Beavers Abroad: February 2016

Disneyworld 2014

After the craziness of the wedding things were pretty quiet in January and early February before my annual work conference. We go to Orlando every year and I usually tack on a trip to Texas but since we had just visited we decided to help Mom and Dad celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary at the happiest place on earth - DISNEYWORLD!!

We stayed at the Yacht Club on the Disneyworld property so we were able to walk to most of the resorts, making the most of the few days we were there. It was Lloyd's first visit to Disneyworld so he wore around a badge that said 'First Time Visitor' and in true Disney customer service, was welcomed by staff celebrating his first visit. Mom and Dad wore Happy Anniversary buttons and had people telling them Happy Anniversary throughout the entire visit. The weather was pleasant and sunny and our days were jam packed with walking, rides and meals.

In Tomorrowland we passed by an old-favorite ride, the People Mover! Mom and Jamie used to ride the People Mover at Disneyland in California while the rest of us rode Space Mountain, it is a slow-moving tram ride which wasn't too scary for a young Jamie.

All in all we spent a great weekend getting pampered by Disney and loved every minute of it. Until next time, Mickey!

Cinderella's Castle...and a lovely crane

The people mover!

Truly stuff dreams are made of! So nostalgic

Castle at night

One of the many fantastic meals while we were there

Picture with the First Time visitor and Cinderella's Castle

Mom and Dad at one of the 3D shows

Happy 39th Anniversary Mom & Dad! Thanks for sharing it with us

Special card and balloons delivered to lovebirds

Fireworks over the castle on the last evening

Ho Ho Homicide 2014

Another favorite event from 2014 was cousin Robin's annual holiday party, this time in a murder mystery theme. We all dressed up as elves or reindeer and were given a name, profile and clues and were tasked with speaking to the other characters to get information to solve the Christmas murder mystery. There was plenty of food and drinks and a house full of people in the festive spirit which made for a really fun and entertaining evening.

The future Mr. & Mrs. Cilliers

Barry and Dad in character

Food, family and fun!

Our wacky host, Robin

Callie, Mom and Frosty

Jokers...Lloyd Len and Barry

My favorite Mother-in-Law-to-be

Grandpa and cousin Peggy

Jen, Lloyd and Duane...Mr. Cool

Christmas Day 2014

On Christmas Day 2014 we all got dressed up and went to First Baptist for the Candlelight service. This year's service was especially quick...because we misread the time and showed up 30mins late! But just in time for the good stuff :) Afterwards we went over to Grandpa's for the reading of the Christmas story, pie and presents.

Lloyd bonding with Jackson during the photo session

The family: Dad, Mom, Tess, Lloyd, Gail, Bryan, Barry, Grandpa, Jamie, Jackson & Jen (Photographer Len)

Jackson's new Christmas toy

Len, Mom & Grandpa

Dad's new orange (plastic) trombone called the Pbone!

That toy lasted less than 5mins

Jackson did not approve of the Pbone!

Christmas Eve 2014

Once again I am horribly overdue on the blog!! So behind that I have to add the year to the date of the post, which is so sad! But that is just a testament to how busy we have been lately. I was so hung up on compiling all of the pics and videos from the wedding and felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content so I've avoided posting and am now very behind! But I've reached a decision - in the true spirit of procrastination I will save the wedding post for another day and carry on!

Christmas eve 2014 was a bit different but still very fun, because literally everyone was in town for our wedding! The Solomons graciously hosted Christmas Eve lunch and we enjoyed an afternoon of eating, some improptu singing and really enjoyed spending time with everyone.

Mt choir director from London gave me some choir arrangements of Christmas songs and we enjoyed singing together. Well - I enjoyed singing, Dad and Jamie were talked into it by Uncle Johnny!

It was great having Uncle Johnny and Aunt LouAnn join us which made for a very special Christmas and a tradition that I hope can continue!