Orlando, FL Family Vacation

We spent a wonderful week with Nanny and Papa in Orlando, FL visiting two different theme parks and the Kennedy Space Center. 

We started our journey at Magic Kingdom.

Waiting in line for a ride and being silly.

The Grandparents and Grandkids enjoying a view of the Disney castle.

Kissing in front of the Disney castle.

More kissing!  It just seems like such a magical place.

Since Star Wars is owned by Disney, Ripley was obsessed with getting a Light Saber.  Thanks to Nanny for this key chain version!

We arrived right in time for the opening of the brand new Toy Story Land, one of the boys' favorite movies.  I love that they have made these toy soldiers into life size versions.  

Teddy was chosen for the show with the real life toy soldiers.  What a lucky kid!

Showing his agility to the soldiers.

Posing with the soldiers and the other volunteers.

We even got our photo with one of the soldiers.

The next day we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
 

Check out this amazing Star Wars cupcake.  Everything has a theme.  I love it!

Waiting in line for a ride with a grumpy Ripley.

 The next day we went to the Kennedy Space Center.

With the rocket boosters from one of the Shuttle missions.

Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Teddy trying his hand at a space suit simulator.  It was hard!

The next day we stayed at the pool at the Marriott Hotel for the day but decided to go to Disney Springs for dinner.  We ate at the T-Rex Restaurant, which was a big hit with everyone.

Ripley wearing his ears and his light saber to Disney Springs.

Outside the T-Rex Restaurant. 

 The next day we went to Islands of Adventure, which is part of Universal Studios Orlando.

Of course, our first ride was a very wet one.

Teddy was thrilled to see Hogwarts at the Harry Potter Wizarding World.

Outside Hogwarts. 

This was our view of Hogsmead while drinking Butter Beer.  

We bought the boys a magical wand that would make things in the village move.  Here is the Hogwarts Express Conductor showing Teddy how to use his wand. 

Ripley was thrilled to ride the Dr. Seuss carousel with Nanny and Papa.

The instructions at the Dr. Seuss playground were to take a picture in a hole of a fantastic creature.  It was me!

The weather wasn't great and it bucketed rain all afternoon.  Despite the rain, we waited in line and were completely soaked before we even got on this water ride. 

Teddy enjoyed having his picture taken in front of the silly cartoon sayings.

On the way our we found the Bubba Gump Shrimp.  Don't you love how wet we are?

 On our last day, we went to Universal Studios.

Ripley trying his hand at making magic in Daigon Alley.

The result of Ripley's magic. 

Being silly in line!

My favorite part of the day was visiting Simpsons Land.  I was so excited to have a Duff beer like in the show.

Teddy and Nanny were thrilled to have a Lard Lad Donut.

I found Moe's Bar!

The boys loved taking pictures at Curious George's World.

45th Anniversary

Happy 45th Anniversary to my parents! Here's to many more celebrations together!

Nanny and Papa in Dubai: Nanny and Papa Visit a Mosque

Although there are many Mosques in Dubai (several within earshot as I know from the early morning Call to Prayer), there are only a few public Mosques in the country.  The most beautiful public Mosque is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  Of course, we had to visit!

We had to wear traditional conservative dress in order to enter the Mosque.

We all had our names written in Arabic.  Shana's name is being written.

The entrance to the Mosque.

This clock lists all of the times that Muslim's must pray each day.

Inside the mosque.  Isn't it stunning?

Papa in front of all of the names of Allah.

The Quran.

The carpet throughout the Mosque.  This is the world's largest hand-knotted carpet.

Standing outside the Mosque with our names written in Arabic.

Loved this balloon Arabic couple!