Harris Summer Miami/ Orlando 2017 Part II

     After spending a few days in Miami, we headed back to Disney World to catch a ride or two at the new Pandora world in Animal Kingdom based off the movie Avatar. I have to admit my expectations were high but Disney surpassed them. The world of Pandora at Animal kingdom during the day can only be beaten by the world at night. The incredible detail to all the flora and fauna not only in the section but in any trail leading to it is amazing. They have incorporated sounds of alien wildlife all around you as you walk and you have to do a few laps around to really take it all in. Don't forget to look up too since the land is floating above you as well. 

Eva in the wild

      But the best part was finally catching up with a hard working Mike who flew in to meet us so we could be together on Father's Day. 

We had fast passes for the two rides here and I am happy to say, we didn't have to wait in the over two hour lines people were standing in for each. That is even during the extended park hours from 7am-1am. I loved the river ride that goes through the jungle at night, all lit up and irridesent.It was totally my speed. The 4D ride on a banshee's back was unbelievable!....I will never do it again. I found that even though I consoled Gigi's fears by telling her that we would never be moving, the intensity of the ride put the fear of god in me and I the dips and turns had me begging for the end. Not to mention it felt like some beast I was riding kept breathing between my legs. 

Like I said, at night was when Pandora really stepped up her game. 

As a parent I will also say that the app to pre order you food for pick up was the highlight for me. In a day filled with lines it was nice to press a few buttons and then walk to an empty line for pick up and wave to all the suckers who decided to have lunch the old way. 

Speaking of food, Disney Springs (or what I still refer to as Downtown Disney has really expanded. We shopped and dined to our hearts content and celebrated an early Father's Day dinner at STK. The music was a bit loud but Mike seemed to like it and the food was  incredible which is nice since lately Orlando food seems to resemble  flavored cardboard, it is nice to see restaurants stepping up their game again around Disney. 

That ATM was genius

We supplied the bubbles for most of the parks. You're welcome

I'm glad to say that my back sling is still working hard in this family. It is so dang comfortable

I hope to have a million of these to compare our family throughout the years

 I love my family but I especially love them at Disney. They are gamers. 

Wait mom, let me stand like him first. My very own Captain America Jr.

Why must she continue to grow into a beautiful young woman. 

I only got one very bad picture at Father's Day dinner in the restaurant but I guess we are all in it to some extent. The trips were finally given their iPads and I'm in the reflection. 

Here is my family after a great meal. Disney did Nico in at he end.

We had a lot to be thankful for this vacation. Our health, new career opportunities, our kids health, smarts and kindness. But mostly I'm always thankful for this guy. He continues to be the best travel companion I have found in this life and I'm glad I'll be taking him to the next with me. 

Let Summer Begin: First leg of the Miami/ Oralndo Trip June 2017

     

With the school year just ended, we started our engines and raced full speed ahead into summer. A recap so far, Mike started his new business Performance and Regenerative Medicine of Pensacola on May 1st. I'm so proud of him on this endeavor. The triplets finished kindergarten and Golden is no longer a freshman. The girls finished their ballet performances the same day they had their last t-ball game and the coach announced Carlos as the fastest, Gigi as the best at everything, and Beau as the one who is always happy with a smile on her face. I think he nailed it. And lest we forget, Eva got her braces off just in time for final exams. 

 

Big sister takes a bow with her minions

Last day of 9th grade and Kindergarten

Gigi:Mom, I can carry Eva on my shoulders.

Ready for Summer

     Immediately following the end of the school year, we headed to Miami to wish my mother a happy 91st birthday. I am not surprised as I write this to tell you that she has managed to find herself yet another boyfriend. She seems happy in her new living arrangements and better cared for than on her own. She is thrilled when her grandchildren come to visit and declares Golden is a movie star and that Eva looks like her (abuela's) sister in law who won several beauty pageants. 

     We stayed at my sister's beach condo and had a series of visits with friends and family. The week went by in a flash but what amazed me most was to see my nieces and nephews with their kids. I am a great aunt of eighteen kids. I guess that's what you get being part of a big family. I was an aunt at birth so it seems like no surprise to me. 

The Guerra Family

     No vacation to Miami is complete without them. I think I mentioned a little bit of the U2 experience in my last blog. Who better to be my sidekicks than these guys. This visit we had some pool time too and my little Nico was more than happy to swim, kick and even dive to uncle Juan. (the little jerk wouldn't do it with me)

View from the room of our gang

We ate at Bocas House with the Guerras, my niece Susan and the our friends Ruben and Lourdes. The food was spectacular but my favorite was my tres leeches shake. It did not disappoint. 

Dessert drove Bert and Lourdes crazy

Gigi got hers with a chocolate infusion.

Did I mention U2 Concert? 

Tia Maria's House with Marinello, Korvick, Harris clans

The gang keeps growing

TopL:L to R: Troy, Kyle,Golden,Carlos,Eva,Kate,Gigi

Bottom:LtoR: Gavin,Isabella,Beau,Nico, Oden

Beau and Izzy were two peas in a pod. This picture was taken about a second after they met for the first time. 

     The cousins caught lizards, swam in the pool, ate cake and pasta and made a whole lot of noise while getting to hang out with each other. 

Kate only had eyes for Eva tonight

Yes, it was this chaotic but we had fun despite that.

Here are some of my original nieces and nephews. Between them now they have eight beautiful children. 

L to R: Tony, John, Jessica, Susan

The nephew born before me with his oldest son and youngest nephew

Golden and Troy chilling

The fact that my nephew John was in charge of a pool of children made me laugh and squirm at the same time. Notice Gigi thought Oden was a toy she could carry around all night. (No children were harmed in the making of this photo)

Kyle is a swimming phenom. Watch out for this one.

There were so many other fun things but the highlights may also have been Eva getting her first facial with Lillian, donuts at the Salty Donut , and seeing my friend Alicia with her kids at the beach. 

     I always pass by the first house I grew up in, 125st is what it's always been called. Since living here, the house has been painted every color in the Crayola box and the grass has grown in. It was small when we lived in it. Seven kids, two adults in a three bedroom, one bath. The present tenent tells me that the house is now divided into two efficiencies. I guess size is subjective. I used to think it was huge growing up and  now I don't know how we did it. 

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