The Big 3-0

In May, I turned the big 3-0... a major life milestone worth celebrating!  Since my birthday fell over a holiday weekend, Todd surprised me by suggesting that we take a special trip somewhere.  We went back and forth, but finally decided on a "grown-up celebration" at DisneyWorld in Florida.

It was fun to be treated so special by Disney on my birthday!

This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip -- how many times in your life will you be at Disney World on your birthday?!?  Since the little one was staying home with grandparents, we decided to the things we'd never do on a trip with family.  We visited multiple parks each day, hung out in a hammock on the Polynesian beach and watched the fireworks, ate at some amazing restaurants, and even played at the Magic Kingdom one night until 3 AM!!  We also took the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour at Magic Kingdom, a behind-the-scenes guided tour full of Disney trivia and things you don't have access to as a regular guest in the park.  It was amazing, and I highly recommend it if you're a Disney fan!

Birthday Breakfast -- Mickey Waffles!

Our home for the weekend -- The Grand Floridian

We hit all four parks on my actual birthday -- Animal Kingdom to ride Expedition Everest, Epcot to shop their awesome store (hey, Test Track was closed! :/), Hollywood Studios for Toy Story and Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Magic Kingdom to take a picture in front of the castle. :)  Then it was off to California Grill for my birthday dinner and Magic Kingdom fireworks! 

Mickey Bar -- Best Birthday Cake ever!

Todd also got to have some fun on this trip... for his birthday, I surprised him with a driving experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway!  He got to drive one of his favorite cars, the Audi R8.  Now he's convinced we need one -- yeah, right!  Even if we could come up with the ridiculous amount of cash needed, where would we put the car seat?  And would you really want that temptation sitting in the garage when your kids turn 16?  :)

Todd with his super fun car for the day :)

We had an amazing time celebrating my birthday in Florida, and I can't wait to see where Todd decides to go for his big birthday next year!

4th of July

We are so blessed!  Blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to have an opinion, and blessed to have brave men and women to protect that freedom every day.  Blessed to live in a wonderful community that offers so many family-friendly opportunities.  And blessed to have a great little family!  Here's our sweet one at the 4th of July parade:

Watching the high school band come down the street

Favorite part of the parade - the flag someone handed her.  She had so much fun waving it!

While she loved the parade, she was not a big fan of the fireworks -- when we asked her if they were pretty, she said, "No... go inside?"  Guess the bright, loud, exploding lights in the sky were not her thing this year. :)  Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!