December 2022 Part 8 - Leaving the Riviera, Looking at Christmas Lights, and Ringing in the New Year!

12-28-22 We packed our bags, ate breakfast, took some final pics around the resort, and then took an Uber to the airport in hopes of making it home on Southwest!!  Luckily we did just that!  The first flight was on time, and the 2nd one only had a 2 hour delay.  We were so thankful to make it home!

12-29-22 Normally we get Starbucks hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights before Christmas, but we ran out of time before leaving for our trip.  We decided to try it this day and just see what lights were still up.  We were in luck!  The lights we usually go see behind Tractor Supply, a house in Lakeridge, the inflatable house, and Wayland Baptist all still had their lights and decorations up!

12-30-22 We also normally take a family Christmas pic tree when we open gifts, but never did for some reason.  Better late than never!

12-31-22 We decided to ring in the New Year as a family at home eating snack foods, playing Pandemic, The Haunted Mansion, Cards Against Humanity Family Edition, and Farkle!  We then decided to ring in the New Year at 11 with New York and sparkling grape juice, so Kyle and Jacen could get rest since they had camera duty at church the next morning!

Happy New Year!!!

December 2022 Part 7 - Universal Studios

12-27-22 For our last day in Florida we ventured over to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure, so we could go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  Since we were staying at Disney we did not get to go in early, so it was already crowded by the time we got there!!  We started out in Island of Adventure in Hogsmeade, so Kyle and I could ride Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.  The line was crazy long, so we waited 2 hours!!  It was wonderful, but wow that was a long line!  We took some pics while waiting in line.  Jacen waited with us for a while, and then he went and looked around Hogsmeade.  He loves to shop!

Next up we waited in another long line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  Jacen again walked in line with us, so he could see the inside of the castle, but didn't want to ride it again even though he rode it 4 years ago, so he got to shop some more!

Then we ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks like we did 4 years ago!

Next up, we rode Flight of the Hippogriff which Jacen decided to ride with us!

Then we rode the Hogwarts Express from Hogsmeade station to Kings Cross Station.  The line for this was also 2 hours!

We walked around Diagon Alley where Kyle got some wizarding money and Jacen got some wands!  We decided not to wait in the 3 hour line for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.  

We took some final Universal Pics before heading back to the hotel.