Christmas Drive Thru Lights 2018

This company comes to town and puts up lights to drive through.  They say over 1.5 million lights.  That's a lot!   We decided to try it out this year.  

It was pretty good.  Would have really been good if it was snowing. Maybe next year we can time it better.

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Afterwards, we had a yummmmmmmmy dinner at:

Christmas Fireworks 2018

The first weekend in December means Christmas fireworks!

When we started going 3 years ago, it was mostly friends and employees of the fireworks factory out here - maybe 30-40 people.

Word is spreading however, and this year, there were hundreds.  They did add a nighttime parade this year too, and the weather held out - no snow!

VIDEO:  The WHOOP yelling is Jefferson - Jacob's roommate - he LOVES fireworks!

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After the fireworks, we all gathered to assemble our family service project.  We made little bag kits for kids at the hospital that have to end up staying after surgery or extended time. The bag has things to do like stickers, play-dough, bubbles, coloring sheets, etc.

Florida

I had a work trip to Orlando this week.  I was looking forward to some warm weather, but just as it happens, Florida had a cold snap the time I was there.  The nights were down to 45 and the days only 55.  It was cold!  And crowded with everyone going to the Disney parks.

I didn't go to the parks, well, kinda.  For the conference, we do get to go to Epcot to watch the fireworks and then have 2 hours to stay in the park wandering around.  Again, it was cold!  I was glad I brought a long sleeve shirt and jacket!

Another part of the tour was giving examples of how Disney excels at whatever they do, and that includes leadership down to all the 'cast members' as they call the employees.  Nobody has a 'job' but they all have a part in the 'show' they put on daily.  'On-Stage' is what they call all the public areas and 'Back-Stage' are all the areas the public does not see.  Our tour went to several back-stage areas.  We were not allowed to take any pics - only when we were 'on-stage' could we take pics.

I also learned in all of the Disneyworld Parks, it takes about 80,000 cast members to make things go the way they go. That's  a lot.  And one of the posters we saw on our back-stage tour, indicated that starting Dec 1, everyone received a $1 an hour raise.  That's a lot of money in just raises each hour!

We first went to the biggest laundry plant in the world -- and they have 4 of them there, and think they will need a fifth in about 2 years. We learned here how important it is for leaders and management to listen to those that actually work on the front line, with the equipment every day.  This 4th plant used extensive feedback and suggestions from cast-members to improve efficiency and lower cost.  It is able to wash 2000 lbs of laundry per hour, most of it electronically controlled.

We then went to the Epcot costume area (the largest costume shop) where again, management interacts with every cast-member every day.  Cast members are made to feel they are important and belong.

We then went to the Magic Kingdom (Disneyland) and heard about how every store, every sign, every item, window, storefront wording, trash can, light pole, everything down main street Disneyland has a purpose and a design feature to give every guest a feeling of happiness. Nothing is done without a purpose or thinking behind it.  

We then went underground main street to the tunnels that run all under the Magic Kingdom. There are 1.5 miles of tunnels that circle the park, which is how the cast members get around.  

It was so crowded!  And this was a Tuesday afternoon

Looking across the lake at Epcot

Spaceship Earth - there is a slow moving ride inside

My very last day, the weather got normal again, and was 77 during the day.  I took some time to go on a short hike in a close nature preserve.

This is the trail!

A large part of the area, (like most of Central Florida) is a swamp, so there are boardwalks all over

First Snow

Last year, we didn't get any snow until Christmas Eve.  This year, however, it was more normal.  November 27 was the first snow.

Losing no time, Jacob and Hannah decided they wanted to make a "real snowman" as they said they never had.

It pretty much took all the snow on the lawn, but they got it done!!!

The cat even enjoyed running around in the snow

Making the base

Hannah's working on the middle

It was very heavy!!

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Jacob had to call our neighbor, Flavio, to come help lift the middle section

Adding the finishing touches

BYU had a football game this night, so had to dress Frosty appropriately