A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

(We took a fun 2 day side trip to Disney for a couple of days so posting is a little behind.) 

Tuesday our day started as has become the norm for this trip with Hannah and I heading out in the golf cart at the break of dawn to pick up breakfast for the family.  This time Nana came along for the ride with us.

We also stopped to pick up some yogurt for Grandma.  One perk to being in a little city that is made up of mainly retired people is that there’s a good chance you’ll get the really cool carts at the stores!  This morning it was car in the grocery store (yes, still in pj’s )

and later in the day at our first Target stop of the trip.

Hannah thinks the popcorn available at Tar-jay is a great treat!  Mommy likes it because it encourages her to sit in the cart rather than ‘help’ mommy shop.

We know that Target is Uncle Mark’s favourite store south of a da border so we stopped to take the traditional pic on the red ball while Hannah threw up her arms and shouted, ‘Uncle Mark!!’

My little shopping diva wanted to hold, wear and try on everything sparkly in the entire store!  And yes, Mommy bought the hat because she looked just too cute wearing it!!

Mom, Sharon, Aunt Louise and I were going out for lunch together and the guys were going to watch Hannah!  Here’s mom giving them a walk through the contents of the diaper bag.  Too funny!!

I saw a few pics on Grandpa’s camera that unfortunately I don’t have the cables to download but it’s safe to say a great time was had by all!!

Chillaxin in the afternoon watching some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I bought Hannah these kids headphones recently and it’s safe to say they’re a big hit and I’m really impressed with the good quality.

Tuesday was also a day of celebration as Mom and Dad celebrated their 53rd Wedding Anniversary!  We went out for dinner and enjoyed a delicious Italian supper. Happy Anniversary mom and dad!

Just a fun pic of Hannah helping me get her milk ready at the end of th day.

Next strop….Magic Kingdom!  Now, Mommy needs to narrow down the pics and stories.  We had a fabulous 2 days at Disney and I’m looking forward to sharing more with you.

Daytona Beach Meet-up with Friends

Monday morning dawned early once again as Hannah was awake and ready to play by 5:30am.  I decided this morning that whomever created Daylight Savings Time must not have been the parent to a toddler at the time!  Hopefully tomorrow when she wakes up it will be 6am or later.  Regardless, we still had fun going to Panera Bread to pick up breakfast for everyone.  This morning it was delicious bagels for all!

Shortly after breakfast we all hopped in the van for the 1 1/2 hour drive to Daytona Beach!

Hannah decided a nap was in order on the way there.

We met up with our wonderful friends Ford, Alyson and Alyzabeth An; Don and JMei.   We’d met at the same place last year and it was fun to see the girls together once again. 

Colouring with Mr. Ford

It was a beautiful sunny day and we sat outside on the patio which was right on the ocean front. 

After lunch there was lots of time for the girls to play in the sand and waves.

Hannah was happy to run in the waves with anyone who would go with her!  Grandpa

Papa

and Mommy

This year mommy remembered to bring a change of clothes so Hannah was welcome to get as wet as she wanted…and that was wet!

Sometimes she even ran on her own which my independent little girl loved!

We shared a wonderful visit together with these special friends at

and we’re looking forward to Daytona meet-up 2012!  It was great to see you friends!!

Florida Trip Wrap-Up

It was a quick 4 day trip but Hannah and I would do this again in a heartbeat! 

These flights were her last as a lap child which makes me a little sad.  For years and years, even long before I began Hannah’s adoption, I longed to be the Mommy on the plane holding her little one close as the plane took off and landed.  We have been blessed to do a lot of travelling together over the past 14 months and that’s not going to change but I will miss holding Hannah during take off and landing.  What I won’t miss is trying to keep my energizer bunny’s feet from kicking the seat in front of us.  Beginning with our next trip Hannah will be secured in her car seat when we board the plane.  I have a feeling it might be a little easier for both of us as she’s used to being in her car seat and is very happy there.   During our flight to FL Hannah hopped across the aisle for a little visit with her friend Ben.

When we first arrived in FL Hannah fell asleep in the car so Mommy decided it was time to finally go someplace I’ve wanted to for a very long time and it was yummy!!   Emily, I made it!!

Hannah enjoying lunch in the travel high chair.  This little chair has been great to have and use in a pinch.  Normally the challenge is that it doesn’t put her at a good height for the table but there was a booster seat at the house we rented which put her at the perfect height.

A sucker featuring her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse friends that was almost as big as Hannah! 

Checking Minnie’s teeth

Enjoying a private boat ride at DD.  With the weather being less than ideal, boat rides were not something most people were looking to do but Hannah and I had fun tooting around the lake with the big boat all to ourselves!

Swimming with Mommy in our back yard

Awe!  Kisses for Molly

Hannah’s buddy Ben!  She sure has missed him since we returned home.  She talks about him daily.

Sadly Tuesday around noon it was time for us to say good-bye to our friends and head to the airport.  Little did we know at the time that our flight would be delayed approx 4 hours but we made the best of our time anyway by hanging out with some Disney friends at the airport.

Hannah and Snow White

Mickey

Enjoying eating and wearing ice cream in the airport

Some may think it’s a Goofy idea to travel all that way for 4 days and you know what? We agree….and we wouldn’t have it any other way!!

I wonder where we’ll end up next??

Creative Orange Picking

Sunday afternoon the Mommies were out shopping and on our way home we were talking about all the beautiful orange trees that lined the highway we were on.  We were all surprised and excited when we passed a sign that said ‘U-Pick Oranges’.  Cool!!  What a fun activity that would be!  It was late in the day so we decided that we’d go the following afternoon after the kiddos woke up from their naps.

Well, after all the rain we had Monday morning we knew that wasn’t going to happen so we got creative. 

Here’s our version of orange picking with the kids.

Find an ‘orange tree.’  Close-up shot

At a distance :o)

Hoist up the kiddos and begin picking.  They were happy as could be and our orange picking adventure was a huge success…even if it was only in our living room with the oranges we’d picked up at a roadside stand.  :o)

Hannah concerned about her friend Molly eating the outside of the orange

Ben ~ mighty proud of himself!

Hannah’s turn

 

Although the orange picking wasn’t as we’d originally planned it was still fun for the kiddos and the parents too.  It’s just one more reason for us to enjoy a FL trip together again sometime – orange picking in the Florida sun rather than our living room.