Happy Summer!

So far this summer has been a whirlwind of non-stop activity and total delight!  We kicked off the season by visiting Nana and Pepere` in Florida, which was an amazing trip.  I don't think it could have gone any better if we had been planning the trip for years!  Not only did we get to spend some much needed quality time with them, on top of it we got to visit some wonderful places!

 The girls were able to meet Winter (the dolphin from Dolphin's Tale) when we drove down to Clearwater!

Don't think this is actually Winter...

this one either...it was hard to get a pic!

  

 We also were able to visit the movie museum there, which housed it's very own "Hurricane Room!"  I have to say it was an eye opening experience to walk through this maze of chaos.  I hope that is as close as I ever come to an actual hurricane!

We visited Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park

   and saw a slew of neat animals including...this rock???

 no wait...

 it's a Manetee up close and personal!  We also saw alligators, bears, and a ton of birds, including my favorite, the Floridean ducks...I love their beaks! (sadly have no picture)

But I have to say one of my favorite days was the one spent in Universal Studios...yes indeed I got to go to Harry Potter Land!!!!

 sign says "Wizarding World of Harry Potter!"  Don't know why I'm the only one who looks thrilled...?

 If you know me at all, you know I have a bit of an affinity for the Harry Potter series, so it was somewhat of a dream to be able to walk through Hogsmeade

   

 and get a tour of the castle.  Though, I will say I was slightly disappointed during the tour.  I guess my expectations were slightly high...I wanted to see the whole entire castle, including Hagrid's hut...se lave!  I did however, highly enjoy my first taste of butter bear, and pumpkin juice, and many flavour beans...and yes we are now the proud owners of...THE ELDER WAND...  I know, it's a little overwhelming, but try to remain calm and remember to breathe!!!

Butter Beer...yum...

 

So, you may ask yourself how could anyone top that!  Well, the fun didn't end in Florida folks!  When we arrived home we were joined by my brother and clan!  With them we were able to see Willy Wonka (the play) which was superb!  And the absolute highlight of their visit for me was on my birthday we celebrated with our very own Harry Potter Party!  That's right people, we had a Yule Ball, complete with some Karaoke, made our very own buttter beer, pumpkin juice, cauldron cakes, troll bites (thanks to my sister-in-law) and more!

Cauldron Cakes...delicious!

These kids amaze me with their ingenuity and imaginations!  They transformed my house with pictures and signs postings from the Ministry of Magic.  I even had flying memo's "levitating" in my kitchen!

I believe this was taken directly from the book!

Another quote

I think this one was made up!

Can we guess who this is???

My youngest drew this one!

The Sign of the Deathly Hallows!

 So in summary July's been a blast!  I'm anxious to see how August turns out!