Accio Orlando!

Does everyone know the theme music to the Harry Potter movies? Bah bum bah bum bum, bah bum bum, bum bah bum bum bah bum...Please think of that music as you read this. Also, I apologize to those of you who haven't read the books or seen the films. It's going to sound like I'm speaking a foreign language from here on out.

Lauren and I are crazy people. To prove this to ourselves, we decided to turn the premiere of the eighth and final HP movie into a holiday extravaganza. In the past, Lauren and I have shared many a Harry Potter memory together. It's been a while since we've lived in the same city, however, and it has reduced the number of times we can dress up as wizards and frighten our friends. So, last fall we made a vow to each other that whatever else was going on at the time, we would find a way to be together for the last film. And together we were.

We spent the weekend of July 15th in Orlando, deciding that visiting Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter was the perfect way to spend our downtime in between frequent viewings of the film. We were those crazies who camped out for the midnight viewing, and we aren't at all ashamed about it. Cory joined us a day into the trip and we got to experience the 3D version, which, unsurprisingly, was a lot like the 2D version.

When we weren't sitting in a movie theater, we were giddily skipping up and down the streets of Hogsmeade. I should note that Lauren and I made a trip to the place last year for the grand opening, so we were seeing it with experienced eyes. It hadn't lost its luster.


Here's a photo of us in the Hog's Head Pub. The Hog's Head Pub! Notice Lauren is drinking a Butterbeer while I'm enjoying a Hog's Head Brew. We have different taste buds.



The theme park has a neat little store based off Ollivander's wand shop from the books. You have to wait quite a while to get in, but it's worth it. Once inside, one person per show gets picked to go through a custom wand buying experience. Lauren and I almost died with excitement when we realized Mr. Ollivander was eyeing her up. Here's a video of Lauren getting fitted for her wand, as all students getting ready for their first term at Hogwarts must. I didn't capture our squeals of joy as we exited the shop, but I'm sure you can imagine for yourselves.

Now, here are some random pics of the trip. Cory weathered a quintessentially-Florida downpour by playing Ms. Packman. Also, enjoy a photo of what I would look like as a Nascar driver. It's in my future, I'm sure.

Spring Break '11

Okay, so I wasn't on spring break. But a post about Fort Lauderdale Beach felt like it warranted a spring break reference. Plus, this trip took place over the last weekend before summer, so I say it's applicable.

Recently, I spent a long weekend in SoFla and it was as refreshing as a day at the beach. Cory and I were in town for his ten year high school reunion, and I decided to fly down early to spend some time with the fam. My Mom and her clan drove down from their home an hour and a half away, since we hadn't seen each other in a while. At different points, we had myself and Cory, my mother, stepfather and sister, my Grammy and step-grandparents, my aunt and three cousins. It was a very crowded but very happy holiday in the sun.

We stayed at the Grand Pelican, a pretty hotel that reminded me of the Grand Floridian at Disney World. Of course, its real highlight was the lazy river, which was much enjoyed by both my 10-year-old sister and Cory.


One of the best things about the hotel was that its right on the beach. Most of the hotels in that area are across the street from the water and you have to walk across to get to the sand. We took full advantage of being on the water: we had our meals on the hotel's patio overlooking the beach and kept our room doors open at night to hear the waves.

And now, for no real reason, I'm posting a pic of my mother at the pool. Her face hasn't graced this blog yet and it's possible she'll make me take it down, but for now here she is:

Doesn't she look young?

Our weekend ended with the reunion, and we got together with a bunch of friends from high school beforehand (Yes, Cory and I went to the same high school, though we didn't graduate the same year. Go Paladins!). Here's some pre-party shots of the class of '01. See how I brought it full circle? And no, the blue thing wasn't planned.


Psst, my friend Elan (who's in the pic above and has been mentioned in posts like this) and his wife Melissa became parents today! Mazel tov you guys!!!