"I Hope You Dance"

Oh boy do I have some fun pictures to share from our last few weeks!  We have been busy busy with family and friends since the beginning of December, really, but the past few weekends have been no doubt some fun play time!  Carly's godparents, Chris & Nikki, arrived on Friday and left this morning.  They were only here for the weekend but you can bet we packed as much into the weekend as possible, and had a splendid time doing it!! Truth be told, it was one of the most memorable weekends we've had in a while.  We just love having them come visit...super fun people!

First on the docket was Friday night.  I worked until 7pm, so after they arrived Brian & Carly took them to Disney Quest, a 5-floor interactive arcade, essentially.  After I got off, Nik and I took Carly home to put her to bed and then caught up on some girl talk while the boys continued playing.  Then, we were up until MIDNIGHT (Brian hasn't seen midnight in a long, long time) playing cards. :)

Saturday morning we were up early and headed to Animal Kingdom.  We took a safari and rode Expedition Everest a couple of times.  It was a gorgeous day!

I dropped the clan off at Magic Kingdom and drove around for an hour and a half so Carly could get a good nap in.  We had dinner reservations at Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at 4pm, so they took a boat from MK and met us there.  This was the best dinner show we've ever been to...just an all around fabulous experience.  It's all you can eat ribs, fried chicken, cornbread, potatoes, corn, beans, drinks and strawberry shortcake.  It was nearly a 2 hour shin-dig and our little C-bear sat in her high chair the ENTIRE show.  If you have ever been out to eat with a near 1-year-old, you know how amazing that is.  She LOVED the show...I mean, we really thought she was in heaven.  We kept giving her more food to munch on as she stared in awe at the performers (who were also giving her a lot of attention).

Toward the end of the show, the performers gathered up some actors from the audience, and lo and behold someone from our table was chosen to be the beauty!! It was the icing on the cake!  We also had front row seats, so we were right up in the action!

We completely intend to go to the show again, but fully acknowledge that nothing like it will ever top that experience again.  Can you tell we were having a good time?

We headed to MK to meet some princesses and watch the parade before heading home for the evening.  We all crashed upon walking in the door from our busy busy day.

Sunday Brian had to go back to work, so the rest of us headed to Hollywood Studios.  Nikki is a fabulous singer and had the opportunity to audition for the American Idol Experience.  She was chosen to perform in a show and rocked it out singing Lee Ann Womack's, "I Hope You Dance."  This will not be the last time we see Nikki Voss up on that stage!  Throughout the rest of our time at DHS, people kept coming up to Nikki and telling her what a great job she did.  Two little girls even asked if they could take a photo with her! 

Brian met up with us at one of Disney's mini golf courses that evening and we enjoyed a round of putt-putt.  Then it was Giordano's Pizza for dinner and another round of Presidents and Peons (card game).  What a fun, fun weekend with two of our favorite people!  Chris & Brian have been best friends for well over a decade and he married the most delightful woman...who happens to be just perfect for him!  They really love Carly and will be great parents....I hope in the near future!! ;)

Now, we shall rewind to last weekend and share the fun time we had with G&G!  Rich and Rhonda came in on Friday the 18th and came home to Carly & Jen (our nanny) having some quality time together.  Friday evening was playtime and after C's was down for the night, game time.  We love playing cards with them and jump at the opportunity to do so.

Saturday I had the luxury of sleeping in and then headed to work.  I really wasn't around that day but from my understanding the whole day was filled with toys, books and walks...Carly's three favorite things. :)  Sunday morning was a repeat of Saturday...sleeping in for this mama and then off to church.  Late in the afternoon we all headed to Winter Garden to see our soon-to-be-hope-to-be-house, shopping and my birthday dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse (a first for all of us).  We had a delightful time and Carly got some great quality time with her grandparents.  The weekend was too short, and off they went the morning of my birthday.  So glad they were able to fly down!

We really do love having visitors.  It makes for some really fun experiences and some wonderful memories.  Next week we get to spend time at Animal Kingdom with my child-hood neighbors, welcome my Mom into town and have Carly's birthday party on the 10th.  Until then we are going to soak up some down time just playing, snuggling and wrestling (which Carly has decided is very fun these days).  And...with all the standing C's been doing as of late...I think we might just get some steps in there as well. :)

Oh, and we'll most certainly do some dancing. :)