Ben

After a long two weeks of not seeing baby Ben (and Maddie and Trevor!), I finally stopped in for a visit and he's gotten so big! Full cheeks, little neck rolls, starts of a pot-belly, dimpled elbows, cooing! He's so cute I can barely handle it. Even better he thinks I'm funny, even though I know he's really looking at the ceiling fan, I'll take it!

 

Orlando

Last week one of my bests, Coleen, and I made our wish of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter finally come true! Being the nerds we are, there was nothing we wanted more than to guzzle down some butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks and peruse Ollivander's Wand Shop.

First things first we ran straight to Hogwarts castle to ride The Forbidden Journey, which I can safely say, I will never do again. I have never felt so sick in my life! But I would stand in line just to walk through the castle one more time. Moving portraits, the sorting hat, Dumbledore's office, Hermoine casting spells in the classroom! Nerd heaven! Of course we stopped in for a butterbeer, wandered around Honeyduke's sweets and Zonko's joke shop and went in every other store they had to offer. Perfection! 

Once we peeled ourselves away from all things Harry Potter, we walked around the rest of Islands of Adventure to see what other rides I could get sick on. After Coleen's test ride and some heavy convincing I rode the Hulk Coaster, twice! Eyes closed the whole time of course. We wandered around the rest of the island taking it all in, riding every ride we could until the park closed and my feet begged for a break.  

Day two started with the Universal park, me avoiding The Rocket coaster, and really just trying to get through it all so we could get back to Harry. Seeing as it was our last day there we were sure to get in a few more rides, more than a few more butterbeers and of course pick out a wand, something I didn't plan on buying, but that place just sucks you in. We were definitely sad to go, but I'm so happy we had the chance!

The next two days were spent at Walt Disney World. That place is HUGE! What amazed me the most was the fact there are four parks and they all have their own highway. Madness! We started off in Animal Kingdom with a safari, a ride on Everest and a tour through Africa and India. Next up was Hollywood Studios, not much to do other than the Hollywood Tower of Terror, which I love, and the Rock n' Roller coaster, where you're en route to an Aerosmith concert while Steven Tyler screams in your ear, but it was fun seeing all the movie sets and walking through the stores. The night was finished off with a quick trip through Magic Kingdom and a ride through the Haunted Mansion. 

Did I mention the days were slowly getting hotter and more humid? I was told the horror stories of the Florida humidity and they were all coming true, how does anyone live there?! 

Our final day started off at Magic Kingdom, then a trip to Epcot. We visited a few countries eating some of their local treats and buying a few trinkets here and there. They all had something interesting to offer and I loved that all the employees were from the country they worked in, made for a more unique experience. I think Epcot was the beginning of the end for my legs and feet. By the time we got to China I was hobbling into Norway. Even though I felt like I couldn't go any further, Mexico was just too enticing.  We stopped in for some nachos and a much needed break then made our way back to Magic Kingdom for a ride down Splash Mountain to cool off and a spot in front of Cinderella's castle for the light show and fireworks.  This is also where Coleen got in the fight I don't think either of us will ever forget.

We had an amazing vacation and I'm so lucky I was able to go, especially with someone who enjoys the same nerdy things I do. I would say it was worth the near heat stroke, achy calves and swollen feet! 

Earlier this week I drove down to St George for a quick, solo work trip, secretly planning on ditching out on work and lounging around for a week in the warm southern Utah sun. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way, but I did take some time on Monday night for a quick slice of pizza and some cruising around the city. I've been to St George multiple times, usually with friends, but it's amazing what you notice when you're alone and having nothing but time.

As part of my sight-seeing I stopped by the St George temple...GORGEOUS! I snapped a few pics with my phone, wandered the grounds taking in the fresh scent of cherry blossoms, the warm setting sun and the palm trees. I love how peaceful the temple setting can be. I've forgotten how stunning it is in person, everything crisp white with a bright blue sky and red rock hills as a back drop. It may have risen to the top of my list!

Pay It Forward

The other night I dropped by Target on my way home to grab some milk and as usual ended up with a dress and tube of lipstick. I made my way to the checkout line, scoping for the shortest one and ended up behind a family of five buying the usual household necessities.  I set my purchases on the conveyor belt, but didn't put down one of those rectangle dividers as I was distracted digging for my wallet to find the coupon that would justify the dress. As my pile zipped up to the cashier I told her that was my stuff, I just forgot to divide it and JOKINGLY said to the mom in front of me, "unless you want to pay for it!" The cashier told us a story of someone doing that in her line during Christmas, paying for the items of the person behind them and how sweet is was. I guess this inspired the lady in front of me because she offered to do that same thing! I was embarrassed! Which is probably the opposite reaction you should have, but I was making a joke and she was taking it seriously! I tried to stop her, I even lightly threatened the cashier, but no deal. That sweet family bought my half gallon of milk and lipstick/dress splurge. Of course I got teary eyed telling myself NOT to cry and I can't even remember how many times I thanked her, I might even have called her crazy. As they walked away she said, "have a nice night and now you can pass it on!"

Pay it forward. You always hear of people doing amazing things for others in the news, but how often do you hear of them passing it on? How often do you have something like that happen to you, feel good about it for a few days then completely forget about it? Paying it forward is what I intend to do! I'm not sure how or where, but I will keep my eyes open for any opportunity and I encourage all of you to do the same!

Do you ever have times when you feel everything is different, but exactly the same? That's how my life has felt these past few months.

I have more responsibilities and have begun to travel more for work, which is great for breaking the usual office routine, but horrible for my waistline. Testing out the local restaurants is a must when you're out of town! I've also picked up a new hobby with Casey, though it's quite clear who is better between the two of us. Her natural athleticism puts me to shame, but I'm feeling stronger and braver each week so hopefully one day I can catch up. I've also forced  myself into a weekly gym schedule that has me aching every morning and asleep by ten o'clock almost every night. It's a little sad, but beats my original schedule of cookies and Netflix. Most exciting of all, baby McEntire is due really any day now and I am dying to meet him! Tiny nose? Soft, wispy hair? Peach fuzz? Baby smell? Intoxicating! 

Needless to say I keep busy. I've started a list of hopeful spring/summer plans, something I hesitated doing since I have a tendency to never check anything off of the list, but I've kept it small and simple, leaving room for something big and exciting should it come up. 

There's so much to do and look forward to!

City of Light

 "Lipstick on my belly button and music in the air—thaat's Paris, son. What a lovely city! What grenouilles à la provençale. What Châteauneuf-du-Pape, what white poodles and white chimneys, what charming waiters, and poules de luxe, and maîtres d'hôtel, what gardens and bridges and streets! How fascinating the crowds before ones café table, how quaint and charming and hidden the little courtyards with their wells and statues. Those garlic-filled belches! Those silk-stockinged legs! Those mascara'd eyelashes! Those electric switches and toilet chains that never work! Hola! Dites donc! Bouillabaisse! Au revoir!"

-Letter from Paul Child (Julia Child's husband) to his twin brother Charlie


Doesn't this letter make Paris sound dreamy and exciting?? Other than the garlic belches and broken toilets I'll take it! O a trip to sunny Paris, eating my weight in gelato, wandering in and out of one bakery to the next sinking my teeth into fresh, warm pastries. Trying to "dress French" and fit in even though I know I'd stick out like a sore American thumb and doing every other stereotypical act a Frenchman would do. Well, almost every other thing.

       

         

pictures via Pinterest

Snow Day