Time to say goodbye!!! Lost blog post!

  So apparently I had this in my draft folder this entire time: SMH

We got up bright and early for the twelve plus hr ride back home. I ended up not packing everything up until the morning because I was just too tired the night before. We ate breakfast one last time at the hotel before leaving. And ended up stopping off at one of the flea markets one more time to pick up a purse for Marc's  sister who left a message for us the night before. lol 

Overall the ride home was ok, but most of the trip I spent checking the weather back home because there were tornado and severe storm alerts for the area. Thankfully everything was ok and even though we originally thought we might run into some of the storms ourselves we  had a pretty good return trip home.

Not sure if you can see it in this picture but there was this huge cloud of smoke in the sky when we hit Jacksonville. Still not sure what that was all about! 

We did have one small incident in Jacksonville when crossing this bridge. Apparently a lady didn't like that Marc maintains a safe driving distance while traveling between himself and other cars and she wasn't having it. She blew her horn at us and flipped the bird when she passed. Funny thing?? She didn't get very far because the people in front if us were doing the same thing!! 

We made a few stops along the way for gas and food. Checked on family members and eventually pulled into our driveway around midnight. 

I loved spending time with Marc, loved meeting ministry friends and even loved shopping but I have to admit not going to Disney was hard! And I missed not having my kids ( even though they are all grown up) there with me. Orlando is lovely and I love the place to life but Orlando without Disney is just not the same. If all goes well we will be back in 2015....and it will be a full on Disney assault! lol 

Our Last Day and Downtown Disney

We were both moving a bit slow on Wednesday. It didn't help that the temps had gone up and our air conditioning was out in the car. Marc really wanted to fix the air before we left the next day for the 12 hour ride back home.

Me getting ready!!! By the way you can see all of my OOTD on my personal blog!

I really wanted to go to DTD before we left and Marc wanted to scan the outlets one last time so after a quick breakfast at the hotel we hit the road.

I loved walking through this shop and I think next time I may have to buy something. We found a great parking spot near the Mickeys Sports shop and did a brief walk through that and the shop with all of the breakable stuff.

My main goal was to check out the Disney store. Every trip I've ever taken I bring back something from Disney to remember the trip. Since technically this wasn't a "Disney" trip I wanted something small just to remember our anniversary. 

And this is what I got!! I still want to get Mickeys version but the one they offered wasn't the one I had in my head. Hopefully on the next trip I will find her mate! lol 

While we were at the Disney store Marc was able to find the part he needed for the car so we hit the road to pick it up before our dinner with Chandra. 

We had a great time together and Chandra had us in stitches with her ministry stories. Chandra and I met online a few years ago and have been trying to connect every since then. 

She even picked us up at the hotel for our dinner meet up so that we could get a bit of reprieve from the heat.

After dinner Chandra and I sat in the hotel lobby and talked for hours about ministry. Marc went outside to work on the car. We talked so long that by the time we were done he had finished with the car. 

After we said our goodbyes Marc and I went back to the room to prepare for the return journey home in the morning. 

Aloha Cousin!!

Tuesday was our actual anniversary and the day of vacation I had been waiting for forever!!! We spent the morning chilling, and then checked out a few of the outlets. But in all honesty the only thing on my mind was dinner at Ohana's that evening. LOL

We arrived in plenty of time before our 8 pm reservation. Only problem is we got turned around when we came through the parking area and ended up far from the Main Lobby.

Thankfully some of the guest were headed in the direction of the pool area and helped us find our way. That place is huge!!! I'm trying to imagine staying there and trying to get to the main building. 

Us on the elevator!!!!

I love this view !!!!

It's like coming home!!!! Welcome Cousins!!

Starters!!!!! 

The view from our table. Our server was very busy so we didn/t really connect with him as we usually do.

Marc waiting for the real food!! LOL

Me waiting for food!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

The food is as delicious as I recall and just as plentiful.

Our view!!!!! 

I could never get a picture of the servers putting the food on our plates so I got up and took my own picture! 

Dessert!!! 

After dinner we caught the monorail for a ride through the resorts and so I could get a glimpse of Magic Kingdom. Yes, I'm that pitiful! LOL

Man, I love this place! 

30 Years and still going strong with my best friend!

The plan was to run down to the beach and watch the fireworks but by the time we got off the monorail it had already started!!! I still enjoyed it though! 

One last note from that night,,,,,when I initially made our reservations for dinner the CM on the phone told me to go to the front desk at the Poly before we went to dinner and ask for a Anniversary button. Was I surprised when they handed me a box with fresh leis inside. Marc and I had to put them on each other and give one another a kiss in front of the CM...but what a beautiful surprise! I'm so glad I called for myself to check about reservations. If I had listened to the travel agent we would not have had this magical day. And we know "magic" is what Disney is all about!!! 

Day 2 in Orlando

The whole premise for this trip was relaxation, shopping, and just spending time together!

So we slept in that morning ( definitely not our usual morning in Orlando) and then leisurely strolled downstairs for breakfast!! 

Our plan was to hit as many if the flea markets as we could before stopping for an early dinner at Giordano's which was in my bucket list for this trip! After seeing the pizza war on Steve Harvey's show I was determined to give this place a try. I thought I would have to wait for a trip to Chicago until I looked up the locations on their website!!!! 

This was the day our air conditioning in the car decided to go out! So after our run through a few of the flea markets we made a stop at the local Wally World to pick up some anti-freeze for Marc to put in the car. It didn't work so Marc decided to do some more research online ( more on that later).

I chilled in the lobby for a little while when we got back. 

We had enough leftovers from Sunday to have for lunch!!! 

While Marc was looking for anti-freeze at Walmart  I lucked out in the clearance section!! 5 shirts, and 2 dresses for just under $24! BAM! Where they do that at??? 

One of the watches I picked up on this trip!!! $14.00 I think!

Yeah!!! We found it, and its not far from Downtown Disney just in case you wanted to know!!! 

Still can't believe we got to go here!!!

And experience this!!! Marc really enjoyed it. I stuck to my one slice and planned to eat leftovers later!

After our early dinner we headed back to the hotel to chill for the rest of the night! 

Buena Vista Suites

We have stayed at the Buena Vista Suites many times. You can't beat the price considering it includes a full course breakfast each morning!!

Next to the Disney resorts its our favorite place to stay. It's also a Disney Good neighbor and offers bus transportation to the parks. The bonus is its only minutes from the WDW complex so if your driving your literally at Disney's front door! 

We got upgraded to a King Suite! 

There is ample room for all of your unpacking!! 

There's a generous sitting area as well with a pull out sofa. The only downside is internet use is not free unless you use one of the designated lobby areas for Internet. 

It was nice to have a living and sleeping area separate when Marc was watching a game! 

There is also ample space for snacks and food if you desire! 

They also provide a fridge. Sorry for the blurry photo. I used my phone for this trip ( even though I took my SLR camera and my new canon power shot camera with me I never pulled them out).

And a microwave which is convenient for leftovers!!! 

There are two sinks. One inside the bathroom and one outside between the sitting area and the bedroom. Great for a family getting ready for an early morning at Magic Kingdom!

We also got a jacuzzi tub with the King Suite! A first for us!! Marc and I loved the huge bathroom!! Wish we had one at home!

Ok, the icing on the cake for me was that the toiletries were Bath and Bodyworks products... And in one of my favorite scents!!! 

We never lacked for extra towels and it was great having a large mirror near the outside vanity area for putting on my make up while Marc got ready in the morning. 

Ample closet space as well. You can get more info about my packing and unpacking methods at my personal blog ( mostly just weekly rants about my life as a Pastors Wife). 

If your looking for a place to stay for the night before you check in to Disney, or even a Disney trip as we have on several occasions then I recommend Buena Vista Suites Resort!