We went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday to take part in the Star Wars weekend. It was a surprise for Eli and this video shows his reaction as we pulled up to the entrance. Here are some other candid shots from the day. You can check the full album here.
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It has taken me 24+ hours to recover and get up enough gumption to write about the Wykle’s most recent road trip to visit Nagi and JPop in Orlando.
June 11 – We started the day off like a well oiled machine. Everyone was up and ready for our early start and left the house by 5 AM. This would clearly allow us to make it to Orlando by 7 PM. Everyone piled in the car and off we went down interstate 75 heading south. Shelley, Natalie, and Eli where all snuggled up in their blankets sleeping away while I was focused on navigating the sparse traffic until the sun broke the horizon. About 1-1/2 into the predicted 14 hour trip, a loud “POP!” broke the drone of the grooved pavement. Quickly the sinking “thmp thmp thmp” sound echoed through the cabin. FLAT TIRE! I jumped out and swapped the donut for the flat with a 3″ gash in the middle of the tread. This isn’t starting off to a good start.
Given that it was only 6:30AM it was obvious that it was going to be hard to find a tire repair shop. We decided to keep heading south on the donut and look for a Walmart later in the morning. We sped along keeping our eyes pealed once the clock hit 8. We found a Walmart Super Center in Knoxville that would be our savior. 45 minutes later we had a new Goodyear and upbeat spirits.
Fast froward 11 hours…
The GPS was reading only 65 miles left to salvation. Then it happened at 70 miles an hour. The van lurched and then the engine revved. I quickly noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. I quickly pulled the van onto the shoulder and rolled to a stop. Upon lifting the hood, white smoke bellowed from the engine compartment. Their were signs of liquid all over the right hand side of the engine. Something had given way and spewed liquid and then quickly turned to steam under the heat. We made a few calls and decided to try and make it to the next exit only a 1 mile away. The van started right up and made it to the exit. After talking with a few of the locals, we landed in a Wendy’s parking lot with a toe truck on the way. Nagi met us and we loaded what we could into her van and then had the car hauled to Blount Honda in Leesburg. The whole ordeal ended when we pulled into 380 Hamocks Dune Place at 10:45PM. 17:45 minutes after the start of our trip.
June 12 – We just received a call from the service manager at Blount Honda. “Full transmission failure” is the diagnostic code that has been determined from the “all knowing” computer. The only option at this point is to put a new rebuilt transmission into the 2004 Honda Odyssey with only 80K miles.
You can guess how this news was received. Holy S#$T and we will not have a van until next Wednesday. We are going to be stranded and out nearly $5,000!
The real shame in this whole fiasco is my utter disappointment in Honda’s failure with this van. This was the 4th Honda that Shelley and I have owned over the years. Up until now all of the vehicles have been worry free and only require PM and the scheduled maintenance. I have 165K on my 2001 Accord and we also got 190K out of another 1990 Accord. We pay more for Honda’s because we expect more. I will now have to seriously think about our next purchase given our new found experience with Honda.
This last picture says it all.
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Just made our first trip of the season to Kings Island. It was a momentous day for both Natalie and Eli. Natalie has finally broken the 48″ barrier and is able to ride most attractions (except for inverted things) at the park. Eli also achieved the 40″ mark meaning he could also move up out of the “so called” kiddie rides.
We started the day with the Fairly Odd Coaster (a.k.a The Beastie). This would be Eli’s first venture onto a “big kid” ride. He was apprehensive at first, but hung in there and loved the experience. You can see the video of the ride here. He smiled after the first big drop and wanted to go again!
Natalie also cut her teeth today by riding one of the scariest rides in the whole park. As we walked around looking at all of the ride height requirements, she noticed that she was tall enough for the Drop Tower (a.k.a The Drop Zone). When Shelley asked if she wanted to ride it, she had no hesitations…YES! Luckily, I had to stay back and chaperon Eli while we waited. You can see the whole video here.
Natalie continued to break new ground throughout the park. She rode Drop Tower, The Beast, Flight Deck, and Viking Fury. Eli also rode most everything that he was big enough to ride – Viking Fury was the biggest feat next to the Fairly Odd coaster.
Needless to say…Shelley and I both are quite impressed with both of the kids. They were both riding things that we would have never attempted at their ages (or even older). They both seem to have a fearless streak in them.
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone! The Wykle family had a relaxed but stormy day. The weather sure took a turn for the worst during the night, but it did not dampen anyones spirits. Rainy and low 50’s was the backdrop for the day.
The day started off with the exchange of cards and home made gifts from Eli and Natalie. Natalie also presented a copy of her class’ Poetry Anthology that has been bound into a book. She proceeded to read her submission titled “The Lollypop”.
Lollypop lollypop I want a sweet colorful Lollypop I Got a Lollypop I like lollypops But soon you Will be gon But I will Get anuther Lollypop I Love lollypops Yeah!!!
Shelley also received a bracelet (see below) from the “kids” (a.k.a. daddy). The jury is still out on the bracelet…may need to be exchanged due to the ability to resize. The day was concluded with a nice meal at one of our favorite restaurants (Bone Fish Grill) and desert at Graeters Ice Cream.
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At around 5:30 EST this morning, Shelley and I were awakened by what I thought to be the cats romping and wrestling under the bed. After fully assessing the situation, we quickly realized (after hearing the glasses in the kitchen rattling) that we must have just experience an earthquake.
Holly shit! My first earthquake! I know this isn’t much for people used to this type of activity, but it was quite unnerving for rookies like us.
It was confirmed on the news this morning that a magnitude 5.2 was recorded in southwest Illinois. The origin was 177 miles away. You can see more info on the following government website USGS. Look for the big box in the middle of the country…that’s it. And after further investigation regarding the earthquake potential in our area, I was shocked to find out that there is a considerable fault line that runs throughout the Midwest (see here). You can also find additional information with this informative document.
Update – Another tremor (4.5) was recorded near the same origin at 11:15 this morning. This time I was at work and did not feel the effects.
The excitement is growing. Mom will be returning tomorrow night from her two week trip to Denmark. We have all been following Mom’s activities on their travel website (www.ncchstravel.com).
On this day, the Virginia Tech community reflects on the vibrant lives of the 32 students and faculty who were tragically taken from us a year ago. Through light, art, and music we pay tribute to each and every person we lost. We gather to honor our friends, colleagues, and family members. We will never forget.
04/14 – Super Dad = Tired Dad. Fell asleep on the couch last night and wasn’t able to report on Day 13. Better late than never. Kids had fun playing outside after school while I prepared cheeseburgers, fries and salad. Of course Natalie and I ate in a timely fashion and then waited for poky eater Eli. After dinner Natalie played with neighbor next door and Eli and I played “Star Wars”.
04/15 – Kids talked with Mom this morning before school. Everyone was quite chipper this morning. Hopefully this will hold throughout the day. The big gymnastic whirl wind will be this afternoon.
04/15 – Gymnastics went without a hitch. Everyone got a shower when we arrived home. Even Nat had time to finish up her math review with only minor corrections needed. All in bed by 8:30. Many “I miss Mommy” statements tonight. Only 2 more days!
Uneventful…lack of naps made for tired pups. Went right to sleep.
Power outage…living pioneer style! A quick storm rolled through and knocked out the power. The kids were instantly bored until “Shadow Puppet Theater”. Turtles, old man, crocodile, and butterflys were the animals of the night. Kids went down without much fuss to candle light.
Another nice day in NKY. 70F and overcast skies. Kids had some fun playing outside before and after dinner. Mom is in Amsterdam until tomorrow and was not able to give us a call today. Kids missed hearing her voice today, but I assured them they would be talking to her before bed tomorrow night.
04/08 – Last night…after the whirl wind that was the 5 hour gymnastic shuffle, I tried to log on to update the goings here in the Wykle household. The server was acting a little flaky and I decided to wait to update before going to bed. Needless to say my intentions were squashed by my sleepiness. I feel asleep on the couch watching TV. Any who…Eli and Natalie both had good gymnastic sessions. While Nat was completing her last hour Eli and I went to grab a bite at our favorite deli (McAlsiters). We ate quickly and then picked up Nat. Got home and grab quick showers and were in bed by 8:15…not to shabby!
04/09 – This morning was picture day for Nat. Everyone was up and out of bed before the alarms went off (strange…I know). Nat put on her “special” picture outfit and was quite chipper and helpful. I was then tasked to fix Natalie’s hair. I have to admit that the hair ended up not as “poofy” or “stylish” as Mom would have made it, but she seemed OK with the attempt. See below for the results (picture quality sucks on my phone).
04/09 – Update – I hate this new version (2.5) of WordPress. It has lost this update now 2 times! Here we go again. After picking up the kids, we made an afternoon of running errands (this would make Mom proud I’m sure). I had to pick up dry cleaning, get cat food, and buy some new windshield wipers for the van. Quite a hodgepodge of things. In the middle we decided to hit the Taco Hell for a quick bite. I again have to say that the TB on Mall Road is a piece of SH$T. It took 13 minutes to get 2 taquitos and 1 burrito. Can you say “NO EXCUSES”!. Needless to say that may be the last time for me at that store. Lastly, a little bad news…it seems that little miss priss (a.k.a Nat) managed to get a face wound prior to pictures. It seems a crafty glue stick (up to obvious no good) inflicted damage on her chin. Sorry Mom…sigh…
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