Trip #5

Trip #5 was Claire’s 16th birthday celebration.  Several years ago I asked her if she would rather have a party or travel somewhere for her sweet 16, and she immediately responded “travel”.  One place we absolutely loved was Universal Studios.  The last time we went she and Max had only read the first 4 books, and she wasn’t into Marvel yet.  So we decided it was time to visit again.  Grace read all of the Harry Potter books last year and is a HUUUUUUUUUGE fan, so Claire thought it would be fun to bring her along too.  🥰

We stayed at the Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, and could see the rides from our window and get to them via a beautiful walking path.  Highly recommend.

You know what made the trip even better?  Meeting my mom, sister, and nephew there! Claire was so excited to have them join us, because “they make everything more fun.”

We checked into our hotel and hit the pool.  It was beautiful.

We arrived on Claire’s actual birthday, so we knew we needed some cake and ice cream to celebrate.  We ate at the most perfect location with the largest, yummiest desserts.

Day 1 was off to a really good start.  

We were up and at em the next morning to hit both parks in one day.  Our first ride was our favorite ride in the history or rides: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures.

One problem: my poor sister had woken up a few days prior with terrible neck pain.  But she really, really didn’t want to miss out on this ride.  So she did it.

That’s her back there smiling through her pain. This ride pretty much did her in for rides. 😭 She was so sore afterward, and it took lots of ice/ibuprofen/hot tub therapy to get her feeling okay again.  But she was such a trooper, and did still (mostly, kinda, in a panicky sorta way) enjoy the ride and the rest of the day.  

I also think Butterbeer helps with ailments? 

She thought it best to maybe take a break from crazy rollercoasters, so while they took Grayson on all the Dr. Seuess rides, we did the crazy rollercoasters.

We met up, hopped on the Hogwarts express, had some lunch, and shot some bad guys.  

Poor Gray.  By this time it was pretty stinking hot (real feel of 109🥵) and he was so tired.  Kel and my mom were going to take him back to the hotel, but we had forgotten to take a group picture.  Poor buddy was not feeling it and I don’t blame him- it basically felt like we were on the surface of the sun.  But memories were made. 😂

Meanwhile, the girls and I visited Diagon Alley

and Grace got a wand.

We did spells, we shopped, we ate at the Leaky Cauldron.  

And had more Butterbeer.

And we took the Hogwarts Express back to Hogsmeade.

With tired feet and countless memories, Claire declared it to be the “best 16th birthday celebration ever”. We walked back to the resort and took a swim, which felt pretty amazing after sweating enough water to fill a small pond all day long.

The next morning we were able to sleep in, and then decided we probably needed donuts

folllowed by a peaceful boat ride back to our resort.

Our flights home were in the late afternoon, so we had lots of pool time

and a delicious lunch with the prettiest smoothies.

Claire loved every moment of this trip, and I’m so thankful we could celebrate her with all of her very favorite things.

 I’m also glad Grace doesn’t turn 16 for 6 more years. 😂

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