December 18th

Nick Suites Pool Side

The Family

The Train to Hogwart

Harry, Cody, Homer and Marge

Cody in one of the Pool Games

                                        
                                       

Cody getting slimmed

Hogwart Castle

Good morning!!! How is everyone this chilly Saturday morning. Dec 18th just 7 days till that jolly ole fat mans long anticipated visit. Having checked his list twice and found out who's been naughty and nice. Gathers his reindeer's with Rudolf in the lead he shouts on Dancer on Prancer, Donner, and Vixen with speed of light he has begun his annual trip around the world.   All the children snug in their bed and deep in slumber will soon awake with anticipation that Saint Nick visited them during their long winters nap. 

A few short weeks back our family made a trip to Orlando FL. An early Christmas gift to one another. The girls, Harry and I still enjoy that ties that binds our family. We have so very much stuff  that we enjoy our family vacation and time chillin as a family.
However Cody and Ryan will still find those long wished presents.
We flew out of Intercontinental airport. We boarded a 50 seat  plane. I believe sardines had more room. Well to my surprise the flight was very good. Nice and smooth take off and landing. The flight attendants generous with the peanuts and pretzels.  All was good.
We landed in Memphis then on to the next plane a lot larger and of course full. We're off once again to the wild blue yonder next destination Orlando FL. Another smooth landing we hailed a cab and on our way to the Nickelodeon Suites.  This place is awesome so family friendly. The resort has thought of everything to make your stay great. Just souper dooper!! We had a two bedroom suite, a small kitchen, living room. There is a mini mall, for your convenience, with a hamburger, pizza, subway, and a coffee and sweet treat fast foods to satisfy your picky eaters.  Then they have a nice restaurant, you may order off the menu or choose the nightly buffet.  Every morning is a Breakfast buffet. Absolutely no need for anyone to go away hungry.
During the week we stayed the many activities included Nick Live poolside, casting, Mass Slimming, Meet the many nick character , such as Dora the explore, Sponge Bob, Krabby Patty, Sandy Cheeks, so many more kids favorites. In the evenings they celebrate winter in park with Let it Snow poolside then soar down a 55 foot long ice slide, splash in the pool, snack on tasty holiday treats, warm coco, snowflake cookies, popcorn. Enjoying all with large snowflakes fall from the tropical Florida skies. Then head indoors to warm up to a family game of Slime time live, or family karaoke. No way should you go home rested. As the clock ticks trust me there is always something going on. Maureen, Lisa and the boys were selected to be on the family Slime time live. You competed with another family answering nick trivia. The team winning would get slimmed.  They did not win but Cody was able to hit one of his team with a pie in the face. He picked his Aunt Lisa and yes he smashed her in the face with a large whipped cream pie. I just wonder what Aunt Lisa will get Cody for Christmas.
Monday we spent the day at Islands of Adventure, had breakfast at Harry Potter's Broomstick pub. You could choose the traditional American Breakfast, pancake breakfast or the English Breakfast, smoked salmon, Canadian bacon, pumpkin juice, blood pudding muggles eggs. After a hearty breakfast off to Hogwarts school. As we walked to wait our short time of 75 minutes to take our turn on number 9 1/2 train. The highlight of our much anticipated ride was all we hoped it would be, thrilling and exciting. To share such fun with our children and grand children as they say priceless. Afterward we wanted to roam the land of Harry's world. We shopped the many specialties boutiques,  Gladrags, Wizardly clothing, J Pippins, potions, the Cauldrons shop. Then it was time for some refreshments a large glass of butterbeer, or pumpkin juice. Don't turn your nose up; very tasty. Butterbeer is cream soda with butterscocth schnapps. Pumpkin juice is just that a sweet pumpkin nectar. Made a quick stop at the Owl post to mail our post cards. The Land of Harry Potter making it's debut in June is very crowded with so many mugglers anxious to experience Harry's world you need to expect long waits in line. I will say once you are there it is very worth it.  I know I will go back. When the went to the Jurassic Park ride a short 30 minutes wait this is a water boat ride as we began to board the boat the skies opened with a down pour of heavy rain. We continue on the ride we were drenched but just the perfect mood setting for the ride.  Tuesday we hung out again at the nick resorts. We rented a cabana and again chilled around the pool. Enjoying the Florida sun, swimming, and just snoozing poolside sweet.  Wed. we were back to Universal studios. This side of the park not as crowded. We rode all the rides E T, Jaws, Frank Kincaid master of mayhem disaster studios.  I was cast as a grandma in a very very short production. My film career short lived but I did bring in the box office hits.
Off to Dr Seuss land and Shriek adventure. We closed the parked. We decide to our dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Food is OK and musics way to loud but the boys had such fun.       
Thursday came all to fast and time for us to head home where did the week go. Made our flights home safely and being that it was Thanksgiving we choose Kelly's restaurant for traditionally holiday dinner. If you must eat out Kelly's is the closest to home cooking as you can get.
Well that's all I got to say about that.
If I don't get a chance to blog before Christmas, I would like to wish all a very Merry Christmas and very safe Holiday Season.
XOXOXOXO

Juju

Just a Quickie

Hey guys just thought I would give you a Quickie.  Been a little busy and I have neglected my post.  As we know anticipation makes the waiting so worth it.
First we had some such a nice surprise.  Marty and Duff came into town and spent a week with us.  We meet them at Farragut this past summer and we quickly became friends.  Harry and Duff  both have the love of ice cream. With that said you get the picture. They were heading to the valley for the winter.  They are from Iowa and they did not want to spend another snowy winter in the corn belt. 
Harry and I put on our tour guide hat, and had a lot of fun showing them the highlights of Galveston County.  We drove them out to Brazos Bend state park and walked around the five mile lake scrawling for the famous alligators. As the sun warm the afternoon we began to spot several of them enjoying sun bathing.  The park is only an hour drives from T C. Once you are there and set up you will have such a good time.  On Saturdays the park has an observatory and many amateurs bring out their telescope and share with the public. Now the park has three huge power telescopes and you are welcome to view our amazing solar system. Folks this truly will melt  away any stress you may have to gaze upon our heavens.  Give yourself that inner peace and you will look forward to the Monday blues.
The park has it share of critters and when the sun begins to fade you see the fat racoon's inching every so slowly toward your camp site scavenger from crumbs. The many herds of deer heading to their resting spot for the night to bed down. The squirrels scurrying to their nest high in the tree tops. You know it's time to gather your family and friends for a nice warm camp fire.  Oh the many tall tales
you share, and outrageous stories that will always be place in the memories. As they say priceless.  Enjoy our parks, have a picnic, take a short hike on the many trails, go fishing, a nap is always sweet. Just do it you will be glad you did.
The four us enjoyed the day in Galveston walking the strand, and you cannot past La Kings and old time soda parlor, candies you will  want to try  each flavor from hard candy to soft fudge.  Candy cigarettes to pop rocks, and oh the taffy. After eating your salt water taffy no place better than a lazy walk on the beach. With the gulf spray you and waves dancing at your feet. Yep again no stress. Just the simple pleasure of life.
The next day the Kemah boardwalk. We were very fortunate to get a good parking spot. As the locals will tell you get there early or be prepared to walk and walk and walk. We wandered through the amusement park being old farts just could not muster any rides.
We also strolled the waterways watched the speed boats and the pesky seagulls scoop generous crumbs from the people.
Before you know the week had end and our friends pulled out of Dickinson and headed to Brownsville.  They arrived safe and Marty in her gown and Duff in his kerchief they have settled in for a long winter's nap.
I do have much more to chat with you.  However this is my day off and like most working girls I have errands to do. I do want to chat with you about our fun trip to Orlando FL.  We had such a great time.  Also my dear friend Deb thanks so much to continue to spoil me with your homemade Texas trash, may be made in Oregon but still has that Texas thang. Harry and I had our traditional Christmas dinner with Kerrie and Rogers. A bottle of wine and grilled steaks tender enough to cut with a fork.   Kerrie always amazes me with her unique Christmas gifts.
Love to all, and to all have a safe Christmas.

Hmmm I lied about the quickie. Now you know why Hartley always
smiles.  
xoxoxox
Juju