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I Heart Mexico Beach

October 5, 2017, we pulled out of our home in St. Joe Beach for the last time. I cried big baby tears as we drove down Highway 98 through Mexico Beach, a place we had called home for the past 16 months.

As we passed the beach lined with palm trees and through the town, I tried my hardest to take it all in, to make a memory. In my heart, I knew we would return to visit one day, but little did I know that I would never see Mexico Beach the same way again.

Ever.

Moving to Paradise

A few years back Brad and I formulated a plan after visiting my cousin in the hospital. Her husband is from Fort Walton Beach, FL and they were going to move there soon. They told us about the Florida panhandle and how amazing it was.   Immediately (like in the car on our phones) we started searching the internet for more information.

We found images of powder white beaches and clear emerald green waters. What?? There are places like that in the US?

We must see this fantastic Florida panhandle!

One visit to Destin and we were hooked!! So, we decided when Ben, our youngest, graduated high school; we were moving to Florida!!

After a ton research, we zeroed in on the Mexico Beach area and planned an investigatory visit. We were in love the second we entered the city limits! It was like stepping back in time, to the charm of Old Florida.

Mexico Beach is a quaint little beach town with only a few condo buildings, maybe one chain store, and no big chain restaurants. Not one traffic light. Only two gas stations. Lots of locally owned beach stores and places to eat.

Beautiful sand, clear water, no crowds. Yep, this was our kind of place!

Mexico Beach

In the summer of 2016, our dreams came true. With the moving truck loaded we were on our way to live in paradise! We had found the perfect house one block off the beach and next door to a swimming pool! Life was gonna be good.

Our House

And it was! Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe quickly became home as we met the locals and made some lifelong friends. Brad worked from home, and I started bartending at Tyndall Air Force Base.

On the weekends we would pack up our beach gear and head down to wide beaches at Sunset Park by the El Govenor Hotel or hang out at the Mexico Beach Pier.

Beach Day Sunset Park

Christmas Lights at Sunset Park

We enjoyed hosting out of town guests and showing off our cute little town. We would take them to Toucans for dinner and drinks on the beach. Or maybe a walk out on the pier to catch a glimpse of our wildlife.

Mexico Beach Public Pier

Brad and Layna playing frisbee at the pier

Strolling through town, visiting the shops, and getting ice cream were the favorite evening activities. MB Sweets and Treats had a coconut almond flavor that was to die for!! Everyone loved that Mexico Beach was so family friendly. The perfect escape from the usual “party” beach crowds.

Getting Ice Cream with the girls

Leaving Paradise

The decision to go was so hard. But our family needed us back in TX. The day we left, I was so glad I was alone the car. Tears were flowing as I drove out of Gulf Aire and past the pool we had coffee at almost every morning.

Mornings at the Pool

Turning onto Highway 98 passing the palm trees on the beach. Through Mexico Beach; Past Toucans, Gulf Foods & Killer Seafood.

Highway 98

The Beach at Toucans

Toucans New Year’s Eve

Past Jen’s house, our bank and the pottery shop I always meant to go into but never did. One last look at the pier, the Welcome Center and the giant beach chair where we had taken so many cheesy photos with family and friends.

Pictures at the Chair

Paradise Lost

That would be the last time I would see Mexico Beach that way.

I am so glad I took the time to take it all in because now most of it is gone.

Literally, GONE!

On October 10, 2018, hurricane Michael swept through Mexico Beach and took most of it away. Blocks and blocks and blocks of houses and businesses reduced to splinters and rubble.

Toucans, gone. Killer Seafood, gone. Sunset Park, the pier, the Welcome Center and the big beach chair, all gone.

Port St. Joe, Tyndall Air Force Base, and Panama City were hit hard too. Friends and neighbors came home to destroyed or mud-filled houses. Trees knocked over, no power, no water. No way to get gas, clean drinking water or groceries. Stunned and shocked – but alive!

The images I saw on TV, and the internet broke my heart.

More tears.

Mexico Beach will rebuild, and it once again will be the friendliest family beach on the Florida coast. But for so many of us, we will hold the old Mexico Beach in our hearts and memories.

What a privilege it is to have lived, worked and played in this extraordinary place. We will cherish those memories forever and look forward to the future of our beloved Mexico Beach and the Forgotten Coast.

A Place to Remember

Mexico Beach, A Place to Remember.

How could we ever forget?

I Heart Mexico Beach!

October 14, 2018
South Florida Again!

September is a great time visit South Florida. The crowds have gone home, the temperature is just right, and the water is still warm enough for fun.

We were so excited to be invited along on another Florida trip, this time with our awesome friends who wanted to check out the area for retirement.

This trip would be all about discovering great places to live as well as getting in some much-needed beach time.

We stayed at a great Air BNB condo in Seminole, minutes away from the beach. Staying off the beach allowed us to get a great deal for the week!

Little did we know at the time of booking, this decision would save our noses and lungs. Just days before we arrived, tropical storm Gordon had pushed the red tide into the area.

If you don’t know about red tide, it is yucky stuff! The algae bloom kill fish and can cause respiratory irritation in humans. And the smell…YIKES!

But the red tide would not be the only challenge faced on this trip. Read on.

The First Day

Our first full day and the beach was calling. Madeira Beach, close to the condo, was not safe for swimming and was pretty stinky from the red tide. Luckily Honeymoon Island State Park, 25 miles north, was red tide free!

Honeymoon Island State Park is a park located on Honeymoon Island which is located right outside of Dunedin, FL. The park has 4 miles of shoreline with soft powdery beaches great for lounging and shelling. It has nice restrooms, and park concession is also available for food, beverages, beach supplies, and souvenirs.

All the makings for a lazy beach day! The day was spent catching some rays, playing in the water and gathering seashells.

As we were winding down we started making plans for the evening. Dinner, live music, maybe even some dancing?

And then…(remember the other challenge?)

The rock jetty! The rocks presented themselves at low tide, just before time to leave. The boys just couldn’t resist. One slip and BAM!! Brad’s face met the rocks.

Our excellent beach day turned into a mad dash to the Emergency Clinic for a tetanus shot and 14 stitches!

Open cuts and ocean water are big no-nos! So what do you do at the beach when you can’t GO to the beach?

Eat, Drink, & Explore!

Poor Brad! After he got all stitched up, I was sure food was the last thing on his mind. No way, he was starving and ready to EAT. If you know Brad, not eating is not an option.

We had consulted our condo neighbors Diane & Mary at the pool yesterday and got the hook-up on the best places to eat in the area.

Our first “local” dining experience as recommended by our excellent dining guides was at the Wahoo Waterside Pub and Patio.

From the front it isn’t much to look at – looks like a hole-in-the-wall which usually means it’s gonna be great! We got a table out back on the deck overlooking the bay.

Whahoo is known for their food, service and cold beer. The most talked about dishes are the grouper sandwich, spicy seafood gumbo, and seafood bisque. My fave was the coconut shrimp, so good!

Brad is definitely feeling better after a beer and some good food!

Sweet Sage was on the “Diane & Mary” list for the best breakfast and atmosphere. I don’t even know how to describe this place; fun & eclectic are the first words that come to mind, but that still doesn’t do it justice. In the Garden of Eatin’ (haha) there was so much to take in, I didn’t know where to look.

Funny signs and a ton of cool, colorful stuff! Even the bathroom was fun, complete with a disco ball!

And the food…OH. MY. GOSH! Waffle Daffle (in the pic), crab cake benedict, and freshly squeezed tangerine juice were our favorites.

Sweet Sage is the only restaurant we ate at twice – it’s that good!

Sweet Sage will even welcome your pooch with a menu just for dogs. Woofles anyone??

One of the goals of this trip was to check out towns and neighborhoods that might be good for retiring. As a result, we spent a good part of our days exploring different cities and communities along the coast.

We checked out Bradenton, Sarasota, Port Charlotte, and Anna Maria Island.

Sandbar on Anna Maria Island got our vote for the best smoked fish dip and olive oil dipping sauce.

It seems like we something always drew us back to the St. Petersburg area. Downtown in the Waterfront Arts District we found tons of shopping, dining, galleries and ice cream!! If we had planned our time better, I would have loved to visit the Dali Museum, St. Pete’s Museum of History and the Chihuly Collection of glasswork. Oh well, salted caramel ice would have to do this trip!

Gulf Port is one of those little towns that speak my love language. It is a small community tucked in between St Pete and Boca Ciega Bay. Gulf Port is known for its quirky art scene, laid-back vibe, and locally owned restaurants – no chains here! It is also the place for GeckoFest, and end of summer celebration with street performers, crazy costumes and live music. We missed it by one week! Grrrr…..

While in Gulfport we had to eat at O’Maddy’s. This place wasn’t on the “Diane & Mary” list, but it was definitely on the “Maggie & Brad” list! We had discovered this gem during our June family vacay.

Sitting outside is definitely the way to go! The cooler temps in September were perfect for enjoying the Gulfport water view. I don’t know who was playing, but the live music was fantastic! My macadamia crusted grouper was super delicious, but Cat swears her ahi tuna with sweet potato fries won the award for best dish at the table.

Crystal Springs River Kayaking

Brad couldn’t get IN the water, but that doesn’t mean he could get ON the water.

About an hour north of the Tampa area is the Crystal Springs River Kayaking Inc. The staff hooked us up with a couple of double kayaks and a map for exploring.

He showed us all the best spots to see turtles and cranes. We really wanted to see a manatee! During the summer, they are harder to spot and we were bummed that we didn’t find one.

November 15-March 31 is prime manatee viewing time. There are several manatee refuge sights in Kings Bay, but the most popular place to see them is at Three Sisters Springs and Crystal River.

They make their way here in the winter to hang out in the warm water. The temperature stays around 72 degrees all year long, perfect for manatees in the winter. Also perfect for hot kayakers in the summer!

Last day and we were feeling the need for speed! And what better way to get your speed on than jetskiing at Clearwater Beach!

Clearwater Beach is named #1 beach by Trip Advisor. It’s easy to see why!

Beautiful white sand and calm, shallow waters make it the ideal playground!

Needing to fuel up before hitting the water, we stopped at Paradise Cafe on the beach. Shrimp burgers were a hit at the table. I don’t know how they kept all those little shrimps together in a patty, but the result was delicious!

The jet skis were a blast! Sorry, no pics. My first time riding a jet ski by myself and I figured I better pay attention to driving.

We spent our last evening having dinner with some friends who live in the area; they sure did have a lot of great things to say about living here.

Haha, apparently not!

Leaving Florida gets harder every time. I think we might be hooked!

Do you think we might settle down here?

September 20, 2018
San Antonio Concert Weekend

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Gynf0GrAQ?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Do we look excited?

Just a little bit! The second we heard two of our favorite bands were touring – TOGETHER – we were stoked! Def Leppard and Journey in the same concert!

We immediately started looking for dates that would work with Brad’s schedule and give us a cool little mini vacay. We found a concert date on a Friday night in San Antonio, perfect!

San Antonio is one of our favorite cities to visit so we got to work planning our San Antonio concert weekend. It had to be a quick up and back trip since we were leaving for Florida the next weekend.

So, with the Prius loaded we hit the road on Friday morning at 5 AM. The goal? Make it to the hotel by early afternoon to get in a little pool time.

The Hotel

Our home away from home for the weekend was the Hotel Indigo on San Antonio’s Riverwalk. This oh-so-cute boutique hotel was the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. The hotel is located on the Museum Reach of the Riverwalk, a quieter section of the river but within walking distance to the shops and restaurants.

The hotel lobby had a fresh, modern vibe. Love the glass tile wall and the teal and orange furniture!

We didn’t get a chance to eat at the hotel while we were here. However, they had a great looking menu and loads of choices at the snack bar.

These wall-sized flower murals were all over the hotel. Not sure what kind of flower this is, hmmm… This bed, however, was super comfy.

Our room had a sweet little kitchenette with a sink, Keurig and real mugs!! And we loved having the mini fridge for leftovers, great for a snack after getting back late from the concert.

We did make it in time for some pool lounging. And it had a great view of the river.

The Concert

Journey and Def Leppard rocked our socks off!! We came to San Antonio primarily for this concert, and the bands did not disappoint. All of these guys are well into their 50’s and still had the energy and stamina to pull off a fantastic show.

Everything was great! The crowd, the music, the lights, and the sound. I don’t know if it was the venue or the sound guy, but the volume was just right! We could hear after the concert, no annoying ear ringing for days!

Did anyone else have a crush on Joe Elliot in the 80s?? 🙂

Yes, our seats were way high up. But as you can see we were happy campers, and we had a perfect view of the stage.

The Riverwalk

When in Rome, am I right? On this trip, we were total tourists and the most touristy thing to do in San Antonio is going to the Riverwalk.

The river shuttle stops right outside the hotel and will take you to the Riverwalk or up the Museum Reach. Our butts needed a break and our legs needed stretching, so we decided to walk.

We had our sights on the Go Rio Riverboat tour because, well we had never done it and it sounded like the thing to do. Tickets weren’t outrageous, and we could grab a margarita for the ride. Win and Win!

The tour was fun; we saw some fantastic architecture and learned about the history of San Antonio and the river.

Fun Fact! The Riverwalk is drained every six years for cleaning. They discover all kinds of stuff at the bottom. Sunglasses, keys, toys. But do you know what they find the most? Silverware!

The Food

Two things the Riverwalk is not short on – food and drink.

The Lonestar Cafe’s Happy Hour called out to us, so we headed up for fruity margaritas and half-priced appetizers. We sat upstairs for a view of the river and cooled off with the misters and fans.

Troy, our waiter, gave us some great tips on things to do on our next visit. Thanks, Troy! Excellent service and yummy drinks.

On the boat tour, we discovered that the first restaurant to offer riverside dining was the Original Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill. So, of course, we had to check it out.

They serve up some serious Tex-Mex and killer Dos-Ritas. Good thing we are on foot!

Down the road a way, on I-35 south of SA, we discovered a great local restaurant right off the highway. The Route 35 Diner. We stopped here for a quick breakfast the morning after the concert.

No small, dinky breakfast burritos here!

The Church

Before ending our San Antonio concert weekend, we wanted to check out a local church recommended by one of our kids. Crossbridge Community Church has a reputation of having a great worship leader, Bryan McCleery.

Bryan and the worship team were amazing! And Pastor Kirk delivered a great sermon.  Everyone here is super-friendly – my kind of church!

Great way to end the weekend!

A terrific weekend!

Saw two of my favorite bands, in one of my favorite cities with my favorite guy!

As we started home, we were already making plans to come back.

Maggie & Brad, RockingTheNest.com

Your Turn: Have you been to San Antonio? What are you must-dos while in SA?

September 5, 2018
Redington Beach Family Vacation

The past few years our family has scattered from Texas to Florida, so it has been tough getting everyone together. Even at Thanksgiving or Christmas, someone has been missing. So this year for our parent’s anniversary, we hatched a plan to get all of us to one spot! We decided a Redington Beach family vacation was the ticket for a reunion. Being back in Texas for six months has made us long for the beach and Brad, and I didn’t need much convincing to go back to Florida.

Mom was thrilled that everyone was coming – we had kids, grandkids and even great-grandkids! Visiting at the holidays is great, but this time we could relax without any stress. No scrambling to finish last minute shopping or endless hours in the kitchen cooking. Just seven days of pool, beach, and margaritas!

Getting There!

With the trusty Prius loaded up, we headed out for Florida! Daughter had to work, so we were in charge of the two grand-kids for the trip! It’s been a while since we traveled with kids and decided it would be best to take our time and break up the journey into three days.

First night in Little Rock, AR we stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton. It was the perfect place to unwind after 8 hours in the car.

After hours the pool lights made the pool look magical by changing colors, going from pink to green to purple. And thanks to a lovely man at the front desk, our room opened up to an awesome patio right outside our door, so we could enjoy the lights and keep an eye on the kids.

Next stop Atlanta GA. These two were up early, rested and ready to rock!! Buckle up guys; we got eight hours to go!

Georgia at last!!

After a quick sleep-over in Atlanta, we were finally on the road to Florida!! We felt like Florida was saying “Welcome back Brad and Maggie, we missed you”.

Redington Beach, FL

Pulling up to the Ram Sea condos in Redington Beach, I could feel the stress of the last three days of travel start to melt. We were here!

If you ever stay at the Ram Sea II – pick condo 210. It was amazing!! Our condo was better than the online pictures. We chose a three bedroom, two bath for us, our two kids and the grands. The first thing I saw was this gorgeous view from the living room and master bedroom balcony. And yes, since we are the mom and dad, we claimed the master! I could imagine drinking coffee here in the morning and sipping wine at night watching the sunset over the ocean. Heaven!

The next couple of days were full of relaxation and soaking up the excellent Florida weather. Mornings were spent walking the beach together and checking out some of the locals.

Beach days were for taking it easy. We love lounging under the umbrellas and digging our toes in the soft, white sand. The gulf waters were warm, and the waves were small, perfect for all the kiddos and those of us who tend to get a little queasy in the waves. And thank goodness the jellyfish decided to stay far away!

Brad and I did manage to sneak away for a little “couple” time. We found this quaint bar at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk. It was the perfect spot to grab a beer and watch dolphins and pelicans playing in the bay.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Beaches weren’t the only thing on the agenda. Erica and the kids wanted to go to Clearwater and check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter and Hope! These were the dolphins that inspired the movies Dolphin Tales 1 & 2. We also learned about other fish that live in the waters off the Florida Gulf.

Alyssa is trying to pet the stingrays! Being an animal lover, she was definitely in her element.

Winter would not get close enough to the viewing window for a picture – but Hope had no problem posing for a close-up!

Isaac has a little more growing to do to catch up with this pelican!

Give Kids the World

We also took a day to go to Orlando and visit Give Kids the World! Ben made this star 15 years ago during his Make-A-Wish trip! That day was so incredible that it deserves it’s very own post. Read more about it HERE!

Every evening, after dinner with the family, we tried to make it out to see the sunset. I loved watching families gather to wind down after the day or get together to get a sunset photo opp.

Our Redington Beach family vacation was fabulous, and the memories we made were priceless.

Do you have a favorite family vacation destination? I would love to hear about it!

June 14, 2018
Our Give Kids the World Alumni Visit

During our Redington Beach vacation, we knew we wanted to visit Give Kids the World. Give Kids the World Village is a non-profit resort in central Florida. They provide weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families, usually when a child’s wish is to visit one of the theme parks in Orlando.

We had a chance to stay at Give Kids the World in 2003 when my then 4-year-old made a wish to meet Donald Duck through Make-A-Wish. He had been diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric kidney cancer in 2002. After seven months of cancer treatments, we were ready for a vacation!

Give Kids the world isn’t your average resort. The families staying here are provided with a fully stocked two-bedroom family villa for the entire week. Volunteers take care of most everything and money is not needed. Kids get the chance to play, have fun, and make awesome memories.

Once a Wish Kid – Always a Wish Kid

Ben was only four when we stayed at Give Kids the World!. He has seen the pictures, but he doesn’t remember much about the trip. It was fun going back seeing the resort fifteen years later.

Four times a year, families can come back for an alumni visit. Walking into the House of Hearts (welcome center) brought back a flood of memories. It was comforting to see that some things were as we remembered. Right away we recognized bright decor and the friendliness of the volunteer staff! Whether you are a wish family or alumni, GKTW staff treat you like royalty. Tammy, our excellent liaison, set us up for the day, acquainted us with the activities and gave us all some good laughs.

Ice Cream Palace

GKTW is not the place to worry about your sugar intake. Ice cream is available all day! And we are not talking a soft-serve machine. Oh no! Real ice cream scoops with a ton of toppings and whipped cream, of course. At GKTW it is mandatory to have ice cream at least three times a day! Who were we to say no?

Enchanted Carousel

The huge red and white mushroom is hard to miss. Underneath is the wheelchair accessible carousel. See the turtle?

Alyssa found her favorite animal, a unicorn!

Castle of Miracles and Star Tower

The Castle of Miracles is an extraordinary place. Every wish kid is given a star to personalize. Then it is placed on the ceiling of the castle or the adjoining star tower by Stellar the Star Fairy. The stars are a permanent part of the castle.

Thousands of stars decorate the star tower! Each one represents a child with a life-threatening illness.

Ben’s Star from 2003! The scribbling in the middle is all Ben; I helped him out a bit so we could find his star later.

Towne Hall and Gingerbread House

One one end of the village sits Towne Hall. The building looks delicious with its swirly lollipops. Inside is the Hoppening Place, the perfect gathering spot for many of the village’s activities. Towne Hall is also home to the cafe and dining room.

Yay!! On Thursday Disney characters visit. I was thrilled to get at least one photo of all of us with Pluto!

Thursdays are also Christmas at GKTW! The little kids were thrilled to see Santa. He even brought presents!

Park of Dreams

Wow! Park of Dreams looked nothing like it did fifteen years ago. The upgrades made it feel like a 5-star resort! The pool and splash pad are wheelchair accessible so everyone can enjoy! And of course, there is more food! The kids took full advantage of the endless slushies, popcorn, and hot dogs.

Amberville Station

Isaac’s favorite spot in the village, Amberville Station. This place is a 10-year-old boy’s dream. Inside we found remote control boats, arcade games, pool tables, and Xbox and Wii games. There is also miniature golf and a wheelchair accessible train ride.

The big boys had fun too! Although Ben might have outgrown this ride!

Thanks, Mickey for lending Ben a hand.

The evening was topped off with a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Village.

Our villa looks good with a fresh paint job.

Our Give Kids the World Alumni Visit was one of the highlights of our vacation. We planned to stay only a few hours but ended up staying into the night. This place has our hearts. We will be making plans to come back and volunteer in the future.

Are you planning a visit to Central Florida? Think about spending a day volunteering at Give Kids the World. Learn more HERE. There are other ways to help too! More information HERE.

June 13, 2018
Disney Princess Half Marathon Lessons

I can’t believe we pulled it off – our first runDisney event – the Disney Princess Half Marathon. This race was like no other, full of Disney magic, characters; even the medal was special. You knew, from the moment you registered, you were going to be part of something awesome.

The two days in Orlando were AH-Mazing! However, I didn’t have the full experience that I wanted. Next year (yes, I will be running next year) will be different.

Since it’s getting close to registration time for next year, I wanted to share some tips and lessons I learned the hard way.

The Princess Half Marathon is not just a race; it’s a weekend event.

We drove to Orlando from Texas in two days, arriving Saturday afternoon before the Sunday race. By the time we got to the Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wild World of Sports, we only had about an hour to take it all in – and there was a ton to take in!! I picked up my packet, made a couple of purchases then it was time for the expo to close. There was so much to see and do, and I missed it.

Train and Qualify for an Early Start Time

The race started at 5:00 am for the corral A (holding area) – we were in H. Not everyone starts at the same time – for safety, the runners start in waves. Well, our wave didn’t start until 6:40 Am! By that time the sun was coming up, and so was the temp. One of the girls I met said it was the hottest Princess Half to date!! And I felt it. By mile 8 I was totally wiped out. Which brings me to my next lesson…

Hydrate Throughout the Race

I had the bright idea not to drink water early in the race, you know, so I wouldn’t have to wait in the long potty lines. Haha, not the best strategy! By the time I started drinking, it was too late. I tried drinking, pouring water over my head, anything to get hydrated. But it was too late – I had hit the wall HARD!! From mile 8 to mile 13 were miserable. And the potty lines weren’t that bad 🙂

Take Lots of Pictures

After hitting the wall at mile 8, all I could think about is finishing, and I quit taking pictures. A decision I am regretting now. I don’t have nearly enough of the whole weekend. And, being in the back of the pack means you are running with a lot of people!! So the lines to take pics with Disney characters along the race course were SUPER long! I didn’t want to fall behind, so I passed up the picture opportunities. Stop, take pictures.

Test Your Princess Gear Before the Big Day

Yeah, it’s all exciting dressing up like a princess to run through Disney, but you better make sure what you are wearing will be comfy for 13 miles. My daughter bought oh-so-cute Beauty and The Beast leggings and wore them for the first time in the race. Well, about halfway through the inseams were rubbing raw spots on the inside of her legs. Those spots were very painful the next day!!

Good News is…We FINISHED. It wasn’t pretty or spectacular, but we finished. I am so proud of myself for not giving up and pushing through. Even though I wish I would have done things differently – I wouldn’t trade the experience! It was still awesome, and it was still magical. I am HOOKED. Can’t wait to do it again next year!

Do you have any tips for running the Princess Half Marathon? I would love to read them so I can prepare for next year. 🙂

Disney Princess Half Marathon 2018 Recap

May 20, 2018
Disney Princess Half Marathon 2018 Recap

My first runDisney Princess Half Marathon weekend was short but sweet! Running in this race fulfilled a dream my daughter and I had for years. And here we were finally doing it. Honestly, it was one of the most exciting things I have ever done, and the fun went on and on. There were men rocking full princess gear, Disney characters along the course, hearing “Let It Go” and seeing the fireworks as we crossed the starting line, and just being there with 24,000 other runners – it was just incredible! Erica’s friend Edith came along to join, and Brad was our awesome cheerleader, holder of extra gear and chauffeur.

Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN World of Sports

ESPN Wild World of Sports hosted the Health and Fitness Expo. I swear when I saw the “Welcome Runners” banner, a tear rolled down my cheek. It was a good thing I didn’t have much time at the expo, or we would have been broke. Vendors packed the center with tons of glittery, girly running stuff! I had time to purchase a new purple glitter headband and a new flip belt for all my running necessities. Then it was time to go. 🙁 We missed all the talks and interviews. Two twelve dollar beers from the outside vendors and it was time to head to the hotel.

RACE DAY!!!

Erica is looking thrilled to be up this early 🙂

The next morning we were up at 2:00 am – yes, you read that right! The shuttles to Epcot started running a 3:00 so we had to be up and princess ready. Downstairs the hotel staff at the Hilton Bonnett Creek met us with lots of cheers! It was a great way to start the morning! Thank Goodness the coffee was ready and waiting! An impressive breakfast spread was also provided along with more coffee (Yay!!), water and fruit to take with us.

Quick photo op at the hotel before boarding the bus to Epcot.

Waiting to go to our corrals (we did most of the waiting in the potty lines). Loved checking out all of the costumes. Some of the guys got into it as much as the girls! 🙂

Time to say goodbye to hubby and head to the starting area. There were over 20,000 runners! If you look close, you can see the starting line way in the distance.

Finally – our turn to start. We were in the next to the last corral, so we didn’t cross the start until 6:40. Disney still made us feel special with fireworks and “Let It Go” blasting as we ran passed through the arch. I was nervous, excited and ready to get started. Here we go!

Mile 2! Feelin’ good. (Forgot to mention I was dressed up as Rapunzel, so I absolutely had to stop for this picture).

By mile 4 the girls had run on ahead, but I didn’t mind. What is this look? 🙂

Magic Kingdom!

Running through the Magic Kingdom was a blast! It was fun seeing the Cast Members come out to cheer us on!

The moment I have been waiting for – Cinderella’s Castle! It’s been 15 years since the last time I was here.

And that’s it folks….no more pics til Epcot! We exited Magic Kingdom, and I hit the wall, and the pictures stopped. The sun came out in full force and baked those of us still on the course. But we pressed through.

Spaceship Earth at Epcot – almost to the finish line!!

Hooray!! We Finished! Even though it was tough – we still had a magical time. After hobbling to the car, we rested up by the pool while the girls napped. Brad and I had to head home the next day, Erica and Edith stayed a few days and had more Disney fun! I am so glad Erica and I had the chance to experience our first Disney Princess Half Marathon together. Now it’s time to start training for the next one!

Lessons Learned at My First Princess Half Marathon

May 20, 2018
Disney Wonder Very Merrytime Family Cruise Grand Cayman

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq_yN28HO28?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Welcome to Day 4 of our Disney Wonder Very Merrytime Family Cruise

Today we are on the island of Grand Cayman!  Yesterday at Cozumel was all about play. The plan today? We are catching a bus to Cemetery Beach for a day of snorkeling!

We started the day with our usual coffee on the top deck.

Because of the coral reefs around the island, the Wonder anchored off-shore. Instead of walking off onto a pier, we would board tenders for a short ride to the cruise terminal. While the kids were finishing breakfast, Brad and I went down to our room to gather up our beach gear. Cemetery Beach does not have facilities available, so we would need to take everything we would need for the day. We grabbed our soft-sided cooler for drinks and snacks, a first aid kit, and of course masks and snorkels.

After everyone was ready for the day, we headed down to the movie theater to wait our turn to go ashore. While waiting, we watched classic Disney cartoons on the big screen.

Before long it was our turn to go ashore!

The short ride to the cruise terminal gave us and the opportunity to take pictures of the ship in the water and check out the fish in the crystal clear water.

Once at the terminal, we stocked up on supplies. We filled our cooler with drinks and snacks. The kids couldn’t resist a picture with one of the locals.

Finding a bus outside the cruise terminal was simple, and soon we were off to the beach! I was expecting a big coach as you see in the city but the bus ended up being a passenger van. We were crammed in like sardines but for 2.50 a person we didn’t complain.

After about 20 minutes we arrived at Cemetery Beach.

Cemetery Beach is located near West Bay on the quieter end of Seven Mile Beach. And Cemetery Reef, located 30 yards offshore is one of the top 10 snorkeling spots on Grand Cayman. I had read that this beach is very safe, and there are minimal currents and waves. It was the perfect beach for kids.

The beach was stunning! Beautiful blue water, soft sand, and NO CROWDS. We set up camp under a big sea grape tree that had spread out branches. Perfect for hanging towels and clothes as well as providing shade. Since we didn’t have a waiter or other beach staff to watch our valuables, I also brought along our portable safe for things like phones and wallets.  Just a little extra peace of mind. Of course, I also had my waterproof phone pouch for taking pics.

No beach is complete without chickens! Ha!

We spent the day swimming and taking turns with the snorkels. I purchased a full-face snorkel which was a big hit.  As much as I love the beach and the ocean, I do not like salt water on my face. This snorkel lets you breathe normally underwater and still get a great view. It didn’t work to well for those with beards, but the rest of us loved it!

There were smaller reefs close to shore for the little kids. They were especially thrilled to see Dory fish (blue tangs). The big boys and Erica were a little braver and swam out to Cemetery Reef. According to them, it was worth the swim. Made this mamma a little nervous, I was always counting heads to make sure we didn’t lose anyone.

Bye-bye Grand Cayman.

It was a great beach day – but all too soon it was time to pack up and head back to the ship.

We needed to get back because we had big plans! One great perk of sailing on a Disney ship is you get to see still-in-theater films, and tonight we were going to see Coco! Being total Disney fans, we were JAZZED! I can’t even tell you how much we all loved it!!

Dinner was back at Animators Palate and waiting at the table was a unique project. At each of our places, we found a “Draw Your Own Character.” On it, we were instructed to draw a character of our choice. Our waiter whisked our masterpieces away for a surprise during dinner.

Check out our impressive artistic skills!

We have no idea what Brad was trying to draw!

A little while later, the screens around the dining room sprung to life with all of our drawings, and they were animated! We had now become Disney animators! We had a blast finding each other’s characters.  Watch the video to see our creations in motion, and you will even see Isaac’s character dancing with Mickey Mouse!

Another SPECTACULAR day on our Disney Cruise! How could this vacation get any better? Oh, but it does!

Time to hit the sack to get rested for our last port of call tomorrow!

December 22, 2017
Disney Wonder Very Merrytime Family Cruise Cozumel

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqKXFcVH6q4&w=560&h=315]

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We woke up on Day 2 just in time to see the ship pull into Cozumel.

Brad and I love to watch the ship arriving at the port. So we grabbed a quick cup of coffee and headed to the top deck. Seeing Cozumel come into view was super exciting. Every moment on this cruise was a first for our family, and we were determined to soak it all in.

After docking, we headed to Cabana’s, Disney Wonder’s buffet-style dining room, for some breakfast. We loved having breakfast here every morning. There was every kind of breakfast food imaginable! Even our picky eaters found food to their liking. And I totally went for the Mickey waffles!

And the view wasn’t bad at all!

After breakfast, it was time to go ashore.

With everyone fed and caffeinated up, we were ready for our first day ashore in Cozumel. The ship was pulled up right to the dock, so we were able to walk right off and into town. Once on the pier, we could see the Wonder up close. It’s incredible to me how these big ships even stay afloat!

The ship docked at Punta Langosta, one of two cruise ship ports in Cozumel. As we were walking down the pier toward the cruise terminal, I could hear the Latin/Caribbean music and feel the island vibe. The weather was perfect for a day ashore. It was going to be a great day!

Once on land, we had to make our way through the mall to get to the taxi stands. One quick note, do not let the vendors get you over to their stands unless you really want to buy something. They can be very persuasive!

Paradise Beach here we come!

We did a little research before the cruise and Paradise Beach looked like the perfect place for a fun beach day for everyone. So we piled into a taxi big enough for all of us and chilled out for the 20-minute ride.

The beach was almost empty when we arrived, so we had our pick of chairs and umbrellas. Paradise Beach is an excellent beach for those on a tight excursion budget. For just $3 per person, you have use of the facilities and a chair at the beach or by the pool. But we wanted to play! So we all got a Fun Pass for $18 each. This allowed us unlimited use of all the inflatables, paddle boards, and kayaks! They also have a great food and drink menu. And the service was excellent!

Can you believe this was Crystal’s first beach experience?



Everyone had a blast on the inflatables! I had fun just floating around capturing memories with my phone in my waterproof pouch. Those things really work, and it was big enough for my iPhone 7 plus, even with the case on.

Sadly our time at Paradise Beach had to end. We wanted to get in a little shopping before getting back on the ship. Punta Langosta has a great selection of shops and restaurants. There is even a Starbucks! Mexican vanilla is my “must purchase” when coming to Cozumel. Others wanted to get some souvenirs and t-shirts to take home. Walking back to the ship we got one last taste of Mexican culture.

Nightlife Disney Style

We said good-bye to Cozumel as the ship sailed away toward our next destination. After a little rest and shower, we were ready for the night’s activities. Alyssa had an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a magical beauty salon for princess makeovers. So Brad and I joined Matt, Crystal, and Layna at Donald Duck’s Latin Dance Party!

Shaking that much works up an appetite. Tonight we would be dining at Tritons, named after Ariel’s father. This restaurant offers cuisine with a French flair with an “under the sea” theme.

And keeping with tonight’s theme, Alyssa got an Ariel makeover. She looked like a little princess.

The highlight of the evening was Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball

Santa joined Mickey and Friends for a special Winter Wonderland Show in the Grand Atrium. The girls got there early for front row seats.

A Winter Wonderland wouldn’t be complete without snow. Yes, real snow!

It was a magical ending to an awesome day.

And we still have four more to go!

Have you taken your family to Cozumel? What was your favorite thing to do?

December 16, 2017
Disney Wonder Very Merrytime Family Cruise – Part One

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1kjZyTQoYc?rel=0]

Dreams do come true!

This Disney Wonder Very Merrytime Family cruise had been a dream of ours for six years! In December 2012, Brad and I were invited to sail on the Disney Magic when our friends won a cruise for four on the radio! Crazy right? We loved every minute of this cruise – even as adults it was magical. Ever since then it has been on our bucket list to do it again with our kids and grandkids. We wanted them to experience the magic of this cruise!

So, Erica and I started planning in April 2017 to get us all on board. We knew this Christmas would be our last opportunity for a while to pull off a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise, especially with kids getting older. We didn’t get everyone, but we did manage to get eleven on board.

Our journey to Galveston

The Disney Wonder leaves from Galveston, TX during the holiday season. We decided to drive down the day before so we could rest up for cruise day! So nine people piled into two cars for the 12-hour drive from Amarillo (yes, Texas is that big)! Two of our crew from Austin would meet us down there the next day.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn just a few minutes from the pier.

These two were up early and PUMPED!! To say we were excited for this day was an understatement!!

The next day it was time to board the Disney Wonder

Brad and I woke up early the day of embarkation. It was awesome to see the ocean from our hotel balcony and the ship out our window. We are not very good at sitting around and waiting, so we took a walk down to the beach. It felt great just being near the ocean again.

Although the pier was just minutes away, the drive seemed to take forever. Seeing the ship come into view was emotional for me. This was happening!

The check-in process went very smooth, and before long we were ready to board.

Disney makes boarding special by “announcing” families, kind of red-carpet style. It’s so much fun! For most of the family, this was their first cruise. They were blown away!

The ship was decked out for the holidays complete with a huge Christmas tree in the lobby atrium. We could also smell the life-sized gingerbread house made of real gingerbread!

After getting settled in our staterooms, it was time for an excellent evening.

Brad and I took a few minutes to look around the ship while the kids were getting signed up for kids camp. Later we all met on the top deck for the Bon Voyage party! The ship’s horn blasted “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and we were off! Later Galveston! Our first real family adventure since becoming a blended family.

That evening we joined Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy for Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic and the Be Our Guest welcome show in the Walt Disney Theater.

We had a great dinner at Animator’s Palate, my favorite dining room. Giant paint brush columns are dipping into colorful painters palettes on the ceiling. Black and white Disney sketches and movies screens covered the walls.

The kids were eager to get to Kid’s Club. So off they went while the big kids headed to the After Hours section of the ship. This area is off limits to the under 18 crowd in the evening. We enjoyed an awesome comedy act and equally awesome martinis.

Next day was for relaxing at sea.

Coffee on deck in the morning is one of my favorite times on a cruise, especially when the ship is at sea. I am always memorized by the endless blue and imagining what is happening beneath the waves.

After breakfast, we roamed around the ship for a while. There is so much to see on a Disney ship. Disney puts so much thought into every detail. Every decoration, carpet, and piece of artwork has a purpose. It’s also fun finding all the hidden Mickeys.

The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging at the pool. I loved watching our kids having fun together just hanging out. We ate loads of food and unlimited ice cream. Crystal showed off her skills in the hula hoop contest. The day was topped off with watching “The Princess and the Frog” on the giant movie screen at Goofy’s pool.

Dinner tonight included a special surprise!

Our first formal night aboard was spent at Tiana’s, Disney’s New Orleans inspired dining room. The kids looked great all dressed up. Matt and Crystal had just celebrated their ten year wedding anniversary, and I arranged for a surprise celebration. The dining room staff went out of their way to make this occasion special, complete with a special anniversary song and a chocolate treat.

While we finished our dessert, the little kids got up and dance with Tiana and Louis from “The Princess and The Frog.” Just two days into our cruise and we had already experienced so much!

We hit the sack early because tomorrow is our first port-of-call – Cozumel!

Have you taken your family on a Disney Cruise?

December 15, 2017