Posts by Justin |

Justin

June 7th in WET WET WET Florida!

Jun 072012

Florida is supposed to be sunny! But suppositions you know. Today was the day we slept in, if you need to know why, see the June 6th post.

Today we got up late and headed to the Animal Kingdom for Amelia’s parade debut! She got to ride on a purple tiger float with Brenda, Cameron and Leatha.

<—–this is the view from the float!!

The rain was just slight when we got there and held out for the parade. It was near the end of the parade when the rain started and didn’t let up. But we went on today because we were prepared for the rain.

We didn’t have too much time left in the park before it closed so we went shopping for a bit and then we went and rode on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride.

Kilimanjaro Safaris (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It wasn’t raining very hard when we started but the deluge hit as we were riding the truck. The ride was mostly dry at least and we did see some cool animals. The guides kept saying how much the animals like the rain.

We saw elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos and a bunch of birds that didn’t look that enthused about the rain. It was so bad, and the thunder was starting up, that they only did a bit over half of the ride. It was wet!

We shopped a bit more on the way out but, since they were closing, we left and made it back to Give Kids The World just in time to see Santa Claus!

Yes, Santa came here in June and brought presents and popcorn for the kids. It was kind of surreal to have Christmas music, snow flake decorations and people wishing the kids Merry Christmas. In June. In Florida. During a rainstorm.

Anyway, we then got a couple of pizzas and the kids got tucked in by Ms. Merry, the wife of Mayor Clayton, mayor of Give Kids the World. It was fun for them to see a character actually tuck them in! Well, for now, it is time to get some videos made and get to bed, we have a full day of Epcot tomorrow!

*** Don’t forget to check out even more pictures on the pictures page! CLICK HERE to see it!*****

Thanks for reading!

-Justin

The Real Day 2 of the wish! June 6th

Jun- The Wish 12 Responses »

Jun 072012

Hello all! Well again, sorry about the no video yesterday it was a big day. Would you like to hear about it?

Leatha, Cameron and Amelia went horseback riding here at Give Kids the World village in the morning. They really liked riding around the corral before breakfast! Well, before real breakfast.

They had Ice Cream for Breakfast, a thing that is just one of the perks for Give Kids the World. They also got to ride the train here at the village while Mom, Dad and Tristan were in Orientation.

After that, we got some breakfast and went to play miniature golf at the course here at the village. It is dinosaur themed and each dinosaur does something when you get the ball in the hole. It was really fun to play.

Then Amelia got to send off her star for the Star Fairy that represents her wish here at Give Kids the World. There are thousands of stars up and around the castle, so many that they have built a tower to house them all for years to come. After the star, she got to make her special pillows that they give to each child here. All four of the kids got one and they all think that it is pretty neat.

After that, we headed out to the Magic Kingdom itself for a day of fun. Mother Nature had other ideas. We rode the ferry from the parking area to the kingdom itself and the skies opened up and soaked all of us fairly quickly.

<—-the calm before the storm..again.

It wouldn’t have been bad except that it let up for a bit and then dumped huge torrents of water on us. The kids got cold and we finally bagged the whole thing and headed back to Give Kids the World wher we dried off and got some dinner.

After dinner the rain had let up pretty good so we donned our ponchos and headed back to Disney World. We finally got to ride some rides and Amelia got to see the fireworks show while riding Dumbo. She thought that was pretty neat. We stayed until the park closed riding Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.

Finally we dragged ourselves home and made it just after 2 AM. After getting he kids to sleep and trying to dry out some of our stuff it was late when we got to bed.

Can I just say that the weather said a 40% chance of rain? They forgot to mention the 100% chance of a monsoon. Anyway, enjoy the video for today, and there will be at least a post with pictures for Thursday the 7th up soon, the video for that may be a bit later.

*** Don’t forget to check out even more pictures on the pictures page! CLICK HERE to see it!*****

Enjoy.

-Justin

Day Two of the Wish! June 6- part 1

Jun- The Wish 1 Response »

Jun 062012

Well folks I am sorry to go back on my promises, but it is nearly 4 am here and we are just getting to bed after a late night at Disney World and a bunch of fun. I will not have a video or pictures up until Thursday night, I just can’t see straight. so look forward to a large post or two individual ones tomorrow. Spoilers: Thursday will have a parade in it, while Wednesday is filled with horses, dinosaurs and a monsoon on Main Street USA.

Talk later, sorry I just didn’t get it done today. We are still having a great time!!

-Justin

Day One of the Wish! June 5th

Jun- The Wish 11 Responses »

Jun 052012

Hello all! I would like to say hello from sunny Florida but I can’t. It was raining when we got here! But we got here and that is important. Let me say, it was not too bad getting here from Salt Lake. The airport wasn’t bad, the flights were a bit bumpy but all around it was a pretty good trip. We Found out that Tristan doesn’t like being cooped up in his seat for 6 hours and the plane freaked him out a bit, but he is 2.

Cameron was fascinated by the plane and its workings; he really taxed my knowledge of avionics, but I was glad to be able to answer his myriad of questions. He even got to talk to the pilot when we landed in Orlando and was shown how some of the instruments worked and how they fly the plane.

Amelia was glad to be the princess. Everyone liked her hair and commented on her dress. Leatha just went along for the ride and helped when we really needed her to. I kind of like having an older child that can help. If only she wasn’t growing up….but that is another post altogether.

When we got to Orlando, ok there are 2 huge buildings that make up the Orlando airport. The airplane taxi’s over a bridge to get to the arrival gates and then you take a shuttle back to get your bags and such. It was a bit strange. Anyway, we got to the main part of the airport and were met by our Give kids the World greeter who helped guide us through the airport to get our checked bag and then get our car. Amelia got to pick out the van. She picked a red one because it was the closest to pink. Kind of funny.

Get this, the rental on this car, including gas and insurance is covered in the wish. I have been shaking my head all afternoon at the incredible generosity of everyone related with this wish, especially Give Kids the World. We got to the village to check in and they gave each of the kids a stuffed animal and then showed us to our “villa”. This place is bigger than our old apartment was. It has 2 big bedrooms, a huge bathroom for the kids, fridge, stove, dishwasher, TV’s….it is really a cool place..

We are now sitting here planning tomorrow’s activities while the kids are all passed out in the other room dreaming of Mickey Mouse. I will soon be following them. for now, that is it. We are heading to the Magic Kingdom tomorrow and then on to the Animal Kingdom on Thursday where Amelia will be leading the parade! That is going to be another adventure. So enjoy today’s short video and the few pictures, there will be tons more tomorrow!

Have a good one, and thanks for coming back!

*** Don’t forget to check out even more pictures on the pictures page! CLICK HERE to see it!*****

-Justin

Other posts:
Day 1, June 5 (That is this post!)

We are on our way, Right now!!

Jun- The Wish 1 Response »

Jun 042012

The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hello everyone! Well by the time you got the email saying that this post was up, we were at the airport and getting ready to get on the plane to Florida!!!!

We are all very excited and ready to get to Give Kids the World and Disney World! We got our itinerary last week at the Star raising party and were told that Amelia will be leading the parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We don’t know what day it will be yet, we should find out when we get to Give Kids the World. I will have it all up on here as we know!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you out there who have supported and helped us through all of Amelia’s ordeals and beyond. We really do appreciate all of you. If you know someone else that would like to read about our trip and Amelia’s wish please share!

The next update here will be from Florida with some pictures from the plane and Give Kids the World! For now, we have to go get Cameron’s birthday done and get the rest of our stuff packed.

See you tomorrow.

Justin.

Give Kids The World Village (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is almost time to go!(ameliasmakeawish.com)

It is almost time to go!

Apr-May in Wishland 2 Responses »

May 222012

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Hello all. Just a quick post to say that in two weeks, at the time this is being written, 1145 MDT, we should be somewhere over Illinois on our way to the Cincinnati airport and then onto Orlando and Give Kids the World! And Disney World of course.

We are getting really excited and trying to pace ourselves.

Amelia turned 6 last Friday and she wants to bring all of her presents with us! We don’t have room. She does get to take the new princess dresses that Mom made her and we are sure that she will wear nothing else in Florida.

The time will be here before we know it! Thanks again for all of your support. Remember that there will be videos every day, as well as pictures and updates. All from Florida to your computer, every day. Isn’t the internet great?

Don’t forget to sign up for the email list over there on the right and you will wake up with a fresh new post with aforementioned video and pictures in your inbox.

Talk Later.

-Justin

The Mouse is Imminent! (ameliasmakeawish.com)

The time is almost here….

Apr-May in Wishland No Responses »

May 092012

Disney pincess (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now the 9th of May and we are less than a month away from our Disney trip! Everyone here is getting excited and ready to pack up and go!

Sometime this month we are having a party for Amelia…..well the truth is, we are having 3 parties for Amelia this month. First, we will be celebrating Amelia’s birthday on the 18th! She will be 6 years old and even more of a princess. Second, on the 12th she will be 3! That is her kidney will be 3. Yes, it will be 3 years since Carol so graciously donated a kidney to Amelia and saved her life. We are going to celebrate by going to the zoo!

We used to escape to the zoo just to get away from the hospital for a while. They are only about a mile apart. The third party we are having this month is Amelia’s Wish party! The Make A Wish foundation and our wonderful Wish Granters are going to have a party for her, to celebrate her wish being granted and to raise a star that will be a permanent fixture in the Make A Wish office. Everyone is invited to this party and it should be fun. I don’t know when this will be yet, but it is coming in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned here and on your email (sign up for the list over there in the sidebar) for the date.

Also, I have made some changes to the site if you haven’t noticed. First, the pictures page is sorted into events and days. I will post pictures from each day of the trip and they will all be linked to the day. The Polar Express trip, the fashion show at Macy’s and her Princess party are all linked there. The Wish party will be there as well, as soon as it happens!

The videos that show up in the sidebar are all posted on You Tube. There is a link there to see them all. Just click on Amelia’s picture and you will see all of them. Right now there are only 2, but there will be a video up every day during the trip as well as a summary of what we did.

If you are reading this and know of anyone who has an interest in Amelia, her story or our trip, please send them here to this site so that they can join the fun!

More to come as we know it, this is getting exciting and real…26 days to go!

-Justin

A Week of Amelia the Star!(ameliasmakeawish.com)
A Ballpark Guess of Our Disney Trip(ameliasmakeawish.com)
The Mouse is Imminent!(ameliasmakeawish.com)
St. Patrick’s Day In Make A Wish World!(ameliasmakeawish.com)

The Mouse is Imminent!

Mar-Apr in Wishland 1 Response »

Mar 302012

Walt Disney World Resort (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hello! I just realized today that I had not posted the fact that we are booked for Disney World! We have our flights and hotel set up, now we just have to get prepared to go. We are going to be in Florida the first part of June! We fly out on the 5th and will return home on the 14th.

We added a couple of extra days so that we can do a couple of other things, we don’t know when we will be able to get back to Florida. The kidsa re getting excited and I am having a hard time keeping the plans small enough to be manageable. I tend to overdo things. We are now starting to work on details of what day we are doing what.

We know for sure that one of the days Amelia will be leading the parade. The day we don’t know yet. We know that we are going to hit all 4 Disney parks as well as a water park, and a day at Universal Studios so that we can hit Harry Potter World. There are parades to attend, safaris to ride, Princesses to meet, and turkey legs to devour. We are just now trying to sketch out an outline of things to do and, more importantly, things to cut out. We just can’t do it all as much as we would like to.

There will be much more to come as we get dates set and things finalized. And, in case you didn’t know, I am planning on having an update every day while we are gone. The best way to keep track of that, besides logging on and looking everyday, will be to sign up for the email list. Every time something is published on here, an email will be sent out at 9AM Mountain time.

If I have it correctly, I will post something from Florida at about midnight, and if you don’t want to read it then, you can get the email in the morning. So please sign up for the email list and I will keep you updated. I won’t even send you anything that doesn’t have to do with Amelia and her wish. Ok Ok, I won’t sell your information either, I just want everyone to be able to follow our adventure and send Amelia your comments as we go!

Sign up over there in the sidebar….it only takes a minute! Also note, the video there in the sidebar will change daily during the trip. You will be able to see all of the videos on You Tube, head over to our Pictures and Videos Page and you can link there. Each Day will also have a picture page that you can view to your hearts content.

Please direct any questions to us using the comments below or by emailing me directly: justin@ameliasmakeawish.com

Thanks for reading, now that things are getting closer, these will be more frequent!

-Justin

A Ballpark Guess of Our Disney Trip (ameliasmakeawish.com)
A Princess Party, A Wish Granted (ameliasmakeawish.com)
Amelias Wish Declaration (ameliasmakeawish.com)

St. Patrick’s Day In Make A Wish World!

Oct-Dec in Wishland 1 Response »

Mar 232012

Hello All! Well it has been a week since our adventure on St. Patricks Day. I finally have the video from that day ready! Also, If you look at the pictures page, there are some new pictures from Amelia’s Macy’s fashion show. She had a really good time being the center of attention, even if she wont admit it. Look at the Pictures and check out this video. PS It is also the video in the sidebar!

Click Here to See Amelia’s Video!

A Week of Amelia the Star!

Mar-Apr in Wishland No Responses »

Mar 152012

Image via Wikipedia

Hello folks. I just wanted to check in and let you all know about some new things that Amelia is doing for Make A Wish! You know I look at these events and have 2 thoughts. One, these are great things for Amelia! She will have so much fun! And Two, She will he helping Make A Wish. Both are great causes even if I am prejudiced on the Amelia side.

So, this next week will be busy. There is a new mall opening up in downtown Salt Lake later this month. As a part of the big celebration of that, Macy’s, the retail chain that does the Thanksgiving day parade, is having a fashion show on Saturday the 17th. They wanted some Make A Wish kids to be the models for the show, so they called Amelia! She is such a ham she will be perfect. She gets to go in on Monday to be fitted for the clothes.

As a part of the grand opening as well, Amelia is going to be featured on TV again! The local show is called Fresh living. As of this post being late, ~~here is the video link to the story!~~Sorry the link is no longer available on the News website…. This is all in preparation for the Grand Opening of Macy’s and they will be having a special sale that benefits charities and they will be having a fashion show! Amelia gets to walk the catwalk as a model! I will have some video of that up after the event!

Until then,

Justin

Amelias Wish Declaration (ameliasmakeawish.com)

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