Universal Studios - & giving up my hobby

Disney World was AWESOME -- but I can't tell you how much fun we had at Universal Studios! We went to Islands of Adventure -- of course, because that's where the land of Harry Potter is!

I was just floored by the entire place:

First we walked through Dr Seuss land:

It was a quick walk, as everyone else couldn't wait to get to Harry Potter, but I kept stopping to take pictures. I mean, COME ON! How cute is this?

Well I have many more pictures of Seuss land --- but let's get to Harry Potter, shall we?

Seriously, the details are AMAZING!!! I'm not a HUGE Harry fan like many I know -- in fact I FINALLY just started reading the first book -- which came out when my teen was just a baby! But you don't have to be a fan to enjoy it -- here is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's a 3D ride. Yeah, nobody told me it was SCARY! I should have known when they made you put all your loose articles in a locker, than probably I shouldn't have gone on it. If you can handle 3D -- & lots of movement at the same time -- then you'll love it!

My boys with their pumpkin juice. I didn't get a picture of them with their Butterbeer -- which was soooooo good -- that alone is worth the trip! I have a few recipes for Butterbeer to try out -- I hope I can find one that comes close!

Of course we had to get a pic next to the Hogwarts Express:

Made a quick trip through Jurassic Park:

Toon Lagoon -- ALL CARTOONS! So freakin' cute!

I was in AWE! I LOVE cartoons!

Beetle Bailey:

We ate lunch at the Comic Strip Cafe:

Cathy:

Heathcliff (isn't my son so clever? LOL)

Next up -- Superheros:

I'm not up on my Superheros but again, the details were amazing!

And here was the highlight of the boys' day:

It's not called the Hulk for nothing!

A net?? I really hope that's for personal belongings, & not persons LOL

We had the BEST TIME! Our whole trip was really fabulous. Our last full day we went to Blizzard Beach, which is a water park. Again, tons of fun & the weather was perfect for it (it was at least 90). I didn't get any pictures, because I didn't want to take my camera there. But let's just say, it was the perfect end to a perfect vacation!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my week in Mouse Paradise! I sooo hope we can go back again some day!


On a personal note, I have decided that my stamping days are long over. I haven't had time to make a card in months & I don't see me having any more free time in the near future. Right now, all my stuff is boxed up. I had started a card about a week ago, but since all my stuff is packed away I doubt I will finish it. I was hoping to have a last hurrah-type post but it wasn't meant to be.

I have made so many good friends during these past few years -- & just because I won't be creating any more doesn't mean you are rid of me. I still like looking at pretty cards & I will still be visiting your blogs. I don't know what I will do -- if I will continue to post other things here or not. I still love to bake so maybe I will still post recipes. And I am learning more about my new camera so maybe some generic pictures will pop up here & there. I haven't decided yet how to sell my stuff -- I may post it here -- so don't unfollow me just yet!!!

Thank you so much for your support & friendship :)

Lots of hugs ~

Just a few quick pictures from our day at Hollywood Studios:

Haha it looks like my husband is wearing the wizard hat:

They got their fast pass for the Tower of Terror, then hopped on this nice little ride:

I took a picture of their picture -- yep, that about sums it up!

My kids loved the giant guitar almost as much as the ride:

By the time they were done Rocking & Rolling, it was time to go back to this:

We saw how Raiders of the Lost Ark scenes are shot:

Went on the 3D Star Wars ride --even I went on that one!! This cute little photo op is right outside the ride:

After lunch at the ABC Commissary we went to a 3D Muppet show. Here's me by the Piggy fountain:

I *heart* the Muppets!

Tomorrow I'll wrap up our trip with pics from Universal Studios -- which was SOOOOO much fun, I highly recommend taking a trip there if you're in Orlando. I think my older son enjoyed Universal more than all of Disney put together!

Animal Kingdom

Day 3 - 

Aren't those the cutest Mickey ears EVER (& the young man wearing them isn't so bad either!) - they are pirate ears, in case you can't tell. With a hoop earring & everything :)

This doesn't bother me in the least:

I mean, look how CUTE he is!

This makes me miss my tabby cat Jake -- he used to lay just like this:

You mean -- this is a RIDE? I thought it was some kind of torture chamber! Pass .....moving on ......

Ah yes, MUCH more my speed!

Michael sitting on a dinosaur foot:

And --- we got rained out:

This wasn't a quick shower, this one lasted a while. We ended up going back to our resort for dinner, & headed back to Epcot after. And we STILL didn't get to all the countries!

Next - Hollywood Studios!

Magic Kingdom

On our second full day we went to Magic Kingdom ~

The monorail was down so we had to take the ferry. Fine by me!! I loved it :)

If we did Christmas cards, this would be a great photo!

Chip & Dale! I must have looked PRETTY SILLY trying to have a conversation with two chipmunks who can't talk -

This was SO FUN! You ride a car through a video game - I thought I was smokin' with 24,000 points, until we got off the ride & I saw that Michael had over 400,000 LOL

The must-have Disney ice cream:

I was expecting a lot of resistance when I suggested they ride the tea cups -- but not only did they ride, they let me take their picture (you can totally tell they did it just to make me happy LOL)

I really almost went on this ride:

Yeah, there were a lot of rides I *almost* went on!

To me, our entire trip was magical. But nothing beats the castle at night -- it changes colors!!

See? Magical!

Next up is Animal Kingdom!


And -- I did sit down to clean up my craft area from the last card I made 2 months ago.... & when I went to turn my light on, I felt cobweb. Yuck! It's definitely been too long when you have to wash your hands after just turning on a light!