Tuacahn Season

This year was basically a disaster for our Tuacahn season.

We had tickets to Cinderella, Matilde and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We got to go to Matilde and that's it. Mendis was sick for Cinderella so we gave the tickets to Christina and Logan to use. We also couldn't get to Joseph so I gave those tickets to Kent & Natalie Bennion to use while we went to a family wedding. So the lesson here is no more season tickets for awhile. We are just too busy to make it happen right now.
So we did get to Matilde and it was a great night at least.

McDonald's Run

 It seemed like ages since we had spent some time with the grandkids so for FHE we met Ashley and the kids at McDonalds for some ice cream. Benjy had to work but we managed to have some fun without him. What is it about kids and ice cream!

 It is always a good idea.

 It was so fun to spend a little time with them.

They are quite the posers when a camera/phone comes out!

Pay it Forward

One of the most fun things we have established at Sister's Retreat is our gift exchange we do every year in lieu of sending something for Christmas. This year we also did a cast off exchange. We all went through our jewelry and clothes and brought the things we were tired of and ready to pass on. What fun we had swapping things.

I might have had a little fun trying things on too.  Maybe.

Little Miss Shay was the happy recipient of one of Nadine's necklaces. 

She loves jewelry and this was perfect. Look at that smile!

Beach Day

This year we decided we would love to check out the Gulf Coast beaches because we had never been there. It was about a 2 hour drive which was marred by me being ill the whole way down. All the gluten and dairy and yummyness got to me I guess, We stopped at Publix (not a moment too soon for me) and got lunch and treats to go to the beach.

The Siesta Key beach did not disappoint. It was just gorgeous.

And this classic. 

Poor Beth always gets so sun burnt she took extreme measures this year but...yup there was a little burn. Not near as bad as previous years though thank goodness.

We had a lovely day soaking up the beach atmosphere and the water was so warm and lovely we even went swimming. I'm pretty sure that's where the sun burn came in.

So sadly we schlepped all the chairs and gear back to the car and drove back to Orlando after our fab afternoon. We got our retreat shirts on and went to BJ's for dinner. Someone who shall remain nameless might have put her pants on backwards. She claims the tag was in the front so...

 Another great dinner and just a block from our room. When we left we couldn't help but wonder what the heck was with the abandoned pair of heels in the parking lot? There's got to be a great story to that!

This is kinda symbolic of our weekend maybe. We came and partied hard for three whole days. Left our work a day lives behind and had a ball together. It was such a fun time. We just really enjoy getting together and every single year we lament that we live so far apart.

Tea for 2x2

Our day started with our huge free fa breakfast again and then we were off to the mall for a little shopping.

 Who raised this girl?

 Carolyn was obsessed with the Belgium chocolate cones we found there. 

After some shopping we ran back to the hotel to prepare for the highlight of the day!

The highlight of the day or maybe even the week was tea at the Grand Floridian. We just love it there. I don't think it will ever get old for us. I just wish I could take all the girls in my life there for tea. It's the ultimate tea party.

 Such yummy food that's just enough exotic to be fabulous and extraordinary.

 The desserts leave us swooning and beyond full! In fact we haven't yet finished it all.

 Notice the tea cozies! Love them.

 Nadine, the clotted cream professional, made she she asked for lots more since a little dab did NOT do it.

What a glorious couple of hours it was. Can't wait for next year.

 We spent some time wandering around the Grand Floridian shopping and taking it al in. It's such a treat being there. There was even a random person playing the grand piano like an expert.

After our afternoon shopping there we left with full stomachs and heavy hearts. That evening we had dinner at Seasons 52. What a great place that was too! such great fresh food that is in season and cooked to perfection. Sadly we completely dropped the ball and got NO pictures.

Spa Day

After our free fab breakfast we spent a glorious day at the spa at the Hilton. We each got a massage and loved that of course. My masseuse was amazing. Apparently everyone was so relaxed a nap was in order:

Sadly I'm not much of a napper but I enjoyed lazing around that's for sure.

Of course we spent hours there again. The eucalyptus steam room was amazing too. Once again we didn't make it out to the pools or the lazy river but it was raining when we arrived so no biggie. We did room service in again. We showered there and got ready for dinner as well.

And what a dinner it was!

 It was pouring again so Nadine dropped us off at the door while sacrificing herself for us.

We love eating there because the food is fab and it's just so much fun.

We maybe shouldn't be around open flames!

They had a complimentary photo booth in the back which might have been the highlight of the day.

It's so lucky we aren't silly.

It's Time for Sister's Retreat

After months of planning and lots of anticipation is was time for another Sister's retreat. Carolyn and I flew out Tuesday night to be sure and be there in time for tea on Wednesday. We spent the night at a motel and Nadine picked us up when she got Beth from the airport.

Leaving from the Las Vegas airport was cool since the Vegas Golden Knights were in the Stanley Cup playoffs and the whole city was excited.

 The whole weekend was all laid out for us in great detail.

 Nadine had a fabulous tea party laid out for us for lunch. It was so great. She went to so much work and had made us some amazing treats. She had made gorgeous sugar cookies and macaroons too. It was all so divine.

I don't think I could pick a favorite thing.

 After the tea party we hung out in the pretty room and did our gift exchange.

I received the GBBS Cookbook. Divine!

 We hung out for awhile and then we loaded up again and went to the Embassy Suites and checked in and got ready for dinner. We went to STK in Disney Springs that night.

Dinner was fantastic. Probably the best steak I have ever had. We walked all around Disney Springs that night and did some shopping before and after dinner. It was so fun.