The first thing you see when you enter Disneyland is this...
Well okay then! Let's make some memories, shall we? And oh, this trip was memorable. So memorable, we may not ever forget it. And it will surely take awhile to pay for it. We should start at the beginning...
(Disclaimer. My phone camera sucks. And all photos were taken with my sucky phone camera.)
My work sent me to Anaheim for the National Association of REALTORS conference and Expo. I was lucky enough to stay at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Resort. It only made sense to drag Chris and Brielle along, so I did.
Wednesday morning, while packing, Brielle laid down and fell asleep. I assumed she was worn out from all the built up excitement and didn't think a thing of it. Until I had to wake her up. She had a fever. She fell asleep again on the way to the airport, then again on the plane, then again on the shuttle to the hotel. Little did Chris and I know, this was only just the beginning.
Thursday morning, Brielle wakes up, doesn't feel good, but it too excited to find out what the big "surprise" was that I had been planning for weeks. After a long drive to Los Angelas (LA traffic sucks), we entered "The Grove," and upscale shopping district where it just so happens that Mario Lopez films "Extra" everyday. I know this, because I saw him. But that's not why we were there.
This is why we were there...
The American Girl store. Brielle was shocked -- totally surprised -- could have never guessed that she'd be able to visit this amazing store. This lucky little girl was assigned her very own, personal shopper "Ann" who showed her around the two-story store, told her all there was to know about the historical AG dolls, and helped her pick out one of her very own.
Doll #53. She has the same color hair and hair length, same color eyes and has been named "Lily Ann." Chris let Brielle break the bank and buy all the accessories and clothes that she wanted. Chris didn't want to participate in this activity at first, but once there, I think he enjoyed it as much and Brielle as I did.
Afterward, we decided to hit the beach. Venice Beach wasn't that far away, and supposedly had some killer good restaurants nearby. The day was overcast, cool temps and the beach was not a bit crowded.
But, the water was freezing. It is the Pacific. We didn't last long. Not to mention, Brielle was fading fast. Fever had returned and she just wanted to sleep. There went lunch at Venice Beach.
For the next 3 days, Chris and Brielle would only see the inside of our hotel room, with me bringing food, gatorade and medicine in between conference classes (which was a block away, which I also credit to a 2 pound reduction in my weight -- apparently good things do come from bad).
There was very little sleep. Fever reaching 102 plus. Lots of chills, sweating and body aches, and a few cold bathes in the middle of the night. Normally, Brielle is a snuggler when sick, but this time, she didn't even want to be touched. She was sicker than sick -- sicker than I can remember her ever being. My previous post details my gratitude for the Priesthood and for the co-worker that assisted in giving Brielle a blessing.
The next photo you'll see, you will honestly think nothing was ever wrong with Brielle. She looks like a happy, spoiled child riding thrill rides in the park. But don't let it fool you...
When they were done, Brielle begged to back to the hotel room, where you'll find her doing more of this...
Then she'd wake up, ask to go back to the park, ride a ride, and then beg to back to the hotel. Honestly, Chris was lucky we were staying at the Disneyland Resort, so walking back and forth was manageable. 3-day Hopper passes were purchased for this trip, but we spent less than the equivalent of 1 day actually in the park.
Monday morning, we packed, loaded into the shuttle and hit the road for the airport. But Brielle continued to get more sick. But now, she was having chest pain and trouble breathing. We landed in Salt Lake, picked up the pup, and headed straight for an Urgent Care center in Logan. She hadn't even been examined before they placed her on breathing treatments. Soon after that, they sent us straight to the ER at Logan Regional Hospital.
We were blessed to have to neighbors working last night, one an ER Doc and the other a Respiratory Specialist. They confirmed what we already knew... Pneumonia.
Because she had such a high fever (which was lower than it had been in California) AND her heart rate wouldn't drop below 140 beats per minute AND her oxygen levels were extremely low, we had to camp out in the ER for several hours. We were lucky though... had all of the above mentioned symptoms not improved, she would have gone from being a guest at the Grand Californian to an admitted patient at Logan Regional.
But now we are home. Chris and I and especially Brielle are all trying to recover. For now, Brielle is quarantined... watching movies... sleeping... and working her hardest to get better.
We made memories all right. Although, I don't think they are the memories Mr. Disney had in mind for families visiting his resort.
As I conclude this journal entry of our epic family vacation of 2011, I'd like to mention just one more thing...
Parents, if your kids are sick, don't send them to school. It may result in another kid getting sick when they are about to embark on a magical family vacation, therefore, leaving them with a not-so-fun, miserable 5 days. Oh, and they may not be insured, which, as a result, will result in a hospital bill the size of their vacation bill. M-kay?