Saturday, May 28, 2011

I'll Take a Wizard

How many of you readers out there are Harry Potter fans?  Now, I mean big huge Harry Potter fans?

Okay, you!

So, naturally you'll completely understand when I admit that I cried when I first walked into Universal Studio's "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter."

Right?

As in:  I literally cried . . . you know, tears brimmed in my eyes, my nose tickled, I fought them back but without prevail.

I boo-hooed in awe of standing in front of and walking through Hogwarts.

Our day in this theme park was certainly the most magical of all for me.  I tried my best to bask in the realism of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade for the mere 7 hours we were there.  I imagined it was all real . . . and I could feel it, too.

I had just received my Hogwarts letter from the headmaster.  I had my trunk and owl in tow as I set off for Diagon Alley to purchase my course books, wand, and cauldron.  I knew all the spells by heart--quite the accomplishment--as I was muggle-born.  Of course, I made all of the traditional stops along the way to Platform 9 3/4.  I stopped by Ollivander's where my wand chose me.  I peered through the windows of the Owl Post.  I purchased my quidditch jersey from Filch's Emporium (I'm a keeper--like Ron), and I dropped by Dervish & Banges to stock up on notebooks and letterhead.  I enjoyed a bite at The Three Broomsticks and a nice draft at the Hogshead Pub.  Then, after making two quick stops by Honeydukes and Zonko's in Hogsmeade, I ventured to the platform to board the Hogwarts Express (carrying a chocolate frog and a fozen Butterbeer).  It was high time I made my way to the castle to begin my studies as a First-Year!

No.
Really.
I did.

Watch!


























Yes, this part of the experience was AMAZING--got the tears flowing--it was like he (Rupert Grint) was actually in the same room with me!  <3




And so . . . it began and ended with a castle.

Only, this one is much more magical than Cinderella's.  I suppose it depends on who you ask.  But, who needs a Prince when you can have a Wizard?

Friday, May 27, 2011

Let the Memories Begin

Where do you begin to tell a story of magic, memories, and a little bit of mayhem?

They say "a picture's worth 1,000 words;" so I wonder what countless pictures are worth?  At least 1,000,000.

In all honesty, Justin and I had a supercalafragalistic vacation together (adults only) in Walt Disney World over the last 9 days.  In fact, the only negative thing we could say all week was "what's up with all the 10-year-olds in strollers?"

Seriously.

With clear blue skies, not a drop of precipitation, reasonable lines, wonderful staff, and incredibly well-executed shows and rides, it was the vacation of a lifetime.  What fun it is to pretend your 10-years-old again! (only without a stroller)

So, as Walt Disney himself would say:
"Let the memories begin."

All 1,000,000 of them.




















And these are only just a few . . .

And, yes, we also went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

But . . .
since 97 of the 253 photographs I took were taken during the 7 hours we were there . . . I suspect it deserves a separate blog post.

As always, stay tuned.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bon Appetit

Oh, how sweet he is!

We just received notification that Jackson's one-year photo shoot is ready for viewing on our photographer's (Beth Simmons) website!

Please feel free to click on the link below to see them:


In my sister-in-law's words, these pictures are "so sweet you could sop 'em up with a biscuit."

Enjoy!
and bon appetit

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Challenge Complete

Woohoo!

The "30-Day Photo Challenge" is completed!  Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Stay tuned for more blogging . . .