the beck family: Disney World

April 15, 2012 – Sunday - We slept in until 8:30 and boy did it feel good after having to wake up by an alarm for the past 5 days. We went to the local LDS Ward for Sacrament Meeting. I guess about 50% of the people in the congregation are visitors – so the Bishop told us that if the person next to us isn’t saying “hi” to us, they are probably a visitor so say hi to them. I couldn’t even imagine living in a ward that is visited that much. There were a lot of people there. All 3 talks had to do with talks from the last General Conference. I realized I really need to read them again – they are all amazing talks.

We headed back to our condo, ate lunch (sandwiches) and got ready to head to Cocoa Beach. We originally had plans to go to Siesta Beach which is on the Gulf Coast (2 hours away), but changed our mind to go to the Pacific Ocean instead since it was closer. We didn’t want to be driving for 4 hours and wanted to be home for dinner. So we ended up going to the closest beach. We had about 4 toll roads along the way – about $.75 each. It was crazy having to exit every time we came upon them and then get back on the freeway. On the way back Byron totally didn’t see one of the tolls and just stayed on the freeway. There was no way to turn around and go back – hopefully we don’t get a ticket for that one. I am so glad we don’t have to deal with those in Utah.

Cocoa Beach wasn’t the nicest beach, but had pretty warm water and a fun pier to look out on. We started out by finding a spot next to the pier to put our stuff and the kids quickly grabbed bags to collect shells or go into the water. They were having such a fun time going out to about their waist and letting the current pull them in. This was the warmest water they have ever been in at the ocean. We also enjoyed walking along the sand while the youngest collected seashells. Byron had fun going in with the kids and ended up going all the way under. After about 2 ½ hours, we went up on the pier and went out a little ways until it cost to go out any more. It was so beautiful. Even though it was pretty windy, it was still warm and the water felt great.

We drove back and enjoyed eating lasagna and salad together. The food was delicious. We had ice-cream cones – thanks to Grandma – for dessert. We enjoyed sitting around enjoying each other’s company laughing about different things that have happened since we have been here. Parker does the best impressions of situations and had us all laughing.

Dad & Mom Beck have been doing the 7 days of presents leading up to Byron’s birthday – the first one being the night we got here. Bradley makes sure Grandma doesn’t forget each night to give Byron his gifts. They are all small gifts with a cool saying that goes with them. They are so thoughtful to think of him.

Well – off to bed. It has been a full day and a full day ahead of us as we head to our last amusement park.