Travel Tuesday - WDW

We celebrated the Mr's 50th birthday at Disney World. The weather was FANTASTIC! Sunny (except for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning briefly) and upper 70s/low 80s. I packed it in my suitcase to bring home but apparently the airline released it back to the wild in Florida...

I took more "artsy" pictures this trip as we relaxed and enjoyed it a little more than running for 5 days. (These have had no touch ups or corrections done to them)

 Just a little bit of Christmas left in places when we got there but by the day we left, it was ALL gone!

We were waiting for the bus and were the only ones waiting so we had a little fun while we were soaking up the sun.

Ahhhh-palm trees

My favorite ride - The Haunted Mansion

The story behind this picture...

When you ride the Magical Express to & from the airport, they play a safety video staring "Gus the Bus Driver". Well, "Gus" is actually an actor at Hollywood Studios. The kids saw him and almost lost their minds. (Please note the banana in his holster)

Young Miss's favorite ride - Tower of Terror

On safari:

Traditional face paint

Our selfie while waiting for the boys

Breakfast at Ohana (one of our favorite Disney meals)

They touched a snake

Epcot had it's first weekend of it's first ever Festival of the Arts. It was really cool! Lots of food and artwork (including certain works of art you could be a part of!).

Star Wars fireworks at Hollywood Studios:

After our ride on Rock N Roller Coaster

Playing with the Green Army Men

Epcot fireworks on the Mr's birthday:

I have wanted this shot every time we've gone and there's always been TONS of people around it. It was walking through and lo & behold - not a soul around!

All photos were taken with my phone.

Mack Truck May be Necessary

When you drop some subtle hints to your family that perhaps they could nominate you for the #CubsRingBearer contest and they snicker.... Well, one can only assume they either already have OR they think you are nuts.

Time will tell....

Kindness

I am going to make this post after thinking long and hard about it and how I want to word what I want to say. I am sorry if this gets a little preachy but I feel frustrated and want to express my feelings.

I believe because we live in this country, we have certain rights. We have the freedom to enjoy our beliefs and opinions without government persecution. We should also be able to share those beliefs and opinions without persecution from other citizens. I have seen and read some pretty harsh and unkind words in the last few months, especially. We don't have to like others' views or opinions but that doesn't mean they are "wrong" for their opinions.

I hope and pray we can all start acting kind to everyone and accept that we all feel certain ways about certain things-and that that's ok!

Please-be kind. Smile. Say hello to a stranger. Pass along some small kindness to someone. It doesn't take long; doesn't have to cost a thing and may just brighten someone's day.

And now a PSA

Just a reminder with February around the corner - it is National Heart Health Month. Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 3 for National Wear Red for Women Day.

New Years Eve

We took the kids to see Phantom of the Opera. I think they both really enjoyed it.

We stayed downtown for the night and just relaxed in our hotel room with a lot of junk food and pizza!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2017!

Christmas Eve

We were lucky enough to be given tickets to the Christmas Eve afternoon Bears vs. Redskins game. Well - lucky enough until the game started badly and just stayed that way (as was the rest of the season...). It was a cold day but the wind stayed calm until about the last quarter, then it got pretty cold, pretty fast.

There were carolers on the concourse and they were fantastic!

The entrance was the highlight of the game (sorry to say).

Thank you to my aunt & uncle for the tickets.

Happy Birthday!

This guy hits a milestone today!

Happy Birthday babe - I love you!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Back to my Wednesday post (who the hell thought this was a good way to spell Wednesday, by the way...)! I am working very hard this year to be and stay positive. So here is what I'm loving this week:


*My husband's sense of humor
*My kids constant laughing (mostly at my expense)
*Books
*Photography
*Spring training is just over a month away
*Catching up with old friends


What are you loving this week?

A moment please

I have not properly acknowledged the 2016 World Series Champs - THE CUBS!!!!!!!! here.

The whole World Series was an emotional roller coaster. The Indians came into it on fire and I was very nervous about what they could do. I hope those guys know that I commend them on an awesomely played Series! It was a helluva a ride for both sides.

After Game 7 ended, my Mr. put our W flag out and I bawled like a baby. We could hear the yells, cheers, screams and car horns ALL over town! It was so amazing!

MLB Network played their World Series film recap yesterday afternoon. That was the first time I had sat to watch a recap of it because I hadn't felt emotionally prepared. UGH! The emotions were still there - I cheered; cried and had stomach knotting while watching it. I'm not proud of my actions as I knew the outcome but OH MAN!!!! Kudos to MLB for putting together a fantastic recap.

November 2, 2016 will always hold a spot in my heart as THE ultimate baseball date.


November 4, 2016 will hold another spot - the PARTY for these awesome guys. My Mr., Young Mr. and myself took the train into Chicago (and watched the sun come up while riding) to celebrate with 5 million of our closest friends.

Camped out in our "spot" for the parade

Behind where we were standing

The city dyed the river blue (not my photo)

We ended up right by one of the confetti cannons so that just added to the festiveness of the day

PS: My Mr. was taking photos during the parade because I was busy screaming and yelling

Travis Wood holding the World Series trophy

 

It was an amazing day!

PS: A HUGE shout out to all the law enforcement that the city called upon that entire 10 day stretch for keeping things lawful and safe. You worked long, tiring hours and I know it wasn't always easy.


Getting OUT of the city is a story for another day - my husband became my super hero in that moment!

Hello 2017

I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and blessed year to come. I hope your holiday season has been joyful.

As a general rule I don't make resolutions or goals-I don't stick to them if I do. BUT...

My blogging goal for this year is to post 3 times a week.

Travel Tuesday - These Shoes

These shoes!

They can tell some stories!

I have had them for over 10 years. They are my "outdoors" and "traveling" shoes. I love the support in them - especially when there is a lot of walking involved. (Yes, they are heavy and kind of a pain at airport security but...)

They have hiked several local state parks.

They have also:

seen The Strip in Las Vegas

visited all the parks at Disney World

seen the Grand Canyon (and kept my feet warm in the snow there)

hiked Diamond Head in Hawaii

walked the Walk of Fame in Hollywood

visited Presidential homes, libraries and burial sites

toured numerous sports stadiums

walked over Hoover Dam

seen the redwood trees in Muir Woods

walked around Disneyland

stood next to cannons on Civil War battlefield memorials

walked through catci and over rocks & boulders in Joshua Tree NP

discovered a lot of the history and stories of the Civil Rights movement

been caving in Kentucky

hiked in the Smoky Mountains

I don't know how many miles are on them but they are faithful and weathered. I love them and when their time is over, I am going to be sad.

WILW

Hello Wednesday - the halfway point in the week.


I hope your week is going well. It's been almost painfully cold here (and getting colder as the week progresses).  I hope you have found some things you are loving this week!


*Christmas music (it's been playing in my car for 4 weeks now)
*A warm house to come home to
*A break from Facebook - still on Twitter and Instagram for now (cubsfan3410)
*My husband and kids for making me laugh
*Christmas cards
*Starting to hear from photo clients and possible photo clients for next year
*Good books
*Yarn projects
*Starting a new journal project for 2017


What are YOU loving this week?

Weekend recap

I hope you all had a good weekend! It was cold all weekend with a few inches of snow.

Friday morning, I went for my annual cardiologist visit. They have a couple little things they want to watch now, nothing major but a couple things that got some of his attention. Friday night we went out for dinner and did a little shopping. We took our annual drive through Christmas light trip on the way home. It has grown tons in the past couple of years.

Saturday I did laundry and read some of my book. We set up our Christmas tree.

Sunday my sinuses were killing me most of the day. I caught up on Chicago PD and took a nap. Then the Mr. and the kids got their tickets for Rogue One for Thursday night - they are all excited.

How was your weekend?

TGIF!

I hope you have all had a good week. Mine wasn't too bad - just getting back into our routine after being off work.


It's supposed to snow quite a bit in the greater Chicagoland area this weekend...then the COLD (like a high of 5F) is supposed to move in next week. Apparently, Old Man Winter found us...


My plans for the weekend include: staying warm; reading; watching some movies; laundry (don't be jealous); probably wasting time on Pinterest; and getting some photography marketing stuff ready for 2017.


What are your plans for the weekend? I hope it's a great one!

WILW

It's a What I'm Loving Wednesday!!!!


*Had a great vacation with my husband and kids! (posts to come...)
*Even though my husband & kids are crazy and do insane stuff, they make me laugh (A LOT!)
*A warm house to shelter me
*Texts and emails from family & friends
*Deciding what to get my nephews and niece for Christmas
*Our clients at work - they are happy harvest is done and like (and have time) to chat this time of year
*My fellow bloggers - you are all fun and love keeping up with your lives
*Being contacted about photo shoots again
*Good books
*Binge watching The Good Place - hilarious show!


What are YOU loving this week?

Hello!

Hello my friends!

I have been incredibly negletful of my little space in the cyber world. 2016 is quickly slipping away from me. I want to let you know that I am gearing myself up to be more focused on this blog in 2017. I seem to have lost a lot of my appreciation of the little everyday things and am finding my way back to small happinesses.

I hope you are all well and blogging away! I will try to catch up on your blogs.

Please stay tuned and visit, I am getting back to this!