Sailor Dog

Steve is so patient with me and my shenanigans. This is an old picture but it makes me laugh.

I have tons of pictures from Matt's family reunion and other adventures this past weekend to post, but I run out of time every night and forget to post them on here or on Facebook. It's been a busy summer and it's not slowing down which is wonderful for me. I love traveling and always having something fun planned.

I'm also feeling much cheerier and it's nice to have a list of some of my favorite things on this blog to always cheer me up.

Heading to Orlando this weekend to use our free Universal tickets before they expire. I thought I had lost these tickets ages ago, but I found them stuffed in one of our suitcases (can you tell we travel a lot?). Should be a BLAST!!!!

Happy weekend a day early!

Happy Thoughts

I've been feeling down lately, so I thought I'd compile a list of things that make me happy in an effort to cheer myself up. In no particular order:

- stormy days at home (not severe of course)
- wind/breezes/gusts -especially in the Fall with leaves swirling around
- puppies, Steve and Wil specifically
- a sleeping baby on your shoulder
- the smell of a clean, sleeping baby on your shoulder
- Cheese pizza with fresh tomatoes
- Oreos and milk
- the accomplished feeling after I finish a workout
- snuggling with Matt
- slapstick/goofy/funny movies
- when I'm laying down and Steve or Will comes over and pokes their nose under the blanket I'm using and wiggles under the blanket to snuggle next to me.
- the smell of pot roast
- my dad's chili and grilled cheese sandwiches
- my parent's house at Thanksgiving - the sights, smells, sounds
- all Christmas festivities with family(s)
- bright colors in art pieces
- inside jokes
- doodling on notebook paper
- silver jewelry
- finishing a craft project with no setbacks and getting the desired result
- bike rides with Matt
- reading in bed on a stormy day
- college football Saturdays with buffalo wings
- Swimming off the pier and boat rides on the river
- Watching Steve and Wil run on the beach

I know this list is pretty superficial, but just thinking about these things trigger happier thoughts for me. Sending happy thoughts to all of you as well.

Orlando mini vacation

We were able to get away last weekend for a mini vacation to Orlando. Marg and Tyson had purchased tickets to for a Disney water park on their honeymoon but did not use them. So they sent them to us! THANKS!!! We really enjoyed the chance to get out of town and go to our favorite place. Our passes are in their blackout period right now so we miss out on our frequent trips to Disney in the summer. Saturday, we went to Typhoon Lagoon and spent most of the day relaxing and riding the lazy river around in circles. That evening Matt surprised me with a delicious dinner in Downtown Disney at Portabello. This is a wonderful Italian restaurant.

Friday night after a quick Happy Meal dinner at McDonald's we went over to the Polynesian resort to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks show on the beach. I got some great pictures...

The blue building in the middle is Cinderella's Castle.

Saturday after our delicious dinner at Portabello we decided to visit the Wilderness Lodge and the Fort Wilderness Campground (Matt and I are really big on finding the free stuff to do at Disney, we discovered you don't have to stay in the resort to visit and enjoy some of the amenities, so we make the most of our free entertainment.)

The Wilderness lodge was gorgeous and the grounds were beautiful. There was a stream outside the hotel and bunny rabbits were munching on plants along the walkway. It was picturesque.

Me and Matt at the Wilderness Lodge.

We took the boat from the Wilderness Lodge over to the Fort Wilderness Campground. There Matt was excited to have a drink at Crockett's Tavern!

Fort Wilderness was huge and beautiful. There were a LOT of RV's there and everyone gets around the resort with golf carts and bikes. We went to a marshmallow roast where Chip and Dale sing campfire songs with the kids and then they show a Disney movie. We missed the sing-a-long, but made it in time to see the beginning of Toy Story. It was so fun to see all the kids roasting marshmallows, making s'mores and giggling at the movie.

While waiting for the boat ride back to the Lodge and our car, Matt and I got creative with a light up Fort Wilderness key chain and the slow shutter speed on my camera....

I drew a flower.

Matt.

Mickey Mouse

See No Evil

Speak No Evil

Hear No Evil

I thrive on these weekend getaways with my hubby. Thanks for an awesome trip Matt!