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