Christmas Vacation

Our Christmas was a ton of fun.  We went to Orlando and hung out with the Gwynn side of the family.  As soon as we got there on Christmas Eve we decided to open presents because we were going to Disney World the next day.  We received some very thoughtful gifts and enjoyed playing some of the games we got later on in the week.  

On Christmas day we went to the most magical place on Earth and believe me, it really is!  We had so much fun!  Austin and I both enjoyed the Splash Mountain ride the best.  I liked it because it was the only ride that really gave the complete butterfly feeling!  (We took a picture of the picture they took of us when we got off the ride... its in the slide show, it looks like I am holding on for dear life but believe me, I really did enjoy it!).  Some of the other highlight rides/entertainment were; space mountain (old favorite), the orbiter (more of a little kid ride but fun), Monsters Inc. comedy show, and the Mickey Mouse Philharmagic show (3-D, very cool).   

On the 27th we went to Cape Canaveral to the NASA tourist attraction.  We were able to do a simulated shuttle launch experience.  I thought it was going to be really scary but it ended up being just fine.  We toured around and saw all sorts of old space ships and even some short films (like the IMAX, which was in 3D).  We bought some space ice cream, it was very interesting (it tasted like cookies and cream but it was a total different texture, more like card board).  After Nasa we went to Cocoa beach and saw the ocean, I was so happy... I just love the ocean!  We also found an incredible Thai restaurant, some of the best food I have had in a long time!  

From the 28th to the 1st we pretty much did random fun things.  During this time members of the family started leaving to go home one by one to different places.  Those of us left did a lot of Goodwill and Salvation Army shopping.  We found quite a few things that we liked.  I got a couple of skirts and a shirt.  Austin found some pants, a shirt and some ties.  It was great!  Every time we saw a goodwill we would just pull over and check it out!  Living in a college town it seems that the donation stores are picked over already but over in Florida it was a different story!  

On the 1st and 2nd we went to St. Augustine, the oldest town in the United States.  It is right on the beach and has a fort.  I think it was established in 1520 or something like that.  It actually flew under 5 different countries before the United States were actually formed.  The architecture in the town was amazing.  A man named Flagler designed a number of buildings there and actually has a college named after him now.  Unfortunately, while we were there it was really cold!  The wind was coming in and we didn't (I should say I) didn't have a warm enough jacket for the weather (whoda thought that it would get that cold over there!  I had no idea!).  

We left to come home on the 3rd and actually went straight over to Uncle Riley and Aunt Linda's house in Centerville for dinner.  Grandma and Grandpa Gwynn were there.  It was so nice and fun to see everyone.  I just think it is so cute to see Grandpa Gwynn, Uncle Riley, and Austin all together because they all have similarities... I can only imagine if Tom was there as well!  

Anyways, we are so grateful for Tom and Valita and all their efforts to make us feel welcome and make sure we had a good time.  It was great being with the family and (for me) getting to know everyone better.  We cannot wait to come visit again sometime in the future!