-
or just his eye.
(so yes. Max is a nerd.)



Oh Kansas City


Can't wait to say,
"I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

I'm sorry officer; you look like a taxi!

Day 3: Tennessee + Illinois + Missouri
Let's just say Tennessee is beautiful.
The only one who had a problem was Max.
I wish you could see the way he gripped the wheel
as we drove up, down, and around hills.

We stopped for lunch at the Loveless Cafe,
but we didn't want to wait an hour for seating.
So we got chicken salad sandwiches.

Of course, we didn't try the famous biscuits.
(like how we didn't get any Georgia peaches)

They had a cool art shop as well.



So does this look like a taxi to you?
Because Aleksi thought this might be a police car,
she slowed to 70 in a 65 zone.
Turns out, it was a cop.

And although the he was in the slow lane,
he pulled us over for passing by him in the fast lane.
AT 70
In the FAST lane!

What was his reason?
It's disrespectful to pass a marked police car.
Thanks for the warning!
Who knew we were even in Illinois?

Finally we drove into St. Louis, Missouri.
We drove past the Gateway Arch
and the St. Louis LDS Temple.

We stayed at the Hintze's house for the night
(thanks again!) and got to go to a town "Summer Kick-off"
Wish Stuart had events like this!
Or icecream as good as
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard!The Hawaiian was DELICIOUS.

Georgia [Nicholson]

Day 2: St. Cloud, FL to Location Unknown, GA

Squished in Aleksi's new car.
Can you see Mitch?
No. It was too packed.

Believe it or not, this was the only GEORGIA PEACH we could find.


Then, after a series of wrong turns and such,
we finally found a hotel in some city.

Impressions of Georgia:
1) Rainy
2) Family reunion at Hardee's..
3) Atlanta isn't "teen driver" friendly. Cassie got us way lost.
4) Pecans? really? Where are you selling peaches?!
5) I guess Max loves being here-
(you should see him dancing right now..)

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor!"

DAY 1: Islands of Adventure:
the Magical World of Harry Potter

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hogsmede: Just like we imagined,
except there were TONS of Muggles.



Enjoying Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks

Platform 9¾

Hagrid's Hut


We really had so much fun today. The new rides were very fun!
If only Harry Potter really did exist,
but then I guess we're just Muggles.


P.S. Aleksi is a Gryffindor.
Max is in Ravenclaw. Whoa nevermind. Gryffindor also.
Mitch is Slytherin, based on majority vote.

And Cassie is a Squib.
(she never even finished the first book)



Special thanks to Eva for letting us all stay!
We love you SO much!
You're the best!