Double celebration

This year my 44th birthday actually fell right on Mother's Day! So I started celebrating the weekend beforehand at Universal Studios...

 

I left my sunglasses on the Harry Potter ride the previous week and was really excited that they had actually been turned in! 

The next day Maddy and I went up to Oakland for a lovely nature walk and did some geocaching for the first time in years - Maddy still has a very beady eye...

I treated myself to a day off work on Thursday with Mike and after a much needed day of relaxation, we went to Maddy's school's Art Show.

It doesn't matter how many works are on display or how many times we've done this - it's always such a thrill to see your child's artwork. We are so proud of our talented daughter :)

Maddy's house blew up in the kiln so she redesigned it to look 'burned out' and called it "The Blitz" - how stinkin' creative! The art teacher said he'd never seen a student do that before :)

On Saturday, Lu and I did the most beautiful run for a Milk Bank in Florida:)...

But my birthday highlight was getting my new camera lens! Now I can take amazing pictures of birds!!! It's super easy to use and I am really thrilled with how well my first set came out :)

Who would have thought at 44 I'd be a twitchin' shutterbuggin' nerd? :)

4th July and random updates!

Happy Birthday America! We had a great 4th July with a race in the morning (running stuff here!), some friends over in the afternoon and then we went down to the 'back side' of Magic Kingdom to watch the fireworks:). During this whole week the nightly "Wishes" show is replaced by a special patriotic display. Maddy and I went down to the *secret* parking lot behind the castle to check it out on Monday. There were fireworks I had never seen before and I loved the finale:)

 

 

No frills in the industrial parking lot but an amazing view and added bonuses of the reflections in the puddles and a two minute drive home :)

 

 

I can't believe the year is half over already. Maddy and I have been doing loads of crafting lately (craft stuff here!). Here are our fab bleach-painted shoes :)

 

 

The chins are well - here's Chef looking particularly handsome...

 

We loved Monsters University! Why am I the only one doing 'scary pose'  here?

 

 

There were deer everywhere the other night at Disney...love these guys...:)

Life is good:)

A Fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!

Mike and Maddy went over to see family while Lu and I started out the weekend with a paint run in Tampa. It was soooo much fun! (running stuff here!)

 

 

On Sunday, we went over to see Jen, Rich, Mya, Sue and Richard who were staying on Lake Harris in the camper...

 

 

After a couple of hours by the pool...

 

 

...and some snacks (!)...

 

We decided to do a bit of exploring in Mount Dora which was just 10 miles down the road. I had heard it was really pretty and full of antique and craft stores. It is such a gorgeous little town, full of character and right on the water. It reminded me a lot of St. Augustine...:)

 

Lake Dora...

 

 

Lunch was fantastic...

 

I have a new obsession with water towers for some reason. I just love them...:)

 

The sunset on the way home over Lake Harris was beautiful...

 

We saw an osprey and chick in their nest...

On Monday we had friends over and spent some time entertaining at home which was a perfect way to round off the weekend. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Mary's Visit

Mary is my longest friendship of over 35 years! I was so thrilled when she said she was coming to see me and would bring her two beautiful daughters too! I don't think we have ever had guests here who have gotten so much out of their vacation time - they got so much done during their trip!

I was so happy to share their first trip to Magic Kingdom!

 

We had a fantastic character lunch at the Crystal Palace...

 

 

 Lizzie looks so innocent hugging Piglet...

 

But there's more to Lizzie than meets the eye ;)

 

  

The next day we went shopping and over to Celebration for the best icecream in the world...

 

We had a great time at Epcot too!

 

Lizzie had a bit of a grump on and wouldn't let us take photos with the girls...

 

So we just took pictures of ourselves in England...

 

Us: "Lizzie - Mary Poppins is just behind you!"

Lizzie: "Look! I'm not interested in Mary Poppins!!!!"

It's time for a drink - cheers!

Mike went with the girls to swim with manatees in Crystal River. Maddy was moved to tears and Mary said it was the highlight of the whole vacation :)

 

 

I went with the girls to Universal Studios...

 

They also managed to squeeze in: Islands of Advenure. fishing and canoeing at Lake Louisa, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Downtown Disney and Mary's first mud run (pics here!). Thank you so much for coming to see us - hope to have you again really soon :) Love you!